Chapter 0246

Fear wasn't present in her demeanor.

She radiated pure confidence.

Boldness suited her, and I found myself appreciating it.

"Wasn't I the one you requested to meet?"

"Indeed. But I also anticipated Julian wouldn't inform you. He isn't—or rather, wasn't—typically forthcoming with details."

"People evolve. Circumstances shift."

She nodded in agreement.

"Who sent you, Brianna?"

"No one. I clarified that to Julian yesterday. Didn't he mention it?" She paused, her gaze intensifying. "Apologies, it's just... you bear such a striking resemblance to her. Anyone would assume you were full sisters, not half."

"Flattery won't work on me."

"That wasn't my intention. I merely meant it's astonishing, given your different mothers."

"I suppose our dear father possessed dominant genes." I mused, acknowledging her accuracy. When Julian noted the similarity between Athena and me, I assumed shared features like eyes or lips. The mirror-image shock upon meeting her was undeniable.

Brianna nodded, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. She was undeniably pretty, even with the scar above her full lips. I'd noticed that when she descended from the tree.

She remained a turned Lycan, implying her biter saw potential. Potential I had yet to witness.

"Why are you here, Brianna?"

A frown creased her brow as her eyebrows dipped lower. "I'm searching for my place in this world," she murmured. Her tone remained steady, her heartbeat rhythm unchanged. That's where lies truly revealed themselves.

"Athena despises me," she continued. "Zachary forbids me from leaving Obsidian Howl." Her chocolate brown eyes lifted to the darkening sky. "Sometimes I feel utterly trapped."

"Then simply leave."

"It's not that straightforward."

"Of course it is. You're not a Wolf. You hold no official pack status. You're a Lycan, and not even a pure one. You could depart whenever you wished. The real question is, why haven't you?"

She scowled. "My mate is within the pack."

Still, her heartbeat remained consistent. Either it was truth, or she was a master liar whose body believed the deception. Her gaze held steady.

"Has he claimed you?"

"No." She laughed softly to herself. "The entire pack barely tolerates me, him included, because of what I did to Athena years ago." She paused. "I'm certain Julian already briefed you on that."

He hadn't mentioned a mate, but he did explain her lack of welcome and the reasons behind it.

"Yet you remain alive."

"Only due to their fear of Zachary. And since Zachary is Isabella's mate, he maintains a presence at the pack house." She rocked on her heels. "I'm fairly certain that's my sole reason for survival. What about you? You've survived."

"Skills," I muttered.

"Once a Rogue," she retorted without hesitation. She nodded toward my house where Julian stood with his face pressed against the window.

"I was skilled long before turning Rogue. The pack—" Shit! I'd just made a colossal mistake. My desperation to uncover her lies made me careless with my own cover.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Think! I screamed internally.

"The last pack I resided with trained me. Probably similar to how Alexander trains everyone."

She nodded, and I draped an arm over her shoulders. She knew too much now. I would have to eliminate her.

"Why don't you come inside?"

"I would, but I'm scheduled for dinner with Zachary tonight. If I'm absent..."

"I understand. But five minutes won't cause any harm, will it?" I offered a reassuring smile.

I guided Brianna away from the dilapidated car and toward my home. Her shoulders tensed slightly, as if she sensed what was coming.

"Deep breaths, Brianna. I just want to talk further."