Chapter 0432

My jaw clicked painfully as I worked it open and closed. Not broken, just throbbing. "Stop lying to me," he snarled.

"You think hitting me will make me talk?" I shot back, my voice sharp. "You know nothing about me. If we were truly mates, you'd be disgusted with yourself right now."

"You're not making it easy to love you at this moment," he growled.

"Love?" I scoffed. "Is this how your Lycan side behaves when you don't get your way?" I yanked against the heavy chains binding my wrists. "You keep claiming your Witch side is stronger, but I'm starting to doubt that. You use your magic to suppress your Lycan nature, but it's failing. You're angry because you can't control me, and now I understand why!"

"Why?"

"Planning to beat the answer out of me?" I sneered.

He didn't respond, just settled back into the chair by the door. He kicked off his boots and propped his feet on the coffee table. His eyes never left me. He wanted to ask, but hesitation held him back. Until now, he had been the one with all the information. I wondered how he'd react when he discovered I was a Hunter. Especially after how he'd punished Hannah for being involved with one.

I met his gaze steadily. Occasionally, the corners of his lips would twitch upward as if he enjoyed the silence, but then they'd flatten when I remained quiet.

Finally, he moved, positioning himself directly in front of me. "You're hiding something."

"Only from you. I suppose it's not a secret, just information you lack."

"Tell me."

"No."

"Tell me now," he demanded. I shook my head. "Is it about you or the pack?"

I shrugged. He clearly hated being kept in the dark. This could work to my advantage.

He laughed roughly, dragging a hand through his hair. "You're incredibly frustrating."

"The feeling is mutual," I muttered. "You're not offering me anything. Why should I give you anything in return?"

"Now I see why you've never found a mate until now," he said with a smug smile.

I stayed silent. I didn't need another slap.

"Tell me your secret, and I'll tell you about Evelyn."

I pressed my lips together and shook my head. The closer he leaned in, the stronger my desire to end him grew. To gut him and watch everything spill out while he still breathed.

Where did that dark thought come from?

He tapped his fingers on his knee, considering. "Fine. You get one question. I'll swear to answer truthfully, and in return, you tell me your secret."

"Three questions," I countered. This could get me killed.

"Two," he replied.

"Three."

"Fine. Three," he finally agreed.

"Who in Obsidian Howl are you after?"

"Evelyn."

I rolled my eyes. "Now who's lying?"

"It's not a lie."

"Why did you want Seraphina to lead you here?"

"I didn't."

I stared. He hadn't let Seraphina lead him to Obsidian Howl. Which meant Evelyn had. When Alexander and I spoke last night, he mentioned that Luc had confirmed Evelyn was telling the truth about not knowing what Levi wanted. But she would be telling the truth if it was her plan—she might not know Levi's full agenda.

"Final question," he mused.

"I'm thinking." How could I warn Alexander before he released Evelyn from the dungeon? "You attacked Hannah." He seemed surprised by my statement. "Because she was with a Hunter."

"That's not a question."

"But it was your doing. Just like you stripped your sister of her abilities. You claimed it was because she kept touching your things, but it was more than that. You love her because she's family, but she's a threat to you." I watched the color drain from his face as he realized I'd figured it out. "None of this was your plan—it was all hers. You followed her here, not Seraphina. Hannah was just an unfortunate bonus for you."

"Stripping Evelyn of her abilities let her hide better. All the questions she's being asked are about you, not her. She's the mastermind behind everything."

I looked up at him, and everything went dark.