He stares at my lips, and the intensity makes me nervous. It feels like a repeat of last night, but we aren't in the privacy of the forest anymore; anyone could walk in. I need to say something to break the silence. "So, you seemed quite irritated with your siblings back there," I say.

He finally looks away from my lips. "They know nothing of the world. They live in their own bubbles, acting as if no harm could ever touch them. Naive kids."

"You have been through a lot, haven't you?" I whisper.

He looks up at me quietly and nods. He seems so vulnerable in this moment.

"And what you said about mates..." I begin, but he looks down, and I stop myself from finishing the question. He runs a hand through his hair before locking eyes with me again.

"I told my father and everyone else that Skye died in the raid. But that was a lie. She was taken prisoner, just like me."

I stay quiet as he begins to recount the ordeal.

"Warrick... the Alpha of the Dark Fang Pack..."

Warrick?

That’s his name? I don't think I’ve ever heard it before.

"He keeps groups of women—three at a time. They are all his mates. He offers them riches and an easy life. I can't say if they were all willing, but... Skye was."

I stifle a gasp. "Why would she... she left you for him? But you two seemed so happy."

"I thought we were, too. But she only wanted me for what I could offer. In her own words, she didn't want to be with me anymore because, as a prisoner, I had nothing left to give her. I was pathetic and powerless. I promised her we would escape, that I had a plan, but she refused. She was drawn in by the power Warrick dangled in front of her. She had been hurt, sure—she was treated poorly—but I shielded her from the worst of it. Then, she threw me away. The mate bond... our soul connection was nothing to her."

"No... she broke the bond?" I am in shock as he nods.

"Yes."

"How could she? Breaking the bond while you were officially mated could have killed you! Why?"

He seems to relax, his expression darkening with realization. "Why? The same reason my brother betrays you. They are scum. People who don't deserve the gift of a mate."

I feel a pang of sympathy, though I know my situation with Ezra is different. Ezra torments me for the sake of it, whereas Colt was holding onto someone he truly loved.

"Did she... reject you?"

He closes his eyes. "She did. But I was the one who refused to accept it. Not for a long time."

"I’m so sorry, Colt. But... why are you telling me this? Why me?"

"Because you are different from anyone else in this damn pack." His demeanor shifts; he looks irritated, and I’m starting to think this is his true self—he is angry, but he hides it well in public. We are more alike than I thought. "Do you know what happens when a mate accepts the mark of another while already mated?" He asks, his jaw clenching as his fingers tighten around his glass.

My eyes widen, and I shake my head. "Is that... even possible?"

"It is. It's a temporary mark, but it was pure agony."

I can't believe anyone would do that. I remember them together; they seemed so happy.

"My soul died that day," he says, staring into his drink. "I hate her. I hate her with every fiber of my being for the pain she caused me. I hate them all, Cass." He looks at me, his gaze fierce. "I won't lie to you: I want revenge. I want them all dead."

He means every word. It scares me, yet I find I cannot blame him. The intensity in him is terrifying, but I hate the silence even more.

"How did you escape, Colt?" I ask, desperate to change the subject.

He drains his glass and fills it to the brim again. "We didn't. It was luck. We were captured by my own pack, actually. But for years, the boys and I had been planning ways to get out and get back at Warrick. We knew it wouldn't be easy, but hope was all we had to keep us alive."

"Wait, you never tried to escape?"

"Of course I did. Once, right when I was first captured."

"What happened?"

"There was a group of us. It was too easy—I knew it was too easy." He pauses, his face pained as he relives the memory. "Now I know it was on purpose. They let the new recruits—as they call the freshly captured—make a run for it. When they catch them, they show them exactly what happens to those who try to leave."

"What did they—"

"They chained one of the men in our group to a post and dumped hot liquid silver on him."

I cover my mouth in horror.

"He didn't die immediately. He lived for another year. They kept him and others like him on full display in the middle of the encampment as an example. They suffered horribly."

This Alpha is a monster.

"He’s... he’s horrible," I whisper.

"He’s a man of extreme ambition," Colt says, looking out the window. "With his power and his lack of conscience, he is the devil himself."

"What is his plan?"

"I’m guessing he wants to conquer all the packs. To be the sole ruler. He’s mad, and he will destroy anyone in his way."

His words fill me with dread. He leans in and takes my hand. "I will stop him.

We

will stop him. I want this fight to end. It’s time someone put him down."

"So, you have a plan?"

He nods. "But nothing you need to worry about right now. Don't you have more dusting to do?"

I narrow my eyes at him, and he offers a tender smile that makes my heart race.

"Well, yes. And I’d probably be finished by now if you hadn't distracted me."

"Ah, so I am a distraction?"

I get up, grabbing my duster. "Never said it was a good one."

I walk toward the door, but he calls out. "Cass."

I turn back, waiting.

"There is so much I have to tell you. Things that concern you directly. But... I don't think now is the right time. Forgive me. I will tell you when the moment is right."

I’m stunned. What could it be? What does he know about me that I don't? I search his face, seeing his sincerity. He has confided in me today—things he hasn't told anyone else. I choose to trust him.

"It's okay," I nod.

I turn to leave, but he speaks one final time. "Oh, and one more thing."

"Yeah?"

"Be ready soon. You are going to be my Luna."

"What?!" I blurt out.

He turns back to the window, swirling his drink. "You heard me."

I stand there, paralyzed. He can't be serious. He’s messing with me—he has to be.

"Colt..." I call him, but he doesn't turn.

"Go finish your duties, Angel," he says softly, eyes fixed on the horizon.

I shake my head and leave the room, deciding I am officially done with this "dusting" nonsense. I don't think anyone will notice if the curtains remain dusty. I slip out of the pack house and into the fresh air, letting the sun hit my skin.

I spot Lauren in the distance and head toward her.

"Hey, where have you been?" she asks.

"They had me dusting inside the pack house."

"Dusting? Why?"

"Colt wants to try something new with the Omegas and Gammas."

She stares at me, confused. "...Colt?"

"Yeah. Why do you look at me like that?"

"Because you don't call anyone in the Alpha or Beta families by their first name—except for Ezra or Bryn, and that’s only because you like to piss them off."

"I don't do it on purpose."

"Oh, yes, you do."

I look away, thinking. Maybe she’s right. It definitely bothers Bryn when I don't use her title, and I

do

enjoy her reaction. I shrug, but Lauren is looking past me toward the fields. "What is happening over there?"

I look in the direction she’s pointing and see Dash and Ezra in a heated exchange.

"Uh oh..."

We don't wait; we sprint toward them as their shouting grows louder.

"Because it’s none of your damn business!" Dash screams. "I’ll do whatever the fuck I want and talk to whoever the fuck I want!"

"I don't give a shit if you're my brother's friend!" Ezra roars. "Touch her again and I will rip you apart!"

"Touch her?! What the fuck are you talking about?!" Dash demands.

Oh shit.

"You know damn well!" Ezra growls.

"Then you’re fucking crazy if you think I put my hands on her! Why does it even matter? You don't even want her!"

Ezra grabs Dash by the shirt, both of them showing signs of their wolves shifting to the surface.

"Stop!" I shout. "It—it wasn't him!"

They both freeze and look at me.

"I know it was him!" Ezra snarls.

"It wasn't!" I insist.

Dash looks at Ezra, then at me, and something seems to click. He grabs Ezra’s wrists, forcing his grip to loosen.

"Don't you fucking touch me again," Dash warns. "You have no idea what I’m capable of." He shoves Ezra away and walks past me, giving me a sly, side-eyed grin. "I have a bone to pick with your little lover," he whispers.

My eyes widen. He figured it out already. I look at Ezra, terrified he heard, but he’s too distracted by his own rage.

Once Dash is gone, Ezra zeros in on me, his anger radiating off him. "You..." He clenches his fists, grinding his teeth, before letting out a frustrated growl and stalking away.

"Do you... care to explain?" Lauren asks, appearing out of nowhere. I’d completely forgotten she was there.

I give her an awkward smile. "Hehe... no."

I try to walk away, but she follows. "Cass!"

"Fine! Come here." I pull her close. "Someone kissed me, Ezra felt it, and that’s all."

She gasps. "WHO? WHO WAS IT? I MUST KNOW!"

I laugh. "Seriously?"

"This is the juiciest gossip! And he deserves it—I hope he felt it in his core! Was it that guy?" She points to where Dash left.

I shake my head. "No."

"Then who... wait... wait a minute..."

My eyes widen.

No way.

"Wait a goddamn minute!" She stares at me, eyes wide, and I know I must look like an idiot standing here.