Charis

    I stared at Kyren, my mind reeling from his revtion about Delia''s intentions.

    There were so many shocking pieces of information to process that I didn''t know where to start. The fact that he knew Delia was a half-breed, or the part where he casually mentioned that she wanted to sleep with Ramsey.

    I decided to tackle her half-breed status first, and also because I didn''t want to sound like a jealous housewife.

    "Half-breed?" I repeated with surprise. "I should have known. I didn''t pick up any scent from her at all."

    Kyren nodded, taking another piece of steak into his mouth calmly. "Yeah, she did an excellent job of hiding it, but I''m a Lycan and a spiritual one at that. I should be able to detect these things. Also, she''s not a werewolf like you might assume."

    "What do you mean?"

    "She''s actually a half-bred Lycan and Siren, hence her seductive nature and her ability to manipte people''s desires. Neither of her parents is human."

    My jaw fell open. "You''re serious?"

    "Very," he said, staring at me with a deadpan expression. "I know it''s a sensitive topic, the situation she got into, and I believe her, no doubt, but the only reason she dresses like that is because of her nature. Sirens are natural seducers."

    "Woah. You seem like you''ve figured everything out about her. If you knew this much, then what was the point of bringing me along?"

    Kyren leaned against the kitchen counter, his expression growing more serious. "Because it''s not Delia we''re primarily worried about, remember? It''s the creatures that are actually doing the attacks. I cannot identify them through normal means, and neither can the other council members. We can''t even definitively tell if they''re supernatural entities, but your wolf can sense things we cannot. That''s exactly what she did today at the crime scene."

    He paused, studying my face. "We''re hoping to put an identity to whatever is responsible for these killings soon so we know exactly what we''re dealing with and how to stop it."

    I was too stunned to continue eating. My appetite had diedpletely. I sat there in silence for a moment, trying to process everything, until a thought crossed my mind and I turned to him again.

    "Shouldn''t we do something about her? If she''s this dangerous half-breed with ulterior motives, why are we letting her stay close to the investigation?"

    Kyren shook his head. "She doesn''t pose any significant risk to us at this point. Whispering Pine is filled with more Werecreatures than I have ever seen, and since Sirens aren''t part of the Hollow Kinmunity, we cannot take action until there''s a need to."

    "You want to follow the rules in situations like this?" I scoffed. "That''s weak, man."

    "We want to unravel her true intentions by keeping her close and monitoring her behaviour. There''s a reason she''s lying about her true identity and trying to conceal it. Don''t worry about it, we''ve got that situationpletely covered."

    The casual way he brushed off my concerns only made my anxiety worse. "Do you... Do you think she''ll actually seed in sleeping with my husband?"

    At that exact moment, Ramsey entered the kitchen and went straight to the refrigerator, opening it to retrieve a bottle of water. His timing couldn''t have been more perfect—or more awkward.

    "Who''s sleeping with me?" he asked, breaking the seal on the water bottle and taking a long gulp.

    "Delia," Kyren replied without missing a beat. "I was just telling your wife to prepare herself for the fact that Delia is definitely going to attempt to seduce you."

    Ramsey shrugged; he wasn''t surprised. "Isn''t it obvious? She also wants to get into your pants, too, Kyren." He scoffed with amusement. "Damn sirens, they think everyone will fall for their charms..."

    "Wait!" I stopped him mid-sentence. I was trying not to sound like a nagging wife at this point. "You knew she was a half-breed, too?"

    "Yeah," Ramsey said, looking confused by my surprise. "You couldn''t tell?"

    "She cannot detect half-breeds, Ramsey," Kyren interjected. "She''s not a Lycan; her senses work differently."

    Ramsey''s face shifted instantly as if he remembered that I was truly not a Lycan.

    He sighed deeply and muttered some expletives under his breath. "I''m so sorry, darling. I honestly didn''t remember that distinction. Being around so many Lycans all the time, I sometimes forget..."

    "Well, you should never forget," I fired at him with a re. "I am a werewolf and will always remain a werewolf. Don''t you dare ever forget that and always tell me things instead of making me beg for them."

    "I won''t, baby," Ramsey murmured, moving closer to kiss the top of my head.

    His familiar scent and the warmth of his touch helped calm my irritation slightly, but I still had more pressing questions. I turned back to Kyren.

    "Does she seed?"

    "Seed? Who?" Kyren asked, staring at me warily.

    "In sleeping with Ramsey. Does the half-breed seed in her seduction attempts?"

    Kyren sighed, suddenly looking ufortable for the first time since our conversation began. "I don''t want to tell you that."

    "Why not?" I pressed. "Just tell me the truth. It''s easier to know beforehand and prepare myself for the worst-case scenario."

    "I don''t ever n on cheating on you, L," Ramsey said quietly. "I have never nned on being unfaithful, and Kyren''s visions have limitations. Sometimes he cannot see that far into the future withplete uracy. He''s not a moon priest, after all."

    "I can see as far as I want into the future, Ramsey," Kyren shot back proudly. "I have attained the third spiritual realm. I am essentially as powerful as a Moon Priest or Priestess in terms of foresight."

    He turned to me with a slight smirk. "And no, he doesn''t cheat on you. Though I have to admit, I was rather hoping he would, so I could legitimately make you my mate instead."

    Thatst sentence made me freezepletely. I turned slowly to look at Ramsey. To my amazement, he had an amused expression on his face, as if Kyren''s confession was entertaining.

    "So you''re just going to stand there and do absolutely nothing?" I demanded.

    "Do what, dear?" Ramsey asked, looking innocent.

    "He just openly confessed to wanting me as his mate, and that doesn''t bother you even slightly?"

    "Well, there''s not much I can do about his feelings," Ramsey said with a shrug. "I cannot stop Kyren from liking you or being attracted to you."

    "You knew he liked me?" I squeaked.

    "Yes," Ramsey nodded calmly. "I catch him staring at you all the time when he thinks no one is looking."

    "You''re a beauty to behold, L," Kyren said quietly.

    Ramsey leaned against the counter. "Listen, babe, you have to understand something important about Hollow Kin Lycan. They''re not as cultured and civilised as the rest of us are. They fail to understand basic human courtesies and social boundaries. They still operate on more primitive instincts and will try to eliminate anyone who gets in their way of something they want."

    My head was spinning now. "Hold on," I raised my hand to stop the conversation. "Are you trying to tell me that he would actually try to kill you because of me?"

    "Yes," Kyren answered before Ramsey could respond. "If I were to fall deeply in love with you and could no longer function properly because of that obsession, then I might feelpelled to eliminate Ramsey to gain dominance over you. That''spletely typical Lycan behaviour. Don''t werewolves do something simr?"

    At that exact moment, Elias entered the kitchen, and I immediately turned to hi,m hoping for rity.

    "Is it true?" I asked urgently.

    "What is true?" Elias asked, scanning the room, sensing the tension in the air.

    "Is it true that a male Lycan can kill someone to get the person they want?"

    Elias nodded slowly. "Yes, but it''s an ancient practice that has long been abolished in our packs today. But it used to be a thing in those days. The strongest gets the most desired female."

    I turned back to look at Kyren and Ramsey, and to myplete shock, they both had mischievous smiles spreading across their faces.

    Kyren turned to Ramsey, "I told you she loves you so much. Look at how protective and territorial she became."

    I gaped. "So this was all a joke?" I yelled, "And you, Ramsey, you actually joined him to trick me."

    "I''m sorry, babe," Ramsey began, trying to school his expression. "I didn''t mean for things to escte that quickly, and I thought you would realise we were teasing you."

    But before he could finish his exnation, Nymeris''s voice suddenly filtered through my mind, cutting me off from the conversation.

    ''Close your eyes,'' was all my wolf spirit said, but themand carried such authority and immediate danger that I didn''t hesitate to obey.

    L, close your eyes. I need to show you something."