Raina’s POV“What’s a devourer?” I asked, my gaze flicking from Miss Dorothy to Ian.No one answered.Liam kept his expression blank—or at least he tried to. But I could see a subtle flicker of worry in his eyes. Miss Dorothy had her eyes on the book Ian had handed her, occasionally glancing up at me, then back at the vampires, like she was trying to silently warn or guide me. As for Ian, he just stared. It was unnerving. His eyes didn’t blink, his smile stayed curled like it was sewn into his face, and I couldn’t stop shifting from foot to foot under his gaze.The silence in the room stretched uncomfortably long. The kind of quiet that made every second feel heavy. I opened my mouth to ask why everyone was acting weird when Ian clapped his hands suddenly, slicing through the stillness like a blade.“Let’s move on to business, shall we?” he said, looking to Miss Dorothy. “The girl is here now. Can we begin?”My eyebrows shot up. “Wait—were you guys waiting for me?”Miss Dorothy was th
Liam’s POVI hadn’t been able to confront Ian when I’d gotten home that night. The things the wolf had revealed to me made me realize just how much I couldn’t trust my brother anymore. If he could frame one of his own, how easy would it be for him to eliminate me once he realized I’d found out things I wasn’t supposed to? Especially since he’d have more than enough reasons to justify my death—and the clan would believe every word of it.I tried so hard to pretend everything was fine. Like he was still the perfect leader I once believed him to be. I drank with him. Laughed with him. Even went hunting with him for the creature that had kept Windshade on edge. Yet, things didn’t feel the same anymore. No matter how well I played my part, the gap between us was widening.It felt like instead of accomplishing my missions, I kept adding to the list. Every day uncovered another crack.The wolves had been right. I couldn’t do this alone. But reaching out to them still felt like betrayal. Some
Raina’s POVThe scent of burnt coffee clung to the sheriff’s office like a second skin. Papers were scattered across the round table, a half-finished map of Windshade pinned to the center with coffee mugs and open files. Red markers circled each crime scene, and there were more circles now than there had been last week. Too many.Nina sat beside me, twirling a pen between her fingers, her brows furrowed in quiet frustration. Across from us, Sheriff Grant rubbed his temple, squinting at a page in front of him like it might start making sense if he stared long enough.“This doesn’t add up,” he muttered, pushing the file away. “There’s no pattern. No DNA. No tracks. Just bodies. Drained and dumped like some twisted message.”“It’s not a message,” Nina said softly. “It’s a warning. It’s getting closer.”“Or bolder,” I added.The room fell quiet for a moment. The buzzing fluorescent light above us hummed the only sound.Sheriff Grant let out a long breath, then looked between us. “Raina, y
Liam’s POV“You need to come back to Manhattan with us. Your brother is losing it.”I let out a dry laugh. “Ian doesn’t lose anything. Especially not his mind.”“No,” the werewolf said, lips curling over his teeth. “But he’s losing his morals.”I didn’t flinch. Instead, I tilted my head, studying him.“You know, when I said I’m listening, I expected some kind of explanation. Not vague, cryptic shit. I’m not fucking Sherlock.”“Steven.”I straightened. “What about him?”“So the name does ring a bell. I heard he was ‘punished,’” he said, air-quoting the last word.“Steven disobeyed a direct order. He went rogue.”The wolf shook his head. “He didn’t. That’s the lie Ian wanted you to believe.”“Ian wouldn’t lie to me. Transparency is one of the traits that makes him a good leader.”A wave of scoffs rippled through the wolves. The man raised a hand again, silencing them.“Transparency? Or manipulation? Let me ask you something, heir to the Nocturnus clan.”I didn’t let my surprise show. No
Liam’s POVHow could she say her first time wasn't important? I'd heard enough stories to know it’s one of those unforgettable memories most girls carry with them, etched into their bones, burned behind their eyelids. And yet Raina just shrugged it away like it was nothing.Something was off.I couldn’t voice the suspicion clawing at my thoughts—it was clearly a sensitive topic for her. Drilling her with questions wouldn’t help, even though my curiosity burned like acid in my veins. But what if… what if I’d been right all along?I took a cautious step closer, intent on studying her expression a little longer, when the soft pat of footsteps on the landing made me freeze. My head snapped toward the door just as it swung open.“I brought dinner—”Instantly, I flicked my fingers toward the open window, summoning a gust of wind. It billowed inward, ruffling their hairs and shifting their attention long enough for me to launch myself out.I landed silently on the roof above Raina’s bedroom,
Raina's POVThe contents on my reading table came crashing to the floor as I landed with a thud, my butt now occupying the space. Liam stood between my legs, his hands buried in my hair as his mouth worked over my bare breasts. I gasped, digging my nails down his back, holding onto him like he was the only thing keeping me grounded."Jeez, Raina, are you sure about this?" he panted, trailing kisses from my nipple up to my neck, then capturing my mouth again.In response, I fumbled with his trousers, my fingers struggling to get the button undone. "Why the hell is this thing so complicated?"Liam chuckled, his breath hot against my lips. Without warning, he lifted me effortlessly and carried me to the bed. The next moment, his trousers were on the ground, and his full length was on display in the soft moonlight streaming through my window.I watched him, my gaze hungry, making no attempt to hide the desire burning inside me. He lowered himself gently, his weight settling against me. I