It's not about me

The place was fancy. I had no idea who owned it, but Damian kept a firm grip on my hand while we stepped inside, didn’t wait to get you out of that dress," he muttered low, grinning.

"Sorry, guys, you didn’t need to hear that," I said, smirking.

Wire’s laugh crackled on my earpiece. Space, as usual, stayed silent.

"Alright, you’re clear," Wire said. "Good luck."

Inside, it looked like a damn museum. The guy was clearly a collector.

"Downstairs," I motioned to Damian. "I’ll take the lead."

He kissed my hand, then let it slip away.

I clasped the skirt of my dress and headed down the stairs. I was almost at the bottom when the door opened. Thane stood there, looking at me as if I’d just crashed his party.

"Victoria?" he blinked, eyebrows shooting up. His look dropped to my dress, then he took two quick steps and pulled me into a hug.

I eased back gently. "Thane, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Long story," he said, but then his eyes trailed past me. I turned to see Damian.

"You’re with him?" Thane’s tone changed, his look darkening.

Damian grabbed my wrist, tugging me behind him.

"Stay the hell away from her, Thane. I warned you already."

"You mated with him?" Thane cut in, ignoring Damian completely.

"What’s your deal, Thane? I’m capable of making my own decisions—you don’t get to control me."

"I’m not trying to control you," he said, his voice rigid. "But you’re walking into something dangerous, Victoria. He’s not who you think he is."

"Then enlighten me," I replied sharply, moving closer. "No lies. Just spit it out."

"He’ll hurt you," Thane said, his look softening for a moment. "Just like Drystan did." His words affected me, but something else stung at the edge of my awareness. "Does she even know you’re Drystan’s enemy? He’s probably just using you."

I shook my head, refusing to believe it. "You’re lying." I turned to Damian. "Do you know Drystan?"

His silence was answering enough. I turned and started back up the stairs, my chest tightening. Damian grabbed my wrist.

"Victoria, you know this is real. You can feel it."

I yanked my hand away. "Space, come get me," I said into the earpiece, my voice breaking as tears spilled down my face.

I sat on the bench outside the mansion, waiting. Damian approached, his voice subdued. "Victoria, allow me to explain."

I didn’t look at him. The car pulled up, and Space stepped out, his gaze icy as he opened the door for me.

"You got something to say to me?" I asked, my sound was composed despite the rage inside.

Space took two steps toward Damian. "Stay the hell away from her," he growled before getting back in the car and driving off.

The city lamps streaked past the window, smudging through my tears. I kept wiping them away, but they just kept coming, stubborn as hell. Space threw me a tissue without a word.

"Breathe," he finally said, his voice tranquil and firm. "Damian and the pack leaders? They all know each other. Well, most of them. The kings? They’re ghosts. They stay low-key until they find their mate, want to make sure it’s not about the money."

"True love’s a myth, Space," I spoke quietly, my voice cracking. "Hearts just keep breaking."

"You’re pissed," he said, glancing at me. "You need time to clear your head."

I looked at him, really looked. This was maybe the fifth time I’d seen him, and he barely spoke most days. But here he was, talking to me. His brown hair was longer than I remembered, a scruffy beard starting to shadow his jaw. Tattoos peeked out from under his rolled-up sleeves, and his cold, golden eyes were sharp and unreadable.

He looked like he didn’t belong on our team, too calm, too put-together. But damn, he was smart. Too smart.

He pulled up to a building, got out, and opened the door for me like a gentleman. We took the elevator to the top floor, and his place was massive, a huge apartment with a balcony overlooking the city.

"Space, I…"

"Change. Rest," he interrupted, giving me a T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. His statement left no room for argument.

"Can you unzip me?" I asked, my voice, hardly just above a whisper, holding back another wave of tears.

I walked out in an oversized t-shirt and lounge pants, the waistband pulled tight. Space handed me a cup of coffee and indicated toward the couch. “Sit. You want to talk?”

“Do you even know my name, Space?”

His icy eyes stared at mine. “Yes, Victoria.”

“How?” My voice fractured.

“Heard Damian say it once. Could feel the lie when he did.”

“Great. Everyone has secrets but me. Fine, Space. Just...why? Give me one damn reason. Forget it.” I got up to leave, but he caught my arm and pulled me back to him.

I broke, sobbing into his chest. His hand rested gently on my head. “Victoria,” he uttered. “Go rest.”

“No,” I snapped. “I’m not tired. I’m too pissed to sleep. Why lie to me, Space?”

“Some things you've got to figure out yourself. It’s not about me.”

“Oh, right. Like screwing up and learning? Getting my heart smashed and learning?”

“No,” he said, his voice firm. “More like no one messes with destiny.”

“Destiny? I’m not a fairy-tale princess, Space. I’m just a wolf without a pack.”

He let out a dry laugh. “You do have a pack, Victoria.”

“No, I don’t. He made sure of that. And he won.” I looked at Space. “What’s your real name?”

His gaze stayed locked on mine like frostbite setting in slowly.

"Does knowing change anything?"

"Yeah, like whether or not I'm allowed to know."

A moment passed before his exhale sounded nearly amused, but it was cold, not warm.

Marcus.

The door swung open. Damian stood there.

"Thanks for the hospitality, Space," he said. "Mind giving us a minute?"

I turned away. "Get out. I have nothing to say to you."

" Victoria, listen." Damian walked closer. "Thane is manipulating you. Drystan isn't who you think; he's ruthless, power-hungry. I won't let him absorb my territory."

A bitter laugh slipped out of me. "So, you used me instead."

" That was the first plan," he admitted, voice easing. "But I fell for you. Ironic, right?"

" How did you even find me?" My voice cracked.

" I was tracking Thane for different reasons. Intercepted his communications."

"Kara," I spoke quietly, the realization hitting me.

" She had no idea who I was. She just wanted to protect you."

I wrapped my arms around myself. " Take me home. I need to change."

" Victoria…"

"He never cared about me," I snapped, tears threatening. "So, congratulations, you played yourself."