Chapter 13: Hidden.

"Say that again."

Xena's eyes widened but she didn't back down. She never did.

"I said she's not worth it." She crossed her arms, leaning against the leather couch in her father's study. "Come on, Fenrir. We both know this arrangement was temporary. She's a placeholder. A chubby, desperate placeholder who—"

Xena stumbled back as I got in her face, my hand slamming against the wall beside her head. The picture frame rattled. Her breath caught.

"Finish that sentence."

She swallowed. "Fenrir "

"Finish it." She'd known me since we were children. She knew the line. She'd just crossed it.

"I didn't mean "

"You've been running your mouth about her since the day she arrived." My voice was low and Dangerous. "Calling her fat. Calling her useless. Whispering to the other nobles about how I should've chosen you."

"Because it's true!" She shoved at my chest, but I didn't move. "I've been by your side for twenty years! I know your moods. I know your favorite meals. I know what you need before you do. What does she know? Nothing She's nobody."

"She's my wife."

"She's a contract."

I grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at me. "You're my friend, Xena. That's the only reason you're still standing."

Her eyes glistened. "Fenrir, please "

"Where were you last night?"

She blinked. "What?"

"Last night. Between midnight and dawn. Where. Were…You."

"I was here." Her voice cracked. "With my father. You can ask him."

"I will." I released her, stepping back. "And if I find out you had anything to do with the poison "

"Poison?" Her face went pale. "What poison?"

"Someone tried to kill me. They used my wine and now my wife is dying in my bed."

Xena's hand flew to her mouth. "Fenrir, I swear….I didn't know….I would never"

"The servant who delivered it is dead."

She staggered back, hitting the couch. "Dead?"

"Someone slit her throat. Left her in the garage. In one of your father's cars."

Her blood drained. "That doesn't mean "

"It means someone in your circle is involved." I stepped closer. "And right now, you're my only lead."

"Fenrir, you know me." Her voice broke. "We grew up together. I've never lied to you not once."

I stared at her. Searching her face. The girl who'd taught me to skip stones. Who'd patched my wounds after training. Who'd cried on my shoulder when her mother died.

I wanted to believe her.

"Then prove it."

She wiped her eyes. "How?"

"Find out who killed that servant. Use your connections. Your father's men. Someone knows something and I even heard my mother is involved somehow ."

"Your mom? Can’t you see that she's not the one for you?

My hand shot out, gripping her arm. "Better help me find out then I'll consider not throwing you in the tower for treason. That's the deal."

She flinched. "You wouldn't."

"Try me." A beat of silence. Then she nodded.

"I'll find them Tonight."

"Tonight." She swallowed. "But Fenrir there's something you should know. Something about Winora."

My chest tightened. "What?"

"I heard my father on the phone last week. He was talking to someone about her. Someone outside the pack." She paused. "He said, 'She's not what she seems.'"

My blood went cold.

"What else?"

Xena opened her mouth as her phone rang. She glanced at the screen, and her face went white.

"It's my father." She looked up at me. "I have to take this."

"Put it on speaker." She hesitated, then answered.

Her father's voice filled the room.

"Xena, get out of there. Now they know the girl is "

The line went dead.