“Are you fucking my brother?” he asked.
She recoiled as if he’d slapped her. The distress she radiated almost made him regret the question, but then he recalled that she was agreatactress.
“No!” she cried. “He’s an asshole.”
Cole couldn’t argue with that. “Some women like that in a man, and he is a dark fae. We are known for our ability to seduce.”
“I deserve your anger and distrust, but I would never do that to you. I love you.”
Those three words managed to work through some of his fury, but was she telling him the truth, or was it some sort of manipulation?
He’d never doubted her before, never would have put her in the same category as Becca, but now he wasn’t sure what to believe.
Had she been using him for power? Did she intend to play him and Orin against each other?
The rational dark fae part of him understood why she’d kept this from him. He hadn’t told her everything about himself either. Still, the lycan part was furious, jealous, and determined to see her and Orin together so he could judge their relationship for himself.
The more emotional lycan was winning.
He took a couple of steadying breaths, and for a second, it helped to calm him. Then he pictured Orin beneath her manor and near her when he couldn’t be, and his blood pressure skyrocketed.
Swinging his legs out of bed, he rose and stalked over to his armoire. He tore the door from the hinges when he yanked it open. He almost smashed it against the wall, but he retained enough control to set it beside the armoire.
“Is Orin still there?” he demanded.
“I think so, but he comes and goes. He finds more refugees and brings them back before going back out to find food for them. Sometimes he’s gone for a few days.”
“Get dressed. We’re going to see him.”
“Cole….”
He didn’t look back at her as he pulled on a pair of pants and a tunic.
“Cole….”
Steeling himself for the wave of anger he knew was about to follow, he glanced at her over his shoulder. Cole gritted his teeth and tried not to picture Orin touching her and knowing her in the same intimate way he did.
“I am sorry I kept this from you, but I didn’t lie to you. I just didn’t tell you,” she said.
“Semantics.”
“Maybe, but I do believe I’m doing the right thing by helping those refugees. No matter what, I love you and would never betray you with anyone else.”
He wished he could believe her.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Lexi triedto keep up with Cole as he stalked through the palace. When he stopped outside a door, she stood to the side and waited while he banged on it.
She had no idea what to say or do to get through to him, and she wasn’t sure she could. Ever since she’d told him about Orin, his eyes had burned silver fire. The lycan part of him was in control now, and a pissed-off lycan was far from reasonable.
She’d expected him to react badly to her revelation, but she hadn’t expected this distance or for him to think she’d slept with Orin. She winced as she recalled that accusation and the way his silver eyes shuttered over when he asked if she was sleeping with his brother. It was as if she ceased to exist to him.
She’d never imagined he would jump to that conclusion, but she’d also never seen him this livid. She ached to hug him and tell him that she’d never considered sleeping with Orin, but he wouldn’t welcome her touch. He’d probably push her away, and she couldn’t handle that.
And truth be told, she was angry too. She was working to keep it under control, but he’d accused her of being unfaithful when she’dnevergiven him any reason to doubt her.
You kept the brother he’s been hunting hidden from him. A brother who is a good part of the reason his father is dead. That could be why he doubts you.
