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Loyal after all of this. I felt horrible for believing a single bad thing about her, and I deserved all these feelings and more.
“You aren’t buying any of this?” Rafael spat.
“What do you think I’m buying?” The wolf came through in my tone, the anger piercing the perceived calm. “I haven’t said a word.”
The hair on the back of my neck rose. All of us dropped ever so slightly into a fighting stance, the tension building, eyes flickering. I didn’t want anyone to move on Raf, not before we had it out. I wanted to know why, and maybe I never would. Closure was a myth, but he was my brother. Maybe I felt I owed it to our blood to allow him to defend himself.
“You think I’m the problem, not her?” Rafael snarled. “I’m your fucking brother.”
“Did anyone say you were the problem?” Vin asked, calmer than my voice would be. His tone practically dripped honey.
“I can smell it on you,” Rafael said with a scowl. It wasn’t a total lie, but not entirely accurate either.
There were times wolves could smell intent but not the type nor at whom it was directed. Vin could be walking in here like he had been about to accuse anyone.
“Sniff away, dog. I know what you are.”
“You gonna let him speak to your brother like that?” Rafael asked. “Let a fuck come get in our business?”
He was right. Or at least he would have been. Six months ago, I would have sided with Rafael over Vin. But I’d transformed. I wasn’t that person anymore. I saw beyond my pack and my blood. After bonding to Vin, we’d become more. He wouldn’t come between us. He wouldn’t do anything to bring us harm. I’d feel it if he tried, but I don’t think he could.
“Do you believe I’d side with anyone over my mate?” My words were calm, and I realized I was calm.
“I can’t believe you’d side with anyone over your blood,” Rafael said the last again, like it was some magic substance that should preside over all.
“So I should side with my blood when he’s trying to stab me in the back? When he betrays our kind?” My eyes flashed to black, my wolf wanting to rip him to shreds. It was too close to the moon to be doing this. I redoubled my hold on my wolf, tightening the locks on his cage in my mind. Grinding my teeth while trying to swallow back his need for revenge.
Vin’s fingers found the small of my back, tucking under the hem of my shirt, infusing comfort through the barest of touches. Simple and yet so powerful.
“You have no proof of that, only whatever he has to say.” Rafael forced words from between clenched teeth.
“How do you know I have anything to say about you at all?” Vin was playing this too well.
“I told you, I can smell it on you,” Rafael spat.
“I’m tired of the back and forth.” I growled, not sure if I or the wolf said it. “Say what you came here to say, Vin.”
“In front of her?” Vin nodded toward Laura.
“Yes, I owe it to her. I’m here because of what Rafael told me.” I met Laura’s eyes, and we had a silent exchange. She’d wait until I explained to her what brought on my suspicion. I owed it to her.
“Very well.” Vin flicked a glance at her and then stepped away from me. I couldn’t tell if this was to give my wolf space or to present a front to accuse Rafael that was not attached to me. “A couple of years ago, I had a client attempt to buy wolfsbane.”
Laura’s and my gasp cut his words off. We exchanged a look. I didn’t dare turn to my brother. Surely he couldn’t. Wouldn’t.
No wolf would.
“And?” I demanded, staring at Rafael. His expression didn’t change one bit.
“And it was your brother.”
“You’re sure?” I pressed. If he couldn’t see I needed details, he’d better learn. This wasn’t just my brother backstabbing me. Wolfsbane was the most grievous offense of our kind. Worse than a betrayal. It put all of us at risk.
“Yes.” He kept it close to his chest.
Rage pulsed in my veins. I could have torn every one of them to shreds had I let the wolf free. Red filled my vision, and my fingers curled at my sides, the bite of my nails the only thing keeping my wolf at bay. It wouldn’t last long.
“And you’re only telling me now someone is trying to get their hands on wolfsbane.”
