Chapter 3 SPARKS OF SUSPICIOUS

Deception and Identity

That morning was quieter than normal in the packhouse, but it wasn't reassuring. Like the quiet before a storm, it was heavy.

I was sitting on the side of my bed when there was a loud, authoritative knock. The door opened and Aiden entered before I could respond.

I tried to hide my nervousness by mumbling, "Good morning to you, too."

He didn't answer. Rather, his gaze skimmed over me, evaluating. He urged, "Come with me," in a tone that left no space for disagreement.

Every step I took echoed in the empty hall as I followed him. He ushered me into a little office that seemed menacing despite its lack of furnishings. Leaning against the door with his arms folded, Aiden shut it behind us.

He gestured to the chair across from his desk and said, "Sit."

I sank into the seat and obeyed after hesitating. I could feel the weight of his unwavering, penetrating stare bearing down on me.

He started by saying, "Let's cut the pleasantries." "What brought you here, and who are you?"

I pretended to be perplexed and blinked. "As I said, I'm Iris, a renegade seeking refuge. There is nowhere else for me to go.

His voice was low yet piercing as he said, "Rogues don't just stumble onto pack territory without a reason." Furthermore, they don't live as long as you say they do. Therefore, let me ask you again: who are you?

Despite my racing heart, I maintained a bland demeanor. I said steadily, "I'm not sure what you want me to say." "I've already been honest with you."

He leaned forward with his hands on the desk between us as his eyes narrowed. "You're telling lies."

The charge lingered, and I made myself maintain my composure. "I'm not."

He continued in a softer but no less forceful tone, "You don't act like a rogue." "When someone challenges you, you don't bat an eye. You're not afraid. For someone who has spent their whole life running, it is not typical.

I looked him in the eye and shrugged. "Perhaps I'm just more adept than most at hiding it."

His jaw was clenched as he regarded me for a long time. "You're concealing something," he eventually remarked. "I sense it." I leaned forward a little and whispered hastily, "I'm not a threat." "I promise that I am not here to hurt anybody. All I want is an opportunity to start fresh.

He took a while to reply. Rather, he stood up straight and crossed his arms once again. Finally, he responded, "All right." "You may remain for the time being. But be aware that I will be observing you.

I answered, "Thank you," but his words seemed more like a threat than a gesture of goodwill.

He paused before stepping out after turning and opening the door. "And, Iris?"

"Yes?"

"Don't make me feel bad about this."

I needed to get my thoughts straightened out after the grilling. Aiden's assumptions were way too accurate, and the atmosphere in that room had been oppressive.

I moved silently and lightly as I made my way through the packhouse. There were a lot of rooms and halls in the building that I knew quite well. However, it seemed strange to be here as Iris almost like stepping into someone else's memories.

I heard sounds coming from the council chamber, so I stopped outside. Curiosity overcame me, and the door was open. When I looked through the crevice and saw who was within, I gasped.

Damon and Lyra.

Their voices were harsh yet low, and they stood near. I strained to hear what they had to say as I leaned in.

With an irritated tone, Lyra said, "She's still sniffing around." "I don't believe her."

"Calm down," Damon said with ease. "She's just a rogue. Soon enough, Aiden will find it out and send her on her way.

Lyra narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. Could she be more than a rogue? What if she has some knowledge?

"She doesn't," Damon said contemptuously. Furthermore, it wouldn't matter even if she did. We have already triumphed.

Lyra grinned and eased her stance a little. "You're correct. Yes, we were victorious. Nobody had any suspicions about Nadia's disappearance.

My blood boiled as I heard my name on her lips. It was all I could do not to scream into the room as my hands clenched at my sides.

"And now, I'm Luna," Lyra said, her voice brimming with contentment. I am respected by the pack. They come after me. I've won loyalty that Nadia could never hope to command.

Damon laughed. "I regret that she was so unsophisticated. made everything too simple.

I had heard enough. I couldn't afford to lose control of my wrath, even as it threatened to swallow me. Not quite yet.

My foot snagged on the rug's edge as I turned to go, and the sound reverberated across the corridor.

"What was that?" I froze at the sharpness of Lyra's voice.

I waited while holding my breath. Damon paused, then said. Most likely, just one of the patrols. Don't stress about it.

I didn't stick around to hear what they had to say. I hurried back to my room, making sure my footsteps were quiet. Their comments kept coming back to me, and my mind was racing.

They believed they had triumphed. They believed they were secure.

They were mistaken.

The moonlight was now softly shining through the windows, making the passageways darker. I couldn't go directly to my room, even though I should have. My feelings were too erratic and unfiltered.

I had to breathe.

The fresh wind calmed my racing thoughts as I slipped out a side door and into the cold night. I could see the woodland in front of me, its shadows appealing and deep.

How come you're out here?

I was surprised by the voice and turned to find Aiden standing behind me. His eyes were keen and inquisitive, yet his face was inscrutable.

My heart accelerated as I hurriedly added, "I couldn't sleep." "All I needed was some fresh air."

He moved closer and said, "At this hour?"

"Yes," I said, refusing to back down. "Is that an issue?"

I could feel the weight of his scrutiny from the intensity of his stare. "You've been moving stealthily," he said in a low voice.

I started to refute it, but then he was in front of me, backing me up against the wall with his hands on my arms.

With a roar, he shouted, "Who are you?"

My heart raced in my chest as I gazed up at him. His presence, his fragrance, and his closeness were overpowering. I momentarily lost my ability to breathe.

My voice trembled as I eventually replied, "I told you." "My name is Iris."

He said, his grasp a little tighter, "Don't lie to me." You've been behaving strangely ever since you got here. What do you have to conceal?

I met his eyes and emphasized, "I'm not hiding anything."

As his gaze swept over mine, I briefly believed I saw a glimpse of something recognition.

He repeated, "You're lying," but this time his tone was gentler, almost unsure.

I didn't answer, couldn't respond. The air was heavy with unsaid facts, and the tension between us was oppressive.

His voice was no more than a whisper as he repeated, "Who are you?"

We were stopped by footsteps, and Aiden let go of me, taking a step back as one of his patrolmen came up.

The wolf nodded politely and said, "Alpha." "A problem exists at the southern border. You are necessary to us.

After a last, inquisitive glance at me, Aiden turned to follow the patrol member.

With a mixture of comfort and fear, I watched him go, my chest constricted.

He was approaching the truth too closely.