1
Truth
Truth
Xander POV
When the car stops at the pack, we get out. Serafine says nothing, she clutches that book to her chest like it’s life. I don’t get why she’s so obsessed with it, but she is. I’ll need to watch her more closely going forward. I need to figure out what it is about that book that keeps her attached to it.
“Xander,” Jace waves me over, and I go to him. “Shall we discuss the deal now, or after?” His question throws me, normally he has the plan sorted and signed without the need to ask. That means something is delayed with the main meeting.
My eyes scan the place. “When is the main meeting happening?” I ask, wanting to stay low until that happens. I don’t want Giddeon to know I’m here, I want to see who he’s with. That’s if he’s with someone. I keep my hand wrapped around Serafine’s arm.
Jace sighs. “We’re waiting on a few random people to arrive, twenty minutes maybe?”
Twenty minutes gives me time to walk around and speak to people. See their reactions, see if anyone recognises Serafine and if they do then I’ve got another answer to a question I have.
“That’s fine, we will look around, joining the meeting then discuss the deal.” I smile and he nods. His eyes go from me to Serafine.
“Serafine, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” he says softly, and my hand grips her harder.
I knew it, she lied, all this, I was locked away bullshit was a lie. Maybe she thought her father would tell people to play pretend and act like they didn’t know her if they saw her again?
“What?” She stares at him.
“You know her?” I ask. It’s clear he does, he didn’t hesitate for a second and no one, not a single person outside my pack knows that I have bought her. So he knows her from before that.
Jace laughs softly. “Of course I do, she makes amazing deals for her father. I’ll see you two in the meeting,” he says before walking off.
Turning, I glare at her, my grip getting tighter. “You lied!” I knew it, I knew she couldn’t be trusted. You know what, I don’t care about the initial lie but I just gave her a choice, I let her be honest and she refused to be, again!
“No! I don’t know him, I’ve never been here.”
“Oh cut the crap! He recognised you instantly.” I pull her forward. “I gave you a chance to be honest and you lied, all the way here.”
She pulls out of my hold. “I’m the liar? So you’re going to trust what he says without a second thought? What if he’s lying?” She steps closer, until we’re almost chest to chest.
“He has nothing to gain by lying, but everything to lose.” Jace lying would come back to him and make everything worse, so I know he’s not. This is the exact reason I brought her here. I knew this was the one place that all her lies would unravel.
I knew everything she said would crumple down into ash and she would have no where to hide.
“Xander.”
The voice has me pause.
“Not ruthless, not even a rogue,” he mutters and tilts his head.
Serafine stiffens beside me seeing her father again.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” I state.
“Really? I thought you were here for me?” He steps closer and I keep Serafine close to me. His eyes go from me to her.” Thank you for the information, you proved to be useful, it’s just a shame you’re now his.”
My grip on her tightens, my nails coming out. She told him.
“I-” she stops and stares.
“What information would that be?” I ask.
“Oh come on Xander. How else do you think I learnt that you weren’t a rogue? How do you think I know about the special beasts you have to protect your pack? She told me everything.”
Turning I look at her.
“No,” she whispers.
“He knows Serafine, so you can stop the act now.”
“You planned this?” I ask. “You sold her knowing I would buy her, you used it to gain knowledge on my pack?” Anger burns through me, and it’s not at him, it’s at her.
172
Truth
“Of course this was all the plan. Now I know the truth, I do however apologise for your mate.”
My body moves, and I slam him against the wall, a growl erupting instantly. “Don’t you dare even mention her again.” Chuckling he nods. “Apologises, I’m guessing it’s still a sensitive topic.”
Shoving him back, I step away from him. I have what I came for, but I’m not leaving yet. I want to find out the truth, about everything
Serafine stands there frozen, her face is as pale as the dusted stone beneath her feet. Her eyes are locked forward on her father like she’s seeing a ghost. It’s not fear that is rippling through her, it’s betray Tand bone–deep confusion that she can’t even hide. Even now she’s clutching that book like it’s armor. It’s like she sees it as something sacred.
She doesn’t run, shout or anything. She stands and stares at him, part of me hates that it makes me hesitate.
“I didn’t tell him anything,” she says at last, her voice is raw and thin and it’s barely more than a breath. “I swear, I never spoke to him.”
“Don’t insult my intelligence,” I snap, stepping between her and the bastard that raised her. “He knew things no outsider should. You’re the only new variable, and you’re tied to him by blood. I gave you chances. You chose to lie.”
I watch her jaw tremble slightly.
