“How did he know all of that?” Sebastian was the one to voice the question I wanted the answer to.

Maverick stood with his arms crossed, his eyes scanning around the study. He must have bugged the room. Somehow.

Sebastian frowned. How?

He has to have someone on the inside. Maverick speculated. He rolled his shoulders slightly. It was to shake off the anger from the encounter with Kane.

Someone in the pack would have had to do it. But the question was who? Who would betray those close to them?

We need to sweep the entire house for bugs. Sebastian stated.

Maverick nodded. All conversations going forward about Alexandria and the situation will need to conducted via the mind link until we can secure a room. We can’t afford for any further details to be leaked to Kane.

We can’t mind link with Tristan. Sebastian reminded.

He’ll have to wait until we can secure a room. We will have to keep sweeping the house for bugs until we can figure out who planted it. I saw the look of distrust in Maverick’s eyes as he spoke. It was a betrayal and hard to stomach even for me. I couldn’t imagine how it was affecting him.

I’ll get someone on it.

No one is to be left in the house alone, other than you, Alexandria, Tristan and me.

Sebastian nodded briskly before leaving. His task clear.

I stared at the window struggling with my emotions from bubbling inside me. It made me feel sick to my stomach that Kane knew details I hadn’t even wanted to share at all. It made me feel raw and exposed in a way that made me feel as vulnerable just like the little girl who had felt so alone in the world.

“You okay?” Maverick was watching me with obvious concern.

I nodded, refusing to show my vulnerability. Having a traitor within the pack did not help either.

He walked to me and took my hands in his. I exhaled, feeling the comforting warmth spread from his touch through me. Even though I knew it was his touch that was making me feel less exposed I appreciated it.

I’m trying to remember everything that was said. He heard everything Maverick. I let out a shaky breath. My hurt mixed with my growing anger. Everything. If he knew the name Mary, he would know about the orphanage?

Why would he go to such lengths? Maverick asked.

Lark. I bet it was his way of keeping tabs on what was going on here. It was the only thing that made any sense. That’s what had made him show up to claim her.

I still can’t believe he is Lark’s mate.

You never suspected it? I still couldn’t quite believe no one had an inkling of what I suspected the first time I had seen them interact.

Maybe there was a part of me that didn’t want to accept that fate for my sister. You know.

I squeezed his hand. I get it.

He ran his free hand through his hair and sighed. There is nothing I can do about it now. But if he hurts her I will tear him limb from limb. Mate or not.

He is different with her, I think he cares for her.

Maverick studied me for a moment. Werewolves can be assholes and abusive just like humans. Being mates doesn’t wipe those characteristics from us. If we are bad, then we do bad things to the people around us, mate or not.

I shrugged. Then let’s hope he is different.

He stilled for a moment. I can’t get hold of her via the mind link.

What does that mean? I asked

It means she isn’t linked to our pack anymore. She must have joined Kane’s pack.

It was another blow to Maverick, I could see it in his tight features. I reached out to touch him, to ease his pain. His eyes found mine.

I’m sorry Mav.

I’ve spent my life looking after her and keeping her safe. I’ve never felt so helpless. He swallowed hard and I hugged him. His arms wrapped around me and he held me tight.

As much as I was concerned about Lark, there was a part of me that was relieved she wasn’t in the middle of our situation, because right now that was more dangerous than whatever Kane could inflict.

Maverick stiffened and I looked up to him. Sebastian has cleared the study. There was a bug under the desk.

Our eyes met. That’s how Kane had got all of his information. He was listening right under our noses and we had been oblivious.

Is there anyway to find out who planted it? I asked.

The scent has been removed from the device so we have no idea who planted it. Maverick answered.

I frowned. How on earth did they do that?

It’s quite easy. It’s been wiped with alcohol which makes it impossible for us to pick up a scent.

Well that sucks. I muttered.

I pulled away from Maverick feeling a slight pounding in my head. I rubbed my temple for a little bit.

“You’re not used to using the mind link like we are. It takes some practice to get used to it,” Maverick said.

I hated feeling weak and this was a reminder of something else I didn’t know. It was also a reminder that I was an outsider, still trying to fit in.

“Let’s go to the study so we can talk without…” He lifted a finger to the ceiling.

I nodded.

Once we got to the study I sat down, my head still pounding.

There was a knock at the door and Tristan came in.

“Heard there was some drama earlier,” he said, sitting in the chair beside me across from Maverick who at at the desk.

“Yeah,” Maverick’s eyes hardened at the reminder of what had transpired.

“You okay?” Tristan asked, feeling the sudden change coming from Maverick.

“No, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Tristan gave me a side look as Maverick spoke.

Lark had made her choice. I still had a feeling there was far more going on beneath the surface between the two of them then anyone knew. I just hoped my instincts were right, and that she wasn’t at risk with him. If he didn’t care for her he would not have come for her.

I couldn’t give it more than a passing thought when I knew how much immediate danger we were in. Lark was far safer than we were.

“Can you give us a minute?” Maverick asked me.

I looked to my cousin who refused to meet my eyes.

“You’re still going through with it,” I said, standing up.

“Nothing has changed. It’s our only option.”

I had warned him that I wouldn’t be able to stand by while he took that type of risk. He had been warned. It was clear I hadn’t been able to change his mind.

I glared at him, finding it difficult to walk way.

“And Alexandria if you’re considering doing something stupid. Let me warn you, I’ve already tightened security around the compound. Security has strict orders not to allow you off the property.”

The lines were drawn. I lifted my chin defiantly.

“I warned you. Remember that.” I gave him one last look as he studied me with a frown.

“Don’t threaten me.” His voice was strong and I could feel his power wrap around me as his eyes began to glow.

I didn’t waver, not for a second. I wasn’t going to allow him to dictate me. No matter what measures he put in place, he would not stop me.

“I’m done talking about this. You’ve made your choice and so have I.”

And with that parting shot I made a move to leave. It was made more difficult with the heat of his glare, his wolf pulling at mine.

My heart wanted to stay with him, my instinct was to run but this time I was going to be logical in my decision.

There was no room for error. Maverick’s life hung in the balance.

I reached the door and opened it. I hesitated for a moment feeling the struggle inside of me intensify but I would not give in. I had never taken the easy option and I wasn’t about to start now. Determined, I opened the door and left.