Page 72 of Wolf's Gambit

“Why does it matter?” I asked, searching his stern eyes for a sign of understanding. “It was me or them. Would you rather it be them?”

“Never,” he answered quickly. “But you need to tell me what you did.”

We stared at each other, the heat between our bodies a distraction I didn’t need. I didn’t need him so close to me, touching me.

“I told you, I killed them. I ripped out their throats.”

“And dismembered them.”

I gulped. “And I dismembered them.” I nodded firmly, hating the burning in my eyes as I waited for his judgment, remembering the strewn body parts from where I’d ripped them apart.

“Who did you kill first?”

“What does it matter?” I shouted, breaking free of his hold, my temper snapping. “I killed them! I ripped them apart, right? I did everything you judge me for!”

“Who did you kill first?” he insisted, his voice even and tempered.

“Bullet.”

“You’re lying.” He gave a heavy sigh, taking a step back. “Why? Why lie? You admitted you killed them, so why are you lying about how you did it?”

“What kind of sick freak are you that you need the details?” I bit back, my defenses raised as I returned his glare.

“What kind of sick freak am I?” He scoffed. “I’m not the one who tore them limb from limb, pup! I’m not the one who toyed with them as I prolonged their deaths.”

Toyed with them? I flinched at his angry words.

“Just…stop it.” I turned my head away so I couldn’t see the condemnation.

“Stop it? Why? You don’t want to hear it? Why, Kezia? Why would I…unless…” I heard him take another step back, and I turned to look at him. “That’s it, isn’t it?” His hands curled into fists, his attention on the darkness beyond the cage. “You don’t know, do you?” Cannon cursed, and I watched as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Were you aware?”

I blinked, not understanding. “What?”

He looked at me in resignation. “Were you aware, or did you black out completely?”

My throat closed, and I took a step back.

I couldn’t tell him.

I couldn’t admit it.

I would never admit it.

“For fuck’s sake, Kezia, tell me.”

“I have nothing else to say.” I sat on the cot. “Keep me in this cell. I don’t care.”

“If you don’t let me help you, I have to report it. You’ll be tried in front of Pack Council.”

Drawing my knees up to my chin, I turned my head to look away from him. My wolf raised her head, and watched me steadily, her amber eyes glowing with a strength I wasn’t feeling.

“I don’t need help. Not from you.” She looked at me, strong enough for both of us. “We never did.”

CHAPTER 20

Kezia

It had been two days since I saw Mr. Mean and Moody. After our confrontation in the cell, he had left when I refused to say anything else. I knew I pushed him, but he never forced it from me.

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