Page 23 of Deadly Wolf Bite

My mother’s forehead crinkles in confusion. “Did your adopted parents not encourage you to try things?”

“I grew up in foster care. Group homes, mostly. There wasn’t much chance for extracurriculars.”

Mom’s expression fills with sympathy. “Oh, I didn’t realize. I’m sorry. That must’ve been hard.”

“It’s not your fault.” Lexi’s knee bounces under the table.

Mom reaches over and pats Lexi’s hand. “Maybe not, but just in case those responsible haven’t apologized, someone needs to.”

“Thanks.” Lexi flashes a tight smile.

I squeeze her thigh. She jumps, but when I move to take my hand away, she grabs it, holding it in place. My entire body recalibrates toward her touch.

“I mean it, Lexi,” Mom goes on. “Your mother was a beautiful soul. What happened to her—to you all—is a tragedy I deeply regret.”

Lexi’s hand tightens on mine. “You knew my mother?”

Both of us look at my mother with renewed intensity.

Mom’s smile softens, and her gaze draws inward to some memory. “Cari and I were both outsiders who found ourselves suddenly on the inside. Trust was difficult, but we shared a sense of camaraderie over that, at least.”

“What was she like?” Lexi says, clearly hanging on every word.

“A revolutionary,” my mother declares with a wistful smile. “She wanted to change things. To really make a difference for the people in this city.” Her smile fades, and a shadow overtakes her features. “When she and Monte left, everyone was so shocked by it, but I wasn’t.”

“Did she tell you where they were going?”

“No. But I think Cari realized at a certain point that the only thing changing was her. This world sucks you in and spits you out. She saw the inevitability of that, I think, and did the only thing she could.”

“She saved herself,” Lexi murmurs.

Mom reaches across the table and squeezes Lexi’s hand. “No, darling. She saved you.”

Lexi is quiet for the rest of dinner.

Afterward, Mom walks us out, and while she waits for her driver to pull around, she hugs Lexi in front of the paparazzi. Her smile is brilliant and affectionate as she cups Lexi’s cheeks in her hands.

“I am so sorry,” she whispers. “For all of it. Be strong. And come to me if you ever need anything.”

“I will,” Lexi tells her.

When it’s my turn, I hug my mother and kiss her cheek. “Thank you.”

Her response is a single word that’s more like a plea. If I wasn’t sure before whether my mother suspects my true intentions, her message makes it clear. And I feel the desperation and conviction of it all the way into my bones. “Win.”

7

LEXI

After the cacophony of probing voices and dozens of flashing cameras aimed at us all evening, returning to the privacy and quiet of the apartment is a welcome reprieve. I played the game—for better or worse—but it’s not a role I’ll ever enjoy.

“My mother likes you,” Grey comments before I can escape to my room.

I turn back, hating how his words make me feel.

His mother’s approval leaves a sour taste in my mouth and only adds to the heavy mantle of guilt on my shoulders. She seems pure-hearted in a way that highlights my treachery. That he seems so pleased by her approval makes it all the more shameful.

He doesn’t deserve what they’re making me do.

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