Page 40 of Villainous Fate

The British-infused words are spoken directly into my mind, and I jump at the intrusion. My wolf pushes beneath my skin, eyes flipping up to find the threat.

What the fuck?

Alexander chuckles to himself before he speaks—out loud this time.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Marcus. Adjudication is the process in which I look into your memories to verify your statements are accurate.”

How the fuck?

“Do I have a choice?” I ask, my eyes looking between them.

“Not if you would like to stay,” Stickman responds, unrestrained joy oozing out of him at the prospect of getting rid of me.

Fuck.

“Do I have to give a statement, or can you just… watch?” This question comes out strained as I fight my wolf for control.

He didn’t like the casual intrusion, and I’m not entirely sure he’s going to do well with any of this adjudication process, knowing that a vampire will be rooting around in our mind.

Alexander’s face shows no reaction to the question or the tone behind it, though he considers the request for a moment before responding.

“I’d prefer not to. Having an idea of the event allows me to focus my search there. Without your conscious relay of the timeline, I would need to access more memory. Most people prefer to avoid that. Now, if you don’t mind answering a few questions, we can try to get you out of here.” He finishes his statement with a perfunctory smile before grabbing a stack of papers on the table and sitting down in front of it, gesturing for me to take a seat as well.

My eyes land on the chair, and I have to intentionally release the tension I’ve stored in my muscles the last few hours.

He attacked me. I didn’t do anything wrong.

Releasing my breath, I lower myself into the chair and cross my fingers that my wolf cooperates. It’s at that moment I realize what must have taken them so long with Deacon.

I almost laugh out loud as my eyes land on Stickman. I guess Deacon’s wolf was less than cooperative.

I knew I liked that guy.

Chapter 23

Marcus

“Pleasestateyournameand pack association for the record,” Alexander, the dark-haired vampire, begins after pushing the red button on the recording device.

“Marcus Stone, Vegas Pack.”

“Lineage?” he asks, confusion evident as I don’t share a last name with the current pack Alpha.

“Arnold and Meredith Stone. Middle rank. No Alphas for three generations.” I say, hating the fact that things like this matter to these people. I’m proud of my parents, and I’m proud of my wolf. The Fates obviously trusted me with the elevated status. That’s what they should care about. Not the fact that my parents hold no pack positions, and their wolves are average in the grand scheme of things.

“You were a late addition to this year's Alpha recruits.”

“That’s not a question,” I respond, causing him to smirk.

“Apologies. Why were you a late addition?” he corrects, tilting his head to one side as he waits for my response.

“You’d have to ask my Alpha. I’m not privy to his decisions. He told me to show up, and here I am.” I reply, avoiding the answer.

“Of course,” he laughs under his breath, and I wonder what his angle is here. “What about the victim? Did you know him?”

“Never met him before,” I answer honestly.

“Then why kill him?” he asks, dropping the kid gloves and asking the question he is here for. I pause, choosing my words carefully.

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