Page 99 of Claimed By My Fiancé's Brother

I needed my actions to incite her anger, rather than pain.

I was on my fifth or sixth lap around the woods when she stepped out of the tree line, her hand cradling her protruding belly as she shuffled toward me.

“You’re a monster.” Micah’s eyes were as wide as saucers as she stared at me. “The rumors were true.”

“Luna Micah,” I said, her title rolling awkwardly off my lips. “What a pleasant surprise.”

The monster stirred restlessly inside me when he recognized the wolf whose plots had almost cost us Eleanor’s life. He clamored for her death, but I ignored him.

I had done many morally questionable things in my life, but even I had limits. A pregnant wolf who couldn’t even shift to defend herself was one of them.

The monster had no such qualms. Micah had tried to kill Eleanor. If we left her alive, she would attempt it again.

I pushed down the monster’s urges as Micah’s grating tone reached me again.

“The last time I saw you, you barely had any skin left on your back, but less than a day later, you’re fine.” She gaped at me. “Only a monster could’ve recovered so fast.”

Oh.

So that was what she was going on about.

She hadn’t come here to apologize for her wrongdoings; no, she’d come to see if I was truly healed, probably fearing retribution…to see if I was truly the dark alpha.

I felt a small pang of pity for Dylan for being mated to such a female.

I met her inquiring gaze with a raised eyebrow.

“There’s only one monster here, and it isn't me,” I lied.

Micah’s eyebrows furrowed, annoyance evident in her gaze.

“I let your mate live even after she tried to kill me and my unborn child,” she retorted, her voice carrying an unspoken threat. “You owe me.”

She could easily take back her favor and order Eleanor’s execution as per the laws of the Nightshade Pack.

The monster took this moment to remind me of how close to death Eleanor had been when I returned from the war, and how this woman had been behind it.

“I agree. I do owe you.” I nodded. “And I intend to repay your debt in full.”

Micah couldn’t have looked more surprised if she’d tried.

I met her gaze, letting her see I meant every word.

“No one tries to kill my mate twice and gets away with it.”

Micah stood still for a moment, and then she laughed, false bravado settling on her shoulders.

“I’m your brother’s mate, and the mother of his heir. You can’t hurt me.”

Was that what she thought?

How quaint.

The only thing keeping me from giving in to the monster’s violent tendencies was the consequences.

It would force Dylan to duel with me in retaliation for the loss of his mate and heir. If Dylan and I dueled to the death, the monster would take over and I would kill him.

Tilting my head to the side, I regarded Micah curiously.

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