Page 124 of Roaring Flames

Not one fucking bit.

“You kept this from me,” I manage to grit out, ice trickling into my veins.

I feel cold all over, a startling contrast to the almost blistering heat I felt moments before.

That heat…

It should’ve been the first indication.

I always feel as if I’m on fire when I’m around one of my so-called mates.

“You told me the truth about shifters, but that was to only keep me complacent, wasn’t it? To stop me from asking more questions?”

“No, that’s not true.” Christian shakes his head dogmatically. “I always wanted to tell you the truth?—”

“Then answer this for me.” I take a single step closer, craning my neck so I can maintain eye contact. “Am I or am I not your mate?”

He opens and closes his mouth. Gaping. Floundering. Struggling to find the words.

And that…

That is the only answer I need.

Betrayal seeps into my veins, caustic and bitter, full of unencumbered resentment.

Finally, he croaks out, “It’s not that simple?—”

“Seems simple,” Jake cuts in, anger tightening the lines on his face.

Christian’s eyes sharpen on my foster brother, which infuriates me further. No one is allowed to glare at Jake. No one.

Except for me, but that’s beside the point.

“Answer the question, Christian,” I snap.

Jake moves back to the kitchen, no doubt to give us privacy, as I wait for Christian to respond. I can practically see the wheels turning in his head.

“It’s complicated?—”

“Wrong answer,” I seethe, just as Jake reappears behind me.

In his hands is one of the largest steak knives we own. Without a word, he hands it to me.

Christian’s eyes bulge out of his head as he focuses on the weapon.

“I know you probably have a knife on you somewhere,” Jake says casually, “but this one is bigger.”

“I like bigger,” I tell him with a fond smile.

Jake smirks. “Baby, I can show you big?—”

The growl that leaves Christian then causes the hairs on both of my arms to stand straight up. His teeth elongate into sharp-looking fangs, and fur explodes on his forehead and cheeks.

Jake appears pleased by Christian’s reaction.

“I fucking knew it!” He pauses. “Actually, I didn’t know it. At all. But I suspected five minutes ago, which totally counts.”

“Jake?” I glance at him over my shoulder, which is the wrong thing to do, apparently.

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