Page 192 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

“Sterlyn?” He startled and sniffed. “Is that you?” He took a step deeper into the room, where he should have been able to pick up my scent now that he was indoors.

“Nope.” I wanted to infuriate him. “It’s the boogeyman.”

He placed his knife back in its sheath as if he didn’t think I saw it. “I just had something I needed to get off my chest and knew Griffin wouldn’t answer my calls or open the door.”

At least this time, he was being careful with what he said. There was no stench of a lie. “Is that so? What do you need toget off your chest?” I wanted to see how far he’d go. What all he would be willing to say. “I’m all ears.”

“Funny.” He chuckled lightly as he took a few steps closer to me. He was sniffing me out but trying to pretend like he wasn’t. “You aren’t a man, so I find telling you hardly worthy of my time.”

Did he think I was stupid because I was a female? Like he thought that I would just believe whatever he had to say. Wanting to throw him off-kilter, I stood, revealing my exact location. “You’re right. I’m so glad you brought that to my attention. Now my boobs and vagina makesomuch more sense.”

“Do you think your smart mouth makes you appear strong?” He faced me and frowned. “I don’t understand why Griffin and Killian dote on you. You’re just a woman trying to live in a man's world. Pathetic.”

Pathetic.

That was what he had the gall to call me.

“Me? Pathetic?” Rage brushed against me, but I let it simmer. We weren’t fighting yet, and there was so much I had to say. It was about damn time I got some things offmychest. “You’re the one who tried to set up Griffin so you could steal his power instead of challenging him like a real alpha would do. You’re the one who lives in this city, afraid to go outside the walls for too long because God knows why. You’re the one who pushed his daughter to try to lock down a man who had no interest in being with her. And you’re the one who will let others fight but isn’t willing to risk your own neck in those battles. You’re a coward, and now no one respects you.”

He straightened his back as he marched closer to me, stopping in front of the couch I stood behind it. He sneered. “A true leader realizes that staying safe is the only thing that makessense. Why should I be fighting the battles when I can pull the strings?”

“Because you should never ask someone to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself.” Dad had taught me that, too. He’d taught me so much that I’d taken for granted. My heart ached since I would never be able to thank him, but now wasn’t the time for mourning. “A true alpha leads by example. If every one of the people who looked up to you followed your lead, nothing would get done. They’d be hiding out in their homes, waiting for someone else to do the very things they’re too scared to do themselves.”

“Don’t act like you know me.” His voice grew louder. “You don’t know shit. You’re just some alpha wannabe who landed Griffin for what he could get you. The only thing you’re good for is breeding, but the angels won’t let you live long enough for that to happen. You screwed yourself by coming out.”

Maybe.

I had a feeling that a war was coming, but right now, the imminent threat was Dick. “You’re just upset that they found out about me when you wanted to keep my existence hidden. Why exactly was that?” I wanted him to admit it. I needed to hear him say everything he’d done, not only to me, but to my former pack.

“Just like a woman, thinking I have to explain myself to you.” His hand went back to where his knife hid under his polo shirt. “I don’t owe you anything.”

He was getting ready to attack. At least we were away from Griffin. There would be no risk of my mate becoming injured. I tensed and inhaled deeply, clearing my mind.

Just as I expected, he pulled his knife and jumped at me. His wide eyes locked on my heart, telling me exactly where he was aiming.

He had no training whatsoever. He’d been sheltered his entire life and had never practiced battling another wolf becauseof his position. His cockiness would be the death of him because I refused to let him live after this.

He’d had my brother kidnapped, slaughtered my family and pack, had me hunted, and now wanted to kill me and my mate. He put everyone I loved at risk with each breath.

I bent and rolled out of the way, making him land awkwardly. Standing to face him, I found the front half of his body slumped over the back of the couch. He’d expected the knife to lodge into my chest, keeping him upright.

Struggling, he tried to straighten, but before he could get off the couch, I punched him in the face. As I pulled back, he sliced my arm with the knife, and my blood spattered onto the couch. The metallic scent almost made me gag, but I breathed through my mouth, lessening the impact.

“You stupid bitch,” he bellowed.

Sterlyn?Griffin’s voice popped into my mind.What the fuck is going on?

Shit, I’d hoped we wouldn’t wake him, but that had obviously been stupid. Dick wasn’t leaving without killing us, so it wasn’t like Griffin would sleep through it all.Dick is here and attacking us.

“I’ve been wanting to hurt you since the first day I laid eyes on you.” Dick rubbed his jaw as he got back on his feet and stalked around the couch toward me. “I should’ve had you killed that day. It’s one of the biggest regrets of my life.”

One. Wow, the fact that he admitted he had regrets kind of shocked me. He seemed like the kind of guy who thought his shit didn’t stink when everyone around him could smell it. “Well, you won’t be living much longer to dwell on it.”

“You think you’re going to win?” He laughed maniacally. “You have no idea who you’re up against.”

“Oh, but I do.” I knew exactly who he was. “A man desperate for power who’s willing to sacrifice everything to get to the top.Maybe even kill his best friend so the man’s son would spiral and he could swoop in and be the hero.”

He laughed darkly. “You think I killed Atticus? I would never have done that.”

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