Page 53 of The Silent Mate

I swore my loyalty to him and…Malik paused, and I peered up to find him already watching me, uncertainty in his gaze.

“And?” I prompted, smoothing a piece of hair away from his brow.

With a deep breath, he continued.When the time came, I killed our father in Roman’s name.

My eyes widened, betraying my shock. He plotted with Roman to kill their own father? Theiralpha?Was it premeditated? A duel? A massacre?

How it happened didn’t matter. Malikkilledhis father…

Malik winced, ripping his gaze away from mine.I shouldn’t have told you that. You must think I’m a monster. I’m sorry?—

“I couldneverthink you’re a monster,” I interrupted him, catching his cheek in my palm and turning his face back toward mine.“Never,Malik.”

His throat bobbed again, but he said nothing.

“From what you’ve said, yourfatherwas the monster. He deserved whatever you did to him.” Ferocity laced every word, and I realized with startling clarity that I meant it. I hoped the male suffered in his last moments. I hoped Malik’s father died a coward’s death.

You looked… unsettled,he murmured, uncertainty still shifting on his features.

I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I was surprised, that’s all.” Some of the tension lining his shoulders slackened, and I felt his ribs expand and contract with a deep sigh. I didn’t share in his relief though. My mind reeled at this new information.

“Malik…” I paused, chewing on my bottom lip. “Didyouinflict the killing blow?”

His brow furrowed, but he nodded once.Yes.

My heartbeat quickened, and I immediately scrambled to a sitting position, tugging the bedsheets up to my hips.

You know what this means, don’t you?I questioned, holding his gaze with some strange mixture of excitement and trepidation fluttering in my belly.Laws of succession state that, in the event of a coup, the one who inflicts the killing blow becomes the alpha. It is yourright?—

Malik’s features hardened and he silenced me with two cold words.No, Aria.

I flinched. He’d never spoken to me so roughly. Clipped and final. Leaving no room for debate.

Still, I tried again.But?—

No,he repeated, and a muscle in his jaw twitched.I fought my father inRoman’sname. I swore my loyalty tohim.

“He doesn’tdeserveyour loyalty!” I argued, the words bubbling from my mouth before I could stop them.

He saved my life,Malik reasoned, remaining significantly more calm than me.

Heat flamed up my neck, anger consuming me. Malik knew, better than anyone else, the darkness in Roman’s heart. Roman was a disease that would fester and rot the entirety of theIntonat NoctePack if his power remained unchecked. According to the ancient laws of succession that governed werewolf packs for centuries, theIntonat NoctePack rightfully belonged to Malik.

He had the chance to take his place as alpha—to end Roman’s reign of cruelty—yet he seemed determined to never claim his birthright. And all because he believed he owed Roman his life?

My teeth clenched, but I wouldn’t back down. Not yet. “He only saved you because he wanted to turn you into a weapon. He has said so several times since I’ve arrived. He’s selfish, Malik. He wanted to turn you against your father for hisownbenefit.”

Malik didn’t say anything, content to let me stew and rage while he remained a passive audience.

“He’s cruel. To you. Tome. To everyone.” My voice became a whisper, the fight fading away as quickly as it came, replaced by quiet desperation. A plea. “You’re the rightful alpha. It’s your birthright, and the right youwonwhen you defeated your father.”

For the first time since this conversation started, a crack seemed to form in his resolve. It happened the moment I whispered the truth of Roman’s cruelty toward me, as if he only cared about protecting me. Conflict raged behind his gaze, and I physically felt his turmoil through our bond. My chest hurt at the intensity of it, extending for several long seconds.

At last, his voice filled my head.I am no alpha, little dove.Immeasurable sadness seeped in every word, and I saw guilt pool in his eyes.Too much has happened. I’ve been broken too many times.

Emotion clogged my throat, and my bottom lip threatened to tremble as I crawled into his lap again.

He believed that. He believed he’d been broken beyond repair.

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