"We're not involved."
"I don't like being lied to, Miss Rose." His eyes are hard.
"And I'm not lying," I hiss. "Adam was using me to become Alpha. He wanted me to get dirt on Norman, so I did. And now he has no more use for me."
"I see," Watson says thoughtfully. "And what is your plan now?"
"I'm leaving the city," I say bluntly. "And I won't be back. You don't have to worry about me ever again."
"I would prefer not to." He reaches into his coat's inner pocket and brings out a thick yellow envelope. "Adam is meant to become the next Alpha, and my daughter is the best person to stand by his side, Miss Rose. Whatever ambitions you have of becoming the alpha female, you should get rid of those. You could never be half the woman my daughter is. She is more experienced, more educated, more connected than youcan ever hope to be. For Adam's future prospects, you should follow through with your plan and leave. I thought the bullying attempts in the company would convince you to walk away, but I underestimated you. You have thicker skin than I anticipated."
My eyes turn to him, shock hitting me like a punch in the gut. "All that bullying, you were behind it?"
Watson doesn't look the least bit upset. "I have worked hard to pair Adam with my daughter. I wasn't going to let a woman like you disrupt my daughter's future."
His words are insulting, but I don't care.
"I saw the way Adam looked at you and defended you. I noticed how he faced off against his own brother for you. I didn't like it. Tina didn't like it either. Which is why this is the best solution for us all."
He hands me the envelope. "This is a new identity, along with a forged birth certificate, educational degrees, and a resume with references. There is money in here that will let you settle anywhere for at least a year. All these new details have been updated in the system, and whoever runs a background check on you will be able to verify this information."
I'm silent for a moment as I take the envelope, and then I ask, "And let me guess? In return, you want me to leave Seattle for good?"
"Don't ever come in front of Adam again," Watson says darkly. "You will be his downfall."
The downfall of the man who was willing to keep a leash around my neck to keep me next to him.
I give him a humorless smile. "Alright. I'll leave."
"Good. This is your stop."
I see Tony's car parked outside a red brick building. So, he got my message to meet him here. I get out of Watson's car, and he drives away. As soon as he turns the corner, Tony is out of his car and hurrying toward me.
"Cynthia––"
"Let's talk inside." I jerk my head, feeling incredibly calm.
Maya is waiting for us, and the first thing she does as soon as we walk into her apartment is hug me tightly, her eyes tearing. "You okay?"
"No."
I look around her small apartment, and it feels warm and inviting, a complete contrast to the winter raging inside me.
"Tony," I look at her, "tell her everything."
Tony hesitates, but I nod. "Please. I need your help in breaking it."
"You've found a way?" His eyes narrow, and I nod once again.
I take the injections out of my bag. "You need to stop my heart for five minutes with this, and immediately after, you need to administer the antidote."
Tony takes a step back. "Have you lost your mind? The wolfsbane will kill you, and five minutes is too long––"
"I'm pregnant, Tony," I say simply, my heart cold now. "If I don't free myself now, my child will carry my burden."
Tony looks shocked, his eyes darting to my stomach.
"What if your baby dies?" Maya sounds horrified.