Something about Lucas didn’t sit right with me.
He was too calm, too unbothered, as if he already knew how everything would play out. A man who just found his long-lost twin, learned she was the white wolf, and had a powerful enemy hunting her-shouldn’t look that collected.
Yet, he did.
And I didn’t like it.
That’s why I followed him, keeping to the shadows as he moved through the thick woods behind the estate. His steps were sure, deliberate. Not a single glance over his shoulder, no hesitation. Like he knew exactly where he was going.
It only made my instincts scream louder.
I was about to move closer when someone grabbed my wrist, yanking me back.
I spun around, teeth clenched, only to find Daisy glaring at me.
“What the hell are you doing?” she hissed, keeping her voice low.
I exhaled sharply. “What does it look like?”
She crossed her arms, blocking my path. “You’re stalking Mia’s brother. I’m guessing that’s because you think he’s up to something?”
I nodded. “Yeah. And I’m not wrong.”
She groaned, rubbing a hand down her face. “You’re unbelievable. Mia finally has a family, someone who actually shares her blood, and you think he’s a threat?”
“He’s too perfect,” I muttered, eyes flickering past her toward where Lucas had disappeared.
Her brows scrunched. “You’re jealous.”
I scoffed. “This isn’t about jealousy.”
“Isn’t it?” Her gaze narrowed, searching my face. “Because from where I’m standing, it sure as hell looks like it.”
I didn’t answer. Because deep down, a part of me knew she was right.
Maybe I hated the fact that Mia had let someone else in. Maybe it pissed me off that she smiled around him, that she trusted him when I was still fighting for a sliver of that trust.
But that wasn’t why I was here.
Lucas had secrets.
And I was going to find out what they were.
“If I’m wrong, I’ll admit it,” I murmured, brushing past her. “But I need to be sure.”
Daisy sighed, falling into step beside me. “Fine. But if you get caught, I’m not saving your ass.”
We moved quickly, following Lucas’ scent through the trees. The air grew colder, tension thickening as we neared a rocky clearing.
Then-we saw him.
Lucas stood at the entrance of a cave, his back to us, speaking to someone.
The other man was shrouded in darkness, his presence unfamiliar-yet something about him felt off.
I squinted, trying to make out his features.
Then my heart stopped.
Keith.
Daisy inhaled sharply beside me, her fingers gripping my sleeve.
I clenched my jaw, forcing my wolf to stay contained. Lucas wasn’t fighting him. He wasn’t even on guard.
He was standing casually, arms crossed, his head tilted slightly-like he and Keith had known each other for a long time.
Rage churned in my gut.
“What the hell is this?” I whispered, barely controlling my voice.
Daisy’s breath was uneven. “Lucas… knew where Keith was?”
“Looks like it,” I ground out. Daisy was frozen beside me, her sharp eyes locked on Lucas as he stood with Keith, laughing like they were old friends.
My stomach churned.
Lucas was in on it.
The entire time, while Mia believed she had finally found a family, while she let her guard down around him-he had been hiding this.
Keith leaned in, saying something too low for us to hear, and Lucas nodded, his expression unreadable.
Daisy let out a slow, shaky breath. “I can’t believe this…”
Her voice cracked, and for the first time, I saw guilt flicker in her eyes.
She turned to me, shoulders stiff. “You were right.”
I wanted to enjoy those words, wanted to throw it in her face that she should’ve trusted me from the start.
But the bitter taste of betrayal was stronger.
“Yeah,” I muttered, jaw clenched. “But I wish I wasn’t.”
We barely had time to process what we were seeing before Keith suddenly moved.
It happened fast-his hand shot forward, a blade glinting under the dim light.
Lucas barely flinched before the knife sank into his side.
Daisy gasped. “Shit!”
I cursed, ready to lunge forward, but Lucas didn’t fall.
He staggered slightly, pressing his palm over the wound. Black veins spread out from the cut, a sure sign of poison.
Keith smirked, watching him struggle. “Oops,” he mused, flicking blood from his fingers. “Did I do that?”
Lucas’ legs buckled.
Keith didn’t wait.
The bastard turned and bolted into the trees, disappearing into the darkness.
Daisy grabbed my arm. “We need to help him.”
I hesitated.
Every instinct screamed to leave him there.
He’d been working with Keith. He’d been lying to Mia. He deserved this.
But then I thought about Mia.
If she found out we left him to die, she’d never forgive us.
With a sharp exhale, I moved forward, grabbing Lucas’ arm before he collapsed.
He groaned, his face pale, sweat dripping down his forehead.
Daisy touched his chest, her voice urgent. “We need to get him out of here before the poison spreads.”
Lucas lifted his head, his eyes unfocused. “Don’t…” he coughed. “Don’t tell Mia.”
Daisy’s brows furrowed. “Why? She deserves to know what you’ve been doing.”
He swallowed hard, struggling to breathe. “Because I-I never meant to betray her. I was trying to find out Keith’s real plan. I needed him to trust me first.”
I didn’t believe him.
Not for a second.
But we didn’t have time for this.
With a grunt, I threw his arm over my shoulder. “We’ll deal with that later. Right now, I’m not in the mood to explain to Mia why her long-lost brother died on our watch.”
Daisy gave me a hesitant look before helping me support him.
We moved fast, dragging his half-conscious body back through the woods.
The estate was just ahead when we nearly collided with Mia.
She stopped dead in her tracks, eyes widening at the sight of her brother.
Her lips parted. “Lucas?”
Daisy winced.
Lucas barely lifted his head, mumbling something under his breath.
Mia’s gaze snapped to me, demanding answers.
“What happened?”
I opened my mouth, but Lucas beat me to it.
“Keith,” he muttered weakly. “It was Keith who stabbed him.”