Asher’s POV
“Took you long enough,” Matthew muttered as he stepped
inside, exhaling sharply. His irritation was clear in his tone.
I didn’t waste time on small talk. “Are you sure no one saw
you?” My voice was low, but the urgency was unmistakable.
One wrong move and everything we were planning could
crumble.
Matthew scoffed. “Come on, Asher. You know me better than
that. I was careful. If anyone had caught a glimpse, we’d already
be in deep trouble” He shook his head, rubbing his temples.
“We both know how serious this is. We can’t afford any
mistakes.
I nodded. He was right. We needed to move with caution.
“So, what do you have for me?” I asked, leaning in slightly.
Matthew and I had managed to gain insight into the enemy’s strategy by mirroring their own tactics. Everyone thought we had turned out back on each other. But this was just an act.
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“They think I’m on their side. And here? People believe I’m
playing both ends,” Matthew said with a smirk. “Which, to be
honest, is working out just fine. The confusion gives me cover.””
He sat down across from me, his expression turning serious.
“It’s good that we’re discussing this in private. If the wrong ears
catch wind of it, the spy among us will know exactly what
we’re up to.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah, we need to
keep it under wraps. Truth is, I don’t even know who to trust
anymore!” I looked Matthew straight in the eye. “But I trust
you!”
He had proven himself over and over, and despite my
reservations, I knew he had my back.
“Did you tell Violet?” Matthew asked suddenly, shifting the
conversation.
My jaw clenched. “Don’t even bring her up right now.” I was
angry with her, sure. But I was angrier with myself. All those
horrible stuffs that I said to her.there’s no way to take them
back now.
Matthew sighed. “So you haven’t told her yet.”
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I shook my head. “Not yet. She and Michael are back on good
terms, and I don’t know if I can trust him. I mean, I get that he’s
trying to redeem himself or whatever, but after everything he
put me through?” I scoffed. “Forgiveness doesn’t come that
easy!”
“She’s going to be livid when she finds out you kept this from
her,” Matthew pointed out.
I exhaled sharply. “Oh, she’s already mad at me. That’s nothing
new!‘ I waved it off, though deep down, it stung. “Anyway, let’s
focus. Do you have anything on Xavier now?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. Apparently, his mother was a bear
shifter–a princess, no less. But she was kidnapped by witches
and turned into some kind of experiment. They wanted to see if
crossbreeding was possible.”
I clenched my fists at the thought. “Bear shifters are extinct
now. That whole thing is… messed up.”
“Yeah. And here’s the kicker. Apparently, they kidnapped
multiple female shifters, but none of the children survived.
Except him.”
“So his father was a werewolf?” I asked, though I already had a
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bad feeling about what was coming next.
Matthew hesitated. “Yes, but. you’re not going to like what I’m
about to tell you.”
I rubbed my temples. “Come on, at this point, I don’t think
anything can shock me anymore.”
He exhaled. “His father was a pure–blooded Royal.”
I was prepared. But this still managed to shock me. “You’re
kidding.”
Matthew shook his head. “I wish I was.”
I swallowed hard. “If that’s true.” My thoughts spiraled. My
father only had one recognized son–me. But if Xavier’s father
was also Royal. “Then there’s a chance Xavier is my brother.”
Matthew didn’t respond, but the silence was enough of an
answer.
“Why the fuck am I being put through this?” I ranted, slamming
my fist against the table. “I already lost one brother because of
his selfishness, and now there’s a possibility I have another one
just as twisted?”
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Matthew crossed his arms. “Look, your father wasn’t the kind
of man to get involved in something like that. But mine? I
wouldn’t put it past him.” He sighed. “I just hope for your sake
that it’s not true. I don’t think you can take another hit like
that.””
“I don’t like this. Not one bit,” I muttered, pacing the room.
“The council played me as well,” Matthew said darkly. “They
offered me the throne, knowing damn well that Xavier had a
stronger claim because his royal. They knew this whole time.”
I clenched my fists. Those backstabbing bastards. I should have
never spared their life.
Aiden looked grim. “So what now?”
I took a deep breath. “I arranged a meeting with the council. My
goal is to talk them down from this, but if that fails, I’m
prepared to blackmail them.”
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Chapter159
