“Of course I remember,” Suspicion bled into her tone. “Darrell, what exactly are you trying to say?”
My heart hammered against my ribs. “I received some information. About Isabella’s real cause of death.”
“What information?” The words came out sharp, dangerous.
I closed my eyes. “Four months ago, I got an email. From Lucian.”
“Lucian? But he’s dead.”
IM”It was a delayed email. Sent after his death.” I rushed on before she could interrupt. “Sable, what I’m about to tell you… it’s going to be difficult to hear.”
“Just say it.”
“The email contained details about that war. About what really happened to your mother.”
“What are you talking about? My mother died from Rogue poison during the territorial conflict. Everyone knows that.”
I pressed my palm against my forehead. “That’s not the whole truth.”
“Then what is?”
“According to Lucian’s email…” I forced the words out. “The person who really killed your mother wasn’t a Rogue warrior.”
Silence stretched between us, heavy and ominous.
“Darrell.” Her voice had gone deadly quiet. “Who are you suggesting killed my mother?”
I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. The room felt like it was spinning around me.
“Caelan.”
Sable’s POV
Something crashed to the floor-my water glass, I realized distantly. The sound of shattering ceramic seemed to echo from very far away.
“What did you just say?”
“Sable, I know how this sounds-“
“You’re insane.” The words ripped from my throat. “You’re absolutely insane. How dare you say something like that?”
“I didn’t want to believe it either-
“Believe what? Some fantasy you’ve concocted because you can’t accept that I’m happy?” I was shouting now, my free hand pressed protectively over my belly. “How sick are you, Darrell? How twisted do you have to be to make up lies about my husband killing my mother?
I’m not making anything up! The email had details, witnesses-“
“Witnesses?” I laughed, but it sounded hysterical even to my own ears. You mean Lucian? The psychopath who spent months trying to destroy our lives? That’s your reliable source?’
‘Sable, please just listen-
“No! I won’t listen to another word of this poison! My voice cracked with fury. ‘Caelan would never hurt anyone innocent. He could never harm my mother. The idea is completely insane!”
“But what if it’s true? What if you have a right to know-
“Know what? Some delusional fantasy?’ I struggled to catch my breath. “Darrell, I can’t believe you’re doing this. I’m pregnant with
O QA his child, we just got married, and you’re trying to destroy my family with lies?”
“They’re not lies! Why would Lucian fabricate something like this when he was already dying?”
“Because he was evil! Because destroying people was what he lived for! Tears of rage streamed down my face. And apparently you’re just like him!”
“Sable-
“You’re jealous! That’s what this is really about, isn’t it?” The accusation burst out of me. “You can’t stand that I chose him over you, so you’re making up the most horrible story you can think of!”
“That’s not-
“It is! You’re so pathetic, Darrell. So desperate and pathetic that you’d accuse my husband of murdering my mother just to break us up!”
My hands shook so violently I could barely hold the phone.
“I don’t want to hear another word from you. Don’t call me, don’t text me, don’t come near me or my family ever again!”
I ended the call.
The silence that followed felt deafening.
This can’t be happening. This can’t be real.
My phone buzzed against. A text notification. I checked it. A message from Darrell with an attachment.
I’m forwarding you the email. I wish this wasn’t real, but you deserve to see it for yourself.
I stared at the screen, my finger hovering over the attachment.
Don’t open it. Delete it. Pretend this never happened.
But my treacherous hand moved anyway. The email opened.
IM
O III
My vision blurred. The words seemed to swim on the screen when I read the email.
Isabella Crawford’s death was not simply the result of enemy wolf poison. The real killer was Caelan Blackwood.
“No. No, no, no.”
The phone slipped from my numb fingers. I scrambled to pick it up, forcing myself to keep reading.
When I finished reading, the room tilted. I pressed my back against the wall, trying to anchor myself to something solid.
I doubled over, dry heaving. The baby kicked hard, as if responding to my distress.
This can’t be true. Lucian was lying. He had to be lying.
But why? What did he gain from this lie? He was already dead.
And the details… they’re so specific. So vivid.
I thought about every conversation I’d had with Caelan about my mother. How he’d always seemed slightly uncomfortable when she was mentioned. How he’d quickly change the subject.
No. I’m reading too much into it. He’s uncomfortable because he knows how much I miss her.
But what if…
The sound of a car engine in the driveway made my blood freeze. Caelan was home.
I struggled to my feet. The email was still open on my phone screen.
I quickly closed it and set my phone on the nightstand, then grabbed a broom and swept up the shards of the glass that had shattered on the floor.
I need to act normal. I need to think about this rationally.
This is probably all lies. Lucian’s final attempt to hurt us from beyond the grave.
But I need to look at Caelan’s face when I ask him. I need to see his reaction.
Footsteps on the stairs. Getting closer.
I turned off the lights and dove under the covers, pulling them up to my chin. My heart pounded so loud I was sure he’d hear it from the hallway.
The bedroom door opened with a soft creak.
“Sabi?” His voice was gentle, careful not to wake me. “You asleep?
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply