Chapter 167

Zane~

I drove like a storm, fast and reckless, car cutting through the streets like I was trying to outrun my own thoughts. Natalie’s voice still rang in my ears, every word slicing deep.

“He was gone. But I brought him back p>

Griffin. In my house. Breathing my air. Walking beside my mate.

I clenched the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles white with rage, sorrow, and confusion. I wasn’t mad because she saved a life. Hell, I admired her strength more than she knew. But she had kept me in the dark. And that was a kind of pain I didn’t know how to name.

My heart thundered, not from Red but from something rawer. Something far more human.

I shot a mind-link toward Sebastian, the only person who could keep me sane at a time like this, when the world spun too fast. “I’m coming over p>

There was a pause, a flicker of hesitation from his end. “Should I pour blood or bourbon? Either way, the royal drama’s always welcome under my roof p>

Typical Sebastian.

I pulled into his driveway with a roar of tires, gravel crunching beneath me like bones. I killed the engine and stepped out, the chill late morning air doing nothing to cool the fire in my veins. My boots hit the porch hard. I didn’t knock. No need for formality between brothers. I reached into my sweat pants pocket and pulled out the spare key.

The moment the door swung open, something… felt off.

The scent.

It wasn’t just Sebastian’s usual mix of iron, cedarwood cologne, and whatever absurdly expensive blood-wine he drank. No. There was something new in the air. Something wild.

Wolf.

I shut the door behind me, stepping further into the living room. The shadows shifted around me, familiar and strange all at once. Before I could call out, a blur of movement rushed past my peripheral vision.

And then—

“Zaney-boy p>

Sebastian materialized with a grin far too wide for my current mood. His black hair was tousled like he’d just rolled out of bed—or someone’s bed. He wore a loose black shirt hanging open like he didn’t know how buttons worked, plain dark pants, and of course, no shoes. A wine glass dangled lazily from one hand. He always looked like a gothic romance novel had come to life, but today… today he looked almost normal. Still annoyingly handsome. Just less… cinematic.

“You smell like betrayal and heartbreak,” he teased, raising an eyebrow. “Did Natalie finally realize she could do better p>

I didn’t smile.

Instead, I inhaled again—deeper this time. The scent of werewolf lingered strong. Not just recently present. Living-here strong.

My eyes narrowed. “Why the hell does your house smell like fur and forest p>

Sebastian blinked. Then winced. “Oh. That p>

“That?” I echoed, my tone sharp.

He scratched the back of his neck, clearly stalling. “Look, I was gonna tell you. Eventually. You’ve been kinda busy, what with your royal life, the crazy Alpha you want to set on fire, and, you know, the looming apocalypse p>

“Sebastian,” I growled.

“Okay, okay,” he said, hands up in surrender. “Brielle’s living with me now. But her real name is Cassandra. It’s a whole thing. Complicated p>

My brows shot up. “You serious p>

He nodded, sheepishly now. “Yeah. Has been for a week now. Maybe more p>

“And you didn’t think to tell me? Remember how we both went in search of her? I have been really worried about you, Seb p>

Sebastian shrugged, then took a slow sip from his glass. “It’s complicated, alright? She didn’t want me involved in her life because she thought she was protecting me. Demons, curses, assassins… the usual p>

I stared at him.

He sighed. “You’d freak out. You’re a professional worrier, Zane. You’d probably try to take on Kalmia yourself, just to ’shield me from pain,’” he said in a dramatic imitation of my voice. “I didn’t want that. And I bet Cassandra won’t want that either p>

He wasn’t wrong. I would’ve done exactly that.

But still.

“Everyone’s been keeping secrets from me,” I said, quieter this time. “Natalie. You. What’s next—Alex sprouts wings and bursts into flames like a baby phoenix p>

Sebastian’s expression softened as he walked closer and put a hand on my shoulder. “You carry the world, brother. Sometimes… the people who love you just want to carry you, too. Even if it means keeping you in the dark a little p>

I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.

Then, from behind us, a soft set of footsteps echoed through the hall.

Cassandra.

She entered like the shadow of a storm, solidifying into form. Midnight-black hair fell in sleek waves past her shoulders. Her eyes were sharp, alert—like a soldier never off-duty. She wore jeans and a plain black top, but carried herself with the ease of someone who’d survived wars. No armor. No need.

I stood and turned, letting a small smile break through. “Well, look who it is. My mysterious sister-in-law p>

She blinked—just once. Then smiled. A real one.

“You must be Zane,” she said, her voice dry and cool, like she’d seen too much to be impressed by legends. “Sebastian’s told me all about you p>

“Only good things, I hope?” I asked.

She arched a brow, amused, while Sebastian rolled his eyes.

“Oh, glowing reviews,” she said. “Savior of my dear mate. World’s sassiest prince. Real heartthrob p>

I smirked. “Glad to know my reputation precedes me p>

She walked over, and this time her voice softened. “It’s good to finally meet you, Zane p>

“You too,” I said. “Even if you’re squatting in this vampire’s lair p>

Sebastian groaned. “She lives here. Legally. I made her sign a roommate agreement. With blood p>

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “He’s exaggerating p>

He wasn’t.

I finally sank into the velvet couch, the kind that probably cost more than a really nice car. I dropped my head into my hands and tried to breathe through the chaos.

Sebastian didn’t push. He just moved to the kitchen, poured something dark and heavy into a glass, and brought it to me.

Whiskey. No ice. It burned on the way down.

He sat across from me, the grin gone. “Talk p>

So I did.

I sank deeper into the couch, running a hand through my hair like it might smooth out the chaos in my head. The whiskey burned, but not enough to numb everything.

“I finally made it back home,” I said, voice low. “After being stuck in the palace for way too long—council meetings, Alpha nonsense, and a royal headache every five minutes. All I wanted was a quiet time. My bed. Her smile. But instead I found out a lie, one I wasn’t prepared for p>

Sebastian tilted his head, eyes narrowing just slightly. “What happened?” he asked. “What did Natalie lie about p>

I looked at him, jaw tightening. “She never told me Griffin Blackthorn was living in my damn house p>

Sebastian’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait, Griffin Blackthorn? The dead one? That Griffin p>