Chapter 76

Selene

The room reeks of cheap beer and fear. I've grown used to it over the past few hours, how the oppressive air presses down on me, making it hard to breathe. Kate's still slouched in the same chair, her eyes glazed over as she finishes yet another beer. I've lost count of how many she's had at this point, but I still haven't had a sip of water or food.

Zack hasn't come back downstairs since he said he was taking a bath. I could only wish that he'd grab a goddamn toaster and put in the tub with him, but I heard Kate mutter earlier that she could hear him snoring like a boar.

Lucky him. I haven't been able to sleep a wink with my stomach growling so loudly, hunger gnawing at me. I wish I could just ignore it, but the more time that passes, the stronger the sensation gets. If I had my wolf, we could easily go longer without nourishment, but since I don't, I get to suffer just like a human would. I just love that for me.

I'm still leaning against the wall, trying not to pass out, but I figure now is the time to ask more questions. This might be my only chance. Kate is obviously drunk, and by the emotionless mask on her face, I think she's starting to have second thoughts about what she's done.

Or at least, I can hope she is.

She hasn't looked at me in a while, she's just been staring off into some unseen distance. I move to scoot closer to her, the chains scraping against the floor. She perks up at the sound, but doesn't turn to see what I'm doing. It's not like I can escape anyway—not when my body is in this weak state.

"Why are the Devils after both of you?" I ask, trying not to sound too interested about her earlier confession.

"Why do you fucking care?" she sneers at me.

I keep my expression neutral. "I don't. I just have anything else to fucking do right now," I mutter, jangling the metal chain connected to the collar around my neck. The silver burns my hand, but I'm pretty much used to the pain after days of having it sear into my flesh. With no healing abilities, I'm surprised I'm not dead right now. Maybe it's because I'm an Alpha's daughter, who knows.

"I don't know what Zack has done," Kate admits softly. "Well, other than being a dirty cop. It's not like that asshole talks much. He doesn't trust me and I don't trust him either."

I tilt my head, keeping my tone quiet, almost empathetic. It's an angle I haven't used yet—appealing to whatever humanity she has left. "If he obviously doesn't trust you, why do his dirty work for him?"

Kate's jaw clenches, her eyes narrowing as she glances at me. "You think I like this? Being dragged into the middle of his fucking obsession with you?" She shakes her head, her voice bitter. "I don't have a choice. He caught me selling silver jewelry, and in exchange for my help, he let me out."

What the hell? So he blackmailed her?

Of course it wasn't just about her wanting Phoenix. She could've tried to win Phoenix's affection without doing all of this.

I let out a slow breath, pretending to process the information. Inside, my mind is whirling. How can I use this to my advantage? How can I get her to switch sides?

"Maybe you do have a choice," I suggest, keeping my voice calm. "If Zack is as unstable as he seems, do you really think he's going to protect you from them? Or from anyone here? He's going to get us all killed."

Kate doesn't answer, but her expression falters. The doubt I've been nurturing is starting to grow, slowly eating away at her defenses.

I lean forward, slightly, my voice dropping to a whisper. "You and I both know Phoenix is going to come for me and kill Zack. Maybe I can talk him out of harming you, that you were forced into all of this. I'm sure there will still be a punishment, but at least you'll live. But if you don't-"

I don't need to finish the sentence. She knows what will happen to her.

The bottle trembles in her hand, and I can see her mind working, weighing her options that make the difference between life or death. She's on the edge, teetering between loyalty to Zack and her own survival.

"I don't believe you. Why would you help me after everything I've done to you?" she asks me, skepticism lacing her words.

She's right. Why the fuck would I help her? She has abducted me, hit me, drugged me, even spit on my goddamn cheek when I couldn't do anything but let it sit there and dry. Zack told her to give me water before he left, yet it's still sitting on the counter, out of reach.

"I'm a better person than you are," I reply simply, my voice steady, despite the fear that she still won't help me after this.

Although she deserves to die just like Zack, I will let her have another chance at life. I can even convince Phoenix to allow her back into the pack, as long as she stays far away from us. I meant what I said. I'm a way better person than she could ever be.

"I'll think about it," she whispers, tapping her fingertips against the bottle.

A surge of relief floods through me. That's all I need to know. Even if she doesn't directly assist me, maybe she can just loosen my restraints and turn the other way so I can fuck Zack up.

Kate stands with a loud sigh, grabbing the bottle of water of the counter and tossing it my way. "Here," she mutters, before collapsing onto the couch in the dingy living room. It's not enough but I'll take what I can get.

I gulp down the water in seconds, even though one bottle does nothing to ease the hunger clawing at me. I lean back against the water, my body aching, and close my eyes.

If I can get just a little rest, maybe I'll be ready for whatever comes next.