Zane's POV
A snarl ripped from my throat, my vision bleeding red. Max’s grip tightened, her other hand pressing against my chest. Grounding me.
“Breathe,” she murmured. “I’ve got you.”
“I hunted him down.” The words came out guttural, half mine, half Beast’s. “I found him in a bar, laughing like nothing had happened.”
A growl shuddered through me, remembering the scent of blood, the way our father’s laughter had choked into a wet, gasping rattle. “That was the first time I met Beast. He took over—and beat my father before ripping out his throat. Then we vanished.”
A tear fell from her eye, and I reached out to wipe it away. For a long moment we sat in silence.
Then, quietly, Max whispered, “I’m sorry, my love.”
Beast retreated, leaving me hollow. Exhausted. But not healed. That wo
