Brian had known for eight days.
I stood in the doorway of his office, Marcus's words still echoing in my head, and watched my mate's face for any sign of denial. Any flicker of surprise. Any indication that this was news to him.
There was nothing.
Just the careful stillness of a man who'd been caught, and the slow acceptance that the game was over.
"You knew," I said. "About my blood. About what it means."
Brian set down the papers he'd been reviewing. His movements were deliberate, controlled—the Alpha composure that I'd once found reassuring and now recognized as a wall.
"Yes."
One word. No excuses. No explanations.
Just yes.
The rage that swept through me was so intense I had to grip the doorframe to stay upright. Eight days. Eight days of watching me stumble through Trials tha
