Chapter 257
Chapter 257
Of course, I wouldn’t touch any of it. Not just because alcohol was bad for the pregnancy, but because it could be poisoned. I sat, but I didn’t pick up my spoon, even though the stew actually looked and smelled really good.
“You’re not going to eat?” The Rogue King asked, tilting his head. He had already begun to dig into his stew with unexpected gusto.
I leaned back in my chair and crossed my legs. “Nope p>
He chuckled, then stood, rounding the table. I watched as he picked up my spoon and scooped up a spoonful of stew. He held my gaze unwaveringly and popped it into his mouth. Chewed slowly, savoring it. Then swallowed.
“See?” He scooped up another spoonful and held it out to me. “Not poisoned p>
The
spoon brushed my lower lip. I jerked back, but my head hit the tall back of the chair. The Rogue King just waited, smiling at me. Smiling like a parent might while feeding a young child, or perhaps like a p>
No. I pushed the thought away. He didn’t think we could be lovers, right? I’d never allow it. I’d claw his good eye out before I let that happen.
As if reading my thoughts, he sighed and set the spoon down. “Suit yourself.” He took his seat again and refilled his wine. “I suppose we should talk, then, if you’re not going to eat p>
“Talk away,” I said.
“Very well.” He took a sip of wine. “I know you’re not the type to mince words, so I’ll start with this: you’re adopted p>
I blinked. Then laughed. “You’re full of it p>
“You were switched at birth,” he went on, swirling his wine around in his cup. “Your adoptive mother-her biological baby died shortly after birth. You were found by her. Abandoned in the forest, or so it seemed p>
“That’s bull p>
“You came from the last remaining Lycan tribe. You were their princess, in fact. You contain the Moon. Goddess’s blood in your veins. It’s a trait that only the most carefully bred Lycans possess. That’s why you’re able to channel her light through your wolf p>
I stared at him. A Lycan princess. Had he gone mental? Then again, I supposed he already was. Maybe whatever took his eye out had taken a chunk of his prefrontal cortex along with it.
“I don’t believe you,” I said flatly.
He shrugged and stood again. “I knew you wouldn’t. But I’m not
voying, Avery, I can prove it to you, if you
want. I can show you where you came from. There’s a cave, not far from here-come with me, and I’ll show you the truth p>
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Chapter 257
+25 Bonus
I frowned, considering his words. It felt like a trap, and yet it also felt like an opportunity. A cave outside the camp… Maybe I could get away. Shift and run and keep running until they couldn’t find me anymore.
After a moment, I decided to go along with it. The Rogue King looked pleased, and led the way. A guard followed us, but I could handle two men. It was better than trying to take on the whole camp.
We walked for about half a mile into the forest-the Rogue King up ahead, the guard behind me. I kept my eyes on a constant scan, searching for potential pathways. Unfortunately, the forest here was rugged and unfamiliar. But there were multiple routes I saw that could work. I mentally logged each one, ensuring I could find my way when I made a run for it.
Eventually, the Rogue King stopped in front of the mouth of a dark cave. He held his hand out, and the guard lit a torch and handed it to him. He offered me his elbow.
“Shall we p>
I grit my teeth and took his arm, following him into the cave. It was deep and winding, and the walls were smooth and cold. Thankfully, we didn’t go too deep. I could still make out the light coming from the entrance, although it was fading quickly as the sun went down.
If I could just get a head start…
“Here.” The Rogue King lifted his torch to illuminate the wall we’d stopped in front of. “This, Avery, is the story of your people-and how you were lost p>
My breath caught, and for a moment, all plans of escape slipped from my mind.
Because there, etched into the walls, were cave paintings depicting a baby girl wrapped in a blanket with a crescent moon printed on the fabric.
A baby girl stolen by wolves.
P
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