Page 244 of Unmarked

Theo raises an eyebrow, slow and skeptical. “Lucian’s family has connections,” he says dryly, the edge in his voice unmistakable.

Lucian doesn’t flinch - rather, he’s as casual as you please.

“My father,” he says smoothly, “happens to be the current Director of the OMB.”

The words hit like a blow.

Theo stiffens. I stare at Lucian, throat tight.

"You’re serious," I say flatly.

I blink. My heart thuds once, hard.

“You’re the OMB prince?!”

“I didn’twantto be,” Lucian says, almost sheepish for someone who looks like a war crime in a tailored shirt. “It's something I try and keep as quiet as possible.”

“And you just…usedthat to keep tabs on me?”

“I used it to protect you.”

“Without telling me.”

“You had a lot going on.”

“Lucian, I had four alphas and a heat so bad I hallucinated a second ceiling fan.”

His jaw ticks. “That’s not the point.”

“You said‘we have ways.’” My voice is quieter now, but not soft. “You meanthim.”

“I meant the reach that comes with his name,” Lucian says. “The people loyal to him. The ones who send reports straight to his desk. If anything came through the system about you - your lack of registration, your scent file, a flagged interaction - we’d know.”

“So you’ve been watching.” The realization hits me like cold water. “Since the gala?”

“Yes. AndI was trying to keep yououtof it, Rhea. I didn’t want this - didn’t want to involve you in the kind of power games my family plays.”

My stomach flips, the weight of it all pressing down.

“But you still used it.”

“I used what I had to make sure you were safe.”

“Youlied,” I say. Not accusing, not really - just… Trying to understand. “You let me believe this was a gamble. That there were risks.”

“There were,” he says sharply. “Thereare. But once you were bonded, once you’re marked, you’d beours. And there’s no going back from that. Not emotionally. Not biologically.”

He exhales, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck.

“That’s why I waited. That’s why I stayed away. Because once it happened, I knew I’d never walk away from it. Fromyou.”

The air between us crackles.

Too much has been said, but also not enough.

I stare at him across the counter, heart pounding. I don’t know whether to scream, or run, or kiss him again just to shut him up.

I settle for making a point.

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