Page 65 of Alpha Queen
"No?" Titan's eyes narrowed. "Then tell me, brother, what is it? Because from where I'm standing, it looks an awful lot like betrayal."
Kane held his ground. "I'm trying to prevent you from making a mistake you can't take back."
"A mistake?" Titan's laugh barked out harsh and brittle. "The only mistake was thinking I could trust you."
"Titan-" River began.
"Don't," he snarled. "Don't you dare speak right now."
River's wolf growled at the disrespect.
Easy, girl.
The situation teetered on the edge of violence. She had to defuse it to prevent Titan from killing Kane.
"You think I don't know what's happening?" Titan stalked forward. "You think I can't smell your deception? Your guilt?"
Kane didn't move. Didn't speak.
"You're plotting against me." Titan's voice dropped. "My oldest friend. The only person I thought I could trust."
"I'm not plotting against you. I'm trying to save you."
Titan snorted. "Save me? Is that what this is?" He gestured between Kane and River. "Conspiring with my mate behind my back?"
"She's not your mate," Kane said quietly. "Not truly. And deep down, you know it."
The words hung in the air between them, explosive and dangerous. River held her breath, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure both men heard it.
Titan's face contorted with rage. "You dare-"
"Yes, I dare," Kane interrupted, taking a step forward. "Because someone has to tell you the truth. This obsession is destroying you, Titan. It's corrupting everything."
For a moment, something flickered in Titan's eyes, a flash of uncertainty, quickly masked by fury. "Get out," he growled.
"Titan-"
"GET OUT!" Titan roared, his voice reverberating through the room with such force the television rattled.
Kane held his ground for a moment longer, his eyes locking with Titan's in a silent battle of wills. Then, with a nod, he turned to leave. As he passed River, he gave her a look that spoke volumes, half apology, half warning.
Kane slowly exited the room, leaving River alone with Titan. The silence stretched between them, taut as piano wire.
"What did he tell you?" Titan asked, his voice calm.
River swallowed hard, weighing her options. Titan would detect a lie immediately. But the truth might provoke him further.
"He told me about your past," she answered carefully. "About your vision for changing things."
"And?"
"And about your mother."
Something dark and pained flashed across Titan's face. "He had no right to speak of her."
"Maybe not," River conceded. "But it helped me understand you better."
Titan scoffed. "You don't want to understand me, River. You want to escape me."
