Chapter 0065
A Lingering Unease
"Come with me," he murmurs, his arms falling away from me.
I follow him into his office, an unsettling weight pressing down on my chest. Every time I step into this room, it feels like I’m on the verge of being reprimanded—like everything I’ve built is seconds away from crumbling.
Eric's words replay in my mind as Dane settles into his chair. "Eric mentioned you had a strange feeling."
I nod. "Before Trey showed up, I just… something felt off."
"You can’t explain it," he states, watching me carefully.
I shake my head. "No. It just didn’t feel right."
His gaze sharpens. "What did she say to you?"
"That Trey wanted to see me. That he…" My face scrunches as I recall her cryptic words. "That he wanted to remind me."
"Remind you of what?"
"I don’t know. She never got the chance to explain."
"Klaus cut her off?"
I shake my head. "Beta Eric did. He was just trying to protect me… like Klaus was."
Dane doesn’t acknowledge my mention of Klaus. Instead, his expression darkens. "I should’ve killed Trey when I had the chance."
I sink into the chair across from him, watching as he scrawls something onto a sheet of paper. My curiosity sparks. "Alpha Dane… how did they know? How did they know where I was?"
His pen halts mid-stroke. "That’s a question for Klaus—once he’s healed."
"Klaus?" My brows furrow.
"I’m not saying he was involved, but he saw Cassandra before you did. I need to know what happened in those few minutes before she attacked him."
His gaze lifts to mine, piercing and unrelenting. "Are you sure you’re not hurt?"
"Just… confused," I admit, trying to make sense of everything.
His tone shifts as he abruptly changes the subject. "Did you buy anything nice?"
"A few things. I think Raven has them." I pull the credit card from my pocket and slide it across the desk.
He picks it up, amusement flickering in his crimson eyes. "I tell you to buy whatever you want, and yet you barely spend a thing."
His smirk fades slightly as he studies me. "The city was too much for your senses, wasn’t it?"
"The first quiet place I found was the bookshop. Klaus told me it took him nearly a year to adjust."
Dane nods. "It did—especially his hearing. That’s why he lives farther from the heart of the pack. Fewer people, less noise. It was easier for him." His expression hardens. "Unfortunately, you don’t have that option."
"Because I can’t protect myself?"
His lips curl into a smirk, but his voice is serious. "Because I want you in my bed every night—not hiding away in some house across my territory."
Unanswered Questions
When word comes that Klaus has fully recovered, Alpha Dane takes me with him to see him.
Klaus sits at the edge of the same bed I had once believed I would die in. His hair, no longer tied back, falls loosely around his shoulders as he drums his fingers against the mattress. The moment he spots me, he’s on his feet.
"You okay?"
I nod, and Dane’s reassuring squeeze steadies me. "Are you?"
"That bastard came out of nowhere."
"Which one?" Dane’s voice is measured, unreadable.
Klaus frowns. "What do you mean?"
"The blonde—Cassandra. She’s the one who knocked you out first, wasn’t she?"
"She asked me to grab a book for her. When I reached up, she struck me from behind with something heavy."
"Have you ever seen her before?" Dane presses.
"Never." Klaus shakes his head. "And when they left, that other guy… he came out of nowhere. It was like he dropped down from above and cut straight down my back." His eyes flicker to mine. "Don’t worry—I’m healed. Fast healer, remember?"
"You’ve never spoken to them before? Never interacted with them?" Dane’s voice is firm, scrutinizing.
Klaus’ expression hardens. "Are you asking if I set this up?" His voice is laced with disbelief. "Dane, why the hell would I risk getting myself nearly killed? The guy barely missed my heart. I’m not stupid enough to cross you—I’ve seen what happens to those who do." His gaze darkens. "I’d rather be on your side than against you."
I glance at Dane, but he doesn’t react. I’ve only seen him kill once—Kyle. How much darker could he go?
Dane turns away. "Right."
Klaus exhales. "So, am I free to go?"
Dane nods. "Yeah."
As Klaus steps toward the door, he glances at me. "Are we still having our tutoring session tonight?"
Before I can answer, Dane speaks. "No. Not tonight."
There’s no anger in his tone, but there’s something else—something that makes my stomach twist. Unpredictability.
Klaus doesn’t argue. He just nods and walks out without another word.
Dane remains standing there, his face unreadable, his energy unsettling.
"Are we going back to the house?" My voice is hesitant, breaking the silence.
His eyes snap to mine, and something shifts in them. A small smile plays on his lips, and he nods. But for the rest of the evening, he barely speaks.
He watches me instead.
Every move.
Every breath.
By the time I slip into bed, my skin prickles with unease. It’s only then, as I pull the covers over me, that he finally speaks.
"Have you been linking them by accident?"
His voice is quiet, but the weight of his words sends a shiver down my spine.