"Indianna, please talk to me."
Indianna gritted her teeth and quietly closed the front door behind her. She looked at her mother, who was standing in the kitchen doorway.
She looked desperate.
"Please."
"Five minutes," Indianna said firmly.
She followed Iris into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. Iris sat across from her, twisting her hands together nervously.
"Would you like some tea? Or maybe coffee—"
"Answers," Indianna cut in. "I want answers."
Iris sighed.
"Which questions?"
"Why did you keep it a secret?" Indianna asked. "Why hide me from this world?"
"To protect you," Iris said softly. "This world can be dangerous. I never wanted you to be part of it."
"That wasn't your choice to make."
"I know." Iris lowered her eyes. "And I know now that nothing I did could've kept you away from this world. Not when your mate was part of it."
"What do you mean?"
"Mates always find each other," Iris explained. "No matter what happens, their paths always cross. They're two halves of the same soul. No matter how hard I tried, I could never have hidden you from Greyson."
"Hidden?" Indianna frowned. "If you could have... would you?"
"Yes," Iris admitted after a long pause. "I would've."
The answer stung more than Indianna expected.
"But I'm part of it now."
"I know," Iris whispered.
Silence settled between them.
Indianna studied her mother's face before asking quietly,
"Mum... who's Rogue?"
Iris flinched.
It was only for a split second, but Indianna caught it.
Her stomach tightened.
"Don't lie to me."
"Rogue?" Iris forced a confused expression. "A rogue is a wolf that—"
"I know what a rogue is," Indianna snapped. "I'm asking about Rogue. Not a rogue. The Rogue."
"I wasn't aware there was a 'the' Rogue," Iris said with a shrug.
Indianna let out a bitter laugh as she pushed back her chair.
"Of course you'd lie."
She shook her head.
"First Greyson... now you."
"Indianna, I'm sorry—"
"Save it!" Indianna snapped.
She stormed upstairs before her mother could say another word.
"I don't want to hear any more lies!"
She slammed her bedroom door behind her and collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in the pillow.
Every answer she got only seemed to create ten more questions.
Please tell me you're about to strip and take a long, sexy shower.
Indianna didn't need to see Greyson's face to know he was smirking.
Piss off.
Someone's grumpy, he teased.
I'm sick of the lies! Indianna groaned. I hate that you've only told me half of what you know!
You wouldn't be able to handle everything yet, sugar, Greyson replied, his tone surprisingly serious.
Don't tell me what I can and can't handle, she shot back. You don't get to decide that.
I can, and I will, he answered. You just have to trust me, Indie.
Can I?
There was a brief pause.
Can I really trust you?
Of course you can.
He answered as though the question itself was ridiculous.
Can I trust you with my life?
Greyson didn't answer immediately.
When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter than she'd ever heard it.
My life wouldn't be worth living without you, Indianna.
I'd die to protect you.
So yes... you can trust me with yours.
The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard.
For once, there wasn't a trace of arrogance or teasing.
Only honesty.
Then why won't you answer my questions?
Another silence.
Do you trust me? Greyson asked instead.
Indianna closed her eyes.
Against all logic...
Against every reason she had not to...
Yes.
I trust you.
Then stop asking questions, Greyson replied. You'll know when it's time.
Indianna sighed.
You're still an ass.
Greyson laughed.
The sound echoed through her mind for a moment before disappearing, leaving her room strangely quiet again.
She stared at the ceiling.
Everyone around her was hiding something.
Her mother.
Greyson.
Even the people who claimed they were protecting her.
Sooner or later...
She'd uncover the truth herself.