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"This is your last fucking warning," I snarled. "Get. Lost."

His eyes brightened and his nostrils flared, expression almostdaringme to squeeze harder.

My hands tightened, and the wolf relished every labored breath — urging me to go further — to finally avenge all those this man had hurt.

But I was not the wolf.

Gritting my teeth, I forced my hands to relax.

Japhire let out a disappointed sigh, then shook his head, released my arms, and stepped away.

"Such a disappointment, pup," he said, straightening his uniform. "I must say, I was hoping for more from you."

"Fuck off, you crazy bastard," I snarled.

He shook his head and adjusted his hat. "You should heed my words, pup. And —" His gaze slid to the rooftops nearby. "Don't forget what I said about people watching." He tapped next to his eye. "You wouldn't see someone like me unless I stood up and let you know I was there."

A chill ran down my spine.

"See you around."

I dumbly watched him walk away, unsure how to respond.

Had he really been watching me all along?

Surely, I'd have noticed him …

I searched the area for a place he might go to spy onme. But that was stupid. If he didn't want me to see him, I wouldn't.

My stomach twisted as I ran through my actions of the past days.

Fuck. Had I done anything worth reporting?I looked back to see Kaiya still holding the baby and talking to the woman.

Now, more than ever, we needed to finish this mission quickly.

And I needed Kaiya better armed in case things … went poorly. I'd harass the blacksmith again once we'd finished here …

I strode to her, and she passed the baby back to the mother with a smile — for some reason, that just pissed me off more.

Was she scared I'd be mean to a baby?

"Who have you chosen, Witch?" I growled.

The baby grinned at me from his mother's arms, and something inside my chest loosened an inch.

Kaiya waved at him, then turned to face me, and together we walked away. "I'll tell you who I've found," she said. "But first …"

"No buts. Names, now!"

Her gaze slid to the woman she'd just left, then back to me and she cocked her head to the side. "Yes, names. Of course. But —" she paused. "Did you hear that?"

Irritated, I glared down at her. "There was nothingtohear. What. Are. The. Names?"

Her pretty hazel eyes widened, and she winced as if inpain. "You really can't hear it? It's — my stomach." She pressed her hands against her belly. "It's growling so loudly … and gods — it hurts!" Her expression tightened. "I'm just so hungry, Tye … I — I might faint."

The wolf sat up straight, one hundred percent focused on Kaiya. It didn't move yet, but gods … I knew what was coming.

No!I warned the wolf.Don't do it! She's lying!