Page 59 of Third Offense

Perhaps a walk was just what I needed to change up this dull routine.

Perhaps he would give me something useful, too.

Or is he impacted by the same nonchalance that everyone else is exuding around here?I wondered.Only one way to find out.

If he bored me or irritated me, I’d just tell him to fuck off, or go search for Layla and Novak.

“Can you show me the way through the west side of the compound?” I asked him, thinking of the direction my mates had apparently flown off in.

He smiled. “I can.”

“Then lead the way,” I drawled, waving a hand and making it clear that I would not be walking with him behind me. He would have to give me his back first.

Because fuck if I trusted this man.

I was only agreeing to this because it broke routine.

And I was desperate to learn something—anything—that could help.

Even if it meant turning to the one male I never thought I’d willingly talk to.

Prince fucking Ketos.

He gave a stiff nod and turned. “Follow me, then.”

It was a strange sort of truce. A gesture. Or perhaps an arrogant display that said,I don’t fear having you behind me.

Maybe it was all of the above.

But he seemed a little too eager to just accept my challenge and present his back. So either he was trying to lull me into a state of comfort—one he intended to take full advantage of—or he wanted to prove he wasn’t a threat.

My jaw ticked as I tried to determine his motive.

Either way, I followed. Because I was curious.

And because I was feeling a bit lost in this palatial heaven.

It’s wrong. This is all wrong. But no one seems interested in listening.

Maybe Ketos would be different.

Unless he was somehow responsible for this.What if he’s in on this mirage? Playing a role that I have yet to understand?

A fake compatible mate, perhaps? Here to add a hint of distrust and challenge to our existing mate circle?

But no, if that was the case, he would have tried to see Layla outside of dinner this week. He’d left her alone, remaining as polite as ever through the meals.

Why?I wanted to demand.Why haven’t you tried to talk to her? To pursue her? To woo her?

Is it because you’re not really compatible?

Or are you just giving her space to acclimate to these surroundings?

These insane, repetitive, whirling surroundings that made no sense whatsoever.

I frowned, conflicted and confused and wondering why I was bothering to follow him at all.

When I started to slow, he paused and looked over his shoulder. “If I wanted to hurt you, Auric, I would.”