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She flinched and her gaze dropped toward the floor. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes, you do," I said firmly. "You know. And you know Viva is one too."
Her mouth twitched to the side.
Devlin turned to stare at her. "What the fuck? That can't be true. You can shift."
"Some of them can do both," I said calmly. "Viva was attacked by one who was part tiger shifter.”
Devlin looked like someone hit him across the face with a cold, wet fish. He shook his head.
"It can't be. I would know."
"To Hades with this." Gwendolyn got to her feet.
I raised a hand, as if that would help me, but her eyes were on Devlin.
"What the—" His eyes were wide as he lifted up off the floor. A moment later, he was pinned to the ceiling, arms windmilling.
"Put me down," he demanded.
"If you say so." She took a step back and he dropped to the carpet with a thud.
I winced.
"Okay." I raised my hands. "You've made your point. What do you want?"
"Real leadership in the Vault, and for that leadership to hear every voice, not just the wolves," she stated.
"My ears are open any time," I said. "The woman I love is hemitheos."
Did I just say that out loud? Yes, I did. It felt good.
Until Gwendolyn snorted. "Love? You want to own her, like you own a pair of shoes."
I frowned. "Do you really think Viva would allow herself to be owned?" She'd rip my balls off and flush them down the toilet if I tried. Still, Gwendolyn wasn't entirely wrong, but Ididlove Viva. My heart ached when she wasn't beside me. My body ached to touch every part of her. I'd never felt like this about any woman before. I didn't think I ever would again.
"That doesn't mean you wouldn't try," Gwendolyn said.
I hesitated for a beat or two, thinking hard. "You know I have some influence over her, that's why I'm alive. You need her."
"We're not killers," she snapped. "Not like you."
I arched an eyebrow.
Her eyes flicked toward the floor. "Killing the tiger was necessary."
"Ah." I sensed I'd get no more than that out of her. "What now then? Is this where Devlin and I step down from our roles?"
She surprised me by saying, "Not yet."
"Okay." I nodded. "When?"
"Never," Devlin snapped. He grunted, but managed to get to his feet. "I am Alpha. I'mnotstepping aside." After a moment, he added, "I want a divorce."
It was fucking wonderful to know he had his priorities in the right place. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"I'm not sure her friends will let us live if we refuse." I glanced at Viper, who was listening to the exchange with interest.
