Although the trio was far enough from the group to be able to have a private discussion, what they didn't know was that I hid behind a large, heart-shaped bush. Overripe, black berries fell to the ground with the slightest rustling as I moved behind it. Thankfully, these little bushes were everywhere.

I was well within earshot while staying perfectly hidden behind the thick, round leaves. As careful as I was to remain silent, they should have heard me approach. Thankfully, it seemed they were too preoccupied with their conversation to hear any of my movements.

But they were just as dense as I thought they were.

I know that but we can't risk having them hunt us down! Holden sounded panicked, which wasn't something I was used to hearing.

Holden usually composed himself and was very collected.

Now, all I could feel was their panic. At least I could feel Holden's panic, it overwhelmed Tyler and Shyla's indifference.

The attack would have been the best chance to do it. You were the one who hesitated, Tyler piped in, his voice dark, venom oozing out of it like liquid.

I absolutely hated that guy.

Holden lowered his voice, whipping his tail back and forth. He was nervous as he said, I didn't hesitate. It just wasn't a good time.

He was lying. I knew he was. But what was he lying about? What was it? And who were they?

Holden, the blond wolf sticking out amongst the three of them, finally stopped whipping his tail. Instead, he began to pace. The two silver wolves remained in their sitting position, backs straight and their eyes focused on something in the distance. They just stared straight forward like two soldiers before battle.

They reminded me of lifeless shells, figures that consisted of meat and bone but bore no emotions, no genuine feelings.

I had always asked myself where they'd come from. Their families had been the same, always very reserved and secretive.

But maybe it was in their genes, some kind of defect that didn't allow them to experience emotions the way the rest of us did.

Their emotional signature was just as gray and stale as their fur was in color. Both of them were nearly identical... Except, from time to time, anger slithered into Tyler's aura in the form of a faint shade of scarlet red.

Are you sure that the council still has no lead on Kintar? Holden said then, some mumbling following that I couldn't quite make out.

Shyla's eyes returned to Holden, though they looked anything but pleased. Let Kintar be my problem. Your only task was to gain trust. You've done most of your part.

She's been avoiding me though for the past few weeks. Something's changed but I don't know what.

A few birds screeched above us, making it hard to understand what they continued to converse about. My concentration wavered and so did Shyla's voice in my mind.

That may be. Still, the information you provided me with has been.... if incomplete. Even though... sidetracked with this pathetic dream these imbeciles.... we can still finish what we started. We just need.... the right time, Shyla muttered bits and pieces of her speech lost on me.

There was a faint gust of wind that blew past my fur and that was when they all perked up. They smelled my scent.

Instead of panicking, I remained where I was. These berries should be okay, I thought loudly, grabbing a bunch of leaves with my snout and sticking my head out from underneath the bush. All three of them stared at me.

Did you guys seriously not hear me approach? I found some more over by the stream, I continued, talking calmly and pretending to be completely oblivious to the conversation they had just had.

To my surprise, actual surprise, Tyler growled and took a few steps closer into my direction. He had his ears flat on his skull, his lips curled back and his long tongue hanging from the left side of his mouth. His teeth were bared, deep growls rumbling through him.

He reminded me of the wolf that had attacked us at home. But the fur and the scent weren't the same—whoever had broken my spine and put Reece in a coma-like state, it wasn't Tyler. As much as I hated him and his hostility, I wouldn't expect him to actually attack my family. Maybe it had something to do with this Kintar person.

Tyler, knock it off, Shyla said, rolling her eyes before looking back to me. She tilted her head slightly, her big brown eyes staring straight into mine.

Why are you out searching for food yourself? During daytime?

Although I could have taken the accusing-role, I remained calm and collected. If I was going to be believable, I needed to show that I didn't care what they thought.

Reece and Jarred won't make time for some scavenging unless all of us are on the brink of starvation. But, you know, I can also just eat them all myself and leave you with nothing.

Now it was me who tilted their head. It unnerved me to look at Shyla so intensely, but in order for her to believe me, consistency was necessary. As soon as I would show even a hint of distress, they wouldn't believe me.

I wouldn't either if I were them.

I had memorized how countless others had tried to lie to me. Some were fidgety, some stuttered, some refused to make eye contact, others babbled. The ones who were semi-good at it kept their voices flat and tried to act indifferent—like I was. The immortals were exceptionally good liars due to their indifference whenever they were accused of being dishonest. Even Mr. Markoff was and he was the only immortal I'd never had difficulties reading.

But I could see through the best of them—just because they could alter their voice and their body language did not mean they were capable of altering what they felt while lying.

The liars not even I could detect where those who lied as a sport. Who felt no remorse, who had no guilty conscience. Who just lied because they could.

How long have you been here? Tyler asked, something Shyla clearly didn't appreciate. She threw him an agitated glare but said nothing. Holden on the other hand stared at me, not uttering a word. I felt all kinds of things when our eyes connected. Who was he, really?

I literally just saw the bush and thought I'd check it out. Does it matter? I pushed some nonchalance into my tone, ending with annoyance. They knew I didn't particularly like them, so acting differently would also blow my cover.

Anyway, in case you are done chit-chatting or whatever it is you were doing, you could also help me, I said, turning to leave.

Show me the berries, Shyla suddenly demanded, still clearly suspicious and untrusting.

I sent a deep sigh through the link and turned back towards them, taking enough steps until I was directly in front of Shyla's long, rather round snout. I dropped the few branches I'd held between my jaws.

Where are the berries you got from the stream?

Her interrogation was starting to piss me off, but I tried hard to keep my emotions intact. The last thing I wanted was for either of them to grow angry just because I was.

I left those with Kendra. Can't exactly gather that much with one set of jaws, now can I?

I made sure a duh-like tone flowed along with my voice. I was proud of myself for coming up with those logical answers so quickly. Having Emmet as a brother paid off, apparently.

Shyla made a huffing sound and finally let it be. Although I could see in her eyes that she was still not one-hundred-percent convinced, it would have to do. I was sure this incident would make them be more cautious in the future, which in turn would make eavesdropping a lot harder.

But I'd heard what I needed to hear. Now all I had to do was find the right moment to voice my concerns to Reece and Jarred.

Something about the three of them wasn't right.

And now I knew that my gut hadn't been that off.

They were planning something that wouldn't end well for either of us. Besides that, it had something to do with me and Holden. It must have been me Shyla'd spoken about, gaining my trust. Me being distant these past few weeks.

A nasty, gut feeling settled in the pit of my stomach and turned my mood sour.

I'd rip Holden's head off if I found out he'd only been using me for his gain.

Whatever that gain was.