Chapter 13 · Names in the Ash

"You're supposed to be resting."

Rena spins, folder half-stuffed under her jacket. Cain's in the doorway, blood still on his shirt, silver burns raw on his forearms. He doesn't look surprised.

He steps in. Shuts the door. Quiet. Deliberate.

"I couldn't sleep," she says.

"So you broke into the archive."

"Door was open."

"Rena." He moves closer, stops three feet away. His gaze drops to her jacket, where the folder presses against the fabric. "What'd you find?"

She doesn't answer. If she opens her mouth she's gonna scream or cry, and she's not doing either in front of him.

Cain exhales, rubs his face. He looks tired. More tired than she's ever seen him. "You found the massacre file."

Not a question.

"My mother's name is in there." Her voice comes out flat. Dead. "Lydia Hale. Pack member. Which means I'm not—" She stops. Swallows. "I'm not human. Never was."

"No," Cain says quietly. "You weren't."

The confirmation hits like a fist to the chest. She knew—she already knew—but hearing him say it makes it real.

"Marcus lied," she says. "About everything. He didn't save me. He—" Her throat closes. She forces the words out. "He made me into this.