Chapter 23 · Moonclaim - Chapter 23: Rena Takes the File

The recording cut off. Victor's voice hung in the air like smoke.

Don't let Leon bite you, Ivy.

Ivy's throat closed. She didn't look at Leon. Couldn't. Her father's face was still frozen on the tablet screen, half-lit, eyes hard. Like he'd known. Like he'd seen this exact moment coming.

Leon dropped the silver spikes. They clattered on the concrete, loud in the quiet. His palms were torn open, blood dripping slow between his fingers. He didn't flinch.

"He knew," Ivy said. Her voice came out flat. "He knew what you were."

"Yeah." Leon's jaw worked. "He knew."

"And he told me not to let you—" She stopped. The word bite stuck in her mouth. She thought about the pull. The way her skin went hot every time he got close. The way the wolf in him called to something she didn't have a name for.

Leon wiped his hands on his jeans. The blood smeared. "Your father was smart."

"That's it?" Ivy turned on him. "That's all you're going to say?"

He met her eyes. His were still gold at the edges. The wolf hadn't settled.