CHAPTER 9

ZIMA'S POV

A punch

I wanted to jab Damon right in his testicles, or rip out his fangs, but I could do neither. Instead, I turned toward my closet.

“I said I have some questions for you,” he repeated, his voice deep and controlled.

“Dear Alpha detective,” I said, spinning back to face him, my tone laced with scorn.

“Maybe…” I stepped closer, his coat clinging to my body while he stood still, his hands buried in his pockets, eyes locked on me without a blink. “You should go find a werewolf with finer breasts and ask your questions there.”

His laugh exploded, low and heavy, filling the room until the walls seemed to echoe with it.

“What’s so funny? This isn’t stand-up comedy, you…”

“First of all,” he cut in, voice hard, “you don’t speak to me that way. I don’t tolerate rudeness. Now tell me…what stings more? That I walked in on your naked, ugly chest, or that I told you to your face it was ugly?”

“You just stand there, thinking it’s cute to act like a jackass wolf. You barge into people’s privacy without respect, talk to them like they’re dirt, and raise your shoulders like it adds to your height. But none of that cuts as deep as knowing my mate is a devil. None of it stings more than being tied to your ugly face, forced to endure this cursed mate pull.

“You know what, though?”

I closed the distance between us, his breath brushing mine, but he didn’t flinch, and didn’t move back. His stare stayed cold, and unreadable.

“The part I’m grateful for is that I got two of you. So maybe I’ll take your brother instead and make the most of him.”

His growl ripped through the room, low and brutal, his fangs lengthening. The sound rattled my bones. I stepped back, but he was faster. His hands clamped on my shoulders and slammed me against the wall, his eyes blazing red. Pain shot through my spine as the wall shook behind me.

“You know what stings me the most?” he asked, his gaze drilling into mine.

“I don’t care,” I whispered.

“You’ll hear it anyway.” His grip tightened, his breath hot against my face.

“I hate that you’re here, tied to me as a mate. I hate that I can’t eat you like I did the last one. Now all I’m left with is the fantasy of killing you, over and over.” His eyes dragged down to my lips, and I froze, holding myself still, refusing to tremble. His fingers had shifted, claws grazing my skin like he could shred me in an instant. His hunger pressed into me, heavy, and suffocating.

“Now that I have your attention,” he said, stepping back at last, releasing me. His coat still clung to my body, hanging loose, and shame burned through me that I was still half-naked before him.

“Who served your drink at the mate bonding ceremony?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

“Straight answer.”

“Your brother served me.”

“And what happened next?”

“He kissed me,” I said, lifting my chin, forcing the words past my tight throat. “The sweetest first kiss of my life. Then he carried me to bed.”

Damon’s lips curved not in humor, not in warmth, but in a smug smile that made my stomach twist.

“How many shots did you have?” Damon asked.

“Why so many questions? I need to put on some clothes,” I snapped.

“You need me to break your spine?” His tone was calm, deadly.

“I had just one shot.”

“But even then, you still got drunk and woke up with a body beside you.”

“What are you trying to say? That Darius…”

A heavy knock thundered against the door. I flinched, clutching his coat tighter around me.

“Darius would never do that,” I hissed. “Unlike you, who walks around bragging about being a murderer.”

“At least we share that title,” he said coldly. His eyes lingered on me. “I hate to say it, but you’re far too pretty to be this stupid.”

My eyes widened at the venom in his words, but before I could reply, the door creaked open and Darius stepped inside.

Darius’s eyes locked on Damon. In a blur, his claws shot out and his fist slammed into Damon’s face.

“You are never to be near her! What are you doing here?” he roared. My heart dropped straight to my stomach.

“Darius!” I cried, but he had already lifted Damon and hurled him against the wall.

“What do you want with her?” Darius demanded.

“You’re just a pussy,” Damon spat, shoving him back.

“Don’t ever come near her again. This is your final warning,” Darius growled, releasing him.

A thin line of blood marked Damon’s lip. He wiped it with the back of his hand, his eyes burning.

“Pussy,” he sneered again before striding out.

“Why do you hate your brother so much?” I asked.

“No,” his voice cut sharp, “the real question is…what was he doing with you?” He stepped closer, eyes dark.

“You’re not mates with him, are you?”

“No, I’m not. I told you.”

“Then why was he here?” His voice rose, every word pressed hard.

“He was only asking questions about—”

“Oh dear moon, Zee.” His gaze dragged over me. “Why are you wearing just a coat?”

I clutched the coat tighter to my chest. “I just finished bathing before Damon walked in.”

He moved closer, leaned in, and sniffed. His jaw clenched. “This is Damon’s coat.” His voice broke into a growl. “Why do you have his coat on?”

For a moment, Darius’s hands went to his face. He paced like a caged beast, then spun back at me. His eyes burned.

“Take it off. It stinks of him. I hate it.” He shoved the coat lightly, anger simmering under his touch.

“I’m naked, Darius!”

His head jerked. “But Were you fucking him?”

“What? No! Why would you even say that?”

His mouth twitched. “Relax. I was kidding. Just… get dressed.”

But I saw it his fists tight, his chest heaving. He was losing his cool.

“Still,” I whispered, “I want to know why you and Damon hate each other so much.”

“Me and Damon… we’re only brothers by the womb. Not by blood, Just leave it at that.”

He stepped closer, closing the space between us. His eyes locked on mine, burning.

“Don’t go near Damon, You don’t need him. You have me, I promise.” His hand cupped my face, forcing me to meet his gaze.

Then his eyes drifted lower, slow and heavy, drinking me in. His chest rose, breath rough against the silence.

“Zee…” his voice came low, almost breaking. “Now I’m tempted. I want to see you without the coat. Take it off, please.”