“You didn’t know?” As if remembering that I was not from here, understanding dawned and she explained, “All crimson wolves are raised to serve the crown, and for the past handful of decades, that means being the beasts many think they were born to be. But that Scythe”—she waved her hand—“far worse than even that of the duty-doomed dimwit who sired Ryon.”

“Ryon’s father is a wolf?”

“Indeed.” She reclaimed her wine from the table. “I half-hoped the war would take him, if only so I won’t have to tell his son that his father wants nothing to do with him. Alas, he still breathes.” A look at me and my stunned features had her laughing. “I think we’ll be needing more wine for this conversation.”

But the door burst open, and Olivianna jumped with a shriek. “You must stop doing that and learn to knock like a civilized male.”

Shocked by Olivianna’s fright, Scythe froze. Frowning, he asked, “Civilized?” He then looked at me.

With my heart pounding, I looked away, unsure what to do.

He clipped, “Come with me, Aster.”

Olivianna’s nervous energy cloaked the air, nearly overpowering that of the tension between the wolf and myself. “Perhaps give her a little space, commander.”

“Perhaps mind your—”

“Don’t you dare,” I said quietly, but he heard and stilled when my head rose. “You will walk back out that door, knock and apologize, or simply keep walking.”

“Will I, wildflower?” he taunted. “You know I’m not going anywhere unless you’re coming with me.”

“Oh, stars,” Olivianna muttered, her fingers at her forehead. She downed the rest of her wine, and then reached for the decanter.

And studying him, the clenched fists at his sides, the unflinching stance of his towering form, and the resolute rise of his cruel jaw, I knew he spoke true.

I sighed. “I will meet you at the apartment. Olivianna and I were in the middle of a conversation.”

Scythe stepped back against the wall and crossed his arms, and Olivianna snorted when he said, “Go ahead and finish it, then.”

He couldn’t be serious…

He smirked and raised a brow.

I glowered. “You’re an asshole.”

His eye widened, then narrowed with a gleam. “So I’ve been told.”

“By your friend at the tavern?” I feigned counting the time. “I daresay she would be mad. Half an hour is far from your best.”

Olivianna gasped.

Both of Scythe’s brows rose, and his lips spread into a menacing grin. “Only one creature gets my best.”

Anger roared through me, sending me to my feet and across the room. But I stopped before him, remembering where we were and the youngling upstairs. I swallowed and retreated a step, Scythe watching me with narrowed focus and his arms unfolding.