I had doubts about Marcus, but I never fully thought he would actually be the one behind all of this. There's no way he didn't know that Ava is a witch, especially since she visits so often. When he mentioned her, he sounded as if it had been ages since he last saw her. 

As I sat in the living room, nerves pulsing through me as I awaited Jackson's return. He and Chris had gone to detain Marcus and interrogate him. I wanted to join them, but Jackson insisted my emotions would cloud my judgment, and I couldn’t argue with that. Just a few days ago, I was adamant about Marcus's innocence. 

When Jackson finally returned, he was alone—Chris must have headed home. A look of frustration marred his features as he approached me. I rose to my feet as he reached my side. "How did it go?" I asked. 

He let out a heavy sigh. "He didn’t confess to anything. He did acknowledge that he and Ava are siblings and that she’s part witch and part werewolf, but he’s convinced she’s not involved in this. He claimed it was all just a misunderstanding and a mere coincidence." 

I furrowed my brow. "Misunderstanding? There’s no way all of this can simply be a mix-up." 

"I even used my alpha pheromones during the interrogation, but he still didn’t give me any more information." 

"So, what should we do?" 

"The sole reason I haven't done anything to him yet is that I plan to use him as bait to bring Ava here. If she finds out he’s locked up, she’ll definitely show up." 

"Can’t we just go and get her ourselves?" 

Jackson shook his head. "Attempting that without confirmation it’s her would be like declaring war. And while I’m not afraid, I need to tread carefully. A conflict would risk the lives of our pack members. For all we know, she could claim she doesn't know who Marcus is or anything about all of this." 

I nodded, feeling the weight of frustration. This situation was mentally exhausting, day after day. "Don’t worry; it will end soon. I’ll make sure you’re safe," I heard Jackson reassure me. 

I appreciated his words, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Yet, a lingering thought remained—I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was merely a burden to him. I wanted to be seen as more than just an obligation or just his responsibility. What did he think about our kiss? Did he like it or was he repulsed by it? I wouldn’t dare bring it up; how could I even begin to ask? 

I must be out of my mind. My life is at stake, and someone I considered a friend has a witch sister who wants me dead, yet here I am, thinking about a kiss. 

"Are you alright?" Jackson inquired. 

"Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll be in my room if you need me," I replied, and he nodded in understanding. 

"Saint," he called, prompting me to stop and turn back to him. "If you can't control yourself because of the mate bond, I don't mind." 

"Huh?"

"I understand that the bond comes with needs and wants, so I don't mind if you can't control yourself." 

I should be happy about this but it just made me feel worse. If I can't control myself? Right. Of course only I can't control myself, I'm the one with genuine feelings between us. He seems to manage just fine, as if the mate bond isn’t even enough to draw him to me. It was obvious he's still in love with his previous mate. 

"Did I say something that upset you?" Jackson inquired, his gaze filled with concern. 

"No, you didn't," I replied, forcing a smile that I hoped didn’t reveal my inner turmoil. "Goodnight," I added, and then I made my way back to my room. 

«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«» 

As I passed the guards, they acknowledged me with a slight nod before I entered the cell. I headed directly to Marcus's cell, and he jumped to his feet upon seeing me. 

"Why?" I asked Marcus, who appeared weary within the confines of his cell. I had chosen to come here alone, hoping he would finally clarify what was happening. 

"You have to trust me, Saint. I swear I’m innocent; I’m not involved in this at all," he implored, exhaustion etched on his face. 

"Then why didn’t you mention that your sister is a witch?" 

"That's the thing," he sighed deeply. "Our relationship isn't great, Saint. She's my half-sister. My father had her with a witch a year before he met my mother, who was his mate. It wasn't until twelve years later, when the witch brought Ava to my father, that my mom found out. She was heartbroken that my dad had kept it a secret from her. Shortly after that, she passed away, and my dad ended his life too." 

"Ava and I moved to my current home and grew up side by side. At first, we decided to put aside her being a witch and focus on her wolf side. But then, seven years ago, she chose to leave the pack and embrace her witch identity fully. We had a huge argument because she wanted me to join her. That was the last time we spoke before she left." 

"But the guards at the borders mentioned she comes by often," I said, still skeptical of his explanation. 

"She's been trying to mend things between us, which is why she keeps coming here. The reason I was so eager to go for a run that day was that I completely forgot she was visiting. I wanted us to go for a run so you guys wouldn’t have to meet her," he explained. 

"But why didn’t you share all this with me last time?" 

“How does that sound, Saint? Me telling you I have a sister who's a witch and she pays me a visit. Naturally, you're going to be suspicious of both of us.” 

“But what makes you so certain she’s not involved in this?” 

“Because Ava isn’t like that. Why would she want to harm you, Saint? You’ve never even crossed paths before.” 

To be honest, Marcus's story made sense. Still, I wasn’t ready to jump to conclusions; he could very well be deceiving me. Besides, I hadn’t faced any attacks since he became a suspect a few days ago. 

“I still don’t trust you—” Suddenly, we heard a disturbance from where the guards were stationed outside. I moved to see what's happening when a guard staggered in, looking disoriented. Thinking he was another person sent to attack me, I braced myself for confrontation as the guard brushed past me. He opened Marcus’s cell, both of us sharing a look of confusion. 

“Saint, Saint, Saint, at last we meet,” a woman said as she entered. She turned her gaze on the guard, her eyes glowing black, causing him to collapse. 

“Ava, what are you doing here?” Marcus asked, his tone laced with confusion.

“To help you escape, obviously.” 

“I don’t need your help. This will only complicate things.” 

She cast a sneering glance at me. “You don’t even look strong; I’m wonder why you’re still alive.” 

“What?” Marcus exclaimed, taken aback. My eyes widened as it dawned on me that she was indeed the mastermind behind everything. 

She started to whisper incantations, her eyes shimmering with a strange light. "Get ready to be lost, dear brother." Lost? What could she possibly mean by that? 

"Wait what? Didn’t you mention that spell was risky?" Marcus inquired, his eyes widening in shock. 

"For you, I'll take any risk," she replied, grabbing onto Marcus, who then clutched onto me. 

In an instant, I disappeared together with Marcus and Ava.