Chapter 66

~Grace~

“What on earth are you talking about?” Liam asked, waving his hands at me. His brows were pressed together in deep confusion.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

I knew it was the middle of the night, but I had expected Liam would have some idea of this story…

I told him everything Alex had told me about what happened to the Black Lycan clan, but Liam really seemed like he had never heard about such an event.

Part of me wanted to believe he was lying, but… I hadn’t heard of that story either, until Alex brought it up.

Maybe Liam really didn’t know anything.

And if he didn’t, would Alex really be performing an act of revenge? Liam would be an innocent party in this whole affair.

Not that I wanted to be defending Liam against Alex of all people, but I saw the look in Alex’s eyes before I left. They were dark and filled with danger.

I knew he wasn’t in the right state of mind for talking anything out, that’s why I had to come here alone, without his knowledge. I… couldn’t trust that he could keep himself under control.

And even if someone here was able to stop him, the damage would already be done, and Alex still might be exiled for his crimes.

I sighed, and tucked my hair behind my ears and leaned against the wall.

It was dark, and just a lamp had been turned on for us to talk.

Both of us were in pajamas.

“Grace, what is this story? What are you accusing me of? I’ve never heard of anything like this, why are you bringing this up now?” Liam asked, taking a step toward me.

I looked up at him. It had been about a month since our divorce, and he looked so different to me, now.

I had spent so much time with Alex, and had been through so many emotions involving Liam, that he didn’t even look like the same person anymore.

His dark brown hair had gotten longer, and it seemed like he had gained a few wrinkles as well. I wondered how many of those I caused.

He stood tall, but not as tall as Alex, and his complexion was much lighter. Alex’s skin was like a summer’s day–a warm, golden, reddish brown… Liam’s was more like a spring day, with cool, pink tones.

His build wasn’t as large, either. He was thinner and his face narrower. A scar cut through the top of his lip, still pink. This was new. I think he got it in the fight with Alex.

I sighed. I no longer hated Liam like I had when we were married. I wouldn’t consider us friends, either, though.

We were on neutral ground, and I felt surprisingly comfortable talking to him right now, even though it was our first time being alone together in months.

I felt I could be honest with him, and I needed to be. I wasn’t sure how else I was going to figure this mystery out.

Obviously, something wasn’t lining up, but I couldn’t figure out which piece of the puzzle didn’t fit.

Was it the people involved? Was it not really Liam’s mother and my parents against the Black Lycan clan?

Or was it the event? Was it really a slaughter like the story goes, or did people just decide to leave the clan?

Or maybe it was the motive that was wrong–maybe Liam’s mother didn’t betray the Black Lycan clan, and they did something to her, or threatened the werewolf world…

Ugh, I don’t know.

And I didn’t have time to sit here to figure this out. Alex would be on Liam’s doorstep first thing tomorrow morning, and time was running out.

“Liam, I’m sorry to come to you with all of this at this time of night, but it’s important. Are you absolutely sure you’ve never heard anything about this?” I asked, looking Liam in the eyes.

His dark green eyes moved around the room, and I could tell he was really trying to think. I still knew all of his habits, how he acted and moved. It felt so strange, knowing a person so intimately but not having that emotional connection anymore.

Eventually, he shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Grace, I don’t know. I swear I’ve never heard anything like this. Who told you this story and why is it so important to tell me?”

I clenched my jaw. I wasn’t sure how honest I wanted to be with Liam about the situation… After all, Alex and Liam were still rivals.

Although Liam seemed to come to terms with his feelings with me, I wasn’t sure the same had been done with Alex. If I told him too much information, he could use it against Alex, if he was after revenge…

I sighed.

“It’s just a story I’ve heard going around the Black Lycan clan. I just wanted to know if it’s true, you know, since it involves your mother.”

Liam stepped closer and took me by the shoulders, a kind look in his eyes.

“I don’t know anything about this. And knowing my mother, she wouldn’t be guilty of this. I think it’s just talk, Grace. But it seems like it’s really affected you. What’s got you so worked up?”

I didn’t push him away, but I didn’t move any closer. It seemed like he knew all of my habits, still, too.

“It’s… it’s just hard to believe. And I heard-” I sighed, not really wanting to talk about this part, but maybe I’d figure something out if I did. “I heard that my parents were there, too. That’s how they got killed.”

Liam’s eyes widened, and he let go of me briefly before pulling me into a hug.

“Grace, I’m so sorry, I… I just don’t know. It’s hard to imagine that they’d do something like that,” he said. I nodded into his chest, feeling tears fill my eyes.

I only stayed in his embrace for a few seconds before pushing him away. I quickly wiped my eyes.

“I know. I didn’t think our parents knew each other, either,” I said, trying to give him a small smile.

A noise in the hallway made me turn around. Liam turned, too. A silhouette was visible in the doorway, peeking into our room.

My heart skipped a beat, and I looked at Liam, whose brows were lowered.

“How long have you been listening?” Liam asked, his tone firm.

The figure moved into the room, and the dim light fell on her features. Gentle brown hair flowed over her shoulders, a tall woman with sharp features.

A long, crooked scar ran across her cheek and down her chin.

I knew her. It was Liam’s mother.

But what was she doing here? She lived far away, and I had only seen her a handful of times myself…

“So they still tell lies about me, after all these years,” she began. Her voice was coarse and gravelly.

I looked at her curiously.

“So you know about this story? Is it true? Did you betray the Black Lycan clan?” I asked, stepping forward.

My heart pounded. What if she had the answers I was looking for?

She shook her head sharply, her lips curling into a frown.

“Bah! I didn’t betray the Lycans. I was in love. I would have given anything to stay with the Blacks. I thought I was going to.”

I glanced at Liam, who looked stunned.

“Then what happened?” I pressed, hungry for answers.

“The Elder Lycan is what happened. He is the cause for their misfortunes, not me,” she responded, waving a hand at me.

The Elder Lycan? What did he have to do with all of this?

“What did he do?” I asked, excited that I was making progress.

But Liam’s mother turned away from me.

“It’s late. Your incessant yapping woke me up. I’m in no mood to recall the worst night of my life. If you want answers, you’ll have to get them from him,” she snapped.

No! I was so close!

“Please-” I started, but before I could move, she slammed the door behind her. I took hurried steps after her, but felt Liam grab my arm.

I looked back at him with wide eyes. He looked distraught.

Sighing, I relaxed. This was quite the revelation for him. He was likely just as confused as I was.

Whatever. If I couldn’t get any more answers out of her, I’d have to go to the Elder Lycan. But right now, I was exhausted and just wanted to get to sleep.

I finally had enough answers to be able to talk Alex out of killing Liam tomorrow morning, though.

At least I hoped.