Chapter 193: Layers of Deception

Zendedari severed the connection between their minds abruptly, his thoughts swirling. Caitlin’s persistent belief that he was the one in danger was almost endearing. She simply couldn’t grasp the reality of his nature, of the predator that lay coiled within him, always ready to strike. Even after everything she had witnessed, everything they had endured together, the truth hadn’t fully settled in for her. She didn’t yet understand that he welcomed the coming battle, that he might even relish it. The thought of confronting his betrayer, of sinking his fangs into the heart of the enemy, brought him a dark sense of satisfaction. But it wasn’t her fault, he reasoned. Caitlin didn’t need to face the full extent of his savage instincts— not yet, at least. Their bond as lifemates was a gradual unfolding, a slow revelation of who they truly were to each other. Zendedari was willing to let her discover his darker side piece by piece, in her own time. They had eternity ahead of them, after all.