chapter 171: interesting

The silence between them stretched, thick as the scent of blood still clinging to Elias's hands.

Caidren didn't look away. His golden eyes were piercing, searching, as if he could unravel every lie, every truth Elias had ever hidden.

And maybe he could.

Because the game had changed.

The moment Caidren spoke those words—Now we stop pretending—Elias knew there was no going back.

The mask he had worn for so long was slipping.

And worse?

He hadn't even noticed when he stopped holding it up.

Elias exhaled slowly, carefully schooling his expression. "You say that like you've already decided something."

Caidren's lips curved, not quite a smirk, not quite anything Elias could name. "I have."

Elias's pulse jumped, but he forced himself to remain still. "And what's that?"

Caidren stepped closer. Not aggressive. Not rushed. Just there. Filling the space between them with his presence, his scent—commanding, impossible to ignore.

"You trust me," Caidren said.

It wasn't a question.

And that—that—was what made something tighten in Elias's chest.

Because he did.

He had known, the moment the assassin spoke, that Caidren wasn't involved. Had known it in his bones, in his gut.

Had trusted it, without hesitation.

And Caidren had noticed.

Elias clenched his jaw, but Caidren only tilted his head, studying him like he was something that shouldn't exist.

"You trust me," the Alpha repeated, softer this time.

Then, after a beat—

"Why?"

Elias inhaled sharply.

He shouldn't. He shouldn't trust Caidren.

And yet…

The way Caidren had looked at him that night—when Elias had trembled beneath him, when he had let his body betray him—

He had been a lot of things.

Cruel. Possessive. Overwhelming.

But he had never been a liar.

He had never been the one to manipulate.

That had been Elias's role.

And now, the one thing he had always been able to rely on—the certainty that he was the one holding all the pieces—

Was crumbling.

Elias wet his lips, forcing himself to meet Caidren's gaze head-on. "Because I know what it looks like when a man is lying to me."

Caidren's smirk deepened.

Something dangerous flickered in his eyes, something that made Elias's breath stutter.

"And I'm not?" Caidren murmured.

"No." Elias's voice was steady. "You're not."

Another long silence.

Then—

Caidren's hand moved.

Slow. Unhurried.

Fingertips tracing along Elias's jaw, barely a ghost of a touch—but Elias felt it.

Felt it like a brand.

Like a claim.

He didn't pull away.

And that, more than anything, was his mistake.

Because Caidren's fingers pressed firmer, tilting Elias's chin up just slightly—just enough to force Elias to look up at him.

Caidren exhaled through his nose, something amused and dark flashing across his face. "Then why do you keep running?"

Elias's heart kicked against his ribs.

"I don't—"

Caidren's thumb brushed over his bottom lip.

A barely-there touch.

But Elias felt it.

Felt it in the way his body went still, his muscles coiling tight.

Caidren's voice was a murmur now.

"Liar."

Elias exhaled sharply.

This wasn't right.

He was supposed to be the one with control. The one playing the game.

But Caidren had never been predictable.

And that, more than anything, made him dangerous.

Made him a threat.

Elias forced himself to step back.

Just enough to break Caidren's hold.

Just enough to give himself room to breathe.

Caidren let him go easily.

Too easily.

Like he had expected it.

Like he already knew Elias wouldn't be able to run forever.

Elias swallowed, his throat tight. "We should focus on what's next."

Caidren didn't argue.

But there was something knowing in his gaze.

Something that made Elias's skin prickle.

Then, just as smoothly as if nothing had happened, the Alpha turned.

"They'll try again," he said, pacing toward the window. The torchlight flickered across his sharp features. "And this time, they won't be so careless."

Elias folded his arms. "Then we make them believe they succeeded."

Caidren's eyes flickered with interest.

Elias smirked, the familiar rush of control sliding back into place.

"Let them believe I'm dead," he said. "And see what rats come crawling out."

Caidren's lips parted slightly.

Then, slow, calculated—

A grin.

Amused.

Impressed.

"Now that," he murmured, "is interesting."

Elias smirked.

Because this—the game, the deception—

This was where he thrived.

Even if, deep down, a part of him wondered—

If he was playing the game, or if Caidren was playing him, he can't say.

And worse?

If he even cared.