Betsy took her chance. She launched herself across the room and dove toward the counter where he’d placed the knife.
Cyrus rushed toward her, but she got there first. She held the knife in her shaking hand. Having never actually threatened anyone with a weapon before, she had no idea how hard it was to do, even if the person who needed the threat was actually part-wolf, had stalked her home—and busted in her door because he smelled her blood and wanted to protect her.
Or maybe that wasn’t what he’d meant. Maybe he wanted to eat her because of her scent? Cyrus still hadn’t said what he wanted with her, other than to talk about what he smelled like.
“Listen, I want you to go. Okay?” Her voice didn’t shake and she had a moment of pride about it. Small victories were all she was going to get.
Cyrus crossed his arms. “Do you mean to stab me with that, princess?” He didn’t look particularly threatened. If anything, he seemed bored. What the hell? She wielded a knife here.
“I don’t want to have to stab you. I don’t want that at all. I’ve never stabbed anyone. I’m not a violent person.” Why was she explaining so much? “I want you to go. Leave me alone. Take your crazy, you’re-a-wolf talking self and get out of my house.”
“This isn’t your house. This is that coward’s house. And I can’t believe you’re living here or wearing his ring because you want to.”
“Why would you say that? You don’t even know me.”
“I know your name is Betsy.” He paused, and, if anything, his gaze became even more smoldering. When he left, she was going to need a shower and vibrator to take care of all the heat coursing though her body. “And I know that you’re mine.”
She opened and closed her mouth. Her ears rang. She lifted the knife up higher. “Get out.”
“I think you know it too. Deep down, your body and soul have always understood something was missing.”
“Stop talking right now.” She thrust the knife closer to him. “Just because I don’t want to use this doesn’t mean I won’t.”
“Oh, I know you would. Your wolf-side knows how to defend itself. Even if it’s suppressed so deeply you can’t find it. The latency has held it off. It did the same thing to your twin sister. But now, I’m told, she’s quite the tough wolf lady.”
Sister? The world seemed to shift beneath her feet. Betsy dropped the knife. Without thought, she grabbed onto his shirt. The werewolf discussion could wait. It was the last part of his response that concerned her. “What did you say?”
Cyrus ran his hand up and down her arms. She felt numb, his previous statement making it impossible for her to feel anything since all of her concentration had gone to staying upright. “Which part?”
“The twin sister. How could you know I had one? How could you possibly?” She tried to shake him, but he didn’t move. Why had the universe made men so big and bulky and left her so small? It wasn’t fair. “She died when I was a toddler.”
Her mother had finally admitted it a few years ago. Betsy had always known about her, had remembered her even though it should have been impossible to do so. Maybe twins didn’t forget, maybe their souls always knew that they had shared a womb with another human. It had been an ache she’d never been able to shake.
“She didn’t.” Cyrus stroked a finger down her nose. “She’s quite alive, and I’m going to get her for you. Get her here. Even though it’s going to make my life hellish to make it happen. I’ll do that for you because you’re mine. My mate. My own.”
“I…” She didn’t have words. Oh, why had she dropped her knife?
Cyrus stepped back. “I’m going to go. This is too much for you. You need time. To process.”
Betsy nodded. Good, that was what she wanted. Wasn’t it? She’d wanted him to leave, except now she didn’t. He was going to get her sister… “I…”
“Hear this. I’m going to stand outside this door for the next ten minutes. After that, there will never be a time when it’s not being watched. That human will not come through the door again. If he does, he will be torn to shreds. Small ones.”
His words snapped her back into the present. “No.” She grabbed his arm. “Please, Cyrus, whatever is going on here, I still don’t understand. But you can’t keep Nathan from me. Not ever.”
“I can, and I will.” He growled his response, a glint in his eye telling her he was resolute in his answer.
“No.” She shook her head. The tears, she always pretended she didn’t have, fell down her cheeks. “You can’t do that. If you do, all is lost.”