Chapter 462:

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The answer came so quickly that something in my chest tightened. Of course she did. She had fought beside him. She had seen him in situations I hadn’t. She had been there when he was trapped in that mining operation. And she seemed entirely too comfortable saying his name, standing in front of our cabin and deciding she would simply insert herself into our plans.

I don’t like her, Parrot growled.

I pressed my lips together. You don’t like anyone who comes near Nero.

I rubbed my forehead. “You can come with us tomorrow, but you’re not staying here. Nero and I have plans.”

𝗠𝗼re 𝗇𝗈𝘃е𝘭𝗌 𝘰𝘯 𝗀а𝘭𝗻𝘰𝘃е𝘭ѕ.𝗰𝗈𝗆

Caya’s eyes narrowed. “You’re really going to make me sleep somewhere else? I’ve been traveling for hours.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not.”

“No,” I admitted. “I’m not.”

Nero let out a quiet breath that sounded suspiciously like he was trying not to laugh. I turned toward him. “This isn’t funny.”

“I like seeing you angry.” His smile grew.

Caya watched the two of us with an expression I couldn’t read. Then she said quietly, “You know, while you two argue about a bed, Drift and Sable are probably wondering whether anyone is coming for them.”

The humor vanished. I looked at her and knew exactly what she was doing. She was reminding us that this wasn’t only about my honeymoon. People were missing. The Chimera were moving.

Still, I couldn’t let her take everything from us. “I care about them,” I said. “But that doesn’t mean I have to surrender every moment with my mate.”

Caya’s expression softened slightly. “I’m asking in order to survive.”

Nero stepped forward. “Enough.”

His voice was quiet, but we both stopped. He looked at Caya first. “You’re coming with us.”

My head snapped toward him.

“But tonight, you find somewhere else to stay.”

Caya’s lips twitched. “You really want me gone that badly?”

“Yes.”

She laughed. “I respect the honesty.”

She picked up her bag and walked toward the door. I watched her carefully. Something about the way she had appeared tonight didn’t sit right with me. Maybe it was the timing. Maybe it was the way she had immediately announced she was coming with us. Or maybe it was because I still remembered the way she had looked at me when I went after Nero while he was chained. I hadn’t forgotten.

As Caya passed me, I stepped closer. “Caya.”

She stopped. I lowered my voice so Nero wouldn’t hear. “I know that’s not the only reason you’re here.”

She looked at me from the corner of her eye. For a moment, her gaze met mine. Then a small smile appeared. “We’ll see.”

She walked away. I watched until she disappeared down the path.

I definitely don’t like her, Parrot said, deeply offended.

Nero was standing behind me. I looked away at once. He stepped closer. “You’re still angry.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re glaring at the doorway.” Nero laughed, and the sound eased something in my chest.

His hands came around my waist and pulled me toward him. “I’m sorry.” His fingers slipped through my hair, gently moving a strand away from my face. “But Remi…” His voice turned serious again. “She isn’t wrong about the danger.”

I sighed.

“And we can’t pretend the Chimera aren’t getting closer.”

I looked toward the forest.

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