ILYA
I held my breath, waiting for a reaction. The sound of his ragged breathing vibrated through the earpiece.
A burst of laughter suddenly exploded through the phone, almost shattering my eardrums. The onset of a headache pulsed through my skull like a heavy, secondary heartbeat.
"Willow, my hummingbird!" He cackled, his sick delight turning my stomach to lead. "Spill, runt."
The lump in my throat had started to ache, my jaw tightening as I forced the words out. "I have been investigating for High Alpha Mik—"
"Cut the shit," he suddenly seethed, his voice transforming into a low, venomous growl. "Don't call him that around me, runt. He will not have that title for long. Not if you make good on your end of the deal, or if she stays mine for the rest of her accursed life. She can't remember her own name right now, much less your miserable face. On my watch, you will lose her forever."
