Chapter 116

Declan’s POV

"She’s playing you." My wolf’s voice drifted through my mind as we navigated the mountain paths.

I watched Emily out of the corner of my eye. She was doing her best to look casual, but she was memorizing everything—the guard posts, the tunnel mouths, the way the ground sloped.

Smart girl. Far smarter than she wanted me to know.

A slow smile pulled at my mouth.

“I know,” I answered.

My wolf gave a mental huff. And you’re letting her.

I looked at Emily again. I loved the way she tried to bury the fire in her eyes, though it leaked out anyway. The rebellion, the pure desperation, the flickering hope—it was all there. She was stunning when she was this close to the edge.

“Life is a game,” I told him. “And games lose their flavor when the other player stops trying to win.”

My wolf let out a low, amused growl. You enjoy watching her struggle.

A dark laugh nearly broke out of me.

“Of