Chapter 73

Briar’s POV

Kai wanted to throw hands at that statement.

"Both and neither? What’s that even supposed to mean?" His eyes had changed color. His Lycan was close to the surface now—too close. That steel-grey had gone almost silver, the tendons in his neck standing out as his jaw clenched tighter.

I took a small step back, instinctively bracing.

Theo didn’t flinch. He just looked at Kai like he was mildly inconvenienced by the outburst.

"Calm down, Kai," he said, tone dry but firm. "Don’t make this into what happened with Kayla."

The room went still.

Kylan flinched.

Kieran looked up from where he’d been leaning against the wall, sharp and alert now.

And Kai? He didn’t speak. But his entire body tensed like someone had just cracked open a scar with their teeth.

I barely heard myself whisper, "Theo—"

"I know what I said," Theo cut in, gaze still fixed on Kai. "A