Page 28 of His Eternal Temptation

“I do realize.” Rowan’s shock turned into blatant pain, lines forming around his eyes. “The right people always see through the act. My allies don’t doubt me.”

“Your established allies, maybe. But when potential allies have someone stoking their suspicions, doubt is natural.”

Rowan’s mouth opened, but no sound followed.

“I told my coven the truth, and they didn’t believe me. Turns out, the Sherwoods had been lying about you all along. It wasn’t an honest mistake on their part like it was on mine or my father’s, and they were furious for not realizing I’d check their ‘facts’ firsthand. If they’d known I’d been invited to Bite Night, I bet they’d have found a way to prevent me from going. When I exposed their lies, they doubled down and manipulated my father into ignoring me.” Which had been easy when Marshall never believed in Lane in the first place, but there was no point sharing that. “I told my coven not to double-cross you, and they did it anyway.”

Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “Did you?”

Anger flared hot and potent, Lane’s chest heaving. He was still skeptical? “Yes, and if you don’t believe me, use hypnosis and force me to tell the truth because I’m sick of this Lane is a traitorous liar bullshit.”

He couldn’t take not being trusted or believed. It was what got him into this mess in the first place. Someone had to see him as worthwhile, or he’d begin doubting himself. Self-confidence felt like all he had left.

EIGHT

ROWAN

“No,” Rowan growled.

Lane’s face bloomed with color. “You’d rather call me a liar than prove I’m not, you stubborn fucking asshole?”

That wasn’t it at all. Rowan had to keep his anger in check before this got out of hand. He wasn’t mad at Lane. Not this time. “I don’t hypnotize people for no reason. Taking choice away is a vile power to hold over someone.”

“But I’m telling you to do it. Dammit, Rowan, I’m telling the truth, and if you won’t let me prove it⁠—”

“Please stop. I believe you, Lane.” Rowan watched the fight drain out of him, his shoulders sagging.

There was no need to taint this moment. Lane’s offer to put himself at the mercy of Rowan’s hypnosis was proof enough, and Rowan had the impression that accepting Lane at his word mattered.

Lane wasn’t a master of hiding emotion, and the way he spoke, his regret was clear. Pain over his father’s rejection was right there for Rowan to see. The whole story rang true. It fit everything Rowan had seen of Lane, and his motivation for spying wasn’t one Rowan dared argue with. Lane had been concerned for the safety of others and ready to protect them.

Rowan’s chest expanded. “I don’t need hypnosis. I believe you.”

“Oh.” For a heartbeat, Lane seemed utterly lost. “Sorry for calling you an asshole.”

“Don’t be.” Rowan looked briefly to the ceiling, then cleared his throat. “I have been an asshole.”

Lane’s eyes crinkled, his lips twitching until the hint of a smile won out. “So have I. Here and there.”

“No, you haven’t.”

His tentative smile grew into a smirk. “You’re right. I’m the better person here. Not an asshole at all.”

Rowan almost laughed. “Why did your father claim you were gathering information on me?”

“He asked me to. He didn’t know I was looking into how humans were treated at your bite nights. He wanted to find out who you kept close when you weren’t doing official business. Who you talked to regularly. Things like that. I had other priorities.”

All Lane had cared about was whether Rowan put humans in danger. It was exactly what Rowan would have done in his shoes. Seems he’d have been a perfect ally. “Too bad you couldn’t convince Marshall to believe you.”

Lane’s face fell, betraying none of the regret or bitterness Rowan expected. He looked sad.

Rowan hated Marshall Blackburn for not listening and hurting Lane like this. For setting their covens at odds. Marshall had been manipulated, but if he’d trusted his son rather than his powerful new friends, everything could have been different.

“I’m surprised you stuck by your father after everything.” Rowan wouldn’t have, but perhaps comparison was unfair. Their situations weren’t the same, and he didn’t know what Lane’s life was like.

Lane averted his gaze. “I couldn’t exactly stay in Shearwater Landing.”

Had there been no other option than to follow his coven? Rowan’s stomach dropped, guilt hot on his face. But Lane’s conflict with his father wasn’t entirely his fault. He’d done what was best at the time. He wouldn’t have believed Lane’s story then, which was probably why Lane hadn’t attempted to tell it.