Chapter 106: I Hate You
(GRIFFIN)
Gentherapeutics is on the top floors of a gleaming, glass tower in downtown Seattle. Everything about it speaks to cutting-edge innovation and a refined taste, from the minimalist lobby to the security guards who appear to have been genetically engineered for intimidation.
The private jet landed at dawn, and I’ve spent the hours since then reviewing everything Erik could tell
about the company. Specializing in rare genetic disorders and gene-targeted therapies, their work aligns closely with Maya’s prior fields of research.
She wanted to disappear. If she has rebuilt her life here, do I have the right to disrupt it? Even for the sake of the kingdom?
Losing the connection to one’s wolf is a slow, painful death. The only reason I survived back in that cell was that I am of royal blood; my strength is greater than that of other shifters.
Aria is dying. After her, others will follow. The disease is spreading, and we’re running out of options.
As the elevator ascends, I straighten my tie, a human gesture that feels strange. The human world requires different camouflage, an expensive suit, a corporate deanor, and wealth displayed subtly but unmistakably. The ga is different here, but power is still the currency.
The receptionist directs
to a conference room on the top floor, her practiced smile never wavering despite my curt responses to her small talk. The room is sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the Seattle skyline.
I take a seat at the head of the table, instinct placing
in the position of authority. The minutes tick by, each one stretching my already frayed patience even thinner.
When the door finally opens, it’s not Maya who enters, but a young man in a lab coat.
"Mr. Wild?" He extends his hand. "I’m Dr. Jas Chen, COO of GenTherapeutics. Sorry to keep you waiting."
I shake his hand, noting the firm grip, a human attempting to establish dominance the only way he knows how. "I was expecting to et with your head researcher."
"Dr. Sorin is tied up in the lab at the mont," he explains with an apologetic smile. "A breakthrough that can’t be interrupted. I’d be happy to discuss your proposal in her place."
Maya’s na in his mouth sends a jolt through . So, it is her. A part of
still doubted, still thought Erik’s information could have been wrong.
"No," I say firmly. "My business is with Dr. Sorin specifically. I’ll wait."
Dr. Chen’s smile tightens almost imperceptibly. "I’m afraid Dr. Sorin’s schedule is completely booked for the next week. If you’d like to make an appointnt after—"
"That won’t be necessary." I rise, towering over him slightly. "Please inform Dr. Sorin that Griffin Wild is here to see her regarding an urgent matter that affects the lives of hundreds."
He hesitates, clearly caught between corporate protocol and the intensity of my stare. "I—I’ll see what I can do," he finally says, backing toward the door. "Please help yourself to coffee while you wait."
Once he’s gone, I stand by the window, gazing out at the city spread below. So different from my kingdom, chaotic, polluted, entirely human. This is where she chose to rebuild? Among steel and glass and strangers?
The minutes into an hour. I remain standing, patient as only a predator can be. She’s testing , making
wait to establish control over the interaction. I allow it. This small victory for her costs
nothing.
Finally, the door opens again. This ti, there’s no mistaking the scent, lavender and chemicals, and sothing uniquely her. I turn slowly, keeping my expression neutral despite the way my heart is hamring against my ribs.
Maya stands in the doorway, white lab coat over a simple blouse and dark pants, her hair pulled back in a severe bun. She’s thinner than when I last saw her, her face sharper, more angular. But her eyes, they haven’t changed. Clear, intelligent, and carefully devoid of emotion.
"Griffin." Her voice is cool, almost like she is greeting a stranger. "Maya."
She steps fully into the room, closing the door behind her. "What are you doing here?"
For a mont, I say nothing, drinking in the sight of her like a parched man.
She has let her hair grow out. If I thought she was thin when we escaped, she has lost even more weight now. "I’m sorry about your mother—"
She stares at
as if my words are aningless. "Why are you here?"
I feel so confusion at the lack of emotion in those eyes at the ntion of her mother. However, "I need your help" is what I say.
"My help." She doesn’t betray any emotion, everything is locked up inside her, behind that calm, cool mask. "With what?"
It bothers , the way she doesn’t react, the way she looks at
as if I’m no one significant to her. I don’t know what I expected, but this cold indifference certainly wasn’t it.
"There’s a disease spreading among my people. The antidote you developed before leaving only works on the first strain. This mutation is resistant."
Her eyes narrow. "And this concerns
how, exactly?"
The lack of empathy has
staggering. This is not the Maya I rember, not my warm-hearted Maya.
"Three hundred forty-two shifters affected so far," I continue, trying to ignore her apathy. "Forty-seven in critical condition. Without intervention, the death toll will continue to rise."
Professional interest flickers briefly across her face before disappearing behind her mask of indifference. "I’m sure your healers are perfectly capable—"
"They’re not." I take a step closer. "You know they’re not. This is beyond traditional healing. It requires your expertise in shifter biology and human dical science."
She studies . "I don’t know what you expect
to do."
"I want you to continue your work on the antidote. You are the only one who can create a cure. You’ve done it once before."
"Sorry." Her voice is cool. "I’m not interested. I don’t want to be dragged back into your world." My jaw tightens. "The people you care about will also be affected, Maya. Jerry, Erik—"
"The people I care about?" She stares at
as if I’ve said sothing foreign. "You an the sa people who let my mother burn alive in her cottage? The ones who refused to return because a human mother and daughter were not worth coming back for?"
"We didn’t know, Maya—" I begin, my tone gentle.
"Don’t lie to ." For the first ti, I see a glimr of emotion in her eyes. "I was told a ssage was sent and that you refused to co back."
"I received no such ssage," I say fiercely now. "I found out about your mother’s passing—"
"Murder," Maya cuts
off sharply. "Call it what it is. She was murdered, and had I been in that cottage, asleep in my bed like she was, I would have been burned alive, as well. But then, perhaps you would have preferred that."
My blood goes cold at the very thought. "How can you say sothing like that? I would never—Maya, it was a faulty wire."
She scoffs. "Why am I not surprised? Of course, you would defend your own people. You can hide it all you want, Griffin Wild, but once they put out the fire, I saw the containers of gasoline that had been tossed in the garden." Her lips curl in a sneer. "I’m just a human, so I can’t take my revenge or get justice for my mother. But I owe you and your people nothing."
She turns around to leave, but I stop her, my hand around her wrist. A jolt of shock, of attraction.
She pulls her hand away from mine abruptly. "Do not touch !"
The hatred in her voice rattles
to the core. I stare at her, trying to co to terms with what I’m seeing in her eyes.
"Is that why you left?" I ask quietly. "Because you believed I refused to co back when I heard of your mother’s de— murder?"
She rolls her eyes. "I left because I don’t like being toyed with. And I wasn’t surprised you didn’t co back. After all, I was just so human you were fucking."
"Maya, I didn’t co because I wasn’t inford." I search her eyes, willing her to believe . "And when I did return, I received your note, and an investigation had already been conducted."
Maya turns her back to . "I don’t care. Just leave
alone. I have no intention of helping your kind. You can all burn to the ground, too, for all I care."
"My kind includes Corrine and her son, and her baby daughter, whom you have yet to et," I remind her softly. For the first ti, Maya flinches.
"Maya, this disease will reach your friend and her children. Will you turn your back on them, too?" She’s silent, but I can see the way her hand is forming a fist by her side.
"Maya, whatever the Silver Ring Organization is doing, they’re able to spread this disease without capturing our kind. If this continues, shifters will go extinct. I did as you asked and never looked for you when you left, but I need your help now."
"And I said I’m not interested. As far as I’m concerned, you and I don’t owe each other anything, Griffin. Find another scientist whose life you can ruin."
Before I can say anything else, the door opens, and a purple-haired man enters, carrying a plastic bag, saying in a sing-song voice, "I’ve brought chicken from your favorite place, Maya. I—" His blue eyes blink in surprise. "Oh, did I interrupt sothing? Should I go wait in your office?"
"No, Mathew." To my sudden irritation, my mate’s voice is filled with warmth. "Mr. Wild was just leaving."
"Okay." Mathew beams at her. "Hey, I was thinking we could go check out this new bar tonight—"
"Mathew."
The exasperated affection in Maya’s voice aid toward this man makes my wolf’s hackles rise. There is sothing between these two. She cares for this person. She cares for a man who is not .
I discreetly sniff her.
She doesn’t sll like him. She has not been sleeping with him.
That calms my wolf down so, but I feel a surge of unreasonable anger at the way she smiles at him.
"You signed a contract when you asked for your mother’s care, Maya." The words burst out of , the words of an angry, irrationally jealous man.
I see her stiffen, and I realize I have made a mistake.
"Mathew, go wait for
in my office." Maya’s tone is harsh. The man looks between the two of us before nodding.
"Sure. Holler if you need help."
The door closes behind him, and Maya turns to face , the rage in her eyes making
take a step back.
"Is that what this is? You’ve co here to collect?" She cos toward , picking up a paperweight from the table. "Your people killed my mother, and you’re here to collect on a contract based around her?"
She throws the paperweight at , and I duck. It goes crashing into the glass pane of the shelf behind .
"I will slit my own throat before helping your kind! You can burn in hell, every single one of you! I wish I’d never t you, Griffin! I wish I’d agreed to help Cassian. At least he didn’t burn my mother alive!" Maya’s words are ripping
apart. Her eyes are wet and filled with homicidal rage. "I hate you. With every breath in my body, I hate you, Griffin! Get out of my sight!"
Her chest is heaving, fury in her every breath. All of a sudden, she grips the back of the chair closest to her, her other hand clutching at her chest, her eyes terrified as she struggles to draw in air.
I recognize the panic attack. My feet move toward her, but the door bursts open, and Mathew rushes past . "Maya! Maya, it’s okay! Breathe. I’ve got you."
He helps her into the chair and is comforting her, his hands wrapped around hers. I stare numbly at the scene playing out before .
That should be
offering her comfort. That should be
she’s leaning against.
But I’m the source of all her anguish. The sight of
upsets her. She is having a panic attack after simply talking to .
I always told myself that her departure was for the best. For the first ti, I wonder if I made a mistake, if I truly did ruin her life.
Turning on my heel, I leave.
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