"Then I noticed I had a mark on the back of my neck that heated up when I was near werewolves."
I scanned his features, trying to gauge if he had begun to realize yet what I was.
"None of that makes any sense," he said, rubbing his chin.
"I was adopted."
Then it began to make sense. I saw the moment he realized what I was telling him was possible.
"How?" he asked. His voice was a little hoarse.
I shrugged.
"My parents knew what would happen if certain people found out about me, so they hid me, passing me off as an abandoned baby who needed a family."
"Your mom?"
"Was a werewolf," I answered.
"And your father?"
And here it came.
"A Keeper." I sighed the answer. It was out.
Although he'd clearly already begun to suspect that, my answer made him take a step backward.
"Claire knew," he said, and I nodded.
"She knew my parents. They needed to hide and she promised to watch over me when I was adopted by Rob and Liv."
"Do Rob and Liv know?"
I shook my head.
He began to pace as he digested my secret. I stood, watching him silently, allowing him the time to take it all in. Then he stopped.
"It still doesn't explain why you ran away?"
"Do you know what the Keepers will do to me if they find out about me?" I asked, calm even though I could feel my emotions stir inside of me.
"What?" he asked.
"They will kill me. I'm will not be allowed to live."
"I won't let anyone hurt you," he assured me, but I was shaking my head already.
"You've seen how strong they are. We aren't strong enough to fight off an attack by them. They will slaughter everyone. I won't stand by and watch everyone I love die trying to protect me."
Then I saw the understanding in his eyes.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Kyle
"So that's why you ran?" I asked.
She nodded, her eyes vulnerable. She looked like she had the weight of the world on her small shoulders. It was way too much responsibility for someone so young. I was determined to carry the burden for her.
