Chapter 164: Cursed

ZADE "I don't have a mate," I said through gritted teeth. "And I certainly don't care about Lyn."   The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, and my wolf's reaction was immediate and vicious.   *Is that why you falsified information to frame Amaya for attempted murder? Because you don't care about Lyn? Is that why you broke pack law and defied the council of elders? Because he means nothing to you?*   The reminder of what I'd done to protect Lyn sent a fresh wave of guilt and confusion through my system. I had committed crimes to keep him safe, had risked everything I'd built just to ensure he wouldn't be punished for something he hadn't done.   That wasn't the behavior of someone who didn't care.   *We've stayed away from our mate long enough,* my wolf continued relentlessly. *The question is: do you actually hate Lyn, or do you just hate the idea of people seeing you differently because you're sleeping with a man you care about?*   Before I could formulate an answer to that devastating que