Anya met his furious gaze, refusing to flinch. The bond pulsed with danger, but she had to use her last card.
"Because the Beta network is slow," she replied, her voice steady. "And because Silas Vex is the traitor. He is running the Hybrids, and he is part-Hybrid himself."
Kaelan froze. His shock was a palpable wave, momentarily overriding his rage. "Impossible. Silas is pure-blood."
"Your scanner is designed to find Lycan scents, not Hybrids who mask their genetics," Anya countered, pointing to her laptop screen. "I filtered the residual trace. Silas Vex is using my tech to conceal his Hybrid genetics and is targeting your pack to seize the Alpha title."
She leaned forward, her desperate move complete. "You have a choice, Alpha. You can kill me now for disobeying your Command, or you can use the only mind who can expose Silas Vex's true lineage and save your pack."
Kaelan stared at the screen, then back at his Mate—the defiant human who had just committed treason to save him. The rage was still there, but it was now diluted by an undeniable, professional respect.
"The Command holds," Kaelan finally grated out, his voice thick. "But the rules are changing. You will work, and you will survive. You are now my partner, Mate. And my prisoner."