Last Female Sypher and Her Brother's Friends novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“Listen,” I say carefully. “I get that you’re the…” I pause, searching for the right word.

“Alpha,” he supplies with that same irritating confidence that colors his voice.

“Right, Alpha.” I tilt my head at him.” But does that mean we’re going to be playing telephone through

you?”

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His brow furrows slightly.

“I’m pretty sure the others still have mouths,” I add obnoxiously.

His mouth twitches. I can’t tell if he’s suppressing a smile or a sigh.

“Being Alpha doesn’t mean I control them,” he settles on. “But it does give me authority over my pack.”

He leans back in his chair slightly, and his chest seems to expand with the angle. That dark T–shirt has to work alot harder to hide the impressive physique beneath.

I force my attention back to his face.

“I’m responsible for their safety. For making sure everyone is taken care of.“His voice softens a little.“We’re kind of like a family.“He pauses.“But with a hierarchy.”

I tilt my head.“Based on what?”

“Strength,” he answers simply. “Nature.”

I stare at him. “…okay. You’re going to have to slow that down because I am not following.”

A faint chuckle escapes him.

“It’s not easy to explain when you can’t feel the instincts our wolves give us, but I will try,” he admits.

Something about him has changed. This is the calmest I’ve ever seen Ronan. There’s no sharp edge to his voice. No sarcasm. No irritation.

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Chapter 24

He looks… comfortable.

Like this is the version of himself he normally hides from the world.

–>)

And it makes me rethink every interaction we’ve had before.

Was he a jerk because that’s who he is? Or because he was trying to function in a world that wasn’t built for

him?

“All wolves fall into two natural designations,” he continues. “Dominant or submissive.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Okay, that sounds… vaguely kinky.”

His lips twitch again. “Not like that.”

“Sure,” I mutter.

He ignores me.

“Those designations are then divided into three classifications.” He holds up one finger.“Grims. These wolves are always dominant. They’re the warrior class. Physical fighters. Strength and combat are their specialties.” His gaze sharpens slightly. This is the class all Alphas fall under.”

So he is a Grimm… makes sense.

He holds up a second finger. “Faints. Both dominants and submissives can be Faints. These wolves are shadow walkers, spies, and in certain cases, assassins.”

My stomach flips.

“Faints can also possess rare cognitive abilities that give them an edge in mental warfare.”

I sit up straighter. “Like Jasper. What he tried to do inside my head.”

Ronan nods once. “Exactly.”

I shudder slightly at the memory.

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Chapter 24

He raises a third finger. “The final classification is Sypher.“His voice shifts slightly when he says the word.

The ease of his tone begins to freeze, sharpens like running water caught in the banks of winter.“Syphers

were rare elemental wolves tied to ancient magic.”

“Magic?” I echo.

“Yes. They could transmute and manipulate the world around them.”

My brain struggles to keep up.

“Most were submissives, with a few dominants here and there,” he continues.

Then I catch something.

“Wait. Why did you say that?

A heavy silence fills the room.

Ronan’s gaze darkens. “Because Syphers no longer exist. The hunters drove them to extinction.”

The weight of his words settles over me slowly.

Hunters.

People who kill wolves.

People who would kill Liam.

Who would kill Marcus.

Who would kill Eliza.

My mind flashes to Marcus’s bright smile.

To Eliza’s gentle voice.

To the children running through the compound earlier today.

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Chapter 24

Laughing.

Playing.

The idea of someone hunting them down makes my stomach twist violently.

Pain suddenly spikes through my temple.

Sharp and blinding.

I gasp and grab my head.

“Aria?”

The next thing I know, Ronan is beside me. I didn’t even see him move.

His hands hover near my shoulders.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I mumble, squeezing my eyes shut. “Just a migraine.”

He frowns. “You get those often?”

“Recently,” I admit.

The pain throbs behind my eyes.

Then his hands gently cradle my face.

His thumbs press lightly against my temples.

Warm.

Firm.

He begins rubbing slow circles.

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The pressure is perfect.

Relief spreads through my head almost immediately.

My eyes slowly open.

And suddenly I realize how close he is.

From this angle, I can see every sharp line of his face.

The dark stubble along his jaw.

The intensity in his eyes.

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