Last Female Sypher and Her Brother's Friends novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Theo

Kade and Ronan don’t argue when Barric calls for them. That’s how I know it’s serious.

Kade gives me one last look before he leaves, his jaw tight, eyes flicking toward Aria like he’s debating whether to say

something. He doesn’t. Ronan claps my shoulder as he passes, a silent handle it, and then the door shuts behind them.

The cabin feels too quiet after that.

Too small.

Too full of everything unsaid.

Aria sits on the edge of the couch, hands clasped so tightly her knuckles are white. Liam is stretched out on the rug in

front of the fire, still in that in–between form–too human to be a wolf, too wolf to be anything else. His chest rises and

falls steadily, but the sight of him like that… it’s a lot for someone who just learned our world exists.

My wolf shifts under my skin, restless.

She’s breaking, he murmurs.

No, she just needs support. Your first kill is a lot for anyone to take in.

Aria’s head snaps up. “What?”

“Nothing,” I say quickly, stepping further into the room. “Just… thinking out loud.”

That’s a lie, but I’m not about to explain inner wolf commentary right now.

I move toward the fireplace, crouching near Liam. His scent is steady–no immediate danger. Good. I’glance back at Aria.

She looks smaller than usual.

Not physically. But like something inside her has folded in on itself.

“I remember my first kill,” I say.

The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

Her eyes snap to mine.

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Chapter 72

why you say that?”

Because silence is worse

Because I can feel the storm inside her and I know if she doesn’t let it cut, it’s going to tear her apart.

“Because,” I say slowly, “you’re not the only one who’s been there.”

She swallows. “Was it… easy for you?”

A humorless breath leaves me. I sit back on my heels, staring into the fire as the memory creeps in whether I want it or

not.

“No,” I admit. “It was hell.”

My wolf growls softly, remembering.

He deserved it.

“Maybe,” I murmur back internally. “Didn’t make it easier.”

I drag a hand over my face and glance at her again.

“I couldn’t eat for two days after. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw it again. Felt it again.” My fingers curl slightly. “You

don’t forget that kind of thing.”

Her lips part, but she doesn’t speak.

I push on.

“But here’s the part you need to hear, Aria.” I lean forward slightly, making sure she’s really listening. “You didn’t do it

because you wanted to.”

Her gaze flickers, pain flashing across it.

“You did it to protect Liam.”

Her eyes immediately shift to her brother.

“And if those hunters had taken him…” I shake my head, jaw tightening. “They wouldn’t have been nice to him. Hell, they

probably wouldn’t have given him back at all.”

That lands.

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Chapter 72

Why mln you say that?”

Because silence is worse

Because I can feel the storm inside her and I know if she doesn’t let it out, it’s going to tear her apart.

“Because,” I say slowly, “you’re not the only one who’s been there.”

She swallows. “Was it… easy for you?”

A humorless breath leaves me. I sit back on my heels, staring into the fire as the memory creeps in whether I want it or

not.

“No,” I admit. “It was hell.”

My wolf growls softly, remembering.

He deserved it.

“Maybe,” I murmur back internally. “Didn’t make it easier.”

I drag a hand over my face and glance at her again.

“I couldn’t eat for two days after. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw it again. Felt it again.” My fingers curl slightly. “You

don’t forget that kind of thing.”

Her lips part, but she doesn’t speak.

I push on.

“But here’s the part you need to hear, Aria.” I lean forward slightly, making sure she’s really listening. “You didn’t do it

because you wanted to.”

Her gaze flickers, pain flashing across it.

“You did it to protect Liam.”

Her eyes immediately shift to her brother.

“And if those hunters had taken him…” I shake my head, jaw tightening. “They wouldn’t have been nice to him. Hell, they

probably wouldn’t have given him back at all.”

That lands.

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Chapter 72

„Í së !! In the way her shoulders stiffen. In the way her expression hardens just a fraction.

Good.

Not because I want her to feel worse–but because guilt alone will destroy her. She needs anger. She needs context.

She needs truth.

For a moment, neither of us speaks. The fire crackles. Liam shifts slightly but doesn’t wake.

Then Aria’s voice comes out quiet.

“Theo…”

“Yeah?”

She hesitates, eyes fixed on Liam. “What’s… wrong with him?”

I follow her gaze.

Or rather, I look at Liam the way she must be seeing him now.

Not as her brother.

But as something… else.

“Why does his wolf look like that?” she asks.

I exhale slowly, sitting back and resting my forearms on my knees.

“That,” I say, “isn’t just a wolf.”

She frowns. “Clearly.”

Despite everything, I huff a quiet laugh.

“Fair,” I admit. Then I nod toward Liam. “Your brother’s got a rare gift. Most of us? We’ve got two forms–human and wolf.

Clean split.”

She listens intently.

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