"What are you talking about?" I demanded.
Owen laughed loudly. "Did you think I actually loved you? The daughter of James Darkwood, the most powerful Alpha our territory had ever seen? The same bloodline that produced wolves strong enough to challenge the Moon Goddess herself?" He shook his head. "I kept you close because I needed to know what I was dealing with."
"But I never..." I started.
"Never what? Never planned to challenge me?" He slammed his hands on the bars making me jump. The sound echoed through the cell block and somewhere in the distance, a prisoner screamed.
"Your father's power runs through your veins, Ariana. I saw you that day in the training grounds, pretending to be weak while your wolf vibrated with strength. The same strength that made your father unstoppable."
The pieces started falling into place. "So everything... every moment between us..."
"Was me making sure you stayed exactly where I needed you - powerless, hated and alone. The perfect plan, until Mara had to complicate things."
"Mara?" My knees felt weak.