Chapter 13 I pursed my lips , considering . I could easily tell Jaxon about the poison , but it was risky . He would want to know how I knew about it , and could potentially accuse me of being the poisoner . But Jaxon clearly liked to talk in riddles and metaphors . Arms and legs , red herrings , little white rabbits , fox masks … I could give him a taste of his own medicine and still get what I wanted . " Fine , " I said , " I'll tell you this : little rabbit knows the woods better than you think . She's seen what happens to the clever foxes who feast too greedily from the farmer's henhouse . Someone's spoiled the meat , Jaxon , " A long silence passed . Yellow eyes blinked at me from behind his mask once , twice , then three times , and I feared he might attack me for calling out his real name . But then : " Very well . I'll help you investigate this crest . Thank you for your information , little rabbit , " I nodded and stood and left without a word . It wasn't until I was outside , the cold night air ghosting my skin , that I noticed my hands were shaking . By the time I returned home , I was exhausted . I was looking forward to crawling into bed where it was safe and warm- for now , anyway - but when I entered my room and turned on the light , I was surprised to find a box sitting on my nightstand , Curious , I opened the box to find an entire set of diamond jewelry : a necklace with a half dozen tiny diamond pendants surrounding one large one that shimmered in the light , matching earrings , and even a bracelet . " To smooth things over , " a note Inside read . Then , underneath it : " Make sure you wear this to the campaign banquet next Saturday . -K " Killian Elena didn't mention the gifts I'd given her , but she also didn't outwardly cause any trouble for the coming days , so I assumed the expensive diamonds had finally pacified her . I was glad for it , too , because I had begun to reach the end of my rope . On Friday , we attended a charity auction . Elena didn't argue when I told her that we needed to attend - it was good for our reputation and the pack's morale and even smiled when I told her she was welcome to bid freely on anything she wanted . In fact , when we entered the auction , Elena willingly took my arm and remained by my side without fuss . I noticed that she wasn't wearing the jewelry I'd purchased for her tonight , but I had told her specifically to wear it to the upcoming banquet , and besides , I figured it wouldn't suit her dress . Tonight , she was wearing a deep , rich red gown that trailed around her ankles , the silky fabric hugging her curves It must have been new . I didn't recall buying it for her , but perhaps she had taken my card for some shopping at some point while I was working It suited her , though . The red was contrasted against her snowy skin , and the way it fit her body was admittedly attractive , a far cry from the muted colors and looser silhouettes she usually wore . She actually looked quite beautiful . And very different from her usual self , but at least this time it was in a good way and not in a go - out - of - my way to make - your - life - a - living hell way . But when the curtain raised to reveal the first itens to be auctioned off , all thoughts of my mate's beauty slipped from my mind . Because sitting on the podium , ready to be sold , was the jewelry set 1 had just gifted her . D