Page 131 of Puck & Her Blades

My stomach swoops.

I feel frozen.

Zev’s assessed what’s going to happen (that he’ll be trapped in Blade House by himself with Roake and Sydney), and he intends to go through with this anyway.

Absolutely-fucking-not.

This isn’t going to happen.

I’m never leaving one of my men behind. That’s not what being bonded means. I’m only just learning about being in a team but I’m definite that it means supporting every member and not abandoning one.

I snatch him by his chin and force his wary gaze to meet mine. “Who knows about this plan? Do Ash and Cyg?”

I need to know. I fucking hope that they don’t.

He snorts. “Of course not. They’d claw out their own throats, before allowing me to do anything like this. Jackson went crazy, when I first suggested it. He’d already made about three plans, however, that wouldn’t work and ended up with his ass kicked. Jackson still doesn’t want to follow through on this, but so far, it’s the only idea that we’ve got. It won’t be for longer than a couple of years. Then we’ll all be free.”

Fiercely, I growl, and Zev startles.

I feel fucking feral right now, protective of my Alpha.

I bare my teeth, yanking Zev’s face down to my level. “I’m with Jackson. You’re not doing this. One year or twenty, it doesn’t matter. You’re my team and pack. You’re not being left behind here to suffer alone. I’m going to come up with a scheme that frees all of us from this cage at the same time. Do you understand?”

Zev’s eyes widen, and his pierced tongue darts out to wet his lips. “Can I tell you how turned on I am right now?”

I fight not to smile, which is easier than I thought because anger is still washing through me. “As long as you promise me that you won’t nobly sacrifice your ass.”

He takes a deep breath. “I promise not to sacrifice my gorgeous ass or any other part of myself. On the other hand, I refuse to leave Ash unbonded or any of the rest of you in danger. I can’t… I wasn’t able to rescue Mom and get her out of that disgusting Omega Program. Do you understand how much I need to save someone?”

I do.

I can feel it through the bond, and my heart aches for Zev.

“We’ll do it together,” I reply, “because you’re not alone anymore.”

All of a sudden, there’s a vibrating sensation against my hip. Confused, I let go of Zev’s chin and glance down.

Zev smirks. “That’s not a vibrating cock ring, in case you’re wondering.”

How can he just say things like that?

I flush. “I wasn’t.”

He nudges me. “Go on, bet you were, love. It’s okay to admit it.”

He fishes in his pocket and pulls out a sleek iPhone. When he glances at the screen, he whoops, before snatching me into his arms and twirling me around.

Dizzy, I cling onto him, laughing.

I feel out of control and yet like there’s nowhere that I’d rather be than in his strong arms.

It’s exhilarating.

“The text’s from Jackson, and it’s good news. Our Chief Alpha is damn impressive with balls of fucking ice. He got us a week’s bond leave that we can spend together. We’re also being allowed a rematch, but it’s going to need to take place on Christmas Eve. It means that we still have a shot at winning the Alpha Cup!” Zev’s joy is bright through the bond. It soaks warmly into my skin. “So, are you ready to spend your first Christmas with us, love?”

CHAPTER 18

Swan Lake, Blade Estate

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