Page 118 of Never Submit

Who do I have?

The phone is probably ringing again. I have Catarina and the connections she brings with her pack. I have a wedding just days away. It counts. It has to count.

“As much as I appreciate you giving me ammunition to hold against you, your past is your business.” Mathis finally steps between us. Glaring at me.Considering Noble. “It’s not going to help our people with the adjustment. What will help them is action.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Noble murmurs in agreement.

He’s neutral, but underneath the surface, I know better. We’ve spent too many years together for me not to feel him as a man or a wolf. He’s furious. He’s cut to the bone. And it’s all my fault.

Tension pulses through me and my muscles go tight.

Noble refuses to look at me. “Do you have any ideas, Mathis?”

I gawk at my beta. The bond has been in place between them for, what, an hour? Give or take? And he’s already actively choosing Mathis and Ren over me. I shouldn't feel as bad as I do. I should leave before I make a worse mess of this.

I’m rooted in place.

“The only way we’re going to get out of this is to remove Andras as a threat. We know he’s somewhere in Grey Mountain. Dax wasn’t able to follow Ren’s tracks alone. But between the two of you, you might be able to scope out any changes.”

“The last thing I want is to work with Dax,” Noble insists. “Not to mention it will be tough to find the mountain hideaway with all this snow.”

The Noble I know would not be so eager to agree. Not that he’s exactly eager but he isn’t putting his foot down. If anything, he sounds congenial. Ready to reach a solution.

I huff out a laugh and turn my back on the two of them.

“I have absolute faith in the two of you. If the Steel Claws and the Grey Valley can put their animosity aside, then so can you. So can we all.”

“Like you’re some kind of savior,” I mutter.

“I’m just a man trying to do what’s best for his people.And that, unfortunately, means putting much-needed resources into finding out where Andras is hiding and clearing out his mountain home like ants in a hill,” Mathis tells me.

“Fine. Whatever it takes. I’ll handle the people here.” Right after I take care of Catarina.

“You sure Dax will be okay with playing nice?” Noble still isn’t talking to me.

I might as well take myself out of the situation. It will be better for everyone if I take off to get a handle on myself. Only I’m not leaving.

I’m exhausted, and not sleeping. Hungry, and refusing to eat. Punishing myself has started to impact everyone. It’s not what an alpha does.

My mind shatters into several pieces.

“He will if I ask him to. You two are skilled. I’d say to take a few deltas with you, but we need them here if the fights continue to break out the way you say they are.”

I turn in time to see Mathis nodding his head decisively.

“Fine. Then let’s get started. I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight.” Noble heads to the door, ignoring me. Not willing to say another word. “Better we leave now.”

“Then I’ll find Dax and let him know what’s going on.”

I’m useless. Absolutely fucking useless, and even I’m not sure what to do with myself. Go jump in the lake, maybe. Because that’s the only way this is going to go where no one gets hurt by my self-inflicting bullshit.

Chapter 27

Dax

The last fucking thing I want is to trot off with Nobie, tail between my legs.

An honor? Screw that.

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