Page 129 of Never Submit

Torin waits until Ren goes inside and we’re alone before he allows a crack in his façade. “Fucking bloody hell, Noble,” he grunts.

I’m not ready to forgive him yet. It had been difficult the first time, to find my way back to our friendship, when duty pressed so close and it felt like he was asking the impossible of me.

Now, he’s not asking. He’s demanding. Loyalty. Obligation. Explanation.

But I have none.

“Just go, damn it,” Torin says roughly. “I know you want to go with her.”

“That sounds a bit like envy,” I observe cheekily.

He whirls on me, glaring, and normally I’d offer another joke. Not that any response will be the right one while he’s in this mood, while we’re all a little edgy and freaked-out.

“Don’t be absurd. I’ve got enough to worry about without the storm of hormones raging in this camp. I am being forced to work in a closer capacity with the one asshole I’d rather avoid.”

Do I point out the elephant in the room? Mathis and his pack aren’t the problem. It’s not the wedding, and it’s not Andras. Not at the core.

“I never thought I’d hear you sound like a spoiled baby, but you constantly surprise me,” Ren says from behind me.

I stiffen. I hadn’t even heard her open the door. But she’s there, listening. Coming forward.

Stopping just before she gets to Torin and looking like a bug standing in front of a tsunami. I’m thankful she tossed on a simple dress to cover her nakedness. Torin glares at her but says nothing.

She props her hands at her hips. “When you’re ready to stop acting this way and actually do something about howyou feel, then you can talk to me. Otherwise, we’re busy. You can get what you need from Dax,” she tells Torin.

Her nose goes straight into the air, and suddenly she’s stomping back into the cabin with all the force of a Clydesdale in a parade even though she’s barefoot. She draws me after her, pulling me along, and my worry for Torin takes a backseat to the crazy mixture of sensations going on with Ren.

Once I’m inside, the door seems to slam shut by an invisible force. The wind? I’m not sure.

“Is he always so fucking infuriating?” She shakes her head, bunching the edges of my t-shirt in her hands, between her breasts. “I swear, this wouldn’t be half as stressful as it is if Torin would pull his head out of his ass.”

I shrug. “It’s just the way he is.”

“And he’s always been like this?”

“Not always,” I answer slowly.

I thought back to a time when he’d been more open with himself and others around him, before he took over the pack as alpha and sank further into the crazy mindset where he felt like he only had himself to rely on.

I shove all thoughts of the alpha aside and focus on my own needs, and the needs of my mate.Ourmate.

This is so damn strange.

“You know how I feel about you, Noble,” Ren says softly.

I blink, clearing my mind and focusing on her. Everything else fades away as Ren steps up, pressing herself to my chest. My arms automatically wind around her.

She gives me a sad look. “I know how you felt when you thought I turned against you to protect Dax. But it wasn’t betrayal, and I never meant for it to cut you so deeply. I really care about you, Noble. I feel like every new thing Ilearn about you brings our connection to a new point and my feelings grow…brighter. Bigger. I missed you while you were gone, but I saw Dax hurting, like he was trapped, and I just—I don’t know…”

I force her gaze to meet mine. Stare deeply into those eyes of hers and see more of the wolf than I’ve ever seen before. “You’ve never said these things before.”

Her expression softens. “I’m not good at words. I’ve always been better at action.”

“And there is more to action than just sex, you insatiable nymph,” I say.

“I never pegged you for such a romantic.”

She pushes me until the backs of my knees hit the edge of the bed, and I drop.

---