Page 61 of Never Submit

Mathis crosses his arms over his chest but his gaze is distant. “Maybe he understands how crucial things are right now—how we can help each other.”

I snort.

“Dax, his pack has the resources we don’t. Andras is a threat to both of us,” he says. “We are stronger together.”

“He’s going to want something for his help. He’s not doing this out of the kindness of his heart." He simply hasn’t been honest with us yet.

He hasn’t named the price.

It’s coming. I feel it in my gut.

“And if that happens, I’ll deal with it,” Mathis insists.

“You’ll get yourself killed,” I burst out, tone sharp. “If Torin wants to absorb us, he has that right. There can’t be two alphas in a pack, Mathis. Under the law, he can take you out. He’ll play dirty.”

I know Mathis better than he knows himself. He’s not thinking straight. He’s blinded. He’s too wrapped up in what’s in front of him to see the details of the big picture.

What the hell would he even do without me?

I clench my jaw tight, my mind threatening to fracture. The way it always does in this type of shitty situation.

Keep it together.

“I understand,” Mathis snaps. “But what choice do we have? You think I like groveling to him? If we stay here, Andras will tear through us. At least with the help of the Steel Claws, we have a fightingchance.”

I open my mouth to argue, but the door creaks open and Flora walks in, balancing a tray of sandwiches. She sets it down on the desk with a determined air, ignoring my low growl.

She brushes hair out of her face. “You both look like you haven’t eaten all day, and you’re not going to do this pack any good if you starve yourselves.”

Mathis gives her a tight smile. “Thanks, Flora.”

Her intelligent eyes linger on both of us, taking in more than she should.

“So? What’s the big plan? I heard something about Torin.”

“You were listening at the door, omega?” I ask.

But Mathis cuts me off with a raised hand. “We’ve made the arrangements,” he says carefully. “The pack will be moving to the Steel Claws’ territory. Temporarily.”

Flora’s brows lift. “In the city?”

“It’s safe,” Mathis says.

“It’s a trap,” I mutter, grabbing one of the sandwiches. I shove it between my teeth and chew, mouth open, to stop from saying more.

Flora glances between us, clearly sensing more beneath the surface. She picks up a sandwich but doesn’t eat it. Instead, her gaze sharpens. “And what about the girl?”

Both Mathis and I freeze.

“The girl?” he repeats.

“Ren.”

“What about her?” I ask, my tone clipped.

“You care about her. You both do.”

My hackles lift and I let my wolf shine through, just as unhinged and eager as I am for a fight. Flora's discussing things she has no business discussing. And listening to more than she should.

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