Page 144 of Never Submit

Dax prowls to check the doors and windows, his beard crazy and his hair standing on end around his head. He’s human again and trapped as surely as we all are but he’s the only one letting it show on the outside.

“We need to make sure we have all the information we need before approaching Torin,” Noble says, the voice of reason. “If we go in there without a plan, then he’s going to be even more stubborn. He’s a real asshole that way.”

“You know him better than the rest of us. Can’t you make him see?” I’m scrambling.

Dax grunts out something that can kind of be categorized as a laugh. His expression is strained, his eyes bloodshot. “If Catarina is involved with Andras, then she will be a loss for him. Kill her. Make a statement. It’s the easiest way to deal with this bullshit. Without Catarina, Andras will be off balance. Hell, kill them all and be done.” He jerks his head toward Noble. “This one can lead the Steel Claws.”

Noble stiffens at my side but it goes beyond a physical, visceral reaction. “I don’t want to lead.”

“Stop being a fucking pussy. You’d be fine.” Dax runs his hands through his hair, mussing the strands even more. Barely here with his attention fractured. Will he have another episode?

“You’re aching for an attack, Dax.” It’s clear that Noble is hanging on to his composure by the tips of his fingernails. “If Andras has really manipulated the situation, then we need tact, not brutality.”

“We always need brutality,” Dax argues.

“Mathis, please.” Noble’s grip tightens on my hand.

I pull away and hold my arms out, bridging Dax and Noble and their stupid feud, which has no damn place in this room. Or anywhere. “This is about Torin and his people and the suffering Catarina will cause if they go through with this wedding.”

“Maybe the wedding itself is a trap,” Noble suggests.

“There’s no way the Steel Claws can go,” Mathis adds.

Tomorrow. Oh god, it’s tomorrow, isn’t it? He won’t be coming back tonight. I’m breathing heavily, my chest aching and the rest of me uncomfortable and heavy in the worst possible way. What will I do if we lose Torin?

Not only is he the next domino in the line to fall, taking the rest of us down with him, but he’s?—

I’m—

How do I start to explain what I feel for someone who has never done anything except push me away? Until tonight. Until the glorious moment he gave in to the hunger.

Maybe it’s some kind of masochistic thing where I like being dominated by him. Or maybe it’s more. Don’t we deserve to have the chance to figure it out?

But this goes beyond the craving for him. I don’t want him to be hurt. He’s already killing himself to make this wedding take place, because he’s trying to do the right thing for his pack. He doesn’t understand that he’s been manipulated.

It’s wrong, wrong,wrong?—

“Breathe, baby, breathe.” Noble is there, and Mathis.

Dax isn't touching me, but I sense him, ready to explode.

“You have to breathe, Ren, otherwise you’re going to pass out,” Mathis growls. “Let us handle this.”

“We’re going to take care of you. That’s a fucking promise, baby, okay? I’ll go talk to Torin.” Noble smoothes the rough edges. “If there’s anyone who can get through to him, it’s me.”

“You don’t need to take care of me. Just help him. Please.” Oh, god, I don’t want to break down. It’s literally the last thing I want, and it won’t help at all. I want them to focus on Torin, not on me.

Get it together.

I suck air into my lungs, struggling to fill them completely, then release it in one gust. “Please. Help him. Keep him safe.”

“I’ll see what I can do about investigating these claims.” Mathis straightens. “One way or another, we’re going to figure this out.”

He’s worried. No matter how hard he tries to hide it from me, Mathis is thinking about the women who have already been stolen from his pack, and what it might mean for the Steel Claws. Whatever he feels for Torin is meaningless.

Mathis isn’t the type of man to let the powerless be hurt. It’s in his DNA.

He swoops down to press a quick kiss to my lips before he and Dax leave. It’s no easier to breathe with them gone.

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