Page 145 of Never Submit

I hollow out, cave in, collapsing forward, and Noble is there to catch me. “Are you going to be all right if I go?” he asks gently.

“You have to go. Make him see reason. I’m sure about this, Noble. I know what I saw,” I insist.

“Then I’ll stop him.” Noble is adamant, and before he leaves I catch his shirt, lifting onto the tips of my toes to kiss him.

“I can see myself falling in love with you so easily.”

It’s a whisper and a promise and I feel his heart beating in the same rhythm as mine.

He winks but his expression is strained. “Oh, baby, make no mistake. You’re already in love with me.”

He’s not wrong, and I watch him leave, hoping we haven’t let this go too long. Hoping it’s not too late to save Torin.

Chapter 33

Torin

Istand in front of the mirror, adjusting the diamond cufflinks on my tux. The black fabric feels suffocating, like it’s trying to push the air from my lungs. The reflection staring back at me is a man I barely recognize—a leader, a diplomat, a soon-to-be husband, an alpha.

I look like a younger version of Sullivan, and I hate it. Even the scowl etched into my face reminds me of him. It disgusts me.

How can I have worked so hard to impress a man I don’t respect? Why haven’t I been able to break the habit?

The room is too quiet. I run a hand through my hair, fighting the urge to growl. Staying with Catarina last night was an exercise in restraint, not because of desire but because of the utter lack of it. She wouldn’t even stay in the same room as me, and I still struggled with the urge to get away.

To fucking run as far and as fast away from this iron-hearted woman as possible.

The truth is Catarina could’ve disappeared for thenight, off to do anything or anyone, and I wouldn’t have felt anything but relief.

And this is the woman I’m about to marry. The one I’ve chosen—or rather, the one duty has chosen for me. Is it smarter to stay or to go?

Which one will I blame myself less for?

I take a deep breath, trying to still the restless energy coursing through me. My wolf is agitated and pacing inside me like a caged animal. He doesn’t want this; it’s made painfully clear who he wants.

But it doesn’t matter. I can’tletit matter.

I think of my parents, of the calculated union that defined their marriage, and how my mother was nothing more than an accessory for my father, according to the nannies who raised me. She was a quiet shadow who fulfilled her duties without question. They rarely even occupied the same room unless it was for appearances.

And as soon as she birthed me, she died.

As a child, I’d told myself I’d never let that happen to me. That I’d find something more—someone more. A bond built on love, not obligation.

And yet here I am.

I chuckle bitterly under my breath and my reflection in the mirror sneers at me. Life has a way of twisting the knife.

The door opens, and one of Catarina’s bridesmaids steps inside, her head bowed respectfully. “Mr. Steel, the ceremony will begin in twenty minutes.”

I nod, dismissing her with a wave of my hand. She leaves quickly and the door clicks shut behind her.

Twenty minutes. That’s all the time I have left to convince myself that this is the right decision. That marrying Catarina will bring our packs together, will make us stronger against Andras, will save lives.

Then no more Ren. Never again.

Even though I felt the mating bond, felt it hovering right there within reach, Ihadto reject it. Not only because of this but because of Noble too. I can’t hurt my beta like that.

Even if he is willing to share her with me, there’s a power dynamic in place that our wolves adhere to. Fucking her may have been a moment of fun when it happened, but at the end of the day, Ren’s his mate. Not mine.

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