Page 147 of Never Submit

Did we make it in time? My heart clutches, worming its way up to block my throat.

A wedding that’s nothing but a façade. Even knowing that Torin and Catarina’s engagement was based on a larger plot by Andras, it still hurts. This marriage is a cage Torin is willingly stepping into.

After everything we’ve been through.

I felt the mate bond when he fucked me from behind inhis cabin, and I know he did, too. Yet he still wants to pretend he feels nothing at all.

Normal rejection I can take, but this… This hurts more because he’s doing it with direct purpose. Not to mention he’s hurting himself, too.

I think that’s the worst part. He’s willingly hurting himself for his people, putting his head on the chopping block, thinking he’s doing something good.

We crouch hidden in the cover of the trees across the church’s parking lot. Dax has already gone ahead to search for any hidden threats, leaving me and Mathis behind. My only hope is that Noble was able to get to Torin and warn him about the danger waiting for him.

But we gave up waiting as the clock ticked closer to noon.

Noble told us the ceremony would start at one, and when he didn’t come back…

Patience has never been my thingin the first place, and when the people I love are in trouble, I throw myself into action. I’ve always been that way. Luckily, my mate indulges me.

I glance at Mathis to my right, his broad shoulders tense, his dark eyes scanning the area for threats. His presence grounds me even though I feel the storm of emotions swirling through the mate bond. Despite everything, he maintains a calm exterior.

“You’re sure this is the right place?” I whisper to him.

Mathis gives a small nod. “It’s the address Noble gave us.”

The parking lot is full of vehicles but empty of people, but the scent of wolves drifts on the breeze. Catarina’s pack must be inside already.

I hope we’re not too late.

“About fifty wolves inside,” Dax says, suddenly beside us. He crouches low. “The place is decked out for a show like the extravagant events humans do. And it’s about to start from the looks of it. Torin’s at the altar right on time.”

My stomach heaves. Oh, god, I’m going to throw up.

“Did you see Noble?” Mathis asks, because at the moment I can’t speak.

“I didn’t see him, no, but I couldn’t get too close without someone getting a whiff of me,” Dax replies.

I reach out for Noble through the bond to see what’s going on and pull up short. Surprise mingles with growing horror because there’s nothing but a stark emptiness there.

Everything inside me goes cold. “I-I’m not sure what’s happening.” I send my energy spearing down the bond further but there’s nothing there. The warmth of Noble in my head and heart is a noticeable absence.

“You don’t feel him,” Mathis says, as if reading my thoughts. “Neither can I.”

I didn’t know the guys would be able to feel each other through the mate bond, too, but I guess it makes sense. We’re all connected in a way.

But if the link to Noble is dark for both of us, that definitely isn’t a good sign.Please don’t be dead.

Shit, what am I going to do if he’s dead? Did Torin?—

I strike the thought before it finishes. Torin would never hurt his beta. Ever.

Dax straightens, on alert. “Do you think something happened?” he grinds out.

“I don’t know, but it’s possible. One of Andras’s wolves may have grabbed him before he reached the church.” My teeth start to chatter and I clamp down to stop the violent reaction.

“It’s just strange to me that none of the Blood Moonsare lingering around, to try something right after the ceremony,” Dax says.

“Do you think the Briar pack knows about Catarina’s betrayal?” Mathis asks.

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