Page 18 of Never Submit

I guarantee it.

“Well?” Torin drawls loudly. He holds a hand out to the dancing flames and smirks. “We’re here, but what I don’t understand is why. What do you possibly have to say that can’t be done over the phone?”

“It’s neutral ground, and we’ve used this place before,” the other alpha snaps. “What’s your problem with the forest? Afraid you’ll ruin your Louis Vuitton?”

“More like I’ll need another tetanus shot,” Torin growls back.

It’s difficult to speak as I take in the others. The darkness around us is thick where dusty snowflakes float through the air and shadows swallow the last light.

Torin adjusts the set of his jacket, looking more human than I’ve seen him lately. As though he’s forced his wolf right down into the depths of him along with his feelings.

“Never thought I’d see an alpha terrified of nature.” Mathis sniffs disapprovingly.

Torin grunts and replies, “I never thought I’d see an alpha wear so much plaid. I guess both of us are surprised today.”

And he’s stooping, I see, down to a level where neither of us should be. It’s not good for his image and worse for our position.

The Grey Valley pack sent word ahead of time to set up this meeting. Even though I had been trying to convince Torin to seek Mathis’s help, it seems he beat us to the punch. They need our help. Which means they are in thepalm of our hand if we play this right, but Torin isn’t seeing straight. He’s been on edge ever since our conversation.

Ever since Ren came into our lives.

Mathis wants to have a meeting to discuss forward movement. The Grey Valley and Steel Claws don’t do meetings. Not the civil kind. Our kind fight, with teeth and claws and tradition.

The four of us haven’t even talked since our failed trek to the shrine.

I cross my arms over my chest and stare Mathis down as he takes a step toward Torin.

“At least I’m comfortable,” Mathis says with an annoyingly tight smile. “You could stand to pull the stick out of your ass before we start. Might give you a clearer head.”

“Yes, I can see your comfort level.” Torin bares his teeth. “I’ve always suspected Paul Bunyan was your idol, but aren’t you taking the hero worship a bit too far?”

I stare over their heads towards Dax prowling around the clearing, pacing back and forth like one of those pitiful tigers you see at a traveling circus.

Miserable, caged, out of his fucking mind.

He catches me looking and pauses, lifting a brow and licking his lips.

Temper bubbles low in my stomach.

Just give me a reason to react, I dare you.

Torin isn’t having any of this crap, so I keep my thoughts to myself, holding my body in check.

Becausefuck himright now. Not literally, but he might as well bend himself over and insert a fire poker right up the old bum hole, if there’s even room.

“I didn’t bring you out here to discuss my wardrobe.”

No one else notices the way Mathis widens his stance,his boots dragging paths through the frozen dirt, and patches of mud crisping the fabric around his knees.

In contrast, Torin is the epitome of commerce in his expensive suit, utterly out of place here.

All this for him. I swallow down a sneer, shaking my head.

I’ve given him everything. Got up and walked away from a life that finally belonged to me, just because he needed me. Now I put myself in Dax’s orbit, for him.

No, I mentally correct. It’s for Ren. It’s all for her.

My only hope is that Mathis wants to get her back, too. I might have more of a chance of convincing him than I did with Torin, my own damn friend.

---