Page 95 of Never Submit

Up ahead, covered in layers of grime and frost, is the old sign held up by toothpicks, basically, announcing our arrival to the YMCA’s Camp Arrowhead.

“Looks abandoned,” Ren notes behind me.

I glance at her in the rearview mirror, watching the way she worries her bottom lip, hollow-eyed.

She’s not the only one on edge. My wolves are worried, and they have every right to be. We thought we’d be fine in the building uptown, the same way we’ve always been fine.

Until Andras brought the fight to my doorstep as well. It would be much simpler to blame it on Mathis and his presence but I know the truth. Andras isn’t going to let anyone or anything stand in his way of total domination. He wantscomplete control, which means he wants Ren and the Moonstone.

He can fuck right off.

It’s taken much too long for the pack to trust me, the pack I inherited from my father, Sullivan. I won the pack’s respect by wanting more than he did, by expanding our power and our hold on the city.

We’re rich. We have properties everywhere. As opposed to Mathis and his stagnation.

I know money, and I know money talks in this modern world.

Is it a crime to want power beyond what the wolf provides? I have it now. I have more than Sullivan ever dreamed of, and still it’s not enough.

It’s never enough.

We finally pull through the heavily overgrown entrance to the old camp. The SUV bounces over ruts in the driveway, massive potholes, and downed limbs with the ease of an all-terrain vehicle.

The trees part, opening into a clearing where several cabins dot the old trails. Ahead, the iron glint of the lake blends into the gray landscape. I turn the truck toward the wooden main lodge and park in front of porch pillars carved like totem poles.

“None of the cabins are updated but they should be in livable condition for now. There’s plenty of wood as long as you can make sure your people don’t set the entire place on fire,” I say.

Dax snorts over a laugh. “Cute.”

“We’ll spread out. There’s enough room for us to not step on each other’s toes. Assign lodgings however you want.” I step out of the driver’s seat, and the first inhalation of fresh air settles in my bones with theweight of an anchor.

Sunlight glints off the lake’s surface, the trees sagging with the weight of too many dead limbs rather than leaves. The main building will easily fit a hundred or more if we go military-style in sleeping bags or cots. The rest will have to sleep in the cabins or in tents for the time being.

I’d rather not let my people rough it that way. Not if we can help it.

I’ve got enough money to get this place to its former glory or better. As long as we don’t draw too much attention to ourselves. This afternoon, we’ll have to be careful how we utilize our time. The night comes much more quickly this time of year and the press of the air promises more snow.

I turn to watch Mathis from across the hood, his gaze missing nothing.

Blood decorates his harsh features and he turns to face me, lips thin, shoulders hunched.

He’s got questions. I’m not in the mood for answers.

Finally, he’s the first to blink in our silent showdown.

“I’ll send men out for supplies,” I grunt. “A few different locations to avoid any attention. Just make sure you take care of your own.”

“Thank you.”

I swallow over a lump of guilt. “Don’t fucking thank me. Just figure it out.”

I promised I’d keep his pack and mine safe, I think as I stride toward the small building tucked into the shadow of the main lodge. I promised them I had the right equipment to make sure Andras wouldn’t touch them.

Look what happened.

The camp’s office building is comfortable enough. I fiddle with the lock and end up using my shoulder to nudge open the door. Dry dust greets me and I shove a hand against my mouth to stifle a cough. It willhave to do.

I stride inside, then pull up short by another round of vibration coming from my back pocket. My cell has been ringing all damn day.

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