Page 40 of Dane's War

“Right.” Corbin nods. “What did she need from you, brother?”

“That’s the thing I don’t know.” His eyes get this tortured look in them, and he looks completely wounded in a way I’ve never seen a man. Like part of his soul was gone.

“Did you say anything about Raine to her?” Dane asks, tone furious, but I could sense the pain he’s feeling for his brother.

“I don’t think so,” Coby answers, shaking his head.

Karsyn steps away from Corbin and into Coby’s space, hand reaching out. “Take my hand, Coby.”

I watch as he does as she tells him, and immediately, I see the pain take over Karsyn’s expression, and Corbin curses, moving in directly behind Karsyn, wrapping his arms around her.

I don’t understand what’s going on, but I could tell it was something big.

Finally, Karsyn lets Coby’s hand go, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Coby, so sorry.” Twisting toward Corbin, eyes shimmering. “His mate had rejected him because she’s in bed with the enemy. She didn’t want what fate offered her and instead took what she wanted. Brady is her mate. She used magic to trick Coby into talking without him knowing. Shared what she wanted to toy with him. She got what she wanted. It’s why she had him meet her again so she could reject him after, um, well, you know.”

What a bitch.

Fury begins to take place where fear had wanted to overwhelm me.

This has to stop. All the pain and hurt is something no one should have to go through, especially alone, as it seems Coby was set to do. He shouldn’t have a mate reject him. Especially a tricky bitch like the one who’d chose Brady over him.

I mean seriously.

Talk about being blind.

Then again, I’d been blind to Brady at first.

“Brother, hate you’re dealing with this shit now.”

“Don’t,” Coby remarks gruffly, sounding like hewas struggling. “Let’s just get this shit taken care of. I’ll be fine.”

“We’ll deal with it later, brother. Promise you that,” Corbin grunts and looks toward Dane. “We’ll also discuss whatever it is that’s got you riled. Right now, though, let’s go deal with your mate’s ex.”

“How exactly should we deal with him?” Dane asks, though I can hear his thoughts. He knows exactly how he wants to deal with the bastard.

It’s weird being able to hear his thoughts, but I’ll eventually get used to it. What I want is to be able to know what he’s talking about with his wolf. Or more like, what is his wolf saying.

“Can’t deal with him as I’d like to. He’s human,” Corbin mutters, lip curling at the corner. “Means he’s gonna eat a bullet. Whose I don’t give a fuck. He threatened my mate, and that shit isn’t going to slide.”

“He did more than threaten his mate,” I grumble. “He’s threatening my mom’s life and threatening to kidnap Sloane. Take her with me.” I lift my fingers while looking at Dane and use air quotes. “We’re to be his collection.”

Dane’s nostrils flare, eyes harden, and he looks downright murderous. Far more so than even Corbin did moments ago. More than that, his eyes spark thatvibrant blue, and I know without a doubt he’s warring inside himself to remain in control.

What makes things worse is there’s nothing I can do about it right now. Not when he has to leave and go deal with matters at hand. There’s no time for me to calm him down and calm him enough to take this on.

I can only hope that he can keep himself in check enough not to lose the war within himself while dealing with the one on the outside.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dane

I didn’t like this. Not in the least bit. With all the shit surrounding us, going after Brady right now isn’t what I want to be doing. Not when I need my woman. Not when I feel my sanity slipping away from me. All it takes is for someone to threaten to take what’s mine from me, and I want to give in to the threat I’m inwardly facing to take out the heart of the fucker who dares to take what’s mine.

Raine.

My woman.

My mate.

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