Page 61 of Wrath

“No,” I interrupted.

Lupe sighed as if he expected that answer. “Z, I know you want to protect?—”

“No fucking way. You’re not getting close to that army without…well…an army.” I glared at him, but he simply met my stare with an unrepentant one of his own.

“I won’t engage. Just study. Once I have enough information, I’ll return here. If we can discover what this monster is, we’ll be able to figure out how to kill it.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Ryland pointed out from where he hovered in the corner of the room. “I could go with him.”

“And puttwoof you in danger?” I shook my head adamantly. “Someone else can go. Get pictures. Take notes.”

“You know this is the right choice, Z.” Lupe kept his tone gentle, though a hint of steel underlined it. “You can’t be the only one who puts their life on the line for this group.”

And I knew by “this group” he didn’t mean the humans. He meant our mate group. Our family.

A malevolent darkness seemed to pervade my heart. All I could think was—I could lose them. I could lose them all. Maybe it was hypocritical of me, but I would rather sacrifice myself a hundred times over than risk any of them for even a second. They all had already been through so much, both before I met them and after.

My heartbeat sped up, tripping hastily over itself, and I shook my head once more. “We can come up with another solution. Or maybe I can go with you?—”

Killian pushed back from his seat and moved to stand behind me. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Z, let us help. We all have our talents. This mission is perfect for Ryland and Lupe.”

Icy water dripped down my spine as I struggled to articulate all of the reasons why this was a horrible idea. “But?—”

Once again, I didn’t get to finish my sentence, but it wasn’t because someone interrupted me. A burst of brilliant white light exploded behind my closed eyelids, illuminating everything in shades of red.

No. No. No. No.

Not now.

Not again.

I couldn’t disappear. Not so close to the battle. What if I lost another two weeks? What if my mates were forced to fight without me? Hell, even if I lost only a few hours, I had no doubt Ryland and Lupe would use that time to their advantage and do some recon.

A tide of anger—aimed at Lilith, Aaliyah, the kings, and the situation—threatened to batter down my composure.

What trial was this? Who was with me this time around?

When the light receded, I didn’t immediately open my eyelids. I kept them shut in order to analyze my surroundings with my other senses.

I appeared to be…lying on a bed. A soft, comfy bed.

What the fuck?

Arms were coiled around my waist, pulling me against a muscular chest.

And was I…?

Was I naked?

On closer inspection, I found that I didn’t have a stitch of clothing on. There was nothing separating my skin from the skin of the man holding me.

Strangest of all was the heat building low in my core, growing in intensity until it was a blazing inferno. I shifted uncomfortably as the ache between my thighs became almost unbearable. I felt hot all over.

Something hard dug into my ass from behind, and instinctively, I began to grind my hips, wanting more, wanting him.

I allowed my eyelids to flutter open, taking in the velvety canopy erected above the king-sized bed. Frilly drapes cascaded down, obscuring the rest of the room from view.

Soft lips brushed against my neck, and I moaned low in my throat. I turned in his embrace, desperately seeking his lips, wanting to claim them?—

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