Page 155 of Mates: Posy

"Then why did you surrender? You could have made a run for it. You could have fought." I raised an eyebrow at the douche.

"Anddied. I know Quartz's reputation." Raph nodded at Jay. "I wasn't sure even surrendering would get me out of there alive, but fighting and running were death sentences, and I ain't ready to die just yet."

"Could still happen." Garnet rattled in Mase's voice, which was unusual enough to make my brothers and I give him space.

He hadn't lost his temper since becoming alpha three years ago. Even before that, it was a rare occurrence, but when he did, he wreckedeverything.

"Ah. Mason Price, right?" Raph jerked his chin up in acknowledgement. "I've heard about you, too. First alpha of Five Fangs. Mr. Ice. The man who cannot be shaken. If I wasn't chained up, we'd see just how true that is."

He's picking a fight? WithMase?Wyatt asked incredulously.Contrary to what he said, I think hedoeshave a death wish.

It's a distraction. Don't get worked up by anything he says, Mase said, his tone even as always.

I'd always envied him that calmness, and I never realized it was a mask until Posy had pointed it out the other day.

"Heard you found your mate."

The turn in Raph's goading got our complete and immediate attention. Our wolves' ears all picked up, and a snarl of warning ripped from both Topaz and Quartz. Even Sid, my mellow little buddy, had his teeth bared and his hackles raised.

"How do you know about her?" Wyatt demanded, Granite heavy in his voice.

"Blame the little boy you sent to Tall Pines with the paperwork severing the alliance between our packs. Bubbling over with the news, he was. Bubbling over with blood, too, by the time we were done with him."

Who did we send?I asked in a panic. He killed one of our wolves and we didn't know it or feel it in the pack bonds? How?

I sent Gamma Reuben,Wyatt replied.He's not dead. I can feel him, but he's not answering the mind link. Neither Five Fangs nor River Rapids.

End him, Mase, or move and let me,Cole growled.Before he can spread any more poison with his mind games.

Or before one of our wolves breaks loose,Jay added.

If I was struggling with Sid and Wyatt with Granite, I could only imagine what Jay was going through with Quartz.

He could still be valuable, Mase argued.

He's talking about our MATE!Cole and Topaz howled in unison.

And there goes Cole's temper. This is not going to end well.

"What's it like to share the same pussy every night? Whose name does she scream when she comes?" Raph taunted. "Ha! I bet she's such a whore, she wouldn't care ifIdrilled her. Hmm. Now that's an idea. How about a deal, boys? You let me take a turn or two with your little slut, and I'll tell you Alpha Halder's next move."

We all wolfed out, even Ranger and Mase, and were ready to rip apart this abomination of a shifter. Then a triad of power - alpha, royal, and moon - rumbled around the room like a roll of thunder.

"DOWN. NOW."

Everyone fell to their knees, and our wolves dropped on their bellies.

King Julian stalked toward his prey with slow, even steps, his eyes glowing green with wolf-light. He hunkered down next to Raph and settled his elbows on his knees, letting his hands dangle between them.

For nearly a minute, the king stared at Raph's bowed head. Then he turned, released the rest of us from his hold, and motioned Julio over.

"Look at every Tall Pines shifter in this cell block, Julio. Are there any others among them who served your alpha willingly? Wolves who are in no way coerced or threatened? Take your time and look carefully, then come tell me who."

"Yes, sire." Julio bobbed his head.

As he followed the king's command, Mase linked the cell guards to bring us some clothes, since ours were now fabric confetti spread around us. When they did, all of us except Quartz shifted back and pulled on the shorts they handed us.

I need Posy, Wyatt muttered.I need to see her. I need our girl. Right the freak now!

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