I’d faced my father’s rage hundreds of times with my head held high, but something about the slow, intense way Madison was looking at me made my resolve crumble, and I couldn’t even pretendnot to be terrified.
He chuckled softly, and I flinched, baring my teeth on instinct as his hand brushed against my neck.
My breathing was coming faster, my mouth dry.
“Prince says your father has quite the temper,” he said, his hand trailing down to my shoulder to find the faded welt he’d touched the night Ocean had defended me.
“Look at me,” he said, and I reluctantly lifted my eyes to meet his. “Hurting people in anger is weak,” he sneered. “Losing control means you could go too far. Break someone. You don’t have to worry about that with me.”
He leaned closer, bending down so his lips brushed against my ear. “I promise I won’t break you, Duchess,” he whispered. “I’m very good at knowing when to stop.”
I gritted my teeth, disgust rising in my throat, and felt a flare of anger burn through the paralyzing terror, unlocking my limbs. Twisting in his grasp, I shoved him away with every ounce of strength I possessed. Caught by surprise, he stumbled back. I tried to dodge around him to go grab my phone, but he caught my arm and held me in place.
A low laugh rumbled from him as he towered over me, but he was interrupted when the door to the Den opened, Dax and Prince joining us.
“Laurel!” Prince said, eyes lighting up as he saw me. Then his nose wrinkled. “Good god, I didn’t know you even owned pants.”
Since I wasn’t hosting tonight, I was wearing a pastel tank top and billowy pants. The tight waist on the dresses rubbed constantly on my half-healed bond mark through the dressing, and it was nice to wear some comfier clothes, especially my soft cardigan.
Even if that was apparently unacceptable to Prince.
“Everything all right?” Dax asked, his gaze flickingbetween me and Madison. Madison tugged me toward him with a smile.
“Fine,” he said. “Me and Laurel were just getting to know each other a bit more.”
“Exactly,” I said, managing to keep a straight face. I had to try and get to my phone without drawing notice.
“What good luck,” Dax said, walking over to me. “I was just telling Prince what a shame it was that we hadn’t caught you tonight when Mads texted.”
“Serendipity,” I gritted through a forced smile. I was hyperaware of my phone by the door, but Dax slung his arm around my shoulders and guided me to the ancient couches.
I couldn’t focus on keeping my mask on as the fights started. I watched as two chained alphas were dragged past the Den and into the ante-cages. The medics came over to the cart to fetch the syringes, and the alphas were held down as the rofetamine was injected. Then they all scrambled out of the ante-cage, locking it behind them and opening the side that faced the pit.
I was gripping the sides of my seat as I watched the alphas convulse. They didn’t show this part on the screens. I chanced a glance over at my phone again, but it was too risky to go and grab it. What if they took it and looked at Finch’s messages? Then I’d be in worse trouble.
My time was running out, and, too soon, Ocean was being dragged out of the security doors that led to the pens. He didn’t look up as he passed us.
The prickles of pain were starting, and I stood up to look, needing to try something. “Is this the rofetamine?” I asked, glancing down at the vials. “I don’t think I’ve seen it up close before.”
The placebo syringe was burning a hole in my pocket as I edged closer.
I was dangerously close to tears.
This whole thing was insane, and I wanted to run, but I didn’t have a choice.
“Quite the wonder drug, eh?” Prince said, coming to stand next to me. Dax was behind him, looking at the syringes. I bent down and picked up the one destined for Ocean, turning it in my hand.
“It truly only takes this much to send them into a rut?” I asked, peering at it.
“Even less,” Dax said. At that moment, Ocean’s opponent gave a savage snarl, and I took the chance, squeaking and dropping the syringe.
“Sorry,” I said, dropping to my knees and swapping them as fast as I could. “Being down here makes me jumpy.”
I straightened and placed the placebo back on the tray. The medics were coming over, and Dax was saying something, but I didn’t hear him over the buzz of relief sweeping over me.
SIXTY-TWO
LAUREL
