I could feel his fear like a beacon, confirming that. So strong that he hadn't closed the bond down.
He'd made the bet that I'd rather suffer my heat alone than with a pack that wasn't mine, and he was right. I loved my pack. I didn't want heat with any alphas but them, but if there was a pack on the other side, they'd target him because of me…
I couldn't let that happen.
Another spike of fear shot through the bond, and a broken wail escaped my chest.
Could they not hear me?
Maybe they weren't out there...
I remembered the way Vandle had crashed against the wall of the rut box in our cell.
With a gasp of pain, I managed to get to my feet. Tears were sliding down my face as I staggered a step back. Then I threw my whole body against the metal of the door.
It didn't hurt like it should. Not compared to the rising tide of agony that was on the brink of choking me.
Sin...
He needed me.
He couldn't do this because of my heat.
The third time I'd crashed into the metal door, I crumpled to the floor, the marriage of heat, pain, and bruising agony across my arm and side almost too much.
I took a breath, lungs so tight, another whine escaping.
Get up.
Not enough.
I opened the bond more, feeling for him.
My mate.
Someone who loved me so fiercely he'd do anything to protect me.
I remembered the gold pack omega I’d seen on that TV screen once, the woman with silvery brown hair, and eyes that had flashed with gold as she’d defended her alpha.
Finally, I understood.
I had someone I needed to protect like she had.
Another vicious spike of poison tore through the bond like a dagger. His fear wasn't like I expected. It was ancient, destructive self-hatred.
It was enough to freeze me in place.
It was...familiar.
I grit my teeth and staggered to my feet again, this time throwing my weight against the door harder than before.
And finally, the sound I'd been desperate to hear filled the space—the loudclickof the door opening.
SIN
Holden had dragged me to my feet as Declan, another of Holden’s alphas, reached the door of the rut box.
“No!”My voice was raw with desperation as I threw all of my weight against his grip.
