“His wolf is right at the surface,” Alpha Blackwood explains patiently. “Our goal is to help you while at the same time keep him from hurting anybody.”
“Slater would never hurt anybody,” I argue passionately.
Alpha’s eyes don’t leave mine, and I see the seriousness there. “He would in a heartbeat if he thought we were hurting you. Or even if you’re just in pain; he and his wolf won’t be able to take it.”
“But he wouldn’t hurt you,” I argue.
Alpha Blackwood meets my gaze. “He would kill me in an instant if I were the one to hurt you, and he could stop it.”
Dread pools in my stomach, and I glance over at Slater, waiting for him to deny it. “But that’s not...he’s not like that.”
“I’m the same way, Tessa,” Zane says gently, moving until he’s in my line of sight. There’s a sound behind me that sounds like a growl, but Zane continues. “If anybody ever hurt Evie, they wouldn’t be breathing any longer. That’s why Jace is dead.” His words are so blunt, and I try to reconcile the Zane I know who is so kind and attentive and protective of my best friend with the guy who’s saying he killed a guy because he hurt Evie. “It’s the way we are, the way of our wolves.”
“And I would do the same to anyone that threatened my mate or anyone in my family or pack,” Alpha Blackwood says calmly, as if he didn’t just talk about murdering someone.
I glance back at Slater once more. I hate the hold they have on him. “Okay, fine. Let’s just get this over with.” I look back one last time. “Everything’s okay, Slater. Please don’t do anything.”
His eyes meet mine. “I’ll be fine.” His words are gruff and barely discernable.
“His wolf is right at the surface,” Zane explains quietly and then looks at his dad.
“Okay, Tessa, I’m going to try to break this,” Alpha Blackwood says. He fingers the chain and shakes his head. “There’s not even links.” He fingers the bracelet. “Ready?” I nod. He takes the bracelet in both hands and then pulls. Instantly, that feeling of being electrocuted takes over. It feels like every nerve in my body is suddenly on fire. I scream and try to pull away. The feeling stops abruptly, and I whimper and try to control my breathing. “Hold him!” Alpha barks out, and I hear the sounds of a struggle. I hear a low growl, and I turn around.
The sight nearly breaks me. Slater’s dad and Joe are using all their strength to hold Slater back. He growls fiercely, and Ishutter at the look in his eyes directed at Zane’s dad. “Tessa,” Zane’s dad says in a low voice. “We need to get this done before he loses complete control and shifts. Can Zane try?”
I swallow and force myself to nod, even though it’s the last thing I want. I don’t want to go through that pain again. But if it would get this bracelet off...I take a breath and nod quickly before I lose my courage. “Do it.”
“Zane,” Slater growls. “Don’t you dare touch her.”
Zane looks conflicted. “I’m sorry, Brother.” He glances down at me, and I can see the apology in his eyes. “I’ll make this fast.” Then without waiting, he grabs it with both hands and pulls. The fire is all-consuming, and I can’t even scream this time. It cuts off almost immediately, but I can’t catch my breath. A sob leaves my lips, and I can feel my heart racing. There’s a fierce growl, and then there’s a loud crash behind me. I spin around to see Slater’s dad crash into the wall. Slater fights with Joe to get free.
“Stand down,” Zane’s dad says in a voice that sounds different than usual. I can tell right away that it does something to Slater. He ducks for just a moment before turning towards us. I shudder at the hate in his eyes. “Slate, get control of yourself, or I’ll have you removed.”
Slater laughs, but it’s cold and bitter. “I’d like to see you try.” He takes a step forward, even though it looks like it’s difficult for him.
“Slater, stop,” I plead. His eyes snap to mine, and he goes still. Seeing he’s listening, I continue. “They’re just trying to help.” My voice is hoarse and weak from everything I’ve just been through. “Please.”
He stops moving then. He stares at me a long moment. “What now?” he asks without taking his eyes off me. I know he’s not asking me; his voice was too rough.
“Now, we try tools,” Zane’s dad says.
Slater’s dad stops next to Slater. “Here, Son. Try these.”
Slater takes the tool after a moment and then approaches me. When he stops in front of me, I go still. “I’m sorry.” His words are soft and filled with so much anguish.
“It’s okay, Slater. You didn’t do this.”
His eyes start glowing again. “But I know who did, and she’s already dead. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
I shiver at the coldness in his eyes and wait for someone to correct him, but nobody does. “Is it the same feeling when they try to break the bracelet as when I touch you?”
I nod. “It feels like my insides are being lit on fire,” I say in a weak voice. His jaw tightens, and he takes a deep breath. I can tell he’s trying to hang on to his control.
He turns and hands the tool to Zane. “I can’t be the one to hurt her anymore than I already have.”
Zane takes the tool. “I’ll do it.”
“Do you need to leave the room?” Zane’s dad asks Slater.
