So, I focus on the rage instead, and on the wolves in front of us, on what they did.
As it builds inside me, and I don’t feel his grip on me loosen, I bite him. Teeth sinking into his palm hard, I savor the immediate satisfaction it brings me.
Zane’s body tenses instantly behind me, and a sharp inhale catches between his teeth, but he doesn’t make a sound otherwise. He still doesn’t let go, and it makes me despise his stubbornness.
His hand tightens just slightly, not enough to hurt, but just enough to remind me who’s in control of this moment.
“What the fuck, Naia?” he asks under his breath, gritting his own teeth.
I glare at him over his hand, and like usual, he ignores it.
Instead, we stay like that, locked together and unmoving, while the wolves continue talking.
I force myself to listen and focus, and to not tear free and go for their throats at any cost. As much as I want to more than anything, Zane would have my head for it, and he’s already unimpressed.
“Delivery was clean,” one of them says, their voices carrying just enough for us to catch.
“Not clean enough,” another replies. “There was interference.”
My stomach twists, not knowing what they’re talking about.
“They still got what they needed,” the first one says. “That’s what matters.”
Needed. The word echoes in my head, and I can’t shake the questions that start piling up. What could anyone possibly need with abducted shifters or potential magic users?
“When’s the next shipment moving?” the third asks.
“Soon. We’re waiting on confirmation.”
My nails dig into my palms, and my breath comes out a bit harder through my nose while Zane keeps my mouth covered.
They’re still taking wolves and selling them. Regardless of Zane’s presence at the auction and participation, they’re continuing business as usual. If they know anything about him, then they should be packing up and moving elsewhere rather than pushing their luck.
My vision edges with red, furious from what that implies.
Zane shifts slightly behind me, just enough to keep me grounded. He still doesn’t let me go out of fear of me doing exactly what I want to.
Even though I hate that he’s right, we should wait and think, so that’s exactly what we do while their impromptu meeting in the woods continues.
The men fall quiet after a few minutes, and just like that, it’s done.
They disperse quickly, slipping back into the trees like they were never there, allowing silence to settle over the forest again. It’s tense and stifling again, but neither of us moves.
Zane doesn’t let go immediately. Instead, he waits and listens, silently tracking their steps until he’s certain they won’t be coming back. Only when he’s sure they’re gone does his hand finally drop from my mouth. His arm stays around me for a second longer, making me feel the warmth of him.
Then, he steps back, and the loss of contact is immediate. More than anything, it’s annoying, and I push that thought away just as fast.
“What the hell was that?” I snap, turning on him.
“And what the hell wasthat?” he fires back, holding up his hand. “You bit me.”
“You were holding me hostage.”
“I was keeping you from blowing our cover, since that was obviously your plan,” Zane mutters, eyes sharp.
“They were right there!”
“And you could’ve gotten yourself killed,” he shoots back. Then he scoffs. “You would have.”
