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That was where his mind was right now. That was the skin he had in this game.
It was serious. He was serious.
And I was…well, overwhelmed—but not in the way I was expecting.
My body snapped to attention, my core tightened, my nipples hardened. Desire pooled low then high, zinging my brain to act on the impulse, to tilt my head, to give him my throat.
As if I actually wanted him to bite me, to mark me and lay claim.
I swallowed instead, forced those feelings down then squared my shoulders and met his lusty gaze head-on.
“I won’t take your bite.” I kept my voice steady, even though my whole body wobbled. “You’ll have to accept that before I agree to anything.”
I expected Kane to flinch, to grit his teeth and clench his fists, but he held my stare then gave one firm nod.
These guys were nuts. And yet…I was intrigued. There was a longing that’d been growing since I first realized these men existed. Not only for them, each in their own way, but a longing to buy what they were selling. I wanted so desperately to have peace within myself, and I thought that was what they were offering. No commitments. No bites. Just helping to fuse what should never have been ripped apart.
I wasn’t so stubborn that I couldn’t see the truth in their theories. The masters helped me truly discover my werebeast side, coaxed her out to explore her edges, then panicked and shut her down. I never truly had a chance to see what I could do with her on my side.
“We believe in you, Charlie,” Levi said. “And we need you.”
I flicked my eyes to Levi then Johnny. They seemed so earnest.
I looked at Kane again, his hard eyes narrowed, arms crossed, and I knew he’d never say those words. He’d never submit in the way his brothers would. He wanted me at his side, and he’d sacrifice whatever was necessary to make that happen. Did I believe he’d accept my no-bite stance forever? No. But he would temporarily—and that was acceptable.
For now.
“I’m willing to try.” I sighed as if I was reluctantly giving in to their ideas when, really, I was just as eager to see what would happen. I was also scared…terrified. But Kane was right. This was no time to be a coward.
Levi beamed, and he clapped his hands together. “Okay, let’s get started.” He brushed his hair back from his forehead, clearing his eyes so his view was unobstructed, then he positioned himself in front of me.
“You might want to take a few steps back.” I braced myself for whatever they were going to do to get my beast to come out to play. She didn’t listen to me when I asked her nicely. It was rage and life-threatening fear that provoked her to make an appearance—the times when she knew I had little control.
Kane moved in behind me, ignoring what I’d just told Levi, and pressed his lips so close to my ear that his breath moved the wisps of stray hair against my cheek. “Sal killed your mother, and you’ve let him gloat over it for too long.”
Instant anger licked up my spine. “What the fu—?”
He swooped down and took me out at the knees, punching the back of my legs so quickly that I hit the ground before I realized what was happening. The fall was awkward, and I hit hard, my full weight landing on my side.
My beast stirred, fists clenched around the bars of my creation, rattling to get out. Her teeth bared. Her eyes locked on Kane.
I jumped up, braced for another hit, arms wide, legs bent, shoulders hunched. I was fighting her back on instinct, so scared of what she could do if I gave her free rein.
“Don’t hold her back, Charlie.” Levi was still too close, but his arms were open, like he was waiting for the chance to wrap them around me, cage me in his warmth.
My beast roared, not liking the idea of more cages, no matter how good the intentions.
Johnny came at me next. In his wolf, he was as tall as my elbows. He raced forward, nipping at my legs, then moved away before I could spin on him.
“You’ve let yourself be at the mercy of the men in your life, Charlie,” Kane said, his voice coming from behind.
When I turned, he wasn’t there.
My beast roared—dizzy, confused anger growing into unmitigated rage.
Kane struck my gut, knocking the wind out of me, making me bend at the waist as pain shot through my core. Fuck!
My beast rammed herself against the bars, demanding freedom. I sucked in deep breaths, trying so hard to let her go, but I was scared of what she’d do. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt. It was a push and pull that kept her in her cage, her fury building.
