CHAPTER THIRTEEN
DRAVEN
Holy shit!
Morgan gaped at Atlas, hating that he refused to meet her gaze. She’d only heard rumors about his family, and none of it was favorable.
The guys’ reactions were instantaneous.
They froze like the devil itself was after them.
Ascher’s grip on her tightened almost painfully, the heat of his skin blistering. If she weren’t immune to his touch, she was sure that the imprint of his hand would be burned into her arm. She leaned against him, trying to silently offer him comfort, but it only seemed to aggravate him, and a possessive growl rumbled against her spine, the sound more beast than man.
She hadn’t seen him like that since he’d been trapped in his hellhound form by witches who had wanted to control him.
“You’re sure?” MacGregor's voice was sharp as he barked the question, snapping the guys out of their funk.
They launched to their feet, glancing out the windows like they expected the fae army to arrive at any moment, practically vibrating with aggression.
Atlas gave a stiff nod, like he would shatter if he unbent.
“Enough!” She slipped from Ascher’shold, ignoring his slightly panicked grumble as he reached for her. She evaded his hands and stomped toward Atlas, glaring up at the big lug. When he refused to look at her, she debated punching him but didn’t have the heart to hit him when he was down.
So she did what women for generations have done when they’re ignored—she reached out and cupped his cock, squeezing it threateningly.
She’d swear to the gods that she actually heard the whole room collectively take a giant breath, and she rolled her eyes at their dramatics.
Atlas’s startled gaze dropped toward hers, his eyes wide in shock. He grabbed her wrist, but didn’t pull her away. Didn’t dare.
The tightness in her chest loosened now that he was no longer ignoring her.
Leaving behind pure fear.
That she would lose him.
That he would be taken from her.
That he would go back to his family and leave her.
Just the thought threatened to crack her heart.
“You are mine.” She tightened her hold on the erection she could feel growing under her touch. “They will not take you from me. You will not go back to them.”
When he remained frozen, she tightened her grip. “Right?”
He gave a strangled groan that was part pleasure, part pain, his pupils dilating. “I might not have a choice.”
She stroked him, feeling him tremble under her touch. “We always have a choice.”
He pressed his forehead against her, his breathing rough, the hand around her wrists tightening almost frantically. “I won’t let them hurt you. I can’t…”
Her heart clutched at the desperation in his voice. “Just remember that we’re stronger together. Don’t do anything stupid. If you disappear, I’ll come for you.”
Morgan thought he would be pissed at her announcement.
The last thing she expected was for him to crush her to his chest, his body trembling as he clutched her close.
“She’s right.” Kincade stepped closer, his hand coming to land on the back of Atlas’s neck. “You’re one of us. You’ve never been an outsider with us. We’re family, and family sticks together.”
