“That’s morally questionable.”I feel compelled to point out.
“Yes.”There’s no shame in that single word, and I almost smile.
Then Krishka’s expression turns serious.“We need to fasten it.”
The room goes still, and my body says no before my mind can answer.No.No.Fuck, no!
Knox’s hand tightens around mine, then immediately loosens.“Briana.”
I look at him, not the collar.Brown eyes.A scar through his brow.Jaw clenched.My bite on his shoulder.My mate.Mine because I chose him.
“I need you behind me,” I say.
His breath catches.“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He moves behind me slowly.His chest doesn’t touch my back, but his heat surrounds me.One hand settles at my waist only after I nod.The other stays open at his side.
I lift my hair, and my fingers tremble.
Ari comes forward.“I can...”
“I need to do it,” I whisper, cutting her off.
Her face softens.“Okay.”
I place the open collar around my throat, and my vision tunnels as memories assault me.Velvet.Smoke.Hooks biting into my skin.But Knox’s hand anchors at my waist.Through the bond, his voice reaches me before he speaks aloud, pulling me back.
I close the clasp with a small click.The memory is not, and my knees almost buckle.
Knox steps closer so his body is there if I choose to lean, and I do.My back touches his chest, and his breath shudders.The collar doesn’t tighten.It doesn’t bite.It doesn’t command.It simply sits there, cold, hateful, and powerless.
I open my eyes to find Akasha is crying silently, Ari is openly crying, and Krishka looks like she might kill anyone who mentions feelings.
I look at Knox, and he lowers his head until his mouth is near my ear, not touching.
“It’s fake,” he says.
I inhale.“It’s fake.”
“You aren’t theirs.”
“I am not theirs.”
“You are mine because you chose me.”
My eyes close.“I am yours because I chose you.”
His voice turns rougher.“And I am yours because I choose you too.”
The collar feels lighter.Not gone, but lighter.
I turn in his arms, and this time I don’t step away.His hands settle on my waist, careful even now.Especially now.
I look up at him.“I can wear it.”
His eyes are black at the edges.“Yes, you can.”
