Page 16 of Savage Surrender

I pack every ounce of boredom I possess into a shrug and walk two fingers up the curve of her hip beneath her tank, heading somewhere much more interesting.

She slaps my hand away. “Hard pass. Secretive assholes don’t get to touch me, in case you forgot.”

I think I’ll die if I don’t sink inside her soon. My knot doesn’t care that the world is ending. It wants to return home.

5

BIANCA

Forty-one. Forty-two. Forty-three. Forty-four.

My arms shake through the last push-up, and I welcome the burn. Life has been hell, but somehow I’ve still gotten comfortable. Soft. Being surrounded by these alphas has my body forgetting we used to have standards.

The hallway tile is cold beneath my palms as I keep moving. This was my morning at the refuge: wake before sunrise, train until my muscles hurt, practice with my bow, patrol, and take care of whatever needed me. I miss how simple it was.

Unfortunately, the girl who fell in love with these men enjoys being fed, fucked, and tucked into a warm pile of bodies. She likes pretending we’re someone who can afford to relax. Idiot.

At least the phone I smuggled inside has given me a line to the outside world. My first message to Ezra was gracious and mature.

Me

Don’t plot behind my back, asshole.

Ezra

Bianca?

Me

It’s me. How is everything going there?

Ezra

Security team watching the perimeter, but no one has approached. Megan and I are working on something.

Ezra

You doing okay?

Me

Define okay...

Ezra

You know the drill. Four in. Hold four. Four out.

I do one cycle because some habits never leave the body.

Me

Did someone fill you in?

Ezra

Some. Do you feel like you’re in imminent danger?

Me