Page 161 of Wrath

The thought of losing Z made a vicious pain burn through my chest, but I had to trust my mate. She could survive this. I knew it in my soul.

“No.” The single word came out on a whoosh of air.

One of Peter’s eyebrows arched. “No?”

“No,” Jax agreed, his lips thinning. “Z’s stronger than you give her credit for. She’ll survive this. I’m certain of it.”

“You’re willing to bet your mate’s life on it?” Anger flavored each word Peter hissed out.

I could tell he hadn’t expected us to deny his offer.

“I’m willing to betallour lives on it,” I said firmly.

“So take your deal and shove it up your ass,” Bash snapped.

Z would pull through this.

And if she didn’t…

I swallowed roughly.

No, I couldn't think like that. I had to have faith in Z’s strength and ability. Too many people had underestimated her over the years, and look where that got them? Z had a plethora of monsters at her beck and call and was seconds away from claiming her crown.

Come on, Z.

Fight this.

Fight like your life depends on it.

All we could do now was wait.

SIXTY-ONE

Z

It was strange to see my face like this—twisted in a snarl, with menace radiating from my blue eyes. That cocked brow and derisive twist to my—her—lips were anything but pleasant. Was this what I looked like when under the influence of the kings’ magic?

“Let me out,” I snarled, curling my hands into fists.

I was more determined than ever to get out of this pit and return to my mates. They needed me. Yes, maybe I could argue that the world needed me as well, but at the moment, I didn’t give a fuck about anything but the men who’d claimed my heart and soul. Maybe that made me a shit person and leader, but it was the truth. I was just one note of a larger composition, and I only felt complete when I was with them.

Evil Z’s gaze raked over me, and her lips twitched.

“Aren’t you pathetic?” Her voice was sickeningly sweet. “Trapped, defenseless, vulnerable. Do you really think you can save yourself?”

My heart hammered in my chest like a caged animal, but I refused to show her my fear. “I know I can.”

“Is that right?” Her eyebrow arched even higher until it practically disappeared into her mane of golden hair. “Then prove it. Free yourself.”

My nerve endings sparked to life. Never before had I wanted to prove someone wrong before. This version of me… She stared at me like I was a pile of shit she had accidentally stepped in. I hated how weak just her penetrating gaze made me feel.

But I’d prove to her that I was capable of anything.

I wasn’t weak or pathetic or dumb or anything else she implied.

“You’re just a stupid human,” she continued, her smirk growing. “How do you expect to lead? You’re nothing, Z. Nothing. Your mates know it, and you do too.”

Each one of her words sliced at my skin. The resulting wound wasn’t fatal, but it wasn’t meant to be. She merely wanted to inflict as much pain as possible.

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