Page 17 of Savage Torment

I imagine she feels like she's climbing a slippery slope, struggling to gain any traction and remain in control of the situation. I have that effect on most people. I can see the struggle, it’s written in every bone of her body, but I don't mind watching her fall if it means she's at my will.

“I want to speak to my friends. I want to let them know I'm okay,” she insists, and her eyes latch on to mine. The fierceness melts into pleading, and just like that, I'm sucker punched in the stomach, softening for the girl who shouldn’t hold this much power over me.

I'm blaming it on the fact that we’re bound and she's my devoted. There can’t be any other reason for me to consider giving into her.

“One friend.”

“What?”

Clearly, I not only surprised myself, but her too. If she needs me to spell it out for her, maybe I should take it back.

“You can speak to one,” I grumble.

“Says who?”

“Says me, so take it or leave it, Polaris.”

Her eyes dart back and forth between mine, searching for what, I'm not sure, until she relents. “Minnie.”

A smile draws across my lips before I can stop it and I quickly slam my mouth shut to hide it the best I can. “Good choice.” Leaning back to where her cell phone rests on the table behind me, I quickly find Minnie's name in her contact list and press the button. A video call comes to life, and a moment later, the screen is filled with Minnie's furious face.

“Blaze… what the fuck is—” Minnie’s words trail off as I spin the cell phone around to face Polaris. “Oh my God, Polaris. You’re okay. Thank goodness.” Tears gather in her eyes as she presses her hand against her chest. A smile beams across her face, matching the one Polaris now wears as I offer for her to take the cell phone from my hand.

“Hey, Minnie,” she says softly.

“You're all right,” Minnie repeats, needing the confirmation from her friend, and Polaris nods.

“I’m fine.”

Rising from my seat, I lean against the side of her bed so I can get a view of the screen too. Polaris instantly tries to move it away, but I just keep moving along with her and she eventually gives in.

Minnie catches the motion and eyes me through the screen.

“He's still persistently present,” Polaris states, and to my surprise, Minnie snickers at the comment, but her gaze stays on me.

“You said I could see her.”

“And you are.”

She gives me a pointed look. “I meant in person.”

I shrug. “And I told you not to trust me.”

She's mad, but there's amusement in her eyes as she shakes her head. “You're an ass.”

“I’m well aware.”

“Is everyone else okay?” Polaris asks, interjecting, and Minnie nods.

“Everyone's fine. Don't worry about us. Just get better. We're all relieved to know you're okay.”

Polaris sighs, content with the words, but there's still something missing. I can sense it in the air without her even saying a thing. It’s also noticeable that Minnie sayswe’rerelieved, but I only see her.

“I want to see you in person,” Polaris admits, her tone defeated as Minnie rolls her eyes before settling them on me again.

“The asshole eavesdropping is the one with all control right now.” At least she’s not worried about the truth here. For a wolf, she’s half respectable.

I can feel Polaris’s eyes narrow, aiming my way, burning into the side of my face.

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