Page 76 of Savage Torment

“What does that mean?”

I release my hold on her, edging toward the bedroom door as another thunderous knock comes. With my hand wrapped around the door handle, I glance over my shoulder at her. “I’m waiting for your blood, Amica Mea,” I rasp, and she frowns as her cheeks burn brighter than ever.

“My blood?”

I nod, but it’s clear she deserves a little more explanation. “The first time I have you, I want your blood,” I state before swinging the door open to reveal four foul-faced wolves.

Wylder is the first to step up toward me, toe to toe as he sneers. I’m sure a vein is going to pop at his temple as he barges past me, and I scoff. “I don’t have time for your temper tantrums.”

“We can settle this in the ring,” he states, folding his arms over his chest as he stands between Polaris and me while the others remain in the hallway.

“How so?” I ask, confused with the direction he’s instantly taken, but intrigued enough to indulge him.

“We both get the satisfaction of beating the fuck out of each other.”

I nod. Even if he doesn’t entirely make sense, I like the sound of that. “What’s the prize?”

Wylder grins while Polaris appears from behind him, eyes wide as she gapes between the two of us. “Technically, there isn’t one because we’re all in this together when it comes to Polaris. You just haven’t pulled your head out of your ass,” he states like he knows a single thing I’m dealing with. I don’t correct him, though. That’s not what this is.

“Fair, but there should be a prize for the night, don’t you think?” I goad, and his grin grows darker as Polaris starts to shake her head.

“Winner gets Polaris. Uninterrupted.”

I glance at the woman in question but don’t say a word. Instead, I offer out my hand, which Wylder snaps up in an instant, shaking to seal the deal.

I’m marching for the stairs before anything else can be said. They’re going to want to update each other on what the fuck happened back there, but I don’t need to wait around to listen to it. I saw Polaris in danger and I acted on instinct.

As I trudge downstairs and down the sandy path, I turn toward the vampire dorms with a sigh. My cell phone vibrates in my pocket as I enter the building and I take a quick look to see it’s a message from my mother.

Mom: Are you free this week for lunch? I miss you.

I close out of the text and save my reply for later. It’s not a cute catch-up she’s after, and we both know it. I can talk to her later. The other notifications on my cell phone confirm three missed calls from my worst nightmare, which are a more pressing matter.

Stuffing my cell phone away, I return to my room to find Ben waiting on my bed.

“Has there been a miracle today?” he asks, the same question he brings up every time I get back, and I shake my head.

“Nope.”

“You’re not much fun to be around,” he grumbles, and I scoff, giving him a pointed look.

“At least you’re not dead,” I retort, and he rolls his eyes at me before nervously clearing his throat.

“Someone was trying to get in earlier.”

I freeze. “And did you do as I said?”

“Yes.” I cock a brow at him expectantly and he rises from the bed. “I swear, but they didn’t get in anyway.”

Fuck.

Squeezing the bridge of my nose, I will the world to not crumble at my feet as I attempt to juggle far too many things all at once. I should let him die. He’s not my fucking problem. But the thought of upsetting Polaris makes it impossible.

There’s no walking away from this situation. My soul won’t allow it. I just have to hope I don’t destroy myself to save my devoted and everything that matters to her. But even so, it would be worth it. She’s my bound. There is no survival without her.

24

POLARIS

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