Chapter 32 · Four Hours to Dawn

"I'll tear it out myself."

Flat. Final. Like he was booking a dentist, not cutting a bond.

Four years. That's what we had, and he said it in eight words.

I didn't move. Neither did he. The words sat between us with their teeth in.

"Then do it," I said.

His head came up.

"Go on." My voice came out level. That scared me worse than shaking would've. "You're the Alpha. Nobody in this territory would blink. Cut it out of me and mount it with the rest of your trophies."

"Seraphina."

"First time you've said my name since the tribunal." I tilted my head. "Sounds worse than I remembered."

Something worked at his jaw and got put away. Thirty-one years of practice at being a wall.

Then, quiet: "How long."

No lift at the end of it. Not a question. A blade with a handle on it.

"Go to bed, Alpha."

He crossed the room. Four strides. I didn't back up. My wolf rolled belly-up the second he got close and I hated her for it — pine, cold iron, that one spot behind my ear he used to put his mouth on.

His hand came up.