Chapter 25 · Untitled Chapter

"Don't touch him." Rex's boot pins Cain's wrist to the stone before Cain can push himself up.

Cain's shoulders jerk. His palms slap flat against the bridge, and a shudder runs through his back. The silver vines under the gate pulse once. His body locks with them.

"Get your foot off him," I say.

Rex looks over his shoulder and smiles. "Make me."

I tear my bleeding hand away from the gate. The thorns release me with a wet snap. Blood runs over my palm and drops onto the stone between us.

Rex lifts his boot. Cain tries to rise.

He makes it three inches before his arms buckle.

Rex laughs. "There he is. The great alpha, kneeling for a door."

"Cain." I move toward him.

Rex steps into my path. "Stay right there."

The three wolves behind him spread across the bridge. One lowers his head. Another drags a claw over the stone.

Cain's fingers curl against the ground. His jaw tightens hard enough to twitch.

"I'm fine," he says.

His voice comes out rough, but steady.

"You can't stand."

"I said I'm fine."

Rex crouches beside him. "You know what the gate did, don't you?"

Cain doesn't answer.