Chapter 11 · Barred Gates and Whispered Treason

Three hard knocks hit the iron door, and Vane didn't even flinch.

His mouth was still on my neck. His fangs sat right on top of the old mate scar, and every nerve I had was screaming at me to either shove him off or drag him closer. I hated that I couldn't tell which.

"Alpha." Garrick's voice came through the door, flat and polite. "East gate's been barred. From the inside."

Vane's growl rattled through my ribs.

I was still wet from the bath. Water ran down my spine and soaked the fur he'd thrown around me. He was shirtless, burning like a stove, and the fire behind us made every shadow on his chest look like it was moving.

"Let me go," I whispered.

"No."

"Vane. Somebody's at your door."

"I know who's at my door." He lifted his head. His eyes were still too bright, gold bleeding into black. "Stay on the bed. Say nothing."

"I'm not your dog."

"No." His thumb pressed hard into my hip, right through the fur. "My dog would listen."

I could have bitten him.