Chapter 7 · Show Him the Mark

"Put her on." Ethan's voice hit the speaker before I even said hello, and Cassian's hand went rigid around my wrist.

He didn't say hi. He never did. Straight to the order, like I still worked for him, like I was still the medic who patched his knuckles and didn't ask questions.

"She's standing right here," Cassian said, voice flat, thumb still pressed to the pulse point he'd been about to bite an hour ago. "You don't get to talk through me."

"This isn't your call, Vale." Static crackled, then Ethan's breathing, sharp, like he was pacing. "She's still pack. Until I release a claim I never made public, she's still mine to place."

I stepped in before Cassian could answer for me. "I'm not a chess piece, Ethan."

"You're collateral," he snapped. "You always were. Ask your new landlord what he traded to keep the hunters off my territory tonight. Ask him what he offered instead of you."

My stomach dropped. Cassian's jaw ticked, but he didn't look away from me.

"Don't," he told the phone.

"Don't what?