you’ve just got her back by your side?”
I snarled, even with all the tranquiliser and power humming through my system, I realised he was right. Darkness fogged the edge of my vision, a metallic taste flooding my mouth as the tranq drugs hit me. I stumbled against the rail, unable to do anything as the guard ran.
Fucking coward.
A metallic click from the door told me she was beyond my reach. I peered down at Ember and my wolf huffed his understanding, allowing me to retake full control and see my woman. “No. But either she’s going to die or my brothers are.” My chest was tight, my voice nothing but a whisper.
“She won’t die—trust me. She’s even told you that herself.”
Zander walked forward, halting about four feet away. His head tilted, and he studied me. “Are you going to try and rip my head off?”
A low chuckle rumbled up from my chest, but the room was tilting. “Nah, man. I think I’m more likely to pass out on you.”
Zander huffed and smiled, his eyes fading to russet brown. He marched up to me and hauled me upright. Pulling my arm over his shoulder, he grunted and lowered his voice. “You need to go back to your people, brother. They all need you; your strength and your leadership. This is a fucked up situation and none of them deserve to die, but many will and your job is to keep them as calm as you can until it’s their time—or you can get them out. You understand? You owe your brothers and your mate more than to die in this piece of shit prison.”
“Can’t. Walk.” I shook my head, struggling to process his words, but my legs felt like I’d had a skin full, in other words like I’d downed a bottle of whiskey with a couple of beer chasers, and they wouldn’t hold me up.
“Sure you can, brother. I’ll get us back down there, but you’re going to walk your ass back to your cell. You are their leader, their king, their Prime, so yeah, you owe it to them all to be that for as long as you can.”
My head lolled forward, my muddled brain agreeing with him.
“Hey!” He slapped my face with his free hand. “Your Firecracker’s waiting on you. Come on you big assed pansy. You gonna let a few darts stop you from getting back to her?”
“Don't you...all...her. Firrr...cracker. Thaas my name, fer...her.” Fuck, I couldn’t even talk sensibly anymore.
“Course it is. And pansy ass is mine for you,” Zander replied, hauling me back to the railing. “Now hold on.”
“Whaa?” I managed to say as my pansy ass was lifted and this red eyed demon or whatever he was, held me draped over his shoulders and hauled us both up onto the top rail. Air fanned my face followed by a thud. His body tensed. The sudden stop rattled my ribs and forced air from my lungs. I was tilted again and my feet hit the ground. I staggered. “Strong, fucker, aren’t...er?”
He grinned. “You have no idea.”
“Connor?” Ember's voice was balm to my soul.
I lifted my head and gave her a drunk smile, my eyelids heavy. “Hey, Fer cracker.”
The sound of a slap reached me right before a sting burned across my cheek. “Don’t you Firecracker me, you idiot! What the hell were you thinking!?”
I grinned, unable to take my eyes from my fucking amazing woman.
“Let’s take this elsewhere, Ember.” Zander’s voice was firm, but I didn't miss the amusement in his tone.
“Fine!” Ember bent down and whispered something to Charlie, who sat on the floor. Charlie nodded, but stayed where she was.
My eyes didn’t stray from Ember once, not even to my brothers who glared at me. Their fury prickled against my skin, but I didn’t care. I’d killed at least one guard. Bonus, as far as I was concerned. Besides, all I wanted was to kiss my Firecracker and drag her glorious body under mine.
Zander must have read my mind because he leaned into my ear. “Like I said, pansy ass.”
“Fuck off.”
He chuckled at my response.
Zander and Rawson half-dragged me over the dead bodies. Drake and Shane joined their own betas and seconds to our group, ensuring we had enough men for protection. I silently thanked all of them for their loyalty, noting Santa Cruz was nowhere in sight.
Once back in my cell, Zander let go and Rawson dumped me on my bed.
“Fucking hell, Connor, that’s was some crazy-assed move you pulled there,” Rawson