The easy warmth that had been sitting in his eyes dimmed. Just a little. Just enough. But even that shadow couldn't hide the desire still blazing there.
"I know, and I can handle it," Voren said, but Seraphine found herself worrying for him, her hand instinctively reaching toward his chest.
She knew these Alphas could be ruthless with something like that and even as Voren was the strongest and wealthiest Alpha now, she still could not imagine him standing alone against all of them. The thought of him hurt made her heart squeeze painfully.
"That's not really an answer."
He was quiet for a second, then reached for her fully. "I'll take whatever punishment comes with going against it." His voice was steady and resolved, like a man who had already done the math and accepted whatever the number was, his fingers now tracing lightly up her arm, leaving trails of fire on her skin.
