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I take a step back but I’m already at the wall “You’re here for me” It comes out as a statement, not a question

The males don’t advance, which I appreciate

Jax tilts his head “Does that frighten you, Riya?” There’s so in his voice Not scary threatening, though More like thrilling A dark pro, even if they’re not showing me the whip yet

I curse the tears that spear my eyes “I-I don’t want to be claimed”

Tarren gives a soft expletive in Zandian, his look turning deadly “You’ve been forced” It’s not a question

I can scarcely breathe, but the question relieves me I bob my head in the affirmative

“By so here?” Tarren barely keeps the question below a roar

I’, but I’m not afraid Not of him, anyway Just of my own past And of the future Zander just outlined I shake rifarm More times than I can count They tortured me so many times with the shock sticks that I’m forever infertile now

And I don’t knoill happen if King Zander finds out I’m useless as a breeder

When these males find out

Tarren’s hands open and close in fists like he wants to make my past tormentors pay

“You’re safe with us, Riya,” Jax says He’s as good-looking as Tarren is big His eyes hold a calculating intelligence and his voice carries such assurance it’s hard for me not to believe him “Better to be clairoup”

My brows shoot to h tumbles from my lips “What makes you think I trust you?”

His lips curl with a smile that probably makes most females fall to their knees and worship him If they had any females around here, that is “You trust Tarren And Tarren trusts us So by extension, we all trust each other”

This tih and all three of them move forward like it was an invitation “That’s the most ridiculous—” I splutter, but stop when they arrive inches from me So close I feel the heat fro me