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“No,” I gasped.

My taut edges rubbed against each other, and I wondered how I hadn’t snapped yet. Pan’s fingers kneaded into the knots of my shoulder while Chase narrowed his eyes. He was biding his time. The blank face was a mask. Eventually, his displeasure would boil out and I would be drowned in the force of it.

“I still can’t believe you know each other. Chase has been one of my closest friends for years,” Pan explained at my quietness.

The reassurance did the opposite, sending a shiver down my spine. If I spoke out now, would he even believe me? My stomach threatened to upend.

“We hit it off the second we met, didn’t we?” Chase said with a twitch of a smile. “My brothers, my pack, they’re as small-minded and boring as yours are. At least we can have a good time with each other.”

“That’s not true,” I blurted out in protest, shrinking in my seat as Chase rolled his eyes, sending his affable grin in my direction. Was it just my imagination, or did his eyes get colder?

Pan let out a laugh. “He’s just joking, Tully. But we are kind of the black sheep of our packs.”

“Speaking of.” Chase dug around in his pocket and tossed something over to Pan.

It landed in his lap, and he sucked in a strangled gasp.

“Got you a treat, pup.” His smile was a screw to my intestines, turning and tearing the tender organs.

Nestled on Pan’s lap was a tiny plastic bag, filled with light blue powder that sparkled like glitter. Pan’s exhale could fell ancient ruins, it was that powerful and full. His dark pupils blew out wide.

“I know how much you love SubduX. Thought you might want to celebrate after being roped into another stuffy event.” Chase leaned against the desk. “Figured you’d be the one playing piano, though.”

Pan flinched.

“Pan,” I whispered, reaching out to grab the bag, but Pan covered it with his hand, shaking his head.

His hand trembled over the bag while Chase let out a soft, mocking laugh.

“What’s the matter? The Pan I know would have that up his nose in two seconds already.”

“He’s sober,” I snapped through gritted teeth. “Asshole.”

Pan pushed up from the couch to pace the room. Fist clenched so tight, his knuckles turned white. My stomach sloshed with rolling nausea and the bitter aftertaste hit the back of my teeth.

“Pan?”

It was like watching a statue crumble before my eyes. All Pan’s strength ground to dust as he wavered.

“Are you now? Well, pass it back. I’m sure there’s another alpha out there who wants to relax. I’ll make my money back at least.” Chase stretched out his palm, lip curled as Pan shuddered.

His lashes dusted his ashen cheeks as he brought the bag up. In the light, it looked like fairy dust, magical and carefree, but I knew it wasn’t. He gritted his teeth and tossed it back to Chase. Just as the door opened and Baylark Pack wandered in. I let out a low groan as Walden noticed immediately.

His eyes narrowed. “Are you serious? I’m about to make an announcement.”

Chase tucked the SubduX in his jacket with a smug grin. “Congratulations, by the way. Make sure you find time for me in your busy schedule.”

“He didn’t do anything. Chase offered it to him, and he gave it back,” I said.

Pan was silent. But two bright red spots burned on his cheeks. Hunger and obsession echoed in the way he gnawed at his bottom lip.

Chase let out a whistle, linking his hands behind his head. “She’s covering for him already. Definitely meant to be a part of your pack.”

Insidious tendrils choked my throat, and I couldn’t contain the white-hot horror that scorched me to ash. I floated out of mybody. Pan didn’t reply, fighting the part of him that craved what Chase offered.

I wasn’t an addict, and couldn’t understand the clawing need he fought every day, but it was clear as glass in the tense line of his body. The raw hunger on his face was desperate, like the little bag contained the solution to every problem he had. My tongue grew thick in my mouth, swollen with frustration.

“Don’t be an asshole, CJ,” Ajax warned.