Chris had discovered, somewhere in the first five years of power sitting in his hands like a loaded weapon, that patience didn't regenerate.
It wore down. It left traces. It turned into a thin skin over teeth.
Which meant he had no damn patience left for arrogant assholes… and Claudia was nothing more than another entitled asshole dressed in jewels and self-importance.
She asked for privacy the moment they entered the palace properly, voice smooth, posture perfect, eyes fixed on Chris like she'd already decided the conversation belonged to her.
"A moment," Claudia said, sweetly. "Dominant omega to dominant omega."
Dax's gaze sharpened immediately.
Chris felt the silent, predatory refusal through the bond. Dax didn't like being separated from his mate in unfamiliar territory, not when the place was something he couldn't secure with at least three layers of his people. Not when this palace had been built around a woman sold like an asset.
