Ronan grit his teeth when he couldn't move Adam's arm. The strength he relied on was gone. He might not despise weaknessin everyone else, but it was unforgivable in himself. It wasn't as frustrating as Adam and Ivar ignoring him to threaten each other. It went beyond that. He was furious and too weak to do anything about it.

As anger mingled with anxiety, each breath became a struggle. His chest alternated between feeling like it would burst and collapse.

"Fuck! Will you--" Ronan shuddered as his body forcibly reminded him that yelling was a bad idea.

He clutched his stomach harder and something slid between his fingers. Let that be blood. Please let that just be blood.

Instinctively curling in on himself, he turned his face into Adam's neck. He bit his tongue to keep from screaming.