Maelra's eyes flicked to me, sharp and frustrated. "Violet, you don't understand what he is."
"I understand exactly what he is," I shot back. "He's my mate."
"And a demon," she added, voice hard.
Zain's presence shifted behind me, darker now, colder.
"Careful," he said quietly. "You're starting to test my patience."
"Kill him," she ordered.
The remaining two wolves didn't hesitate this time. They attacked as a unit, one going low for Zain's legs, the other leaping high for his throat. At the same time, Maelra moved, her silver blade flashing as she bypassed Zain entirely, aiming straight for me, intent on pulling me away or ending the threat of the child I carried.
"Maelra, don't!"
I dodged her first slash, my hunter training kicking in even as my stomach cramped painfully from the exertion. I didn't have my weapons; I had left them in the tent by Nora's body. I was defenseless against a seasoned warrior with a silver blade.
