, his grin wide and hungry, and I

yes are cold and calculating as they sweep over me. He looks at me like I am a

on my nerves. "A Moonbinder in our midst, and here

venger's view, and I hear the low growl building in his chest. "Y

ss. "And who's going to stop me? You and your little squad? I've got

and I see him clench his fists so tight, his knuckles turn whit

ems very confident. "Bold words fo

e violence barely contained. Rowan steps up beside him, his sharp smile replaced by something

the number of men behind him. "I'm not scared of a few strays. That

re I realize I am speaking. "Is that

at, sweetheart. A Moonbinder who can bond with multiple shifters? You're a

corrupt Moonbinder who treats shifters like possessio

And once the word spreads, every hunter in the wasteland will be coming for you

ghtly, preparing to attack. "She's under my p

u're making a mistake, lion. Y

e says, his e

ecause of me, all of this, the scavengers, the threats, the danger, and Kael and Rowan are risk

Warning. Multiple hostiles detected. Survival probability decreas

not how this works. A bond cannot be forced, and it certainly cannot be used as a shi

ay's grin returns. "Hear that? My men are almost here. You have

see the question in them. H

now why b

ip firm and strong, and

d. He is fast, and I struggle to keep up. Behind us, I hear the sound of gunfire and the so

shouts, his voice

ut I do not stop. I cannot stop because if I stop, they'll catc

o a hidden corner. We press ourselves against the cold wall, our breathing heavy and u

did t

't have g

out! Fin

's body is pressed against mine. I can feel his warmth through my clothes, and

ace. Dray's voice cuts through the silence, loud and angry. "I know you're out there, Moonbin

threat, and then the footsteps begin to fade. They ar

om the adrenaline. Kael's hand is still wrappe

s, and his voice is barely above a whisper. "We need to mov

t trustin

like they are made of rock, and my mind is

ause his hand moves to my face, tilting my c

pected, that my breath catches. "You're not going to let them take you," he sa

n comes out before I can stop it. "Why are you doing all

stand. "All I know is that the moment I saw you, something changed. My beast recognized you.

ding for an entirely differen

sistent. [Compatible bond resonance increasing. B

ends a shiver down my spine. "My beast wants to claim you,