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Panic slams through the bond so hard it steals my breath.

For one second, my brain doesn't understand what I'm feeling. The next second, I turn Bruce toward the house and kick him into a gallop.

Hooves thunder across the pasture while my pulse pounds just as hard. The sound comes again, carried across the yard by the wind.

My name.

Something in it makes my stomach drop. Not fear but panic, the kind that comes when somebody you love is in trouble.

The house comes into view just as Clint bursts through the screen door. He's wearing that ridiculous Mother Clucker apron. Across the driveway, the shop door flies open hard enough to rattle the siding, and Tripp comes running with a wrench the size of my forearm still in his hand.

Then, I see her.

Autumn is sprinting across the yard. Tears streak her cheeks, her hair is falling out of its bun, and she's not alone. There's a man coming out of the barn behind her.

I don't recognize him. I don't need to. All I know is some son of a bitch is on my property, chasing my omega.

Bruce is still moving when I bail off him and I hit the ground running.

Across the yard, Clint reaches Autumn first. She practically crashes into him. His arms lock around her while he turns, placing his body between her and the man behind her.

Then Autumn says his name.

"Peter."

The name hits me like a lightning strike.

Peter. That son of a bitch.

Anger burns through my chest like acid. I don't think. I just move. I'm between them before my brain catches up, and when my fist connects with his jaw, I hear the cartilage shift under my knuckles.

He staggers, one hand flying to his face, but his eyes never leave Autumn. He barely seems to register me at all.

"You hit me." He smiles.

Big mistake.

I hit him again. This time, my fist splits his lip open. Blood wells up and dribbles down his chin. He licks it off and grins. That grin makes my stomach turn.

Peter swings at me, but I slip the punch and drive my fist into his jaw. Bone cracks beneath my knuckles.

"She's just confused," he says. "We had a fight. She'll come around."

I grab him by the collar and drive another punch into his gut. His breath leaves him in a choked whoosh and he doubles over. I don't let him fall, I hold him up just so I can hit him again.

"Tell them we're together," he commands Autumn. “Tell them I’m here to take you home to be my old lady.”

Autumn's face twists in disgust.

"No."

Peter twists, trying to tear free of my grip. I yank him back and slam my fist into his ribs.

"Typical omega." Peter waves a hand dismissively, still bent over, still grinning through split lips.

My jaw clenches.

I see Clint's arm tighten around Autumn, and the way she physically recoils.