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“Because you're going to let me.”

For once, she doesn't argue.

Selena leans into me, and we start across the clearing. I keep her close to my side, taking as much of her weight as she'll allow while constantly scanning the area around us.

“Almost there.”

“Where exactly is there?”

“Away from here.”

“Excellent plan.”

“I thought so.”

Selena suddenly stops. Her fingers tighten around my arm, and I glance down, expecting another contraction. She's staring toward her side instead. Her eyes widen as one hand clamps around her belly.

“Arlene.”

Something in her voice turns my blood cold. I follow her stare.

Candice.

She's already rushing toward us.

How the hell did I not smell her?

Scent suppressant.

The silver dagger in her hand catches the moonlight as she raises it. She's coming from Selena's side, and one look at the angle tells me exactly where that blade is going.

Selena.

I don't think. I twist around her, pulling Selena against me as I turn my body between hers and the descending knife.

The tunnel behind us erupts.

Rylan and Darian burst into the clearing just as the blade slams into my chest.

Pain explodes through me. My breath disappears. For one strange second, I don't understand what happened. Then I look down at the silver handle protruding from my chest.

“ARLENE!”

Selena's scream tears through the clearing.

My eyes lift and find Darian. His eyes are already on me.

He saw it.

He sees Candice standing beside us. He sees Selena behind me. Then his gaze drops to the dagger buried in my chest.

Something inside my mate breaks.

Darian roars.

The sound shakes the world around us. The runes carved into the stone walls flicker violently. Trees shudder, and the earth trembles beneath my feet as power explodes from him.

His Alpha aura.