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“Look at me.”

His gaze stays on Candice.

“Darian, control it.”

“She stabbed my mate.”

“I know.”

“I'll fucking kill her.”

“And you can kill her later.”

His head snaps toward me.

I point toward Arlene. “Your mate needs you now.”

His eyes find her again.

Arlene sways. Her knees start to buckle, but somehow she forces them straight again. Blood continues dripping from her body and onto the ground beneath her.

Selena grips her from behind. “Arlene, please.”

Arlene still doesn't move from in front of her.

Even now.

Darian's face changes.

“Control it,” I tell him. “Get to your mate.”

His chest rises sharply. His fists clench at his sides as he fights whatever is happening inside him.

Across the clearing, Zeke grabs Candice's arm.

“Go!”

For the first time, fear completely takes over Candice's face. She looks at Darian, then at the dagger still buried in Arlene's chest.

She leaves it.

Zeke pulls her backward. They stumble beneath the weight of Darian's aura before turning toward the trees.

Darian drags his power back.

Not completely. Rage still pours from him, thick enough that I can feel it pressing against my skin, but he's controlling it again.

Barely.

That's enough.

“Arlene.”

Her eyes find him.

Candice and Zeke run.

The second they're gone, something in Arlene seems to give way. She doesn't have to protect Selena anymore.