Vaelor was seconds away from losing control.

Part of it came from the kiss. From the way Claire had kissed him back without hesitation, soft one second, starving the next.

The rest came from pure rage.

He could've lost her.

His mate.

His wolf already knew it. Accepted it completely. Claimed her the second her scent wrapped around him.

And someone had tried to hurt her.

A low growl rumbled through his chest with every step toward the office as he fought to get himself under control. His heartbeat wouldn't slow. Neither would the wolf clawing beneath his skin.

Claire Dawson was his.

Nothing touched her again.

Nothing.

The office door slammed open hard enough to shake the wall.

"Do you have any idea what you just did?" Vaelor stalked toward the woman standing in the middle of the room.

Vivienne still held her chin high.

"I wasn't going to hurt her," she snapped quickly, though tension flashed across her face the second she saw him. "I only wanted to scare her."

"And that somehow makes it better?" Vaelor growled.

Fast enough to blur, his hand closed around her throat.

"In my territory?" His voice dropped lower. Deadlier. "You attacked one of mine."

Vivienne shivered violently.

She'd never seen him like this before.

Not this furious.

Not this close to shifting.

"I didn't think you'd care this much," she whispered.

Then she inhaled subtly near his neck.

Everything changed.

Her expression twisted instantly.

"The human's scent is all over you," she muttered with obvious disgust.

"That's none of your concern." Vaelor tightened his grip slightly. "What exactly were you planning, Vivienne?"

"Planning?" She lowered her eyes immediately in submission. "I don't know what you mean."

Kaelen stayed silent through all of it.

He knew how furious Vaelor was.

He also knew wolves didn't hurt females. No matter how badly some deserved punishment.

Still, he stepped forward and grabbed Vivienne's arm roughly, pulling her away before Vaelor's control snapped completely.

Vaelor stared at her coldly.

"Let this be the last time you touch anyone under my protection."

Vivienne swallowed hard.

The confidence from earlier vanished instantly.

"For your sake," Vaelor continued quietly, "pray there isn't a next time."

The tone hit harder than a threat.

It sounded like a promise.