his eyes locked on Aria as if she were

his body bursting into the form of a massive wolf mid-leap. His fur gleamed silve

too strong, stopping him mid-air as if Kael we

re said smoothly. "Tell me, wolf, do you ever s

his time he struck the vampire's chest with full force, knocking

art hammering so hard she thought it might bur

el away. "Do you see, little one? He would tear this place a

roared, his voice deeper, h

llow, and suddenly he was in front of her bed. His col

he whispered. "You ar

an through her body, not from warmth but from something

mmed into him, knocking him acr

shadows. The room shook with their violence. Furniture splintered, the

cried, her vo

er of the

ed across his chest. Dark blood seeped, but he didn't falter. "Y

hes from his throat. "Her

ened, his black eyes gl

, and reformed at the window. He stood there, pale and elegan

h came in sh

hat is already yours, Aria. The night calls

ke carried by the

e fell

g like embers. Slowly, painfully, his form shifted back into that of

d raw, his shirt torn, blood on his hands.

" he asked, hi

"No... but I..." Her voice broke. She pressed he

ing out but stopping just short of to

he said quietly. "And now,

r a moment, she saw something there. Not just a protector. Not just a beast. But

he should push him away. But instead, she wh

ady. "Then you will have to f