“What are you doing here?” he asked.
I raised an eyebrow, frowning as I folded my arms. “Same as you, trying to help. I’m looking for Rachel and Emma. Have you seen them?”
His brows knitted together as he glanced around, his shoulders tight as he scowled. He had a cut that ran above one eye.
“You should be at home,” he grumbled.
“No, I should be here, and we both know it,” I responded.
He snarled. “Liv, you—”
“Emma called and asked for me to be here,” I cut in, still frowning as I looked him up and down. “So I’m pretty sure I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Drake didn’t say anything for a long moment. He studied me, his face inscrutable. Taking a deep breath, he guided me over to a secluded area. It was far enough out of the way that no one would so much as glance in our direction. The worried murmurs of the crowd seemed to die as we stepped away. His hand lingered on my arm as he turned me to look at him.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he said. “It’s too dangerous.”
I frowned up at him, shrugging his hand away as I folded my arms. “We’ve had this conversation before,” I pointed out. “What exactly has changed?”
“Everything changed when the wraith took over the underground spring,” Drake snapped.
“Which is all the more reason for me to be here and help,” I argued. “Rachel, Emma, and I are the best chance the pack’s got.”
“It’s going to drain the spring’s power,” Drake argued. “We don’t know what that’s going to look like, or how much strength that will give him. For all we know, you aren’t going to be able to do anything to it anymore.”
“So, what, I should just not try?”
He shrugged, not looking at me, as if he knew that what he was doing was wrong. “Maybe not,” he grunted.
“What should I do, then?”
“You should go with the other women and children who are evacuating,” he said. “That’s going to be the safest option for you.”
My mouth dropped open. He couldn’t be serious, not after the conversation we’d had the other day.
“I should be here,” I said. “I can help.”
He shook his head. “Liv, you didn’t see what they did at the spring. They killed the two guards on duty. Then they killed another two of my men after we showed up. They nearly got more of us. I don’t want you putting yourself in danger.”
I could hear the earnest concern in his voice, and it softened my ire, just slightly. I could understand his fears, at least a little. But that didn’t change the fact that this was my pack. I loved them, and if there was even a minuscule chance that I could do something to help them, then I was going to do it. I wouldn’t let the wraith take away my home without putting up a fight.
I let out a deep breath as I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to figure out how to soothe his fears without backing down.
“I understand you’re worried,” I said. “But I have to try. And I’ll be with Rachel and Emma. It’s not like I’m going off on my own.”
“You’re my mate,” he said. “I’m not going to just let my mate waltz into danger.”
I stared, letting the words wash over me, not fully believing my ears. My mouth had parted slightly in disbelief. Rage began to bubble inside me. He still felt as though he had some sort of right to decide what I do, just because we were mates. And it was the way he said it. He wouldn’t let his “mate” walk into danger. It didn’t matter that it was me. It mattered that I was his mate. That was the only reason he felt any sort of responsibility or protectiveness.
“Unbelievable,” I spat.
Drake blinked. “What?”
“Stop trying to dictate what I do.”
He shook his head, eyes flashing wolf as he snarled. “I’m trying to protect you,” he growled.
“Stop pretending like you give a damn,” I exploded. I was sick of hiding my emotions. I didn’t care if it was improper. I was done with it. I needed to say this, to get it out, and I couldn’t do that while pretending that everything was perfect. Drake’s eyes widened, and he took a step back. “We both know that you only care because of the mating bond.”
