The demon turned on her, and pain sliced through her eyes.
She fell, and dizziness swirled around her. “Talen,” she whispered.
“Cara,” he yelled. His head went back, and his shoulders straightened. Bellowing, he rushed the demon and plunged fingers into the demon’s throat, angling just right. A brutal twist of his wrist, and he yanked the demon into his fangs to pierce and cut. The demon’s head flopped down its body to roll into the river.
One in a million vampire soldiers could’ve succeeded in that move.
He turned then, his fangs down, his eyes a glowing gold. Sometimes she forgot the deadly predator that lived inside her mate.
She swallowed and tried to stand.
Instantly, he was at her side, wiping blood off her face. “Are you all right?” he asked.
She nodded, even as tears spilled from her eyes. “Are you?”
“Fine.” He took her hand and glanced around. Blood dripped down his chin. Then he stiffened and pressed her against the rock before covering her.
Several wolves, graceful and brown, ran out of the forest.
Talen’s shoulders relaxed. “You’re late,” he muttered.
* * *
After washing the blood off in the river, Talen kept an eye on his mate as they maneuvered through the forest, covered on all sides by a wolf shifter contingent. The shifters remained in wolf form and easily avoided the fires being snuffed out by human fighters.
Finally, they reached an old logging road, where several off-road vehicles waited. The wolves shifted into human form and quickly donned clothing.
Terrent Vilks, the Alpha of the Raze pack, loped toward him. “It’s good to see you,” he said as they shook hands.
Talen grinned at his old friend. “You, too. Sorry about the unexpected visit.”
Terrent shrugged. “You’re welcome any time, and I know Maggie would love to see Cara.” His eyes darkened with concern as he took in Cara’s bedraggled form. “You okay, darlin’?”
She nodded, her body shivering.
Talen slid an arm around her and tucked her close, not liking the pallor of her skin. “She could use dry clothing and some warm food.”
“Absolutely.” Terrent motioned them into a battered Jeep. “We’re a couple of hours out, but I’ll blast the heat.” He jerked his head toward three of his soldiers. “Go back and clean up the garbage.”
Talen lifted Cara into the backseat and slid in next to her, settling her against his body. Fury threatened to consume him, but he kept his hold gentle and murmured a thanks when Terrent tossed back a blanket. He wrapped her close and tried to keep his temper in check.
When he’d seen her, blood pouring down her face, raw agony in her pretty blue eyes from the demon attack, he’d nearly lost his mind. He’d torn the head off a demon, which sure as hell wasn’t a normal ability.
Besides anger, confusion swamped him. His order for her to run had been crystal-clear, and she’d disobeyed it completely. While he knew she had her own mind, when it came to battles or fighting, he was the strategic leader of the entire Realm, much less within his little family. Just because the current war had ended didn’t mean the danger to them was also gone.
He’d been mated to the woman for over two decades, and he still couldn’t figure out how her mind worked.
Before they had family, if anything had happened to her, he would’ve avenged her slightest pain and then followed her into the unknown. Now they had kids and even a grandchild, and he couldn’t leave them alone.
So Cara needed to keep herself safe, damn it.
She murmured and cuddled closer to his side, her eyes closing. He tucked her into his body, holding her close, providing safety and warmth.
Terrent ignited the engine and drove over several bumps. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right. She’s out,” Talen said softly.
Somber brown eyes met his in the rearview mirror. “Demon mind attack?”
