It was terror.
And that hurt more than anything he had in his entire life.
“Arthur,” she whispered, barely audible.
The girl pressed closer to Dani’s side. Dani curled an arm around the child and stepped back as he advanced.
He halted instantly.
Not wanting to scare them.
Not wanting to push.
But gods, he could hardly stay still.
Chase whispered harshly to him, “Arthur, what’s going on? Who is she?”
Arthur didn’t take his eyes off Dani. “My…” he swallowed, the word sticking in his throat. “My mate.”
A stunned silence rippled through the clearing.
Dani’s knees seemed to buckle. Her daughter’s eyes widened.
Chase’s mouth fell open.
Dominic froze mid-step, jaw tightening.
The witches murmured, glancing between each other with new, sharp interest.
One of them, older, her presence ancient and commanding, stepped forward, gaze flicking between Arthur and Dani like she’d been waiting for this exact moment.
“Ah,” she said softly. “So that is what this is.”
Arthur dragged his eyes from Dani long enough to glare. “Stay out of this, witch.”
“Impossible,” she replied, voice as smooth as frost. “Witch or wolf, no one ignores the signs of a true bond.”
Witch.
The word sliced through Arthur like a blade.
He snapped his gaze to Dani’s hands just as flame burst into her palms, swirling up her wrists in bright, furious tendrils.
Arthur recoiled in pure shock.
“Dani, what the…” His voice tore through the clearing, hoarse with disbelief. “You’re…you’re a witch?”
Her jaw clenched. “Yes. And if you come one step closer, I’ll burn you.”
His stomach dropped.
Dani. His Dani. A witch.
A witch standing in front of him, ready to fight him, flame licking up her arms like she’d been born with it.
His mind revolted against the knowledge, thrashing and snarling at the danger just before him.
But his wolf…his wolf kneeled.
