[Zphreya]

Alek was free, and I had somehow managed to order a seemingly extremely vampire to comply in a room full of wolves.

The moment the mental hold was released, Alek didn’t hesitate. He erupted in a furious, ragged growl. “If she weren’t here—”

“Yes, yes, I know,” Hadrian said, completely unconcerned, his gaze never leaving me. He treated Alek’s rage like the noise of a poorly maintained machine. “You’d try and tear my throat out.”

“No trying,” Alek corrected ...