Gideon's claws pressed into Darius's throat. One wrong move and he'd rip out everything that mattered.

Through the bond, I felt Darius's heartbeat. Steady despite the threat. His wolf was still there, still fighting, waiting for an opening.

"Let him go." My voice came out calmer than I felt. "This is between us."

"Is it?" Gideon tilted his head. "Because from where I'm standing, you're only dangerous because of him. Take away your mate and you're just another wolf pretending to be an ...