Chapter 2

Leo's combat vest was soaked with blood, his chest was covered in bite wounds, and the flesh around his left shoulder had been burned by the silver blade.

Relief loosened the knot in my chest when I saw that he had made it back on his own, and I hurried over to support him.

"You're running around with wounds this bad? Do you have a death wish?"

Leo was breathing hard, but his gaze softened when it landed on my face.

"Baby, don't be scared. I'm fine."

He clasped my hand with his bloodied fingers and managed a strained smile. "The guards just told me rogues got into the garden. Are you okay?"

The dagger with Marcus's name carved on it was still by my feet. I was about to tell him the three wolves were already dead when Jenna pushed her way over with a medical kit.

As she handed the kit to the healer, she complained, "Alpha, I don't understand why you care about her so much!

"This woman can't shift, can't fight, and can't give you strong pups. What else is she good for besides dragging you down?"

The moment the silver blade was pulled out, Leo let out a grunt of pain, and blood gushed from the wound.

Jenna reached out to steady him, but Leo shoved her away, got up, and pulled me into his arms to shield me.

"Shut up!"

Leo's Alpha power filled the main house. The young guards who'd just been laughing at me all lowered their heads.

Leo stared at Jenna and said slowly, "Claire is the mate I chose. Anyone who dares to yell at her again is out of the Crescent Moon pack."

Jenna bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. "She's just an ordinary human. What can she give you? I'm the one who can fight by your side!"

"This is between her and me. It's none of your business."

After he said that, Leo leaned on my shoulder. His weight nearly crushed me, but he still whispered to comfort me. "Don't listen to her nonsense. I've never thought you were useless."

This idiot didn't even ask about the three dead bodies in the garden. All he cared about was whether my feelings were hurt.

I bandaged his wound, then went to the kitchen to heat some milk. When I came back, I found the elders had already taken him into the council hall.

Inside, someone pounded the table. The head elder, Morton, was shouting at Leo.

"Marcus has joined forces with five major packs and blocked every way out. He also said that if he doesn't get an answer by eight tomorrow morning, he'll kill the prisoners first, then slaughter all our pups!"

Someone quickly agreed. "They want territory and weapons, so just give them everything. At least we can keep our people alive."

Morton sneered. "Marcus asked for Claire by name. He'll only call off the attack if we send her over for those Alphas to have their fun with."

The milk sloshed out of the glass. I stood outside the door and didn't make a sound.

"Leo, are you really going to drag hundreds of our people to their deaths for a useless human woman?"

The next second, a wooden chair shattered inside.

Leo's voice was already very weak, but his anger silenced the whole room.

"If anyone suggests sending Claire away again, I'll cut out their tongue!"

Morton slammed the table in fury. "You're the Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack. Keeping our people safe is your responsibility!"

"Protecting my mate is part of my responsibility too." Leo took a few heavy breaths. "At eight tomorrow morning, I'll sign the treaty with Marcus myself and hand over our territory and weapons."

The council hall erupted in protest. Some called him weak, and others demanded to know where the pack would go after this.

Leo raised a hand to stop them. "Tonight, have the guards evacuate the civilians and the pups in groups. I'll stay behind to hold Marcus off."

Jenna cried out, "You'll die!"

But Leo acted like he hadn't heard and just kept going. "And have someone take Claire to a human city. She isn't a Crescent Moon wolf. There's no reason for her to die with us."

When I heard that, I pushed open the doors to the council hall and set the milk down in front of Leo.

Every werewolf in the room turned to look at me. Their faces showed nothing but disgust, resentment, and contempt.

"Where are you sending me?"

Leo got up to reach for me, but he moved too fast and his wound started bleeding again. "Claire, be good. Go stay in a human city for a few days. Once this is over, I'll come bring you home."

I walked up to him, pressed down on his wound, and asked quietly, "After you send me away, who's going to buy me the newest lace dresses?"

Leo's eyes reddened, but he didn't answer. He just looked at me for a long moment.

So I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest. "And who's going to turn into a big fluffball and warm my feet every night?"