Ace's POV
The monkey's chattering grated on my nerves as it scrambled from Shin's shoulder into their waiting wagon. But that irritation was nothing compared to the hot, coiling tension that seized my gut when first Kai, and then Shin, reached out to pat Ovelia's head in farewell. It was a casual, friendly gesture, but to the wolf snarling inside me, it was a claim. A challenge. My muscles tensed, a low growl building in my throat.
"Don't—" I started, the word a sharp warning.
Ray's large, hand clamped over my mouth before I could finish, cutting off the sound. He pulled me back half a step, his chest a solid wall against my shoulder. "Shhhhh," he murmured, his breath a warm, amused huff against my ear. "Let them say goodbye."
Across from us, Philip bit his lip, his shoulders shaking with the effort of suppressing his laughter. Damn him.
"Sir Ace is jealous," Ann whispered conspiratorially behind her hand, though her dark eyes, alight with pure, unadulterated amusement.
