Mia didn't know where the strength in her legs went. One moment she was standing, drenched in Leon's scent and the fear choking her lungs, and the next she was being dragged — literally dragged — across the polished marble floors by two palace guards whose grips dug painfully into her arms.
Her heels scraped the floor. Her breath stuttered. Her heart pounded like it wanted to tear out of her chest.
"LET HER GO!"
Leon's roar tore through the hall, shaking the air, vibrating through her bones.
She twisted her head toward him, eyes wide. His wolf was pushing dangerously close to the surface — his irises were already glowing a violent shade of gold. His veins throbbed beneath his skin. His hands were curled into claws, and fresh blood dripped from his knuckles where he'd fought back, forcing himself onto his feet earlier despite being weak and recovering.
"Father, stop this!" Leon snarled, his voice cracking like it was tearing out of him. "She is not a threat. Don't touch her!"
