The battlefield was chaos. The moment Klaus’s wolves retreated, Ethan barked orders, his tone sharp and unrelenting. “Reorganize the perimeter! Get the injured to the infirmary now!”
Aria stood frozen at the edge of the clearing, her heart pounding. Liam’s arm was still wrapped protectively around her waist, holding her upright after the confrontation. The warmth of his touch burned through her skin, but her thoughts were a storm of confusion.
Ethan’s eyes locked on the two of them. Blood smeared his face, and his jaw was set in a hard line. When he approached, his gaze darted to Liam’s hand on her waist, and a muscle ticked in his jaw.
“Get your hands off her,” Ethan growled, his voice dangerously low.
Liam hesitated, his grip tightening ever so slightly, as if to shield Aria from mor
