Zack’s POV
The air still reeked of blood and scorched earth when the first arrow hissed out of the smoke. It buried itself in the wall beside my head, burning with a cold, unnatural blue flame.
Not a second passed before a dozen more followed, raining in from every angle, each one aimed to herd rather than kill. Kieran’s signature.
“Shields!” I roared, my voice cutting through the post-battle haze. “Form on me!”
Lilly didn’t wait for anyone to move—she was already in front of me, shield of shimmering light blooming from her hands, catching the arrows mid-flight. The magic fizzled against her barrier, each impact thudding against my chest through the bond. Her wolf was snarling, protective, unyielding.
Mate. No one gets past me.
I wanted to drag her behind me, to keep her out of the l
