"You are welcome to direct any questions regarding our mating to Dominic, and he will be the one to choose whether to answer or not. See George, see Max—I am deferring to my mate." My voice was calm, but I made sure it carried the sharp edge of finality. When their faces began to turn red with fury, I couldn’t help stepping closer to Hammer. My next words, while softer, were laced with a defiance I couldn’t suppress. "I don’t know why you’re so cross; it’s what you wanted, isn’t it?"
Max, his voice like a blade sharpened for years, sneered in response. "You are not worthy of my son. He needs someone who knows her place and respects his superiority. You don’t even show the mark he was generous enough to give you."
I stiffened as Max’s hand shot out, as if to rip away the lightweight sca
