"I stay."
The words came out strong. Clear. Irrevocable.
Grayson's eyes flashed with triumph and something deeper. Possession. Relief. Love.
He kissed her. Hard and claiming. A promise and a vow.
When he pulled back, Riley was breathless. The mate bond sang between them, electric and alive.
"Then you fight with us." Grayson's voice was pure Alpha command. He turned to Noah. "Get her a weapon. Armor. Now."
"Gray, she can't—" Noah started.
"She can." Grayson looked at Riley. "Can't you?"
Riley's heart hammered. She'd just chosen to fight against her own father. Against everything she'd ever known.
The mate bond pulsed. Grayson's certainty flowed through it, steadying her.
"Yes," Riley said. "I can."
Scarlett appeared, blood-streaked but alive. She looked at Riley with new eyes. Re
