Then Marybeth moved. Without hesitation. Without calculation. She launched herself directly into the attackers' path. Intercepting them before they reached the younger wolves. For one brief second, relief hit me. Then everything went wrong.
More enemies emerged from the tree line. Hidden. Waiting. The trap became obvious immediately. They had anticipated a rescue attempt. And Marybeth had walked directly into it. My heart stopped. Actually stopped.
I didn't think. Didn't analyze. Didn't lead. Didn't strategize. For one terrible moment, I was simply a man watching someone he loved step into mortal danger. The realization struck almost as hard as the fear itself. Loved.
Not cared about. Not wanted. Loved. The word appeared so naturally I couldn't deny it anymore. Marybeth was surrounde
