Nixon's POV
"Talia."
Her name broke from my throat like a prayer.
Or maybe a confession.
I wasn't sure anymore.
All I knew was that she was here.
Alive.
Breathing.
And for the first time in days, the crushing pressure around my chest eased.
Only slightly.
Because the moment I looked closer, I saw everything.
The bruises.
The cuts.
The marks left by iron restraints.
The dried blood on her wrists.
The unnatural paleness of her skin.
My wolf immediately surged forward.
Rage.
Protectiveness.
Guilt.
A vicious mixture.
Mine.
Protect.
Mine.
Protect.
I carefully gathered her into my arms.
She was frighteningly light.
Far lighter than she should have been.
A growl escaped me before I could stop it.
Whoever had done this...
Whoever had hurt her...
They were fortunate t
