Richard gently tilted her chin up, eyes fixed on the bruise by the corner of her mouth and the faded floral shirt clinging to her thin frame. He brushed a few messy strands of hair from her face. "Who hit you?"
Dora had been knocked to the ground, but she scrambled back up and grabbed onto Richard's arm, her voice shrill. "What do you think you're doing?! She's Jair's mate! I'm warning you, don't even think about taking her!"
Richard yanked his arm free with such force she fell back on the ground again.
Jair lifted his hunting rifle and pointed it straight at Richard. "Try to take her, and I'll shoot you right now!"
Richard didn't even glance at him. His full attention was on Perry. "Tell me. Who did this to you?"
Before Jair could react, Byron had already snatched the wea
