Danica glanced at me, then back at him. “Because Brecken already told us his angle. He wants to make it look like Sarai is taking over, or like you are weak because your pack is responding to her.”
Darius’ face closed.
There it was.
The wound.
Not as open as before.
But still alive.
I watched him carefully.
He looked at me.
Then the bandage.
Then my face again.
“If they attack you,” he said, “I will answer.”
“No.”
His brows drew together.
“I will answer for myself,” I said.
“Sarai.”
“No.” My voice remained calm. “You can affirm my authority. You can correct lies. You can stand beside me. But you will not speak over me in a room where men are trying to measure my influence like it is contamination.”
Danica whispered, “Lord.”
Darius stared at me.
“I am not trying to silence
