“GO AWAY!”
Hearing Father’s voice outside the room seemed to have triggered something violent within Xaden. All of a sudden, any semblance of composure had vanished from his body without a trace and it was like he gave into his inner beast. He growled and bared his teeth at the door, flexing his fingers as if he was preparing for a fight or… or…
“LEAVE—US—ALONE!”
I froze. Us…?
And then it hit me. I knew what his behavior reminded me of. He was going to protect his immediate territory from anything and anyone he perceived to be a threat. And right now, Father was an intruder, a possible threat that could tear me away from Xaden.
“s**t…” Father cursed, his voice surprisingly tinged with terror. “I-I’ll get the key from Sarah! You’ll be out soon—”
“Don’t!” I screamed. “That will only
