Behind Angus, I watched his pack, half of them shifted to wolf, try to take on mine. It was a full-fledged brawl, but my pack was holding their own, even outnumbered.

I wasn’t sure if I could out-punch Angus Campbell, but I was absolutely positive that my pack could outthink him.

Dec?

Relief swamped me at the sound of her voice in my head. Yeah, sweetheart?

I don’t want to interrupt, Lou said, but this can’t wait.

I had to split my attention between my father and Lou as she sketched out her plan. I wiped at my forehead, keeping Angus in front of me. My hand came back smeared with blood. I hadn’t felt the cut.

What do you think?

I didn’t know what I thought. I knew what I felt. Humbled, and a bit in awe. What Lou wanted to do—I wasn’t sure I deserved it. But I sure as hell wanted it.

Angus switched directions, circling back toward me. I stalked him, fists up. Lou—are you sure about this?

Yes.

Her answer came so fast. Too fast? I wasn’t sure she’d thought this through. There’s no backsies on this, Lou. I danced away as Angus feinted in my direction, playing with me. Tired of the game, I rushed him and we collided, taking the fight back to the ground. If you’re doing this just to save me—I don’t want regrets, Lou. I won’t be able to stand it.

Angus elbowed me in the face. I grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked him back, plunging my fist repeatedly in his face until he jerked out of my grip.

Lou must have glimpsed the fear behind my words, because I was hit then with an emotional wave from her so strong it was practically a typhoon.

Love. Lou loved me with a clarity and certainty that would have brought me to my knees if I wasn’t already rolling around on the ground with my father. Lou’s love was so strong that it filled me, making me feel light enough to fly.

I grinned right into my father’s face, my teeth bloody. Angus looked confused for a moment. Unsure. I didn’t care. She loved me and for a split second that was all that I gave a shit about.

I sent her my own wave back, making my intentions crystal clear. What I lacked in elegance, I made up for in brevity. Mine. Somewhere inside me my wolf howled in agreement.

Get ready. This might hurt.

A light flared above us, Dammit in all his glory. I bucked my dad off me, climbing to my feet just in time to see Trick’s phoenix diving at Eva. It was a distraction, because for a split second, I would be unbonded and vulnerable.

Searing pain sliced through me. Lou had severed the bond, and I felt like I was coming apart at the ligaments. Cold then, freezing, like being dropped into an ice-covered lake, the water so glacial it hurts. Everything in me seized. I staggered from the shock of it, barely able to move away from my father as he rushed me. I swung my fist at the side of his head, connecting. Sharp pain flared through my knuckles. It hurt, but I’d hit his ear, and that would hurt him more.