Voren shifted back to human form, his gaze cold, his body still humming with the aftermath of battle and residual fury.
"Even if she's yours, she's mated to one of my betas, and you know what that means."
"No." Battal's voice was sharp, desperate, pure possessiveness cracking through his usual cold mask. "We've searched for her for the past twenty-two years since her mother escaped from our lab. Give her back."
Voren scoffed, the sound bitter and sharp, contempt rolling off him in waves. "You like to claim things that aren't yours. She's a member of the Grimroot pack, and mated already. Go to hell."
He lunged, throwing Battal to the ground, his fists raining down with pure protective rage, but Battal blocked most punches with precision, his body moving on instinct, and pushed Voren off him, his strength undeniable and frustrating.
