Chapter 0222

Valeria actually stepped in front of me. I couldn't believe it. Did she seriously think she could take on five vampires alone while I just stood there like some useless bystander? My hands clenched into fists so tight my knuckles turned white. But right now, anger had to wait - those bloodsuckers had found her.

If Prince Damien was even half competent, he'd know exactly where he sent his scouts and when they should report back. We could only pray this was their first stop and they weren't due back anytime soon.

Nathaniel and I immediately organized extra patrols to secure the canyon perimeter. I assigned warriors to burn the vampire remains. That sickly sweet stench clung to my nostrils - Nathaniel had been right. Once you smelled it, you never forgot.

Thank the moon Seraphina stayed in wolf form. If she'd shifted back naked in front of all these males, I might have lost control completely. My rage already simmered too close to the surface. I needed to rein it in before confronting her at the packhouse.

First, I had to make sure Valeria wasn't injured. She still hadn't fully recovered her strength, and that leech had been pounding on her. My quick inspection showed no major wounds, but I couldn't be certain.

When we finished securing the area, I jerked my chin toward home. Valeria understood and started back. I shifted immediately, with Dorian shadowing her every step. Her pace was noticeably slower now - she'd pushed herself too hard. Damn it.

Dorian matched her limping gait, ready to catch her if she stumbled on the steep climb. The ascent took forever, but we finally reached the top where clothes were stashed. I shifted back, pulling on shorts before turning to Valeria.

"Shift." I layered my Alpha command thick, though I knew it wouldn't work on her. Maybe she'd grasp how deadly serious I was. She transformed cautiously, watching me with wary eyes.

I tossed her a shirt and waited until she'd pulled it on. Then I hauled her over my shoulder like a sack of grain and stalked toward the packhouse.

"Sebastian! Put me down this instant!"

I smacked her ass hard enough to leave a mark. "Stay still and shut up."

Carrying her made the trip faster. She needed food, but our conversation couldn't wait. Pack members scattered from my path - whether from the sight of Seraphina draped over my shoulder or the murderous look on my face, I didn't care.

I marched straight to my room before dumping her onto the bed and rounding on her. "What the hell was that?"

Her confused expression only fueled my anger. She genuinely didn't understand why I was furious. I paced like a caged animal, trying to burn off the adrenaline. Beneath the rage lurked something worse - bone-chilling terror at how close I'd come to losing her today.

I whirled back to face her. "Never. Ever. Put yourself between me and danger again. Understood?"

"They were going to kill you," she whispered.

"First!" I roared, arms flailing wildly. "I'm a damn Alpha! I've been handling my own battles since I was six years old!" My voice cracked. "Second! Your life is not currency to spend on mine. Not today. Not ever. Are we clear?"

I loomed over her, breathing like a dragon about to spew fire. Part of me admired how she held her ground against my fury.

"I'm a Guardian, Sebastian. This is what I do. It's who I am."