Chase nodded, immediately running out the door in a blast of cool wind.
“You invited the Volnoye?” Edith asked. “What on earth would possess you to—”
“I was angry,” he snarled, “that Dominic had invited so many enemies into town without consulting me first. I wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine.”
Edith scoffed, “If Layla’s to be believed, Dominic and Leonid would kill each other given the chance.”
Dani made a small, distressed sound. “Aren’t they cousins?”
“You left before the Volkhov splintered,” said Arthur. “Dominic killing his father came as a shock to everyone. Leonid wanted the throne. Many had also wanted him to take control.There was a fight. Leonid left with his faction and formed his own pack. The Volnoye. They’ve been enemies ever since.”
He was moving as he talked, fastening his coat, striding towards the door.
Dani stepped after him. “I’m coming.”
“No,” Arthur said.
She huffed, “I’m not one of your pups. If there’s a pack half the supernatural beings here hate walking into town, witches should be there. This is why Lavinia came.”
“This is whyI’mhere,” he snapped. “Volnoye are wolves. This is pack business.”
“Pack business that affects my coven,” she shot back. “My people are in your town. If some rogue bastard decides witches are fair game, I’m not letting them stand there without one of their own.”
Her eyes flashed; he could feel the spark of her magic prickling under her skin.
Chase looked between them, wisely staying quiet for once.
Arthur forced himself to slow his breathing. “Dani,” he said, lower. “These aren’t Volkhov. They’re not Severney. Volnoye are savage. They’re notorious for their cruelty. Dom’s lost good wolves to them. They see witches as toys at best, threats at worst. You walk into that fight with a bite on your neck that stinks of Nordan Alpha; every eye they’ve got will be on you. On you and Auri.”
Dani’s hand tightened on Aurelia’s shoulder without conscious thought.
“So I’m supposed to stay here and…what? Knit?” she demanded. “While you go down there and defend my honor for me? ”
“I’m saying you stay here anddon’tgive them a weakness to grab,” Arthur bit out. “Stay with Aurelia. With the coven. Thistlehouse is warded to hell. If things go badly, this is where I want you. Not in someone’s crosshairs.”
Dani’s jaw worked. “I can help.”
“I know you can,” he said. “But not there. Dom and I need to go in teeth first, not with you standing where every Volnoye wolf can see how much I care if you bleed.”
The admission slipped out before he could catch it.
Her eyes widened, just a fraction.
Aurelia pressed in closer to her side, small fingers fisting in her coat.
“I hate this,” Dani said quietly. “Being told to wait in the safe house like a good girl.”
“You’re not a girl,” he said. “You’re my mate. And the mother of my child. And a witch every hybrid would love to get their hands on.” His voice roughened. “If Leonid makes threats before we know his intentions, I might not be able to control myself. There will be blood. You want me at full strength? You stay.”
It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t equal. But it was the truth.
Silence stretched.
Finally, Dani blew out a breath, sharp and angry. “Fine,” she said, like the word burned.
Arthur stepped in, cupping the side of Dani’s face, thumb rough against her cheekbone.
“Stay here,” he said. “Keep her safe. Keepyousafe.” He kissed her, quick and rough, more promise than heat. Then he pressed his palm briefly to Aurelia’s head.
