Page 21 of Gunnar

“Protect her, that’s all.”

“You’re gonna walk away from a mate bond?” Torin demands.

The shower shuts off.

All three of us go still.

Then the shower door whines on its hinges.

Torin’s eyes flick to me. He wiggles his eyebrows. “You’re imagining her climbing out of that shower right now, aren’t you⁠—”

Orson turns his head sharply. “Torin,” he warns.

Too late.

Before Torin can finish the sentence, I grab him by the throat and slam him against the wall.

“Don’t—” I growl. “Ever. Talk. About. My. Mate. Like. That.”

He makes a choking sound, the grin vanishing from his face.

Then I release him.

He coughs, rubbing his neck. And the grin comes right back.

“Yeah,” he says hoarsely, shaking his head. “You’re not going to touch her, are you?”

I turn away, forcing my breathing to slow. “Of course not.”

Because she’s human.

Because she doesn’t belong in my world.

And because when the danger passes⁠—

I’ll have to let her go.

6

Alexandria

Iturn off the water and step out, wrapping myself in my towel. The air cools fast without the steam. I’m shivering as I open my backpack and pull out my gym kit—black leggings, a fitted tank, a sweatshirt. Clothes that feel like mine. Clothes I chose for myself.

I dress quickly, then shove my cleaning uniform deep inside, burying it out of sight.

I wipe the steam off the mirror with my cuff. As I drag a comb through my wet hair, I survey my reflection in the yellowish light. I look worn out, pale with dark shadows beneath my eyes.

It’s been a long, long day, and it’s not over yet. Adrenaline prickles in my stomach at the thought of what else might be waiting.

I stand there, hand on the handle.

Three of them out there.

I don’t know what I’m walking into.

He said I’d be safe here.

I square my shoulders and reach for the door handle.