Page 36 of Protector Dragon's Shattered Mate

Don’t say it. We will be fine. And we can discuss this afterward. I am not giving up on myself. And I willnevergive up on you.

It was completely inappropriate, but after hearing his loving reassurance, her entire body tingled from her breasts down to the space between her legs. She would have to shelve that urge until later. But God, she wanted Levi. She wanted to feel him inside her again. She got her mind refocused, looking down as they circled the estate.

Shifters were moving strategically outside. One of them was positioned at each point. They were ready to do battle for her. It humbled her.

Levi landed softly.Now that we can communicate via bond, I’m going to stay shifted, he said.Stay close!

She wrapped her arms around his neck for one last squeeze. “Please be careful.” She was not prepared to live without him.

You have to be careful too.

Once most of the shifters had positioned themselves around the perimeter of the house, the wolves made their move. They charged forward, at least a dozen of them, running straight toward the house. But a few broke away and ran to the field.

Kellan had planned to keep his farm animals protected from the fight; they were all locked in the barn with one of the vampires guarding them. That particular vampire thought animal blood was quite gross, so he was no threat. But while he was wrangling one of the high-strung horses, a sheep got free and bolted across the field.

One of the wolves, in his animal form, tore forward and lunged at the sheep.

Sofia screamed at the top of her lungs and ran behind him, but she couldn’t get there fast enough. He clamped his jaws right around the sheep’s neck and sank his teeth into her skin as the poor sheep bellowed.

“No,” yelled Sofia “You do not get to hurt these animals.”

Koryak stepped out of the shadows. “We can do whatever we want.”

She wanted to kick Koryak in the teeth, but she had to save the sheep. As she got closer, she could tell which sheep it was. Those sheep—especially this one—had been her companions during her long days hiding on the farm. An innocent animal should not be treated so viciously.

She turned to Levi, who had followed her. “Please save her. I named her Daisy.” She put her hand on his chest. “Please. You can do it.”

Sofia, you are my priority, he said to her.

“The first night I got here Daisy came to check on me. She couldn’t communicate, not with words, but I could tell that she knew I was struggling.. She tried to be a friend to me even though she had no idea what was going on.” Her eyes misted over. “Pleasesave her. For me.”

20

Levi

Daisy? The sheep had a name? And Sofia knew which one it was?

Kellan and his family were great pet owners, and they were great farm animal owners who were loving and affectionate with every single animal and made sure they had every comfort a large animal could want, but he was pretty sure they had never named a sheep. The dogs, cats, and horses, yes, but not the sheep. There were just so many of them.

That Sofia had named a sheep was sweet, but at the same time, it made his heart ache. She had shown up to the ranch so alone that a sheep had been her only companion. Maybe she had related more to the sheep at that moment, because she had been considering living as a bear permanently.

How could he say no to that? Reluctantly, he shifted into his human form and yanked on his jeans.

He quickly assessed Daisy and soon figured out what was wrong. One of her ribs was cracked and she was bleeding. It wasn’t profuse, but it would need stitches, unless they could use a healing spell on her.

“Has Nora taught you a healing spell yet? Do you know one you could use for Daisy?” he asked.

“She taught me one for humans, one for dragon shifters, and one for Fae and witches. But not for a real animal. Do you think it would work?”

“I don’t know. The magic makes our body chemistry a little bit different. But we can try it.” He patted Daisy’s head. “I don’t think she’ll die if we delay it, but there’s a big risk of infection. She needs disinfectant, stitches, an antibiotic shot, and bandages. I can’t stitch her up right now because I need the equipment from my truck, and I don’t want anyone crossing the ranch to get to it. And if I go, then someone would have to stay with you. I know you can protect yourself, but you cannot be alone right now. Not even for a second.”

She nodded. “I agree. And I can’t call Nora over here. It’s too dangerous. I’m just going to have to try it. I’m not going to use one of the spells tailored for an animal. I’m going to try to make up my own.” She leaned over Daisy and put her hand on Daisy’s side.

He wanted to watch her work, but he had to keep a lookout. All around them members of his new clan were fighting wolves. Thank God it looked like they had the upper hand, or he would have to force Sofia to abandon Daisy. Daisy was important, but she could not come before one of the shifters.

Then he saw Liam looping restraints around several of the wolves at once. Levi let himself relax, just a fraction.

That was a big fucking mistake.

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