Page 177 of Filthy Royal

With his hard stare locked on her brother and Stormhart, Damien put more distance between her and them.

The red rage clouding his vision was only slightly soothed by the fact that she didn’t fight him, or strain toward the other Alphas, but leaned into him, curling herself into his chest, her fingers wrapping in his leathers as she eagerly moved backward as well.

“I-I don’t feel so well.”

His gaze snapped down to her.

His chest squeezed tight, his vision instantly filling with her and only her.

And she didn’t look good. Her face was pale, her features pinched, and, worst of all, even though his shirt covered much of her, angry red and purple bruises climbed her chest and lower neck, as if something had tried to pummel its way out of her body.

She’d told him before it took time for new bruises to rise to the surface. But these had come on right away and they looked bad.

“Scarlett.” He swept her into his arms, ignoring the tight pull of his bloodied knuckles and claws to cradle her against his chest. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

“I’m okay.”

“You’re not.” It fucking gutted him. He’d hoped her gift would settle now that he was around, but it seemed to be growing more volatile.

“Told you,” Stormhart mumbled to Luc. “Flat-out crazy possessive, obsessed, and in love.”

“Fuck,” was Luc’s sole muttered reply.

But Damien didn’t give a shit what they were saying, his sole concern was the female in his arms. “I’d take the pain away if I could, beautiful.”

She nuzzled his jaw with her nose. “I know. Since I’d do the same for you.”

“Enough.” Luc’s patience had run out. “Give her to us and go. She’s hurt, and we can take care of her.”

“Like you’ve done so far?” Damien cradled her closer.

“What about the job you’ve done?” Luc snarled right back. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed that taming chain peeking out from whatever she’s wearing.”

Shit.

“Give her to us,” Luc finished, “or we’ll shoot you all.”

“Fuck off.” Damien was pleased when Maddox and Anya moved to flank his sides in a show of support. Even more pleased when Anya used her gift and the other two Alphas’ weapons powered down. “Looks like you need a new strategy.”

“More guards will arrive soon. All we need to do is wait for them to take you out,” Luc snarled.

“Stop!” Scarlett’s voice was no longer jagged with pain but sharp with fury. “Stop fighting. Stop threatening. All of you.” She squirmed in his arms. “Damien, put me down.”

He didn’t.

“You heard her,” Stormhart growled, taking a step closer. “Put her down.”

“Stay away from her. She’s mine.”

“Damien, please.” She softened her tone, placing a palm against his jaw. “I know seeing Kadon upsets you, but you don’t understand.”

“What I understand is that these fuckers want to take you away from me, and that is not happening.”

“That’s my prime omega.” Stormhart waded in once more. “I have every right to take her.”

Damien snarled.

“None of this is helping.” Scarlett shifted in his hold to glare at Stormhart. “This Alpha posturing is ridiculous.”

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