Chapter 35

THIRTY-FIVE

P re-dawn held peace and calmness as Lucas watched Emma sleep, his panther’s heart so full of fierce tenderness it was almost painful. His beautiful mate had finally drifted off after their night of passionate connection, her crystal still pulsing softly with traces of their shared power. The sight of her tangled in their sheets, wearing his mark and carrying his scent, made his panther burn with primitive satisfaction.

But it wasn’t enough. Not yet.

He needed her to accept the full mate bond, to let him claim her completely. Needed to know she was his in every way that mattered. The thought of losing her, of failing to protect what was precious beyond measure...

His growl shook the room as unfamiliar scents approached their position. Malcolm’s people, growing bolder in their attempts to reach his mate. How did they get this far onto pride land? And how did Malcolm know Emma and he were here?

His claws extended automatically before he could force them back.

Emma stirred at his surge of protective power, her scientific enthusiasm apparently immune to normal human needs. In a blink, her tablet was in her hands. Her fingers flew across the keyboard until he caught her hands in his.

“Emma.” His voice was more growl than human, eyes pure predator gold. “I need you to understand something. There is nothing in this world I wouldn’t do to keep you safe. No force I wouldn’t destroy, no power I wouldn’t challenge, no line I wouldn’t cross to protect what’s mine.”

“Yes,” she said, confusion on her face as she glanced down at his hands holding hers hostage. “What are you saying?”

“I’m trying to explain that I would burn the world to keep you safe,” he murmured with tender ferocity, “and my mate is still attempting to measure everything instead of recognizing how utterly essential she is to my existence.”

Emma’s breath caught as she finally felt the depth of his emotion through their strengthening bond. Her usual analytical response faltered at the raw intensity of his protection. “Lucas, I?—”

“Quick,” he said, jumping from bed, “get dressed. We’re not going to sit here like ducks.”

She donned a pair of sweats and a T-shirt just before the safe house’s front defenses shattered.

His transformation was instant, massive panther form filling their bedroom with lethal grace as hostile energy pressed against Emma’s crystal. His cat pushed her toward the door and into the hallway.

He went out first to make sure no hostiles were waiting for them. He wasn’t surprised that her heart rate was steady despite the chaos erupting around them. She trusted him completely to keep her safe, even while documenting every move he made.

Where were his enforcers? They were supposed to be stationed around the property. Something was very wrong with trespassers advancing with little obstacle.

His answering growl vibrated through them both as threats converged on their position. He would tear apart anyone who threatened what was his. Would eliminate every force that dared endanger his mate. Would demonstrate exactly why challenging an alpha’s claim was suicide.

Emma’s hands tangled in his fur as battle approached, her crystal blazing with combined scientific wonder and absolute faith in his protection. In that moment, Lucas knew with bone-deep certainty that he would reshape the world to keep her safe.

The first wave of attackers never saw Lucas coming. His massive form flowed through shadows like liquid death, each movement a devastating display of why panthers were apex predators. Emma, naturally, was more fascinated by his combat efficiency than concerned about the lethal danger surrounding them.

“Lucas, behind you!” she exclaimed while ducking behind an overturned table. She yelped as Lucas yanked her away from an energy blast that shattered her makeshift cover.

His snarl rattled the windows as three more hostiles crashed through them. No one threatened his mate. The attackers’ supernatural power crackled against his fur, useless against an alpha driven by pure protective fury.

The ceiling collapsed exactly where she’d been standing seconds before Lucas pulled her clear. His panther’s heart nearly stopped at how close she’d come to harm.

“Your timing is impeccable,” she noted breathlessly against his fur. “The link between mate-bond awareness and enhanced reaction speed is wonderful.”