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Angry heat boiled inside me, and I clenched my fists, barely resisting the urge to punch the asshole — once for every nasty word out of his mouth.

Don't be reckless. Be smart.

"Ha!" He grinned. "I see those fists. You really think you got a chance against me? Dragon ridersare nothing next to us wolf shifters. And you can barely stand, you twat."

I ground my teeth. He was right about me barely standing, but I still wanted to fucking punch him. Except doing that now would just make it even harder for me to save Gram and Mirrim.

Fuck!!

His grin widened, and he elbowed his partner with a laugh. "See? Exactly what I said. No spine. No way she'd go for him."

I couldn't stop the cold laugh from bubbling free of my chest, nor the words that followed — no matter how much I knew I'd regret them.

"You know. You're right. But that's okay." I leaned in. "I've only got eyes for yourmother. Nowshe'sa good fuck!" I grinned. "But don't think you can go around calling me Daddy, son. Onlyshecan do that."

The guard's eyes went buggy, his whole face turning bright red as he shook. His club rose, and I closed my eyes, bracing for the strike.

Yup. My stupid mouth would be the death of me one of these days. Gods be damned …

"Wait!" interrupted the other guard, holding back the struggling man with two hands. "We have to keep him pretty. Remember? Korym's orders!"

Keep me pretty? Didn't they see my fat lip and black eye?

The red-faced guard stopped struggling immediately, but he didn't drop his club as he stared at me, chest heaving.

Slowly, though, his breath returned, and that scowl gave way to a nasty grin. "Right. But no one's gonna see the rest of him."

His fist slammed into my stomach, doubling me over and stealing my breath. Then a club slammed into my back, sending me to the ground.

Stars filled my vision, and if they had let me eat anything that morning, I'd have vomited it all up.

"Leave him alone!" Kaiya shouted — her words barely audible over the engines.

The other guard just laughed and joined the assault, adding his kicks to the onslaught as pain ricocheted inside me.

"Your mother likes it rough, too," I ground out, forcing my lips into a smile. Better to focus on me than on Kaiya.

Gods damn — it hurt, though.

Then the assault stopped — one second, I was being pummeled, and the next, the guards were gone.

Through a watering eye, I peeked up to see Tye holding both men aloft by their throats, his golden eyes shining as the men choked and spluttered for air.

"That's enough." His voice was a low growl, his face as hard as the wolf he was rumored to be.

The guards nodded as best as they could, faces going purple, and Tye dropped them into a heap.

I expelled a garbled, pained laugh as they scrambled to their feet, eyes wide. They rubbed at their throats and mumbled apologies before scurrying off.

A few yards away, Kaiya stared at Tye —hazel eyes wide and jaw agape.

Yes, she was far better off with a strong mate like him — even IF he was working for Frexin.

Mild embarrassment at my helplessness filled me, and I gingerly climbed to my feet and brushed off my tattered clothes.

"Do you always open your mouth without thinking?" Tye asked, shaking his head. His gaze hit my swollen eye and his face tightened. "I apologize for what's coming. I'd help if I could. But —" He looked over his shoulder at Kaiya, then back at me. "Good luck, Liam."

"Okaaaay," I said, watching cautiously as he strode back to Kaiya's side, a new fear swirling inside me.