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“I know that he won’t!” Oscar screamed. It wasn’t like him, being this out of control. He didn’t let people provoke him. But Trent kindled this protective flame in him, and it burned hot.

Oscar dug his fingernails into his palms, breaking the skin as he wrestled with his anger.

“I know that we can’t be together. But I won’t let him be harmed. I won’t let anyone touch him.”

Justin squinted at Oscar, his hands resting on his hips in a petulant posture. Then his eyes widened.

“Oh my god. You think that he’s your mate.”

Oscar glanced back at the cabin. He imagined Trent inside, doing something domestic. Making dinner or doing laundry or working on that dumb puzzle. He imagined the future they would never have together.

“Heismy mate,” Oscar said, his voice now soft. “Even though we’ll never complete the bond, I will protect him. He deserves that much.”

Justin scoffed and rolled his eyes. “He’s a dick. An arrogant, self-obsessed asshole. He’ll never give you what you want. It would be better if you let Elliott kill him. Hell, I’ll kill him myself.”

With that, Oscar flew to Justin’s throat, strangling him, his claws locked into the flesh of Justin’s neck. Justin writhed, screaming, as he pounded his fists against Oscar’s chest, but Oscar wouldn’t let go. He couldn’t.

This little twerp, he’d pretended to be Oscar’s friend and then given them over to his abusive ex and the remnants of his evil old coven. It didn’t matter now that he was trying to save his aunt, if that was even true. No one would threaten his mate. No one would put Trent in danger.

“Oscar.” Trent’s voice was low and kind. When had he come out of the cabin? He was so calm. “Oscar, let him go.”

“No.” Oscar’s voice spilled out in a raspy roar. “I won’t.”

Then Trent’s hand was on his shoulder, warm and soft against the tensed muscles that held Justin painfully in place. That touch contained so much in it, so much hope, and so much disappointment.

“Please,” Trent whispered into his ear.

Something broke inside. Oscar let go, and Justin collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

“Thank you,” Trent said. His face was still, even as Oscar shook with spent exertion.

“You almost died last night. He doesn’t deserve?—”

“I know.” Trent’s lips formed into a compassionate smile. “But he’s your friend. You shouldn’t carry the burden of killing him.”

“I don’t know…” Oscar’s eyes went to the twink vampire, who was no longer gasping for air. He lay on his back in the grass and dried leaves as the rhythm of his breathing returned to normal.

“I heard what you said.” Trent removed his hand from Oscar’s shoulder. Oscar immediately missed its absence.

“What…which part?” A wave of fear rolled over Oscar. He hadn’t been thinking at all, really. He’d just been reacting.

“That you would protect me. That it didn’t matter if we were together, that you wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt me.”

Oscar nodded. He didn’t have anything else to say. Trent would never accept him as his mate. But Oscar wouldn’t allow harm to come to him.

“I appreciate it, Oscar. I appreciate you. I wish I could…I wish it were possible?—”

The sound of tires on gravel snatched Oscar’s attention. Two black luxury sedans rolled down the long path from the road.

“That’s Freddie and Lillian. They can deal withhim,” Oscar said, gesturing to Justin. “I’ll drive the rental back. You go with them. We shouldn’t see each other. Not for a while.”

Trent opened his mouth as if he was about to refute Oscar, then closed it. He nodded slowly.

“That’s for the best.”

Chapter 18

Trent