Page 104 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

If so, that makes Max much more valuable than a simple weapon.

Being a shifter, Wulf does not possess magic, but the ability to change into his true form; it makes him closer to the Gods, and therefore, he can see things we all cannot.

If the Hadeon is trying to go to Max, thenSetiis offering his most loyal beast to a woman who is worthy of his attention. Which means Wulf wants her.

Over my dead fucking body.

Max ismine.

“Setionly thinks those whoknow death are worthy to have a Hadeon. For what is life without death?” Wulf says, watching Max react.

She pulls up her tunic, hiding her scar. Fear wafts off of her and I fight the urge to whisk her away. To keep all of this from her.

The only thing this woman should fear is me. Not some imaginary haunt. She’s too powerful for that.

Fuck. FieryBel’sballs, I’ve lost my fucking mind.

“He’s a gift then?” I ask, voice cool. It hides everything I’m feeling.

“He’s more than a gift. He’s a loyal protector. He will fight any threat to the woman until their bond dissolves.” The huge man shrugs. “Whenever that might be.”

The Hadeon takes that moment to glide into the village, right to Max’s side. He barely ruffles the ground, as light as a feather in the wind.

Lowering to her feet, content to lay beside her, he huffs.Her protector.

Max lets out a strangled laugh. “I always wanted a pet.”

Wulf doesn’t hear the Humans’pleas for help. In fact, he actively avoids it, extending the time by the fire with stories and wine.

The men are idiots, letting the shifter lead them astray.

These are tactics my father uses when he wants an audience without actually helping. Wulf wants to seem charitable but instead, he’s using these men for entertainment and to feed his ego.

By the time the moon draws high, I can feel the toll it takes on Max.

I can only imagine the exhaustion that lines her bones. Max’s magic is unpredictable, surging with her emotions as well as with her defenses. It wants to protect her as a sentient being.

Thankfully, she can’t use it against me. If the magic was smart, it wouldn’t trust me.

Brows pinched, Max leans forward as if to fall asleep and I grab her, pulling her to stand with me.

“We’re retiring,” I say. The trek to camp won’t be too bad to return now that the Hadeon is on our side. And I’d rather keep her away before Wulf gets confirmation of what she is.

Why she’s so special.

The leader stands too. “We have cabins for the travelers. Let us show you hospitality. We can talk tomorrow of the threat you face and the resources you need.”

The thought of staying in his village causes unease to settle in my gut.

Here, I’m at the mercy of Wulf and his shifters. Max is vulnerable. My siblings are. We left the guards at the camp; stupid, really. We should have been more prepared.

But I only thought of getting Max to myself. My impatience is going to be my downfall.

Tugging on me, Max gives me a pleading look. “We can stay one night. If it helps us deal with the Crimson Army, then it’s worth one night in a warm cabin.”

Fuck the Crimson Army. Fuck the Humans. They’ve never been my concern. It’s always been Max.

I want her home, with me, where I know I can protect her.