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~Kael's POV~
Rhiannon's breath hitched, but her fingers curled against my chest like they were already testing how deep they could drive a claw.
I didn't move. Didn't flinch. I let her feel the steady drum of my heartbeat beneath her palm.
"I should," she whispered, the sound ragged, almost unrecognisable. "I should rip you open and make you feel what I feel."
"Then do it," I repeated, leaning in until my forehead almost touched hers. "Ravyn's strong enough, isn't she? Or is she all bark?"
Her eyes blazed red at the insult, her wolf surging to the surface. Her nails lengthened, grazing my skin through the thin fabric of my shirt.
One sharp movement and she could tear through me.
But I didn't stop her.
Her breathing grew heavy, shoulders trembling as the beast inside her fought to break free.
For a heartbeat, I thought she would actually do it, that she'd let the rage and grief take her completely.