"Absolutely not," Noah rumbled, his thick arms crossed tightly over his chest, his dark wolf ears pinned so flat against his black hair they were practically invisible.
He stood right in front of the grand courtyard doors, blocking my path like an immovable wall of muscle and dark linen.
"The expanded northern sector has not been fully cleared of rogue wild beasts. The badgers are efficient diggers, Arinya, but they do not possess tactical pack instincts. I am coming with you."
"I have already ordered my guard rotation to saddle the giant mountain rams," Fenric chimed in, marching up behind Noah with his white-and-black striped tail whipping through the air in an aggressive, agitated rhythm. His ruby eyes were flashing with intense heat. "If a single stray hyena beastman so much as looks at our mate across the border, I'll tear the entire valley down. You are not leaving this palace without an escort, Arinya."
