THALIA POV
The hybrid's claws are inches from my face when Kael hits it like a silver missile.
They crash into the trees, snarling and tearing at each other. I'm frozen, watching the most terrifying fight I've ever seen. Through the bond, I feel every wound Kael takes. Every slash burns across my own skin like phantom fire.
He's going to die. We're both going to die.
Then the hybrid makes a mistake. It lunges too far forward, exposing its throat for half a second. Kael's jaws snap closed on the vulnerable spot. Blood sprays black in the moonlight.
The hybrid goes limp.
Kael drops it and shifts back to human form, covered in blood and breathing hard. He looks at me with those glowing amber eyes. "Inside. Now."
I scramble back into the cave. My legs shake so badly I almost fall. Kael follows, and the moment we're safe, he collapses against the wall.
"You're hurt," I gasp. Claw marks cover his chest and arms.
"I'm fine. I heal fast." But through the bond, I feel his pain. It's worse than he's admitting.
"That thing—what was it?"
"Corruption." He spits blood. "When beastmen mix bloodlines that shouldn't mix, sometimes the offspring goes wrong. Becomes a hybrid. Loses all sanity and just hunts."
"That's awful."
"That's the Beastworld." He looks at me, and his expression hardens. "Which brings us to your problem."
My stomach drops. "My problem?"
"You don't belong here, Thalia." He says my name like it tastes bitter. "You can't fight. Can't hunt. Can't shift into an animal form. You have no claws, no fangs, no strength." He lists each flaw like he's reading my death sentence. "You'll be dead within a week."
The words hit harder than I expect. Because he's right. I'm a psychologist, not a warrior. I solve conflicts with words, not violence. In this world, that makes me completely useless.
"Then teach me how not to die," I force out.
He laughs, but there's no humor in it. "Teach you what? How to grow claws? How to shift? Those things are impossible for humans."
"Then teach me what IS possible!" My voice cracks. "I survived a dimensional rift. I survived landing here. I'm not going to just give up because you say I'm useless!"
Something flickers in his eyes. Respect, maybe. Or surprise that I'm still fighting back.
"Fine," he says slowly. "I'll teach you the basics. How to identify safe plants. How to avoid predators. How to hide your scent." He leans forward. "But understand this—in the Beastworld, strength is everything. Beastmen can shift between animal and human forms. We're faster, stronger, more deadly than anything in your world. Females are rare here and protected like treasures. But human females?" He shakes his head. "You're the weakest thing that's ever existed here."
"Then I'll have to be smart instead of strong."
"Smart doesn't stop claws from ripping you apart."
"Smart kept me alive tonight," I shoot back. "I saw the pack pattern. I told you which wolf to target. That's not useless."
He goes quiet. Through the bond, I feel him thinking. Reconsidering.
"You did see that," he admits. "How?"
"I'm a behavioral psychologist. I study how people—and apparently animals—act in groups. Pack dynamics. Hierarchy. Social patterns." I meet his eyes. "You might be stronger, but I can read behavior faster than you can throw a punch."
For the first time, he looks at me like I might be more than a burden.
"Interesting," he murmurs. "But that won't save you from everything. There are beastmen out there who would kill you just for being weak. Others who would capture you and use you as bait. And some..." His jaw clenches. "Some would do worse."
Fear crawls up my spine. "What do you mean?"
"Human females can't shift, but you can still bond with beastmen. That makes you valuable in a twisted way. Some males would force bonds on you to increase their power. Use you like a tool."
My blood runs cold. "You mean like you did?"
His eyes flash with anger. "I saved your life. I didn't force anything. The bond formed because we both wanted to survive."
"Did I want it? I was dying. I didn't exactly consent!"
"Would you rather be DEAD?" he roars.
"I'd rather have had a CHOICE!"
We glare at each other. Through the bond, I feel his guilt mixing with his anger. He knows I'm right, but he's too proud to admit it.
Then footsteps echo outside the cave. Multiple footsteps.
Kael's entire body goes rigid. He sniffs the air and curses. "Tiger clan. Three males."
"Is that bad?"
"Very bad." He moves to block the cave entrance. "They hunt in my territory sometimes. I usually ignore them, they ignore me. But if they smell you..."
"They'll what?"
"Take you." His voice drops to a growl. "Tiger clan believes human females are good luck charms. They collect them. Force bonds. Keep them as pets."
Terror floods through me. "Kael—"
"Stay behind me. Don't speak. Don't move."
Three massive men appear at the cave entrance. They're even bigger than Kael, with orange eyes that glow in the darkness. Stripes shimmer under their skin like living tattoos.
The biggest one grins, showing fangs. "Kael Thornpaw. Heard you had an interesting night. Shadow pack and a hybrid? You must be getting slow in your old age."
"Leave, Ryker." Kael's voice is deadly calm. "This is my territory."
"Sure, sure." Ryker sniffs the air. His eyes widen. "Wait. Is that—" He pushes past Kael before anyone can stop him. His orange eyes lock on me. "By the Moon Goddess. A human female."
I press back against the cave wall. Through the bond, Kael's rage explodes like a volcano.
"She's mine," Kael snarls. "Bonded. Touch her and die."
Ryker laughs. "Bonded? To a human?" He looks at his companions. "Did you hear that? The mighty alpha bonded to prey."
"She's not prey," I say before I can stop myself.
All three tigers turn to stare at me. Ryker's grin widens. "It speaks. And with such fire too." He takes a step toward me. "Tell me, little human. Does the wolf treat you well? Or would you prefer a real predator?"
Kael moves between us, and I feel his wolf surging to the surface. His eyes blaze pure gold. "Last warning, Ryker."
"Or what? You'll fight all three of us? While protecting your weak little human?" Ryker's smile turns cruel. "I don't think you can."
Through the bond, I feel Kael calculating. He's strong, but three tiger clan warriors? While keeping me safe?
The odds are bad.
"Actually," a new voice says from the cave entrance, smooth and cold as ice, "he won't be fighting alone."
Everyone turns. A man stands in the shadows—beautiful in a dangerous way, with black hair and eyes that gleam violet in the firelight. Something about him makes my skin crawl and my pulse race at the same time.
Kael goes completely still. "Soren Nightscale."
The beautiful man smiles, showing fangs. "Hello, wolf. I heard rumors of a human female in the forest. I came to see if they were true." His violet eyes lock on me. "And it seems they were."
Ryker backs up. "Serpent lord. This isn't your concern."
"Oh, but it is." Soren steps fully into the cave, and I see scales shimmer across his neck. "You see, I have a proposition for the alpha. One that involves his fascinating new mate."
Kael's growl shakes the cave walls. "Thalia isn't for sale."
"I'm not buying her." Soren's smile widens. "I'm offering an alliance. Because in three days, Tiger clan is planning a raid on your territory. And they're not coming for resources."
He looks directly at me.
"They're coming for her."