Chapter 44 · Don't push me

He sucked in a breath through his teeth.

"Again."

"Don't push me."

"Again."

I cut deeper.

"I want you alive, Rayne. I want you breathing, cursing, and ordering everyone around by sunrise. Is that enough?"

"Almost."

"You're impossible."

"You came back for me."

"Because you were bleeding."

"You crossed a minefield."

"Because you were bleeding."

"You heard me through the bond."

"I said keep still."

The silver shard shifted.

Rayne's back arched off the stone. His hand crushed my hip, and a roar tore out of him. The cave walls threw it back at us.

His eyes flashed silver.

I drove my shoulder into his chest.

"Rayne! Look at me!"

"Move!"

"No!"

"Get away from me!"

"Look at me!"

His claws pushed through his fingertips.

I grabbed his face with my bloody hand and forced his gaze down to mine.

"You're not Cole's weapon," I said. "You hear me? You're not his dog. You're Rayne Carter. Ironfang's commander. The bastard who rejected me because he was too scared to admit I was his mate.