Chapter 47 · This Is Mine

"This is mine," Rayne said, pressing my hand against his chest. "The want is mine. The regret is mine. The choice is mine."

His heartbeat hammered beneath my palm.

The pup peeked around my hip. "Mama, he sounds mad."

"He is."

Rayne glanced down at him. "I'm not mad at you."

"Are you mad at Mama?"

"All the time."

"Why?"

"Because she keeps running toward danger and expects me not to follow."

The pup thought about that. "Then follow faster."

A laugh caught in my throat.

Rayne's mouth twitched, but no sound came out. The silver in his eyes pulsed. Then he turned toward the tunnel.

The pup's fingers tightened around mine. "Father, don't go."

Rayne stopped.

The word hit him hard. His shoulders locked, and his blade lowered by an inch.

Then the silver flashed white.

His head snapped toward me.

The kill-light had changed targets.

I shoved the pup behind my body. "Rayne?"

He took one step forward.

"Stay back."

His lips peeled away from his teeth.

"Rayne, look at me."

Another step.

The pup whimpered behind me.

"Don't come closer."

"Sera," Rayne rasped. His voice sounded torn in half. "Run."

"No."

"Run before I—