Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Three
Beldra's arms tightened even more around Crow, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the surrounding women. "You're all too close," she said sharply. "Back off."
Liana stepped forward, clearly annoyed. "Crow isn't yours, Beldra."
Beldra's aura flared—a shimmering black and crimson energy that rippled like fire. "He gave me head pats. He let me cling to him. That means something."
Sylvanna's wings twitched. "You're acting like a spoiled child."
Beldra's eyes turned cold. "I'll act however I want. As long as I'm by his side, none of you matter."
Crow raised a hand, voice firm. "That's enough."
Beldra flinched slightly at his tone but didn't move away. Instead, she looked up at him with a forced, sweet smile. "I'm only protecting what's mine."
"Beldra," Crow said carefully, "I don't belong to anyone."
But even as he said it, he knew things were spiraling fast—and that the tension between his powerful allies was only getting worse.