Atticus' POV
Dmitri stirs restlessly beneath my skin as we watch our mate maintain her grip on the brunette's throat. The sight of Garcia asserting her dominance sends waves of pride through both of us.
I cannot fathom what drives a Guardian to show such blatant disrespect toward their Queen. The selection process for Guardians involves rigorous testing, followed by a full year of probation. This behavior makes no sense.
"What the hell is wrong with women?" Collin's voice echoes through our mind-link, tinged with frustration.
"They're too scared to put in the real work to find their connection. They'd rather avoid disappointment by refusing to accept their Mate's rank. Plus, too many get spoiled and never face any real consequences," Garcia responds aloud, her voice carrying across the training grounds.
Collin's chuckle rumbles through our bond. She knew exactly why he chose the mind-link instead of speaking openly.
