Chapter 551

• Before I can get another blow in, Malix appears. He somehow wedges himself between us, pulling Kian’s hand away from my throat as he covers my body with his. His muscular weight squeezes me into the couch and forms a barrier between me and Kian, who’s kneeling over us both now.
• “Time out,” Malix commands, an unusual note of authority in his tone. “I’m serious. Cut it the fuck out. We all need some damn rest, okay? It’s been a shitty couple of days. Let’s get some sleep, then we’ll figure out a plan later.”
• Some kind of silent communication seems to pass between Malix and Kian. For a moment, I think Kian’s going to throw him off me and keep fighting. But then the tall, dark-haired shifter deflates. He sighs deeply, his shoulders sagging, and his hard expression falls away, replaced by one of exhaustion.