Damon POV

Kalilah was approaching us, her lips peeled back in a sneer.

I stared ahead, taking a step forward.

“Kalilah, it’s Damon. Your mate.”

She growled, low and dangerous, shoulders tensed like she was ready to pounce. But there—just for a second—I saw it. The flicker of hesitation in her eyes.

“She is going to attack,” Caden muttered under his breath.

I rolled my eyes. “Caden, that isn’t fucking helping so drop it.”

“I’m just saying—”

“You’re making it worse,” I snapped. “Shut up or back off.”

Kalilah’s eyes flicked between us, confusion starting to edge into her expression. Her claws hadn’t retracted, but her stance shifted—less aggressive, more...