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 f*****g 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 uncertain.
“Kalilah,” I said again, voice lower this time. “You’re safe. No one here’s going to hurt you.”
“Perhaps if you change
