Chapter 48

Victoria I barely registered the deafening roar of helicopter blades above us before a dark shape hurtled through the smoke-filled air. Leo landed with predatory grace mere feet from where I stood frozen, his eyes blazing with primal fury as he scanned the chaos. "Victoria!" His voice cut through the cacophony of gunfire and shouting. When our eyes met, something visceral passed between us—relief, desperation, and that ever-present pull that seemed to physically draw us together. In three long strides, he reached me, powerful arms enveloping my body as he spun us away from the shattered window. I felt the unmistakable thud of bullets hitting the wall behind us where I'd stood seconds before. "Stay down," he growled against my ear, the vibration of his chest against mine both terrifying and oddly comforting. His body completely shielded mine as he propelled us toward the door, one arm braced protectively around my head. Beta Jackson flanked our other side, partially shifted now, his fan