“You are unbelievable,” I snapped, shoving past him toward the door. “I didn’t ask for your help, I didn’t need it, and I definitely don’t need you trying to—”

“Trying to what?” Alec’s voice was a spark against flint, his footsteps loud on the warped floorboards as he followed. “Keep you from getting yourself killed?”

I spun on him, heat curling in my chest. “You don’t get to decide what I can handle—”

“I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t say it right now!” he cut in, the words ripped from him like he hadn’t meant to let them out.

I froze. “What?”

His jaw was tight, his hands flexing like he didn’t know where to put them. “You think I’m here because Seraphine ordered me to find you? Because I’m just the dutiful Vaelorth hound following orders?” He shook his head. “You’re wrong. I’m here because—” His voice dropped, rough around the edges. “Because every time you’re in danger, I can’t think straight. Because even when you’re glaring at me like you’d rather set me on fire, I still—”

He stopped himself, breathing hard. My heart was doing something strange, like it didn’t know whether to lunge forward or retreat.

I hated him. I hated him… didn’t I?