Contrary to what my instincts expected, Anastasia did not collapse into my hold. Her fingers only gripped my arm briefly, grounding herself for balance, but the moment I tried to close the distance between us, she retreated on instinct. My Alpha instincts surged forward immediately, urging me to pull her in, to keep her close where I could protect her fully, but she had already stepped away from that pull.
I reached out anyway.
She was already gone from my reach.
"I'll send you home first and let my men handle the rest here," I said, forcing my voice into control even as the bond between us tightened uncomfortably, as if reacting to distance it didn't accept.
"Let Rey send me home. You stay and catch Riley." Her voice was steady, too steady, and before I could respond, she closed the door.
