[Gale's POV]
The red mark on Ovelia's cheek was like a brand seared into my vision. The sight of it, combined with the faint echo of her sadness and anger bleeding through our bond, ignited something primal in my chest. The women standing before her—three of them, preening and cruel—had done this. Had touched her. Had hurt her.
"You bitch." The words came out low, venomous, my eyes locked on the woman with the pink headband. I let her see everything I was feeling. Let her feel the weight of my anger pressing down on her like a physical force. "Did you just slap her?"
The woman's raised hand faltered. She lowered it slowly, her earlier bravado crumbling like ash. Her face went pale beneath her thick makeup.
"Who… who are you?" she stammered, her voice small.
I took a step forward. "I'm the person who's about to make you regret ever touching her."
She trembled.
I took another step.
