Meanings of standing protectively in English

The other woman, standing protectively beside Treia, was her younger sister, Aylaen.

Tied securely to the side of the paddle boat was a fourteen-foot canoe made of birch bark, and standing protectively by it was Mark.

He walked around to the passenger-side door and opened it, standing protectively in front of Emma to keep the shouting reporters at a slight distance.

Heck turned and saw Wolf standing protectively over Jack, his upper lip pulled back, the overhead lights sending weird orange glints off his round glasses.

"Stay away from the princess!" Knotgrass said, standing protectively in front of the bassinet.