n

n

n~ Zev ~

n

"I don't have a choice!

" he spat back.

"Something is wrong in his head, Dunken—even the wolves who hate me can see it. And this cluster** today is only the beginning.

" Zev knew his eyes were flashing with his Alpha authority, but he didn't care. Dunken was a strong male. If Zev didn't stand his ground, the goat wouldn't give.

"If he sees me take down Lhars and move to the next Alpha, he knows I'm coming for him. I can't give him the time to prepare and plan. He's cunning—whether he's out of his mind or not, he is no easy enemy to defeat.

"

n

"Exactly my point!

" Dunken snarled.

"If you try to take him without the wolves behind you… they may kill you for him, Zev.

"

n

"I don't think so,

" he said, though not as firmly as he should have.

"But it's a risk I'll have to take. I don't have a choice.

"

n

"There is always a choice!

"

n

"Not when it comes to her. Not for me,

" Zev said.

"I can't risk it, Dunken. I can't risk that he finds a way to tie her to someone—or she accidentally trips on her manners and accepts a male without even realizing she's done it. That really would be a **show. And if I keep getting hurt… I have to take Xar while I'm still strong and not exhausted. I've been thinking about it. The events with the humans just made the decision for me.

"

n

"You're crazy.

"

n

"I never denied that,

" Zev said, trying to force a grin.

"But there is one thing you can do for me, to help. To pave the way the best we can.

"

nDunken's jaw twitched and he stood at Zev's feet, glaring down at him, clearly torn between helping his friend, and aiding a plan he thought was a death sentence.

nPlease? Zev added in his head.

nDunken's lips twisted like he'd tasted something sour. But then the tension went out of him.

"What is it?

"

n

"Thank you, brother.

"

n

"I haven't said yes, yet. What is it you want me to do?

"

n

"I need you to go out and spread to as many of the males as will listen, the truth of what really happened between me and the females. They need to know I haven't touched a mated female, and that I didn't take all the others either—and those, only wolves. They need to know that if the females don't return, it isn't because of me. That I tried to keep them safe.

"

nDunken's wide chest rose and fell once, then he turned to look at the exit of the fox hole.

"They won't believe me.

"

n

"Some of them will.

"

nZev waited as his friend—never quick to rush into any plan, whether he thought it foolish or not—examined what he'd been asked and turned it over in his mind.

n

"What is it you believe this will achieve?

" he asked.

nZev looked at Sasha.

"I think right now, as things stand, most of the males will attempt to stand in my way. The moment I appear, if they acknowledge me, they will fight me. I can't afford to have to fight every single male I step in front of before I get to Xar. Those that are thoughtful—the ones that can already sense Xar's imbalance… they'll listen. They'll at least wait for the question to be answered, rather than rushing in to get between us.

n

"Once I've taken Xar, I can address the people and clear it all up. The wolves can examine my mind and see the truth and tell the others. But until then… this will soften the rocky path.

"

nDunken began to pace again.

n

"I don't have to tell you,

" Zev added,

"that right now, they're all out there together. Easy to reach any that you think will listen. Easy to spread the word while they're so close together, before they scatter again.

"

n

"I stink of you,

" Dunken retorted.

n

"It will add credence—they'll know you've actually spoken with me.

"

n

"And possibly decide to attack me because of it if they aren't prepared to listen.

"

n

"You're strong enough to take a few wolves,

" Zev said, flashing a smile at the Captain of the Guard, and the strongest Chimera—bar Yhet—that he knew.

nDunken snorted.

"If you really believe I would fall to that kind of flattery, you don't understand me at all.

"

n

"No,

" Zev said softly.

"I just… I can't see another way. I'm sorry, Dunken. I'm sorry to ask this of you and to make you a target. But I need help. Please. Do you want me to take Alpha?

"

n

"Of course.

"

n

"Then, please, help me.

"

nDunken looked at him for a long moment, then at Sasha on his shoulder, whose heart was getting a little faster. She was going to wake soon. Zev really wanted to be alone with her when that happened. There were so many things he needed to say, but he knew she wouldn't stomach those kinds of conversations in front of others.

n

"Very well, I'll help you, but on one condition,

" Dunken said, folding his thick arms across his chest.

n

"Name it.

"

n

"You don't go for Xar until I've had a chance to talk to all the males. Twenty-four hours, tops. But you rest between now and then—no more fighting—and you don't confront anyone.

"

n

"What if they find me? If they come for me?

"

n

"You defend yourself, of course,

" Dunken said, as if that were obvious.

"But you don't seek out another step up the hierarchy until I've had time to lay the groundwork with the males.

nZev bit his lip. Waiting was a risk—it shortened his time that much more if he ended up needing to fight other challengers, or if any caught him before he got to Xar. But he couldn't deny that the rest ahead of that kind of battle would do his body good.

n

"Okay,

" Zev said a moment later.

"I won't pick a fight with anyone. I won't force anyone to acknowledge me. But if they do—if they come for me, I'm fighting. I can't afford to look weak right now.

"

nDunken nodded.

"Very well. I will help you,

" he said solemnly as if they'd just made a vow. The goat had always been a little formal that way. But Zev grinned and held out his free hand.

"Thank you, brother. If you see Jhon, tell him what you're doing. He'll help you.

"

nDunken took Zev's hand and nodded, but then, without another word he was easing himself down the gap to exit the fox hole, and disappearing out of sight as soon as he stepped away from it.

nZev sighed heavily with relief, then turned to look at Sasha, and wait for her to wake. But until she did, he would simply enjoy sitting with her close. He didn't know how long it would be before they could do that again.

n*****

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