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nLhars had been running through the Courtyard with only one thought on his mind. He could smell Kyelle, and she was stressed. He’d barely even registered the other males, been on his way to find his mate and make sure she knew he was there and he would help however he could, or he would wait—when suddenly a body stepped in his path with a command to stop, and Lhars only knew two things: The male was a threat, and they smelled faintly of his mate.

nHe’d snapped before he even thought, his wolf snarling forward—no one touched her, no one. She wasn’t his yet, they wouldn’t know. She hadn’t been marked or scented. But he wouldn’t allow her to be taken—

n”Stand. Down.” The words were a command.

nFor the first time, Lhars registered that they came from Zev. Alpha of his pack. His brother. Mate to the Alpha of All.

nAnd the male that had almost taken Kyelle away from him forever.

nHis entire body tensed.

n”She’s mine,” he hissed. “Back the ** off, Zev,” he let the words roll off into a growl.

nZev twitched at the threat in his words and his own growl began to roll, though he still didn’t raise his hands or shift.

n”What the **, Lhars?” he hissed, but his eyes remained locked, and he didn’t relax.

nLhars’ head buzzed, his pulse thrumming in his ears. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. All around them males went still and silent, watching with cautious eyes.

nChoosing their sides.

nNo. No, he wasn’t challenging for Alpha! He had to make that clear! But he also wasn’t letting Zev keep him from his mate! His heart and mind swam, twisting in different directions, tugging at him. He had to think! He had to be careful.

nHe had to get to Kyelle.

nA low but resonant call huffed in his throat, and his heart flipped as he gave it. A sound he’d never made before. But there was no time to consider it, he had an Alpha to back down.

n”Why do you stink of my mate?” Lhars seethed.

n”Stink of your mate? Lhars, what—”

n”Why are you trying to stop me from reaching her?”

n”What are you talking about? Lhars—” Suddenly, Zev’s eyes widened, though he didn’t step back. “Lhars… did Kyelle accept you?!”

n”She is my mate, and I told her I’d wait for her, she needs to know I’m here, and—”

n”So we’ll tell her that you’re here. You can’t just go racing into the hall. The females are in crisis!”

n”Then let me through to check my mate—you can’t just—”

nHer scent hit the back of his nose only half a breath before her voice sounded from the stairwell behind Zev.

n”Lhars, it’s fine. Zev just filled me in before I went up to the hall, that’s all you’re smelling. And I’m here. I’m here. It’s fine.”

n”It’s not fine,” Zev snapped. “He challenged me.”

n”I’m not challenging you for Alpha,” Lhars muttered. “You were stepping between me and my mate. You smell of her.”

n”Barely!” Zev growled. “And… wait, so you’re both… I mean this is—”

nKyelle interrupted him by pushing past to step between them, leaving Zev behind her, keeping her eyes fixed on Lhars, who hadn’t dropped his locked gaze with Zev.

n”Lhars,” she breathed, putting one hand on his chest. “I’m here. And I’m not with him. He didn’t know. He wasn’t stopping you from reaching me, he was stopping you from frightening the females.”

nLhars needed to stop growling. He needed to submit. His mind knew this, but his body bristled. If he’d been in wolf form, his hackles would have been standing inches off his back.

nThen Kyelle pushed up on her tiptoes, wrapped a hand around the back of his neck and lifted her chin, baring her throat to him as she leaned forward to whisper in his ear. “I’m here. Look at me, Lhars. I’m here.”

nZev remained tense and poised, but his eyes were smiling.

nLhars forced himself to blink, to break eye contact, dropping his eyes to meet the beautiful, blue, liquid gaze of his mate staring up at him.

n”Hi,” she smiled, when he finally did, though he could feel the tension in her. He snaked an arm around her back to keep her close.

n”Hi.” His voice was husky, dark.

n”I’m glad you’re here, Lhars,” she said, her voice shaking. “My mate.”

nThe entire Courtyard went silent, waiting to see if he’d acknowledge her. Or make her win him. Because she’d been the first to declare, she’d put the choice in his hands.

nAnd Lhars saw the thread of fear behind her eyes as she handed him that gift.

nThen she pulled his head down and kissed him.

nEverything else in his mind disappeared at the slow, soft slide of her lips. His body, suddenly alight with a whole new energy, quivered. He made that call again, a low hum that vibrated his chest. Kyelle sucked in a breath, her hand fisting his shirt.

nBut he held her chin, kept her there for a moment, on her toes, nipping at her lip. Then he whispered, “My mate,” in her ear.

nThe howls of the wolfpack rose in a chorus around them as the males stood to acknowledge they were witness to the pairing of their Second in command.

nZev even raised his voice, though he still trembled with the tension. Lhars didn’t miss that a handful of the pack had moved silently to stand at his back.

nAs it should be.

nLhars would commend them. Later. When his wolf wasn’t still trying to snap at Zev’s throat. Or take his mate.

nKyelle’s fingers curled into the back of his neck and she whispered, “Calm down. I know it’s hard. It’s hard for me, too. But we have to trust, Lhars. Trust me. Please. They know now. And soon… soon it’ll be undeniable. I just need a couple of hours. That’s all.” She looked up at him, pleading. “Please don’t fight.”

nHis hands tightened on her.

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