Chapter 139 - Wounded

~ ZEV ~

Banishing thoughts of Sasha's pink skin and flashing smile, Zev entered the village and prowled through, acknowledging no one, but letting them all see and scent him. As Alpha he did not have to speak or invite anyone's attention.

Strange how quickly the tables had turned—wolves that had ignored him the day before now gave submission. Males from other clans giving him a wide berth not because they were pretending not to see him, but because they acknowledged his power.

As he passed through the square and the homes of many males he knew, he kept his chin low and his eyes focused forward. Let them all scent his confidence. Let them feel his strength. Even with his wounds, he was not a wolf to be toyed with, and they'd all known it.

Now, instead of sneering, they were wary. Instead of dismissive, they measured him as he passed. And that was as it should be.

He had to take responsibility for his role in the people coming to this place that left them so endangered. But he was doing that—stepping forward to fix what was broken, to take back his power. The rest of them had yet to take their responsibility for supporting Xar and allowing all of this.

He was not alone in shouldering blame.

And so he stalked the village, feeling his strength and letting them scent his certainty.

In a few days, after the ritual, after the solitude, after he beat Xar, they would answer to him, and only him. He could wait. But there was no harm in letting them feel the warning.

As he passed out of the main village and to the north, towards Kyelle's home, the forest was thicker until he reached the actual settlement of the owls were many trees had been removed to allow free flight between them.

Kyelle's home was familiar to him. She'd been a great friend, a needed support during his years as Alpha. Just a few years older than him, she had led her clan for three years before Zev returned and took Alpha. Her advice and insight had saved his ass more than once. And her friendship had kept him sane, especially in those first months.

He'd slowly become aware of her growing feelings. At first he'd tried to ignore it, to give her her pride. But eventually she'd gained courage, subtly inviting him to display. He'd ignored all her signals and their friendship, which had always been easy and comfortable, became tense. He'd grieved it, too. She was a true sister to him—wise, helpful, trustworthy.

Among Alphas it could go either way. If Clans aligned, their leaders often became friends. But there was always the question of whose power would win if a conflict were needed. A frisson between Alphas that was difficult to ignore.

With Kyelle, he'd never felt threatened. And he'd never been judged. She'd even seemed eager to let him speak of Sasha and how he missed her. Especially in the first year.

All this history ran through his head on his way to Kyelle's home and his stomach fizzed, not with excitement, but with dread.

Why was Kyelle disturbed? And what was she planning? Or what were the owls discussing? Was she going to warn him, or challenge him?

And what would he do? Would he use what he knew of Kyelle and her secrets against her? In order to win? To more easily make Sasha his own? Or would he give her the respect she deserved as someone he'd always seen as a sister?

Could he? Could he risk it?

Would Kyelle deal with him as a brother? Or would this uneasy darkness always increase between them until he cut ties?

He hoped it wouldn't come to that, but he was also resolved. He would do whatever was needed to smooth the path to Alpha, and to taking Sasha as his mate.

He would not relish wounding Kyelle in that process, but if it was what was required, he would do it.

He couldn't allow anything to get in his way.

As he entered the clearing where Kyelle kept her home and saw the light on behind the large window, and her silhouette on the perch in front of hit, Zev took a deep breath to clear his head. As Kyelle caught sight of him and moved towards the door, he shifted to his wolf and leaped to the small platform in front of the door and waited for her to open it, his stomach coiling with distaste.

The door opened inwardly and Kyelle appeared. Zev was a little surprised at how happy she was to see him, her bright eyes sparkling and her smile broad. "Thank you for coming so quickly!" she said quietly. "It's so good to see you, Zev."

He nodded and stepped inside without a word.

She closed the door behind him then there was an awkward moment where she looked like she was going to lean into him wrap him in a hug as they would have done years ago. But Zev didn't allow himself to smile.

When she stopped in front of him, her eyes widening with uncertainty, he leaned in to share scents, but didn't touch her with his hands. With the formal greeting done, he stepped back and folded his arms.

Kyelle's pretty forehead furrowed. "Are you angry? What's wrong, Zev? It's so good to see you and be able to talk to you alone after so long… why are you acting like… like you're angry?"

Zev gave her a pointed look. "Yhet said you were very disturbed this morning. That you were demanding my attention right away before you could prepare the ritual."

She blinked. "Yes, I was. Disturbed for you. Unhappy that we didn't have the time to discuss—"

"Cut the crap, Kyelle. You're better than that. I really appreciate you helping Sasha. I do. I know how hard that must have been, and I'm grateful that you were willing to put your own feelings aside to help her. She needed it. She'll be even more grateful the longer she's here, the more she realizes exactly what you gave to do that. But even with that… I'm not stupid.

"You don't have a reason to delay preparing the ritual unless you believe something could stop Sasha and I from claiming each other. But you need to know, I have no intention of claiming anyone else, ever. So… what's going on? Are the owls sending a male to challenge me?"

The question hung in the air as Kyelle's face went wary.