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Lerrin, who’d been sharing his attention between Zev and Lhars, turned to face Zev, his expression flat and dark for the first time.

For a moment, Zev’s wolf rose—he could see in those eyes, alight with both strength and confidence, in the older wolf’s way of moving, that this was not a male to be trifled with. He offered no challenge, posed no intentional threat, yet Zev’s instincts jangled caution.

He would not be easily beaten.

“I understand that there’s been… conflict with Elreth,” Lerrin growled, unaware of Zev’s thoughts. “And you’re right to say that she has a very strong will—that she’s not always immediately willing to listen when you’re at odds. But I speak from experience when I say she was raised and groomed for Alpha by the single best and strongest male I have had the pleasure to know—not a bully, or a power-monger. A male who… gave himself to his people, and his family. Who gave himself to anyone who needed him. He was a better example of Alpha than my own father, and I wouldn’t stand here today if it weren’t for his wisdom and strength. Elreth is young, but her strength is… formidable. However, any leader has to mature into their strength. I’m guessing you did too,” he said dryly.

Before Zev could answer, he continued. “It’s my observation—of myself, and of others that I admire—that a self-reliant Alpha will always be guilty at times of not listening when they should—I certainly was, when I was probably about your age, too,” he said, raising one brow. “But the test of a true leader is what we do when our flaws become… apparent to us. And how we treat others when they express remorse because their flaws have become apparent to them.”

Zev had to roll his jaw. He didn’t miss the implication. “That’s a lovely moral to a children’s story,” he growled. “And often true. But we aren’t talking about skipping responsibility or letting down a friend. I faced torment and imprisonment at the hands of your “strong young leader” despite the arguments from those around her who were more accurate in their measure. My son and mate were threatened and harmed in the name of “caution.” And even when I proved to her that I could have killed her and didn’t… even then she didn’t let me free.”

Lerrin tipped his head. “You’re a strong wolf yourself.”

“I am.”

.....

“I take it you’ve led since you were very young?”

“I have.”

Lerrin nodded. “I wonder if, in the first year or so of your rule, you made any mistakes that you now regret?”

Zev didn’t move. He didn’t even breathe. He held the male’s gaze for a long moment, then forced himself to nod. “The difference is, my ‘mistake’ didn’t imprison my enemies. It was the other way around. I gave them too much credit. I paid—my people paid—because I allowed someone who shouldn’t have been trusted to remain in leadership. And just as you’ve suggested, I learned from that mistake. It won’t happen again,” he said emphatically.

Lerrin nodded. “I meant no offense,” he said finally. “I only want you to know that we are a real people. With real feelings and flaws. But we love and we lead. And our Queen admits her wrong. She sent us to reassure you of that. To tell you our own experience with her compassion and gratitude. And to, hopefully, find a way to avoid war.”

“Maybe,” Zev muttered. “But if I were you, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

*****

~ TARKYN ~

After the wolves left their fire, Harth and Tarkyn had spent a pleasant hour sitting before the flames and just… being. The guards had stayed far enough back not to intrude, so it had been, for Tarkyn, a blessed relief to simply sit with his mate and not have to navigate any other conflicts—or suspicions. Though he’d felt the eyes of the other Chimera nearby, most had seemed to settle more after Zev left, and those who had passed close enough to be seen, seemed less concerned by Tarkyn after he’d been speaking with both Zev and Lhars and had remained free. But they still didn’t approach.

Tarkyn wondered if it was only as Harth said—that they weren’t sure where Tarkyn fit in their hierarchy and so didn’t want to engage. Or whether there was something greater afoot.

Sadly, there were no answers to be found in the slowly dying flames.

The walk back to the cave—surrounded by the guards, who’d given them space around the fire, but hovered close when they were moving—was quiet.

It wasn’t until they got back to the cave and were readying to sleep that Harth finally spoke up.

“You handled that well. Both Lhars and Zev.”

Tarkyn smiled at his mate as he pulled back the furs and crawled in, beckoning her to come join him.

They’d both undressed, but with their awareness of the guards outside, Tarkyn didn’t think he’d take her tonight. He prayed they’d receive more freedom and privacy in the coming days.

“I was surprised Zev let me stay free, honestly. I don’t think he wanted to,” he said quietly, keeping his voice relaxed and calm. Let the guards hear him understand his position, but not be worried about it.

Harth frowned, sliding into the furs and turning to face him, laying on her side with her hand under her cheek, her eyes worried and fixed on him. “I don’t think he wanted to either, but he’s always submitted to Sasha when she’s made a direct instruction to the people so… I guess he’s still doing that.”

Tarkyn didn’t respond. Sasha’s description of their sharing of the Alpha decisions… he admired it. Could see value in it. But the tension and anger in Zev—the male was so on edge he made Tarkyn’s teeth clench—didn’t bode well. The way the people all around them had become more alert when Zev showed up…

It wasn’t healthy.

A good and healthy Alpha made their people feel stronger, safer. The packs, prides, and herds of the Anima were generally more relaxed, not less, when Elreth was present. Because in the back of their minds they knew their leader would handle any danger or conflict that arose.

It happened on a smaller scale within the groups and families as well.

Tarkyn had been blessed to be close enough to see Elreth’s father, Reth, carry the weight of the Anima for twenty years. When that male had walked the trails, Anima smiles grew broader. When he sat at market, all the tribes were happier—until the conflict with the wolves. But even after it…

This was the side of Elreth that the Chimeran leaders had never seen, he realized. Elreth’s fierce defense of the Protectors. Her willingness—since childhood—to stand in the gap for those who were weaker, or less valued.

When her stubborn strength was thrown behind a cause or group who needed her, they fell at her feet because she did not waver.

He hadn’t really ever thought of what might happen if she took that strength against a weaker group. Hadn’t expected to see the day, because he knew his Queen’s heart.

“Tarkyn?” Harth whispered, putting a hand to his chest.

He blinked and pulled her into an embrace, sighing. “Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts.”

“About Zev?”

“Yes, some. About leadership. And its impacts on the people.”

Harth sighed. “Everyone’s very tense. We couldn’t talk about it properly, but I did talk around it a bit with Kyelle. She’s worried, even though she didn’t say it outright, I could tell. They’re all worried.”

“They have reason to be. That wolf is a bow string under too much tension. The weapon might be effective, but the wrong pressure and it’ll snap.”

Harth nodded. “I could feel it when he came to the fire, could you?”

“Yes. If that had been Elreth among my people, I would have pulled her aside immediately, spoken to her and Aaryn, warned them how the people were feeling. But somehow I don’t think Zev would hear my caution,” he said dryly.

“No, he definitely wouldn’t. I’ll try to talk to Kyelle again tomorrow. Maybe even get a chance to see Sasha. I’m sure they know it, but… let’s just pray that he can relax now. He’s only just come back and his family is here for the first time… hopefully he’ll settle down over the next couple of days.”

Tarkyn didn’t believe so, but he didn’t want to discourage his mate. It was good that she’d speak with the females and try to soothe the tension. A people under stress because of their leader would begin to lash out and become aggressive themselves—to each other, or others they perceived as a threat.

Not the right mood for peace talks. Not at all.

Tarkyn sighed.

Harth’s arms tightened around him and she kissed his collarbones as they both lay quietly.

But as Harth’s breathing slowed and her grip on him relaxed, as she drifted into sleep, Tarkyn found himself wide awake, his mind turning the entire picture over and over. And coming up with the same answer every time.

Something had to change, or this would not end well.