220 Negotiating Terms
~ TARKYN ~
Hope burned in Tarkyn’s chest like the spice of a winter pepper. He could barely breathe for holding himself back because what if it didn’t work?
Sasha and Elreth faced each other, Elreth eyeing her warily, but Tarkyn could smell hope on his Queen as well.
Yet, she trembled and he didn’t blame her. Her mate was caged.
Tarkyn’s own rage bubbled up again at that thought. He was forced to keep his eyes on the wolf instead of letting them wander back to Aaryn.
They’d been following the Chimera to this meeting. They were supposed to be just behind Zev and Sasha, ready and accessible to assist in smoothing lines of communication. But they’d been late joining the crowd and so were walking quickly, trying to catch up with the leaders at the front.
But an hour earlier, when they still lagged out of sight of those in the front, Harth had suddenly stopped walking, grabbing for Tarkyn’s arm, her eyes wide and afraid.
“There’s a wolf… a wolf… an Anima wolf—” she’d cast around to look for him, confused as the sparse crowds of Chimera passed them.
She’d taken his hand and run north, hissing to him in the bond that an Anima was here and in danger.
.....
When they’d reached the edge of the Chimera who were traveling, Tarkyn had taken over, running through the trees to scout ahead—until he’d finally found a cluster of Chimera deep in the forest, off the path to the valley.
And he’d known… as soon as he’d caught the scents he’d known.
Aaryn. Aaryn was here, trying to save Elreth—and the Chimera weren’t giving an inch.
Or at least, Zev wasn’t.
As they hid behind a roll of land, Harth had sought the link with him—he’d been reaching out, trying to connect with other wolves, but his link was different and required trust. As far as Harth could tell, none of the other Chimera had heard him.
But Harth had… and she’d whispered what she could learn to Tarkyn.
Aaryn had come, was desperate and willing to face Zev himself. Because Elreth…
Harth sucked in a gasp. “Elreth’s pregnant!” she whisper-squeaked.
Tarkyn’s heart had risen and sunk in the same moment—high and thrilled for his old friend and Alpha and the joy that was coming to her and Aaryn.
And sunk into the much and darkness under his toes because… no wonder she’d been so afraid. No wonder she’d struggled to separate from her emotions.
And she was facing an assassin wolf with his mind on vengeance today?
Tarkyn’s blood had run cold. But there’d been no time to think.
One of the Chimeran guards ahead must have heard a whisper of Harth’s exclamation, because he’d turned, frowning at the trees.
They’d been forced to duck and slink away, to run in the wrong direction to keep themselves hidden, to draw up the rear of the Chimeran ranks as Harth tried desperately to maintain the link with Aaryn—but the distance was too great when they knew each other so little.
So when they finally made it to the valley, it was to find the leaders facing off and Zev declaring a challenge.
He’d felt his mate’s tender heart scream in fear because there was Aaryn, in his wolf and caged… and there was Elreth, facing Zev with dignity that belied her shock and fear.
It had been instinct to step into defense of her when the opportunity arose. He hadn’t even had to think. It was his role—the role he had always played. And in truth, with the possible exception of Gar, he was the most likely Anima to be able to take the wolf in direct combat.
But Gar lacked refinement.
Tarkyn had watched Zev move like a watersnake in the prison. He’d seen the trembling strength of the male, and his whip-fast reflexes.
His ruthlessness, too.
The male had walked a razor-wire that day he’d held a blade to Elreth’s throat—and that was with bars and guards between them.
How impossible would it be for her to take him, even warned ahead, when they were both free like this?
She couldn’t do it—she would lose. And worse… her baby would lose, too.
So he hadn’t even thought, just offered himself, and seen the affirmation and gratitude in Elreth’s gaze.
But his mate… his mate snarled at him through the bond, pleaded with him… feared all of it.
When Sasha stood up to Zev, Tarkyn’s hope had risen again—but he had seen the threat, tensed with the others when Sasha turned her back on her mate.
Tarkyn didn’t know if the Chimera had the same… restraints with their mates that the Anima did. Something in Tarkyn’s soul would die if he physically hurt Harth. But Zev… Zev stank like a serpent about to strike.
Tarkyn had stepped forward instinctively, Harth pleading with him not to move…
Then Sasha’s beautiful, beautiful words.
“We want peace,” she said firmly. “We want peace and… whatever it takes, none of us wants to fight anymore. Ever.”
Tarkyn was torn—his Queen was there, facing another female Alpha, facing the loss of her own offspring, facing the caging of her mate.
But that male… the most present threat, was storming away, rage and bitterness painting every inch of his body—and now with humiliation added to the mix.
Tarkyn couldn’t breathe as he looked back and forth between Elreth and the now-retreating Zev, growling as Chimera made way to let him through.
The tension in the valley rose like a slowly tightened bowstring in the people around him.
This could all end in war.
He had to do something.
Sending a wash of reassurance through the bond to his mate who was so frightened she physically shook, Tarkyn turned and slipped to the edge of the crowd who were all zeroed in on Sasha and Elreth and the drama playing out there.
Even those who noticed Zev were avoiding his wrath, so only hurried to make space for him to pass, then turned their attention back to the females.
It wasn’t safe. It couldn’t be safe.
That male was quivering with tension and rage… He couldn’t be left—because which way would he turn?
Would he finally surrender? Let himself be dominated for the good of his people?
Or would he turn and fight.
Or worse… fight dirty?
Whichever it was, Tarkyn would be there to ensure that the people were safe. To ensure that his mate was safe.
‘Tarkyn! Please!’ Harth pleaded in his head.
‘I’m just watching him. Just guarding, Harth. Stay there. Help Sasha and Elreth find their way. Everything hinges on what happens this day.’
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