Chapter 1
Alphas are not supposed to cry.
Watching Zara walk alone behind her father’s casket in complete silence, her soul devastated had Gage at his breaking point.
She looked so vulnerable as she followed her family to the mausoleum where her father, Alpha Zachery Talmhach, would be put to rest.
To anyone else in the procession, she looked stoic and strong, but he saw what they didn’t. The tightness of her arms and fisted hands at her sides conveyed control, but her slack shoulders and back gave her away. Zara never slouched.
“Stand tall like there’s a steel rod in that spine,” Alpha Zachery would call out to his daughter whenever she tried to.
Saw her wince almost in pain at the renewed sobbing and wailing of her mother, who was practically being carried by her brother and his father-in-law.
Gage clenched his jaw. Wondered if her mother was putting on a show for the hundreds who had gathered for the funeral and internment. She had certainly cranked up the volume, playing the loving mother to her daughter at the service.
Complete opposite of her actions two days ago when he witnessed firsthand the vileness of that woman’s true nature.
His mother had sat with him as he stayed by Zara while doctors monitored her after she trauma shifted into her wolf. Her Great Uncle Joel, the Pack Alpha, had just left after breaking the news her father had died in surgery. The damage from the wounds was too extensive.
His mother had comforted Zara as she quietly cried. Couldn’t help but wonder if she was hiding her tears from him. Knew how much she hated to look weak.
“This is all your fault,” Sage Arabella screeched as she stormed into the room, claws out and going directly for her daughter’s throat. “Your father is dead because of you.”
His mother shot in front of him, grabbed and shoved the startled woman full force against the wall.
“Now is not the time for your venom, Arabella. For once show some compassion to your daughter.”
The icy stare down between the two Alpha she-wolves was intense.
Neither flinched. Knew his mother wasn’t intimidated. Projected her Alpha Luna Aura right back at Arabella until the woman broke and left the room, excusing herself to go call her son.
Never seen his mother so fierce yet so calm. Glad his mother had been there. He was ready to kill in that moment.
None of this was Zara's fault. His actions had created the circumstances of Alpha Zachery’s death, and he would live with that forever.
Swallowing hard he glanced at his parents and squeezed his sister Elspeth’s hand. Tears were rolling down his younger sisters’ face, she was hurting for her friend as well.
Gage knew what he had to do. His friend, who he often called frenemy, needed him.
Putting his sister’s hand together with his mother’s he left the River Bend Delegation and moved quickly to Zara's side taking her hand in his.
The look of thankfulness in her tear-filled eyes ripped at his heart. Silently prayed to the Moon Goddess to let Alpha Zachery know his sacrifice had not been in vain.
Wished he could tell Zara none of what had happened was her fault. Even His parents assured him he was not to blame, the trappers who ambushed the camping site were responsible, but he still felt guilty. Next week he’d have her come over to the River Bend Pack House and explain exactly what hadhappened. Talk about her premature shift into her wolf. How he had used hisfirst alpha commands to keep her quiet and make her sleepBut more importantly, how bravely her father had fought to protect them and how sorry he was he could not save him.
How her father somehow mind linked him, insisted he stay back. Told him to take care of my daughter, keep her safe.
He could not tell her any of that right now. He could only walk beside her. Let her know she wasn’t alone.
