Rise of the Dark Alpha

READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you to YOU (yes, you!) for getting behind this book so quickly, and encouraging me through my fear along the way. I am truly grateful for you. Because it's going premium tomorrow so chapters will begin to lock, I'm release TWO chapters tonight, just to say thanks. I hope you enjoy it!

*****

~ SASHA ~

Sasha blinked out of the memory to find Zev staring at her, that same look in his eyes he'd had that day. That looked called to her, pulled at her from low in her belly—and her heart.

Zev was home for her. She didn't understand where she was, or how she'd come here—how this place could even exist. But she understood him.

"Sash—" he breathed.

"Excellent!" the King barked suddenly. Sasha startled, but the King was already turning away from her to address the crowd. "The female has agreed. She will join the clans and choose a mate before her next bleed. This is a cause to celebrate! Tonight we feast!"

A great cheer went up among the men, many of them turning to stare at her, their eyes alight and... she was put in mind of a dog, salivating over its meal. Sasha smiled uncertainly.

When she looked at Zev, he seemed a little hesitant, but he was smiling too. Seeing his lopsided grin made her want to pull him down into a kiss.

But she couldn't let it be that easy. If she was understanding what had happened here, when Zev left her he'd come here, stayed for a couple of years, then left these people without warning too.

What was going on with him? And would he do it again? Was she sitting here, throwing her whole life away on a guy who couldn't stick anything for more than a couple years?

He must have sensed her thoughts because his brows suddenly pinched over his nose.

"Sasha, what—"

Xar motioned for the crowd to quiet, then he spoke, his voice booming so that everyone could hear. "Zev has also returned to us and seeks to reunite with his clan."

A large group of the men howled—the other wolves, she assumed—but everyone else went silent. Tension hung in the air so thick Sasha wanted to scream, "BOO!" just to break them out of it.

Probably not an ideal plan with men who could turn into massive predators.

When the wolves were done, Zev's smile was gone and his eyes fixed on Xar. Who was staring right back at him, a cunning smile on his face.

She watched Zev closely, ready to follow his lead, but didn't speak. The way he stared at the older man made her very, very nervous that they might need to start running again soon.

"Sash," Zev said quietly, without taking his eyes off the leader, "Go stand with Yhet. This part doesn't involve you."

"Oh, but it might," the King purred.

"I'll take the chance," Zev growled, squeezing her hand, then nudging her back, away from them.

She didn't want to leave his side. Didn't feel safe walking back through the crowd without him. But she put her chin up and fixed her eyes on Yhet, who stood back from the crowd, his face pained, wringing his hands. But when she made it to him, he smiled and pulled her to his side, whispering that it was all going to be fine and she shouldn't worry.

She patted his arm to soothe him, but his fear was catching. What was going on?

She didn't know how Zev knew she'd reached Yhet, since they were behind him, but he waited until she stood quietly, then he finally spoke, firm and clear, projecting his voice so the entire crowd that circled the two men could hear.

*****

~ ZEV ~

Tension vibrated in Zev's skin. The Tiger was up to something. The question was, could he anticipate his enemy's moves?

All he knew was, he had to get the male publicly committed to Sasha's protection. Otherwise, nothing else mattered.

"Before we go any further, I ask you to vow that you will protect her. She is untrained in our ways and familiar with different customs. Give me your word that no matter what happens to me, you will take care of her. The humans want her dead. She will need to be hidden."

Xar's eyes narrowed. "Why should I promise you anything? You left us. You were a traitor—choosing your precious humans over your own people. Perhaps all of this is a lie and you left us to choose her? But now your handlers grow weary of you, so you decide to settle back into your old life?" the old man growled.

"I did not return to take my old life. I returned to save hers," Zev spat. "I am no traitor. When I was Alpha, the humans did not have free rein to walk among us and steal our mates! But you submit to them! And look where it has gotten you. I do not stand here to challenge you, but if you will not protect her, you leave me no other choice!"

Revealing the strength and speed that remained under his rugged skin, the Tiger flowed forward faster than the human eye would catch, putting himself nose-to-nose with Zev. "You think to threaten me, pup?"

"No," Zev growled. "I think to protect my mate at all costs."

A sharp intake of breath echoed around the clearing, then voices rumbled. Zev didn't turn to see how the males reacted. He couldn't give Xar any room to take dominance in case they did have to fight.

"You, Zev?" Xar chuckled. "You claim a mate? The humans prized stud claims a mate?"

"The bond is not cemented yet. But I am certain, yes." Then he sent a thought to Sasha.

Don't worry, I won't let them hurt you.

How he wished she could speak back to him. He could feel her though, that tangle of emotions still too complicated to unravel. But alongside her shock he could smell some delight. He held onto that.

Xar shook his head like Zev was an untrained pup, showing his inexperience. Zev didn't back down.

"I will protect the female," Xar said, projecting his voice to make sure everyone heard. "But the choice of mate is hers to make. No one will be refused their chance to display. No one"

Zev growled as the crowd of males around him bubbled with excitement.