Chapter 165
Zara
“You know you have, and I don’t think they’ll kill me,” I said, taking a deep breath before laying out the details of my plan. “I’ll surrender to the authorities and gather as much information as I can about their headquarters.
We know nothing about them, Alpha. We don’t know where they sleep or where they come from. When this war starts, we’ll be blind. We can’t let them gain an advantage p>
“What about your heat?” Alpha asked, his voice growing darker with each word.
That was one of the flaws in this plan: my heat was fast approaching. I had a week, maybe two, until it reached its full potential, and I wouldn’t be ready to mate with just anyone. A wolf only goes into heat after she’s marked, which speeds up the mating process.
“I’ll need to get the information before then,” I grimaced, realizing how bad this plan was. “I have two weeks at most, but I can handle it in a week. When I go into heat, I won’t be around them anymore. I’ll find a way to establish a mental link with you, and then you and a group of men can come and meet me at the entrance to where they usually hang out during the day p>
Alpha was silent, clearly at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected me to think it through so thoroughly, but he knew I was right. We needed this information at any cost.
It could be a turning point in this whole war.
“What if they silver you? You won’t be able to contact me. I can’t allow that. I won’t let you sacrifice yourself for this pack.” Alpha shook his head, his lips pressed into a stern line.
“Tell me you wouldn’t do the same.” I insisted. “Tell me you wouldn’t risk everything for the safety of this pack. I’ll find a way around the silver, I’ll send the shadows to tell you if necessary, but I need to do this p>
Alpha closed the distance between us, taking my face in his hands. His touch on my face was gentle, as were his lips when they met mine. It was nothing like the kiss of the previous night. It was filled with a seething, all-consuming fear.
I could taste the terror on his lips at the thought of losing me. His tongue slid across my bottom lip, slowly begging for entry. As soon as I allowed him to approach, he pulled away, pressing his head against mine.
“Don’t you dare die in my arms, Zara,” Alpha murmured, his honey-colored eyes boring into mine.
My heart clenched uncomfortably at the thought of parting with Alpha, but we needed this information. I would do anything to return to him and this life I’d built for myself.
“I won’t, I promise,” I murmured, running my hands over the coarse stubble on his chin. “I’ll always find my way back to you p>
“You’re better off. I’m not sure I can let you go,” Alpha Kane breathed, earning me a hollow laugh.
“You’ll let me go because you love me.” I smiled softly.
“Then you’ll spend the day with me.” Alpha grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Alpha told me what he needed to do that day, and I wondered how he managed to get it all done.
As soon as Bran and Zeke woke up, they were overwhelmed by a whirlwind of problems, questions, and requests. The influx of warriors into the city required a large amount of food and many volunteers to prepare it.
Alpha assigned several of his men, some of whom I’d already seen in the city, to lead the search for new volunteers. Some of them were unhappy with their current housing, and Alpha was scrambling to find them new ones.
Then, the northern part of the city needed repairs. You’d be surprised at the damage done when a large werewolf hits a building or car. Those unlucky enough to live on this side of town desperately needed new cars, as the walk was too far.
Alpha used money from his personal fund to replace their vehicles and repair damage to their homes and grounds. Alpha Kane listened to every request, no matter how small, and treated it with the utmost attention.
He also scheduled small gatherings within the pack to boost morale. The constant attacks were weighing on everyone, and Alpha was determined to vent this frustration. He also began funeral arrangements for the fallen werewolves in our pack and paid large monetary compensation to their families.
As each name was called, Alpha’s eyes seemed to cloud over. I could see that he took each death personally; each lost life was another stumbling block for him.
Late in the afternoon, long after the sun had set, we finally had some time alone. Alpha sat in a chair in his office, running a hand through his dark hair. Now I understand why it was always so tousled.
A frown settled on his face as he stared at a stack of papers. My stomach clenched at the sight of him. A man about whom countless rumors swirled, a man feared, but whose loyalty to his pack was unwavering.
“You need a break.” I frowned, rising from my chair across the room.
I approached Alpha, turning his chair away from the desk, away from the stack of papers begging for his attention. Reluctantly, his gaze, dark and pleading, turned to me.
“Don’t go.” Alpha sighed, hugging me around the waist and burying his face in the crook of my neck.
“I wouldn’t if I had a choice,” I murmured, running my fingers through his soft hair. “I’m doing this for the pack. I’ll fight my way out of this building to get back to you, I promise p>
“You’re too good for me, you know that?” Alpha murmured against my neck, his hot breath fanning my skin.
I pulled away from Alpha and looked into his eyes, peering into their honeyed depths. I could see how much he believed what he’d said, that I was too good for someone like him.
“He’s wrong,” Nova murmured. “He thinks he has to do everything himself, that he doesn’t deserve help p>
“You’re wrong,” I shook my head, running my fingers through his stubble. “We’re perfect for each other, that’s why we’re mates. You need someone willing to sacrifice as much as you do for the good of this pack. You don’t have to deal with this alone anymore; let me help you however I can. And now I’m helping you by forcing you to take a damn break. Come, take a bath with me p>