Not on purpose. After Devan had run out on him, he’d fought to stay awake, but drained of his haunting desire for Devan—for a short while, at least—he’d knocked out. Slept naked and clinging to one side of the bed so there’d be room for Devan when he came back.
He hadn’t come back.
Varian rounded the table and scented Zio’s neck, a gesture that often soothed Zio.
Now, though, Zio battled a primal urge to shove him away. To protect any remnants of Devan’s scent from anyone’s attention but his.Mine.
Zio shuddered.The fuck is wrong with me?
Varian stepped away. “I’m struggling with you, Zio. You’ve always been somewhat of an enigma, even as a child, but I see things in you I don’t understand, now more than ever. I wish you would talk to me.”
Tell him.
It seemed like madness. Varian had never pried into the private lives of his pack, even the combat units he worked so closely with. Even Zio, who he’d changed himself and mentored his entire childhood. He’d never asked why much of Gale’s crew, and Zio’s alike, had all passed through Danielo’s bed when it was obvious to the whole fucking world that Danielo was forever devoted to Michael. He’d never asked Shannon about his human companion in the township. Or Kate why she’d cried when Ishmail had found his mate. It wasn’t that he didn’t care... it was about respect.
They were a pack with many beating hearts.
Besides, confessing to Varian would mean Devan’s Shadow Clan alpha would have to be told too, and Zio didn’t know enough about that relationship to betray Devan’s trust. Not even to Varian.My alpha.
Zio’s heart skipped, and he forced himself to focus on the tablet screen. “If I was commanding the southern forces, I’d plan small incursions at the weakest spots in the divisional lines while infiltrating easy access points in the all-human areas.”
After a loaded beat of silence, Varian followed Zio’s gaze. “Where?”
“Here.” Zio pointed to an area of the unmarked border that was notoriously hard to defend. “And here—at the NHS hospital a few miles north of the line. It’s overused, understaffed, and lacks funding from the human government. It’s ripe for corruption.”
“So you’d do that? Use the misfortune of others to gain a strategic advantage?”
“If I was a heartless bastard, yes. But I’m not sure our enemies are that clever. I might be overthinking.”
“Underthinking is far more dangerous. Say they did covertly take the hospital. What would the advantage be?”
“At the very least, a place to pool soldiers until the time came to deploy them. That way they wouldn’t be seen at the border.”
Varian nodded, though his eyes gave nothing away. “And what would you do if you were the military commander of this pack?”
“You’re more than a military commander. You’re the alpha.”
“Humour me.”
Zio shrugged. “We could infiltrate the hospital first, but the southern commanders would simply find another target. I think we should show strength at the border, repel any attacks with heavy firepower. Let them think that’s our focus while we monitor the hospital.”
Varian hummed and left the table to fiddle with the coffee machine. He came back with a mug for himself and a handful of biscuits for Zio. “In case you haven’t got round to eating yet.”
“I ate last night. Devan made pizza.”
“That’s nice.”
“Is it?”
“Yes, Zio. I was worried you wouldn’t get on with someone living in Emma’s space, and I had no wish for you—or him—to endure more upheaval than necessary.”
“You know, you could’ve put him in the spare room at Bomber and Danielo’s place. Or asked Michael if he’d share his flat at the barracks.”
“I could’ve.”
“So why didn’t you?”
“You may crave solitude, child, but it’s not good for you.” Varian cupped Zio’s face. His palm held all the warmth of Devan’s, but none of the heat. “And Devan is a natural healer. I’d imagine his close presence is benefitting you already, even if you don’t yet know it.”