Devan allowed his mind to take an instant detour from pain and war. To imagine simpler times where alliances and loyalty to anyone but each other didn’t matter. Would he have found Zio without clan orders throwing him into Zio’s path?
Only the gods knew.
“What happens now?”
“To who, Devan?”
“Anyone. Everyone.”
“That’s entirely up to you.”
“Is it?”
“Of course.” Dash’s tone deepened. “Luca is taking our forces south to drive the enemy back into the mainland. From there, we will fight until they are defeated. But Varian’s pack—yourpack—needs time to regroup and recover from what has happened here. Any northern wolf who wants to fight can join us, but we expect many to remain here. Perhaps you should too, if only to keep your mate safe. I can’t see him leaving you ever again.”
It was a lot to take in. Devan couldn’t imagine being apart from Zio either, but it was also hard to picture Zio allowing the war to continue without him. “I don’t know what Zio will do. He will want to avenge his brothers and sisters, though. Of that, I am certain.”
“Have you talked to him?”
“No.”
“I think that maybe you should.”
“Why? Do you have an inside line to Zio’s deepest thoughts?”
“Not even close. Your mate is somewhat of an enigma.”
It was the second time Dash had referred to Zio as Devan’s mate and the second time Devan had failed to correct him. His gaze drifted to the window again, seeking Zio out despite knowing he was on the other side of the compound with his unit, rebuilding lost homes. “Will it hurt Zio when I bite him?”
After a beat of silence, Dash came closer and nudged Devan’s shoulder. “Our kind don’t have to bite to seal a bond.”
“I know that, but... I want to.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Zio knew the moment something changed, even though they weren’t together. A veil of despair lifted. Fog cleared. The winter sun shone brighter, and somehow the darkness shrouding the entire pack seemed lighter.
Varian felt it too. He pulled Zio into a fatherly embrace and kissed his head. “It won’t be long now.”
He didn’t elaborate, but he didn’t have to. Zio’s wolf knew.My mate is coming for me.
Zio leaned against Varian, selfishly enjoying the attention of his alpha before it occurred to him how such kindness had cost Varian. “Are you okay?”
“That’s not something you need to worry about, Zio.”
“Don’t I get to decide that?”
“Not right now, no.” Varian pulled back and grasped Zio’s shoulders. “The only way we carry on is to continue to do what we’ve always done, to be who we’ve always been. My only regret from the last few months is that the choices I made kept you and Devan apart.”
“But—”
“No. I cannot speak for Dash and Luca, butmywolf knows I made a mistake.”
Any further argument died in Zio’s throat. How could it not when Zio’s wolf had believed in the bond from the start? His human brain had fought it over and over, but not his wolf. Never his wolf, even if the man in him had failed to realise it.
Varian released him. Zio stumbled backwards. Strong hands caught him, and Zio turned to find Gale behind him. Their eyes met, and loneliness poured out of Gale before he caught himself with a wry smile. “Something is in the air,” he whispered.
Zio resisted a shit-eating grin.