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Elreth sat in the security building, one hand to her stomach not because she felt the need to protect her growing young, but because she’d given her mate her word that she would eat the plate he prepared… but he hadn’t prepared a plate. He’d prepared fucking platter, then stood over her like a mother hen, staring with fierce eyes, until she fulfilled her word and ate every bite.

Now her stomach threatened to revolt not because she was pregnant, but because she was stuffed to the gills—she’d consumed a Gar-sized meal.

She would be very careful with what she committed to in future.

But she kept her mouth shut because her mate’s hackles were up. Aaryn was not happy that she’d called for this strange wolf to be brought to her without speaking to him first. But he had finally admitted that he likely would have made the same decision.

Now, here they were.

Skhal was older than she expected—clearly older than Jayah, though not by more than a decade, perhaps less. But he was handsome. Weathered. Gnarled like an old tree, though the kind that became more beautiful. And incredibly strong.

There were roots on this male that would not be shifted in a storm. Elreth could feel the sheer… solidness of him.

The part of her that was simply female, celebrated for her friend who was really more than a friend. Her chosen aunt. Her mother’s friend who’d given her life in service to El and Gar, and their people, without being asked.

.....

She’d been a simple, solid presence in their lives, literally since the day they were born. Elreth was so grateful, especially in this past year.

But that also meant that the part of her that was still a child, and still desperately missing her parents, wanted to stamp and scream and demand that Jayah not be taken from her.

First Tarkyn, now this?

Elreth felt as if the Creator was tearing everyone she depended on away from her. And that thought brought the always glittering fear of Gar or worse, Aaryn and…

She couldn’t let herself think about that.

She watched, careful to keep her face expressionless, as Skhal first submitted to her, then positioned himself at Jayah’s shoulder, standing over her like some kind of protective guard-dog, his eyes scanning the room, and ears clearly perked for threat.

But his attention was all on keeping her safe, not himself.

Elreth was reminded of how Aaryn stood over her. And how her brother stood over Rika—which reminded her that she still hadn’t gotten to the bottom of whatever that was and… Elreth had to push it all away, because every thought led to a fear, and every fear to a new fear and she couldn’t keep her head straight if she tried to hold it all at once.

Right now she had to measure this male and his connection with Jayah, and Jayah’s request to leave them to join the Chimera.

Right now that was the only thing her mind and body had room for. The rest would have to wait.

“Why Jayah, specifically?” she asked Skhal after he’d outlined what he knew of the problems they were having with Zan.”

“Because Sasha trusts her. Sasha asked for her. Zev is… on edge as you know. And he, too, trusts her more than he would a stranger. So… he asked me to bring her.”

“Asked you. Not me.”

Skhal’s jaw went tight. “Honestly, I doubt it would have occurred to him. He’s too focused on your meeting tomorrow.”

Elreth let her eyebrows rise. “So, he does plan to meet?”

“Yes. You should be receiving a message soon with specifics on the location. I had to leave before they’d figured that out.”

Elreth stared at the male, his hands clenched at his sides. “You don’t seem excited or relieved about the fact that we’re entering peace talks tomorrow.”

Skhal gave a little huff. “I’m old enough to know that talking is a far cry from peace,” he muttered.

Elreth gave a little huff of her own, then dropped her eyes to think. If it weren’t Jayah, if it were any other healer, she wouldn’t even question. She’d send whatever was needed because it would be proof that she was trying to offer an olive branch.

But Jayah… losing Jayah… Elreth sighed. Then she caught the flickering of Aaryn’s fingers in the corner of her eyes and turned to look at her mate.

‘If it were you and our babe, I would beg mercy,’ he signed discreetly.

She nodded slowly as if she was just thinking to herself. ‘A ploy?’

‘No. An arrogant bastard who assumes nothing comes from the weakness of asking mercy.’

Elreth would have huffed again, but it was too chillingly likely to be true.

‘I will be without Jayah. Possibly for my own birth.’

Her sign for Jayah was usually a swipe over the back of her head—signifying the female’s ubiquitous braid. But she made the signs low, in her lap, so the others were less likely to notice.

Aaryn’s face went sad. ‘Yes. The choice is yours.’

She bit her lip, cursing the tears that wanted to rise and blur her vision again. This cursed pregnancy was turning her into a hot mess—shaking with fear one moment, fighting tears the next. She didn’t know how her mother had done it, separated from her father for the first, then terrified of the second because of everything that had gone wrong in Elreth’s birth.

At least Elreth could shift if she needed to.

She would shift. She would do anything she needed to, to make certain her child was safe and healthy.

And she imagined Sasha would too.

Elreth’s heart sparked at that thought. For a moment she hated herself for the calculating nature of her excitement. But then she moved on, because the truth was, it was only smart.

“You may take your mate, Skhal,” she said quietly as if she was bestowing a gift. “But we’ll send you with more than that. I’d send a… peace offering if you’ll agree to take it.”

Skhal’s brows rose. “What would you send?”

“Resources. Jayah and her knowledge. A wet nurse. Any supplies Jayah believes might be needed if the child is sick. And perhaps… perhaps herbs or supplies for general health. Things your people haven’t had time yet to prepare or find. I offer them—I’ll let Jayah choose what they might be. She’d know more than me. But don’t hold back, Jayah. Take anything you’d take if it was me you were running to aid. I won’t place restrictions on you. But you,” she said eyeing the startled Skhal sternly, “You make certain that Sasha knows I sent this for her. This is my offering to her—Alpha to Alpha, female to female, moth—I mean, provider to mother,” she said, her heart fluttering because she’d almost named herself mother too.”

Skhal murmured a heavy, breathless gratitude, but Gar stiffened.

“And if the wolf is going to call war?” he muttered. “You’re sending supplies that might help him.”

Elreth sighed. “That’s the difference between males and females, Gar. I want to soothe, not intimidate. Sasha and I spoke of this, and I hope she’ll remember that when the time comes. Skhal, you’ll remind her, please, that we spoke. Tell her that I said my words were true—and remain so.”

Skhal nodded, though he looked uncertain. “And to Zev,” she said reluctantly, “please tell him that I send these things to demonstrate my remorse. Remind him that I provided them to him personally when he was in our… care. And that I will gladly offer more—anything they need—if we can find a way to bridge this conflict and bring our people to peace.”

Skhal looked stunned. Elreth felt a flash of smug satisfaction, but it didn’t last longer than the time it took to turn to Jayah. “You have my permission, Jayah… even if this ends in war… you can cross lines. You can take anything you need at any time. And anything you can offer to them, from us, that might bring peace, do it. Anything. I will stand by you.

Elreth sighed with frustration. “I wish I could take these things and offer them myself. Serve their child myself so he’d know I mean it…” she trailed, shaking her head. “But I can’t. Because I also know that I will not give my people to him. I will offer whatever is needed to help the Chimera, but I will not give my people to his care. You both can make that clear: I repent for how I harmed Zev. I do not repent of protecting my people.” She held the eyes of Skhal whose face had gone blank, though he nodded. “I pray the day will come that I can see you two as comfortable among us as among them. Both of you. But if I am given no choice, I will fight to the death for the safety of my people. And any Alpha that would ask me to do otherwise denies their own heart.”

Jayah put her hands to her mouth, swallowing tears of relief. “Thank you, El. Thank you.”

Elreth sighed. “Don’t thank me. I’m the one who put us in this position in the first place. I promise you—and you can pass this on—that I will do anything in my power to make it right. To reconcile, if Zev will allow it. But regardless… regardless of the outcome of our talks tomorrow, Jayah, I trust you. And I want them to know that I trust you—that they can trust you. I understand why Sasha asked for you. So go. Go with my blessing… just know that I will miss you greatly.”