Chapter Four
TALZEC WALKED NEXT to Skehl and said in a loud voice, “Elders, warriors, I know this is unusual, but I would have my mate demonstrate for you why we consider her a warrior. And there is no better fighter for her to go up against than Skehl.”
Those who’d grown restless in the crowd settled down. The alpha ordered his warriors to compete, and so they must, no matter that a female did not belong amidst weapons and violence. Skye joined them in the middle of the arena looking eager, and Arghet wondered what his alpha was up to. Skehl would not want to fight his alpha’s mate.
Arghet felt Skehl’s worry deep inside. His mate’s markers flashed with anxiety and fear, a fact not lost on the crowd.
Talzec appeared not to notice.
“Skehl, come. Attack Skye.”
Skehl didn’t look happy about it, but he had sparred with other warriors before. He would no doubt do his best not to hurt her.
Talzec nodded. “Fight to first blood.”
First blood? Arghet noticed the others not meeting his gaze. He whipped his head to Talzec, thinking his alpha must be joking. But he remained firm.
Skehl stared, shocked. “No.”
Everyone grew quiet. No one disobeyed his alpha, and certainly not in public.
Skye bit her lip. “Talzec, maybe you should—”
Talzec held up a hand, and Skye quieted. “Skehl, I gave you an order.”
“To attack a female,” Skehl growled. “To draw her precious lifeblood.”
Arghet started forward, but his fellow warriors intercepted him.
Drotek whispered, “This must happen. Wait for it.”
“What?”
“It’s for Skehl’s own good,” Efhel said. “Be at ease, Arghet. Our alpha cares for all under his command.”
Arghet trusted in his alpha, but he couldn’t help his concern for Skehl, who didn’t realize Talzec would never treat him poorly, as the Nasuhl had. He reached out to Skehl, not sure how he did so. He felt their energy touch and link, and the furious apprehension in his mate unnerved him.Obey, Skehl. It will be all right. Talzec would never—
No. I will not harm his mate. I will never hurt those who are innocent. Not a female.
Arghet tried once more to move, but the warriors closed in on him, four of them caging him like a prisoner.
Talzec walked into Skehl’s personal space and shoved the warrior back. “I gave you an order.”
Skehl stared at Talzec, not speaking, and didn’t move.
Talzec punched him, a blow that would have winded another male yet only made Skehl stagger back before righting himself. Their alpha lifted a hand, as if to slap Skehl across the face. A slap from Talzec was no small thing. The contact had taken many a warrior off his feet.
Skehl stared back, implacable.
“You will not obey? Before all these warriors? Before your clan?” Talzec growled, “In front of your elders?”
Arghet could see the sweat beading on Skehl’s face. He felt the male’s confused anger and nervousness.
And determination.
“No.”
Talzec stepped back, his expression difficult to read. He turned to the elders, giving Skehl his back, as if not at all concerned that Skehl might rebel with physical force. “You see? My warrior is not Nasuhl, and I doubt he ever truly was. He is strong of body and spirit. He would never harm a female or an innocent. It is not in him to do so.”
