“I guess.”Xias’s gaze dropped. He didn’t look convinced.
“I promise to stay close to the cabin.”
He wasn’t going to let anything happen to his new family.
Chapter Five
Xias tucked the last cub into the small box they’d found for them to sleep in before glancing across the room. Zhuang was leaning against the wall, staring out the window. His brow was furrowed as if he was deep in thought. Considering the situation they were in, Xias was hesitant to ask what he might be thinking about.
He walked over to stand next to Zhuang. When he glanced out the window, all he saw was snow. It was daytime, but it was hard to tell. The snow was coming down so hard it looked dark outside. He had no idea how they were supposed to get the cubs through that chaos.
“I don’t think the cubs can make it through that, Zhuang.”
The alpha turned toward him, a small smile moving across his lips. “They won’t have to. When I went outside, I grabbed my bag. I have winter clothes in there. I’ll be able to carry the cubs out of here.”
That made Xias feel a little better.
“You should get some rest,” Zhuang said. “We need to head out in a couple of hours.”
“What about you?”
“I’m fine, mate.”
But he wasn’t fine. Xias could see little lines of stress around his eyes. Those blue eyes weren’t quite as vivid as they’d been when Zhuang had walked into the cave so many hours ago. Guilt swamped Xias. This was all his fault.
“Hey, stop that.”
Xias dropped his eyes when Zhuang grabbed him and pulled him close.
“None of that, Xias.”
“None of what?” Xias asked, although he was pretty sure he knew. Zhuang seemed to be able to read his face.
“None of this is your fault, Xias.”
Xias lifted his head to look up at Zhuang. “Isn’t it? If I hadn’t picked that cave to hide in, you wouldn’t be in danger, trying to run through the woods with three cubs during a blizzard.”
The corner of Zhuang’s mouth curved up. “You’re worried about me.”
Xias frowned. “Why do you sound so surprised? You’re my mate.”
Zhuang’s smile grew into a grin. “I’ve never had anyone worry about me before.”
“Surely your parents—”
Zhuang shook his head. “All my father worries about is his reputation on the council. As long as I don’t bring shame to the family, he couldn’t care less what I do.”
“That can’t be true.”
“It is.” Zhuang sighed. “Look, don’t get me wrong, my parents are great, but they are both wrapped up in my father being an elder on the council. There isn’t a lot of time for anything else.”
“Then why are we going to see him?” Xias couldn’t understand why Zhuang wouldn’t want to avoid the man at all costs.
“Because while he frowns on me bringing shame to the family name, we are still a family. Once he discovers I’ve mated, he’ll move heaven and earth to ensure you’re taken care of and safe because you are now part of that family, as are the cubs.”
Xias didn’t understand that. Life didn’t happen that way in his clan. If anything, people tended not to form family ties simply so they couldn’t be used against them by the alpha. Xias understood that. He couldn’t think of anything he wouldn’t do for his cubs, and now Zhuang.
“I promise not to bring shame to your family,” Xias whispered, and prayed his words were true. He’d never knowingly do it, but he couldn’t tell what the future might hold, and they both knew it.
