“He probably will be, but he won’t die.”
Xias gasped as he snapped around to look at Tao. “How can you say that?”
He really didn’t like this guy.
“Because it’s the truth. He’s about to face off against two cats who want nothing more than to take him out so they can get to you and those cubs. That’s a dangerous situation he’s in. It’s not a day at the bloody spa.”
Xias wanted to growl at the man, but he didn’t know enough about Tao to know if he was violent or not. Growling at Osamu, or any sign of disrespect toward the man, tended to get one hurt, bad, if not killed. He couldn’t chance it.
He considered jumping out of the CAT and going back for Zhuang, but he had a responsibility to the cubs. Choosing between saving Zhuang and protecting his cubs tore at Xias until he thought he might puke.
When one of the cubs began to stir, Xias pulled his attention away from the back window and lifted Bai into his arms. He cradled the small cub to his chest, letting Bai bury his face against him. He knew his scent would settle the small cub.
“I can’t believe Zhuang has cubs.”
Xias glanced at Tao when he spoke. “Why not?”
“I just never saw him as the ‘family guy’ type.”
Xias frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“He’s just not the type.”
Xias’s frown deepened. “Zhuang is wonderful with the cubs.”
Tao shot him a look as he snorted. “And you know that after knowing him how long?”
Xias narrowed his eyes. “Why are you being so mean?”
Tao’s eyebrows shot up. “I’m not trying to be mean, Xias. I’m trying to be truthful. Zhuang is kick-ass in a fight, but the man doesn’t have a gentle bone in his body.”
Xias wasn’t sure he agreed with that statement. Zhuang had been nothing but gentle with him and the cubs since the moment they mated. He was actually having a hard time seeing him as anything else.
He gently patted Bai’s back as he turned to look out the passenger-side window. Tao was right. What did he know? He’d known Zhuang for mere hours, whereas Tao had known him for years. He just… Zhuang had been so sweet and kind and gentle and just so… He had been wonderful. Xias felt as if the man was made for a family, but maybe that was wishful thinking on his part.
“It’ll be okay, Xias,” Tao said.
He wanted to believe that, but he was pretty sure it wasn’t the truth. “Do you know where the council is?”
“Sure, every shifter does.”
Xias snorted. “You’d be surprised.”
“Your alpha was a real douche, wasn’t he?”
“He’s evil,” Xias replied. “He enjoys inflicting pain, and he’s very good at it. He’s the king of his clan, and anyone who dares to defy him pays for it very painfully.” Xias had seen more than one person crushed under the alpha’s heel. It had become almost commonplace. “What does it say for us as a species when we see so much pain that we become numb to it?”
“It says the world is fucked up.”
Xias was pretty sure Tao was right.
“Do you think the council will do anything about it?” Assuming anything could be done. Xias was doubtful. “There are others back in the clan not brave enough to try to escape. It would be nice if they could get away, too.”
Xias didn’t exactly have any friends back in the clan, but he still wanted to help the people there who hated what was being done under the harsh hand of their alpha. Some of them needed rescuing more than he did, and that was astounding.
“Tell me about Osamu.”
“What do you want me to tell you?”
