Zara nodded slowly, eyes shining. “You created a network.”
“Yes,” I said. “I wanted to spread the message that humans and wolves can live together in peace, that wolves are not the enemy London makes them out to be.”
Sera’s mouth thinned. “London needs an enemy to keep people obedient.”
“Exactly,” I said.
Zara’s gaze held mine. “I’m in.”
I blinked. “Zara?—”
She cut me off. “Don’t overthink it. I’ve had wolves save my life. Fuck, I’m mate bonded to five of them. I’ve watched London try to erase my brother for existing. If the Accord is working toward a better world for wolvesandhumans, I want to be a part of that.”
My chest tightened. “Thank you.”
Sera was quieter. Her fingers tapped once against her knee. Then she said a bit grudgingly, “I want in too.”
Zara arched a brow. “You do?”
Sera rolled her eyes. “Don’t look so shocked.”
I studied her face. “Why?”
Sera’s jaw clenched, then relaxed. “Because I’m tired of being someone else’s weapon.” She looked into the fire, then back at me. “And because I want to help.”
Zara’s expression softened. “That’s… decent of you.”
Sera snorted. “Don’t get used to it.”
CHAPTER 11
Elias
Dawn crept in through the narrow windows high on the concrete walls. The room we’d taken over used to be a planning hall. We’d set up cots in a loose circle and for the first time since the battle, we’d been able to sleep through the night. The base was quieter than it had been in days. There were still voices, quiet footsteps, the low murmur of pain and recovery, but the bitter edge of crisis had finally dulled.
I lay on my back on one of the cots, eyes open, listening.
Griff slept on his side across from me, one arm thrown over the edge of his cot like he might reach for something in his dreams. Bishop rested flat on his back, hands folded loosely on his stomach, breathing even and light. Eamon had dozed sitting up against the wall, boots still on, chin tipped forward, a hand resting on the strap of his bag like he’d fallen asleepmid-thought. Nox lay sprawled half on his cot, half off, one leg hooked over the frame.
Tamsin lay curled on her side on the cot nearest mine, hair loose and dark against the thin pillow, face relaxed in sleep in a way that still surprised me. She’d pushed herself past exhaustion for days, bandaging, organizing, standing watch, and refusing rest until the last of the wounded had been settled.
She’d taken care of everyone.
Except herself.
Today, I was going to make sure to take care of her.
I didn’t even have to touch her to know her body was radiating with heat. The scent of her need was ripe in the air. It had been rising each day, but I knew she was pushing it aside in order to help everyone else. As she was a marked wolf shifter now, I knew that she would need to be taken by her mates before long. The more time that passed, the stronger her heat would become until it took over her every waking thought.
I was going to take care of that today.
I rose quietly from the cot and crossed the small distance to her side. She stirred as I approached, breath catching slightly, brows drawing together as if some part of her recognized me even in sleep.
Her eyes fluttered open. For a heartbeat, she looked disoriented. Then her eyes locked on me and her lips curved up in a bit of a smile.
“Morning,” she murmured, her voice a bit rough with sleep.
“Morning,” I replied softly.
