Page 23 of Bold Mercy

The little knot of warriors straightened their spines and lifted their chins, pleased, but Jared only grunted. “Eli,” he said.

“With my life, boss,” Eli said.

“Come on, Zach,” I said, when Zach lingered.

“He’ll work with me tonight,” Jared said.

I knew Jared was taking Zach under his wing, but it irked me that he thought the recently tortured hunter wouldn’t be safe with me. I frowned at him. “I’d feel better if he hunted with me, Jared. He’s a hunter, after all.” And it wasn’t that I didn’t trust Jared to take care of him, but I believed Zach needed me. Jared didn’t really understand Zach’s vulnerability—or the fact that his withdrawals could soon take over his existence.

And part of me, a big part, was afraid that the alpha only wanted to keep Zach with him to separate him from me.

“He’s a human hunter,” Jared pointed out. “He cannot keep up in a wolf’s hunt. He will guard with me.” He didn’t wait for me to argue further. Secure in his belief that I would be well defended with his beta and guard surrounding me, he walked away.

“Zach?” I asked, reaching out to snag his sleeve. “Will you be okay?”

There was anger in his voice when he spoke. “Don’t do that, Kait.” He strode away without giving me another glance.

“You understand why he’s angry,” Eli said, watching my face.

“Because I care about what happens to him?” I snapped.

“Because you treat everyone around you like they’re weak and in need of your mighty protection. Even the alpha, Kait.” He didn’t sneer, but he came damn close. “You are not stronger than everyone around you.”

Jared stopped at the doorway, Zach beside him. “She doesn’t think she’s stronger than we are,” he said, catching and holding my gaze. “She just doesn’t show weakness. She was never allowed to.”

Suck it up, Princess.

I didn’t say anything, and finally, he walked out the door with Zach at his side. I waited a few moments before I followed, smothering my worries and fears beneath the excitement of the coming hunt.