Page 50 of Alpha’s Possession

'Good, keep her there. Let me know when her heat finishes and I’ll come home,' he tells me, and my brows furrow.

'You're not returning?'

'No, I am looking into something. See what you can find out about her while she’s lucid,' Thane tells me, cutting the link before I can question him further.

Thane is acting strange. I try to search the bond before realizing he’s blocking it, making me wonder what it is he is up to. Or is he just trying to block how badly it affects him, knowing we are here with her? He should know us better than to believe we would be unfaithful. Sure, we all play around from time to time, but never behind each other's backs. We are always together when we do so. Sharing has never been an issue with any of us. So, it kind of stings that he thinks we would go behind his back, even with his permission.

Grabbing some towels, I rummage through the storage boxes at the bottom, pulling out some pajamas that we originally bought for Harlow. Not like she can use them. I don't even know why Thane kept them. It isn't like she’s coming back. I shake my head before turning back to the basement door. As I walk down the stairs, the door swings shut behind me, and I notice Zara sitting on the ledge of the Den pit.

Zara is shivering, rubbing arms that are covered in goosebumps. She’s also drenched in sweat as another violent wave of heat courses through her. Yet she isn't crazed; the suppressants are keeping her lucid, though I can tell she is uncomfortable. My shirt is drenched with sweat as she fights her instinct to go to my mates.

Zara looks over her shoulder at me, and I notice her face is flushed, her cheeks a deep rouge.

"Are you okay?"

Her brows furrow at my question, and she nods. Her eyes go to the bottled water in my arms. Walking over to her, I pass her one, and she takes it before struggling with the cap. Her hands shake that badly.

Setting everything down beside her, I twist the cap before helping her hold it to her lips. She chokes and sputters on it as she gulps it down thirstily.

"Slow, or you’ll make yourself sick," I warn her.

She gasps, sucking in a breath when I pull it back, realizing she is going to choke herself. She’s gulping it that fast, having drained half the bottle already.

"Go lay between them. Their skin contact will help."

"I'm fine," she lies, and I shake my head before taking the rest of the water bottles to the mini-fridge and setting them inside. When I’m done, I move toward the paneled wall, feeling her eyes follow me. I push on one panel, which is actually a door, to reveal the bathroom.

"Zara," I call over my shoulder before looking at her. "Come," I tell her, and she hesitantly gets up.

She wanders over to me, curious, yet also wary. I notice how she stiffens when she stops beside me and sways on her feet as she gets a whiff of my scent.

"Do you want a shower? Or there’s a spa bath in here, too," I tell her, nudging her in so she can look around. She steps in and quickly glances around. I hold the towels and soap out to her.

"There are more toiletries under the sink," I tell her, and she glances at it.

"Thank you," she murmurs. She looks on the verge of passing out. I touch her face. She flinches before leaning into my touch when she realizes it offers some relief. Her skin is burning hot, yet she’s shivering, as if she has a fever.

"Try to be quick. You really should be in the Den."

Her eyes dart over my shoulder, and I catch my first glimpse of her animalistic side since she woke. Her hazel eyes burn brighter, almost turning a deep green. They briefly turn fluorescent before she shakes her head, regaining her senses. She nods before shutting the door.

Chapter Forty-Three

~Thane~

I wait for hours at the strip club for Talon to return. He’s pissing me off. He knows I’m waiting, and he’s deliberately dawdling, wasting my damn time. I see Brianna walk in, and I know he won't be too far behind her. Brianna spots me instantly and runs. They spent the last few days out of the country, but I called as soon as his plane landed this morning and told him to come to see me. When he didn't show up, I came looking for him.

The moment he steps into the seedy place, he sighs. "If you're here about the money, can we do this in my office? My patrons don't need to witness this," he groans. I wave him to go, and he trudges toward the steps. I follow and climb the steps behind him to his office. He immediately walks to the safe and opens it.

"I'm not here about that," I growl.

He seems taken aback and stands, kicking the safe door shut and spinning the handle.

"You're not here about the debt?" he asks warily as he makes his way to his desk.

I fall onto the couch, watching him. Scrubbing a hand down my face, I rub my eyes. I need sleep. I didn't sleep a wink the night before. It was impossible; I’m used to being curled up with one, or all, of my mates. The couch at work did not offer that.

"No, I’m here about Z, or Zara, whatever you want to call her," I tell him, and he swallows and leans back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.