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Elreth had called Jayah to be close in case there was any need for a healer, but Tarkyn suspected it was more because she wanted the option to sedate the wolf if needed. There were four guards standing at four points around the tree outside, and two more just inside the door to ensure no one else came in.

Tarkyn was concerned that there were already far too many bodies in there to let this male relax, but Elreth had been insistent that everyone be able to hear anything that was said, so they would all be on the same page.

Tarkyn took a deep breath. The wolf-warrior sat at the back of his cage, his knees bent up in front of his chest like a shield. But he didn’t grip them like someone submitted, or frightened. No. Even without his scent, Tarkyn could read every line of tension, every muscle rigid and poised for action. The male had his hands braced on the floor for leverage, his chin low, and bright blue eyes staring out from under dark, heavy brows and messy hair.

There were dark smudges under his eyes that hollowed his face further and made him look much paler than his tanned skin would appear.

The male looked tormented... and resolved. Ready to move, to attack, at the slightest provocation.

Tarkyn would do everything in his power to ensure that wasn’t necessary. This male had been through enough. And if Harth’s view of him was true, he wasn’t just a strong leader and warrior, but a selfless one.

But how to prove it?

.....

The male’s scent-pungent and sharp with toxic stress-carried layers of sweat and adrenalin. He clearly had barely slept, and spent most of his time on the edge of rage and fear. Tarkyn tsked. He’d never thought he would be a part of putting an unproven male in this position.

A human who’d tried to destroy his entire people? Certainly. He’d strap that male down and watch him suffer gladly. But this?

This felt like tormenting an animal.

And the worst part was, the male was beginning to smell like one. They were pushing him deeper and deeper into his animal instincts.

This was not good.

“There’s too many people, El,” he muttered quietly, never taking his eyes off the wolf-tensing when the male’s gaze swiveled to find him when he spoke. “We can’t expect him to relax and speak if he feels cornered and overwhelmed.”

Elreth frowned deeper, her gaze going to the male’s mate, the human woman, Sasha, who sat nearby holding their son.

She’d been sitting right next to him when they entered, but he’d obviously given her a warning to give him space, because she’d looked alarmed and scooted away from him when they entered.

Tarkyn didn’t like this. He didn’t like it at all.

The baby spluttered and gave little wails, arching occasionally in his mother’s arms. The sound cut strange slices into Tarkyn’s chest.

He’d always loved children, though rarely had time with them, except Elreth and Gar when they were growing up, and he’d been so young himself... It seemed since his soul had been awakened to the matebond that something within him felt the call of a child as well. Of course, that thought brought memories of Harth’s fear and concern for what might come of any child they were able to make... if they even could.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, two or three times, to calm his heart.

One potential hazard at a time.

Elreth unfolded her arms and raised her chin. The wolf’s eyes snapped to her face when she spoke.

“We aren’t here to harm you,” she said quietly, though her tone was darker than Tarkyn would have hoped. “We want to talk. We want to... understand. One of your people has shared her story with my Captain, and he believes I need to hear yours. So I’m here. I’d like to hear what you have to say about how you came to be here, why you chose this place, and what your plans were when you entered... before we met.”

The wolf-Zev, was his name, Tarkyn reminded himself. He had to stop thinking of Zev as his beast, but his scent was so feral...

Zev’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t respond. Sasha looked at her mate from the side. Tarkyn wondered whether they were talking in their heads the way he and Harth could, or if she was just waiting for him to speak as they were.

Elreth waited for a long moment, then blew out a breath and tried again. “I understand that you’ve been in pain and struggling to rest. I understand that your mate and child are struggling also. We are here to try and... find a common ground. Or learn enough of each other to do so. Will you speak with me as the Alpha of your people?”

Zev’s nostrils flared and the baby gave a longer cry. Tarkyn sensed the minute shift in the male, the way his body subconsciously swayed towards his son and mate at that cry. But the movement was so tiny, he wasn’t sure the others would even notice.

Tarkyn’s adrenaline jolted. This was a male with immense control and strength.

What happened when someone like that snapped his leash?

Not good things. Never good things, Tarkyn knew.

He cleared his throat and his friends turned to look at him. “Let me,” he said quietly. Then remembered that they weren’t alone. “May I speak with him, Sire?” he added quickly, and a little louder.

Elreth nodded.

Tarkyn had been weighing his approach ever since he’d left Harth. He knew there would be few chances to truly strike a connection with this male, this wolf. He’d debated the merits of dominance versus compassion, leadership versus empathy. He’d entered the Prison Tree still uncertain, but praying that the Creator would make it clear when they were together.

And so he trusted his instincts. And with a final, hasty prayer to the Creator, he stepped forward and followed his heart.