“Destined to sacrifice.” Rorsar looks down the hallway, and it makes me look.
Zorin’s at the far end of the males’ dorm, watching us. Then he pushes through the doors and takes off running into the trees.
“Because his type always ends up paying the ultimate price.” Rorsar grumbles. “Now, he’s turned his attention to you. So he will do everything he can for you, even if it destroys him.”
“I don’t like that.”
“We can’t lose him, or the Aegeris pack will be basically gone. Rhysan is still blood, but getting him back from their old pack is going to be problematic. The alpha’s daughter has custody of him now. He will grow up believing their lies.”
“And you can’t get him back?”
“We cannot take him by force, or it will be viewed as an act of civil war.” Rorsar crosses his arms and glares at Carielle as she passes us at a distance.
“What isn’t considered an act of war these days?”
He clicks his tongue and shakes his head. “I don’t know, ma’am. I wish I did. Just promise us not to break his heart. He is more important to those of us who resist Luna law and are trying to protect our world than you can possibly imagine.”
“Sounds like a lot of pressure on his shoulders.”
“Likely. Considering his wandering brother, his taken nephew, and now being told the one thing that can bring his family back together is the one thing he can’t have…”
“What can I do? Can’t Zorin just find a new mate?”
Rorsar draws in a deep breath and hangs his hands from the straps of his armored tactical vest. “He is scent-bonded to you. You have to die for him to move on. Otherwise, I don’t know. We fight for him. We give him space. Nothing eases the pain. He still goes on the walkabouts, monitoring the perimeter alone.”
“Almost like Night Stalking?”
Rorsar looks down at me with worry. “He would’ve cared for Jezza if Azrim died. Sometimes, Mindorans are known for bonding the second and or third in line to a female in case hermate dies. I suppose it’s possible he was scent-bonded to her too.”
“So when his brother’s mate died, Zorin felt similar pain?” I ask.
“Likely. But Jezza was special. She was the kindest and sweetest female I’ve ever met. We all lost a piece of ourselves that day.”
I think I know what he needs. It’s the same thing I do.
“Just don’t break his heart,” Rorsar repeats. “I’m not sure we’ll be able to put him back together.”
The only things Zorin has done are protect me, sacrifice his comfort for mine, and give me things I need but never asked him for. I’m certain I’ll never find another guy like him, not in this life.
I smile. “I won’t. Just make sure he doesn’t leave this complex, since I’m stuck here.”
Rorsar’s blue eyes dissect me in a quick second. “You care for him?”
“Your Shifters decide in a moment based on scent. Is it so hard to believe humans might be capable of falling fast too?”
He frowns. “When we scent bond, it is no longer a choice. You could be the worst person in the universe, and we would follow you everywhere. I’m not saying you are…”
He’s not getting the message, but I feel like someone needs to know so they can help us be together.
“Rorsar, I like Zorin. Your superiors would disapprove of what I want to do with him.”
It takes a second before he blushes. “I see. Just…hold off until we can ensure your safety. Please.”
It’s not going to be easy. “Now, how about we track down this elusive alpha and drag him back here for something to eat?”
Rorsar’s lungs swell with purpose. “Yes, ma’am.”
18: Zorin
