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She remembered this Therian.
Alison was maybe two or three years younger than Zee and they’d met before. Then, she’d looked at Niko with all the adoring devotion of a girl caught in the throes of a first crush.
Jealousy tore into her with savage claws as she scented another layer to the soft citrus that was Alison’s.
Zee knew that intricate scent well, and not just because Zee wore it on her skin.
“You’re Niko’s lover,” she said, surprised at how calm and rational her voice sounded.
Alison flinched before she could stop it, then straightened and held Zee’s gaze. “I’m not apologizing. You were gone.”
“Did I ask for an apology?”
Alison’s cheeks went hotly red and she looked away for a long moment before meeting Zee’s gaze again. “I planned on telling you, so it’s just as well you figured it out on your own.”
An awful, twisted sort of humor spread through her and she cocked a brow as she studied the younger Therian. Her wolf was spreading its claws within her skin, while her Fae nature roused and stretched, taking in the situation in its own way.
At that moment, with all her natures in tune, everything seemed sharper, more defined and she picked up the way Alison’s heartrate shifted subtly, sensed the air currents all but bending around the woman as the other Therian’s inner beast became aware of the threat.
Feline, Zee decided. While Appalachia while largely made up of wolves, there were other Therian subpacks in the territory and a few who’d joined the large, central pack that was the heart of Appalachia.
This young woman that resembled Zee was feline.
We’re stronger,the wolf within Zee whispered.
Yes, we are, her Fae self agreed.
Zee didn’t bother responding. She already knew she was the more dominant one. Surprisingly, Alison seemed aware as well, not holding her gaze for longer than a few seconds.
“You planned on telling me,” Zee murmured. “Why? Because you don’t plan on vacating your position even though I’m right here?”
Alison laughed, the sound strained. She shoved her dark brown hair back from her face. “As if I even have a chance now that you’re back.”
Zee stayed quiet, although she wasn’t really back.
Was she?
The echo of Niko’s words from the previous night came back to haunt her.
I knew I was still yours.
Even though he wasn’t even in the vicinity, she could feel the faint mark from the scar she’d given him. Her claiming mark.
If she was aware of Zee’s preoccupation, Alison didn’t let on. In a calmer voice, she said, “Anyway, I just... wanted to let you know so you weren’t blindsided with it at the ceremony tonight. Niko and his lieutenants have already started spreading the word that there will be hell to pay if anybody treats you with anything less than respect and decency, but you and I both know there are a million subtle microaggressions that can be delivered without actually crossing the line into disobedience.”
“Why do you even care?” Zee asked, narrowing her eyes. “The pack hates me.”
“No.” And this time, Alison’s eyes softened. “Not everybody. Yes, there are plenty who will be polite out of respect to the Prime. But not everybody believes Niko walked on water ten years ago, even those of us who thought he was close to perfect. We all make mistakes. Sometimes, those mistakes just take a while to catch up with us.”
She turned to go.
“Alison.”
The other woman looked back over her shoulder at Zee.
But for the life of her, Zee had no idea what it was she’d planned to say.
“Thanks,” she said finally.
