Rise of the Dark Alpha

~ ZEV ~

Skhal smiled grimly as he accepted Zev's offer of position as his Chief Advisor. "Just so long as you don't expect me to lick your ass, we'll do fine."

Zev was relieved, even after their discussion he hadn't been completely convinced the wolf would accept him.

They had hurriedly caught Skhal up on what Zev had already covered, and that they were now discussing how to support him in his bid for Alpha of Clans.

Zev watched his brother carefully. It was like looking into a mirror that made the shadows deeper, the light harsher. Looking at his brother was like looking at himself with sharper angles. And from the first years they'd both been adults, Zev had always felt like that was Lhars' personality as well—that his brother had a darkness and cunning that bordered on evil. He'd wondered how they'd both come from the same genes, how they could look so alike yet think so differently.

Running into Lhars and the glee he'd taken in telling Xar that Zev was back… he'd assumed his brother hadn't changed. Yet, everything Lhars had said or done since…

Lhars was a contradiction in terms.

He sneered at Zev, then acknowledged him in front of the entire clan?

He yanked Zev in front of Xar with the kind of grinning delight reserved for villains in cartoons, then sat here tonight, planning to support Zev in orchestrating Xar's downfall?

He ran around after the humans alongside the Tiger King, yet made Zev swear he would free the Chimera from human rule before he'd submit the Alpha?

Zev had always sworn actions spoke louder than words. And if he was honest, his brother's actions since he'd arrived back in Thana—and before that, if Skhal and Hedin could be believed—added up to a wolf that could be trusted. Whose heart aimed for the same goals as Zev.

Yet…

Zev hadn't realized he was staring at Lhars until his brother met his eyes and spoke into his mind.

What?

The word was terse, impatient. Zev's pride flared and he wanted to shake his head and turn away, dismiss his brother as a lost cause. But something stopped him.

Why are you supporting me?

Lhars' eyes went flat. I might despise you, brother, but anyone can see the Chimera were better, healthier, stronger when you were Alpha of All. The decision is practical.

Why not defeat Xar yourself? You're as strong as me. If I can kill him, you can.

Lhars' jaw twitched. Strength isn't just in body. You know that.

You've had the entire wolf clan behind you.

No, Zev. I have had the desperate support of a helpless people still waiting for the return of the Alpha they truly desired.

Lhars voice was a spiteful hiss in his head.

Zev blinked. What are you talking about? They were all furious at me. None of them stood against my casting out.

Because they all knew you would fight back. They follow you, Zev. They don't see you as needing them—they think they need you. They're itching to see you kill Xar and defeat the humans.

Then Lhars smiled a smile that flashed like a blade. I hope you succeed, I really do. And if you do, I will remain submitted. But if you don't… I will be the first to take your throat.

Zev huffed. There's nothing more touching than the love of family, he said in Lhar's head, his tone as dry as kindling. Thank you for your support.

Lhars rolled his eyes and looked away as if the conversation was over. But Zev knew he had to bridge the gap, because no matter what he thought of how it had happened, the truth was, Lhars had kept the wolves as safe as he knew how while Zev was gone.

Thank you, he said in his brother's head, his voice soft and authentic. Thank you for keeping them all this time.

Lhars chest expanded and he dragged his gaze away from Skhal and back to Zev slowly.

I didn't have any choice, brother, he sent, his voice a whip-crack of accusation.

Yes, you did, Zev argued. And though I never thought I'd say it, I'm grateful that you made the choice you did. I'm grateful to you for your intervention on my behalf tonight, as well. You've made my bid for Sasha, and for the Alpha easier by acknowledging me. You didn't have to do that. I'm grateful. I owe you.

You owe me far more than you can ever repay.

There was silence between them, but even though Lhars' eyes returned to Skhal, Zev had the distinct impression that his brother's attention was still on him. Still waiting for his response.

You're right, Zev said finally. If he'd spoken it, it would have been through his teeth. But it was true, he knew. I do owe you more than I can ever repay. But I will do my best to make it up to you as much as I can.

Always so noble, Lhars drawled.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Not bad, just a lie.

A lie? The people want me as Alpha because I try to do what's best for others. But you see that as a vice?

No, Zev, I see it as a lie. You lie to yourself. And you lie to them. You are strong and you will do well, and they will love you for it. But all of you are blind to the truth.

Which is? Zev growled.

Which is that in the end, there's always a piece of you seeking what you want. You use others to get what you want, what you need, then say you do it for them. Don't worry, I use others for my gain too. It's why I can see it in you. I just don't pretend I'm helping them when I do it, he snapped.

Zev rolled his jaw. What good did you gain by helping me, then?

Zev was certain that the wave of emotion that flash through his brother wasn't supposed to have bled through to him, but Lhars had been taken off-guard, or opened himself to Zev more than he'd realized.

Zev jolted with the wash of pure feeling that was gone as quickly as it had appeared. He stared at his brother who'd gone suddenly very still.

Zev sucked in a deep breath. What is her name, Lhars? Is she here, or do the humans have her.

It's none of your business.

Brother, if I understand anything it's the lengths we will go to for our ma—

I do not have a mate and will not. I am not speaking about this further.

And he was gone, closing off his mind from Zev, presumably from everyone in the room.

For the second time that night, Zev's temptation was to say to hell with his brother and turn away. But that little, quiet voice in the back of his head wouldn't let him.

The revelation was staggering—and very, very inconvenient as, for the first time really in his adult life, Zev found himself feeling empathy for his brother. He hated to admit it, even to himself.

But it took only one look at his own mate, at Sasha's beautiful hair, fallen down between them again and her small hand in his, and he was convinced…

He and his brother had far more in common than he'd ever realized.