Eight

It has been a week since Zazriel and her pack merged into Mourgent's. A week of learning to become familiar with the ways of the pack, of understanding the rules. A week of Zazriel getting to know Mourgent with arguments and light talk. A week for Mourgent to gain trust with Zazriel that she gave no one else. Not even Jasmine and Gatrie.

The patrols were memorizing the whistle patterns for Zazriel, and they switched from one patrolling, to two. They liked the new adjustment. They also didn't judge Zazriel for her lack of bond.

Now, Mourgent was watching as Jasmine fought against Broddi when Eva appeared out of the forest, luggage in hand. He watched as she greeted others, as she exchanged hugs with friends, then as she took in the new members from Zazriel's pack. He saw her face give a sweet smile that didn't reach her eyes then walk up to him with a sway of the hips and a seductive smile to her lips. "Alpha, I'm back."

"So I see," he said flatly. "Find Orion, Eva. He will update you on adjustments to patrols and the new pack members."

"But I was hoping I'd get to spend time with you, like before."

He gave her a glare. "Eva, I only spent time with you because you were easy. But I have found my mate and do not want or need your services."

She looked shocked. "I thought you stopped searching for your mate years ago!"

"I didn't go looking, Eva."

"Then who is she? Do I know her? Is she pretty?"

Silence fell around the training yard as not only Jasmine waited to hear Mourgent's response, but many of the pack waited as well. He wouldn't lie. "She is definitely better than you, Eva."

With that, he walked away.

Zazriel was wheeling around and occasionally playing with children when she saw Mourgent stride towards her. She smiled, having a multitude of butterflies in her stomach. She liked him. She liked how he made her feel like she was worth everything in the world. She liked how he seemed to look for her when he needed to relax or vent. She just liked this alpha.

She sent the children around her scurrying off as Mourgent got closer. When he was close enough, she put her hands in her lap. "And to what do I owe the pleasure?"

He narrowed his eyes on her, but said, "You busy?"

She shrugged. "Nope!"

Just when he went to ask her for a walk, they heard Nyx squawk then swoop down. She landed on the back of Zazriel's chair and stared at Mourgent with yellow eyes. He growled low, but Nyx was unfazed. "She can't have you!" he hissed.

Zazriel laughed and stroked Nyx's beak. "You were here first, alpha. I'm all yours."

"Good, because I want to take you somewhere."

"Oh really?"

He smirked at her, then stepped forward.

"Alpha!"

Zazriel glanced behind him to see a femal she didn't recognize running towards them. Mourgent cursed and rubbed his face. "Please, tell me that isn't her!" he groaned.

"Who is she?"

"My worst mistake!"

The female ran up and stood beside Mourgent, gazing up at him with wide innocent eyes. "Alpha, Orion said we have to be paired up! Why are we listening to a crippled wolf who isn't part of our pack?"

Zazriel felt like a ghost in the presence of this female. She hadn't been addressed or looked at. Mourgent's expression darkened, giving Zazriel shudders. She wheeled back a bit, afraid of him for the first time. "Eva, I am so close to throwing you into a tree right now."

"But alpha!"

Mourgent caught Zazriel moving away and cursed, shoving Eva away. "Z, can we please go now?"

Zazriel nodded, giving him a hesitant smile. Nyx, who had been forgotten about, squawked and flapped, getting off the chair. To Zazriel's horror, Nyx flew over and hovered above Eva, and pooped. "Nyx!"

Mourgent jumped back, at first scared of the flying bird, but then grinning with joy. Wva was shaking and screaming, bird poop dripping into her face and down to her chest. Others from the pack heard, and ran up to see what was going on. Soon, there was an audience of laughing people, making Eva run away.

"I'm sorry!" Zazriel scrambled, hands over her mouth.

Mourgent shook his head, laughing still. "Z, don't worry. I don't mind!"

"That's the best thing that's happened in a long time!" Zelda giggled.

Mourgent walked up to Zazriel and knelt in front of her. "Please, don't get upset. She'll live."

"But she didn't deserve it."

Zelda scoffed. "She definitely deserves bird poop for her dirty comments!"

Mourgent smiled, then took Zazriel away.

Later, Mourgent met with Orion and listened to the male about Eva. So far, she had insulted Zazriel and insulted Orion for going along with all the changes. She had claimed herself better and fit for Mourgent's mate, and vowed she would make Zazriel leave. Mourgent felt rage cloud his thoughts. Felt his body begin to go wolf. But then he pictured Zazriel and calmed. Her smile and laughter made him feel like a boy again. It felt like he was invincible when she asked him for something. He felt wanted like he never had before.

"Alpha, there is something else," Orion said softly, breaking Mourgent out of his thoughts.

"What is it?"

"There's been a death."

Mourgent blinked. "Death? Who?"

Orion swallowed thickly. "Dario."

Zazriel had just finished making spaghetti for dinner when she heard Mourgent enter the house. She was struggling to drain the pasta because the sink was on the other side of the kitchen from the stove, which meant she had to carry the heavy, hot pot. In using her resources, she put four pot holders on her lap to protect her. Now she was preparing to grab the pot and wheel it to the sink, but tipped it too much, getting boiling hot water on her lap. She cursed loudly.

"Z!" Mourgent rushed in and grabbed the pot, then wet a cloth with cold water and put it to her leg. "Damn it! Why didn't you wait for me?"

She scowled. "It's not the first time I've burned myself."

"We'll, it'll be the last," he grumbled.

She put a hand to his cheek. "Mourgent, you won't always be there for me. I've learned to live on my own."

He gave her a hard stare.

That only succeeded in making her smile. "Fine. I'm sorry. Will you please help me?"

He continued to stare at her for another moment then nodded. "Keep this there until I'm done. I have some burn cream."

She did as she was told and watched him drain the pasta, then add oil to it. When he was done, he went under the sink and grabbed a first aid kit. He opened it and grabbed a little tube of cream, then squirted it onto her burn. With gentle fingers, he rubbed it in.

Zazriel felt cared for. She felt safe. She felt happy. She didn't want to leave this pack or Mourgent. She didn't want to have to think about surviving and caring for others for the rest of her life. She liked being taken care of. It felt nice, even though she usually didn't like anyone helping her.

The moment ended when someone knocked on the door. Mourgent sighed. "Stay here. Don't try to plate the food, Z."

She laughed. "I won't, alpha!"

He smirked but went to the door. He instantly regretted having the ability to hear since it was Eva. "What?"

"I came over for dinner!"

He blinked. "What? Why?"

She smiled brightly. "Because I always come over." She giggled. "You're silly, alpha!"

She strode past him and towards the kitchen. He hurried after her, not wanting Zazriel to think anything of it.

However, Zazriel was apologizing to Eva about Nyx's accident on her head. Eva wasn't listening, though. She grabbed herself a plate, served herself, then went to the dining table. Zazriel looked both hurt and confused. Mourgent knelt beside her. "Don't take it personal, Z. She's like that to a lot of people."

She nods and they got their food, then sat with Eva. It was awkward for a long time, both females trying to talk to Mourgent and him trying to be polite. But it was impossible. Eva was overtaking the conversation, leaving Zazriel to feel like an outsider.

Finally, Mourgent held up a hand. Eva blinked. "Zazriel, will you tell me about the children today? I saw you playing with them."

She smiled and opened her mouth, but Eva spoke first. "Oh Mourgent! The children were adorable! They-"

"I am talking to Zazriel, Eva. Please stop interrupting her and keep your mouth shut."

Eva scowled, but shut up.

Zazriel told of how the children wanted rides in her lap, or pushing her around. It made Mourgent laugh, but Eva rolled her eyes and finally deigned to speak to her. "Please, that's pathetic!"

Zazriel blinked. "I'm sorry?"

Eva gave her a dark glare. "You're a pathetic cripple who wormed your way into this pack and is poisoning the minds of the innocent!"

"Eva!"

She ignored Mourgent. "You don't really expect Mourgent to mate with you, do you? You aren't worth the dirt he stands on!"

Zazriel blinked again. Mourgent stood and grabbed Eva's throat. But Zazriel gave him a smile. "Mourgent, please don't. I have something to say."

Mourgent saw red, but did as requested. He let Eva go and stepped back. "Z, please tell me I can snap her neck after your speech?"

Zazriel gave him a knowing smile. "Mourgent…"

He grumbled and sat down.

Zazriel looked to Eva and gave her a shrug. "Eva, right? You are correct in saying I'm a cripple." Mourgent growled, but she plowed on. "You are also correct in saying how unworthy I am to be beside him." Another growl. Now Zazriel smiled. "But I don't need you to tell me those things. I know all these things. And if Mourgent wants me by his side and accepts me as his mate, then I will not argue. Until he I die from heartbreak because he chooses someone else, I will trust him. And him only."

Mourgent felt himself swell with pride and joy. Eva stared at. Zazriel for a minute then left. Zazriel grabbed the dirty dishes and went to the kitchen. Mourgent followed, allowed her to put them in the sink, then pulled her away. She gave him a confused look, then was surprised when he lowered down and kissed her.