Mourgent kissed Zazriel's head and whispered, "Not if you are in your chair, Z."
"But I almost always am out of it to shift," she cried.
Zelda knelt before Zazriel and took the female's hands. "Z, we all ruin clothes others have made for us. It's got nothing to do with hurting their feelings, but keeping each other safe. If you shift while in this dress, we'll just make another one. Sometimes, we can't help it."
Zazriel nodded. "It's just so beautiful, though."
Zelda smiled. "I'm glad you like it. But I'm sure Carlotta and I can make others that will be just as wonderful."
Mourgent hung the dress in his closet then turned to his mate who was sitting on the bed with a faraway expression in her eyes. He didn't know what was wrong, but went over and kissed her nose, making her jump a little. "Stop thinking for a moment, Z. You do it too much."
"I can't help it."
He chuckled. "Well save it for morning. Right now, just relax and clear your mind. Forget everything and just be."
She scrunched her nose. "You sound like a yoga instructor."
"But I'm serious."
Zazriel sighed and fell backwards so she lay sideways across the bed. "I am scared, Mourgent. I am scared if I don't stay alert, someone else will get hurt or die."
"Everyone will die some time. But I will take care of protecting everyone else."
"How?"
He sat beside her and leaned on one hand. "First, Jasmine is going to stay with you this whole week. He will watch your back and keep you safe if I have to be somewhere else."
She visibly went still. "You're going to leave me alone?"
He bent down and kissed her. "Not because I want to. And I'm not planning on it, but in case I do, Jasmine will be there to watch you."
"What if I freeze again?"
"I will be contacted. Then, I will come to you and wake you up." He kissed her again. "All my patrols will be brought in for the feast. No one will be left out there alone. So, if your stalker wants to attack, we all will be together."
Zazriel shook her head. "You can't keep an eye on every one in your pack."
"Not alone," Mourgent agreed. "But the leaders of patrols will help, taking a group of the pack to watch over. Each will have a couple of yours. This should keep us organized when there's chaos all around, and we won't lose tabs on a single wolf."
"What if she does attack?"
Mourgent gazed at Zazriel for a long moment. "If she attacks, whether it be you directly or your pack, the pack will respond by surrounding her and keeping her contained until I can reach her. My pack defends its own. No one attacks without retribution."
Zazriel gave a smile. "You've thought this through."
"Orion, Zelda and I have backup plans in case something goes wrong." He paused and leaned down to kiss her. "But I want your help, Z. I need your help if something goes wrong."
"What?"
"If you see her, if she tries to attack you, or if you see her attacking someone else, please, scream as loud as you can."
"What if I freeze?"
"If you freeze, it's okay." Mourgent closed his eyes, knowing he lied but not wanting her to fall deeper into her despair. "If you think you're going to freeze, Jasmine will be with you the whole time. Say his name. Or, say mine. He will know what is happening and take over the situation. If he's not with you for some reason, and you find yourself frozen and terrified, think of me. Think of me and fight it. Fight the fear until you snap back to yourself, then run. Find me or someone else in the pack. Find help."
She reached up and brushed her fingers through his hair. "I don't want to freeze up. I don't want to be scared anymore. I want to be strong."
"And you will be," Mourgent whispered. "You are strong. You just need to get past what goes through your head and come back."
She hummed. "If I do freeze and you find me, will you bring me back, like last time?"
"Of course."
The next day, Zazriel was in her chair with Mourgent behind her as alphas and some of their packs arrived. She greeted them, smiling and being polite, and reassuring herself that Mourgent wasn't gone by reaching a hand over her shoulder to grab his hand. When she felt him squeeze, she could breathe easier and was always able to continue with the greetings.
When the last alpha arrived, she was surprised when he addressed Mourgent by name instead of title. The male was dark haired with green eyes. She didn't see a sign of a mate, only five of his higher rank wolves standing guard behind him.
"Mourgent! It's been months since we've seen you!" the alpha greeted with a large smile.
Mourgent put a hand on Zazriel's shoulder and squeezed, seeming to sense her anxiety. "Indrik, it's nice to see you come here for this event." Mourgent spoke without much emotion, making Zazriel wonder what was wrong.
Indrik waved away Mourgent's words. "You know I'm never here for the Feast or the meetings." His green eyes fell to Zazriel. His smile was charming. "And who is this beautiful wolf who has skin of moonlight?"
Zazriel instantly wanted to leap over and tear his throat out, but Mourgent's words stopped her. "Zazriel is my mate, Indrik. And if you don't stop being a creepy chipper wolf, she is likely going to find your sleeping form and make sure you don't speak again."
Indrik paused to assess Zazriel, then he seemed to sober up. "My apologies, Mourgent. I just never expected you to find your female."
"We can talk later," Mourgent assured the male. "I'm sure you all are tired from your journey."
Indrik nodded and looked to Zazriel. "Luna, I may not have given you a good first impression, but I hope you will give me a chance to show you who I really am?" He bowed.
Zazriel was speechless. No one had ever asked her for a second chance before, nor cared about first impressions. When she glanced back at Mourgent, he smiled and nodded. He trusted Indrik, so she relaxed. "Please call me Zazriel, Indrik."
The male gave her a genuine smile, knowing it was her way of saying yes to his offer. "Thank you, Zazriel." He straightened and glanced around. "I will go settle down and come find you later, Mourgent."
"That sounds good," Mourgent nodded. Indrik gestured to his pack mates and walked off.
Zazriel turned to her mate. "Who is he?"
Mourgent knelt and gave a shake of his head. "He's a friend. He uses that happy façade to get to know those he doesn't know or trust. But it isn't real. He is more of a serious male with a great mind."
"Why act so…wildly happy?"
"To get others to trust him." Mourgent shrugged. "Indrik is a good wolf. I have trusted him since childhood."
Zazriel smiled and nodded.
They were about to go prepare for the first meeting with all the alphas when they saw a group of wolves approaching from the trees. The one in front, a large grey wolf, bowed and went behind a tree. Zazriel heard him shift before he stepped back into sight. Her breath caught. "Hauser?"