70 Lion Awake

~ TARKYN ~

Thankfully, taking his mate hadn't spent his energy. Tarkyn had decided he wouldn't heed the risk. Being close to Harth was as necessary as breathing. But he'd known in the back of his mind that it was a risk.

He'd already been so weak. Despite his best efforts to hide it, the others had clearly sensed it in him—it was part of why Elreth had been so fearful. Her natural dominance growing in the face of a male she'd relied on growing weaker. He knew that. And it was humbling. But this morning he'd woken feeling so much stronger. And now…

His blood pulsed in his veins, his heart still returning to calm. But instead of his body feeling spent, he felt invigorated.

And angry.

He caught the simmer building and tried to soothe it—reminding himself how he might respond to an Alpha near death. Reminding himself that Elreth had been standing in instinctive protection of their people.