~ HARTH ~
Harth felt the shift in Tarkyn. She'd been starting to break through to him, he had been coming back to himself, beginning to think instead of just reacting. But as Zev prowled towards them, every inch the predator Alpha, the hair on Harth's neck stood up, and she felt Tarkyn tense in an entirely new way.
'Leave him to me, love,' he sent through the bond, his voice calmer than it had been a moment ago, but still quivering with tension. She could smell her mate's defensive strength—his instincts still screamed at him to protect. But he was a mature male, and a soldier. He possessed discipline stricter than Harth had ever seen even among the older wolves.
She could feel him gathering himself to restraint—even as Zev descended on them, fierce and angry.
"He comes as a friend, Zev," she insisted as her Alpha reached her, his eyes narrowed and fierce on Tarkyn. Harth's heart pounded painfully. Zev was cold, a picture of barely restrained rage.