~ TARKYN ~
Tarkyn's heart cracked as his mate's feelings—her grief, her fear, the sheer trauma of living both his memories and her Alpha's—overwhelmed her.
It was a battle to keep himself in place, not to demand to be freed so he could go to her. But the Chimeran male in front of him was clearly struggling too, and Tarkyn's instincts raised every hair on his body as the male shifted his weight and his eyes—so bright in color, like deep ice—fixed on Tarkyn.
Zev's hair fell in tines over his eyes because he'd been clawing his hands through it. His jaw was iron, and his lips peeled back from his gritted teeth as he spoke.
"I will not be caged again," he said slowly. "My son will not grow up in a cage."
"No, he won't," Tarkyn said firmly. "I give you my word, Zev. He won't."
The male didn't relax, but the light in his eyes shifted. "I don't give a shit about your word."