if I may?” Lidon nodded. “I can confirm he didn’t tell anyone. He didn’t trust anyone with this knowledge, not until he’d figured out how to handle this complication—his words. And he’d never have told Armitage because he knew how much the man hated him and everything he stood for. The only people who knew other than me were his bodyguards who were present when he came here that day, but they were one hundred percent loyal to him…and they died in the raid alongside him. I never told a soul what I knew, not even my mother. So it’s highly likely that Armitage thinks only you can shift, alpha. I’m sorry I never thought to mention this before, but it never occurred to me until you said this.”
“Thank you. And no worries, Taban, all good. Your words confirm our theory, and this will play to our advantage. Palani and Sivney overheard a conversation that indicated they had been expecting me to show up as wolf…but they won’t be expecting any more wolves.”
Lidon took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. Maz could have sworn the man grew two inches, but surely that was impossible. “The news about the True Alpha is spreading, and people are rising. It’s time for me to lead. I didn’t seek this honor, but I’ve been chosen…and I will answer this call. We cannot stand by any longer while people suffer, especially those who have already endured so much at the hands of abusive alphas.”
Goose bumps pebbled on Maz’s skin. Something was happening. The air shifted around him and filled with energy.
Grayson quietly rose to his feet, taking position next to Lidon. “Lidon is speaking with the power of the earth and the moon behind him. Hear his voice and follow his lead. The True Alpha will bring freedom and justice.”
Maz’s alpha jumped up inside him, crying out silently with joy, with recognition. This was the truth. This was right. Lidon was the True Alpha, the most powerful alpha who had ever lived…and he’d change the course of history. His head spun with the force of that thought, with the righteousness of it. This was his calling, his mission, to follow this man and make a difference.
“We will undertake several missions into the city tonight, and I’m asking for anyone to volunteer. We’re sending a team, which I’ll lead, to free Bray. We will not stop until we’ve got Bray out.” Lidon paused. “If it’s power Armitage is after, we’ll show him power.”
Maz shivered. Lidon was right. The general wouldn’t have a clue about who he was dealing with. Lidon was no ordinary man.
“A second mission will be a humanitarian mission to the old army barracks, which is where we suspect the rumored camp is. Grayson has volunteered to lead this mission, and Enar has already said he’ll participate as a doctor. We want to send a third team into the city to scout and see what’s happening among the people. Sean will be the head of this team.”
“Anyone can volunteer for these missions,” Palani said. “We will only look at skills, not at status or anything else.”
Maz and Lucan glanced at each other, then at Sando. “Go,” the omega said softly. “Please go. If you can save lives, you need to go. I’d come with you, but we all know I’d trip over my own feet.”
“Thank you, kitten,” Maz said. “I do feel I should go, but I wouldn’t have done it without your blessing.”
“But you have to be able to shift to join a mission,” Rhene said. “Surely it can only be men who can shift.”
Maz froze. How could he have forgotten that? They couldn’t shift. Next to him, Lucan’s body went slack. Then Lucan turned to Sando. “I love you, no matter what. Even if it turns out we can’t shift, I’ll still love you and want you.”
God, yes. He was so right. Yes, Maz wanted to be wolf, but not at the cost of losing his mates. “I feel the same way,” he whispered, and Sando’s face broken open in a sweet smile.
“Me too. I’d love to feel what it’s like…but I want to be with you regardless.”
They were mates. Maz felt it into the very core of his being. They belonged together, and he would die for them…and they for him. Forever would be too short a time to spend together with the ones he loved more than words could describe.
“No,” Lidon said, and Maz turned his attention back to