different. To give up his advantage would require true trust.
She should not even ask it of him. Not after her own hesitations. Not after all she had done since Sharluff knocked him down, letting pride, anger, and fear guide her actions rather than faith. He had every right to laugh in her face.
“Actions, Nayla.” His soft words jerked her from her thoughts, no trace of laughter in his gaze. “Sometimes they matter more the words.”
She didn’t understand until, gaze locked with hers, he retracted his hand, the sharp edge of his dagger lifting off Sharluff’s vulnerable throat.
Her heart slammed against her ribs. He was trusting her.
With renewed strength, she jerked on Sharluff’s feathered neck and wrenched him away. “Taneh doluf. Ahorte!” She didn’t hesitate, calling her beast to stand down with the firmest, most commanding tones she’d ever employed.
For a heartbeat, the stubborn, feathered beast remained still and her heart slammed inside her chest, her fear that she would not be able to prove worthy making her stomach contract.
Thankfully, the big brute gave a grunt and let her lead him away, his feathers ruffling with excitement as he bumped his side into her, his aggression forgotten as he accepted her command and settled back into his usual docile mode.
Grif rose slowly, his knife still high in his hand.
She guided her pet a safe distance away, lashing his lead to the rock so he could not break free.
She and Grif stared at each other.
“You stay hand and let Sharluff live.” She couldn’t get over it.
“He’s important to you.”
She blinked hard. Not a single soul had ever been concerned with what mattered to her.
He took a step closer. “I’m not perfect, Nayla. You know that better than anyone.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I won’t always be able to go against my nature and back down, but I’m also not a mindless destroyer. I can control myself. For you.”
Her breathing came faster.
“I want to be a good leader for my people. I’ve made no secret of that. But I’m learning from you, wild thing. I’m learning I won’t get there making demands or adhering to rigid lines. You push me—and that’s good.” He took another step in her direction. “Let’s work together as a team to get the females back and prevent a war.”
“Team.” She let the word twist around her tongue, the concept more exotic than the Other himself. She had never been made such an offer before. To be a part of something beyond herself. To be on the inside. She had wanted that for so long.
A safe place to land? Maybe she truly had found that, after all.
“I won’t lie to you, Nayla. Not ever.” He allowed her no quarter. “My people are nervous about your pack’s intentions. Your kind wants mine dead. We’ve got a ways to go until we can solve this situation without bloodshed. But look at us.” He lowered his voice. “We aren’t where we started out at all.”
“Th-that is truth.”
“I’ve always been a fighter and a protector. It’s who I am. It’s also what I think you need.” He stalked toward her, his glittering predatory eyes as intent as ever. “Give me a chance.”
It was a risk. She did not know how to be a part of a team. She did not even know how Others worked or if she could trust Grif to keep his word about the lack of bloodshed.
But there was also the chance that it was all possible.
Actions, not words. Grif was right. It was time to take a risk.
She was done being afraid to go for what she wanted, and what she craved was to be a part of something worthy and to have someone by her side who saw her as such.
Grif might not realize it yet, but she was a fighter and a protector, too. For the first time, she saw what she truly desired. Standing right in front of her.
If there was a chance she could gain acceptance and save her pack, she had to take the chance. If she could find the connection with Grif she’d always longed for, she had to try.
Hadn’t she told herself that from here on out she went for what she coveted?
Tipping up her chin, she cleared her throat and met his stare head-on. “I come with you. We work as team.”
His smile crinkled all the way to his eyes this time. It brought on that same strange fluttering in her chest.
“It’s going to be good. We’re going to