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Anya turned around slowly

“He’s an able cohly

His dark face was stoic, his eyes fierce as thick, long, burnished dark blond hair framed his face

“He is at that” He nodded “But a ed on his abilities to lead well, Coya”

“Don’t call er your coya”

“You are our coya,” he stated, a flare of anger filling his voice now “We followed hiiance to hied to him He doesn’t shit on e claim as our own and still command that loyalty”

“No,” she said fiercely “You just don’t understand his reasons Let it go, Cavalier”

“All we need is a single word, and alk,” he stated “If he’syou, none of us will remain under his command”

How could she ever have considered this Breed dead inside? When she first met him, he’d had the same look on his face as he had now Expressionless, his eyes cold—but in those cold amber eyes there was more than she had ever seen

She saw it now A feral fury, a dedication and complete loyalty She had read his file from the other lab She had known he’d been marked for death when she convinced her father he was a candidate for the training program at the Chernov labs

She’d been fourteen He had never reached out to her or anyone else, until now

“He doesn’t mistreat me,” she swore

He growled fiercely “Neither does he show his respect for you Until he does, there’s not a single Coyote, except those who knew you before, that will show you respect There will be fights” He glared at her “Blood will spill Because there’s not one of us that will stand by and allow it”

He swung away from her then and stalked from the room

“Dissension in the ranks, how interesting,” Sofia drawled from the other doorway “Shouldn’t Del-Rey know about this?”