"Grounded" for an indefinite amount of time, Evan spends the remainder of the day in the room he and Zara once occupied on the Silver Star's territory to prevent him from sneaking out after what happened with Ryan.

His younger sister, Paige, is sitting outside the bedroom door with her arms crossed over her chest and a furious frown on her face for being forced to do something so boring and menial. He heard her arguing with them as soon as they shut him up in there—not that he had any intention of leaving at the time. He just wanted to be alone then, and he still wants to be left along.

Even though he is older and stronger than her, his family knows that he could never harm a hair on her head, even if she did really push his buttons.

While the alphas formulate a strategic plan to free his pack mates and reclaim the land, Evan is left to his own devices, and that includes stewing over his emotions that rage through him. Ryan, Zara, and the overall sense of helplessness have held him hostage since their return.

He buries his face in the pillow Zara once slept on. Her scent still lingers faintly there and he can't help but cling to it and scream into it when his thoughts drift to Ryan.

The pain and torture Ryan must be inflicting upon Zara, Alicia, Emily, and his two aunts swirl though his mind, morphing from one grotesque scene to the next. His entire body aches just thinking about it and he buries his head under the pillow of his bed in an attempt to stifle the pain.

He knows he had acted recklessly. He knows that he could have been killed on the spot if his father hadn't grabbed him when he did. More than that though, he fears that his actions could have triggered more torture on Zara, and he has only himself to blame for that.

The hours tick by, and when it is dinner time, his mother comes in with a plate of food, but he isn't hungry.

Sighing, she sits on the edge of his bed and rubs his back when he refuses to move.

"I know it hurts to see her like that. It hurts us all. But her spirit is strong, and you know she'll be fighting this as best as she can. You should too."

Clenching his eyes shut, he tries to ignore her, his muscles tensing up despite her efforts to comfort him.

She doesn't say anything after that, just continues to stroke his back in a comforting manner.

Finally, he pulls his head out from under the pillow, but he doesn't change position or look at her. "I know that. I just need to be alone right now."

She nods, getting the hint, and rises to her feet. "Try to eat. Zara would want you to keep up your strength and not worry about her. I'll be back later for your plate."

The soft padding of her feet on the hardwood floor disappear behind the click of the shutting door.

Heaving a sigh into Zara's pillow, he pulls himself up and eyes the plate of food left for him.

The steak does smell good... and is cooked just the way he likes it—pink and juicy with just a sprinkle of salt on top.

Instincts kicking in, he grabs the steak with both hands and tears into it, his hunger finally rearing its ravenous head and kicking his anxiety and fears to the curb.

...

The next day, he feels a little more like himself, but Rick and his family still don't trust him to do something stupid, so he remains shut up in his room with someone bringing him his meals, and all the while not knowing what exactly is going on outside.

Something is stirring in the air though. He doesn't know what it is exactly, but he can feel it.

He looks out the window, but can't see anything as it faces the house next door. All he can make out is the setting sun and the trees in the distance.

But he can hear Clyde's muffled voice on the wind.

The alphas are assembling their warriors.

The preparations have been made. Now it's time to strike.

Evan curses under his breath.

Running to the door, he tries to pull it open but discovers that it's been locked from the outside.

"Hey!"

He bangs his fist against the door, rams his shoulder up against it, anything to try and break it open so he can get out.

How can they go out there without him?

Sure, he's not the strongest in the pack, but he has every right to be out there fighting alongside them.

Swearing profusely at the door, he continues to bang away at it, wishing he was strong enough to knock it down.

Boots stomping down the hallway toward him urge him to yell more profanities to open the door, while his slamming fists cease their hammering.

His hands and shoulders throb with the effort and he quiets down, rubbing them as he listens intently. The stomping stops outside his door and he hears Rick shouting on the other end.

"Dammit, Evan. Will you settle down before you hurt yourself? You're no good to me injured."

Evan curses at him. "Open the damn door, Alpha!"

Rick humphs on the other side. "At least you have the decency to address me properly."

Evan grits his teeth. "I'll take it back if you don't open up and let me out of here. I should be out there with everyone else."

Rick heaves a heavy sigh, but doesn't respond right away.

"Alpha?" Evan growls slowly out, his patience beginning to wane.

"I'll open the door when you're calm and you give me a chance to speak."

The rumbles continue up Evan's throat, but as he presses his palms against the door and bows his head, he breathes in deeply to try and reign in his temper.

Rick can be reasoned with if he can cool his head. How is it that Rick can be so damn calm right now? His mate's out there too. His pack, his responsibility, they're all in danger.

Evan sucks in a final breath and lets it out through gritted teeth. "Okay."

"I know you want to be out there on the battlefield," Rick says. "But, I know you're also worried about Zara. I can't risk having you out there if your head's not clear. Understood?"

Stepping forward, Evan leans his forehead against the door, feeling his energy draining out of him and pooling around his feet.

Of course. Rick is right to keep Evan out of it if his head's not screwed on tight. He'll only put himself and others in more danger. "Yes, Alpha."

"We could use you out there, though," Rick adds. "You've got the speed we need to use as a distraction. You can out-run them all while we can take them down."

Evan's ears perk up at that and he can't help but hold his breath.

"But, I need to know I can count on you to put your alpha first," Rick says.

His eyes squeeze shut as a lump forms in his throat and he can't swallow it down.

It's the shifter code. The alpha male and female must protect and put the needs of the pack above their own. In turn, the pack must be loyal to their alphas and if anything were to happen to them, the pack must put their alpha before themselves. A pack can't function without their alphas.

With Alicia held hostage, Evan has to put Alicia at the top of his priority list—even above his own mate.

But, if they are both being held captive together, freeing one should enable them to free all of them at the same time, right?

Refraining from banging his head against the door, he bites his lower lip, squeezes his eyes shut, and exhales the breath he'd been holding.

"Of course, Alpha. You have my word."

---- Author's Note ----

Hey y'all. Would you prefer to read Evan's chapters in first person POV rather than third? I just wondered if it might flow better in first person.