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have my sincerest apologies, Commander Ilian. I assure you, Anika will be disciplined for the way she has dishonored you.”
    “Do not worry about it.” Ilian downplayed the insult with a wave. “This is not the first time a female has acted rashly, and I doubt it will be the last.”
    Marlix settled his gaze on Tara. “What do you know about Anika’s disappearance?” he asked in deadly calm voice.
    Tara wet her lips. “Why should I know anything about it?”
    Marlix slammed his fist on the table, causing Tara to jump and crockery to clatter. “This is no child’s game of cover and find. There is more at stake than her egregious disrespect toward Ilian. Do you not realize Commander Qalin has put a bounty on all who reside within my domicile? You, Anika, and Urazi are his top targets.”
    “Because of what happened in the woods? But Anika did not do anything. Urazi and I killed his guards.”
    “To undermine me, Qalin knows he has only to capture one of you,” Marlix said. “Tell me what you know about Anika’s disappearance.”
    Tara looked stricken. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know how serious it was!”
    “We are at war!” Urazi gasped, astonished by her naiveté. “How could it not be serious?” For Anika to serve Ilian seemed like a lesser evil now. He would hand her over to Ilian himself, if it would ensure her security. Only an Alpha could protect someone from the ire of another Alpha. Qalin was the most ruthless and feared of all five Commanders who ruled Parseon, feeding his hunger for power with the blood of innocents.
    Marlix fixed his gaze on Tara. “Where did she go?”
    “I don’t know,” Tara twisted her hands. “She didn’t tell me.”
    “But you knew she planned to leave.”
    She nodded.
    “Go to our chamber,” Marlix ordered her. “You and I will talk later.”
    Tara pushed away from the table. “I’m sorry,” she apologized again, in a trembling voice. “You can bring her home, can’t you?”
    “I hope so.” Marlix sighed, his expression grim. “Qalin presents the biggest threat, but not the sole one. Anarchists, looters, and other opportunists prey on the vulnerable. Any one of them would view Anika as fair game.”
    “I didn’t realize….” Tara slumped and crept out of the room.
    Marlix faced Ilian. “I assure you Anika will atone for her disrespect.”
    Ilian nodded and stood up. “You have your hands full. I will return to my province. Keep me informed of your progress.”
    “Of course.” He and Ilian exchanged a farewell, then the other Alpha left.
    Marlix stalked back and forth, his boots thudding on the stone floor. “What could Anika have been thinking?”
    Urazi wished he knew. How like a female to do something so ill-conceived, so ill-considered. What could have made her run away? To bear an Alpha’s sons was the greatest honor a female could achieve. But though he feared for her safety, selfishness cheered that she would not become Ilian’s breeder today .
    “I do not have the guards to spare to search for a wayward female!” Marlix paced. “I need every single alpha to hold back Qalin’s advance.”
    Urazi’s heart rate sped up. “I can search for her.”
    Marlix did not even hesitate. “No, I need you here.”
    “To do what?” he asked. Nibor handled domestic duties; Tara served as confidant. Urazi had begun to feel like the guest who’d overstayed his welcome.
    “To remain safe. You were nearly killed by Qalin’s guard. I can send Zoulin and a few others to search for her. Though Zoulin is new, he came recommended by one of my subcommanders. He will find Anika.”
    Which Urazi could not. Marlix could not have made it any plainer. In the woods near the Enclave, he had botched the rescue of Tara and Anika, and his opportunity to prove himself, by ending up a casualty who had required medical intervention. The shame would follow him for the rest of his days. But his gut tightened with resolve. “I have the best chance of anyone to convince