Merricks Book - The 12 Sectors - Redeeming Her Alpha (authors rough cut)

Chapter 23

Zinn

Water

They needed water.

Mer lay on his back, in and out of a rough, nightmarish sleep, shivering and shedding body moisture in rounds of sweat. She wiped his face and neck with a wet cloth to cool him. She used water to feed him, to make broth, to make a fever-reducing drink, to change the wraps she'd made for his feet, to wash the dirty rags. Used it until there wasn't enough for anyone else.

"I can go. I know where," Petar whispered, lifting one of the big water jugs. There were dark half-moons under his eyes. Gemma had worn him out. They were best friends now, although the little girl still didn't like that Mer wouldn't "git up."

"It's not safe. We didn't see anyone, but it may not be that way now. I saw predator signs. We don't know what's going on outside." Zinn put more wood on the fire.

She had reduced her clothing to just two layers; a new cloth around her chest to keep her breasts out of the way while she worked, a shirt, and her thin pantaloons. She would get what they needed when she found the rest of her clothing. Had she used it for something else? A bandage? Were her other shirts packed under Mer as part of her nest?

"Zinn. All the more reason for me to go. I don't smell like an omega."

"I'm all out of green drink. This idiot wouldn't let me get fresh ingredients to make more."

"I know, so let me go. I know where."

"It's dangerous."

"I know." Petar nodded his head with exasperation. A whine crept into his voice. Zinn didn't know if it was because he thought she didn't trust him to do the job, or another reason. "But I've been out of the warren by myself before. It's just water, and it's not even very far. I'll only be gone a short time. You can't go. You just can't, so let me. I'm not a fucking idiot."

Zinn frowned. He grinned back.

"Fine. Go."

Petar scrambled to his feet.

Tired. Wore down. Thirsty. **

Gemma woke up while Petar was gone. She noticed he wasn't there immediately and took it into her little head to start calling for him. Adorable with sleep, her brown hair sticking up at odd angles and her cheeks rosy, she tried to go to the doorway and call. When Zinn redirected her, she went to Mer. Zinn just knew she'd fall all over the man, or touch his sore feet, so she pulled her away and gave her the cups Petar had turned into toys for her. That didn't work at all, and she was back at the shelter door. Zinn quickly lost her patience with the little girl.

"No you. Peet. Peet. Peet," she demanded, pushing away from Zinn. Gemma had a preference for alphas and wasn't shy at all about it.

Dealing with Gemma, so tired and thirsty she was shaking, Zinn didn't have a chance to count the minutes Petar was gone before he was back with water. They drank it down like they were feasting. Zinn set aside a cup for the alpha.

"I'm going to have to go again. Want me to go now?" Petar sat with Gemma in his lap, who was now acting very pleased with herself. Holding her own cup, she spilled every time she drank, drenching herself and Petar.

Zinn took a breath and then another measured drink of her own water. The first swallow had hurt, opening a dry throat and hitting her empty belly hard, reminding her that she'd forgotten to eat while taking care of Mer. "I think we have enough until Gemma naps. We have enough to add to last night's food, too. But you're right."