It does pop into his head.. why did he initially trust Alec? At what point did he start trusting him?

Well, he didn't. Not really. At first. But if the Everstormn wanted to yank his chain, Zack always understood he was powerless to prevent it.

Abe's fucking terrified of him, and Abe is a lot of things, but not stupid.

Okay, so at first he wouldn't have been surprised or hurt at getting caught by a bigger more powerful predator. It's how the multiverse works.

But he'd be hurt if Alec turned against him now.

But Alec won't. So there.

And no, mister bloody overfamiliar... whatever-you-are, you weren't invited. Zack takes a few sips of his water, watching the man over the rim of his glass. He has no psychic ability, but he can tell who's mortal and who's not. This one is not and may be one of those bigger predators, despite seeming okay.

"He's just a mate, is all." The stranger seems to know Alec. Zack is not going to be the first one to betray a friendship. Alec's gonna have to do it to him first. Whatever this is he's feeling right now. "Who're you then?"