《Rise of the Dark Alpha》


 Chapter 1 - Can鈥檛 Be You

    ~ SASHA ~


    "¡­the killer is believed to have murdered five men in the past two years. He remains unidentified, but his work has baffled detectives. He appears to corner his victims in their homes, or other urban settings, yet all five victims have reportedly died as a result of animal bites, earning him the nickname, "The Wolf." The coroner cites undeniable evidence of predatory feeding behaviors, however¡ª"


    Rob clicked the remote and the widescreen television went ck. Sasha shuddered.


    "Well that sounds¡­ horrible," she said with a nervousugh.


    But Rob wasn''t looking at the television. He was staring at her with concern¡­ and a little bit of pleading. When she didn''t meet his eyes, he leaned forward to put the remote on the coffee table, but rested his elbows on his knees. It made his shoulder des stretch against his shirt.


    "This Wolf guy is starting to make a habit of it." He was still in his cored shirt from work, but the top two buttons were open and he''d rolled the sleeves halfway up his forearms, revealing the tight lines of muscle and scattering of golden hair.


    For a split second, Sasha saw him as other women must¡ªhandsome, with sandy-brown hair that stood just a little too tall. Broad shoulders that let his shirts hang just right. A smile that could light a room.


    She wished she felt that delicious tension with him.


    It wasn''t his fault he wasn''t Zev.


    "You know¡­ you don''t have to go," Rob said softly, putting a hand to her arm. "It''s freezing outside and it''s supposed to snow. You could stay here¡ª"


    Sasha pushed out of the couch like she''d beenunched and picked up her shoulder bag from the floor, not quite meeting his eyes as she smiled and made a show of digging through it for her phone.


    "Thank you, Rob. Seriously. But I need to sleep in my own bed. And a little cold won''t hurt me," she said.


    Rob opened his mouth like he might say something, but Sasha turned, pretending she hadn''t noticed. With a sigh, he got to his feet to follow after her through the living room and kitchen, to the little entryway at the front door.


    Her heavy winter coat was on the line of hooks just inside the door, and she paused to put it on. He was right about one thing, it was bitterly cold outside. Sasha had a seven block walk.


    Rob appeared in the open doorway behind her as she got her hand into the sleeve. "Are you sure you''re okay?" he asked quietly, reaching out to hold the coat for her as she shrugged it on.


    "I''m fine," she sighed. "I''m just tired." Then she grimaced, because she wasn''t in need of more sleep. Sasha was tired of pretending not to notice how her best friend''s feelings for her had changed. She was tired of not being interested in him¡ªor anyone else¡ªbecause of a man who''d betrayed her almost five years ago, and of having a heart that refused to open to anyone but the guy she hadn''t seen in so long.


    She was tired of being alone.


    Rob waited until she had her jacket on and her bag slung over her shoulder, then pulled her into a hug. She held his trim waist and sighed, her head against his chest.


    He wrapped an arm around her head, pulling her in tight. "He doesn''t deserve what you give him, Sash." His voice rumbled under her cheek. She knew he was right. But that didn''t change anything.


    "I''m sorry," she whispered.


    They broke apart and Rob raked a hand through his hair. "Don''t be. You''re leaving early enough that I''ll actually get enough sleep tonight. You''re doing me a favor. I''ll see you at work in the morning. My turn to bring the coffee, right?" He smiled tightly and she made herself hold his eyes and let him see that she wished things were different.


    But, just like always, because Rob''s eyes were bright blue and striking, and his hair was long enough to fall over his forehead, instead of seeing him, her mind turned back to a different man: Taller. Broader. With eyes that were ice-blue and startling and that never seemed to leave her face for more than a second. Dark hair that was almost ck. Shoulders so broad she couldn''t circle them in her arms. A square jaw that twitched when he was irritated. And a smile that made her blood heat and left lines in his cheeks¡ª


    Groaning in frustration at her own, pathetic mind, Sasha turned for the door. "I''ll see you tomorrow."


    "Are you sure you don''t want me to walk you home¡ªor at least call a cab?" Rob asked, holding the door open as she was about to step through.


    She shook her head, embarrassed to be blinking back tears. "I''m sure. Thanks for hanging with me again. I''m sorry I''m so boring to be around right now. It''ll get better. It always does," she lied.


    As her best friend, Rob knew the story about Zev''s sudden disappearance just days after Sasha gave him her virginity. She''d met Rob two yearster when they both started working as interns at the same securitypany. That was back when Sasha had still been convinced something had happened to Zev. But just a few weekster she learned that no, Zev hadn''t been killed or hit by a train and left in aa somewhere.


    He just¡­ left.


    Rob had been listening to her whine about her heartbreak and trust issues ever since. He knew she was trying to move on. Now he wanted to be the one she moved on with.


    "But haven''t you heard?" he said, trying too hard to smile, "There''s a killer wolf loose in the city. It''s my duty to make sure you get home safe."


    Sasha rolled her eyes.


    "Luckily he only kills men. I think I''m good." She shifted the bag on her shoulder and smiled as she stepped through the door and waved goodbye. But as Rob closed the door behind her and she reached the top of the steps down to the sidewalk, she suddenly felt very, very tired. With a heavy sigh, she trotted down the steps of the brownstone, gasping at the frigid air as her breath made a steam cloud in front of her.


    Sasha flipped up the cor on her jacket, then buried her hands in her pockets and turned right to head for the crosswalk on the corner that would take her a block out of her way, but keep her on well-lit streets.


    Except, two stepster another wave of that weariness hit her¡ªand on a whim she turned on her heel, to walk in the opposite direction. There were no streetlights for three blocks this way, but it was a safe neighborhood and she''d get home several minutes faster. She was just too damn tired to stay in the cold a moment longer than she needed to.


    Lifting her eyes off the sidewalk in front of her, she caught sight of the form of a man silhouetted by one of the townhouse porch lights¡ªtall, broad, and moving silently towards her further down the block. A jolt of adrenaline clenched her stomach and made her heart pound.


    She stopped walking, sucking in a breath to scream for help when the guy stepped back and began to turn away, but for a split second he was caught in the golden cone of light and her breath stopped.


    Sasha had a fleeting impression of dark, unruly hair punching out from under a ck beanie, high cheekbones, a square jaw that was even heavier than thest time she''d seen it five years ago and shadowed by stubble because of thete hour. But it was the thick rounds of his shoulders, and those eyes¡ªdeep set and so bright they almost glowed even in the dim light... those eyes widened with recognition when they caught on hers.


    Quick as a sh, he turned on his heel and darted back the way he''de.


    Sasha''s breath whooshed out like she''d been punched.


    "Zev?"


    *****


    WELCOME TO MY BRAND NEW WORLD! I am so grateful that you''re here to give it a try. You have made my dream of writing full time a reality this year, and I''m SO grateful.


    If you''re a BEAST reader, don''t worry. This story ispletely different and not set in the Anima world at all (though I do have some easter-eggs nned for fun. Let me know in thements when you see them!) So dive on into this story without a worry.. I can''t wait to share it with you. I hope you love Zev and Sasha as much as I do!

 Chapter 2 - Thwarted

    ~ ZEV ~


    Shit.


    Shit!


    He tore his eyes away from the startled look on her face and darted back down the side-street, his feet making no sound on the cobbled sidewalk, as he sprinted for the alley he knew she''d never brave in the dark. She hated the stink of garbage, and wet patches she couldn''t identify. Especially at night.


    At least, she used to.


    Shit.


    Why was she walking this way? The lit streets were in the other direction. Did she have a fucking death wish?


    Then he heard his name whispered on the frozen street behind him and his eyes closed without his permission as he was taken back, five years, to the days when Sasha''s entire face lit up when he walked into a room. The days when he knew the taste of her skin, and when, if she whispered his name, it was with a happy sigh.


    His steps faltered and he almost turned.


    But he''d reached the alley. He forced himself to dart into it, immediately turning to hide in the shadowed doorway at the back of one of the apartment buildings.


    Above him fire-escapedders and curtained windows glinted in the dark¡ªat least, to his eyes they did. He knew when she turned down here from the street she''d see nothing but pitch ck. He was banking on it.


    She didn''t like the dark any more than she liked the smell of garage.


    Zev stood in the dark shadow, hands clenched at his side against the temptation to reach for her when he heard her footsteps clip along the sidewalk to the open mouth of the alley, then hesitate. He knew she couldn''t see him, but he pressed himself deeper into the doorway anyway, cursing himself for his weakness.


    He shouldn''t have followed her. If she didn''t turn around now, it was going to drop them both in deep shit.


    Shit.


    He waited for her to turn and keep walking and forced himself not to breath. Removing his sense of smell felt like blinding himself. But he didn''t think he could bear to take in her scent and not touch her.


    He waited, listening. The hairs on his arms standing up. There was no sound on the cobbled sidewalk. Sasha wasn''t breathing either.


    Fuck.


    Was she okay? Had Nick been following him and¡ª?


    "Zev?" she whispered and adrenalin shot through him, crackling like lightning through his chest and out into his limbs. For a second he thought she''d seen him and knew he was there, but then he heard her swallow. "Stop being crazy," she muttered at herself. "He isn''t here. He''s never here."


    His heart died at that and his instincts pressed at him, his weight shifting, so strong was the urge to step out and reassure her that he''d never left her any longer than he had to. That he''d always kept his promise to keep her safe.


    Always.


    Then she cursed and he heard the hitch in her whispered voice and now he was the asshole who''d made her cry.


    He dropped his face in his hands and prayed for strength not to give in, prayed for peace for her¡ªfor the willingness to move on and forget about him. To be happy.


    Then every hair on his body stood up as he heard the distinctive motor of one of the agency cars rolling along the street. The lights rolled across the doorway¡ªcasting him in deeper shadow, thank God, then disappeared again as it passed. But the noise of the engine didn''t fade. Instead, the growl of it slowed, deepened to an idle.


    They were going to stop? He wavered on the edge of leaping out of the dark. If they thought they were going to take Sasha¡ª


    "Are you okay, Ma''am?" a polite, deceptively friendly voice called out from the street. "Do you need a ride?"


    Zev froze. He knew that voice. Harry. The sleaze. Zev imagined castrating him. With his teeth. A growl began to roll in his throat before he could stop it, but she didn''t hear because she was too busy answering in that strong-but-too-high voice she got when she was scared and trying to pretend that she wasn''t.


    "I''m fine! My apartment''s right around the corner! I was just looking for my phone in my purse, that''s all."


    Smart girl, letting him know she had her phone in her hand. He prayed she did. He didn''t think she''d been holding it when she was on the street outside her friend''s apartment.


    "Are you sure? I don''t mind, I have a driver and we can¡ª"


    "I''m fine!" she said and started walking back towards the street.


    Zev breathed a little easier then. She''d go back to Rob''s house¡ªfucking Rob¡ªand Zev''s ''colleagues'' would leave her alone with witnesses around. Once she was off the street, Zev would call Nick and¡­ he''d figure it out.


    "Well, okay. Be safe and get home. It''s cold tonight!"


    "I will, thank you!"


    Her heels clipped along the sidewalk as the car pulled around the corner in the direction opposite her friend''s apartment. That was good, she''d¡ª


    Then he heard the sound of her footsteps change as she trotted off the sidewalk and onto the cement of the street. She was crossing the street. Still heading for her own apartment? What the fuck was she thinking?


    Stifling an audible growl, he leapt out of the shadow of the doorway and darted into the street, racing up behind her silently.


    He held his breath to avoid her scent, but his heart raced¡ªnot from the running. But because he was finally going to do more than see her from around a corner or through a curtain. He was going to talk to her. Touch her. There was no choice. He had to get her out of here because he knew what was about to happen.


    That car would take approximately sixty seconds to circle the block ande up behind her. They''d barely slow it down when they caught back up to her, just open the door and p a hand over her mouth and pull her in, closing those soundproof doors with their ck-tinted windows while the street''s residents slept on, and no one would be the wiser¡ªexcept Sasha, who would be dragged into an interrogation room and asked how she knew the name of a man who no one was supposed to know existed.


    SHIT.


    She didn''t hear himing.


    As he ran up behind her, her hair swinging in the breeze of her passage across the street, he sucked in a breath and with it came her scent, strong and pure, apples and vani, and rolling around in his nose, twisting him up inside with an intoxicating mix of memories, stifled love, and fear for her safety.


    She''d crossed the street and stepped into the shadows of the buildings on the other side when she likely felt the vibration of his approaching steps. She turned with a gasp as he wrapped her in one arm, pped the other hand over her mouth and tugged her down the steps to a basement entrance of one of the brownstones, just as the sound of a car engine reached them¡ªdriving much faster this time¡ªup the street around the corner they''d juste from.


    She screamed into his palm.


    "Sash, please, you have to be quiet," he whispered.


    She sucked in a breath through her nose and froze, his scent no doubt triggering memories for her just as hers did for him, though she''d be far less aware of it.


    "Zev?" she said, her voice high and quavering, though it sounded like a muffled "Eehm?" behind his hand.


    The car turned up the street and slowed, the lights making a wide arc along the buildings across from where they hid.


    Zev pulled her harder against his chest and leaned back, praying the lights wouldn''t reach through the small hedge that lined the walk down to where they stood. That he''d gotten her off the street fast enough that no one in the car had seen them. That they didn''t already have anyone on foot in the area.


    And while he prayed, he inhaled again and again, his nose conveniently buried in her soft, mahogany colored hair.


    Heart racing, he wondered how he was ever going to let her go again.

 Chapter 3 - The Impossible You

    ~ SASHA ~


    "Sash, please, you have to be quiet."


    Sasha had known it couldn''t be him. That just wasn''t possible. But that sh of a face so much like his¡ªheavier, harder than his had been five years ago, but unmistakably familiar¡ªand his tall, muscr build¡­


    But that voice¡­ that voice she knew from those years¡ªthe happiest of her life.


    Her mind''s eye shed with the face of the Zev of five years ago, his burnished skin glowing in thete afternoon light, his dark hair rumpled and cheeks warm as he leaned over her, taking her mouth so slowly desire had literally sizzled down her spine to light up low in her belly.


    But those arms weren''t braced on either side of her head anymore, covering her with his strength.


    That strength was being used against her as she was dragged from the sidewalk, down a small flight of stairs and into the shadows under one of the front-door staircases.


    Her body tingled with remembered heat, but her heart raced with fear.


    She''d been reaching into her bag for the small gun she''d recently bought after the stories of the murderer in the city. Some unformed instinct had warned her someone was behind her. But she hadn''t heard a thing. She hadn''t even have time to turnpletely, to gain more than a nce of a tall, wide shadow in her peripheral vision, before a hand pped over her mouth, while a steel-bar of an arm wrapped around her middle and yanked her off her feet.


    Now he was here and whispering her name¡­


    She sucked in through her nose to scream again and began to drum her heels against his legs, when the smell of him hit her nostrils and she froze.


    No.


    It just couldn''t be.


    He''d gone very, very still, pulling her deeper into the shadows against the wall when a car pulled into the street above them. But all she could do was breathe and blink, try to convince herself that she was dreaming. That this was impossible.


    The thing was, a voice could be mimicked. But no one had smelled like Zev. Ever. Not even close.


    In high school, while other boys doused themselves in spicy chemical deodorants and mostly unnecessary aftershaves, Zev had always smelled¡­ real.


    His smell had had reminded her of thick grass after a summer rain shower, or walking through a park inte autumn when the ground stayed wet. He smelled like the bark of a tree, or the wind before a storm. And underneath it all there was something just him. Something she couldn''t identify, but it made her smile.


    But after hearing the honeyed gravel of his voice, when all those scents hit the back of her nose, she froze again, telling herself it was impossible. She''d probably subconsciously caught a whiff of this mugger and her mind had put Zev''s face on his body and¡­


    "Zev?" she said, her voice high and broken and muffled by his hand. The lights of the car swept across the building opposite and he pulled her even tighter against his chest and that was when she knew.


    It had been something between them from the very first day they''d met¡ªthe way she fit against him.


    She''d been seventeen and in the lunch line at the high school cafeteria when he came up behind her and asked if he could reach past her for a tray. She''d blushed¡ªhe was new and gorgeous. The whole school was whispering about him, and he''d never spoken to her before. She''d mumbled something like, "Sure!" and he''d thanked her, then curled himself over her to stretch one of those long, strong arms for the trays on her other side.


    Despite his much greater height and width, his body curved around her, holding her in ce¡ªand she molded into him, like two spoons fit together.


    She''d stopped breathing for a second and he''d frozen in ce. Then his fingers closed on the tray so tight his knuckles went white and he pulled it back, much more slowly than was strictly necessary.


    But he didn''t step away immediately. And she couldn''t move. Couldn''t turn around. Like a rabbit under the eyes of a fox, she''d just stood there, heart racing and cheeks heating.


    His breath fluttered in her hair, then he murmured, "What''s your name?"


    "Sasha," she''d whispered.


    "Sasha¡­ I''m Zev." That''s how she heard his name the first time. She''d nodded, because she didn''t trust her voice.


    Then one of the guys called him from further ahead in the line and he''d tensed, like he would put his arms around her or¡­ or something. But he just blew out a breath, then stepped away, muttering a thank you.


    And she''d stood there, knowing it hadn''t been a dream, because the girl behind her in line was gaping at her, with a not entirely ttering look of disbelief at the Adonis that had just¡­ embraced her with his body.


    For the next eighteen months it had been a joke between them. He would sneak up behind her¡ªshe could never hear himing when he snuck, which was so frustrating¡ªand he''d slip his arms around her, burying his face in her neck or the hollow of her shoulder. And she''d always lean back into him and just breathe him in for a moment when he couldn''t see the goofy bliss on her face.


    They fit together like puzzle pieces, and that was exactly how she thought about him: He was the thing she needed to fit in this world. Though she hadn''t admitted that to him for a long time. For months she''d been convinced that one day he''d wake up and look at her and wonder to himself what the hell he''d been thinking. But it never happened.


    Until it did.


    Sasha blinked back to the present, as Zev pressed them both deeper into the shadows and pulled her against his body, and she felt the puzzle pieces snap into ce.


    Both of them let out a heavy breath as he let her down so her feet found the ground, but he held her there, steadying her to make sure she had her bnce¡­ and suddenly they were there again¡­


    She was home. In his arms was home.


    She shook her head in disbelief. Zev was here. After five years and no word, no sign of him, he was here. And he was holding her in the dark and breathing in her hair.


    She began to tremble, shaking like a leaf from head to toe as, above them on the street level, the car slowly rolled past, its tires hissing on the damp road, taking the ring light with it.

 Chapter 4 - Struck

    ~ ZEV ~


    They needed to move, now. But she''d leaned herself back into him in just the way she used to, and in a blink thest five years and every sick thing he''d done fell away. His body tightened and his breath caught.


    The car had passed, turning onto the next block to circle again. They would have only seconds until it was back and he needed to move her out of here because the team would be searching soon.


    Yet, he still didn''t move.


    He''d already dropped his hand from her mouth and loosened his grip, but now he let his hands fall to his sides. He waited, but she didn''t move away. They stood there, as they always had, fitting together like they were made from the same mold.


    "Zev?" she whispered his name this time, her soft voice a caress. He felt it like her fingers drawn up his spine and his breath shuddered out of him.


    "We have to move, now. They''ll be back in a minute." It was the first words he''d said to her in years and the effort of fighting all his emotion, along with the fear he felt for her, made his deep voice sharper than he''d intended.


    She tensed, then slowly looked up at him, her hair wafting with her scent, brushing his against chest as she turned between his feet.


    "It''s really you?" she breathed.


    "It''s really me."


    The urge to take her face in his hands, to take her mouth with his, to press their bodies together again was so strong, he shivered. But he forced himself to restraint. They had to move. But first he had to break the spell of having her eyes on him.


    How much of his face could she see in this light? Not much he would have bet.


    But his cursed sight¡­ she was crystal clear to him, her blue eyes wide and disbelieving, her mouth just slightly open, that pillow of a bottom lip ck and soft, just waiting for him to¡ª


    It was a mark of how off-bnce he was that he didn''t see her handing.


    When her palm cracked across his cheek, it rang in his head, but he took it. Didn''t move. Just clenched his teeth against the sting and stared at her, pleading with her to understand, though he knew she couldn''t possibly.


    An entire lifetime had passed in thest five years. She couldn''t even begin to¡ª


    She pulled her hand back to swing at him again, but he caught her wrist effortlessly this time and it woke him up.


    They were wasting time.


    Her eyes widened further¡ªin anger or fear, he wasn''t sure. Probably both.


    "You can p meter. We have to move," he growled, then without letting go of her wrist, tugged her towards the stairs.


    "What? What are you¡ª"


    He whirled and pped his free hand over her mouth again.


    Her eyes went so wide he could see the whites all the way around. "Hate me if you want to," he whispered. "But if the men in that car find us, you''re dead and I''m locked up. So please¡­ please, Sasha, walk. Follow me, and don''t question. I''ll get us somewhere safe then¡­ then you can p me all you want."


    He didn''t wait for an answer, just started up the stairs in quick efficient steps, pulling her behind him.


    She couldn''t move as quickly or as quietly as him, he had to remember that. He had to get them out of here in a way that she could handle.


    But just as they reached the street he caught the sound of the caring around again¡ªalready in the side street where he''d first hid. They would there in seconds, and he still had her out in the open.


    Without thought, he yanked Sasha up the street towards where the car would emerge, two more doors, whispering an apology when she yelped, but still dragging her, then down again into the next basement entry.


    Sliding an arm around her waist, he practically threw her into the tight little doorway, overshadowed by stairs leading to the front door of the apartment above, then put himself between her and the street, his arms wide so she couldn''t get past him and he turned to face the street praying they''d do one more circuit.


    Her friend''s apartment was three doors in on the other side of the street. They needed at least thirty seconds to get there.


    "Do you have the door code to Rob''s ce?" he whispered.


    Her breath stopped. "How do you know about¡ª"


    "Sasha! Just tell me, quickly! Can you get in without ringing the bell?"


    She blinked. "Yes. But there''s¡ª"


    "Doesn''t matter," he rasped. "As soon as they turn off the block, we''re running, you understand me? As fast as your legs can carry you. Straight to his house and you get inside, even if I''m not there."


    "What?! Where are you going?"


    "I''m going with you," he hissed, "But if something happens, you get into the house and you don''t leave no matter whoes to the door¡ªyou understand? I have to¡ª"


    "No, Zev, I don''t understand!" she whisper-screamed. "Where did youe from? How did you know I was here? How do you know about Rob?"


    "I''ll exin everythingter," he said as the lights from the car passed them again, much more slowly this time. He followed their progress with his eyes, urging them to keep going, to be talking or distracted, or¡­ something. And for once, it looked like God was listening, because the car shed a turn signal, then slowly eased on to the next street again.


    "But¡ª"


    He didn''t give her the chance to argue, just tore out of the doorway¡ªher hand in his again¡ªand up the stairs to the street side. She tripped on the way up, but he swung her effortlessly back to her feet and they were running, him urging her forward, slowing his pace to match hers, one hand at her back, twisting to look behind them¡ªand cursing, when he saw the car nose up from the street they''d just turned into. They''d turned around and wereing back!


    Her footsteps pped on the cement of the road, then onto the opposite sidewalk and he was right on her heels.


    The car engine growled in the distance and he swore, practically throwing her up the stairs to Rob''s apartment door, then standing over her, watching the car speed towards them, nearly silent, like a ck panther on prey.


    *****


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 Chapter 5 - Look Who Dropped By?

    ~ SASHA ~


    His hands were at her hips and shoving her up the stairs, back to Rob''s front door. Despite the apparent danger, internally she screamed with thrill¡ªZev was here! He was HERE. But there was clearly something going on¡ªsomething very scary. And even though she wanted nothing more than to pull him into her arms¡ªand to curse him to the mes of hell¡ªsomething in his tone and tension demanded that she listen to him, and run.


    As they reached the top of the stairs, a car sped up the street behind them, its tires hissing on the cement. Her fingers shook as she punched the code for Rob''s apartment into the little pad. But the little light turned green and it beeped, and before she could even grasp the handle, Zev''s hand shot past her, shoved the door open and bundled her inside.


    The relief she felt when he scrambled in after her was embarrassing in its intensity. Then they were standing in the same entryway where she''d hugged Rob just a few minutes ago.


    Was it really only a few minutes ago?


    She blinked in the shadows of the now-dark entryway, gaping at Zev who loomed over her, his eyes hunted and stark, searching the walls around them, scanning the open doorway into the kitchen. Rob was in the next room, but she his feet hit the carpet.


    "Is that you, Sash?" Rob asked from around the corner. "I''m so d you came back."


    Oh no. Rob thought she''de back to him. This was thest thing she needed. Rob didn''t seem like the type to get aggressive, but Zev tensed at his voice and the creak of the couch in the living room meant Rob was getting up. If he decided Zev was a problem¡ª


    "I just need the bathroom!" she called as brightly as she could. Zev frowned at her, then turned his head and red towards the kitchen, where Rob''s lengthening shadow was trotting towards them in therge rectangle of light on the floor.


    She was struck for a moment by the shock of Zev in more light¡ªall heavy brows and square jaw shadowed by a day''s growth, his hair sying out from underneath the ck beanie pulled down tight across his forehead, like it was trying to escape.


    When she looked at him like someone she didn''t know, she wasn''t sure whether to weep or call the Police.


    Zev at neen had been stunning, all lithe, athletic strength and eyes that called you from across a room.


    Zev now was¡­ a presence.


    As tall as the door he stood in front of, his shoulders almost filled the width of it, his arms and chest stered in a ck leather jacket¡ªthe type that opened on an angle and was actually for riding motorcycles. Tight sleeves peeked out from under the jacket at the wrist¡ªwhich meant he still favored those thin, tight shirts that let her see every ripple in his torso.


    Zev''s broad chest and shoulders tapered to a trim waist, strong thighs gripped in near-ck denim, and long, long legs that ended in thick boots.


    He could have graced the cover of a magazine, or headlined a movie. But that wasn''t what made Sasha''s mouth go dry.


    He''d seen Robing and his entire body was poised for action. And not the kind that Sasha had been missing for five years.


    Standing in front of Zev just then gave Sasha the same feeling she had the day she''d stood on the other side of Plexiss from one of the huge alpine wolves at the nature reserve. The long, knowing stare and barely hidden fangs¡­ the body rigid and held ready, utterly confident in its own ability to take down prey.


    She''d been in the presence of death that day, and her body had known it. It had raised the shorthairs on the back of her neck and made her feel small, and powerless.


    As Rob stepped into the other end of the kitchen, Zev scanned the space, grunting and settling his weight on the balls of his feet as if he might need to spar when he found no rooms leading away except the kitchen and the adjoining doorway.


    The sh in his eyes gave Sasha that feeling of being in the presence of death again. But colored this time with something else. Something solid.


    Zev was deadly¡ªshe''d always known it, even back then. Despite his tenderness, he''d always carried an edge. And the few times she''d seen him pushed, she''d been torn between salivating at the raw confidence and strength he disyed when another guy challenged him, and disgust at the thuggish power he was willing to unleash.


    The only time they''d really fought was after her eighteenth birthday party, at which he had literally beaten a drunk guy up for calling her slut under his breath when he''d flirted and she''d told him to leave.


    He hadn''t understood why she thought he shouldn''t have gone so far. And she''d been scared in his presence for the first time. Just not for herself.


    Which was the tension she felt now. It had been five years. She had no right to the confidence she felt that Zev would only ever use his power to protect her. Yet, there it was. He''d vowed that to her years ago and impossibly, when Rob''s shadow shortened and he appeared in the dimly lit kitchen ahead of them, their eyes locked for a brief second, she saw him remembering those times as well¡­ and reassuring her again that he would never hurt her.


    She nodded and he opened his hand for hers. But he didn''t take her wrist this time, or pull her along. Just left his palm there, waiting for hers.


    She wanted to cry.


    He was here. He was fucking here. After all these years. And she was so confused. She wanted nothing more than to put her hand in his and let him take her away from¡­ whatever was out there. Away from all these people. Away from this life¡ªas long as he took her with him this time.


    And yet¡ª


    "What''s going on, Sash?" Rob asked, forcing his voice deeper than it naturally went. He caught sight of Zev and flipped a switch so the kitchen was suddenly bathed in fluorescent light and harsh shadows.


    Shivering at the re Zev swept over Rob as he turned to face him, Sasha instinctively stepped past him, out of the dark and into the light to put herself between them, her hands up to stop Robing closer.


    "I''m not sure, to be honest," she said with a nervousugh. "There was a creepy guy in a car on the street and I just¡­ I ran into Zev outside so we decided toe in here¡ª"


    "Wait¡­ what?" Rob''s voice was hard and dark.


    Shit.


    He started towards them, his face thunderous. "Sasha, what are you¡ª"


    She felt Zev put himself at her back. Right at her back, so close her butt brushed his¡­ thighs. It was definitely his thighs.


    Coming so close to her had moved him out of the darkened entryway and into the light because Rob''s eyes snapped up and his mouth dropped open.


    "That''s¡­ holy shit¡­ that''s¡­ Zev?"


    Sasha giggled nervously, then wanted to p herself.


    She could feel the tension in Zev and remembered that they were in the process of fleeing¡­ someone. But her friend didn''t know that, and something told her that it would be better for everyone involved if he didn''t find out.


    So she swallowed hard and half-turned towards Zev. "Zev, this is my friend, Rob."


    Zev muttered a hello, but she could feel the tension wafting off of him, and Rob bristled under whatever gaze it was that Zev gave him.


    She opened her mouth to say something to distract all the testosterone in the room, but then Rob turned his head to address her directly.


    "What the fuck is he doing here?"

 Chapter 6 - Dominant

    ~ ZEV ~


    When the male first appeared in the kitchen, it was a mere second, a scan from head to toe, and Zev had him measured and evaluated. The male was almost of a size with him¡ªbut only almost¡ªand as they were introduced, Rob tensed, immediately sensing Zev''s strength.


    From behind Sasha''s back, Zev gave him the smile he usually saved for prey.


    Rob bristled.


    It wasn''t umon for males to respond to him this way. Usually they tensed instinctively, but stared at him with admiration, or caution. But this guy looked like he knew him. Sasha had spoken about him to this dude?


    Then the male''s face hardened and he settled himself on the balls of his feet, his shoulders and arms loosened and at the ready in a manner that Zev recognized.


    This male had trained.


    That didn''t make him a threat¡ªbut it did make him a potential dy they didn''t have time for.


    Then the male red directly at Sasha and snapped, "What the fuck is he doing here?"


    Every hair on Zev''s body stood straight up and he swallowed a growl.


    Shifting his weight and preparing tounch at the male that would speak to her like she was his tomand, Zev smiled. This male might have trained to fight, but Zev would have bet everything that he would win. And had a much more powerful weapon in his arsenal than his fists.


    As Sasha hissed a warning at the guy, Zev let himself feel his power and strength. He stared the male down, feeling his certainty of winning battle, feeling the deadly strength of his fangs, his ws, reminding himself with certainty that he was not only stronger, but far, far more willing to kill.


    As his Alpha power filled the room, the male instinctively shrank back, his confidence beginning to waver. Then Zev put a hand to Sasha''s back, owning her in the presence of this challenger who was looked like he did indeed have the balls to attack, but he might wet himself before they were done.


    The guy''s eyes¡ªalmost as light as his own, which made Zev wonder if he had dormant wolf-blood in his veins¡ªsparked like rock on flint when they followed his arm to Sasha''s back.


    But he was smart enough not to push forward. Trained or not, his strength was in body, not mind. Instinctively, he knew when he was beaten.


    Zev smiled the menacing smile again. "Smart guy."


    "Zev! Don''t start!"


    He didn''t take his eyes off Rob¡ªSasha''s closest friend since she had moved to this city¡ªas Sasha cleared her throat and turned to the male with an apology on her face.


    He hated the way she always said sorry for someone else''s difort.


    "Like I said, I just ran into Zev outside and¡­ We were just wondering if we could¡­ use the bathroom?" she said quickly.


    "Tarzan wants to take a piss¡­ at my house?" Rob asked, anger and disbelief in every syble.


    Sasha flushed and Zev tensed again.


    "We just¡­ we got a little¡­ we just need a second," she said, putting a hand back to Zev''s chest including him in the ''we''¡­ then swallowing when she found his pulse hammering. She turned, as if surprised, ncing down where her hand rested, right over his heart, then up to search his face quickly.


    She''d realized his heart was pounding just as hard as hers.


    He held her gaze for half a breath, then looked at Rob. "Sorry to interrupt your night," he muttered politely.


    Rob looked like he wasn''t sure whether tough or throw a punch, but before he answered, a car door mmed outside on the street. He tensed, taking Sasha''s hand. "We just need a moment," he said, then pulled her through the living room, cutting a re over his shoulder to warn the male froming close behind her.


    Then, ridiculously, all three of them stalked quickly into the short, wide hallway from the living room. Zev didn''t waste any more time being polite. Sasha had given him her hand, and so he pulled her down the hall, looking for the emergency exit¡ªeither through a stairwell, or fire escape¡ªthat would lead them to the roof.


    Sasha opened her mouth to question him when he led her directly past the bathroom, but he shook his head then stopped where the hallway met another staircase going up. "We need to get out of here. Do you know where the fire escape is?" he asked quietly, his eyes on hers which made his breath shorten.


    "There''s a door at the other end of the hall," she said, a little breathless herself, nodding towards it.


    He turned and tugged her in that direction just as Rob caught up from behind them. "Wait a minute, you aren''t taking her out of here."


    Zev swallowed back a growl. This guy had no clue. But he remembered what had happened after her eighteenth birthday party. Zev knew if he hurt Rob, Sasha would ever forgive him.


    He ground his teeth in impatience, desperately aware of his "colleagues" outside, and possibly already surrounding the building. But he forced himself to soften. If another male took Sasha from his home, he would be taking pains to protect her also.


    Zev took an impatient breath and squeezed Sasha''s hand. He would be polite to this male. "Look, you aren''t a part of this and trust me, you don''t want to be. Don''t open your door, no matter what. If they im to bew enforcement, tell them toe with a search warrant. And whatever you do, no matter what, you don''t tell them where she went, or with who."


    Rob frowned, his hands balled to fists at his sides. "You don''te into my house and take my friend and just start¡ª"


    "Rob, it''s fine. He''s right," Sasha said. "There''s some really creepy shit going down out there and you don''t want to get mixed up in it, okay?"


    Rob stared back and forth between them. "So, you''re just going to leave with him? After all this time?"


    Sasha looked up at Zev uncertainly then. Her scent was strange, hope and fear threaded through with something spikey he didn''t recognize in her.


    But before he could reassure her, she''d already turned back to her friend. "I have to," she said simply. "I can''t¡­ I need to know."


    Rob sighed, then looked at Zev. A moment of understanding crackled between them.


    "If you hurt her, I will hunt you down," Rob growled.


    Zev almostughed at the irony of the threat, but he nodded as submissively as he was able. "I am trying to keep her safe and happy."


    "Then you shouldn''t have left," Rob said shortly.


    The blownded.


    But the doorbell rang then and Rob turned his head.


    "Go!" Sasha whispered. "But don''t let them in. Please!"


    Rob took a deep breath, but then he squeezed Sasha''s hand, and ran off back down the hallway.. And with a surprising amount of relief, Zev tugged her towards the door at the end of the apartment hallway, praying that Nick hadn''t had time to get anyone to the roof yet.

 Chapter 7 - All Aboard The Crazy Train

    ~ SASHA ~


    A heavy pounding at the front door of the apartment chased them out the locked door at the end of the hall to a central stairwell that serviced apartments on all levels. Zev didn''t even hesitate, just ran through the door and started up the staircase that hit anding then doubled back on itself again and again.


    Her heart was singing¡ªand pounding far too hard.


    Zev was here! And he was touching her. And¡­ and someone was chasing them. Someone he was afraid of. Concentrating on not tripping on the stairs, she nced at him from the side of her eye and her stomach flipped over.


    He''d yanked off the beanie and shoved it into his back pocket so his hair had fallen over his forehead in tousled waves that bounced and waved merrily at her, as if celebrating their freedom from the hat. But his face¡­ his face was a mask of intense concentration. Tension drew lines at the side of his beautiful mouth and pulled his eyes tight. His jaw thrust forward slightly like he was resisting something¡ªor someone¡ªand his eyes darted up and down, left and right, as if he scanned, measured, and discounted every inch of what he saw in a heartbeat.


    He took the stairs two at a time with an easy grace that, in other circumstances would have stolen her breath.


    Sasha was grateful that part of her resolution to get over him and return to dating had been to exercise regrly. While she''d been diligent at the gym, she hadn''t been able to venture into the dating part yet. But it looked like that was going to work out.


    Zev was a fast and strong¡ªeven bigger than he''d been five years ago, heavier, thicker, and yet¡­ somehow even more graceful, as well. He moved like a cat, though he''d hate theparison. He''d always hated cats.


    At least he used to. He was so much darker, and colder than he''d been thest time she saw him. What else might have changed about him?


    He held her elbow and helped propel her up the stairs. Yet, even when she quickly started panting, his breathing remained even and his forehead didn''t sweat.


    Damn him.


    Within half a dozen flights of stairs Sasha was beginning to feel sticky and her breath echoed heavily in the tall stairwell that was utterly quiet except for their footsteps and her breath.


    Correction: Her footsteps.


    How did he run like that without making noise? Those boots must have special soles on them.


    "W-who are we running from?" she panted as they darted across yet anothernding.


    "My colleagues," he said darkly.


    As they began up the next flight of stairs, he leaned over the railing without slowing, then cursed.


    "What is¡ª"


    A strange noise, a pop and a ping, and the wooden railing splintered right where he''d leaned over a second earlier.


    It took a step for Sasha to realize that someone had just shot at him.


    She sucked in a breath to scream and without slowing, he pped his free hand over her mouth, pressed his lips to her ear and muttered, "I won''t lean over again. They won''t catch up. Keep running."


    She nodded sharply and kept running, but her mouth was wide and her breath tearing in and out of her throat as much with fear as the exertion. People were shooting?


    "Zev!" she gasped. "Did they hurt Rob? What is going on?!"


    "Rob''s fine. That guy got in from somewhere else, I''ll exin everything when you''re safe," he hissed as they rounded the finalnding and she could see the grey wall, with a thick door at the top, which had to be the entrance to the roof.


    Zev released her to keep going on her own and darted ahead, hitting the door at a full run. Sasha gasped when the door seemed to absorb his impact for a moment, then flung open, one of the hinges tearing out of the wall as it whipped out and mmed against the wall outside. He caught it effortlessly with one hand when it bounced back, and shoved it back again so that it swung, vibrating, then hung drunkenly.


    He waited for her on the other side, the wind¡ªstronger and colder here at the top of the building¡ªwhipping his hair into his eyes. But he ignored it, taking her hand again as soon as she was through and running around the built-up shelter in the center that housed the stairwell and some kind of maintenance room.


    When they''d circled the small, t roof, he let her go and walked to the edge, looking down and cursing when there was no fire escapedder. The closest building was twenty feet away to their right, with a fall to cracked cement and dumpsters. Zev turned to look at her, as if measuring her for the fall.


    "What are we doing up here?" Her voice was too high, too strained and the wind wanted to steal the words, tear them away even as she spoke them. But he heard, his eyes locked on hers and her stomach flipped again.


    There was no time to appreciate the figure he cut in the half-dark, the way the moonlight and shadows yed across his face, casting him in sharp relief. Because they were cornered. Trapped. This building was far too high to jump from safely and apparently there was a man with a gun sprinting up the stairs behind them.


    Gun.


    Sasha remembered the little handgun in her shoulder bag that she''d been practicing with and, with shaking hands, pulled the p open so she could dig into it. But just at that moment, Zev caught her other elbow and tugged her towards the edge of the building. "Come here."


    "What¡ªwhat are you doing?"


    "We have to get out of here."


    "How?"


    "I can get you out of here, Sasha, you have to trust me."


    He pulled up just short of the edge of the building, where the roof jutted out a small square suspended high above the alley below. Did he think they could climb down here?


    She peered over the edge, then scrambled back.. "No. Hell no!"

 Chapter 8 - Don鈥檛 You Trust Me?

    ~ SASHA ~


    "You don''t trust me?" He sounded pained. It was the first emotion he''d shown beyond irritation or sheer intensity and she turned away from the drop to gape at him.


    For half a breath they just stared at each other.


    "You''re serious?" she breathed.


    "Of course I''m serious," he said, then stepped right up to her. Her breath got faster when he positioned himself toe-to-toe, looming over her, inches taller than he had been when they were young, his light eyes so bright they almost seemed to glow in the strange light of the moon. "I will get you out of here, Sasha. You know I will. But you have to trust me."


    Trust me. Those words echoed with so many images of him in different light, different clothing, different ces¡­ a different time. A time when he could have asked anything of her and she would have said yes without hesitation.


    Even here and now the words, "I do," were on the tip of her tongue. Right there. They wanted to flow out of her like the air she breathed. She had to catch them, pull them back, make her face hard. "Zev, it''s been five years¡ª"


    "You know me," he growled, leaning right in until he filled her vision. "You know me! I promised you. I promised, Sasha."


    She nodded. "And then you left."


    A strange, low growl started in his throat, but he huffed and shook his head. "We don''t have time for this right now. They''ll be here in a minute. I have to get you out of here. Please, Sasha. Please." He opened his palm and offered it to her, then, with his chin still down, he lifted his eyes to meet hers, pleading with them.


    It was so unfair! An assault on her tender heart and he knew it!


    That sight of him, in exactly that position pulled her down, down, down into the happiest memories of her life¡­


    She was seventeen and they''d only been together a month the first time. He took her walking through the city, showing her all the areas she''d always been too scared to explore. The abandoned rail yards, the culvert that ran the eastern side of the industrial district, and on that day, the deepest part of the forest that butted up to the parnd on the southern edge of the city.


    She was a city girl. She''d never known quite what to do when there wasn''t cement or steel nearby, the sound of rushing cars.


    But he''d grown up in the country¡ªin the mountains, he said. Hours away. A tiny town, less than a thousand people.


    He''d sworn he''d take her there someday.


    But that day he was taking her somewhere he liked to go because it reminded him of home. "It''s quiet and you can''t see the road, or the buildings," he''d said, excited.


    She''d been uneasy, but she wanted to be with him more than she wanted to stayfortable. So she''d worn her jeans and boots like he''d told her to, and let him drive her out there.


    Now they were deep enough into the forest that even though she could see the light from the sun overhead, when she looked around it was only trees. Trees and shadows, bushes and dirt. She couldn''t hear anything except birds and, somewhere nearby, water.


    He was smiling broadly, his shoulders low and rxed and he breathed deep, like he liked the smell of the air.


    While she enjoyed the pine and wet earth smells¡ªbecause they reminded her of him¡ªthere was also something that she didn''t want to investigate further.


    But he held her hand and he talked excitedly about the strange little things he noticed¡ªthe bird in the tree that watched them pass, the insects that climbed the trunks, the tiny flower pushing between the roots of a big tree.


    Then they reached a little gully¡ªa stream had cut through the earth and eroded the banks. It was probably only six or eight feet across, but the earth was soft and she was nervous. She didn''t think she could make the jump and was afraid ofnding in the water.


    He''d stood on the edge, grinning at her. "Get on my back," he said easily. "I''ll carry you across."


    Her mouth dropped open. "You aren''t making that jump with me on your back!"


    "Sure I am."


    "Zev¡ª"


    "I''m serious, Sasha. Easy¡­ Don''t you trust me?"


    He smiled easily, but his eyes locked on hers and the words fell between them like a grenade, hitting the ground and ticking down to the moment it would explode, or not.


    She''d swallowed hard. The truth was, she trusted him far too much. He made her feel safe. She couldn''t exin it. But when he was close she just wasn''t afraid.


    "I¡­ I do," she''d said, knowing she was saying so much more than that.


    He nodded seriously. "Good." And he''d opened his hand to her, palm up, left it there, waiting for her to slide her fingers over his until he gripped her arm and stooped and swung her onto his back.


    And he''d made the jump, of course, even carrying her. He hadn''t even grunted with the effort.


    And he hadn''t put her down right after either, but cradled her thighs, holding her to his back, his thumbs stroking the sides of her jeans in a way that made her breathe faster.


    Trust me? It had be a thing between them. And whenever he said it, it was always with that open hand¡ªgiving her the choice. She didn''t have to put herself in his hands, but he would take care of her if she did.


    That day in the forest was the first time he''d given her that choice. The first time he''d let her know that he wanted her trust. The first time of many.


    For the next year and half, he offered himself that way more and more, until she didn''t even hesitate. Until the moment he opened his palm and gave her his eyes, she''d slide her much smaller hand into his and she''d follow without fear. Every time.


    Every time.


    Except thest time.


    She blinked back to the present and Zev standing in front of her, his hand out again, waiting.


    "I''d never let you fall," he breathed.


    She felt her face fall, then. "But you already did," she insisted.


    His throat bobbed and he lifted his hand¡ªthe first time she''d ever left it empty¡ªto rub his stubbled jaw. Then he raked that hand through his hair and shook his head. "I have to get you out of here, Sasha. Whether you trust me or not, I can''t leave you here for them. They''re ruthless."


    "What¡ª"


    "So, forgive me," he said, gruffly. "I''ll make it up to you, I promise."


    She blinked, frowning. "What?"


    Then he moved so fast she didn''t even see it happen.

 Chapter 9 - Forced

    ~ ZEV ~


    He''d kept her eyes on his face by touching his jaw, raking a hand through his hair¡ªsomething she''d always liked¡ªwhile with the other, he got the beanie out of his back pocket.


    He apologized because he wasn''t giving her a choice, and he''d always given her a choice before. But she hadn''t yet realized that she would likely die if they didn''t get away. So¡­ he prayed she''d forgive himter.


    She peered at him, unafraid, but wary. Then he moved.


    Faster than she could see, he whipped the hat out and over her head, down over her eyes, her nose, until her entire face was covered by the thick, ck, clinging fabric. She squeaked, but she couldn''t grab it because he''d taken both her hands and held them as he turned, stooping, to pull her onto his back and lock her hands on his chest, under his throat.


    She was the only human being he''d ever allowed to touch his throat and there was a sh in his gut¡ªa spear of fear that if she didn''t trust, she couldn''t be trusted. But he shook it off. This was Sasha.


    He trusted no one the way he trusted Sasha.


    There was a dark, heavy weight in his chest¡ªeven darker and heavier now that she had admitted she didn''t trust him. But there was nothing he could do about it right then except prove to her that he was still the male she knew¡ªand he would keep her safe. No matter what. So he stood and was running, forcing her to hold on or fall, blind.


    "Zev, what are you doing?!"


    "Hold on, Sasha," he muttered. "Just hold¡­ on."


    Heunched them off the side of the roof and she sucked in to scream as her stomach went into free-fall. But by the time she''d got her voice, he''d already caught the edge of the parking garage on the other side of the alley and was crawling them over the wall and swinging them both over, safely onto the cement of the parking lot.


    But he couldn''t stop, because he heard the footsteps on the roof they''d just left and he had to get her out of sight before they made it to this side and figured out which floor he''d jumped to.


    Had he been alone he wouldn''t have taken such an obvious route¡ªand that might work in his favor. Nick would assume he was smarter than that. At least for a minute or two.


    But carrying her and without her knowing everything¡­ he was on the back foot. Just not as badly as they would expect. Because he''d nned for this. Just in case. He''d always nned ahead¡ªand now he was grateful that he hadn''t been strong enough to stop himself.


    Over the past two years he''d slowly, step byborious step, ced an escape within two blocks of all her most frequents haunts¡ªher own apartment, Rob''s, her office, and even near the university where she''d graduated but still met friends asionally.


    He''d told himself it was just habit. That he was only taking precautions for the day that Nick decided to use her as leverage. But now he could see¡­ he''d been protecting himself. Deep down he''d known he wouldn''t stay away. He''d known the day woulde when he had to be near her again. And that they''d likely have to flee when that happened.


    He just prayed the car hadn''t been stolen. He hadn''t checked it in a couple of weeks.


    With a nce up to the roof to make sure the Handlers hadn''t seen him yet, and with Sasha still on his back, he sprinted across the parking level, then shoved through a door and into the stairwell to pound as fast as he was able, thanking God that Sasha was still blinded, to the lowest level¡ªone below the street, where there was no natural light, and several dark alcoves and unused maintenance closets and rooms.


    He kept one hand locked around her wrists in case she got the idea to throw herself off his back, but she didn''t. She made squeaking noises whenever he took a corner fast, but other than that she just clung and buried her face where his neck met his shoulder.


    It wasn''t until he made it to the shadowed corner at the back of the parking lot, the narrow space between the old van and the stairwell maintenance closet that he slowed and let go of her hands.


    She slid down his back and he shivered feeling her softness stered against his body for a moment before she stumbled back and yanked the beanie off of her face and red at him¡ªbut even as she opened her mouth, her eyes went wide and she looked around, taking in the dark parking lot, and the tangy smell of gasoline.


    "How¡ª"


    "Not now," he said. "They know we''re here, so we have to leave. Now." Ignoring the shock and disbelief on her face, he turned and yanked the van door open, revealing an interior that defied its dirty, industrial body.


    She squawked when he hurried her into the back, but she didn''t fight him, letting him strap her into the only seat, right next to the door and mming the door closed while she looked around the back of the van, her mouth making a little "o."


    He opened the driver''s door and yanked off his leather jacket, throwing it to the floor on the passenger side, then digging around for the gray work overalls with the nametag "Dave" stitched on it in red, and pulled them on over his jeans and tight, long-sleeved shirt.


    His eyes hooked on hers through the window before he mbered in and heat sizzled down his spine, but he ignored it, pulling himself into the seat and starting the engine with a roar.


    This would be the test of his nning and the intelligence of the men following him.


    If Nick was physically here, he was screwed.


    "Hold on," he said quietly, his voice deeper and darker than it had been since hisst job.. "This could get hairy."

 Chapter 10 - Tell You Later

    ~ SASHA ~


    The van was a marvel. Like something out of the bat cave. Behind her seat a tform was raised to the ceiling that she suspected was a bed. But that was where any kind of normal upgrades ended.


    The outside of the windows had been sprayed with logos and signage, like it was a real maintenance vehicle. But that only stopped the interior from being visible to anyone looking in from the outside. And this interior needed to be hidden.


    The entire opposite wall was little more than a bank ofputer screens and technology, with a tablet slipped into a holder alongside headphones and several pieces of technology that she couldn''t identify. There were small grips and hinges at various spots that told her this was more than just a vehicle wall. And at either end, secure lockers almost big enough for her to crawl into were welded in, with number pads to open.


    What was inside those?


    The floor was some kind ofminate, that reminded her of her kitchen, and a rolling desk chair was strapped to the back door


    For the first time it wasing home to Sasha that Zev might not have left her just because he wanted to. That he might not have left to go live a normal life somewhere else.


    That he might be dangerous¡ªeven to her.


    "Zev¡ª"


    "Just stay quiet, Sash," he muttered. "If we can get out of here without them knowing, we''ll be safer. Then I can talk. Keep your head down and pray." The van lurched forward and he cursed, but then continued at a sedate pace, though he was looking high and low through the parking garage as he drove.


    She held her breath.


    There were men chasing them¡ªhim? Her? Both of them? Men who, presumably, also had vans withputers and¡­


    "What are you involved in, Zev?" she murmured under her breath. She didn''t think he would have been able to hear her over the roar of the van. But his shoulders tensed.


    "I will exin, I promise. Just be patient."


    She stared at the back of his head. Patient? She''d waited five years! But she swallowed the protest back. If these men were as dangerous as he said, she didn''t want to distract him.


    They rolled through the garage and up the winding ramp to the street level where there was a line of two cars waiting to get through the barrier to the street.


    She didn''t speak and neither did Zev, though he scanned every inch of the parking garage¡ªand checked her in the rearview mirror.


    For a split-second their eyes locked again, and her breath whooshed out of her. There was pleading in his gaze. Pleading, and warning, and fear and¡­ heat. The soft, warm heat she recognized, that he''d always had when he looked at her before.


    That gaze hit her low in her belly, and made her heart race even faster. But he tore his eyes away and went back to scanning the dark garage around them. Then the car ahead of them went through the barrier arm and he pulled up to the little hut and rolled down his window, slinging his arm over the door casually and handing a ticket through it.


    Sasha looked back. There was no one waiting behind them.


    "Hey," a male voice said out of Sasha''s sight.


    Zev tipped his head. "Where''s Patrick?" he said, friendly, unthreatening. "He sick? He seemed fine yesterday?"


    "Nah, his wife''s having a baby," the guy responded.


    "Oh?" Then Sasha felt it, that strange tension, pressure in the air¡ªpower. Just like back at the apartment, something emanated off of Zev that made her squirm in her seat. He still had his arm over the open window of the van, but she saw the muscles at the back of his jaw twitch. "Patrick doesn''t have a wife. He''s gay."


    There was a cold second where Sasha''s heart leaped into her throat, then all hell broke loose.


    He was so fast. So incredibly fast. And strong.


    Impossibly strong.


    Zev flowed through the window and half out of the van, a guttural snarl erupting from his throat. The guy shouted something and Zev''s body jolted, then, impossibly, he was pulling back into the car, his shoulders barely straining as he dragged the top half of the guy with him, leaving the stranger''s legs still in the kiosk, his body half-in and half-out of the van window, but pinned because the window was too small for him to do more than twist.


    Fists flew, and the van shook. Sasha tried to leap out of her seat, but was held in by the seatbelt. She unclipped it and scrambled forward.


    "Get back!" Zev snarled at her as he twisted the guy''s neck up in his own shirt.


    The strange noises wereing from the guy''s throat and his face was beet-red, turning purple. He mmed fists into Zev, or tried to, but in the tight confines of the van, he couldn''t wind up¡ªand apparently, given the way his face was swelling and veins were beginning to stand proud on his forehead, he couldn''t breathe either.


    The man began to wriggle like a fish, reaching for Zev''s neck, his fingers digging into Zev''s windpipe until he was forced to let go of the shirt he was using to strangle the man with one hand, to grab and twist the guy''s wrist.


    Sasha heard a sickening snap.

 Chapter 11 - You鈥檒l See

    ~ SASHA ~


    The stranger''s mouth opened and he made a tiny sucking noise. But even though his face looked like he was screaming, he couldn''t seem to use his voice.


    Zev got both hands back on the shirt again a momentter and was growling. "Were you just called in, or were you posted here earlier? Blink once for a hot call, twice for a routine."


    But the guy didn''t blink at all. Sasha watched as the twisted shirt seemed to sink into his skin and one of his eyes bloomed red as a blood vessel in it broke.


    "Zev, you''re killing him!"


    "It''s him or you, Sash. He''s here for you."


    She gasped and stared at the man, whose eyes snapped back and forth between her and Zev, his face swelling. Then he began to shake.


    "Did Nick assign you? Blink once for yes, twice for no."


    The guy''s eyes closed, but never opened again. Sasha watched, horrified, as he silently shuddered, over and over again, foam bubbling on his lips and Zev mercilessly continued to strangle him.


    "Zev, stop! Stop! He''s going to die!"


    "If he doesn''t, you will!"


    But then a car came careening around the corner from the street and through the open barrier on the other side of the hut, the tires squealing and a quick pop, pop, pop sounded. Zev swore and shoved the guy back out the window and into the staff hut. There was a massive thud as the man hit the ground inside, a deadweight. Leaning out the window and into the little hut, Zev whacked at something on the countertop, then threw himself back into his seat as the barrier slowly began to rise.


    "Hold on, Sash!" he snapped and threw the van into gear. It shot forward while the barrier was still only halfway up, cracking against the top of the windshield, then scraping up to the roof.


    The van bounced in the dip between the sidewalk and the street, then lurched around the corner at speed, the tires whining.


    Sasha was thrown to the side, mming against the locker.


    "Get back in your seat! Now!" Zev snarled and Sasha, shaking and dizzy, crawled across the floor and into the seat, clicking herself back in, panting so hard she wheezed.


    Shit. Shit. Shit. Who was this man? Was he even the Zev she''d known? Or just some lookalike?


    Her entire body trembled. This couldn''t be him. It couldn''t be the man she''d loved, the one who was so sweet and thoughtful. He''d always been over-protective, sure. But this?


    "He wasn''t dead," Zev muttered a momentter as they sped down the street.


    "Wh-what?"


    "He wasn''t dead. He''ll live. He sucked in a breath when I dropped him."


    Sasha put a hand to her chest with relief. But knowing that the man had lived didn''t ease the sick pit in her stomach. "You would have killed him, though," she said.


    It wasn''t a question, but he nodded. He took a corner at the yellow light at speed and she rocked in her seat. She felt sick to her stomach. She was going to throw up.


    "He would have killed you, Sasha. Or worse."


    Worse? What could be worse? Then she met his eyes in the mirror again.


    Oh.


    "Why are they chasing you? And why would they care about me?" she asked faintly.


    Zev took three more corners in quick session before he answered. Sasha was beginning to feel faint, but determined to keep herself upright and focused. If these were herst minutes on earth, she was going to be present for them.


    "They''re chasing me because I know their secrets," he said dryly. "And they care about you because I care about you. They can¡­ use you to get to me."


    "You know their names?" she asked, incredulous.


    "What?"


    "You know their names. You asked that man if a specific person had put him there?"


    Zev sighed and weaved the van in and out of traffic. Sasha refused to focus on anything but him. She knew if she looked out the windows to see the city flying by she would panic. Then he put his foot to the floor as the light ahead of them changed from green to yellow and she closed her eyes, swallowing hard again and again as her body threatened to revolt.


    "I asked that man if my boss had assigned him earlier, or if he''d been ced there when we started running."


    Her eyes flew open. "How would they get someone there so quickly?"


    He snorted.. "You''ll see," he said darkly.

 Chapter 12 - Understood

    ~ ZEV ~


    Before Sasha could ask again, Zev leaned forward and popped the glovebox, pulling a small, analog phone from its shadowed depths. Continuing to scan the road ahead and the mirrors behind for anyone that might be tracking them, Zev got the old fashioned phone turned on and pressed the speed dial for Nick, his handler.


    "Interesting night." The voice on the other end was deep and clipped, apparently unconcerned about Zev''s rebellion.


    "Call them off," he growled, ncing at Sasha in the rearview who was staring back at him, her face a mask of fear and confusion.


    "You left a hunt, Zev. You aren''t sixteen anymore. They aren''t going to p you on the shoulder and say boys will be boys."


    "Call them off," he snarled. "They don''t need her. I''ll get her out of here and I''ll be back. A few hours, tops. This was only training anyway!"


    "I warned you about this, Zev. You didn''t listen."


    "What were they doing circling her house?"


    "They were watching you, and you know it."


    "Bullshit, Nick, you had a guy posted in the parking lot."


    "Because you had an escape kit there."


    Zev trembled with an overwhelming wave of anger and frustration. He''d made sure they were aware of many of his back door ns¡ªhe''d wanted them to be. But it had been specifically to distract them from this one.


    This one he''d thought was airtight. Shit.


    Did that mean they knew about¡ª


    "Zev, take her home,e back to the hunt, thene see me. We''ll work something out. It doesn''t have to end like this. You know that."


    The words were so reasonable, so¡­ friendly. And it was true, Nick had saved his ass more than once. He''d kept the powerful eyes away from Sasha when they were teenagers. Of course, he''d also been the one to force Zev to abandon her¡ªand his people.


    Their rtionship was¡­plicated.


    Zev sighed like he was thinking about it, but inside his mind was spinning. He had to get this call ended quickly and leave the phone somewhere they would believe. He''d been told that the analogue ones were harder to trace. He knew it was bullshit.


    They lied. A lot.


    But he''d only recently figured out exactly how much.


    "I don''t know, Nick," he muttered. He couldn''t be seen to give in too quickly or Nick would know something was up.


    "C''mon, Zev. Have I let you down before?"


    Yes, but Nick didn''t know that Zev knew about that. Zev swallowed and nced at Sasha in the rearview again.


    His stomach literally clenched at the sight of her. His hands were already shaking. His hands hadn''t trembled in five years. Not even after his first kill. That was the effect she had on him. And she didn''t have a clue. She thought he''d left her because he stopped caring.


    Holy fuck.


    "I''m taking her home and you''re making sure there''s no one there, Nick. If I get so much as a sniff of a suit, we''re gone and you never see me again. I can do it. You know I can."


    Nick didn''t respond well to threats, but Zev needed him to think he was cracking.


    There was silence on the line except for the tap-tap-tapping of a keyboard. Nick was in the office tonight.


    "Fine," he sighed thirty secondster. "I called them out. But there''s a perimeter, Zev. I can''t remove thempletely. It looks too suspicious."


    Zev breathed easier then, but he couldn''t let Nick know.


    "They don''t touch her."


    "Zev¡ª"


    "Non-negotiable, Nick."


    "You brought her into this, not me!"


    "I don''t give a fuck. You want an obedient dog, you reward good behavior."


    "Good behavior? You are shitting me right now."


    "They made contact before I did, Nick. They broke the rules."


    "AFTER you followed her. Again. We aren''t stupid, Zev. And I''m not your mother, I''m not going to kiss your boo boo. I told you to leave her alone. You didn''t. You brought this on yourself. People are starting to pay attention."


    "Well, you can tell people to back the fuck off. Unless you''re toothless suddenly?"


    Nick grunted.


    Zev took the next turn at speed. Luckily it was gettingte and the city streets were starting to clear. Sasha sucked in a breath and grabbed at the Oh Shit handle above the door, but she didn''t say anything.


    He looked at her in the mirror again and when her eyes met his something snapped between them¡ªa moment of¡­ something. Understanding? Relief? Grief? Desire?


    All of the above.


    He couldn''t tell her everything. He couldn''t even tell her a lot. But he could let her see that he''d never stopped loving her. Had, in fact, only left because he loved her.


    Teenage love, Nick had said back then. Just lust disguised as emotion. Get her out of your system then get out.


    He''d been young enough and stupid enough to listen back then. And he''d cursed himself for it every day since.


    "Zev?"


    Shit, Nick had been talking and he hadn''t heard a word. "I''m driving, Nick. You''ll have to say that again."


    "I said, they''ll leave her for now. But she''s going to have watchers. If you get within a mile of her, they''re going to take her. They want to know how she''s got a hold on you. I told them she was just holding your prick, but they don''t believe me anymore."


    Zev grunted as he would if he was grateful, but inside he seethed.


    How much of it was lies? How much had Nick created this? And how much was just his uncanny ability to know what Zev was thinking before Zev did?


    Nick was the closest thing Zev had to a father. A very sick, very powerful, very maniptive father.


    "I''m taking her home," he said quietly, turning the van again and roaring back in the direction they''de from. "But if she doesn''t sleep peacefully tonight, if she sees even one suit, I''m ghosting. You hear me, Nick?"


    "Be very, very careful right now, Zev." Nick''s tone was dark and deep and utterly immovable. "You don''t want to get yourself in any more trouble than you already are."


    "You know me, Nick," he said bitterly. "Always a good boy."


    Nick spluttered augh, but it rang false and Zev felt better. Nick wasn''t as certain of himself as he liked to make out.


    "You rejoin the hunt within two hours."


    Two hours. It wasn''t enough. "Four."


    "Three¡ªand I swear to god, Zev¡ª"


    "Three. Fine. I can do three," he snapped. "Don''t get your panties in a twist."


    Nick was silent¡ªnoughter, no growling correction either. It was crazy how he could unsettle Zev by what he didn''t say.


    "That''ll make it exactly two sixteen am, Zev. Don''t fuck with me."


    "See you then." He hung up the phone and heaved a sigh of relief. He could do this. Three hours would be tight, but he could do it.


    He slowed the van, scanning the buildings that were all so simr, though he knew hers like he knew his own. If they could just¡ª


    "Zev?" her voice was high and quavering, but full of conviction. "What the hell is going on?"

 Chapter 13 - Show Me Your Heart

    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev was here, driving her home, and was talking about her to someone else. Someone who knew who she was and that he''de for her and¡­


    What the hell was going on?


    "Zev?" she asked again, terrified, but also angry. What had he gotten her into?


    "I''ll exin when we get inside," he said.


    She looked out the windows then and realized they were on her block. She wasn''t sure how she felt about that. She''d yearned for the day Zev woulde to her apartment. Dreamed about it. But somehow she''d always imagined that he wouldn''t happen until they''d reconnected. That out of the blue one day he would call her, or find her on social media. Something. He''d be the one to make contact. And he''d beg for forgiveness. He''d offer some fully believable, forgivable offence for why he''d left. And they''d slowly reintroduce themselves to each other. Maybe a few phone calls? Then she''d invite him toe see her and¡­


    She''d never imagined being shot at, watching a man almost die at his hands, and then listening to him swear like a sailor and bark into a burner phone like some kind of bad movie viin.


    Zev had always had an edge. A sharp edge. But he''d also always held it in check around her. His strength and confidence had been a wall between her and the world to keep her safe, not put her under threat.


    But that was five years ago.


    He wasn''t a teenager anymore.


    Her eyes followed the line of his very broad shoulders and measured the thickness of them, the sheer strength that rippled under his skin. Even the sleeves of those ugly overalls were taxed by his biceps, pulling tight over them every time he moved his arm.


    But when she''d known him before, his strength was a tool. Something he used to help, or protect. Now¡­


    Now he felt like a weapon.


    What had happened to him? Where had her tender warrior disappeared to in the past five years?


    The image of him standing in front of her on that roof, his hand held out, and all the ways that simple gesture conjured their past¡ªthe way he''d known it would.


    And the hurt that had shed in his eyes when she didn''t take his hand. So different from thest time he''d offered himself to her like that¡­


    It was over a year after the first time. Dozens of open handster.


    They were in her room in the bright afternoon, both windows glowing with thete-summer sun.


    They''d talked about wanting each other. He hadn''t pushed. Sasha had decided she was ready. That day her parents were gone untilte and¡­ and she loved him. And, maybe more importantly, he loved her.


    But she hadn''t told him her parents would be gone. She had wanted to give herself a chance to change her mind if it didn''t feel right. But instead, she''d found herself buzzing with excitement, hopping around all afternoon, waiting for him to arrive. Because he didn''t know, and she did, and she was ready.


    When he finally arrived, walking easily into their kitchen the way he always did, the afternoon sun throwing sparks off his dark hair, his handsome face softening when he found her, she''d practically thrown herself into his chest, arms around his neck, taking the kiss deep fast.


    He was surprised, but he caught up quickly, his breathing turning heavy, his armsing around her in that gorgeous, warm, wall she adored.


    "What¡ª?" he''d rasped a minuteter as she pulled him towards the hallway and the stairs up to her room.


    "Juste with me," she whispered, and kissed him again.


    They''d kissed and breathed and stroked their way through the house to her room, only pulling apart when they were at the door and she needed to turn to open it. She''d stared at him a minute first, and he stared back, his eyes a little wider than usual.


    His hands shook. And that was what made her certain. She''d been so certain.


    She took his hand then and led him inside, then came to a stop in the middle of the carpet. He walked right up behind her in that way he always did, putting himself over and around her, his fingers trailing down her sides to rest at her hips.


    But she''d stopped, suddenly, Swallowing hard.


    Her little, single twin bed she''d had since elementary school stood stark in the middle of the floor, beckoning¡ªand taunting her with her innocence.


    He''d felt her tense and immediately given her more space. She turned to find him, chest heaving, his broad shoulders rising and falling, but his eyes¡­ those eyes¡­ they were always a bright, startling ice-blue, but today in this light and with they ways they''d had their hands on each other, his eyes glowed, sparkling like ice over lights.


    "It''s okay, Sash," he''d croaked. "I can wait." He didn''t want to¡ªshe could see the yearning in his gaze. And the lump in his jeans. But he meant what he said. He could wait. And he would. For her.


    He was so fucking perfect, he put her to shame.


    She sucked in a breath and shook her head. "I know you can," she whispered. "But I can''t."


    He''d blinked and offered his hand, then a slow, heated smile started on his beautiful lips as she stepped back into his arms. He''d cupped her face and taken her mouth so deeply, so slowly. His trembling fingers brushing her hair back off her face, then dragging down her nape, to her spine. And she shivered.


    She''d shivered a lot that day¡ª


    "Sash?" his voice was deeper now, harder. But as she blinked back to the present, his eyes were unchanged.


    The same eyes as she''d seen that day¡ªshadowed in the dark of her apartment building parking lot. Sharper and almost haunted, looking for the predators. But he''d turned in his seat and when their eyes locked, his ice-blue eyes¡­ melted.


    "You''re here," she said, like an idiot.


    His throat bobbed. "I never really left."


    She felt her face fall, pinching with confusion and pain. "But¡ª"


    "I''ll exin, I promise, Sash. But we''ve only got a few minutes. Because they think I''m leaving you here, and I''m not.. But as soon as we step out of this van, we''re probably being recorded. So you need to listen to me for a minute, okay?"

 Chapter 14 - Move

    ~ ZEV ~


    Sasha nodded at him, her face pale, and her eyes slightly zed. Shit. She wasn''t just frightened, she was in shock.


    With another muttered curse he pushed up and out of the driver''s seat, crawling over the bench seat into the back of the van.


    Her eyes widened and he realized he''d probably done that a little too smoothly. But hopefully she''d just put it down to her own shock.


    She was still sitting in the jump seat, still clipped into the seatbelt, but her eyes followed every move he made. So he crouched on the floor of the van, putting himself lower than her, and spoke quietly and calmly as he unclipped her seatbelt and held it so it would return slowly and not make that clunking noise. She was already on the edge. He didn''t need to startle her.


    "So, what we''re going to do, is we''re going to go inside and get a bag of your things. Not much, just enough to keep you going for a few days. But the clothes, they need to befortable and tough. Only one pair of jeans. Leggings and Ski clothes are better if you have them¡ªstuff that will keep you dry and warm in snow. You won''t need make up or anything like that. And don''t bring ID. No wallet. Nothing that can identify you to someone else, okay? Plus, you''ll need to leave your phone here."


    "What?! Why?"


    He raked a hand through his hair as she pushed away from him in the seat. "Because the people that we''re running from will be able to track it," he said honestly. "The best chance we have of getting away from them is to leave no trail. No way to trace you. No identifiers at all."


    She gaped at him, her forehead furrowing into lines. "Zev¡­ why?"


    He put a hand to her face and felt her skin prickle, smelled joy and desire thread into her scent, and his heart leapt. "Because the people I''m close to are dangerous, Sash. And they want to know why I haven''t been able to leave you alone for five years. And why I showed up to follow you tonight. And why I hid you from them. I''m sorry. This is my fault. They''re after you now because of me, but you have to know, I never wanted that. It''s why I''ve avoided you all this time."


    She searched his gaze and when she spoke, it was with a broken, strangled voice. "Zev¡­ are you¡­ are you in the mafia or something?"


    He huffed augh and caught himself. "No," he said, emphatically. "This is way bigger than that."


    "What could be bigger¡ª?"


    "Trust me, Sash, you''re safer if you don''t know. But here''s the thing you need to know: I never wanted to leave. I never chose it. And I never stopped watching over you. Ever." He''d never dominated her before¡ªnever wanted to break her will. Never wanted her to give him anything she didn''t choose for herself. But he let himself feel the weight of those words, feel the truth of them, let them echo in his ribs and feed into his veins. Let her feel the strength and certainty in him. She needed to know.


    She needed to remember she could trust him.


    She blinked a few times and her hand twitched like she was going to touch him. An ache bloomed in his chest when she fought it.


    He had to remind himself that she didn''t know he''d been so close for so long. She didn''t know why he''d left her alone, that he''d been protecting her, even then.


    "Do you believe me?" he asked, finally when she didn''t answer.


    She nodded slowly. "I''m just not sure I should," she whispered, her eyes zing with fear and hope and a storm of emotions he couldn''t untangle in her scent.


    "You know me, Sash," he breathed a truth he hadn''t told another living soul. "You''re the only one who ever knew the real me. Trust that."


    In the opposite of what he''d hoped for, she frowned at that and pulled back, pushing herself deeper into the seat. "I can''t trust anything you say," she said simply. "You lied to me."


    "No, I never lied, I was¡ª"


    "You told me you wereing for me and you left and you never came back. I waited for you, Zev. For five fucking years I waited and now you show up and almost kill a man in front of me and you tell me to trust you?!"


    She was beginning to shake. If he didn''t handle this carefully, she was going to break.


    "No," he said, his voice low and gruff. "I''m telling you to trust the Zev you knew. And watch me. Because you''ll see, I''m still him. I promise."


    "And if you''re lying?" she said in a tiny voice.


    It was a risk. They needed to move and he needed to get her clear on how they were going to do this. But he reached for her, traced her hair from her temple, back behind her ear. She closed her eyes and bit her lip when he touched her.


    Just that tiny moment, that tiny touch¡­ she was like a drug in his system. His heart pounded, racing faster than he could run. His skin throbbed with it. Nothing did that to him anymore. He was as cold as a machine. He''d been forced to think like a machine. To be untouchable.


    But she touched him, deeply. Every time.


    There was something between them that defied exnation. He didn''t know how, or why it had happened, though he had some suspicions. He didn''t know how it was possible a soulless creature like him could feel so much. But she did that to him, she always had.


    And he''d give anything to keep her safe.


    Anything.


    Even himself.

 Chapter 15 - Don鈥檛 Think, Just Move

    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev staring at her and touching her was¡­ overwhelming. His gaze followed her like she was the only thing in the world, his ice-blue eyes fixed, pupils dted. And she shivered, her skin pebbling with an intoxicating mix of desire and thrill. She''d had to close her eyes when his fingers met her skin, slid into her hair, because her scalp prickled and she was at risk of embarrassing herself.


    She bit her lip to keep herself steady, and just breathed. But then she caught that smell of him again.


    Shit, she was a mess. A melting, glowing mess.


    Then he whispered her name and she almost whimpered. She''d ached to hear that, that tender, breath of her name, the way he used to say it, in her ear, in her hair, against her skin¡ªfor five years.


    Her hand slipped up to catch his, to stop him, and he froze. She gave a littleugh. She wasn''t even looking at him and she could feel him. Could still read him like a book.


    He was terrified she was going to say no. And that was what convinced her.


    This was still Zev. Her Zev. Zev was good. She knew that. Knew it like she knew her own name. What he''d done¡­ what had happened that night¡­ there had to be a reason.


    So when she opened her eyes and his locked on, she sucked in another deep breath of his summer rain-shower smell and nodded. "Okay," she said.


    It shouldn''t be so easy to throw her entire life away with one word.


    But it wasn''t, really. She wasn''t throwing it away on a word. She was throwing it away on a man.


    If she was a fool for that¡­ well¡­ she''d tried. She''d tried to get over him. To escape his memory. To convince herself that what they''d had had been nothing but teenage fumblings and infatuation.


    But it hadn''t worked. And now he was here.


    "Okay," she said again, clearer this time. "Tell me what to do."


    He stared at her like he was going to kiss her and for a moment she held her breath. But then he blinked and stood¡ªhunched, because the van was a good foot shorter than him¡ªand offered her a hand to help her out of the seat.


    "When I open the door, we walk, just like you would any other day. As if none of this has happened, okay?"


    She nodded, swallowing. She was really going to do this.


    "I''ll secure the apartment, but you don''t say a word¡ªnot a single word¡ªabout leaving or what''s happened tonight. You can talk. You talk about seeing me again. You talk about your questions about us, anything¡­ normal. Be angry if you''re angry. Be hurt. Be scared. Whatever. But you don''t talk about the fact that we''re packing a bag, or that I''m making sure there''s no one around, okay?"


    She nodded again, hystericalughter bubbling in her throat at the sudden mental image of herself standing over a pile of underwear and socks, berating him while he ran through the apartment with a gun, like a hero in a bad cop movie.


    "When the time''s right, I''m going to pretend to get mad at you and leave. I''m not leaving, you understand? But if you make any noise after that it has to sound like you''re hurt and pissed off that I left you again. You can''t¡­ Sash, you can''t listen to anything I say when that''s going on, you understand?"


    "You think they have my apartment bugged?"


    He snorted. "If they don''t, someone dropped the ball. But I don''t know if they''d already done it earlier, or if they rushed in tonight. So, we act like they can hear everything in there, okay?"


    She nodded, her heart hammering on her chest.


    He took her hand and she breathed in sharply. "When I leave, I''ll take the bag. You make whatever noise you want about me leaving, then youe out into the hallway like you''re mad and looking for me. Then we run like hell."


    She nodded again, dumbly. "Where are we going?" she asked.


    That was the first time his gaze shuttered. Fear trickled through her when he swallowed and looked down, but he met her gaze before he spoke, rubbing his jaw that was shadowed with stubble.


    "I''m taking you home," he said carefully.


    Her face crumpled. "I can''t go home, Zev. My parents split up. I don''t have¡ª"


    "Not your home, Sash. That''s not safe. They''d already have eyes on your parents. I''m taking you to my home."


    She frowned. "That little town in the middle of nowhere?"


    He nodded, but his eyes were guarded. But he didn''t give her time to think that through. He reached for the handle of the van door and murmured under the roll and creak of it, "it''s time. We need to get moving. Remember, talk."


    She nodded, then let him lead her out of the van and across the parking lot to the stairwell.

 Chapter 16 - Past

    ~ ZEV ~


    Sasha led him into the stairs and up one flight. He pulled the door open for her and she nced at him with a strange look on her face, but she darted through to her apartment, just two doors down the hall. Her eyes were too wide, but otherwise anyone watching them would have seen her tense, but normal.


    Then she closed the door behind him and flipped the lock, tossed her keys and purse on the little table in the entryway and turned, stalking past him into the bedroom.


    Walking into her apartment was heaven. It was bathed in her scent¡ªvani and apples¡ªand there were reminders of her everywhere¡ªthat soft, fake fur nket thrown over the back of the couch made him smile. She''d always been very anti-fur, which used to make himugh.


    If only she knew.


    Emotion hit him right in the chest and he had to swallow back a lump in his throat. He''d imagineding in here so many times in the past two years¡­ yearned for it. Ached for it. Almost snuck in just to be close to her, even if she didn''t know it. But that would have been creepy. He''d given her her privacy, but he''d wanted her. Wanted to be here. Needed to be close. Keeping his distance from her had been like chewing off his own foot. And now he didn''t have to anymore. He couldn''t quite believe it.


    "Five years, Zev," she said, her voice trembling and high. "Five years and then¡­ you just show up like nothing happened? You expect me to just¡­ what? Where the hell have you been?"


    "Working," he said, his voice a low growl as he prowled forward, making no sound at all, covering every inch of the room as they talked, checking corners and furniture, looking for anything that could be hiding a video feed.


    "Working? Twenty-four hours a day? Seven days a week? Working so hard you couldn''t even send me a note to tell me you were alive?!"


    "It isn''t the kind of work that has Saturdays off, Sash."


    "Stop calling me that."


    He pulled up hard at that, frowning at her. "I''ve always called you Sash."


    "You haven''t called me anything for five fucking years, Zev. What the hell is wrong with you?" She''d stalked into her bedroom that was just off the small living area and after checking behind the television he went after her, twisting sideways to fit between the nket basket and the arm of the loveseat.


    He felt too big in this ce. Though the ceiling in the living area was vaulted, it was small. Thin gaps between couch and coffee table, table and television. He was suddenly toorge, like he didn''t fit the space.


    Then he passed through the door into her room and memories hit him, one after another, pelting him like hail.


    Directly across from the door was arge bed covered in a soft, cream quilt. There were nightstands on either side of it and a dresser to his left, a door off to the right that must have been the bathroom.


    But the first thing that caught his eye was the photograph, half-curled on itself, stuck into the frame of her mirror. A picture, not just of them. It was one of those game night group shots with everyone screaming their smiles and arms thrown high with peace signs, or horn hands. They''d all been excited because their team won, which didn''t usually happen, and half her friends were in the band, half of his in the football team.


    "I don''t know what you think is going to happen here, but you don''t get to just walk back into my life and pull me out of my best friend''s apartment and just¡­ be here. That''s not how life works!" she snapped.


    "I just wanted to make sure you got home safe," he muttered, his attention on the picture.


    They were on the righthand side of the group, bent forward towards the camera so their friends behind him could be seen¡ªhe''d been tall, even then. His arm was thrown over her shoulders, one of her hands was up to cup his jaw, the other extended with the peace sign.


    They looked young and happy and¡­ easy. It had been an act for him, back then. The whole high school student, golden boy thing. But not her. The way he was with her, that had never been pretend.


    He plucked the picture out of the frame of the mirror and stared at it.


    Behind him Sasha was opening a duffel bag on the bed. When she turned to slide open a drawer in the dresser where he stood, she saw him looking at the photo, and she stopped.


    His head snapped up and she looked back and forth between him and the picture. "That''s¡­ not yours," she said, heat flooding into her cheeks as she snatched it out of his hand.


    But he noticed that when she opened the drawer to pull out underwear and socks, she didn''t put the picture back into the mirror, but pressed it into the pile of little items he was trying to ignore and shoved it into the bag.


    There were other things in the room. Little memories¡ªher tassel from her high school graduation dangling off a pin board, among other souvenirs¡ªpictures of college graduation, ticket stubs,nyards, things he hadn''t been there to witness. There was a stuffed bear in a shelf in the corner that had always sat in front of her pillow on her bed back then.


    Then, as he snuck around the room closing curtains, checking for devices, he saw themp on her bedside and it jolted him to a stop.


    The base of themp was a ss vase filled with rocks of widely varied colors, shapes, and even sizes, though even thergest would fit in her palm.


    He knew those rocks. Almost all of them. Knew that on a good day he''d probably scent himself on them.


    Holy shit. She''d kept them all this time?


    It was sheer will not to turn and take her in his arms and kiss her silly. He wished he could pick the damn thing up, smash it, and put those rocks in the bag, too. But that was just stupid.


    "You have no right to be here!" she said, and her voice shook with tears. He turned then, agape to find her shoving a thick jacket into the bag¡ªgood girl, she''d remembered. He hoped she had some woolen socks. But she was staring at him, her eyes lined in silver tears, her chin beginning to tremble.


    His stomach plummeted.

 Chapter 17 - Present

    ~ ZEV ~


    "Sasha¡ª"


    "Don''t!" she whispered and turned for the dresser to pull more clothing out. "You broke me, Zev. You devastated me. My whole life is different because of you. You can''t¡­ you can''t just walk back in now. I''m different. I grew up. I don''t need you like I did back then."


    He blinked and double-checked that she was still packing. Her face¡­ she''d gone white, though there were high spots of color in her cheeks that made her look feverish. But he could smell her anger and grief. The words she was saying¡­ they weren''t an act. Not entirely, anyway.


    He clenched his teeth and went back to his search. "You don''t know what happened. I wasn''t leaving you. I was saving you."


    "Saving me?!" she gasped, thenughed humorlessly. "Is that what you told yourself? That disappearing, leaving me thinking you were hurt, or broken, or DEAD¡­ you told yourself you did that for my good?"


    "You don''t understand¡ª"


    "No! I don''t! You''re right! But I''ll tell you I understand a helluva lot more now than I did back then. What an idiot I was, you must haveughed."


    "I neverughed at you," he growled.


    She scoffed. "That story about your dad working nights so we could never hang out at your house. I mean, stroke of brilliance. It wasn''t until after you left that I even realized what you''d done, keeping me so far away from your family, from anything or anyone that could have held you ountable."


    "I never kept you apart¡ª"


    "YES YOU FUCKING DID AND DON''T DENY IT!" she screamed, throwing something ck and soft into the bag, then standing there, facing him, her hands in fists at her sides.


    She was breaking. He stared at her, let her see that her pain was his. That he''d never disregarded her. Never forgotten. But she shook her head. She didn''t believe him.


    And it was going to break his heart all over again.


    He stepped towards her and her face crumpled.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    This was stupid and ridiculous, and not the time. But once the words had started she hadn''t been able to stop them. Even as she kept checking that he wasn''t leaving her. That he was pretending¡­ she wasn''t pretending. Not really.


    He stared at her, his eyes pleading¡ªbut still shadowed and wary in a way that terrified her. Fear that she''d turn around and he''d be gone again kept twisting in her gut. She needed answers. And she''d lied. She very much needed him.


    "They didn''t believe me," she whispered then, her vision blurring as his forehead pressed into lines.


    "Who?"


    "Everyone," she said. Then she turned back to the dresser to look for her scarf because she couldn''t bear for him to see her face when she felt so vulnerable. "They didn''t believe me that you loved me. They said we were too young, that it was¡­ it was sad that I''d been so fooled. They¡­ they pitied me. And they talked about me behind my back. And they made it all cheap and sick and¡­"


    "Sash," he murmured, but she couldn''t look up. She found the scarf twisted around her gloves and hat at the back of a drawer and she dragged them out to add them to the bag.


    "For a year¡­ for a year I still woke up every day certain you''d be there. You''de back," she whispered. "By that time they''d startedughing at me. My parents¡­ my parents thought I was literally insane."


    He made a tiny noise in his throat and was suddenly next to her. She hadn''t realized he was so close, to reach her in just a step like that. The smell of him came with him and she covered her face in her hands. The urge to fall into his chest was so strong she physically hurt. But she couldn''t. She knew she couldn''t. Something crazy was happening, and no matter what she felt, or what she thought, they had to get out of there. And he¡­ he didn''t deserve it. That was the truth she reminded herself.


    He didn''t deserve to have her so easily.


    Except¡­ except if the boy she''d known had be a man and hadn''t lost himself¡­ that man did deserve her. She wanted that man.


    Wiping her eyes with the heels of her hands, she looked up to find him, standing over her again, his hands open and halfway between them, as if he''d reached for her and stopped himself. Then he leaned in and for a sh she thought he was going to kiss her and her heart mmed into her ribs¡ªexcept instead he bent into her ear and, holding her upper arms, he breathed, "I''m going to lie now."


    She blinked as he straightened. "What?"


    "I said, they were right. You WERE insane."


    She flinched and he closed his eyes, his brows pinching over his nose as if the words hurt him to say. "We were kids. You pined for a year? What the fuck were you thinking? When I saw you tonight I thought maybe we could reconnect, remember old times, have a little fun. But this? You''re out of your mind, Sasha. It was five years ago. Let it go."


    "Get out," she ground out.


    "dly," he snapped, but those lines had appeared at the sides of his mouth that meant he was really stressed. He picked up the duffel bag and slung it over his shoulder. "See ya."


    She made a noise, indignation and hurt and a touch of rage, as he stormed out of the room.


    He nced back just before he passed through the door, his eyes begging her to understand, to remember, to follow.


    She turned away from that look, because if she kept staring she was going to run after him right away, and that''s not what he was supposed to do.


    "I should have known," she sobbed. "Should have known. Fuck!"


    She dropped onto the end of the bed and wed her hands into her hair.


    What if he was lying about lying? What if he''d really left? What if she was going to get out there and he wasn''t there?


    What if this whole thing was a hallucination drummed up by her Zev-induced psychosis?


    She hadn''t been lying when she said her family thought she was nuts. Her mother had even taken her to a psychiatrist more than once.


    She looked around. There was no sign of him. No sound. She hadn''t heard the door open or close. Nothing. She was in her room, in her apartment.


    Had the whole fucking thing been a dream?

 Chapter 18 - Minutes

    ~ ZEV ~


    She took an entire minute toe out of the apartment. A minute that he''d sweated through. A full minute of his head screaming at him that he couldn''t leave her, that she was falling apart and he needed to be there to hold her together. That she hadn''t heard him say he was about to lie and she thought he''d meant it. And behind it all, the ticking clock, demanding to be remembered. They would be found. They would be hunted. And Sasha would be hurt.


    He was just discarding self-control and pushing off the wall he''d been leaning on when the door swung open so hard it bounced off the wall and she flew out, eyes zing and hair flying behind her like a g in the wind.


    She was beautiful.


    And had apparently evolved into an unholy potty-mouth.


    "Mother-fucking asshole!" she screamed. He gaped at her. Then one side of her mouth twisted up into a smile.


    Breath heaving with relief, he grabbed her hand and ran her towards the stairwell on the opposite side of the building than the one they''d used to get up there.


    Neither of them spoke. He kept his own footsteps silent so anyone listening would think she was running after him by herself, that she hadn''t found him. But he gripped her hand like it was a lifeline, like if he didn''t, she''d just drift away. And he prayed to whatever god listened to the soulless, thanking him that she hadn''t abandoned him.


    They hit the door at the bottom running. He mmed through it with her right on his heels and was just looking back at her to make sure she''de through okay when he caught sight of the man who''d stered himself on this side of the wall and wasunching at her.


    It was instinct.


    He turned on a dime, arms outstretched and body still at a full run, mming the guy broadside into the wall. Sasha shrieked, then whirled, scrambling away from them, backwards into the parking level.


    Zev shifted to make sure he was between them, feeling for her behind his back, getting ready to tell her to run again, assuming the guy was down for a while. But the way the male dropped to the ground with a grunt and immediately bounced to his feet, Zev knew.


    Shit.


    He was Chimera.


    Fuck. They put Chimera on the hunt for Sasha?!


    The male was already half-crouched, chin low and watching him. But as he caught Zev''s wary gaze, his nostrils red and he caught Sasha''s scent behind him.


    The male smiled so he showed his teeth. "You can give her to me. I''m not going to hurt her."


    Zev snorted. Some of his brothers really needed more time among the humans to learn how to not be creepy. "She''s not going anywhere with you. She''s mine."


    The male blinked. For a split second his eyes zed and his mouth went ck.


    "Shit!" It wasn''t a Chimera, it was an Avatar.


    Zev whipped around. There was no time to exin. He grabbed Sasha up in his arms, sprinting across the parking garage. They''d only get a few seconds before the Avatar could see again. And he''d scent them immediately.


    Sasha yelped when he picked her up. But she was smart enough to realize he was running for a reason, so she clung to his neck to free one of his arms.


    He only had a single, looping ramp to run down to the next level, then half a floor of the garage, but the feeling of having her curled around him like that, her breath against his skin, almost eviscerated him. Any passing thought he''d had of getting her to safety, and leaving her there to keep her out of the shitshow that was his life, fled.


    He was never letting her go again.


    They made it to the car ahead of the Avatar, but Zev could hear him approaching quickly, his feet pattering quietly despite the all-out run. He was almost as quiet as Zev himself. Shit. They were getting better at these abominations.


    Zev slid to the driver''s side of the car, dropping Sasha''s legs so she could stand in the same movement that he threw the door open to catch the Avatar and bounce him back.


    "Get in the car!" he bellowed, shoving Sasha inside and mming the door behind her, then turning just in time to catch the Avatar leaping for his throat.


    They both tumbled to the cement, Zev managing to twist just in time so he wasn''t underneath the fucker when they hit the ground.


    Zev had fought many times. More times than he could count. He''d even fought for his life more times than any man should have to. But he''d never fought for Sasha''s before. Not hand-to-hand.


    The snarl tore out of his throat, fueled by white-hot rage and a drive to possess, to protect, more consuming than he''d ever experienced.


    He would end this thing for trying to touch her.

 Chapter 19 - Avatar

    ~ ZEV ~


    The Avatar writhed like an alligator trying to roll him. One of Zev''s elbows cracked on the cement. He hissed a curse and wrestled it almost to its back.


    Avatars were difficult opponents because they felt no pain. They didn''t feel anything at all. They were mindless automated intelligence in a synthetically grown human body. They did not have feelings, but acted intelligently on orders and, asionally, under direct control of a handler.


    That moment the thing''s face had gone ck was the moment a handler took control. The question was, which one, and why? If this was a training exercise, they didn''t want the thing damaged.


    But if it was a hunt... Why were they sending a hunt after Sasha?


    "I''ll finish it," he growled at whoever was looking through the thing''s eyes. No one answered, so he hooked their legs and leaned up, whip-fast, to wrap the thing''s head in his lower arm and pin it to the tarmac. "You wanna keep it, stop fighting."


    They wrestled for another moment, but Zev had the upper hand and got it pinned, its legs immobilized. It was only seconds before he had its head locked and his hands positioned correctly.


    They continued to struggle, until the thing had stopped breathing¡ªbecause they could do that. The technology within it would continue to beat its biologically engineered heart until there were no resources left within it to feed its body, at which point it would begin to rot on its feet. But if it had any strength, it would still use it.


    Avatars could not be killed. They could only be broken. Or destroyed.


    Engineered at a cost of tens-of-millions each, the handler responsible for allowing the destruction of an Avatar would have hell to pay.


    "You want to keep him?" Zev growled, knowing the handler could hear him.


    The Avatar''s face was red and veiny, its organic body reacting naturally to the pressure, its self-preservation instincts kicking in. But there was a sickly smile on the thing''s face and the voice that came from its mouth was inhumanly casual.


    "Zev, let it go."


    "One more inch and I''m snapping his spine," he growled in the things ear. "Then you can use his eyes to watch me leave."


    The thing stopped fighting. It didn''t rx, but it stopped trying to hurt him.


    Zev wasn''t fooled. He''d fought Avatars before.


    Cunning and merciless¡ªafter all, they had no emotions, no empathy¡ªthey would allow themselves to be dominated, hurt, even maimed if they though it would give them an opening to take victory.


    Zev didn''t rx his grip¡ªin fact, he tightened his grip. Half an inch more and he''d break the thing''s neck. It wouldn''t feel it, but it also wouldn''t be able to move.


    "You''re already in trouble, Zev. You don''t want to create this kind of heat." The Avatar''s mouth moved to make the words, but they were the handler''s thoughts.


    Zev growled. "Watch me."


    "You don''t want to create this kind of heat for her," it said.


    Zev would have shivered, but he couldn''t afford the risk that it would try to flip him. He tightened his grip on its head and stared down the barrel of those empty eyes to make sure whoever was on the other side saw him. "You touch a hair on her head and you don''t just lose this piece of shit, you lose me, too."


    "Touchy, touchy," he ground through a mped jaw, but his tone was pleasant. The Avatar gave a twisted smile because his face was crammed between Zev''s hands.


    Suddenly, the unmistakable click of a gun being cocked echoed through the empty garage and they both froze.


    Zev looked up to find Sasha, standing at the things head, a tiny hand gun held remarkably steadily, pointed right at his skull. "Let him go," she said. Her voice was cold and shaky and Zev was washed in a wave of conflicting emotions¡ªpride and admiration warred with terror and a touch of amusement.


    She was beautiful and bold, and she had absolutely no idea how deep the waters she''d just waded into washed over her head.


    "Sasha," he growled. "Get back in the car."


    "Not until he lets you go," she said, staring at the Avatar, her jaw set with determination, despite the fact that she was beginning to tremble.


    "She''s pretty," the handler said through the Avatar, though Sasha didn''t know it. Her upper lip curled away from her teeth and she snarled, "Let him go, and stop looking at me, or I will shoot you."


    "Feisty too," he said, but the Avatar moved his gaze from her back down to Zev and his smile got even sicker. "Enjoy her while you can. You know Nick will take her as soon as possible. She''s just his type."


    A growl, deep and ferocious, rattled in Zev''s throat and he jerked the things head, snapping its neck audibly, like a tree branch.


    Sasha gasped and scrambled back, away from them.


    The Avatar rxed, it''s limbs losing all control. But it was still smiling. "Naughty, naughty, Zev. Daddy is going to be pissed."


    "How is he¡­ what¡ª" Sasha''s voice was high and shocked. This was all going to hit her and it was going to be too much. He had to get her out of here.


    Zev didn''t take the time to exin, just leaped up and grabbed her, running her around the car to get her in the passenger seat, looking in every direction until she was in and belted, then he slid over the hood of the car to the side where the Avatary on the ground, and got in.


    Just as he mmed the door and turned the key, he caught the sound of the thingughing.


    "I hope she''s worth it! She''s not THAT pretty¡ª"


    He mmed his foot to the floor and squealed the tires getting the car out of there.

 Chapter 20 - Gotta Be A Dream

    ~ SASHA ~


    She was so terrified, as the car careened out of the garage and into the street, she didn''t even make a sound. Just held on to the handle above the door and tried to breathe. Unsessfully.


    Three blockster he slowed and turned quickly into an Alley that cut between buildings, then continued in the same direction on a new street.


    Zev gripped the steering wheel with thick hands that, until a moment ago, she''d thought were beautiful and strong and¡­ and¡­ not weapons.


    In her mind''s eye she watched him jerk that guy''s head to the side and heard the crack again.


    She flinched. She still couldn''t take a real breath.


    "Let me out," she said through clenched teeth and a jaw that wouldn''t move. "Now."


    "No, Sasha. They''ve got a perimeter. They''re looking for you. And they lied to me about giving me time, which means if they take us they''ll split us up. I have to get you out of here."


    "Let. Me. Out."


    This wasn''t her Zev, it couldn''t be. Her Zev had a tender, gentle smile that only turned hot when they were looking at each other and no one else was paying attention.


    His jaw set when there was injustice, or someone was hurt.


    He used his hands to stroke and soothe and pleasure. He didn''t use them to kill.


    "Sasha, listen to me¡ªthat was not a man. Not a real one."


    Her breath whooshed out of her in a rush, then she sucked it back in. She still couldn''t open her teeth. "Yes, he was. He was. I saw him. He spoke. He was bleeding."


    "That was a body inhabited by¡­ technology," he said after a hesitation. "An Avatar. Aputer that can walk around and make decisions and follow orders."


    She shook her head, gripping the door and pushing herself deeper into the seat as the car picked up even more speed. He was going to get them killed! He was a madman!


    "Sash, look at me."


    "Let me out."


    "Sasha, look at me!" The words seemed to reverberate through the car, vibrate in her chest. They¡­pelled her. Her head snapped towards him without thought. He met her eyes, not even looking at the road, yet somehow able to keep the car straight and in theirne. "You know me," he said in a low, gruff purr he hadn''t had in his arsenal five years earlier. Her heart spasmed and fluttered at the same time. "I don''t lie to you. That was no man. And he would have killed you, or taken you to men who would."


    She shook her head, but she couldn''t take her eyes off him. He checked the road, then met her eyes again. "I just snapped his neck to stop him taking you. It''s no different than if you''d pulled that trigger to save me."


    She blinked. It was different. It had to be. But she needed to find the words to exin why and she couldn''t. She couldn''t think. Her head was buzzing.


    "Babe," he said quietly, reaching for her with one hand, squeezing his thick, strong, deadly fingers over hers where they gripped the seat next to her thigh, "I didn''t kill a man tonight, I promise."


    Her throat was beginning to pinch. She blinked to clear the blur from her eyes. This was not the time for tears. But the softness in his voice when he said that¡­


    It was how the old Zev used to talk to her.


    She''d missed it so much.


    Then she wanted to p herself. She''d just seen him kill a man! Or, at least, hurt him really badly.


    Why hadn''t the guy screamed? Why did heugh and tease when his entire body had just been broken?


    Why didn''t Zev shake about breaking him?


    "What¡­ what is going on?" she asked for what seemed like the hundredth time that night. "Who are you?"


    Zev''s big chest rose and fell like a bellows, and his fingers squeezed hers again before he gripped the steering wheel and ran the car through the turn on a red light.


    Sasha gasped and her hand pped to the window to hold herself upright against the force of the car''s turn, but then they were speeding along a main street and he was shaking his head and muttering to himself as he drove.


    "Okay, if we can get another mile away, I''ll tell you all of it, Sash. I promise. I just¡­ I need to skip the perimeter and I''m not sure where they set it this time, so¡­ please¡­ just sit still and be quiet for about two more minutes, okay? And then I''ll exin everything."


    "Y-you keep saying that."


    "I know. But you might have noticed, men keep trying to catch me and kill you. I''m trying to keep us free and alive. And once I''m sure we are, I''ll tell you all of it."


    He nced at her from the side, measuring her.


    She nodded, but only because she didn''t know what else to do. It all seemed like a dream. One that was terrifying and made no sense. But in dreams, things often didn''t make sense. Yet the dream didn''t give up.


    She wasn''t going to give up. She wasn''t going to give in. She was going to get her answers. "Okay," she said, then swallowed convulsively.


    "Good. Good." He sounded truly relieved. "Are you thirsty?"


    She shook her head.


    "Okay, then¡­ just stay low in your seat and¡­ pray," he said dryly.


    Sasha slouched lower, remembering the guns.


    They were both silent as he weaved the car in and out of others in the light,te-night traffic.


    Over the next few minutes she lost count of the turns, the alleys, the parking lots and strip malls and backnes they took. But suddenly, they were taking an on-ramp to the highway and for the first time, Zev wasn''t hunched over the steering wheel. He still checked the mirrors and looked around obsessively, but it seemed like he was breathing easier.


    "We did it," he said as they merged onto the highway. "We fucking did it, Sasha.. We dodged them."

 Chapter 21 - Night

    ~ ZEV ~


    He exited off the highway only a mile or two after they got on. Sasha tensed when he slowed, but he reassured her. "They know this car now because the Avatar saw it. I need to ditch it and get something else. I have another one in here."


    It was a lot closer for a switch than he''d normally use, but he didn''t want to drive the thirty minutes to the next town where he had kept a private storage unit. And he thought Sasha needed a minute to breathe. The park would be just the thing. He was willing to bet Nick hadn''t put anyone on it. He wouldn''t have expected Zev to choose it when it was so close.


    A few minutester they pulled into the national park. He slid his wallet out of the breast pocket of his shirt inside the overalls and slid the Annual Membership card into the little slot. The barrier arm raised slowly, and for a second he was reminded of the guy in the first parking garage.


    How had Nick known he needed someone there this week? Why notst week?


    Or had they had someone on post there this whole time? He didn''t think so¡­ but Nick could be brilliant like that. He grimaced. At this point it hardly mattered. The point was, they''d gotten away. Only barely, but they''d done it.


    He had Sasha back.


    Zev shook his head in disbelief.


    The car lights swung across trees and grass, underbrush, and a big brown sign announcing the Park''s twenty-four hour parking for campers.


    Zev pulled the car into a free slot between two trailers¡ªone that still had the lights on¡ªthen turned off the engine.


    He could hear her breathing. Heavy and quick.


    He was afraid to look at her, afraid to see that fear in her eyes again. Could he me her? No. She''d probably never seen a person die before. And even though she hadn''t tonight either, it probably felt like she had.


    He sighed.


    "Where are we?" she said in a tiny voice.


    "My trailer," he said quietly. "I''m going to grab a couple things and we''re going to take a different vehicle. So they don''t know where we are." Thank whatever god was listening that he''d switched up the n B car justst week. He had a different schedule every time so he wasn''t predictable. "I need you to¡­ to promise me you won''t scream or run or¡­ raise the rm," he said quietly. "I know it''s been a helluva night, Sash. I do. And I''m going to tell you the whole story. But right now we''re still in danger. If anyone gets a clue who I am, or that you''re with me¡­ will you trust me just a few minutes longer?"


    She looked at him warily. "What are you going to do¡ªexactly. Are there¡­ more people to fight?"


    "No! No, I''m going to open the door on that trailer right there and grab my go bag. Then we''re going to walk into the park like we''re going to camping. But I''ve got a jeep in there and we''re going to take a maintenance road out and meet the highway again. Then¡­ then we''re going on a road trip."


    She blinked, then blinked again.


    He gave her an apologetic smile. "Not the one I promised you, I know. But¡­ but¡­ Fuck, Sasha, I''m just so d to see you. I''m sorry it had to be like this."


    She stared at him like she wasn''t even sure what he''d said, but then she swallowed and nodded, sitting up straight in the seat finally. "Okay," she murmured. "Let''s go."


    He watched her carefully. Something wasn''t right. But then, he could hardly expect her to be bubbly and dry when she''d just almost lost her life twice.


    A minuteter he''d grabbed her bag from the car, and his own from the trailer, then he turned away from the door and offered his hand to hold hers. "Walk with me?" he asked carefully, uncertain whether she''d let him touch her.


    She stared at his hand for a second, hesitating. Then his heart flooded with heat as she nodded and twined her fingers in his, then followed him down the walking path into the park proper.


    He had a shlight on his keyring that would prate even the midnight dark of the forest, but he didn''t need it. Sasha, however, was a lot less certain.


    "Can you see where we''re going?" she whispered a minuteter as they stepped into the trees.


    "Yep," he said quietly.


    "How?"


    "I have really good night vision."


    She didn''t respond to that, but kept herself close to his side, gripping his arm as he led her through the dark. He indulged himself and leaned slightly closer to inhale the smell of her, shaking his head in disbelief.


    He squeezed her hand and even though she didn''t squeeze back, she turned her head to look at him. To her eyes he couldn''t have been more than a smudge of cker ck against the forest. But he smiled a little anyway.


    "It''s so good to see you, Sash," he breathed, pulling her close to his side. "I''ve dreamed about this day for years."


    She made a little noise and dropped her face into her free hand, shaking her head. At first he thought she was crying and he opened his mouth to reassure her. But then she made a little snort. Then a strange kind of cackle.


    Then she wasughing, spluttering, throwing her head back and wiping her eyes.


    Zev was utterly confused. "What''s so funny?" he asked her.


    She couldn''t seem to get a handle on her giggles. She kept snorting and tripping into moreughter.


    "I''ve dreamed¡­ about this¡­ for years, too¡­" she gasped, bending over to hold her stomach. "But I gotta say, Zev¡­ I never would¡­ have imagined¡­ this!"

 Chapter 22 - Get It Together

    ~ SASHA ~


    She was hysterical. Hysterical, and terrified, and simultaneously overjoyed.


    Zev was here. He was holding her hand and leading her through the dark, and if she hadn''t just seen two men die, or almost die, she would have said it was the best moment of her life.


    Instead she was cackling aggressively, and snorting so hard she wondered if she''d torn a sinus.


    "Please," she gasped a minuteter, when Zev tugged her into a little thicket and began pulling a dead tree apart. A tree that turned out not to be a tree at all, but a pile of branches taller than her head, hiding a jeep.


    Of course it was. Who didn''t leave whole cars just lying around forter use in an emergency?


    Another shrill giggle broke in her throat. "P-please tell me you''re going to shake a bush and reveal dinner for two?" she snorted.


    Zev didn''t share her jollies. "It''s shock, Sash," he said quietly. "Just breathe. It''ll pass."


    "I would, but I have a sudden urge to tug on the moss on that rock and see if a cellphone will fall out."


    Zev raked a hand through his hair and turned to face her. He loomed over her, seeming as tall and immoveable as the trees that surrounded them. But he put his hands on her upper arms and leaned into her face, close enough that even in this dark she could see the whites of his eyes.


    "You''re going to be fine because I''m here," he said quietly, "and I''m taking you to a safe ce. And once things have calmed down, we''ll figure out where to go from there."


    Theughter died in her throat. "What ce is safe from men who can bug my apartment and send f-fake people robot things after you?"


    Her teeth were beginning to chatter.


    Zev tsked. "It wasn''t a robot. It was an Avatar, and¡­ get in, and I''ll tell you the story." He opened the jeep door, ushering her into the passenger seat. Then he threw the bags in the back and grabbed a nket that was thrown over the backseat that he tucked in around her and her seatbelt. "Keep yourself warm and hydrated. I''ll give you a bottle of water in a minute. Drink all of it."


    She nodded. Her whole body was shivering now, and she felt cold. She wanted toy down. Suddenly desperate toy t, she felt around on the sides of the seat until she found a lever that let her seat sink back.


    By the time Zev appeared in the driver''s seat¡ªeven pulling himself into the seat was an act of strength and grace¡ªshe had curled up on her side, brought her knees to her stomach, and she was talking herself through finding a ce of strength again. Because Zev had already proven he could protect her from strange men with guns, or who fought like crocodiles. But who was going to protect her from Zev?


    As the car roared to life, Zev winced. He didn''t turn the lights on, which seemed reckless to Sasha, but at this point she was beyond caring.


    The car swayed and rumbled, finding its way over tree roots and rocks, weaving betweenrge trees and pushing through gaps in the undergrowth.


    Neither of them spoke until Zev maneuvered the car through the forest to a dirt road that cut a line through the trees and undergrowth. The car began to run quieter and stopped rocking, only bouncing on puddle ruts.


    "We''ll follow this for a few miles and it''ll take us out nearer Wilderville. There''s no one out here except campers and animals. Do you want to talk now, or do you need to rest first?"


    "Oh, I want to t-talk," Sasha said.


    Zev nodded and leaned over, his arm brushing her knees as he popped the glovebox of the jeep to reveal a line of water bottles and a first aid kit. He dragged out two of the bottles and passed one to her, cing the other in the cupholder next to her. "Stay hydrated. It will help."


    She nodded and took it obediently, turning onto her back so she could take a drink.


    As soon as the water hit the back of her throat, she guzzled it, suddenly aware that she was dry as a bone.


    "Are you sure this is the time?" Zev started, but she swallowed the mouthful and nodded emphatically.


    "I''ll drink, you talk."


    He sighed and ran that wed hand through his unruly hair again and her stomach tingled. But she closed her eyes. She couldn''t let her overheating brain get distracted.


    The water was helping. She didn''t want to meet this conversation in the fetal position. So she sat up and pulled the handle on the side of the seat to make the seat back raise almost vertical, then kept drinking, her head spinning only slightly.


    "Okay," he said quietly, grimly. "But you need to let me tell you this from the beginning. Because it''s all linked. And none of what''s happened tonight will make sense without knowing the other stuff, so¡­ just be patient, okay?"


    Another snort broke out of her throat and she almost sprayed a mouthful of water all over him. "I''ve waited five years, Zev. My patience is done."


    He grimaced. "Fair enough," he muttered. Then he took a deep breath and his hands white-knuckled on the steering wheel. "So, the first thing you need to know is that I don''t have a birthday."


    Sasha blinked. It was such an odd, irrelevant thing to say, she stopped drinking. "What do you mean? July 6th isn''t your birthday? Or.. wait, were you adopted? So you don''t know your real¡ª?"


    "No, Sash," he said, his voice dark and hesitant. "I mean, I don''t have a birthday because I was never born.. I was made."

 Chapter 23 - Made

    ~ZEV~


    He could feel Sasha staring at the side of his face. He kept his eyes on the dirt road ahead, not because he needed to, but because he couldn''t bring himself to meet her gaze and possibly see her rejecting him. She''d already been through so much and now he was throwing this at her?


    But she wasn''t going to understand the rest without knowing this. He had no choice. The moment he''d decided to get her out from under Nick''s nose, he knew he''d have to tell her. All of it.


    Five years ago, he''d had a n to do exactly that.


    After the first time they''d slept together¡ªthe first time she''d slept with anyone¡ªhe''d been so in love, so determined to figure out how to make it all work out with her, he''d decided to reveal it all. It was the one thing he was never to do, under any circumstances. But he was going to do it for her. And somehow Nick had figured it out. He''d made sure this moment never came.


    Well, Nick could get fucked. If she was going to reject him, she was going to do it knowing the full story of who¡ªand what¡ªhe was, what he was capable of, and what he''d done.


    But here he was, shoulders hunched and unwilling to meet her eyes because he was a coward. His heart raced.


    He''d imagined telling her this countless times. In countless ways. Never like this, though. He''d even dreamed about this moment¡ªand had nightmares about it too.


    In the good dreams he''d seen her eyes soften and her voice be gentle. She''d asked, intelligent, probing questions, then gathered him into her arms and kissed away his fear.


    In the nightmares, she''d shrunk away from him, screaming.


    Now, here they were, for real¡­ and she''d gotten very quiet.


    He risked a nce at her from the corner of his eye, but she wasn''t looking at him anymore. She was looking at the road ahead, too. Her lips pressed tight.


    "Exin what you mean?" she asked calmly.


    He flexed his fingers on the steering wheel, then gave her the biggest, deepest secret of his life: His existence.


    "For a long time, the government has been experimenting withbining the DNA and gic material of humans with animals. The original goal was to create soldiers that could fight better and longer than a normal human.


    "They had a variety of results, some good, some¡­ really not. About fifty years ago they had some real sess¡ªhuman beings that look like human beings but aren''t. They have the senses and some¡­ capabilities of their animal counterparts."


    He braced and turned to look at her, found her staring at him, her face unreadable. "They call us Chimera. And we''re real."


    She just stared. He waited, but she didn''t say anything.


    "Sasha," he started with a sigh, but she blinked and shook her head.


    "Keep going. Tell me."


    He took a deep breath and turned back to the road. "Okay¡­ so, those early experiments were encouraging, but the resulting Chimera couldn''t reproduce. Making us is very expensive and a little¡­ unorthodox. So they wanted to find a way to increase our numbers that wasn''t so difficult. Over the next twenty-five years they tried a lot of different things. Then¡­ then they made me."


    "They made you."


    "Yes."


    "Who?"


    "Scientists, mostly. Some animal researchers, and gic engineers¡­ there was a whole team, I guess. I don''t know. I haven''t met them all."


    "And what did they make you? I mean¡­ what were they trying to do? This super-soldier, or whatever?"


    His hands tightened on the steering wheel so that it flexed under his grip. He had to force himself to be careful or he was going to break it. "Sort of. Their goals had kind of shifted by the time they got to me." No pun intended, he thought. But it was too soon for that part.


    "Shifted to what?"


    "By that time they didn''t just want mindless fighters anymore. They wanted people who were¡­ better."


    "Better at what?"


    It was hard not to smile. "Everything," he said sheepishly. But she didn''t return his smile.


    "Can you be specific, please?"


    He sighed. He''d tried over the years to think of ways to tell her this that wouldn''t sound like something out of a science fiction movie. But he''de up nk.


    The only thing he could think to do was show her. "Can I have your hand for a second?" he held out his palm. It was an unintended echo of the moment earlier in the night¡­ the moment when she''d turned away and cut out his heart.


    She stared at his open palm, then met his eyes confusion and fear mingled in the shadows of her gaze.


    He sighed. "I won''t hurt you. I want to¡­ smell your hand."


    "Smell it?" Her shock¡ªand juvenile gross-out expression would have been funny if he weren''t serious.


    He just nodded and waited. A momentter she slid her fingers into his hand and he almost kissed it. But instead he lifted her palm and held it to his nose. She was tense and resisted when he might have brought it close enough to touch his face, but it didn''t matter. He had what he needed.


    "I guess French toast is still your favorite?" he said quietly, surprised by the wave of nostalgia, the dozens of images he had of her grinning at him over a syrupy te from their high school days.


    She blinked. "Yes, but you knew that. Good guess."


    "Do you think I guessed you had it for breakfast this morning¡ªwith breakfast sausage and¡­ bananas.. Interesting choice."

 Chapter 24 - Skeptical

    ~ZEV~


    Her lower jaw went a little ck. "You''ve been following me all day?"


    "No!" Not the way she thought, anyway. His mouth ttened, and he sniffed again. Sasha watched him, a dozen different emotions chasing each other across her face. "Okay, how about this: You held hands with a guy yesterday and¡­" he sniffed up her arm to her shoulder. "He had his right arm around you, but only for a short time. And you were wet when he touched you."


    She blinked. "How¡­ how do you know that?"


    "Because your shoulder smells like rain and his scent is mingled with it, but I know it''s not on the other side because when I grabbed you earlier it was too faint."


    "You can smell him on me? And my food¡ªbut I showered!"


    Zev shrugged. "Life leaves traces, Sasha. And I''m good at finding them." He tried to crack a grin. But she was staring at him like she''d never seen him before.


    The car hit a rut in the road and he had to turn his attention back to the Jeep for a moment, but his heart was pounding harder and his ears buzzing. She wasn''t saying anything. And her scent was so tangled he couldn''t tell what she was feeling. It seemed like she was feeling everything at once, and that wasn''t possible.


    Was it?


    "Sash?" he asked quietly a few secondster, chickening out on looking at her again. "I''m not lying to you."


    "You can¡­ smell me?" she asked, her voice faint.


    He nodded grimly. "And hear you, and see better than you, and I''m stronger, and faster and harder to kill¡ª" he broke off when her throat closed convulsively. It was instinct to look at her, and his heart dove to his feet when he found her, pushed away from him into the door, her hair rippling around her wide eyes and open mouth in time with the weaving and bumping of the car.


    "Zev¡­ what are you?"


    He felt himself slump. "I told you, I''m a¡ª"


    "Stop with the government bullshit."


    "It''s not bullshit, Sash, they really¡ª"


    "I don''t care what they did. I know you. I knew you," she corrected herself, which hit him like an arrow in the chest. "You weren''t some robot. You weren''t an animal."


    "No, I''m not."


    "You''re real, and alive, and you used to love me." He snapped his head to look at her, but she rushed on before he said anything. "And you were gentle and¡­ and you didn''t try to kill people¡ª"


    "I would have if they''d tried to take you, even back then," he growled. "I wasn''t as experienced. And I was still learning my senses, but¡ª"


    "Stop it, just stop!" She had her hands up like she was going to push him away, her eyes down and shaking her head. "This is crazy. You can''t¡­ you shouldn''t¡­"


    "Sash, no offence, but we''ve barely gotten started. If you can''t handle this¡ª"


    "It''s not about handling anything, Zev!" she spat, her eyes sparking. "It''s about knowing what to believe. You were always different. I knew that. It''s more than half of what I loved about you¡ª"


    The past-tense she used wanted to slice him open from navel to throat, but he shoved it away. She didn''t know. She couldn''t know. When she did¡­ when she did, that would be the real test.


    "¡ªso, I always figured you had some story, but this? This sounds like you''re trying to give me a reason not to freak out about you following me like a stalker and almost killing someone! Two someones!" she shouted.


    He sighed. "Sash¡ª"


    "Stop calling me that! I only let people close to me call me that and you left!" she shrieked.


    Zev hit the brakes on the Jeep so they were both thrown forward in their seats. Then he pulled up the parking brake and unclicked his seatbelt.


    "What are you doing?" she breathed, her eyes truly frightened now.


    "Proving myself to you," he growled. "Get out."


    It was a loggers road, not designed forfortable travel. But enough of the trees had been cleared in this area that there was a thick grass verge on the sides, and some clear space around the road. The moonlight shone through the few trees that remained, turning everything silver. Even she would be able to see clearly here.


    He shoved out of his door and started around the car to open hers.


    She stared at him when he yanked the door open, but he didn''t touch her, just stepped back, pulling the door and opening a hand towards the grass. She was shaky and uncertain, but she rubbed her hands on the thighs of her jeans, then scrambled out, keeping as much space between them as she could.


    Once she was out and facing the grass, he closed the door and backed away so she''d rx a little. He hated seeing her look at him with so much fear. It mirrored his nightmares and made him afraid she''d always look that way when she saw him.


    As he backed off and she stopped pressing herself into the side of the car, he breathed a prayer to whoever was listening that this would work. That he wasn''t going to break her mind.


    "Are you ready?" he asked, suddenly realizing his hands were shaking. He was more scared than he''d ever been in his life. If she rejected him after this¡­


    "For what?"


    "I won''t hurt you."


    "You keep saying that."


    "Because I want you to know it''s true."


    Her expression was skeptical, but she shrugged. "Okay."


    Zev held her gaze and took a deep breath. "Just¡­ don''t run."


    She frowned. "From what?"


    "You''ll see."


    Then he started taking off his clothes.

 Chapter 25 - Smell So Good

    ~ SASHA ~


    It was official, she was cracking up. Literally losing her mind.


    When he said he wouldn''t hurt her, she wanted to believe him, but a little voice in the back of her head whispered something about men foaming at the mouth, and other men having their necks snapped.


    When he said don''t run, she thought he was going to show her something horrific.


    When he started unzipping the overalls he''d thrown on in the van, she just assumed he was going to run or¡­ do something and he didn''t want the clothing hindering him.


    That left him in the jeans and skin-tight ck shirt that hugged every curve and ripple of his torso that she tried desperately not to notice. He''d always had a great body, but thest few years had been good to him. He''d shifted from athletic to¡­ ripped.


    Then, after tossing the overalls onto the hood of the Jeep, he tugged the shirt out of his pants and reached back behind his neck and pulled that tight, long-sleeve shirt that hugged every muscle and join in his incredible body slowly forward so that it drew along his abs and thedder of muscle at his sides in just the same way her fingers would have if she were tracing them¡­


    Her mouth had gone dry and she''d closed it, trying to swallow, but her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth.


    Zev was clearly nning on getting sweaty. Which, without the gunshots and dead dudes was a move she would definitely have gotten behind. But now? As they fled apparently homicidal government scientists, or maybe just his crazy mind?


    The shirt followed the overalls up onto the hood of the car, then he turned and looked at her¡­ and started unbuttoning his jeans.


    "Zev, what¡ª" The words were thick on her dry tongue.


    He toed off his shoes and shucked off his jeans. By the time they had joined the other things on the hood, Sasha had covered her face with her hands, though the gaps between her fingers called to her squeezed-shut eyes.


    "You have to watch, Sasha. Otherwise you won''t believe me." His voice was low and breathy.


    Sasha swallowed and braced herself before dropping her hands to find him standing there in a snug pair of short-leg underwear.


    Was this some kind of strange ritual? Was he going to seduce her, then kill her when she wasn''t paying attention? Would he wait for her to start licking her way down his abs, then snap her neck before she got to his¡ª


    She turned her head away again and squeezed her eyes closed.


    "Sasha, look at me."


    "I can''t. I won''t let you trick me into licking you."


    "You¡­ what?"


    "You heard me."


    There was a long, pregnant moment when she didn''t look and he didn''t speak. Then he sighed.


    "I still love you, Sasha," he said in a low, simmering voice that walked the edge between promise and pain.


    Her jaw dropped. "What did you¡ª?" She turned in shock, opening her eyes to look at his face, to see if he''d really said that. And just as their eyes met those muscles at the back of his jaw twitched.


    "You heard me," he said.


    Then he disappeared.


    That was the only word she could useter to describe what happened to him, right in front of her eyes.


    The Zev she''d known since she was sixteen, the Zev who had been her first and only lover¡ªand who had reappeared tonight out of nowhere, only to get her almost killed, and definitely ssified as an essory to attempted murder¡ªdisappeared.


    His beautiful face, his hair, his huge, rippled body¡­ exploded. Except the only sound was tearing fabric.


    The moment was so unexpected, so shocking, she could only stare as the man she''d loved since she was a teenager disappeared. And in his ce was¡­ a wolf.


    A huge wolf.


    A wolf that at its shoulder, stood higher than her waist, and broader across than she was. A wolf that stared with eyes that fixed on her and seemed to glow near-white.


    In the moonlight his fur looked ck, but she wouldter remember the moonlight ying on the highs and lows in his coat, the lighter patches around his eyes and the line around his shoulders that framed his face.


    Later. Later she would remember that.


    When he first appeared all she could think of was that there was a psychotic murderer loose in the city who fed his victims to wild dogs.


    Or was it wolves?


    She screamed and the wolf startled, then¡­ then disappeared and suddenly Zev was there again, exceptpletely naked, rushing forward to p a hand over her mouth and pull her into his chest.


    She fought, screaming behind his hand, but he shushed her over and over.


    Please, Sasha, please. Don''t be scared. I would never hurt you. I promise. Please, you can''t scream in case they''re following us. Please¡­


    She struggled against his grip, but only able to breathe through her nose, she sucked in the scent of him over and over again. He was the mostforting smell in her memory, so her traitorous brain flooded her body with endorphins.


    In his arms was the safe ce.


    Against his chest was where she could rest.


    Under his hands was where she came alive.


    And he was so damned strong.


    She stopped screaming, frozen and shaking, her brain buzzing with too many thoughts, and none of them good.


    She was going to die. She was going to die at the hands of a beautiful angel, just one more statistic of a woman sucked in by a hot guy who turned out to be a psychopath.


    But if she was going to die anyway¡­


    She slumped against him. Zev immediately rxed the arm that had circled her to keep her pinned between him and the car.


    "Sasha," he whispered and slowly lifted his hand from her mouth, "Please don''t cry."


    "I don''t want to die," she sobbed, then inhaled through her nose. "And you smell amazing."


    He gave a low chuckle and it danced along her senses. She groaned, burying her face in her hands, and leaning into that hollow under his chin.


    "I''m so confused!" she wailed. "What is happening?"


    He took a deep breath and put his hands to her shoulders, then held her back and away, at arms length. "What is happening is that you now know my secret, and I''m going to protect you with my life. Please, Sasha, don''t cry. I love you. I''ve always loved you and I''m sick of fighting it. The day they came after you is the day I tell them to go fuck themselves. I''m getting you out of here.. I''m never going to let them have you."

 Chapter 26 - Patience

    ~ ZEV ~


    He''d gotten dressed and they were back in the car, rolling and rocking their way through the sanctuary.


    Sasha had been silent ever since he''d started the engine again, but she kept staring at him, then turning away when he tried to catch her eye. His tension rose a stair-step every time it happened because he was convinced his nightmares wereing true. She was going to run from him and then what would he do? He needed to protect her. But he''d always sworn he''d never force her.


    Then they took a turn in the road around a massive tree and on its other side the forest opened, the trees bing fewer and further between. More grass, wider sky¡­ and in the distance, the line of lights and rumbling that was the highway.


    They''d be there in twenty minutes and she still hadn''t spoken.


    Then she shook her head and dropped her chin with a littleugh.


    "What is it?" he asked quietly.


    "You''re a werewolf," she said, her voice tight with disbelief. "You just¡­ you''re telling me you''re a fucking werewolf?" She turned to stare at him frankly then, her beautiful eyes wide and pleading¡ªand angry.


    She was angry that he was a wolf?


    Zev held her gaze for several seconds, then turned back to the road. "Not that it matters, but¡­ no. If you''re going to throw me into a mythical category, it would be a Lycan. I can shift whenever I want, and the moon has no effect on me. But even that''s not right. I''m Chimera, Sasha. Half human. Half wolf. And¡­"


    "And what?" she snapped.


    "Why are you angry?" he asked, his voice deep and firmer than it should have been.


    "Because¡­ because I''ve been pining after you for five years, Zev. And I didn''t even know you."


    "Yes, you did," he snarled.


    "No, Zev. I didn''t. Unless this wolf thing is new, I didn''t know you at all."


    "You know me, Sasha," he said, surprised by how hot his anger red. "You know my heart. Who I am. That hasn''t changed."


    "Are you kidding me right now?" Her voice got high and frantic. "You''ve been following me around, stalking me, shape-shifting? I''m still half-certain this is a dream and I''m going to wake up andugh at how pathetic I am for conjuring this ridiculous story to give you an excuse for disappearing."


    "I didn''t disappear. I just¡­ I couldn''t have contact with you."


    "And that''s another thing," she said, turning in her seat, her eyes shing. "Why did you wait two years to tell me you weren''t dead? I grieved you, Zev! I thought you''d been hurt. I was so certain there was nothing that would have taken you away from me by choice that you must be dead!"


    He watched the grief and fear of the past cloud her gaze. Her lips tightened and she snapped her head away from him to hide the tears springing into her eyes.


    "There wasn''t anything that would have taken me by choice, Sasha," he said quietly. "That''s the thing. There was no choice."


    She scoffed. "I don''t see a leash on your neck."


    "You might not see it," he growled, "but trust me, it''s there."


    They were both quiet for another minute, then Sasha shook her head again. "I just don''t know what to think."


    "You should think that I never would have left unless I was certain that staying was going to hurt you more than me leaving," he said, his voice low and dark. "You should know that everything that happened between us was real. And you should be certain that you''re in danger right now, but I''m going to get you out of it. I''m taking you somewhere they can''t get to you. And once you''re safe¡­ we can figure the rest outter."


    "If they can bug my apartment and follow us, what''s going to stop theming to your hometown, Zev?" She turned when she spoke, then froze and her jaw went tight. "Unless that whole story was a lie, too? Where are you taking me?"


    "I wasn''t lying about where I grew up or what it was like," he said. "I just¡­ didn''t ever tell you where it was."


    She folded her arms and her jaw muscles flexed. "So?"


    "So, what?"


    "So, where is it?"


    "I can''t tell you, you haven''t been there before. I have to show you."


    Her face went t and she shook her head. "I''m not buying this, Zev, or whatever your name is. Stop the car."


    "What? No!"


    "Stop the car, I''m getting out. You can go run to your ce that I can''t know about. You can go flee your strange men in suits with guns. I''m done."


    "Sasha, please¡ª"


    "STOP THE FUCKING CAR!"


    Zev hit the brakes hard again, and the Jeep rocked back and forth. Sasha had grabbed the dashboard and the center console to keep herself upright, but when the car had stopped rolling and bobbing, she hurriedly unclipped her seatbelt and threw the door open.


    "Sasha, please," Zev said wearily.


    She didn''t even respond, just shoved herself out of the car and hit the ground outside running.


    "Fuck," he muttered to himself and started taking off his clothes again. "Fuck!"


    He couldn''t let her run loose out here. Even if he''d dodged the crew for now, they were definitely going to find them eventually and then she''d face men who wouldn''t look at her, didn''t care how she felt. Their only interest would be in getting information from her¡ªby whatever means necessary.


    Growling his frustration, he pushed out of the driver''s side and shoved off his jeans for the second time that night¡ªat least he didn''t have underwear to ruin this time¡ªand then he shifted and darted around the car after her.

 Chapter 27 - Getting The Hell Out Of Dodge

    ~ SASHA ~


    When she pushed out the car she hadn''t really thought about anything except getting away from Zev and the shuddering fear coursing through her¡ªnot because he was a wolf, but because everyone in her life had been right. She''d been blinded. He wasn''t who she thought he was. He hadn''t loved her the way she''d loved him.


    It was breaking her heart all over again and she was going to embarrass herself if she stayed in front of him. So she screamed at him to stop the car and she scrambled out of it.


    But as soon as her feet hit the wet grass outside she saw the distant line of moving lights and heard the rush of cars and she pushed into a sprint.


    The highway. People. Civilization.


    No one turning into wolves.


    She pushed so hard¡ªso much harder than any time she''d been exercising¡ªbecause she was driven by fear and anger and they were powerful motivators. Her breath was tearing in and out of her throat within seconds. Her vision began to blur, but she dashed the tears away and kept running, ignoring the pounding in her head and the sparkling at the edge of her vision.


    Zev wasn''t good. He wasn''t her lover. He was a psychopath and a¡­ a thing. A creature. And¡ª


    A dark shadow whipped past her on the grass, turning around in front of her to face her, his ears perked and tailshing.


    Sasha gasped and stumbled on a divot in the grass, pitching forward.


    She threw her arms out with a shriek, bracing for the pain of falling headlong into the hard ground, when suddenly her arms were full of warm, naked male, pushing up and keeping her on her feet. As they staggered together her head, still pounding with her pulse, echoed with his voice.


    Please, Sasha. Please don''t be scared. I would never hurt you. Please.


    The knot of fear and anger in her chest that had been quivering under ever-increasing tension, snapped when she smelled him again and her hands found his back.


    "Shhhhh, baby, don''t cry," he whispered, exactly the way he had before, and her heart and memories spun back through the years, to the days when she''d been in love and too young to know that life could never work out perfect. To the time in her life when his voice had been branded on her heart, and his touch lit up her soul.


    No matter how long it had been, no matter how he looked now or what he could do, something inside her recognized him and the simultaneous joy and fear of that broke out of her throat in a sob.


    She wanted to fight the way he embraced her, the tenderness with which he held her at the waist, and the soft brush of his jaw at her ear. She wanted to push away the dark strength of him that, even now, as she pressed into his chest and one of his hands fisted in her hair, felt like the only solid thing in this world, the only thing that soothed her fear.


    "This¡­ you''re impossible," she cried. "This can''t be!"


    "I''m sorry, Sasha, I know it''s a shock. But it''s real. I''m real. And I''m here. And I''m so, so sorry I left you alone. I was watching, I promise. I kept you safe."


    "You didn''t! You left! You were gone! You¡ª"


    "Sasha, look at me," he murmured, pulling back to cup her face and force her to raise her chin and meet his glowing gaze. Then he searched her eyes, back and forth. "I never left. I was just¡­ out of sight," he breathed. "I promise you. You''re the only precious thing to me in this world. I know it was hard, and I''m so sorry. If I''d known it woulde to this I wouldn''t have gone. But¡­ I never left you. Never."


    He took one of her hands then and ttened it against his chest, right over his heart. "Feel me, Sasha. This is real. I know it''s scary and overwhelming. But it''s real."


    Her hands were cold. When he put his palm over hers, pressing hers against his chest, the heat from his skinbined with the smell of him conspired to break her heart open.


    She swallowed hard and stared at his chest, at that point where they touched and shook her heart. "I''ve waited¡­ so long," she breathed.


    His thumb at her cheek pressed up on her jaw so she''d meet his eyes again.


    "Listen to me, Sasha: I''m real. I''m me. And I''m going to take care of you. You don''t need to be afraid, okay? Never. I''m here now. And I''m not leaving again."


    She dissolved into tears again, but buried her face in his chest, her heart singing because he was really there. And she wasn''t strong enough to keep pushing him away.


    He was all she''d ever wanted.


    "We are s-so royally f-fucked," she said against his skin, her teeth chattering.


    Zev''s chuckle rumbled in his chest under her ear and lit her heart on fire.

 Chapter 28 - Abandoned

    ~ ZEV ~


    He wasn''t sure how many minutes they lost to her flight, but he could only be grateful for it. She''d been fighting and now she''d given up.


    He hated that he''d made her cry. Hated the fear he could still smell on her. But he knew he was going to prove to her that she was safe with him. And that he''d do anything to keep her that way.


    There was an awkward moment when he''d bundled her into the Jeep, then opened the drivers side to get his clothes and dress again and she turned from the passenger seat to look at him.


    Her eyes went wide and her pupils dted as she dragged her gaze down from his face, to his chest and down lower¡­ In any other circumstances he would have lifted an eyebrow and taken his time dressing, to give her a show. But they had already lost precious minutes. He didn''t know how long it would be before Nick figured out that he''d stayed close and had agents on their trail. So he raced through getting himself dressed and into the driver''s seat.


    He''d left the Jeep running, so he threw it into gear and they chugged along the road again.


    They had to get out of here and to the Chimera. It was the only way.


    His stomach trilled at that thought, pushing away the whole other world of danger that would descend¡ªon him, not to Sasha¡ªby returning home. But he''d known it just like he''d known he had to get her out from under Nick''s nose.


    There was no more time. No more excuses. He had to go back and face his people.


    Plus, they were the only ones who could keep Sasha safe.


    There was no choice.


    Sasha sighed and he reached across the gap between them to take her hand, his own throat tightening when sheced her fingers through his and put her other hand over his.


    "This is surreal," she whispered, staring at their sped hands.


    "I know," he said, shaking his head. "But I''m not leaving again, Sasha. I mean it."


    "I believe you," she said simply. "I don''t really have a choice. I can''t¡­ I wanted to run away and not have to face that you might..." she trailed off, biting her lip.


    Sasha, I would never¡ª


    "You can''t say never, Zev. You''ve already done it. It''s not a never."


    He clenched his jaw, rage at Nick and the way his surrogate father had manipted him all those years ago rising to choke him.


    "I''ll prove it," he said tightly, through his teeth. "Just¡­ just be patient, Sash. I''ll prove it to you."


    She nodded, stroking the back of his hand, tracing the tendons there with a finger. "It''s okay, Zev, there''s no other choice for me. Whether you mean what you say or not¡­ I''m done. I''ve been waiting for you for five years. And now you''re here. I''m not going anywhere."


    He squeezed her hand, humbled. "Thank you."


    She shrugged. "I guess you better tell me the rest now, huh? So I know?"


    Zev blew out a breath. "I''m not sure, Sasha. I mean, you''ve been through so much tonight already¡ª"


    "Please, Zev. I¡­ I need to understand. This is all so crazy, give me something to focus on. Tell me what happened to you. You said they made you like this? And you can turn into that wolf whenever you want? And it makes you stronger and¡­ what? What are they doing to you? Tell me?"


    He sighed and nodded. "Okay," he said reluctantly. "But if you start feeling scared again, you tell me. Give me a chance to reassure you, okay?"


    "I promise," she whispered. He turned his head to look at her and she gave a watery smile.


    "You''re going to be okay, Sasha. I promise you that. There''s a lot of shit going down, but I''m going to get you through it, okay?"


    She nodded. So he started talking.


    He told her about growing up in the Chimera¡ªa near-primitive society that didn''t use technology, yet were highly intelligent. Stronger, faster, and with better senses than any human.


    He told her about being a teenage Chimera¡ªand how his handlers decided he needed to understand how better to rte to pure humans.


    "So¡­ the humans who made you are there?" she asked quietly.


    "They visit," Zev said through his teeth. "It''s kind of like¡­ a wildlife sanctuary. Let the natives live their natural life, you know? But then¡­ then theye in sometimes and¡­ interfere."


    "With you? Or with everyone?"


    "I was always different¡ªeven from the other Chimera," he said, half with pride, half with disgust. "I''m more human, if that makes sense? They always knew they wanted to use me here. So, when I was fourteen they decided to set me up in the city with fake parents¡ªa handler, and a psychologist¡ªso I could learn what the human life was like, and learn how to function normally. It was rough at first," he said, his mind trailing off into memories of the ways he''d frightened people¡ªgrowling when he was angry, always moving to physically dominate a person in conflict. There''d been a bully at his middle school that he''d almost blinded¡­


    "They had to cover for me a lot at first. But by the time I got to high school I was getting the hang of it," he said. "They talked about pulling me out for Senior year, but¡­ by then I''d met you," he said. "And I knew I couldn''t go. Not yet. No matter what they needed me to do."


    He turned and looked at her.. "Sasha, you''re the only reason I''m still alive today."

 Chapter 29 - Seems Unlikely

    ~ SASHA ~


    His hand tightened on hers and adrenalin shot from her heart through her whole body, her skin prickling at the point where they touched.


    "What are you talking about?"


    It was near-ck in the Jeep because Zev still hadn''t turned the headlights on. His skin looked gray and his eyes dark. But she could see the tension in him, the flex in his jaw and the glint of anger and fear in his eyes.


    "I was supposed to move to operations the year before. But I pushed back. Remember the summer between Junior and Senior year, how I was gone for almost a month?"


    She nodded. He''d left on vacation with his family and she''d been miserable. She''d almost slept with him the night before he left, but they''d only been together three months at that point and she was still scared. She''d chickened out. He''d been so good about it¡­


    "I convinced Nick that living a normal life for one more year would make me even more useful to them. It took weeks, but he finally gave in. That''s why I got toe back. I was supposed to go away on that "trip" and let you know while we were gone that we were moving there¡­ that was supposed to be the end for me. But I pushed, Sasha. Really hard. I couldn''t give you up."


    "Give me up for what, though?" she asked.


    "To be what I am now," he said slowly.


    "Which is what?"


    He sighed and it rolled in his chest like a growl. "A tool," he said quietly. "A weapon. A¡­ something unexpected that can be used to marginalize threats."


    She turned to look at him sharply. "What are you saying?"


    He rolled his shoulders. "I''m a spook, Sasha. A ghost. I don''t exist in the system. At least, not where anyone normal can find the records. Because no one is supposed to know that I exist. So¡­ I don''t."


    She frowned. His words echoed like they meant more than he was saying. She rubbed the back of his hand. "Exin. I don''t understand," she said.


    "If I died today, no one who knew would report it, and no one who didn''t know would ever find out," he said carefully. "That''s the way my life has to be. The only way I can do what I do is if no one knows I exist. I wasn''t supposed to tell you, Sasha. Wasn''t supposed to show you. But I promised you before I left, remember? I told you that I had to tell you something important?"


    She nodded, her stomach tingling, and not in the nice way, at the memory which had haunted her for years. "I thought¡­" she dropped her face into one hand and shook her head in embarrassment. "I thought you were going to propose," she admitted finally. "I was so in love I was just so blind."


    He squeezed her hand again, rubbing the back of her fingers with his thumb. "No, you weren''t. Not the way you think, Sasha. Everyone else was blind. You were the one who saw me clearly."


    She almost nodded, but something held her back. That was the way it had always felt for her. But she''d been told so many times that she was crazy¡­ and sitting here thinking Zev was capable of shape-shifting into a wolf didn''t help her shake that off.


    "Okay, so if I ept that I got to know the real you," she said carefully, "If I ept that the lies were¡­ necessary¡­ what then? What have you been doing, Zev? And why are you stopping now?"


    He took his hand off the wheel to rub his jaw. His face got really serious. Like the kind of serious Sasha got when she thought someone was hurt. The face that said once this was done, there was no going back.


    Sasha took a deep breath, bracing herself. No matter what, she was going to follow Zev to the end of this. Wherever that was. So did it really matter?


    She decided that it didn''t.


    "Just tell me," she whispered.


    Zev blew out a breath. "When I left you, I was taken back to the Chimera for two years," he said quietly, his thumb rubbing on her hand again, but without his awareness, she thought. "They wanted me to lead for a while. Get the others in line."


    "But you were so young!" Sasha said. "Why?"


    Zev huffed. "Because I''m a good dog," he said bitterly. "And they needed the others to toe the line better. Like me." He shook his head at himself. "But then Nick pulled the same shit there that he did when I left you¡ªconvincing me that things were different than they were. Making me think it was my responsibility to fix it. So I left them too. And it wasn''t until I got back to the city and saw that news story and realized you were still out there, convinced that I''d been murdered or whatever¡­ that was when I started seeing things more clearly. But I still¡­ I didn''t really get it. Not until recently.


    "Sasha, they had me convinced that I was necessary to them. That what I did saved lives. They had me certain that unless I followed orders, people would die¡ªincluding you!" he said with a quick look at her. "They were lying. Mostly."


    She was going to ask, but they were finally approaching the end of this track, where the dirt tire trails passed under a gate. Behind that was gravel, and not far beyond that, a road that linked to the highway.


    With a muttered curse, Zev stopped the car and got out to open the gate, then came back to pull the car through. The tires crunched on gravel and she thought he would speed up, but instead he pulled the Jeep over to the side where there was a grass verge. Then he turned it off and turned to look at her.


    "This is yourst chance," he said quietly. "Everything I''m about to tell you makes you a target. Being with me makes you a target. A target for people who kill without thinking, Sasha. It''s like¡­ another day at the office for them. You need to know that. If Nick gets his hands on you, you will not survive¡ªunless he''s damaged you sopletely that you could never betray their secrets. And that''s no life¡­" His lips twisted in fear and disgust. He put his free hand to her jaw and stroked her chin with his thumb. "There''s no going back after this," he murmured. "Are you sure you want to hear it?"


    Visions of men with guns, men suffocating, men fighting and hurting and bones snapping, swam before her eyes. But then Sasha blinked, and found Zev, his brow furrowed, his bright eyes fixed on hers¡­ fear in them.


    Not of those men, but of what she might say.


    The look in his eyes answered the call in her heart and she sagged.


    "I''m in, Zev," she said without another hesitation.. "Tell me."

 Chapter 30 - Matebond

    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev had thought about telling her countless times. nned it. And now the moment was here and he discovered he was nothing but a ball-less pussy.


    Sasha watched, confused, as he let go of her hand, turned the key so the car roared back to life, then put it in gear and they jerked forward, towards the road.


    He gripped the steering wheel so hard his forearms began to knot.


    "When I was born, our creators¡­ they celebrated," he said quietly.


    "Why?"


    "Because with me they achieved something they hadn''t before."


    She waited and he swallowed, praying she couldn''t tell that he was paling. He could feel his shoulders knotting because he was so afraid of how she would react.


    "Before me," he said carefully, keeping his voice low and deep, "the problem was always how to create more Chimera. By that time their goal was to use us to improve the human stock. Humanity was degenerating¡ªgetting worse, not better. They said we were designed to¡­ refresh the gene pool. Make everybody stronger, healthier. But when we couldn''t reproduce with each other it was too time-consuming and expensive to keep making us. They didn''t have all the technology back then, so everything was¡­ mechanical. It would take too long and there weren''t enough of us. They''d never change the world that way. But when they unlocked our ability to reproduce, there were other¡­ limitations."


    "What are those?"


    He gave a half grin because he knew she''d like this part. "The Chimera mate for life. Doesn''t matter which species, when they have sex, they form the matebond, and from that moment forward they''re devoted to each other. Which is great when both in a pair are healthy and¡­ alive. But about thirty years ago they discovered that if they split a pair, both became very unhealthy. And if they stayed apart, they would die. No matter what the reason, if one died, it was only a matter of time for their mate."


    She put a hand to her chest. "That''s so sad, but so beautiful."


    He nodded and took a deep breath. "They''d been trying to break that whole cycle because even apart from our work, Chimera live very full lives. Injuries and death are a natural consequence of being so¡­ physical. But they were losing Chimera at a rate faster than they could make them. So they kept making us and changing things. And then¡­ then I was made."


    Her brows pinched together a little. "And?"


    He swallowed. "And in me they finally seeded in building a Chimera that could mate¡ªcould have sex¡ªwithout forming the bond. So if my mate died, I wouldn''t. At least, that''s the theory," he added softly.


    "Okay," she said. "Why do you look so nervous about telling me that? I''m human. We can have sex with multiple people without bonding or dying, or whatever. I''m not going to judge you, Zev."


    "That''s good. I mean, thank you," he said, clenching and unclenching his hands on the wheel. "That''s not the part I was scared about though," he said.


    She swallowed and her fingers tensed on her thighs. "So¡­ what is it?"


    "I need you to understand, Sash, that I was young when all of this happened. Less experienced in life and still learning about the people who made me. I trusted them too much. But when they told me¡­ I believed them."


    "When they told you what?"


    "They told me that my purpose was to be a¡­ kind of like a King, I guess. A father to a nation, was the way they put it. It sounded really grand when I was fifteen, and even eighteen. Now¡­ now I just want tough. But back then¡­ it made me feel like I was important."


    "Okay."


    Zev took a deep breath. "They told me it was my job to build the Chimera race. They made me a stud."


    There was a hesitation, then Sasha snorted, grinning. "I mean, I know. But that''s hardly¡ª"


    "No, Sash, I mean¡­ they use me as a breeder."


    She stared for a long second then, just as he''d feared, she sat back, pulling away from him as much as she could in the small confines of the Jeep.


    She''d sped her hands in herp and was rubbing her thumbs together as she stared out the window of the car.


    "They took you away from me to¡­ breed?"


    Fuck he hated that little crack in her voice. "Yes," he said. "But it was never¡­ it wasn''t like with us, Sash. I mean that. Being with you¡­ that was something so unique for me. What you and I had wasn''t breeding at all. It was¡­"


    "Love," she whispered.


    He nodded and risked another look at her. She''d leaned her elbow on the ledge of the door, and her chin on her fist. She was frowning out into the night. As they approached the first street light that meant they''d be on the highway in a minute, the yellow light rolled over her face. She was so fucking beautiful it made him ache.


    "So, when you told me five years ago that you wanted to tell me something¡­ were you going to tell me about this?"


    "Sort of. I was going to show you my wolf. But¡­ I mean, I hadn''t started this stuff at that point. There were a few before you, I told you that. But they were just tests. It was when¡­ when you and I got close¡­ they got nervous. They thought I was forming the bond with you. The only reason they let it go on was because we weren''t sleeping together. That''s why I was so careful with you. They were afraid if we got any closer¡ªif we had sex¡ªthat I would bond with you and then I''d die if they took me away from you. So I promised I would never sleep with you. But it was so hard, Sasha, I loved you so much and¡­ And you surprised me that day. I didn''t know that''s what you had nned and I just¡­ I hoped¡­ I hoped I would bond with you, because then maybe they''d leave us alone! But we didn''t and¡­"


    Her hands clenched in herp. "Go on."


    She wasn''t looking at him. As Zev pulled into the on-ramp for the highway he almost reached for her hand again, but he was afraid she''d deny him like she had earlier, and he wasn''t sure he could take it.. But he took a deep breath and plowed on.

 Chapter 31 - Irrevocable

    ~ ZEV ~


    "That day I left you," Zev said quietly as he smoothly elerated the Jeep onto the highway, "Nick showed up. You have to understand, Nick never showed up when I was in the world. We''d talk on the phone and stuff, but he wasn''t part of the fake family they gave me. They didn''t want anyone making the connection with the program, and Nick''s at the center of that. So when I walked into the house after school and he was in the living room¡­ I knew."


    "Knew what?"


    "I knew that they knew we''d had sex. And they knew I was bonding to you."


    Her head whipped around and her eyes widened. "But you just said¡ª"


    "I didn''t bond the way the older Chimera bond, Sasha. I didn''t have this lightening bolt that fused my soul to yours. For me it was quiet. It''s just¡­ you''re a part of me. I could feel it happening, though I didn''t recognize it at the time because the older Chimera had described the bond and what I was experiencing was different. I kept telling myself it wasn''t the same so it wasn''t a problem but¡­ But they knew. Somehow they knew. Nick was there to take me away.


    "At first I fought it. But then he started talking. He was being really kind. He told me they realized how much I cared about you and he made it sound like he admired that. He was so maniptive. I thought he was giving me hope! I started talking about how amazing you were and¡­ but as soon as I started being open about that, it all fell apart."


    Zev got lost in the memory of that day, the darkness that covered him from that moment on.


    He was standing in the living room of the house they''d used while he was at school, his "parents" where nowhere to be seen, but Nick had been waiting for him when he walked in. Now he sat in the recliner while Zev stood on the carpet in front of him, his school bag still over one shoulder, shaking his head. He wasn''t leaving her.


    "You promised, Zev," Nick said¡ªand it cut Zev down the middle because Nick looked like he''d been betrayed. "You promised me that you wouldn''t go this far with her and now we''re in the shit."


    "I didn''t bond¡ª"


    "Well you did something. What it is doesn''t matter. They don''t know yet, but unless youe with me now, and they see you back in the program, they''re going to figure it out. You''re changing, Zev. This is changing you and we don''t know how it''s going to end. You put all of us, this entire program, in jeopardy you little shit."


    Zev swallowed convulsively. Nick hardly ever got angry with him¡­ "I didn''t mean to, I wasn''t prepared, she surprised me."


    Nick sighed and pinched his nose between his fingers. "And now here we are. I told you, Zev. I told you¡ª"


    "But we didn''t bond! Everything is fine!"


    Nick pushed up out of his chair and stood toe-to-toe with Zev. Zev had several inches of height on him, but in Chimera, dominance was King. Zev might own the Chimera. But Nick was the closest thing Zev had to a father. And this father owned the world.


    Nick leaned into him, one finger pointed at his chest, Zev began to shake.


    "Nothing is fine. Nothing. We''re just lucky that no one else has figured out how you fucked up yet. Only me."


    "But¡ª"


    "The females are dying, Zev. You broke them."


    "I¡­ what?"


    "You think we haven''t kept the test females? We have them. All of them. They aren''t like you, Zev. They bond. And every single one of them thinks you''re their mate. They''ve been struggling anyway, but now¡­ ever since four days ago, they''re starting to die. You might not think you''re bonded, but something changed. And they know it. They''ve lost hope."


    "Why would you do that to them?! Why didn''t you tell me?!"


    "Because you''re too fucking softhearted, Zev. And it was the only way we could find out."


    "But¡ª"


    "What''s past is past, Zev. You know that. There''s no way to change the past. We can only affect the future. So you have two choices, you can leave with me ande back¡ªyou''ll get to go home, we have a purpose for you in the valley. They''ll stop watching you so closely if they know you''re in our hands and not with her."


    "Can shee too?"


    "Are you fucking kidding me right now?" Nick snapped. "She''s the fucking problem!"


    "But she''s my¡ª"


    He almost said it, but broke off and Nick''s eyes went wide for a sh, then narrowed menacingly and his voice went cold. Zev quavered. Nick was the only person in the world who could make Zev feel like a puppy that was going to piss itself.


    "I changed my mind," Nick growled.


    "About what?"


    "There''s no choices. You''reing with me, right now."


    "No."


    Nick gave a cold chuckle and grabbed the front of Zev''s shirt. "You''reing with me, your precious little girlfriend is going to die. Or maybe I kill her parents first just so you can see how miserable she is, then I kill her."


    "You wouldn''t¡ª"


    "Try me."


    "But you said we had to be under the radar here!"


    "Did you see the van in the driveaway, Zev?"


    He had. It was the first clue that something was going on, but he''d hoped¡­ "Yeah."


    "If you want, I''ll take you out there and show you the sniper that lives across the road from her house and has a bead on her every time she walks out the door."


    Zev froze. "You can''t¡­ you can''t do that. The neighbors¡ª"


    Nick shook his head. "Or I can show you the trash collector that drives the truck and is one of ours. He passes her on her way to school every Friday. Terrible ident if he were to side-swipe that little car she drives¡­ such a tragedy."


    Zev licked his lips. "Nick¡­ please¡ª"


    "I can show you the ID on the teacher at school that is in my pocket and who''s just looking for an excuse to take one of the girls¡ªSasha''s plenty pretty enough for him, and he enjoys his work. Takes it nice and slow. I''m sure Sasha wouldn''t though¡ª"


    The image of Sasha in another man''s hands¡ªa predator¡ªwas what broke him.. He shoved Nick back with a snarl, his lip curling back from his teeth.

 Chapter 32 - Known

    ~ ZEV ~


    Nick was a fifth level ck belt in Karate. Faster than lightning, he grabbed for Zev''s arm and almost caught him.


    Almost.


    It was an eye-opening moment for Zev, who though he had been stronger than the thirty-something Nick since he was fifteen, had never been as fast. But they hadn''t sparred in almost a year, and suddenly, Zev discovered, he was keeping up.


    Nick''s eyes narrowed as he tried to reach Zev with blows, thrusts, and kicks, yet never quite made it. Instead, the quiet room filled with the echo of thwacks and grunts as Nick tried to over power him, and Zev defended every blow so the older man never got a firm hold on him.


    But all the while, in Zev''s mind, the images of Sasha walking out of her front door and falling to a bullet, being mmed into the windshield of her car, or screaming under the hands of a monster, flipped through his head in slow motion. And as he kept his surrogate father''s hands from reaching him, he knew it didn''t matter whether he could win this fight or not.


    Nick could kill her with one phone call. Had probably already made arrangements for her to die if Nick didn''t check in within a certain period.


    It was the kind of thing Zev had seen him do to others.


    That was the day everything changed for Zev¡ªor started to, anyway.


    As he blinked away the memory, he realized he must have been describing the scene to Sasha. She was still turned in her seat, but one of her hands was on his upper arm, and her face was lined with sorrow and fear.


    "Surely it was just a threat? He wouldn''t really have¡ª"


    "I tried to tell myself thatter," Zev said quietly, shaking his head. "But I was lying to myself to keep myself from losing my mind. Nick is my dad, Sash. I mean, as far as something like me can have one, he''s what I''ve got. And he¡­ he would have killed you in a heartbeat. He still will. Why do you think I''ve dragged you out here?"


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha yanked back the hand she''d on his arm¡ªhis steely, warm arm¡ªand pped it to her mouth, the pictures of those men chasing them, the bullet that splintered the railing in the old apartment stairwell, the guy who stopped them in the parking lot, that man¡ªthat thing¡ªthat attacked him when they got to the car.


    She knew her eyes were too wide. That she was showing her fear¡ªand she saw Zev''s throat bob. But she couldn''t move. She couldn''t say anything.


    They really would have killed her. She''d known they needed to escape, had instinctively felt the danger, but¡­ but she''d been separate from it somehow while it was happening.


    Now¡­ now, that she could think and breathe and look at Zev''s face¡­ now it hit her.


    She almost died. And Zev had saved her.


    Of course, it sounded like he was the only reason they wanted her dead, too.


    Zev kept his focus on the road ahead, the headlights making cones on the ck road and catching the reflectors on the barrier between the north and southboundnes. But his eyes slipped to her face every few seconds, checking in, just like he used to, measuring her to see if she was okay, ready to put himself between her and whatever might harm her.


    That was it, right? He wanted to help her. He was watching her to see if he needed to reach out. Not¡­ not because he was going to hurt her if she did the wrong thing?


    "What''s that, what are you thinking?" he asked suddenly, the frown lines beside his mouth deepening.


    "I¡­ what?"


    "Your scent¡­ something just changed. Something that made you fearful and¡­ what? I can''t figure it out. What were you thinking?"


    Sasha blew out a breath and shook her head. "This is crazy. This is all crazy. You''re scenting my feelings now?"


    "I''ve always been able to scent your feelings, Sash, remember? Remember how you used to say I always knew just when to hug you, and when you leave you alone? It''s because I could always tell what was happening¡ªat least, some. I just didn''t tell you that''s how I did it."


    The emotions that rose in her then were so wildly conflicting, she felt like she was being torn in half.


    It seemed like everything he said took her memories, the best memories of her life, and changed the colors and textures of them.


    He loved her. He''d said that¡ªhe still loved her. And he''d been forced away from her. If she''d heard that days earlier she would have wept with joy.


    But this¡­ every word out of his mouth told her that he wasn''t who she''d thought he was. And how did she know if she loved him if he wasn''t who she thought she loved?


    "I''m so confused," she murmured, dropping her face into her hand and rubbing her eyes. "I don''t know what to think about that."


    "All you need to think is that I cared enough to pay attention, that''s all."


    Sasha groaned and dropped her head back against the seat.


    She turned to tell him what a ridiculous statement that was just as lights in the opposing traffic yed across his face and her heart fluttered.


    His forehead was lined with worry, his eyes, deep set and glinting, shone with determination as he scanned the mirrors. His jaw, heavier than it was five years ago and shadowed thiste in the day twitched as he clenched his teeth.


    She scanned down the long cord of his neck that disappeared into his tight shirt, the way his shoulders and biceps rolled under the clinging fabric, and how the tendons on the back of his hands stood proud because he was gripping and regripping the steering wheel, the only gesture that truly betrayed his tension.


    She''d given up. She''d gotten in a Jeep with this man that she didn''t know anymore. But everything within her sang just to be in his presence. Yet, every word out of his mouth made her doubt that.


    "You know me, Sash," he said and his voice was so much lower than it had been a few years ago. She shivered. "Don''t doubt it."


    "I know nothing," she said, shaking her head. "None of this. I didn''t even know this part of my world existed¡­ let alone you."


    He turned then, jaw tight, and their eyes locked. "You know me," he repeated, emphasizing thest word.. "The rest doesn''t matter when that''s true."

 Chapter 33 - Can鈥檛 Be That Simple

    ~ SASHA ~


    She opened her mouth to say it wasn''t that simple. But his voice broke in first.


    You can trust me, Sash. You know you can.


    Except¡­ his lips didn''t move. She blinked. Then blinked again.


    "What the¡ªhow did you do that?" she breathed.


    He held her eyes and she knew she should be worried about keeping the car on the road, but she couldn''t take her eyes off of him.


    "It''s because of the wolf. I told you, we have some¡­ characteristics they do. I can talk to your mind. If I want to. If you wanted to, you could talk back, because we''re bonded."


    "I¡­ what?!"


    Zev blew out a breath and tore his eyes away to check the mirrors, then came back to her, his eyes dark in the dim light, but soft on her. "Wolves can talk to each other telepathically. They do it with images, but because I''m human I can also do it with words."


    She stared, her mouth open. She needed to speak. To react. To tell him this was crazy. But he snorted like he''d heard the thought and his voice bloomed in her head again.


    You know you''re beautiful even when you look at me like I''m nuts.


    An image shed in her head¡ªherself, staring like a crazy person. Gaping at him. But it wasn''t just the image. It was¡­ his feelings. Her lower lip was full and inviting¡­ her eyes, the fear in them, made him sad. Her breasts had filled out since¡ª


    "That''s enough!" she snapped, jerking back like she''d been pped, her cheeks heating.


    Zev grinned just like he used to in high school when he knew he was being cute and it yed her, a crackle of electricity right to her heart¡ªand lower in her belly.


    She sat back in her seat, emotions rolling over each other as she tried to take this all in.


    Somehow, impossibly, she still felt safe with him even though every stinking thing that came out of his mouth told her that she shouldn''t. She still wanted him¡ªhell, she still loved him! And he was here and saying all the right things about her. And if those feelings were real, the things he''d felt when he looked at her¡­


    It was her dreame true.


    But then her brain kicked in and she imagined talking about this with Rob over coffee in the morning.


    "Yeah, he abducted me from the street, forced me back to my apartment to pack a bag, treated me like shit, then forced me into a car he''d hidden out in the woods¡­ oh, and did I mention he can turn into a wolf and talk to me in my head?"


    She felt that hystericalughter bubbling up again and swallowed it down. She wasn''t cracking up. She was under stress. And she needed to make a decision.


    Except¡­ hadn''t she already made it back then? Running from him in the car and when he headed her off¡­


    If she''d needed anymore proof that she was, in fact, still in love with the Zev she knew five years ago, the fact that she''d just walked through a horror movie and was still thinking about kissing him had to be it.


    Then the thought of him breeding with other women mmed into her head and stopped her breath.


    Her Zev. Her sweet, thoughtful, hot-asva Zev had had his hands all over other women.


    Wait¡­


    A breeder.


    Did that mean¡­?


    "How many?" she croaked, staring at the dashboard because she knew if she looked at him she''d just melt again and let herself forget about all this.


    "How many what?"


    "How many women have you¡­ bred with?"


    He took a deep breath and she braced herself. "There were five before you," he said quietly. "The tests. They''re all dead now." The grief in his voice was a spear to her gut.


    "And after you left me?"


    She felt him flinch at the words, but refused to apologize. It was only the truth.


    "I don''t know," he said. "A lot. None the first couple of years. But once they brought me out of the Chimera and back here¡­ a lot. A few a month."


    "A few¡­ every month?!"


    "It depends on whether there''s a hunt and what''s going on in the research and¡­ but yes¡­" She did turn to look at him then because he wasn''t looking at her. Those little muscles at the back of his jaw flexed and his hands opened on the steering wheel again. "They meant nothing to me, Sash," he said softly. "It was literally¡­ But I was always in the wolf."


    "Wait, WHAT?!"


    His Adam''s apple bobbed. "When Chimera mate, it''s usually more sessful if they''re in animal form. And on a practical level it''s easier. My wolf can scent when she''s¡ª"


    "Stop! No! I don''t want to hear this. I can''t¡­ I don''t want to¡­ I can''t, Zev. I just¡­ I can''t think about that."


    He lifted a hand off the wheel to w it through his hair. "Please, Sasha," he said, and there was a soft pleading to his tone that made her eyes close. "Please, forgive me. I thought¡­ I never thought I''d get you back. I thought¡­ I thought it was what I was made to do."


    "That''s why this is such a problem, Zev," she said, her voice too high. "Because until just now I would have sworn I was made to love you. I was so certain¡­ I couldn''t even think about sleeping with anyone else. Everyone called me crazy. They said I was obsessed, that I''d built you up in my mind. That no one was that perfect. And I tried to tell them¡­ but they were right. Right?" She swallowed hard.


    A tiny noise broke in his throat and every muscle in his body seemed to tighten.


    "Sash¡­ please¡­"


    She shook her head, her heart torn in half between wanting to hold him and wanting to hurt him. But then his hand appeared over hers and their fingers twined, and the smell of him wafted over her.


    Sasha closed her eyes and let her head sink back against the headrest, and clung to hisrge, thick hand, so warm when hers were so cold.

 Chapter 34 - Needy

    ~ ZEV ~


    Neither of them spoke.


    Zev could feel her tension, the argument she was having with herself. How she swung back and forth between wanting to pull him closer and wanting to push him away. But he knew she had needed to know. That this wouldy between them. And if she''d taken him back and then found out¡­


    Sex had always been important to her¡ªand it was to the Chimera too, so when they were growing up he''d understood, perhaps better than her fully human friends. After all, historically any Chimera that had sex was bonded for life. Being careful about that choice was important. And the culture within his people hadn''t changed. Most of the Chimera still lived with that "w" as Nick called it.


    But looking at the pain on Sasha''s face at the idea of him with those other females, Zev was starting to think maybe the Chimera had it right.


    He clung to her hand, willing her to decide to forgive him. To take him. To see that his love for her was real.


    When twenty minutes passed and she still didn''t speak, and didn''t look at him¡ªbut also didn''t let go of his hand, he cleared his throat.


    "Sasha," he murmured, "I didn''t want t¡ª"


    "Don''t."


    He gave a heavy sigh. "You have to understand, I was literally made for this. There''s nothing in it¡ª"


    "I said, don''t, Zev. I can''t¡­ I don''t want to think about what you''ve done or with who, or why. What I have to figure out is what you are now. Who you are to me. And what we''ll be together."


    He blew out a breath. "That''s easy," he said quietly.


    She did look at him then, her brows pinched together. "How can you say that?"


    "Because, you belong to me. And I belong to you, Sash. Can''t you see. Can''t you feel it? No one has ever made me feel the way you do. No one. Not even fear. I just¡­ I walk through most of my day numb, do you understand? I do crazy shit with crazy people and I just¡­ do it.


    "I mean, there''s a weird thrill sometimes when you get the guy, or when something was hard and you got through it. But other than that¡­ I''ve been dead inside since I left you. Except when I could see you. Being anywhere near you, hearing your voice, it was like a drug for me. Do you understand that, Sash?"


    "God help me," she whispered. "I do. Everyone thought I was crazy, Zev. But it was like I could feel that you were still out there and all I had to do was wait. But no one believed me."


    "I''m sorry," he said quickly, willing her to look at him, to see his love in his eyes.


    She shook her head. "Even I was giving up thest few months," she said softly, looking down where their hands were sped so tightly. "I was starting to believe them all. I thought I needed to find someone to rece the space you''d made in my heart¡­"


    Zev knew. He wanted to growl. "That guy, what was his name¡­ Knox?"


    She turned and stared at him. "You do realize that telling me things like that just makes you more and more of a creeper that I should run away from, screaming?"


    "I wasn''t following you, Sasha¡­ I mean, not very often, at least."


    She raised one eyebrow. "You knew Rob''s name. You know Knox."


    Zev growled without thinking¡ªthat Knox guy always made him feel furious. "That dickhead was a yer. I couldn''t believe you didn''t see through him."


    "I did¡­ it just took some time."


    Zev shifted in his seat. He was asking her to forgive him for mating with dozens of women. He could forgive her one boyfriend who was a douche. But fuck¡­ that guy was such a tool!


    "He didn''t seem like your type, what drew you to him?" he asked, finally, the question that had been burning for him since the day he''d learned she went on a date with the guy.


    Sasha, oddly,ughed¡­ a wearyugh.


    "The truth?" she asked quietly.


    "Of course."


    "The first time I saw him, I thought he was you," she said, shaking her head. "We were at a bar and I caught sight of him out of the corner of my eye and my whole body lit up, Zev. You said being near me was like a drug for you? I get that. I mean¡­ sometimes I would just stare at him, trying to get that feeling back."


    Zev started to smile, then it turned into a deep frown. She''d been looking for him. That was awesome. And also terrifying.


    "He''s nothing like me," he said emphatically.


    She shrugged. "I could ignore that for a while. I was supposed to be getting over you. It seemed like a good middle step. Of course, I hadn''t seen you in five years. He''s more like the Zev of five years ago. Now you''re¡­ this," she said dryly, pping a hand to indicate him from his knees to his head.


    "What is this?" he asked, trying not to smile.


    "Please, don''t y games with me, Zev."


    "I''m not!"


    She turned and looked at him finally and he met her gaze. "You are. Stop. I''m trying, okay? I''m here. I haven''t lost my mind¡ªor at least, if I have, I can still string a logical thought together. Just¡­ let a girl have some pride."


    "Pride about what?"


    "About being needy."


    "Needy? Are you serious? I turned into a wolf in front of you and you fought me. You''re many things, Sash, but needy isn''t one of them."


    "Then don''t make me talk about how much hotter you are than me, because I''m still¡­ing to terms with that."


    "Hotter?" he said, frowning. "Sasha, there''s no ''hotter'' between you and me. We''re perfect for each other. I don''t know how it happened. I don''t even know how it''s possible since I''m¡­ this thing, and you''re a real person. But I''m not going to deny the pure truth: We were made for each other. In my case, literally. So¡­ so do what you need to do. I''m asking you to forgive me for giving up and giving in. But don''t ever doubt for a day that if you''ll have me, I''ll never turn away from you again.. Ever."

 Chapter 35 - Getting Priorities Straight

    ~ SASHA ~


    She wanted to argue literally everything he''d said, but one of those statements demanded to be addressed. "Zev, what do you mean you''re a "thing" and I''m a real person?"


    His lips thinned, but he didn''t let go of her hand. "I just meant¡­ I mean, I''m a creature, Sasha, you get that, right? I wasn''t born. I was made. Created by people. Real people. No one really knows what I am. They call us Chimera because they don''t really understand how we work or where we came from. You''re human. You were made when two other humans reproduced. I was made in ab. I was cultivated by a machine. It''s an existential mind-fuck," he muttered.


    She frowned. In many ways she found this thought far more disturbing than anything else he''d said so far that night.


    "You''re human though, too, right? I mean, your human genes must havee from somewhere?"


    "Sure. But knowing what I do about these people now, I''m guessing whoever my mother or father was, they either don''t even know I exist, or they were forced to give their DNA. Either way, there''s no family reunions in my future. I wasn''t adopted out, if you know what I mean. God doesn''t listen when I talk, Sash. No matter what happens¡­ remember that."


    Her head jerked back and she stared at him, and the weight that had suddenly appeared to rest on his shoulders. "What are you talking about? God hears everyone."


    Zev shook his head. "God hears people, Sash. Like you. You have a soul, so He hears you. Me? Soulless. I''m a¡­ a piece of engineering. When I die¡­ either there''s nothing left, or I''m headed for hell. I guess I''ll find out when the dayes."


    "Zev! Stop saying that!" she gasped, sping his forearm in her free hand.


    "I''m not trying to dramatic, Sasha, I''ve read the histories. Trust me, I didn''te from anywhere good."


    "But¡­ but you ARE good!"


    "No, I''m good AT stuff¡ªwhich is different."


    She stared at him and he stared back, unapologetic¡ªbut she could see the shadow behind his eyes, too. He really believed what he was saying¡ªand he didn''t like it.


    "Zev," she started.


    He shook his head. "We don''t have time for this kind of debate right now, Sash. When we get you safe then we can talk about this for weeks if you want. But right now¡ª"


    "See! See, that''s exactly what I mean. How can you say this about yourself? You say that I know you¡ªthe real you? You were being real with me five years ago? And you say you haven''t changed?"


    He grunted. "I''ve grown up, just like you have, Sash. But who I am hasn''t changed."


    "Okay then, that means you''re good. You care. You''re thoughtful and sweet and you have a¡­ a moralpass. You aren''t just some mindless creature."


    His lips twisted. "I never said mindless. I said soulless."


    "Zev!"


    "Look, Sash, thank you. I appreciate you trying to help me right now, but I''m not joking. We don''t have time. Wait until we get out from under Nick and get you into safety, okay? Then I''ll debate this with you until the moon rises."


    She sat back, feeling shaky and sulky and too many other things to sort out. But she knew he was right. This wasn''t the time. She just¡­ she hated thinking that he thought of himself that way.


    "Fine, but this conversation isn''t over," she said quickly.


    "Sure," he said dismissively. "Now¡­ we''re about thirty minutes away from the ce we need to start travelling, and I need to talk to you about how we''re going to do that and what''s going to happen tonight to get you to safety."


    "Okay."


    "The thing is, Sash, you have to be sure. That you want to give this a shot with me, I mean. The ce I''m taking you, it''s not easy to get in and out¡ªthat''s why it''s not easy for Nick to find you there. There''s a whole town of people, but it''s really remote. Really. There''s no cars, and you wouldn''t be able to walk out. Not easily, anyway. And not without help. This ce¡­ it''s beautiful and I always wanted to show it to you. But it''s not an easy ce to live. You won''t have a lot of theforts you''re used to. But what you will have is safety. If we''re there¡­ we can pretty much live in peace."


    "This Nick guy won''te after you?"


    "Oh, he''ll try. But he won''t be able to get there alone and if he gets help he has to tell them that he fucked up and lost me. Which he won''t do. But the thing is¡­ to keep you really safe¡ªand to keep the people there safe¡ªyou can''t know how to get there. I have to¡­ I''d have to blindfold you and¡­ and maybe make you sleep through part of the journey."


    "What, why?"


    "Because¡­ if Nick or anyone close to him ever does catch up with us¡ªor if you ever decide toe back here¡ªyou have to be able to say you truly don''t know how to get there. They''ll know if you''re lying. You can''t. You just can''t know. And¡­ it''splicated.


    "Look, the important part is this: If you''re sure. If you''ll let me take you there, then I''ll take care of everything. You can have a rest and I''ll carry you and we''ll get there, and you''ll wake up and we can¡­ we can start a new life."


    His voice got lower, softer as he said those words and her breath stopped.


    "Are you¡­ I mean¡­" She licked her lips. "If I go¡­ you''ll be there too, right?"


    "Of course," he said. "As long as it''s in my power, I''m never leaving you alone again, Sasha. They''ll have to kill me first." He stared at her, his eyes hard and determined and her heart fluttered.


    Fuck, this was crazy. But whatever had broken loose inside her when he showed up had been waiting for this for five years. "Then, I already told you," she said softly, squeezing his hands.. "I''m in."

 Chapter 36 - Dream A Dream Of You

    ~ SASHA ~


    Before the thirty minutes had passed she was already nodding off.


    Zev had gotten quieter and more tense the further they''d driven, until eventually he was just holding her hand and not talking at all.


    All the adrenalin and fear of the night wore off suddenly in the lull of passing headlights and reflectors, until Sasha found herself working hard to keep her eyes open¡­ then drifting¡­ conscious of Zev moving his hand to her thigh. Aware at some point that she''d slumped sideways and was resting her temple against something warm and hard. But then¡­ nothing.


    In the dream she was in a castle in a snowy mountain range that smelled like Zev¡ªwet earth and sunny skies. She wore a gorgeous ballgown that pressed her breasts higher, but left her arms bare. And she was alone.


    She frowned.


    In front of her was a thin table that stood at waist height. At the center of it a clear, ss, teardrop shaped vase stood with a single red rose standing at attention from its depths. A stiff white card was leaned against it with her name written on it. She picked it up and turned it over, but it only read, "Sorry." Nothing else. No name. No exnation.


    She frowned harder and picked up the rose, but she hadn''t noticed the thorns on the stem and it pricked her.


    She startled and dropped it, identally knocking over the vase¡ªsighing with relief when there was no water inside to spill.


    Then the most perfect warmth curled around her back and thick, strong arms reached past her and a caramel voice whispered in her ear, "Do you mind?"


    She could hear the smile in his voice.


    "Sure," she said, smiling back as he reached for the vase and set it safely on its base again, returning the rose to it. But he didn''t remove his arms immediately. For a moment he just stood there, embracing her with his body.


    Then she let her hands¡ªeven the bleeding one¡ªrest on the insides of his elbows, then slide down his forearms, the crisp hair tickling her palms until she reached the back of his thick hands and slide her fingers between his. He curled his fingers to grip hers, then pulled both their hands up to her stomach¡ªhis arms around hers.


    He dropped his chin to her shoulder and kissed her neck at that spot, just under her ear, that always gave her goosebumps.


    Her breath sped up.


    "Are you sure you''re ready?" he asked her softly, his voice a deep rumble that vibrated against her back.


    "I''m so sure, Zev," she said, inhaling deeply, uncertain if the delicious scent was him or the castle, or the mountains outside.


    He turned her in his arms then, until her chest pressed against his ribs. She slid her arms around his trim waist and he cupped her face with both hands, searching her eyes, his own shining with both love and fear.


    "Don''t be afraid," she whispered. "I''m not. This is you and me. We''re perfect," she said, praying she could reassure him.


    He didn''t respond, but his eyes dropped to her lips. Then he leaned down, covering her, putting himself between her and the world, until his lips, soft and full, brushed hers. She sucked in a breath and pressed herself into his chest as he curled over her, opened his mouth, and their tongues began to dance¡ªso lightly, darting and falling away¡ªthat her skin tingled, all her blood rushing forward to flush and warm, seeking his touch.


    He sighed her name and one of his hands slid down her hair to the hollow of her back, pulling her against him, the other fisted in her hair. His breath thundered against her cheek.


    Sasha trembled. She''d waited for this for so long. Yearned for it. Never quite felt right after he''d been gone¡ªand never quite wanted this with anyone else.


    The kiss deepened, and so did her breathing. Her heart pounding so hard she was afraid he''d feel it in his ribs.


    Then he started walking her forward, pulling her with him as he backed towards the huge bed she hadn''t noticed when she was standing there, staring at the rose.


    Her breath came even faster. Goosebumps prickled her skin as his fingers curled into her back, fisting her jacket¡ªwait. Jacket? She was in a ballgown.


    "Sasha¡­"


    She deepened the kiss, tilting her head, a tiny whimper breaking in her throat.


    Zev groaned and it vibrated against her breasts, making her nipples stand up hard. She clung to his shoulders, one hand buried in his hair, pulling him towards her.


    "Sasha¡­ please¡­"


    "Yes," she whispered back, pulling back far enough to meet his eyes so he''d see that she was sure. That she was serious. That she needed him.


    But when she opened her eyes, the room was ck. She couldn''t see the warm light from themp in the corner anymore, or the fluffy cover on the bed. She couldn''t even see Zev.


    She could only feel him.


    The first tendril of fear began to twist in her chest.


    "Zev?"


    "It''s okay, it''s okay. I''m here. I''ve got you."


    "Zev, I can''t see you."


    "It''s okay, baby. I''ve got you. I''m here. Just rx."


    Then suddenly his warmth was gone and she was hit with the shock of cold. She sat bolt upright, gasping and blinking, the hand she threw to her chest making whirring noises against the canvas of her snow jacket where her gloved fingers rubbed it.


    Wait¡­ jacket?


    "Thank God you''re okay, Sasha," he said, his voice tense and breathless. "Thank God."


    She blinked again and the first thing that came into focus was Zev''s eyes. He was crouched in front of her, his shoulders wide and rigid, his eyes fixed on hers bright in the warm light of¡­ of¡­


    She blinked again and looked around, and her mouth dropped open.


    "Zev," she whispered. "Where the hell are we?"

 Chapter 37 - Home - Part 1

    ~ Zev ~


    Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, he prayed, his pounding heart fluttering and rolling over with relief.


    Sasha sat in front of him, one cheek red where it had rested on her arm, strands of hair falling over her forehead and cheeks and waving in the breeze of her too-fast breath.


    Thank God.


    When she hadn''t woken up hours ago he''d worried that he had overdosed her.


    When she hadn''t woken up an hour ago¡ªand still hadn''t moved¡ªhe''d worried that he''d killed her.


    "Zev?" she said, her voice too high as she looked around the cave, it''s walls a deep, worn gray and bare here, deep within it. Though vines crept around the walls and ceiling closer to the opening.


    He put a hand to neck and made her focus on him. "I''m right here. You''re fine. Look at me, Sash, you''re fine. Okay? You''ve been asleep for a while, that''s all. Just let yourself wake up."


    Curse fucking Nick and his fucking dosing instructions. Zev hadn''t thought about how Nick would always be nning from the angle of an enemy whose life was forfeit to the greater cause.


    Fucking Nick.


    Hebed Sasha''s beautiful mahogany hair off her face with his fingers, letting them trail down her back over and over again until she stopped looking like a fish that had been smacked in the head, and started focusing on him.


    She swallowed, then put a hand to his chest. His chest tightened when he saw how she touched him so easily. "Where are we?"


    "We''re home," he said quietly, waiting for the question to enter her eyes. "Where I grew up," he exined.


    She looked around again, turning her head left and right. He''d lit one of the torches on the wall, but only the one in the deepest part of the cave where he''d curled Sasha up on a thick fur until she woke. He hadn''t wanted to give anyone a warning that they were there. This reunion was going to be tough enough as it was without letting them prepare for it.


    Shit. What was she going to think when she met¡ª


    "Home?" she said faintly. "Where''s that? Massachusetts??"


    He spluttered augh. "No," he said, dryly. "It''s home. I''ll show you once you''ve got your feet under you. It''s early morning. Once we start moving you can see for yourself."


    She kept blinking and looking around.


    "Can you see okay?" he asked quickly. He hadn''t thought about side effects of the drug.


    "I think so," she said, her forehead furrowing. "I just¡­ this isn''t what I expected when you said we were losing creatureforts."


    Then her eyes went back to him, glinting with mischief and he almost kissed her then and there¡ªhalf in hrity, half with relief.


    "This isn''t home-home," he chuckled. "This is where we¡­ start our hike," he said carefully.


    She frowned. "We have to hike?"


    He''d forgotten how skeptical she was of anything "country" as she called it. Oh dear. She was going to find this ce very¡­ different.


    "It''s worth it, I promise," he said.


    Now that she was awake he was having trouble containing his joy. His entire body sang with the return to his home, to the clean air and freedom of the valley. No matter what else might happen, he was overjoyed to be there again. And with Sasha! It was literally everything he''d ever wanted. He was still struggling to believe it was actually happening.


    At least if he died now, he''d die happy.


    "Are you okay?" she whispered, putting a hand to his face. The leather of her gloves was warm and smelled like her and he closed his eyes and put his hand over hers.


    "I don''t think I''ve ever been better, Sasha," he said honestly. "Do you think you can stand up, or do you need a minute?"


    She made a little irritated noise that he''d forgotten about. He bit back a grin when she yanked her hand back and started pushing to her feet to prove to him that she was more than capable of standing.


    He caught her elbow as she got up, just in case. Sometimes the drugs could leave you a little dizzy.


    Then she was up, stamping her feet in her boots and brushing off her ass, even though there was nothing on her. He''d kept her curled up in the fur the whole time they''d been here.


    "You okay?" he asked.


    She nodded distractedly, still brushing at herself, then she froze and her forehead furrowed. She looked up at him and frowned.


    "What''s wrong?" he asked quickly, scanning the cave for signs of a threat.


    Zev reached for Sasha to support her, in case she was going to topple, but she smacked his hand away and shook her head.. "I''m fine," she said, looking at her hands and down at her jacket. "But¡­ how the hell did my clothes get changed?"

 Chapter 38 - Home - Part 2

    ~ ZEV ~


    Sasha''s head snapped up again, her eyes using. He put his hands up and tried to look remorseful. He cleared his throat when she continued to re.


    "I didn''t look," he said.


    Much, he added in her mind. Her lower jaw pushed out.


    "Zev!"


    "It''s so cold here, you needed to be in the right clothes. It was a purely practical thing, I promise! And¡­ and I gave you one of my thermals because I wasn''t sure yours were enough."


    Her eyes softened for a moment, then her brows pinched together again and her lips pursed.


    He''d forgotten how adorable she could be when she was trying to be pissed.


    Then, with a suspicious nce at him, she turned on her heel and started towards the light, her boots ringing on the hard-packed floor of the cave.


    "Wait, Sasha, you shouldn''t just¡ª"


    But she stormed around the corner towards the mouth of the cave and he was at risk of losing sight of her. She couldn''t be out there alone. So he raced along to catch her, reaching her and swinging into step next to her as they passed through the wide, dim tunnel.


    The mouth glowed with a low, blue-white light ahead and she frowned at it, but didn''t say anything.


    "We can take a look now, but don''t leave the cave yet," he whispered. "I need to get our bags and we won''t start the hike until you''ve eaten."


    "How long was I asleep?" she asked.


    "About nine hours," he said, his stomach tightening. He''d meant for her to sleep about five.


    "Nine¡ª?" she stopped mid-step and turned to face him. "Zev, what the hell is going on? Why am I in a cave wearing snow gear?"


    "Because, I told you, I brought you home."


    "Home? Where is home?"


    He smiled. "Home is out there, and it''s beautiful." He tipped his head towards the mouth of the cave, his chest finally loosening as it became clear that she hadn''t been harmed by the drug, and they were, in fact, here. Together.


    She looked at the mouth of the cave, then her lower jaw jutted out and she turned, striding towards it alone.


    He stayed back, just a little, to let her get the full effect when she walked out of the cave and to watch her see his home for the first time.


    He wasn''t disappointed.


    As she rounded the final corner and the white-blue light became almost zing¡ªthough it was only very early morning, it seemed very bright after the darkness of the cave¡ªSasha''s mouth dropped open and she stopped dead.


    Zev looked out over thend that seemed like it was bred into his bones and took a deep, cleansing breath. They were several hundred feet up the side of the mountain, standing at the mouth of a cave that curled back on the mountainside behind a crag of rocks that left it hidden from view unless you were already practically on top of it. Snow fellzily and had already carpeted the trees and underbrush anywhere the canopy wasn''t thick enough to shield the ground. Below them a deep valley spread wide until it reached the base of another mountain almost a mile away. But in the middle a thick river flowed, hemmed by mossy rocks and clear banks that would turn into lush, grassy patches in the spring.


    The birds were just beginning to sing, their twittered songs rising slowly and in pieces as they warmed their voices. Then a breeze rustled through the trees and for a moment after it passed, as if the world held its breath, everything was silent, and glittering under the early morning sun.


    Sasha did a slow turn, her eyes darting high and low, taking in all the rugged beauty of his home, and Zev stood next to her feeling as pleased as if he''d made the whole thing himself. He''d always dreamed about bringing her here. He couldn''t have been happier unless she''d mated him and born him a babe already.


    Then, finally, her progress brought her eyes back to Zev. They were stunned and awed.


    So happy that she saw the beauty of his home, he put his hands on her shoulders and smiled down at her. "Wee to Thana, Sash," he said, his voice betraying his joy.. "I''ve waited so long to show you."

 Chapter 39 - Where He Calls Home

    ~ SASHA ~


    The look on his face¡ªthe sheer joy¡ªsucked her back into that day when she''d given herself to him. Thest time she''d seen that expression was afterwards, then theyy curled up in her tiny bed and he was holding her.


    "Thana?" she asked stupidly.


    He nodded, his eyes sparkling. Then he looked away from her to scan the gorgeous purple-blue, snowcapped mountain across the valley, the forest sprinkled in snow that reminded her of a Christmas scene, and that rushing river on the valley floor.


    The ce was stunning.


    And bracingly cold.


    Which was when she realized that Zev had changed his clothes. Instead of the skintight shirt and dark jeans, he was wrapped from head to toe in furs.


    His bright blue eyes peered out at her from under a fur hood and when she looked down even his feet were in some kind of boot masin made out of animal skin.


    With his eyes so wide and shing that grin, he looked¡­ feral.


    He didn''t notice how off-bnce she suddenly felt, he was too busy staring around them, smiling. "I''ve wanted to bring you here for so long, Sasha. I can''t believe it''s finally happening."


    "Where is here, exactly?" she asked hesitantly.


    He tensed then and it took a minute for him bring his gaze back to hers. "It''s¡­ nowhere you''re familiar with," he said. "And I can''t tell you how to get here because you won''t be safe if you know. Just¡­ just trust me, being here makes you as safe as it''s possible to be in my world."


    Something about the way he said that rang in her ears.


    She opened her mouth to ask him exactly what he meant about his world, when a muttered, "Shit!" and the sound of a rock ttering as if it had been dislodged and fallen down the mountain, made them both startle.


    Zev whirled to look down the trail from the cave mouth so quickly she didn''t even see him move, shoving her behind his back, one arm back to keep her behind him and away from the edge of the fall. He half-crouched, silent and still, watching.


    Sasha put a hand to his back, her heart pounding. If whoever was out there could made Zev scared¡ª


    "Sorry!" the voice called quietly. A deep voice. Deeper, Sasha thought, than she had ever heard. "Don''t be scared. It''s only me. And I''m alone. I didn''t know you were here. I wasn''t going anywhere! I was just stretching my legs!"


    Zev''s shoulders rxed and he straightened, shaking his head. "Yhet?"


    A head appeared from behind a tree that hugged the trail down the mountain, then a hand that waved.


    Sasha didn''t breathe. Something was wrong. That tree was huge and this man¡­ it had to be a trick of the perspective¡­ the trail leading down and the tree growing up¡ª


    Then the man stepped out into the trail and Sasha''s mouth dropped open.


    He was thergest man she''d ever seen. He had to be over seven feet, maybe even eight. His eyes were a warm, light brown, almost gold, while his hair that had once obviously been brown was turning gray. He wore it in thick sideburns that pushed out from his face like tiny hedges, thick and wild to match the thatch of hair on his head that seemed to grow in every direction.


    When he waved, his hand was the size of a dinner te. He gave a beaming smile and his teeth, though square, were sorge she was reminded of the time she''d watched a horse yawn.


    "What the¡­" Sasha breathed.


    "Zev?" the man said, his bushy eyebrows climbing high. "You''re back? Holy shit! Zev!"


    Zev raced the short distance down the trail to throw himself into the arms of the huge man and they hugged like family.


    But Sasha felt faint.


    Zev was massive. Well over six feet tall and broad and muscr with it. He always made her feel tiny¡ªwhich she kind of liked. But this man¡­


    Zev''s head didn''t even reach his shoulder. And he was so broad¡ªthough clearly in good shape, his massive shoulders tapering down to what, for him, must have been a trim waist, though he dwarfed Zev.


    The two men stepped back then, pped each other''s shoulders, and Zev almost fell over with the force of the man''s thump.


    "It''s so good to see you, Yhet!" Zev said, his eyes shining and cheeks pinched into high rounds by the size of his smile.


    "You too, Zev, you too. I have to say, I didn''t expect to find you out here! How long has it been?"


    A shadow passed behind Zev''s eyes, then. "Three years," he said, and his smile died. "I''m so sorry, Yhet, it was¡ª"


    "Ah, don''t worry, don''t worry," the massive older man said, waving his huge hand as if to shoo off a fly. "Just don''t tell the others I was out here. I wasn''t going anywhere! I was just walking."


    Zev cut the man a look, but his smile came back as he shook his head. "Well, whatever, Yhet, it''s just really, really good to see you, man."


    "You too, you too. And¡­ and who''s your friend?" Yhet asked, finally turning his golden eyes to Sasha, whose stomach twisted in fear when the huge man approached, scanning her from head to toe. Then his nostrils red and his smile faded.. "Zev¡­. You brought a human?"

 Chapter 40 - Protect

    ~ Zev ~


    A deep growl¡ªbelow the level of Sasha''s hearing¡ªbegan in Yhet''s chest and Zev rushed forward to put himself between Sasha and the huge Chimera.


    Yhet was sweet-natured and innocent, much like a child most of the time. The sasquatch were very long lived, andte to mature. Yhet was fifty years old, yet treated Zev like an older brother. Of all the Chimera, he was probably the very best for Sasha to meet first, because the sasquatch were always curious, and hard to anger. Very rarely violent.


    But Yhet had lost his mate to the human researchers five years earlier, right before Zev hade home. Even though he hadn''t yet started wasting away, the sasquatch''s emotions were¡ªby their standards¡ªperilously close to the surface.


    "Yhet," he said cautiously, one hand up in front of the male whose eyes hadn''t left Sasha, "listen to me, this is Sasha. I brought Sasha home."


    The growl stopped as if it had been cut off. A momentter those eyebrows rose again and Yhet gaped at Zev. "Sasha? Your Sasha? Are you true, Zev?"


    Zev couldn''t stop the grin. "I''m true, Yhet. She''s here."


    "It is so wonderful to smell you, Sasha!" Yhet said, plowing forward to pull her into a hug.


    "Yhet!" Zev tried to catch him. But he was a loving soul.


    To Sasha''s credit, when Yhet''s thick arms embraced her, though her eyes went very wide, she didn''t run. And he did at least remember not to lift her off the ground.


    He didn''t, however, remember not to pet her hair.


    "Yhet," Zev said through his teeth, "That''s not polite, remember?"


    "Oh! Sorry," Yhet said, pulling his hands back. "I always forget which customs are human and which aren''t."


    "It''s okay," Sasha said faintly.


    Zev shifted to ce himself between them again, putting a soothing hand back to take Sasha''s and squeeze.


    "Remember," he muttered to Yhet, "Look and listen to humans. Smell and touch Chimera."


    Yhet nodded quickly, but Zev sighed. He would forget again before the researchers came back. Zev was just grateful Sasha hadn''t screamed and run. So many of the research humans did the first time they saw Yhet. He was sensitive about it.


    Since he''d left Thana and been working in the human world, Zev had had more contact with the researchers and learned that, among them, meeting Yhet was an initiation.


    The researchers were the ones who''d found Thana and determined that this beautiful world would be their wildlife sanctuary¡ªexcept for human-made Chimera.


    They tried to interfere as little as possible in the lives of those living here, but they visited every season to run a census, treat medical conditions and, as Zev had learned, to take those that were considered appropriate for whatever experimentation they were running, or to bring new Chimera who needed time to grow and strengthen.


    Just as Zev had, most Chimera grew up in Thana.


    But as he had be more involved in the work in the human world, and more trusted, the researchers and handlers had be more open with Zev about how they viewed Thana. He''d learned that when a new researcher was hired for the team, they were always included in the next trip to Thana. The senior handlers would make sure they weren''t warned about Yhet, but when they reached this rugged world, the staffer would be encouraged to plow forward and explore¡ªwhich meant, inevitably, they would be found by Yhet before they reached the City since the male rarely stayed in one ce for longer than an hour, and the valley wasn''trge enough for him. He had a nose like a bloodhound and strides so long his brisk walk covered a mile in under four minutes. He generally crossed Thana at least twice a day. Four if he ran.


    Zev could sense the ground trembling for quarter of a mile when he did that.


    The huge Chimera''s face was flushed red with excitement and his cheeks pressed almost into points, he smiled so broadly. "I am so happy that you''re back, Zev. And with Sasha! What a gift! When did you tell Xar? He''s kept it very quiet. Did the Creators let you¡ª"


    "Um, no. Yhet," Zev said softly.


    The Sasquatch cut off and his smile faded. "Oh no¡­ Zev¡­ does Xar know you''re here?"


    "No," he said, eyeing Yhet and sliding his gaze back towards Sasha in a caution not to speak about it in front of her. "I gather that means that Xar took Alpha when I left?" Interesting. Not surprising. But interesting. "Yhet, you can''t tell anyone, but Nick tried to take her, so I brought her here to keep her safe."


    Yhet''s tall forehead pinched into lines and his hands clenched. "Oh, dear. Oh, Zev."


    "I know, I know, but it''s okay. She''ll be safe here. I will keep her safe, but¡­ just in case¡­ if I''m ever not around or, or busy, can you help me?"


    "Of course! Of course!"


    "Thank you, brother. But just remember: you don''t tell anyone that I told you Nick tried to take her, okay? We''ll keep that from the others. I don''t want to make them nervous."


    "Nervous?" Sasha asked from behind him. "I thought those people weren''t here. Isn''t that why we came?"


    Yhet''s smile froze on his face and his eyes slowly rolled to Zev, who would haveughed if he wasn''t terrified the male was going to say the wrong thing and freak Sasha out. Yhet was so huge, everything he did was big. Moments like this, he usually thought he was being subtle.


    Zev bit back a smile and patted the male on his steel bicep that was thicker than Zev''s thigh. Then he turned to Sasha.


    "I didn''t say they were never here. I said you''d be safe here. And you will be. Because the team don''te very often, and when they do, we''ll take you out of the City. They never leave the established trails because there''s a lot of things in the forest here that were¡­ failures of their previous attempts to blend humans and animals. None of the researchers want to run into those creatures, trust me."


    "But¡­ I''m human?" Sasha said faintly.


    "Yes, but not of one those that¡ª"


    "Um, Zev?" Yhet said hesitantly. Yhet usually needed more caution than he disyed, so that got Zev''s attention immediately.


    "What is it, Yhet?" he said quickly, turning to the male, every part of him tensed and ready to meet the unseen enemy that had to be behind his friend''s suddenly fearful scent.


    "You don''t know about the City?" Yhet said carefully, his eyes snapping back and forth between Sasha and Zev.


    Zev went very still. "What''s wrong with the City?"

 Chapter 41 - News

    ~ Zev ~


    Yhet swallowed and it sounded like a cow had been sucked down a marsh. But Zev didn''t move, just waited. "Are you¡­ really here, Zev? Are you staying? Oh, if you aren''t I shouldn''t have embraced you, they''ll smell you on me now and¡ª"


    "Don''t worry about it, Yhet. I embraced you. I''m staying. I am," he said firmly, not letting himself question the decision. There was no way he was leaving Sasha again. He reached for her hand again and held onto it to soothe himself while he waited for Yhet to spit out whatever it was he didn''t want to say. "Yhet?" he said through his teeth.


    "Yes?"


    "I won''t be angry, but you need to tell me what you''re thinking¡­ about the City?"


    "The City is fine, at least, I mean, the City itself," Yhet said, wringing his hands. "But we don''t live in it anymore."


    "What?! Why not?"


    "There isn''t enough of us anymore."


    Zev stopped breathing. He couldn''t have heard that correctly. "You¡­ what do you mean, there aren''t enough of us?"


    Yhet winced. "Zev, do you know what Xar''s going to do when he realizes you''re back?"


    "Yes," Zev said darkly. "It''s unavoidable. But I can handle it."


    "What is he talking about?" Sasha hissed at him. He shook his head, not taking his eyes off of Yhet. That male had the best heart Zev knew, but he was guilty of not saying things he thought would hurt people. He was still young enough that he hadn''t learned that often the things they didn''t want to hear were the most important to speak.


    "I don''t know," he said to Sasha. "Yhet? Don''t be afraid. Just tell me. Whatever it is, I''ll deal with it. What do you mean there aren''t enough of you for the City anymore?"


    "And what are they going to do to Zev because he came back?" Sasha broke in. "I thought you said this was a safe ce, Zev!"


    He squeezed her hand and cut her a look.


    I''ll tell you when we''re alone, he said into her mind. Right now I need to get my friend to talk. He knows something important.


    She didn''t know it yet, but she''d soon learn that when Yhet was nervous it was really important to keep him focused, or he might run just to avoid conflict. Her brows pinched but she gave a short nod and closed her mouth.


    Zev turned back to Yhet and waited, knowing the tension would be too much for him.


    The Sasquatch looked back and forth, nervously, between him and Sasha. Then he threw up his hands. "When you left, the researchers came just a few weekster. Xar had only just established dominance. He wasn''t¡­ he hadn''t found his way yet. The researchers removed most of the females and offspring."


    "What?!"


    Yhet winced, but he nodded reluctantly. "Our numbers¡­ we''re down to a couple hundred, I think? Mostly male. And mostly in mourning." Mourning was what Yhet called the loss of a mate that brought any Chimera to their knees within years. "We''re dying, Zev," Yhet rumbled quietly. "And Xar mes you."


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    It was heartbreaking to watch. Zev had been alight since they''d arrived in Thana. Even though she was nervous and off-bnce, it had been a joy to see him smile again, to watch him reunite so happily with his friend.


    But when the massive man said they were dying, the light in Zev''s eyes stopped dancing and began to burn.


    All the cold determination and ruthlessness she''d sensed in him the night before when he''d been fighting with those men and trying to get her out safely was back.


    His eyes went dark.


    "Xar mes me for something that happened when I wasn''t here?"


    Yhet nodded, though his face was the picture of an apology. "We had been so busy fighting for Alpha and establishing the new way, we weren''t paying attention. The humans came and¡­ they just took them."


    "How could they take so many?" Zev''s voice was hoarse, and almost as deep as Yhet''s. Sasha squeezed his hand.


    Yhet''s chin went down and he shook his head sadly. "I don''t know. I wasn''t here. I was walking. It was a difficult time. So much tension and fighting. I wasn''t here. The others don''t seem to know either, or won''t tell me if they do."


    Sasha watched Zev pull himself together and force himself to offer hisrge friendfort. He let go of her hand and stepped forward, speaking quietly and rubbing the man''s arm. But his hand was shaking when he reached for him, and she could see the tension in him.


    "So, if they aren''t in the City anymore," Zev said a minuteter, "where is everybody?"


    "We made a vige," Yhet said and lifted a hand back towards the trail he''d followed to reach them. "It''s closer to the gateway and¡ª"


    "Why would you want to be closer to the gateway?" Zev hissed.


    Yhet looked confused. "Because it''s easier for the humans," he said as if that must be obvious.


    "Why would Xar make it easier for the humans?"


    "Because, Zev. They said if we help them, they''ll bring our families back. You must understand how¡­ how important that is. You brought Sasha. After five years!"


    Zev turned to look at her then, despair and anger written all over his beautiful face. She stared at him, uncertain exactly what had happened, but clear on one thing: This ce that Zev had brought her, this haven of safety, sounded like it wasn''t nearly as safe as he had thought.


    She took a deep breath as he stepped up and wrapped his arms around her.


    "Don''t worry," he murmured into her ear, stroking her hair. "I can protect you. Don''t be afraid."


    Sasha clung to his waist and buried her face in his chest just to feel him close.


    But she didn''t believe a damn word he was saying.

 Chapter 42 - A Whole New World

    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev talked to the huge Yhet for a few more minutes about people she didn''t know and things she didn''t understand. All she did understand was that Zev had arrived here expecting something to happen as a consequence of him leaving earlier and not returning. But that what he was learning was worse than he''d thought.


    Very few females. Very little offspring. The Chimera in Thana dying out.


    She''d never seen his face so haggard. It was as if he''d aged ten years in as many minutes.


    But soon, Zev was urging them both to wait while he grabbed their bags from the cave. Sasha stood in the cold morning air next to man so tall she eyeballed his navel, and tried not to be awkward.


    Which was when she learned that if Yhet hadn''t been sorge she would have described him as "adorable."


    "Zev''s heart sings because you''re here, Sasha," the man rumbled as soon as Zev ducked into the cave.


    Sasha blinked. "That''s¡­ that''s good."


    "When he returned to us, you were all he could speak of at first. It took him longer to climb the hierarchy because he pined. You hold his hope for love and a family."


    Sasha''s mind immediately bloomed with images of exactly what it would take to make a family with Zev, and her cheeks heated. Yhet''s nostrils red, and he chuckled. "It won''t be long for you two, I think. It is good that you desire him. We need more young."


    Sasha wanted to crawl into a hole with embarrassment. "I¡­ that''s¡­ I mean¡ª"


    "Yhet!" Zev growled from Sasha''s other side. She whirled in relief to find him walking out of the cave, the snow crunching under his boots, a bag thrown over each shoulder and his thick biceps curled because he held each one in ce. "I told you, humans don''t talk about that stuff as freely as we do. You have to wait until you know them closely."


    "But she smelled of¡ª"


    "Yhet! Remember: Look and listen to humans, smell and touch Chimera."


    Yhet''s forehead crinkled in frustration. "I am very sorry, Sasha," he said, tipping his head. "I didn''t meant to be rude." He looked so abashed, Sasha put a hand to his arm.


    "You weren''t rude!" she hurried to reassure him, "I just¡­ I mean¡­ I just wouldn''t usually talk to another male about¡­ any of that," she said awkwardly, narrowing her eyes at Zev when he grinned and winked at her.


    Her heart fluttered at that smile, but she pushed it down. Zev was here. And she was here with him. And the part of her that wasn''t screaming with fear was overjoyed. But she wasn''t going to pretend thest five years hadn''t happened.


    He had a lot of exining to do before she''d be flirting with him on purpose.


    "Oh, so the humans speak of these things within their sex? You would speak of it to other females?" Yhet asked brightly.


    Sasha was reminded of a child who hadn''t yet learned boundaries and looked to Zev for support. But he just grinned and shrugged.


    Sasha sighed. "Yes, that''s pretty much it," she said. "I would talk about those things to other, uh, females."


    "Humans are so strange. What if the other female invited your male to disy? What if you lost him because you wouldn''t speak of it?"


    Sasha blinked. Her mouth opened, but she didn''t even have a clue where to start to answer that question.


    Invited to disy? What did that even mean?


    "I would hope¡­" she said hesitantly, "that I wouldn''t lose him so easily, I suppose?"


    "Oh, you should never take that for granted. If you approve of a male, always speak of it, Sasha. Then he knows he can disy for you, and then¡ª"


    "I think we''ll save the mating ritual talk for another time, Yhet," Zev said,ughter in his voice. "We''ve got some bigger fish to fry today."


    Yhet shook his head. "There is no bigger fish than the mating pairs, Zev," he said sadly. "You''ll see."


    Zev''s light mood vanished and his dark brows pressed down as he took Sasha''s hand. "Well then, I guess we better get to the vige and see, huh?" he said softly.


    Sasha took his hand and let him lead her down the trail, relieved that the subject had changed, but now reminded of the other questions that had been raised by Yhet''s words.


    They walked side by side, the two men taking either side of her. Yhet clearly taking awkwardly small steps for his frame to keep his pace to theirs.


    "What is it that''s going to happen with this Zar person?" she asked Zev. "Why is Yhet worried about it?"


    Zev nced up to catch his friend''s eye on her other side and his lips pressed down, deepening the lines on his face.


    "Xar took Alpha when I left. It''s not umon for a new Alpha to throw their weight around to stifle any threats from among the people," Zev said. "Plus, I left without warning. Everyone will want me disciplined."


    Yhet pped one of his huge hands and Sasha felt the air flutter around her face. "I do not wish to see you disciplined, Zev. I know you would not leave as you did without good reason."


    Zev smiled faintly. "Thank you, brother, but you''ll forgive me if I trust that your response to my absence likely isn''t how the others will feel." He turned to Sasha and winked again. "Yhet is a bit of a wanderer himself, so he disappears a lot. He''s got a little different perspective on that stuff."


    "I never stay away," Yhet grumbled. "It is just hard. I need to stretch my legs."


    "All the way to the cave, Yhet?" Zev said pointedly, but without anger.


    Sasha knew she was missing something when the massive man''s shoulders hunched. "I wasn''t going to go through. I was just¡­ checking."


    Zev''s eyebrows went up like he was skeptical, but he smiled at Sasha. "Yhet is an excellent male," he said earnestly. "One of the best. You can trust him with your life. Just don''t trust him with your navigation."


    Yhet made a pained noise and Sasha gave Zev a questioning look.


    He chuckled. "Yhet here is the reason the humans found Thana. He''s the only ancient Chimera that we know of¡ª"


    "You know that was an ident!" Yhet hissed and his lower lip pushed out.


    "Don''t worry, friend," Zev chuckled, "I won''t raise it again in front of the others. I just think Sasha will enjoy the story. I''ll tell her another time."


    "Story?" Sasha asked.


    Then Zev turned to meet her eyes, his own sparkling. "Yhet is a Sasquatch," he said, his voice brimming with both awe and humor.. "So, just in case you were wondering, they are real."

 Chapter 43 - Sasquatch

    ~ ZEV ~


    Sasha''s mouth dropped open and he grinned.


    "You''re walking with a living legend," he whispered.


    Yhet rolled his eyes, but didn''t speak up.


    "I¡­ how¡­ that''s so cool!" Sasha turned to look at Yhet. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Yhet," she said with a giggle. "I''m so d you''re¡­ here. Alive?"


    Yhet groaned with embarrassment. "Your human rumors and legends are silly," he said gruffly. "We are not goris or¡­ or¡­ creatures."


    "Sasquatch are wanderers," Zev exined to her. "Yhet visited the human¡ªI mean, America, and got himself sighted. The researchers that investigated the sighting followed him to Thana. It''s such a great ce they ended up using it as a kind of¡­ sanctuary for the Chimera. So here we are."


    Sasha looked around. "This is a wildlife sanctuary?"


    Yhet gave him a strange look, but he ignored it.


    "Something like that," he said. "That''s the closest thing you''d think of. The Chimera obviously weren''t here naturally¡ªexcept the Sasquatch. The rest of us were ced here, but we like it. It suits us."


    Yhet grumbled under his breath which sounded a lot like a swarm of bumblebees droning nearby, but Sasha just nced at him and smiled. The smile faded quickly, though.


    "So, there''s a bunch of Chimera here?" she asked quietly. Zev nodded. "And are they all wolves like you?"


    "No, we have several species, plus all the creatures, like I said. But don''t worry, most of them are harmless, and the ones that aren''t won''t touch you when you smell like a wolf."


    She looked up at him sharply, and he shed a smile. Their gazes held for a long breath and his heart began to pound again. But she was the one to break the gaze, and he didn''t miss that she pulled her hand out of his a few stepster.


    His chest ached, but he couldn''t tell her that whole story in front of Yhet¡ªor any of the Chimera for that matter. So he gave her a pleading look and said into her mind, My promises are true, Sash. I will keep you safe. Don''t be afraid.


    She sighed then and he wished he could untangle all the feelings that rose in her scent. But just then they reached the bottom of the slope they''d been following down to the valley floor. The trees opened ahead of them in the same moment the clouds shifted behind the peak in front of them and a shaft of sunlight pierced the half-gray of morning, bathing them all in golden light.


    Sasha''s breath caught and she stopped walking, staring at the beauty that surrounded them, her hands to her mouth.


    Zev took a long, deep breath and his chest fluttered with joy.


    He was back. He was finally back in his beautiful home, and this time with Sasha. It was going to take some time, but she''de back to him, he was sure of it. She was his mate¡ªhe was sure of that, too, though how it had happened, he had no idea. All he knew was that the air smelled better here. The beauty around him seemed to glitter. And it was all because she stood in the middle of it, smiling.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    This was the most beautiful ce she''d ever seen¡­ and the most overwhelming.


    When they were higher she''d see the peaks of the mountains above the trees, and the distant view of the valley floor with the river running through it. But much had been covered by the thick trees around the trail. Here¡­ here she felt as tiny as an ant. Yet somehow, utterly peaceful.


    The trees spread out and opened up from the spot where the trail sloped down into a grassy in. Directly in front of them grass and bushes rippled forward to meet the bank of a swiftly flowing river. On it''s far bank the grass began again, but quickly sloped up to foothills of a mountain that rose, purple and white, above them, the sun beginning to peer out from around it as it rose.


    Above them, some kind of hawk drifted on the early morning airflows, the sun outlining its feathers in gold.


    It looked like a postcard. It looked like a painting. But Zev called it home.


    She turned to look at him, to share this with him and found him beaming with joy, watching her look at his home.


    "This is so beautiful!" she said.


    "You should see it in spring," Zev said with a lopsided grin. "Actually, I can''t wait for you to see it in Spring," he corrected himself softly.


    Their eyes caught and held and Sasha couldn''t breathe. For a moment images shed in her mind¡ªput there by Zev¡ªof the two of them walking down a dusty trail to the valley, finding a secluded clearing. She could see the rocks that overhung the water, a tiny waterfall off to the right, and trees and bushes hugging the edges, hiding them from the world.


    Then she saw him, smiling, reaching behind his head to pull his shirt forward and off, revealing the broad nes of his chest and the rippled muscles of his abdomen. Then Sasha joining him, both of them stripping off to dive into the cool, clear water anding back to the surface to find each other¡­ Sasha curling her legs around his waist as he tread water to keep them both afloat¡ª


    "You know, if it''s rude to talk about desire, perhaps you could stop thinking of things that make you stink of it," Yhet grumbled to Sasha''s right.


    She startled.


    Zevughed and teased his friend to cover for her while she blinked and tried to rid her mind of the images.. But she couldn''t quite cool the fire he''d lit, low in her belly.

 Chapter 44 - Naked

    ~ ZEV ~


    They walked the length of the valley, Zev scanning for anyone else they might meet, but also trying to keep one eye on Sasha, who was overwhelmed, but enjoying the discovery of his home. He was d she hadn''t gotten cold yet. That was likely going to be her greatest struggle here. There would be no air-conditioning, no electric heaters. And unlike him, her body didn''t regte to the season.


    Then they turned away from the river to rejoin another trail up into the trees and the rise of mountain and Sasha''s fascination with the beautiful valley was overshadowed by the darkness under the trees, and the questions that she had. He could feel her, turning things over in her mind, readying herself to ask questions.


    He wanted to answer. He did. But there were some things they needed to keep between themselves.


    When she looked at him and opened her mouth, he gave her a warning look, ncing up at Yhet behind her. Her lips thinned, but she obviously changed what she''d been about to say.


    "Tell me what''s going to happen when we get to the vige? Who''s there? Do I need to do anything to¡­ not offend people?"


    "I think it''s more that you need to work to stop yourself being offended by them," Zev said dryly. "The Chimera here have spent only limited time with humans. They function differently. It will feel to you as if they invade your space and proper boundaries. But¡­ just remember that for them, these things are normal."


    "What things?" she asked.


    "They''ll sniff at you a lot," he said with a grin. "And they may stand close, or brush their bodies against you. They''ve been taught not to do that with humans, but depending how long it''s been since the team visited, they might forget."


    "Brush¡­ bodies?"


    "You''ll see," Zev said, forcing a smile. "It''s nothing to be worried about. They''re putting their scent on you, and letting you put yours on them. It''s a sign of¡­ togetherness."


    Yhet snorted.


    Zev frowned. "What?"


    They were passing through a small gully¡ªhigh, rock walls on either side of the trail as if it had been cut through the mountain by generations of Chimera walking it day after day. When Zev questioned Yhet, the sasquatch opened his mouth, but suddenly a shadow fell over the gully and all three of them froze, Zev whirling to put Sasha behind him.


    But she gasped and grabbed the arm he threw back to keep her hemmed in. "No, no, look! He''s beautiful!"


    On the tiny edge of the rock wall above them, a massive, gray-brown Ibex stood, staring curiously, his eyes slit-pupiled, and nostrils ring. A pair of huge horns curved forward over his forehead, then curled back towards his muscr shoulders.


    Then, just as Zev turned, he snorted the air from his nose, shaking his head.


    Zev''s heart dropped. Well, shit.


    Sasha gasped as the goat leapt from the ledge above them into the gap¡ªtaking his human form as hended easily on the dirt, facing them.


    Facing Zev.


    "Hello, Dunken," Zev said, keeping his chin down, but meeting the male''s eyes.


    "It is you. You clearly have balls of steel, showing up here again now," the male said, his near-blonde hair cut short and glinting in the sunlight. But he stood, feet shoulder width apart and arms at his sides, making himself as tall and broad as he was capable of, his body burnished and proud¡ªand apparently untouched by being in the cold naked.


    Naked.


    Right.


    Sasha¡ª


    "Omigosh," she blurted, then raised a hand to her eyes¡ªbut Zev didn''t slow himself, whipped out a hand to catch hers before she could hide behind it¡ªshe had no idea how weak that would make her look to a Chimera. He really needed to teach her.


    She gaped at him for a moment, but he couldn''t drop Dunken''s gaze without submitting, so he just muttered, "No one is embarrassed but you. Carry yourself with strength. Meet his eyes if the rest makes you ufortable."


    Her head jerked back a little, and she licked her lips. But she didn''t yank her hand out of his, or try to turn away. Instead, her throat bobbing, she turned to look at the male, keeping her eyes on his.


    "Zev," the male ground out.


    Zev let go of Sasha''s hand and put his up, palms forward. "I did note to fight you, Dunken."


    "The fact that youe at all blows the horn of war."


    "No, it doesn''t."


    But Dunken just turned his head to meet Sasha''s eyes, then Yhet''s. "Youe with a female¡ªa human female¡ªand the rebel."


    "Ie to keep the female safe because the humans are trying to hurt her," Zev said earnestly. "And Yhet just found us when we arrived. As he usually does."


    Dunken snorted. Zev fought a smile. He couldn''t afford for Dunken to think he wasn''t taking this seriously.


    How the Guardian decided to receive him would influence the others a great deal. It was poor luck that the male had found them this quickly¡ªbut perhaps it was meant to be. If he could win the warrior over, the others would submit to Zev''s presence more easily.


    Then the male stepped forward until he and Zev were almost toe-to-toe, tilting his head menacingly.


    Zev braced.

 Chapter 45 - Discipline

    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev had an inch on the goat-man, yet they were both broad and strong.


    But Zev was a predator.


    "You enter Thana again without permission," Dunken said softly, "bringing a weak, human female. You could not have made a choice that would be less likely to throw the ns into battle."


    Zev shook his head. "There will be no battle. She''s mine."


    Dunken snorted again. "Oh, you are sorely misinformed, brother," he said.


    Relief.


    Zev rxed and finally let himselfugh. "Brother? What was all that shit about war and battle? You scared me!"


    The sharp light in Dunken''s eyes didn''t go out, but he sped Zev''s arm and leaned in to embrace his old friend, both of them pping the other''s backs.


    He didn''t miss the way Dunken''s nostrils red again as they were pulling apart, though.


    "You idiot," his old friend said, shaking his head. "I wasn''t joking about battle. Bringing a female into this shitshow right now is likely to ignite the entire mountain. Especially one so¡ª" Dunken cut himself off when Zev shot him a warning look.


    Dunken cleared his throat and nced at Sasha, choosing his words carefully. "Especially one so¡­ essible," he said tightly.


    Zev grunted.


    As a human female, Sasha was considered weak stock. But if the Chimera were short on females, she would still be desired. And being physically small and weak meant a greater number of males would believe themselves suitable for mating her.


    He wanted to bite something just thinking about it.


    "I told you, she''s mine."


    "That remains to be seen," Dunken growled.


    "Um, actually, I believe I don''t belong to anyone," Sasha said, her voice sharp. She folded her arms as Zev shook his head, trying to warn her off. But she was too busy challenging them both to understand that her words had far, far more meaning in this world than in her own. "I make my own decisions about who, or what, I belong to. So you can both to go hell."


    Dunken turned back to Zev and raised an eyebrow. "See? Shitshow. Battle. I told you."


    Zev growled and closed his eyes for a moment. "She doesn''t realize what she''s saying. She''s never been around Chimera before."


    "Well she better figure it out quickly," Dunken said, "Or I''ll challenge for her and kick your ass all the way to the river."


    Zev forced himself to grin, but his upper lip wanted to curl back and his teeth wanted to snap.


    Sasha has just opened her mouth¡ªprobably to lecture Dunken about speaking to her directly, rather than about her in her own presence¡ªwhen he turned and gave a sweeping bow, his head rolling back and forth as if he shook his horns in her face.


    Zev bristled.


    "Please be wee here, uh¡­?" Dunken straightened and smiled, one eyebrow up in a question.


    "Sasha," she said carefully, obviously uncertain whether he was mocking her. She nced at Zev who just rolled his eyes, but his gut was twisting.


    Dunken''s head snapped to Zev at her name. "Sasha? The Sasha?"


    Zev nodded. "I did tell you."


    "Clearly not enough!" Dunken snapped, but when he turned back to Sasha, it was with a cool smile and offering his hand in the tradition of the humans. "It''s very nice to meet you, Sasha. I have heard many, many things about you."


    She shook his hand, but was obviously off-bnce, looking between him and Zev. "All good things, I hope?" she said.


    "Yes," Dunken said, then shed a grin. "Though he never did your beauty justice. Shame on you, Zev. We might have fought harder to get her returned to you if we''d known."


    Zev snorted and Yhet, standing behind Sasha, gave another frozen smile.


    He''d always found humansically unattractive, since sasquatch females had sideburns and were only marginally smaller than their male mates. And his female had been, by all ounts, a beauty among their people.


    "Uh¡­ thank you?" Sasha said. Zev sighed. She wasn''t prepared for this. He needed some time with her, to exin¡­ everything.


    "Does Xar know you''re here?" Dunken said a momentter, turning back to Zev.


    "No. I didn''t know ahead of time that we wereing."


    Dunken whistled. "You really do want to start something."


    "No, I don''t," Zev said firmly. "But there was nowhere else I could take her and be certain she''d be safe."


    "Oh, she''ll be safe," Dunken said dryly. "It''s you I''m worried about."


    Zev shot him a look, but the male just grinned. Until Sasha turned on them both. "Okay, what the hell is going on? What are they going to do to you Zev?" she asked, her voice too high again. "What aren''t you telling me? I thought this ce was supposed to be safe."


    "Apologies if I was unclear," Dunken said before Zev could respond. He red at the male, but Dunken ignored him. "Sasha, you do not need to fear for your safety in Thana. Females here are prized. Every male in the n, whether he has a chance to mate you or not, will see to it that you''re kept safe. Do not worry."


    Zev winced.


    "Mate me?" Sasha cried. "What the hell are you talking about? I''m not here to¡­ mate anyone!"


    Dunken gave Zev a look, but his tone was soft, if firm. "I''m afraid in Thana you will have no choice, Sasha. The survival of the Chimera depend on it."


    *****


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 Chapter 46 - Everything鈥檚 Gonna Be Fine

    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha gaped at the strange, naked man who stared at her like he was only speaking sense. "What are you talking about? I don''t have anything to do with the Chimera."


    Zev stepped forward, between her and the man. "Dunken, please don''t frighten her. She''s new to all of this. And she''s mine. There won''t be any challenges."


    The man turned to Zev, shaking his head. "I don''t know what they told you out there, Zev, but I wasn''t joking when I said you were sorely misinformed. You have to know that the tigers won''t roll over for this?"


    "Tigers?!" Sasha cried. "What tigers?"


    Zev tensed, putting a hand back to stop her from pressing forward.


    He and Dunken red at each other, that tension she''d felt back at the house with Rob shimmering in the air. It seemed like they were poised for violence. She cursed, realizing her gun was in the duffel bag on Zev''s shoulder and she wasn''t likely to get to it quickly.


    "Please don''t be scared, Sasha," a low, gentle voice said from behind her, taking her arm and tugging her back away from the two males. "The Tigers are really mostly safe¡ªand you''re human, so they''ll listen to you."


    "Yhet, stop filling her head. Let me handle this please," Zev snapped without looking away from Dunken.


    The goat-man smiled at Zev. She''d thought by what they said that they were friends. But the his smile was cold. "You didn''t prepare her?"


    "There was no time," Zev growled.


    "Prepare me for what?!"


    "Sasha, rx," Zev said. "Dunken''s going to fill me in on all the¡­ new dynamics, and then we''ll figure it out. We still have a walk ahead of us. So just¡­ don''t worry. I''m not going to let anything happen to you."


    The words were spoken with calm reassurance. Once again she wanted to just sink into Zev''s voice and pull it over herself like a soft nket, to give her heart over to it.


    But he left! She reminded herself. He left. He left her alone and without word. And now he was¡­ this.


    She started to drop her face into her hands, but Yhet took hold of her wrist and shook his head when she looked up at him in surprise. "That will make Dunken think you are only weak, and I can see your heart. You are not weak, Sasha. Do not let them undervalue you. Those who fight should be the biggest and strongest¡ª"


    "There will be no fighting! She is mine!" Zev snarled.


    Dunken took a step forward, his footnding on the dirt between them with a shuddering thud and even though he was shorter, he leaned into Zev''s face. "Brother, you have been cocky. You have arrived without the knowledge, without the position. And you have brought her¡ªwhich puts you both at risk. So either listen and prepare, or I will step aside and let you walk into the bloodbath that will await you. The choice is yours."


    Sasha''s blood ran cold at the sheer certainty in the man''s voice.


    Zev shoulders rose and fell once, then his hands unclenched. "Tell me," he said. "I will listen. But we have to keep walking. She needs a slower pace than we''re ustomed to."


    Dunken nodded, then turned on his heel and began to walk as if nothing had happened. Sasha stared between Zev and the man, but Zev turned once to put a soothing hand up to her. "Walk with Yhet," he said quietly. "Let me figure this out. And don''t worry. I''ll take care of it."


    So¡­ she did. Shaking her head. Not entirely certain any of this was real. She walked the trail, pushing herself to keep up as brisk of a pace as she could, painfully aware that every male was slowing his natural pace to avoid leaving her in their dust. And that Yhet, with his huge feet and long strides, probably could have crawled faster.


    "Don''t worry," he kept saying, too brightly. "Zev is very clever. He will figure it out."


    Sasha walked with her arms folded just because she felt tense and vulnerable, and uncertain what to do. Zev and Dunken strode ahead, their voices too low for her to hear what they were saying, but obviously Yhet could hear them. Because he kept wincing and pursing his lips. And then every time he''d catch her watching him, he would gently pat her shoulder and force a too-wide smile.


    "It''s going to be fine!" he said. "You don''t have anything to worry about!"


    And the more insistent his reassurances became, the more nervous Sasha got.


    But there was nothing she could do except follow and marvel at this ce.


    Zev had to have flown her to Colorado, or Canada, or something. She couldn''t think where else the mountains would be so remote that there was no sign of any life at all¡ªno road sound, no lights or marked trails. The entire ce seemed utterly natural and, when she looked at Yhet, she realized that''s what it had to be.


    This man couldn''t possibly function anywhere within miles of any human settlement. He would have been discovered.


    Although it sounds like that might have already happened.


    "Have you ever been to New York? Or Phdelphia, Yhet?" she asked at one point in a desperate attempt to get him to stop trying to reassure her.


    "I¡­ no. I haven''t," he said sadly. "I have only been in your world once and that ended so poorly¡­ well, it would be very unwise for me to go back," he said with a nervousugh, scratching the back of his neck. His massive arm curled up when he reached back and Sasha swallowed hard. His wavy hair fluttered around his face and neck with the movement of the wind of his passage.


    Suddenly struck with bone-chilling fear, Sasha murmured something meant to be agreement, then fixed her eyes on Zev''s back.


    Zev was here. That was what she had to focus on.. All the rest¡­ all of the rest they''d figure out.

 Chapter 47 - Humans

    ~ ZEV ~


    "How long did it take Xar to get to the top?"


    "Getting to the top wasn''t the problem," Dunken muttered. "It was keeping it once he was there. His darkness has started and he''s¡­ I don''t know, Zev. Sometimes I think he''s fine, and other times I wonder if he''s going to snap. Remember that Hare that¡ª"


    "Yes, yes, I know what you mean." Zev cursed under his breath. Darkness, or mourning, was what they all called the debilitating grief that followed a Chimera after the loss of their mate. In rare cases the Chimera didn''t waste away, but their minds broke. There had been a hare a few years ago¡­ Zev shook his head. "How is he holding Alpha if he''s that loose?"


    "It''s not all the time. The humanse and they do something. No one knows what. Some kind of medication? He always settles down after they''ve been here. But then a few weeks passes and he''s on edge again."


    "And he mes me for all this?"


    Dunken gave him a quick look. "Yhet told you?"


    "Barely. I didn''t want him to talk about it in front of Sasha. She doesn''t understand it would have just frightened her."


    "She doesn''t know that you were Alpha?"


    Zev huffed a humorlessugh. "She didn''t even know I could shift until a few hours ago."


    "What?! Zev¡ª"


    "Look, we can''t change it now, okay? She''s strong. I''m telling you, she can handle this. But I thought I was walking into the City to take my stripes, then go back to my life. What you''re describing¡­"


    "The darkness was taking the males faster in the city. Being so spread out and isted in our homes¡­ it wasn''t good for us. We moved to the vige two years ago and it''s improved things."


    Zev shook his head in disbelief. "This is incredible. I knew they were lying¡­ but this?"


    "Why did you leave, Zev?" Dunken said through his teeth, his hands clenching to fists at his sides again. "What the hell were you thinking?"


    "I wasn''t thinking, I was forced," he said. "But¡­ but he had me convinced it was going to be better for all of us. They told me that the females were volunteers. And none of them ever told me."


    "For a chance to mate with the Alpha? Of course not!"


    "No, Dunken. You don''t understand. Their world isn''t like ours. The females aren''t free like they would be here. It''s not healthy and¡­ I told them. When I noticed how pale everyone was, and how listless¡­ I told Nick that they were killing them. He said there was no choice. They couldn''t risk any of the humans learning who, or what, they were. So they were all¡­ contained. But this? I had no idea!"


    "But you were obviously free?" Dunken asked.


    "More free than that. But I had the training and practice in the human world. They were all too¡­ Chimera. They would have been noticed. Not to mention that they wouldn''t be used to controlling the shift. And if the human''s saw any of their animals in the city, they''d shoot them. I know they would."


    Dunken shuddered. The only thing the Chimera feared in the humans were their weapons. But those weapons made humans the strongest predators. They''d proven that more than once. Zev thought he''d done a good job of smoothing lines ofmunication and alliance between the Chimera and humans, but if they did this after they took him out¡­


    "You should never have left," Dunken rumbled.


    Zev sighed. "If I''d known, I wouldn''t have done it. But truly, I''m not lying to you Dun, when I left I believed it was going to save Thana, not hurt it."


    Dunken snorted. "Always the na?ve believer. I told you Nick cannot be trusted."


    "I believe you. Now," Zev said reluctantly. "But quickly, you have to paint the picture for me so I can figure out how to y this with Xar. He took dominance, but he''s had to keep fighting for it? The Tigers haven''t backed him?"


    "Of course they have, but their numbers are so few now¡ªand many of them would like to see one of the twins take the staff. But Xar is still physically so strong¡­ it''s been very difficult, Zev. And not good for any of us."


    "How often are the humansing through?"


    "Sometimes every month. Sometimes five or six weeks. But never longer."


    Zev growled. When he left the humans had only entered Thana once per season¡ªevery three to four months. And they never ventured off the trail.


    "Have they lost their fear of the creatures?"


    "No," Dunken spluttered. "They have killed most of them."


    "What?!"


    "You have no idea, Zev. We are a people in chaos. Food resources are low. We have only a handful of females¡ªthe weakest in mind or body, and all of them mated, or unable to reproduce. Only two that aren''t soon going to be too old to bear offspring within a couple years. We have tried to hide the offspring, but the humanse too often now¡ªthey always know when one of the females is pregnant. And even if they miss the birth, they track them down when they arrive¡ªand if the babe is strong, they take it. Especially if it''s female.


    "We are losing numbers. And the tensions between the males is increasing as more and more of them sink into the darkness. Even those that were too young to have mated, or who hadn''t found their mates, are affected.


    "Xar has kept the humans happy so that they will continue to help us. I do not like it, but I understand why he does it. And they have helped him a great deal. I suspect without them we would already have lost him to the darkness. And many others without the food and medical supplies they bring. But even though I am grateful for that¡­ I cannot help being angered because they are the ones who put us in this position."


    Then he looked at Zev from the side. "Them, and you," he said quietly. "I know you did not mean for it to happen, Zev. But there is no denying that your actions brough us here. And Xar has already dered that if you ever return, you will be punished."


    Zev shrugged. "I can take a flogging."


    "No, Zev," Dunken said with a quick nce over his shoulder. "He means a true punishment. I fear that if he sees you¡­ he may wee you as a brother, Zev, because he does not want you to challenge him. But watch your back. His anger is an evil thing now.. If he gets the chance, I believe he will kill you."

 Chapter 48 - Second

    ~ ZEV ~


    It took as long to reach the vige at Sasha''s pace as it would have taken him to get to the City alone. He was carrying both bags, but they weren''t overly heavy. On his own he would barely have been slowed. But it was no matter, he reminded himself. Having Sasha here was all that was important.


    When they were within a mile of the vige, he''d stopped talking to Dunken¡ªit was only depressing and worrying anyway¡ªand dropped back to walk with Sasha, urging Yhet to go forward and join Dunken.


    She held onto his arm, her eyes wide as she examined the forest around them. But she didn''t say much, letting Yhet and Dunken tease each other, and Zev call the asionalment.


    It wasn''t like her to be so quiet.


    "Are you okay?" he asked her at a whisper. The others would be able to hear them, but she likely didn''t realize that yet, and he didn''t want her to cover. They would be polite and pretend they couldn''t hear.


    But when he asked, sheughed a stuttering littleugh. "Of course I''m not okay!" she hissed. "It''s just urred to me that by this time I was supposed to be at work. Rob will be beside himself¡ªprobably calling the Police. I know how that feels, Zev. It''s horrible!"


    Zev winced. "I''m sorry for his worry, but there''s no way around it. Any word we might have passed to anyone to reassure them would only lead those men to us."


    She nodded, her lips twisting. "They were really trying to kill me?"


    "They would have killed you," he corrected. "Their first goal was to take you. To interrogate you. But towards the end there, once they realized we might actually get away, they would have killed you rather than let that happen."


    "Why?"


    "Because they know that killing you would have stopped me. I wouldn''t have left you in their hands. And they also know that running with you will keep me away. I''m sorry, Sash. I know I should have told you all of this sooner, or¡­ something. But there really wasn''t another way. When I saw youst night¡­" he sighed and squeezed his arm tighter against his side, pinning her gloved hands to his ribs. "Knowing I was going to talk to you, to touch you, that was the best moment of thest five years," he said, then looked at her from the corner of his eye.


    Sasha''s face softened¡­ then tensed. "If that''s true¡­ why did you leave?"


    "I don''t have time to tell you the whole story," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "But please believe me, I wouldn''t have gone if I''d known what it would cost you¡ªand me. I was¡­ lied to, and pressured. And I was too young to realize that''s what was happening. I thought my entire people depended on me and¡­ and I thought it wouldn''t be for so long. I thought I would have you back after a year or so."


    "What did they say? What could have made you leave? Zev, we were in love! That was real!"


    "It''s still real, Sasha. At least for me," he added, turning to look at her face, her forehead lined with grief, her eyes narrowed and shing with anger.


    "I¡­ I want to believe you, Zev. I do. But¡­ you have to see. It''s been five years!"


    "Yes, I know," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "But just know, I haven''t wavered in that time."


    "Please, you''ve been sexing yourself silly with hundreds of women."


    He shook his head, grimacing as his mind took him back to the horrific conditions of some of the recent females that he''d been forced to pretend he didn''t notice. "No, Sasha, believe me. There was nothing¡­ nothing emotional in those¡­ interactions." His stomach felt sick. "Especiallytely. The whole program¡­ it''s sick, Sash. The only reason I hadn''te for you sooner was because I was convinced you were safer without me. But recently that changed."


    "What changed?"


    He looked down at her and his heart expanded. She had what the humans described as a heart shaped face¡ªwider at the temples, narrowing to a chin just shy of sharp. He used to joke that her face was the shape of his heart. Her eyes always went soft when he said that.


    Her eyes, catlike and shing followed his face as he lifted his other hand to catch a strand of her mahogany hair that had stuck to her cheek and returned it to the rest to ruffle around her shoulders.


    The truth was, it wasn''t just her face. Sasha was the shape of his heart.


    As they took the final corner in the trail before they would reach the outskirts of the vige, he tried to find the words that would describe what he''d experienced in the past few months, but he couldn''t.


    Did it matter? Did any of it matter except his feelings for her, and hers for him?


    "My life without you has not been full, Sash," he said hoarsely. "Andtely¡­tely I realized that without you I was dying inside. Maybe not literally, but¡­ it was like my heart was shriveling. I had to be closer to you. I didn''t know when I went outst night that that would be the night. But I am so d that it was."


    She looked like she was about to respond, raised one of her hands to put it to his chest and he hoped¡ªprayed¡ªthat the words that came out of her mouth would be the beginning of their return to each other in truth.. But just as she opened her mouth, an echoing howl rose from the trees to their right and Zev froze.

 Chapter 49 - Here An Alpha, There An Alpha

    ~ SASHA ~


    Despite the subject, everything Zev had said was so sweet¡ªand so tinged with doubt about her and what she would think.


    She knew that look on his face¡ªabination of love and concern, the prickle of desire and butterflies of nerves¡ªand it touched her heart that she still knew. It was moments like this that she saw the old Zev, the sweet, thoughtful young man who had set her heart and body ame. Hope took her in its arms when he got that soft smile.


    She''d put one of her hands to his chest and was about to tell him so, when a haunting howl rose from very close in the trees off to their right and Zev froze like he''d been shot.


    Then he cursed under his breath and turned, putting her behind him.


    "What is it?" she asked, peering around his arm, expecting to see some creature prowling out of the forest¡ªone of these ''failures'' of the experiments he had mentioned, that were going to give her nightmares, she was sure.


    Zev tipped his head, listening as the howl faded, then cursed again. "Lhars," he muttered.


    "Who is Lhars?"


    He turned his head, looking at her over his shoulder. "He''s one of my brothers."


    He didn''t use the word like he had with Yhet, or even Dunken. She was about to ask what he meant, when a tall form appeared, seemingly out of nowhere and Sasha''s stomach tingled.


    She turned with a gasp as the shadowy form of man slipped between the trees. Then she blinked and he was there, standing just inside thest line of trunks, staring at them.


    Zev pulled out of her grip to drop the bags and stood with his hands at his sides and posture loose, but she could feel the tension in his back.


    Which was when she realized she might have been clinging. Forcing herself to put space between them, to stand on her own two feet, she shifted her weight backwards.


    But one of Zev''s hands came back to cup the side of her thigh and keep her there.


    Something in Sasha warmed, even as she swallowed nervously.


    The guy standing just off the trail, one hand to the trunk of a tree, was tall and dark like Zev. In fact, she realized, his features were simr enough that he could have been Zev''s actual brother. Except Zev didn''t have any of those.


    Did he?


    "That''s not a face I expected to see when I woke this morning," the guy said quietly, his face expressionless.


    "You and me both," Zev said warily.


    "What are you doing here?"


    Those little muscles at the back of Zev''s jaw flexed, but he didn''t move. "I''m home," he said.


    The man''s face didn''t change, but she had the distinct impression that he was shocked¡ªand not happily so.


    "Does Xar know?"


    "Wouldn''t he have told you if he did?"


    "You never can know with a cat."


    Both their mouths twitched as if this were some kind of inside joke. Sasha looked back and forth between them, confused.


    Then the man''s eyes snapped to her face. His nostrils red and the tiny smile was gone. "You brought a human to Thana?" It was the first real tone he''d used¡ªshock, and disgust.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Yhet and Dunken had stopped further up the trail and turned to watch the brothers reunite. They wouldn''t step in, he knew. It was up to him to navigate this. He was the one who''d abandoned the Chimera three years earlier. He would face the consequences for that. It was only right. At least Yhet would look after Sasha if something happened to him.


    Zev took a deep breath, reminding himself that this had been hisnd, his people three years ago. They had moved on in his absence because they hadn''t had a choice. But he hadn''t been challenged. He was not¡­ reduced.


    "She''s not part of the team," Zev growled. "But even if she were, from what I hear that wouldn''t be a problem?" he said pointedly.


    Lhars'' eyes went t and Zev''s heart sped. His brother was cunning and ambitious. A deadlybination. What he didn''t know was whether Lhars was working with the humans, or against them. The thick disgust in his scent didn''t mean he wouldn''t hold his nose and use them for his own ends. Lhars was a firm believer in the ends justifying the means.


    Then Lhars pushed off the tree and started towards them, and Zev braced, stepping to the side so he was fully between Sasha and Lhars and praying she''d take the hint. She''d been peering around him to stare at his brother. He pushed away the niggling thoughts that she might be liking what she saw.


    "What''s her name?" Lhars asked as he prowled closer.


    "Sasha," Zev said tonelessly.


    Lhars stopped walking. "Seriously?"


    "Seriously."


    "This is the infamous Sasha?"


    "Yes, and if you so much as sniff her without her permission, I will take your throat, Lhars," Zev said quietly.


    Lhars didn''t like that at all. Immediately the air zinged with the electric crackle of males on the edge of violence.


    "You leave us, abandon us, then show back up without warning, and you think you can threaten me? As if I am the one with answers to give?"


    "No, Lhars. I left and I have returned. And I know you. She is mine. If you so much as force a meal on her that she doesn''t want, I. Will. Have. Your. Throat.." Then Zev smiled¡ªanother thing he knew his brother hated¡ªand set his weight on the balls of his feet, just in case.

 Chapter 50 - Brother

    ~ ZEV ~


    Lhars stood in the middle of the underbrush, just feet from the trail, and gave a low growl. But thankfully, he didn''t pounce. Zev didn''t want to have to fight with Sasha still so vulnerable.


    Then Lhars stalked across thest of the space between them and stood, eye-to-eye with Zev, because they were so simr in height and strength that from the back they were virtually indistinguishable.


    Because Lhars was their maker''s attempt at replicating the sess of Zev.


    But they hadn''t seeded, and it burned in his brother''s gullet every day that he was measured as somehow inferior.


    Lhars had burned with jealousy for Zev for as long as either of them could remember. He''d been driven since he was old enough to understand hierarchy to do everything in his power to beat Zev. Trying, and failing, again and again. Not because he was weaker. Or less intelligent. No. Zev knew their bodies were equally matched. It was their faces and hearts that differed. And in a pack, how you were regarded by others in your group was as important as how you regarded yourself. Taking power came with your strength of mind, even more than strength of body. And knowing that those around you stood with you¡­ that was any dominant Chimera''s primary power.


    The thing Lhars had never figured out was that the way you treated others affected how they thought of you¡ªhow they respected you, or didn''t. And that causing others to fear was never going to seed the same kind of respect as loving them.


    What Lhars saw as Zev''s greatest weakness, was in fact, his greatest strength. He loved people. Especially his own people. And they knew it. And their belief in him had always given him the edge over his brother.


    That and the fact that he was a year older¡ªsomething else that angered Lhars no end, because among the Chimera it meant that if the choice between two males was unclear, the older would always be chosen.


    Zev knew he shouldn''t provoke Lhars¡ªwho was formidable, despite his ws¡ªbut there was no doubt he found a petty pleasure in pissing his brother off.


    They faced each other, each of them feeling their strength and skill and eyeing the other as Alpha strength ricocheted off the trees and underbrush. Zev''s smile grew, though silently he prayed that the wind would stay in their favor and those in the vige wouldn''t catch the scent of their face-off. They''d already been notified someone wasing since Lhars howled. If they caught Zev''s scent before he was done dealing with Lhars, it could get dangerous.


    "You left," Lhars snapped. "You abandoned us, then you show back up with a human mate and a grin on your face?"


    "I can''t be happy to see my brother after three years?" Zev asked easily.


    Lhars sneered, shaking his head. "Your charm doesn''t work on me, Zev," he growled. But then he smiled and Zev''s stomach went cold. "Although, I should stop dying you. I mean, you''re going to the vige, right? I think you''re going to discover a very different wee than you''ve had in the past. By all means, be on your way."


    He half-bowed, opening an arm towards the trail and his grin growing.


    Zev didn''t move.


    Lhars straightened and gave him a falsely innocent look. "What''s wrong? You don''t want to turn your back on me?"


    "I don''t want you at my back, or my front, Lhars. But I''ll make do with keeping you away from Sasha. You''re Sentry, right? If you''re so eager for me to see the people, why don''t you run ahead and let them know I''m here? That is your job, right?"


    Lhars'' upper lip twitched toward a snarl. They both knew Zev was reducing his role in the pack by sending him to run a message to others, even to the Alpha. And in front of Sasha¡ªa female that held no ce in the hierarchy. Yet.


    Yet, Zev reminded himself. She didn''t have her ce yet. He put a hand back just to reassure himself that she was still there.


    Then Lhars'' smiled again and leaned even closer. Behind him, Sasha flinched.


    Good, she still had instincts.


    "I''ll run your message, Zev," Lhars said, his eyes shing with rage. "I want to see Xar''s face when he decides to kill you."


    Sasha made a little noise behind him. He tightened his fingers on her thigh for a moment to reassure her, then shrugged. To Lhars he forced another, easy smile. "Thank you, brother. You honor me."


    With a growl, Lhars turned, twisting into beast form, his clothing exploding as his body became a massive, ck wolf, then with ash of his tail he tore down the trail towards the vige, shoving past Yhet and Dunken on his way.


    "Well, that went well!" Dunken called from further up the trail.


    Zev snorted. "It could have been worse."


    He turned to face Sasha who was staring down the trail in the direction Lhars had disappeared. "What was that all about?"


    "That was my younger brother¡­ or at least, gically he''s my brother. The same DNA strands werebined to make us."


    Sasha turned to face him, her expression worried. "You two don''t like each other?"


    Zev sighed. "Thing between us have never been easy," he admitted.


    "Why?"


    But then a cacophony of calls, barks, growls, and roars began not far away, telling Zev his brother had wasted no time sharing the news.


    Sasha blinked and looked towards the noise, then back at him. "What was that?"


    "That was the end of my element of surprise," Zev sighed. Then he took her hand. "Come on, there''s some people I want you to meet.


    He prayed she couldn''t sense his fear as easily as he could sense hers.


    *****


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 Chapter 51 - Welcome Home, Zev

    ~ SASHA ~


    One moment they were walking down a trail through a forest, the next the tall pine trees opened and behind a line of thin saplings and thick bushes, small buildings seemed to just appear out of the forest¡ªstructures that, at first nce might be a fallen log, or a stack of broken branches. But were, in fact, a thick b of bark from a massive tree to form a sloping roof, or a thickyer of branches used to inste a wall.


    Sasha blinked and swallowed and tried to make herself see, because unless she focused on something, it seemed to disappear into the forest in her peripheral vision.


    They had entered arge clearing. Almost a clearing.


    The trunks of massive trees were peppered around the space, still rooted and tall¡ªbut bing the pirs of a shelter, or one side of a wall. The tops of the trees had been removed so there was more light¡ªwhich was why it had the feeling of a clearing. When Sasha looked up, there were no branches blocking her view of the sky. And yet¡­ and yet everything around her looked like it had grown there.


    Sasha was fascinated. Some of the structures were easily as big as her apartment back in the city. How had they made these ces with no straight lines, and with only natural resources, so that they blended so perfectly with their surroundings?


    She turned to Zev, smiling, but her stomach went cold. His face was somber and tight. He was watching the people that were congregating at the center of this area, pouring out of the structures¡ªsome even leaping from within the branches of the surrounding trees¡ªto flow into a crowd that continued to grow and grow.


    She heard Zev''s name more than once, but it echoed over barks, coughs, growls and calls as the people in front of her¡ªall male as far as she could tell¡ªstood, their mouths wide and heads thrown back as they called to the sky.


    Zev''s Adam''s apple bobbed and she squeezed his hand, touched that he was emotional at the greeting. But he wasn''t smiling, and it kept her on edge. Why wouldn''t he be d to be here? He''d always smiled about his home and it had been clear how much he missed it. Why wasn''t he ecstatic to be back? Especially as these people kept arriving, kept rushing in to join the others, as if his arrival was a massive moment, something to be witnessed and dered to the forest.


    Then Zev dropped both bags to the ground and turned his head and caught eyes with someone. When Sasha followed his gaze, Yhet was nodding and stepping forward.


    "Why don''t youe with me, Sasha?" the huge man rumbled with a gentle smile. "Zev needs to greet the people."


    She frowned. Shouldn''t she greet them as well? But clearly customs were different here. She stepped over to Yhet who patted her shoulder awkwardly with his palm as big as a Christmas ham, and ushered her back to the edge of the clearing where they could watch.


    And watch, Sasha did. She was fascinated.


    When she turned from the edge of the clearing back to watch him, Zev nodded once at Yhet, then said in her mind, don''t worry, this won''t take long, then I''ll introduce you.


    She''d been about to answer when he turned and lifted his chin, howling long and high, his hands clenched to fists and arms tense in front of him.


    A surge of sound¡ªmostly howls, but a few other calls and barks¡ªrose in answer to him, and then Zev finally cracked a smile as he dove into the melee of people, of men, and chaos ensued.


    Sasha held her breath when Zev disappeared under the arms and excited leaps of men, all wanting to touch him, to press against him, to¡­ were they sniffing him?


    "What''s going on?" she murmured.


    Yhet gave a little huffing noise, the punch of his breath fluttering in her hair. "They''re greeting him. He has to give his scent and scent them. They all have to be convinced that it''s really him. And then¡­ then they have to decide where he stands in the pack." Yhet said the words gently, as if he were trying to share bad news withpassion.


    Sasha tore her eyes away from the wrestling, rolling males in the vige to nce up at Yhet''s face. His smile was fixed and tight.


    "Yhet?"


    "Yes?"


    "Why did you say that like it''s a bad thing?"


    "Did I?" She was already learning that for him, that was a high voice and that he used it when he was nervous.


    "Yes, you did."


    "Oh, well, don''t worry about me. We Sasquatch can be a little anxious. But Zev''s got this. I know he does. He''s strong. It''s all going to be fine."


    "What''s going to be fine? What''s happening? It seems like they''re happy to see him."


    "Most of them probably are," Yhet said, nodding enthusiastically.


    "So, what''s the problem?"


    "I, uh, I guess you could say that¡­ that this isn''t the real challenge. Though Zev does have something to prove to them all. Once the packs have made sure that he is who they think, then the alphas will all step forward and Zev will have to take his discipline."


    "Discipline? For what?"


    "For leaving the people."


    Sasha looked back at the churning crowd of men and frowned. "Why are they so mad that he left?"


    "Because, Sasha, didn''t he tell you? He was Alpha. When he left we were all lost for a while. It caused a great deal of conflict and uncertainty¡ªand ultimately gave the humans the freedom to steal our females while we were all distracted. Zev is¡­ Zev almost ended the Chimera, whether he meant to or not¡ªand I know he didn''t," Yhet added hurriedly.


    Sasha coughed. "He was Alpha like¡­ the leader? Of the whole vige?"


    Yhet snorted. "He was Alpha of the whole people, Sasha. And that was back when we had many, many more than we do now."


    "But he''s so young!"


    Yhet looked confused. "He is a fully fledged adult, Sasha. Not a juvenile. He was very capable. And very well loved. When he left¡­ well, we have all felt it."


    She turned back to see Zev pop up in the middle of the crowd, sping another man by the back of his neck, who in turn sped him, and they touched foreheads, then turned to rub their cheeks against each other. She blinked.


    "Is that¡­"


    "They are sharing scents," Yhet said, a smile in his tone.. "Don''t worry, Sasha, it will be your turn soon."

 Chapter 52 - Home

    ~ ZEV ~


    Once he''d seen Sasha safely delivered to the edge of the clearing and under Yhet''s guard, Zev''s heart sang.


    He was home.


    Behind him the males were gathering, trembling with anticipation and nerves, calling for him toe¡ªsome challenging, but most offering simple greetings, the yearning to reunite. He turned to face them and his eyes stung.


    So many faces he knew¡­ and so many faces missing. Ignoring the grief, Zev focused on the thrill of returning to his true family, and threw back his head and howled. His pack called in return¡ªsome of the other Chimera calling their greetings, as well. Then he dove into the fray.


    It had been so long since he''d been free with his people¡ªover three years¡ªand for a moment, it was sheer bliss to simple wallow in his pack, to smell and be smelled, to rub bodies and faces, to take each other''s breath.


    Zevughed as someone rolled him, and suddenly it was a pile, males leaping in, rolling and twisting in their excitement to get close. He was bruised and winded, excited and happy.


    He heard his name bouncing around in the air, but didn''t really register it until a specific voice, resonant, but cracked with strain, called for him.


    "Zev!"


    Shaking with joy, Zev pushed the males off that were trying to pin him and stood to find his oldest, dearest friend and packmate, Jhon, beaming at him.


    Jhon was the sun''s light to Zev''s midnight dark. The older females in the pack had always imed the two grew up so close because they were so pr opposite in every way that they never challenged each other''s territory.


    Zev didn''t know if that was true¡ªJhon was almost as dominant as he was¡ªbut the golden wolf was, without doubt, his favorite person in the world aside from Sasha. He had missed his friend terribly.


    "Jhon!" he cried and rushed forward, sping the male''s neck with his hand and pulling him in, as Jhon returned the gesture and they touched, rubbing faces and feeling each other''s strength, inhaling each other''s breath and scent.


    It was sheer joy to reach out with his mind and find his friend there. I have missed you, brother!


    You left a hole in our hearts, Zev. I''m so d you''re back.


    They embraced and Zev swallowed the pinch of tears in his throat. But there was no time for emotion, because there were still so many to greet, to scent, and to be measured by.


    Much as his heart sang to be back in this world and among his pack, Zev knew this was only the calm before the storm. Even as the males scented him and affirmed him to themselves, even as they sent their conviction to the pack mind, bouncing back and forth with his name and the confirmation of his scent, wolf-by-wolf, still the tension rose with every question answered.


    His pack wanted him back, but weren''t supposed to. And his reappearance created a conflict of loyalties for them that they did not want to face. So their joy was marred by their fear.


    And their fear set Zev''s teeth on edge. Why would his people fear their leader? The Alpha should be their protector. A disciplinarian when needed, sure. But an object of fear? Never! It was the Alpha''s strength that kept them safe...


    A momentter, as the packs finally began to settle, and the other Chimera had their chances to touch and scent him, the tingle of nerves began in Zev''s belly.


    No matter the tensions, they were d he was back. They had missed him. But now he would have to pay for the wounds he had left with his absence.


    Slowly, slowly thest of the Chimera¡ªand they were almost entirely male, Zev saw with growing despair. He had hoped the impressions his friends gave were exaggerated. A negative view of a real problem. But he saw that in fact, they hadn''t fully described the depth of the problem.


    He counted five females. Likely there were a handful more out in the fields or hunting. But even so¡­


    What had happened? What were the humans doing, killing his people like this?


    Everything he''d seen, everything he''d been told had always pointed to the humans desire to increase the Chimera. For fuck''s sake, they''d turned him into a stud for that purpose! So why were they allowing these people to be ripped apart?


    What was the purpose?


    Zev resolved to find out. After he figured out how to get through this without dying. And without losing Sasha. That had to be his priority right now. But he would figure this out, and return his people to the ce where they could thrive. He was certain of it. It was why he''d been made.


    Then he turned from an embrace from an old goat, and found that there were no more Chimera waiting to greet him.


    He beamed to all of them standing around him. "It is so wonderful to see you again!" he cried, and they called back their joy.


    But their cries cut off when a deep, ragged voice, hoarse with an old injury, pierced the bubble of joy and excitement.


    "What a momentous day¡­ Zev is returned."


    Zev stomach trilled and every muscle in his body tensed.


    The babble of voices and animal calls cut off like it had been snipped with scissors. Zev turned, careful to keep his face nk while around him, as if they were on strings, every Chimera¡ªeven Jhon¡ªtook a knee.. To a male, they dropped their heads and saluted, shuffling out of the way to leave a clear path to Zev for Xar, the scarred and embattled Tiger who had just prowled into the clearing.

 Chapter 53 - Tiger

    ~ ZEV ~


    With no one else on their feet, Zev and Xar had a clear view of each other as Xar¡ªolder than Zev remembered, more rugged, his burnished skin more wrinkled, his forehead taller than it used to be, and his once-brown hair now far more gray¡ªstrode toward him in that rolling, catlike stride that always sent ice down Zev''s spine. He wore the stole of the Alpha as if it were a formal asion. Zev would haveid money that the male had the ritual de shoved into the back of the belt that circled his robes¡ªand revealed the beginning of a pot-belly on the old Alpha.


    Though Xar''s eyes hadn''t hazed at all, they shed with cunning and intelligence, and the certainty of his dominance.


    All the shorthairs on Zev''s body stood up in warning, but he forced himself to stand easily, to hold Xar''s gaze, and to smile.


    "It''s good to see you, Xar, congrattions," he said quietly. The others had all gone silent. Xar would have no trouble hearing him. He prayed Sasha still could.


    "Do not greet me as a friend," the Alpha snapped. "Traitor."


    Zev let his smile fade, but didn''t defend himself. He simply held the Alpha''s eyes and waited. And prayed that if this went bad, Yhet would just pick Sasha up and run. No one would be able to catch them.


    That wasn''t what he nned, though. Zev hadn''t returned intending to take the ns back. But the more he saw here, the more he wondered if it was needed. And the more his own dominance itched for release.


    He would not undermine his own authority by submitting to Xar in case the time to challenge came faster than he expected.


    Xar stalked him through the crowd, until he was just a few feet away. The old Tiger''s shoulders were thick¡ªthicker than Zev''s¡ªand he was almost as tall. Zev knew he would be a difficult opponent if it became necessary to beat him hand-to-hand. Or beast to beast.


    In nature, the alpine wolves and Siberian tigers were naturalpetitors that generally avoided each other except in the contest for food¡ªwhen the tigers usually won.


    The human researchers had been trying to determine which species would be better suited to influence the human gene pool.


    But despite Xar''s strength and human traits, the old male was far more cat than human in his thinking. The researchers had seeded in developing more humanity with Zev, with the wolves, first. The Tigers were no longer a primary gene pool for trials. He wondered if Xar knew this? If the old Tiger knew his people''s time was ticking away?


    Zev fought a sigh. It wasn''t Xar''s fault that feline DNA didn''t like to blend with others.


    It was a mark of them as Chimera, as well, when he thought about it.


    The old King came to a stop in front of him and they regarded each other warily.


    Around them, all the Chimera had submitted, averting their eyes. While Zev knew every Alpha had need of the submission of their people, he''d never required that kind of devotion to be disyed just because he showed up.


    What else had Xar done to his people?


    "Your return, without warning, is an offense," Xar growled, his voice taking on the warning growl that resonated in his chest.


    "There was no chance for warning. I did send Lhars ahead."


    Xar snorted. "By what, a minute? Two? It hardly counts, Zev."


    "It was the best I could do. There was no warning for me that I was returning."


    "I find that very, very hard to believe. Our human friends will have a different story to tell, I''m sure," Xar purred.


    Zev''s eyes narrowed. "How would you know what stories the humans have to tell? Aren''t they the ones that have taken all our females?"


    Xar''s face hardened. "I do not answer to you, traitor. You are the one who abandoned the people! You are the one who left the hierarchy fractured, and our home torn from the inside. You abandoned us to our fate, so you have no grounds to return and question where we have ended up."


    "Perhaps. Perhaps not. But isn''t it convenient that you can dodge the question¡ª"


    Xar hissed and flowed forward, one massive fist aimed straight for Zev''s ribs.


    Zev twisted and blocked the blow, but it left them chest to chest, both snarling, Zev''s grip on the older male''s arm shaking with the effort to keep him from taking another swing.


    "You are no Alpha, Zev. An Alpha would die in defense of his people¡ªnot run like a pup with his tail between his legs."


    "I did not run," Zev snarled. "And I certainly never allowed the humans among our people with the ess and strength in numbers that would give them an opportunity to steal our females. Our offspring."


    "Do not speak to me of what you do not do, Zev," Xar snapped. "Our females were taken because the ns were weakened by your disappearance. We were in chaos¡ªdominance changing day after day, week after week. The humans took advantage of our confusion and by the time we understood what was happening it was toote. All because of you, you fucking¡ª"


    "He brought a female!" a voice called from the edge of the crowd.


    Zev wanted to close his eyes and curse the male who''d said it. But instead he did the opposite, raising his eyebrows and holding Xar''s gaze as the male scanned the crowd until his eyes fell on Sasha and Yhet.


    His surprise was evident, but he held it in check.


    "You brought a human to Thana, then think to lecture me?" he purred, turning back to Zev.

 Chapter 54 - Female

    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev held Xar''s gaze for a long second before answering. "She isn''t just any human," he said simply.


    "Oh, of course. She''s a¡­ special human?" Xar said. "Let me guess, your precious Nick has singled her out as just the rightpanion and now you''re to return here to rule¡ª"


    "It''s Sasha, Xar," Zev said tly. "There was no n. And bringing her here was in defiance of the team, not at their urging."


    Xar stopped, staring at Zev, examining him. Zev felt like a mouse under the eyes of a cat¡ªuntil he remembered his own rule. He raised his chin and held the Tiger''s gaze and let him see it too.


    There was never a mass-kidnapping under Zev''s rule. He''d been barely twenty when he took Alpha, which by human standards was very young. But the Chimera leaned into their animal roots more heavily than the team had originally understood. They matured faster, hit puberty earlier and developed quickly, reaching full adulthood usually by the age of sixteen or seventeen. At twenty, Zev had held his own with near-thirty year old humans.


    Now, at almost twenty-five, he was stronger than any human he knew, though he hadn''t met them all. And he had been trusted by the humans with operations and secrets far in excess of his original role.


    He was strong, capable, a decisive and powerful leader¡­ and he wasn''t scared of Xar.


    And Xar knew it.


    Which was precisely why Zev didn''t like the expression blooming on the old cat''s face.


    "You bring us a gift!" he said to Zev, nodding his approval. "A female, a blessing to increase our numbers."


    Zev gave him a warning look. "She will have offspring only at her choice."


    "Or the Creator''s," Xar nudged him, with a malicious smile.


    Zev wanted to bite something. It had been an ongoing debate between them when Zev was Alpha. He believed the Chimera were soulless and needed to live as if theirst days breathing this air were therest forever. Where Xar was convinced life did not begin without the Creator¡ªthat whomever had made the humans had also willed the Chimera to be. That their beginnings in theboratory were merely a unique spark. That life could not begin without the Creator''s will. The same Creator that made the humans.


    They''d never resolved their differences on it.


    "However, or whenever life begins, it will be her choice," Zev said through his teeth. "She is not a gift for you."


    "No, of course not. I''m far too old," Xar said, his smile growing.


    "The choice of who she takes as mate belongs to her," Zev insisted.


    "You think I would force a female to take a male she didn''t measure?" Xar growled, no longer smiling. "Do you use your Alpha¡ª"


    "No," Zev said. "I do not use. I rify for her sake¡ªand for any that would think to disy for her," he said raising his voice and turning to scan the crowd of males around them. "She is mine."


    Xar''s face went serious. "You are mated?"


    "Not yet."


    "She hasn''t chosen you?"


    "Not yet."


    Xar smiled again.


    "Then it is not your deration to make," he said pointedly.


    "She doesn''t understand the traditions and customs. I speak for her only to protect her."


    "Is she over the age of maturity?"


    "Yes."


    "Very good," Xar purred, a sh in his eyes that made Zev''s stomach chill. But the old tiger only turned to the rest of the males as well. "The female will be left to make her own choice. If you choose to disy, you respect her choice as you would any Chimera."


    Zev didn''t know why the deration made him uneasy. Had he been in Xar''s shoes, he would have made the same statement.


    "Please, Sasha,e here so I might meet you," Xar said then, smiling warmly.


    Zev, distinctly uneasy, turned to see her look at him uncertainly. But he couldn''t see a reason for her not to meet the n Leader. She would have to at some point¡ªand to do so publicly would be far less likely to end in any kind of problem. So he just nodded to reassure her, then held his hand out as she weaved between the males. Those who were unmated followed her with their eyes, leaned in as she passed. She was clearly unsettled by their nearness, but either she remembered his little instruction before they arrived, or she was just strong enough to push ahead anyway.


    She took his hand as she reached him and stood next to him, nodding her head at Xar.


    "Sasha, this is Xar. He''s n Leader. All the other Alphas report to him. Kind of like a King."


    "Hello," she said politely, but her hand was trembling in his. Zev squeezed her fingers.


    "It is lovely to meet you dear," Xar said, leaning forward to take her hand. He''d had enough contact with humans to use impable manners, but his eyes¡­ his eyes followed her like a cat on a mouse. "May I ask how far beyond your first bleeding you are?" he asked casually.


    Sasha''s head jerked back and she looked at Zev, who sighed but urged her to answer him. She blinked a few times, but turned back to Xar. "I was thirteen when¡­ I first¡­ bled," she said, and he felt her recoil.


    It made him sick. He held her hand tightly, ring at the cat.


    "She is fully mature, Xar, and you know it. Stop trying to put her off bnce."


    "You are a traitor and a human agent, Zev," Xar said without taking his eyes off of Sasha. "You do not give orders to me. Sasha," he said, his voice brighter¡ªand less authentic¡ªwhen he addressed her. "Have you ever given birth?"


    "I¡­ what? No!"


    "Pity," Xar said. "There has been a rash of infertility among the females here as well. But that does not mean with the right mate she couldn''t¡ª"


    "She hasn''t had children, because she hasn''t been mating, Xar. Move on. Your questions aren''t necessary. I wouldn''t present her as a female if there were issues."


    Xar turned to look at Zev slowly, all hint of pleasure or warmth gone from his features. "You do not present her at all, Zev. She is an adult, human female, unmated, and in our world. She will be Chimera, or she will go home."


    "She''s here because the humans want her dead¡ªor at least, locked up. I had always known Thana was a haven for us, a sanctuary. I believed bringing her here would assure her safety. Was I wrong?" Zev snapped.


    "Oh, no. Not at all," Xar said, one side of his mouth sliding up. "We will keep her here¡ªeven hide her from the humans."


    "Good."


    "But if she is to be here, she must be one of us. And our females must take a mate when they turn twenty, if not before.. It is the only way we can assure the future of our people."

 Chapter 55 - One Of Us

    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev stood at her shoulder, his fingers tight on hers, the muscles on his arm hard as steel. She could feel it against her own.


    Take a mate.


    She hadn''t followed everything that passed between the two of them, but that part she understood.


    This Alpha King whatever, was telling her she had to take a mate. She swallowed. It would be Zev, of course. But¡­ but what did they mean by take a mate?


    Visions of two of her father''s dogs mating in the backyard while the rest of the dogs watched bloomed in her head, and her cheeks went up in mes.


    "What do you mean¡­ mate?" she asked, working hard to keep her voice calm.


    "He means you have to pick a male to spend your life with," Zev said quietly, his eyes still on the older man. "Think of it like¡­ getting married."


    Marry Zev? It was only what she''d dreamed about for five years.


    "Oh, okay. I can¡­ I mean¡­ with some time¡ª"


    "There is no time," the King snapped, turning his attention to her. The light in his eyes made her mouth go dry¡ªand not in the good way. "You have until your next bleed. Choose a n, then choose a mate. The rest you can learn as you go."


    "But¡ª"


    "No one will take you against your will," he said as if it wasn''t even something to be concerned about. "But if you do not name your mate on the day of your next bleed, if you do not ept his disy and take him to den, one will be chosen for you. It will be between you, then, to establish the mating."


    The ears of every male in the vige perked at that.


    Sasha swallowed and clung to Zev''s hand.


    Zev. He was the answer here. This wasn''t home. This wasn''t her world. This was the home of these Chimera people. And their culture was different. That was okay. She could deal with that. She would just name Zev and they could be together and get to know each other again and if it worked out, great. And if it didn''t¡­ he wouldn''t force her. She knew that.


    Zev was opening his mouth, his face thunderous like he was going to step in to save her, but Sasha nodded quickly. "Okay. I can do that."


    Zev''s head snapped around and he stared at her, wide-eyed and¡­ hopeful?


    She gave him a hesitant smile. His fingers tightened on hers. Watching those ice-blue eyes widen, sparking on hers¡­ it was like thest five years hadn''t happened. Something in the center of her chest pulled for him¡ªalways had since the day she''d met him. And now it was like she could feel him pulling towards her.


    They stared at each other and everything else faded. She forgot about the crowd watching, the strange King looking on. All she could see was Zev''s full lips, his strong jaw, those startling eyes, and all she could feel was the warmth that came off his skin that wanted to wrap her up and hold her close.


    She was tumbling into a memory then, down, down, down¡­


    She was eighteen and almost finished her senior year. Zev, too, though he was a year older. He told her his parents had held him back a year when he was little, to let him mature.


    She''d stroked his chest and whispered to him that he got an A+ in growing up.


    They bothughed.


    It was one of the happiest times of her life. School had been easy that semester because she''d worked hard earlier and only had three sses. She spent most of her time at school in the cafeteria, or on the bleachers, hanging out with her friends, discussing colleges, or summer ns, and nning parties for the end of the year.


    Even though it was still spring, it was warm and that afternoon she''d decided to sit outside under one of the trees on thewn next to the Athletic Center while she waited for Zev to finish hisst ss.


    She''d been curled up at the base of a tree, a book on her knees, and dozing off, when warm fingers appeared at her ankle and began to slide up her calf.


    She gasped and sat bolt upright to find Zev crouched next to her feet, his eyes bright and dancing, and his breathing faster than usual.


    Their eyes locked and the pounding of her heart that had started from the adrenalin rush pushed higher at the look in his eyes.


    She''d had to swallow before she could speak. "Are you done with ss already?"


    He nodded his head but didn''t speak. His throat bobbed like he was nervous. She was going to ask, but then he dropped to his knees between her feet, groaned her name, and took her face in his hands and kissed her.


    Really kissed her.


    Kissed her like he was going to make love to her.


    She''d sucked in a breath and dropped the book as her hands pped to his shoulders. Then her so-careful Zev, her always-thoughtful, never pushy boyfriend moaned in her mouth and sucked on her tongue.


    "Fuck, Sash," he croaked when she arched into him.


    Her skin pebbled all over¡ªand her heart raced so fast she got lightheaded. She tilted her head to deepen the kiss and a weird noise broke in her throat when one of his hands slid down her back, to her waist and pulled her closer.


    This was crazy.


    They were at the back of the school, but there were ssrooms on the other side of the bushes, and parking lot beyond the fence that would be filling with students on their way home soon.


    As Zev cupped her neck in onerge hand, and her wiast in the other, she curled her legs around his waist and pulled him down onto her so theyid in the grass together, kissing.


    Both of their breaths were heavy and it struck her, suddenly, where they were and what they were doing.


    "Zev!" she gasped, dropping her head back onto the grass. "What are you doing?"


    He didn''t stop, though. He kissed his way down her jaw, to her neck, then growled against her skin, "Promise me, Sash."


    "Promise you what?"


    He nipped at her throat and she felt the shudder rock through him. "If any other man ever asks for your heart, you say no. Promise me."


    "I promise," she whispered, taking his mouth again, then murmuring against his lips. "I promise."


    *****


    GET MORE IN DECEMBER! There''s now 2 chapters posted every day, and if we stay in the Top 10 in Golden Tickets this month, I''ll give you an EIGHT chapter mass release for Christmas! So click that "Vote" button below and select "Golden Tickets" and let''s do this!

 Chapter 56 - [Bonus ] What You Didn鈥檛 Know

    READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you to YOU (yes, you!) for getting behind this book so quickly, and encouraging me through my fear along the way. I am truly grateful for you. Because it''s going premium tomorrow so chapters will begin to lock, I''m release TWO chapters tonight, just to say thanks. I hope you enjoy it!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha blinked out of the memory to find Zev staring at her, that same look in his eyes he''d had that day. That looked called to her, pulled at her from low in her belly¡ªand her heart.


    Zev was home for her. She didn''t understand where she was, or how she''de here¡ªhow this ce could even exist. But she understood him.


    "Sash¡ª" he breathed.


    "Excellent!" the King barked suddenly. Sasha startled, but the King was already turning away from her to address the crowd. "The female has agreed. She will join the ns and choose a mate before her next bleed. This is a cause to celebrate! Tonight we feast!"


    A great cheer went up among the men, many of them turning to stare at her, their eyes alight and... she was put in mind of a dog, salivating over its meal. Sasha smiled uncertainly.


    When she looked at Zev, he seemed a little hesitant, but he was smiling too. Seeing his lopsided grin made her want to pull him down into a kiss.


    But she couldn''t let it be that easy. If she was understanding what had happened here, when Zev left her he''de here, stayed for a couple of years, then left these people without warning too.


    What was going on with him? And would he do it again? Was she sitting here, throwing her whole life away on a guy who couldn''t stick anything for more than a couple years?


    He must have sensed her thoughts because his brows suddenly pinched over his nose.


    "Sasha, what¡ª"


    Xar motioned for the crowd to quiet, then he spoke, his voice booming so that everyone could hear. "Zev has also returned to us and seeks to reunite with his n."


    Arge group of the men howled¡ªthe other wolves, she assumed¡ªbut everyone else went silent. Tension hung in the air so thick Sasha wanted to scream, "BOO!" just to break them out of it.


    Probably not an ideal n with men who could turn into massive predators.


    When the wolves were done, Zev''s smile was gone and his eyes fixed on Xar. Who was staring right back at him, a cunning smile on his face.


    She watched Zev closely, ready to follow his lead, but didn''t speak. The way he stared at the older man made her very, very nervous that they might need to start running again soon.


    "Sash," Zev said quietly, without taking his eyes off the leader, "Go stand with Yhet. This part doesn''t involve you."


    "Oh, but it might," the King purred.


    "I''ll take the chance," Zev growled, squeezing her hand, then nudging her back, away from them.


    She didn''t want to leave his side. Didn''t feel safe walking back through the crowd without him. But she put her chin up and fixed her eyes on Yhet, who stood back from the crowd, his face pained, wringing his hands. But when she made it to him, he smiled and pulled her to his side, whispering that it was all going to be fine and she shouldn''t worry.


    She patted his arm to soothe him, but his fear was catching. What was going on?


    She didn''t know how Zev knew she''d reached Yhet, since they were behind him, but he waited until she stood quietly, then he finally spoke, firm and clear, projecting his voice so the entire crowd that circled the two men could hear.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Tension vibrated in Zev''s skin. The Tiger was up to something. The question was, could he anticipate his enemy''s moves?


    All he knew was, he had to get the male publiclymitted to Sasha''s protection. Otherwise, nothing else mattered.


    "Before we go any further, I ask you to vow that you will protect her. She is untrained in our ways and familiar with different customs. Give me your word that no matter what happens to me, you will take care of her. The humans want her dead. She will need to be hidden."


    Xar''s eyes narrowed. "Why should I promise you anything? You left us. You were a traitor¡ªchoosing your precious humans over your own people. Perhaps all of this is a lie and you left us to choose her? But now your handlers grow weary of you, so you decide to settle back into your old life?" the old man growled.


    "I did not return to take my old life. I returned to save hers," Zev spat. "I am no traitor. When I was Alpha, the humans did not have free rein to walk among us and steal our mates! But you submit to them! And look where it has gotten you. I do not stand here to challenge you, but if you will not protect her, you leave me no other choice!"


    Revealing the strength and speed that remained under his rugged skin, the Tiger flowed forward faster than the human eye would catch, putting himself nose-to-nose with Zev. "You think to threaten me, pup?"


    "No," Zev growled. "I think to protect my mate at all costs."


    A sharp intake of breath echoed around the clearing, then voices rumbled. Zev didn''t turn to see how the males reacted. He couldn''t give Xar any room to take dominance in case they did have to fight.


    "You, Zev?" Xar chuckled. "You im a mate? The humans prized stud ims a mate?"


    "The bond is not cemented yet. But I am certain, yes." Then he sent a thought to Sasha.


    Don''t worry, I won''t let them hurt you.


    How he wished she could speak back to him. He could feel her though, that tangle of emotions still tooplicated to unravel. But alongside her shock he could smell some delight. He held onto that.


    Xar shook his head like Zev was an untrained pup, showing his inexperience. Zev didn''t back down.


    "I will protect the female," Xar said, projecting his voice to make sure everyone heard. "But the choice of mate is hers to make. No one will be refused their chance to disy. No one"


    Zev growled as the crowd of males around him bubbled with excitement.

 Chapter 57 - Clans

    ~ ZEV ~


    The response from the crowd was mixed¡ªsome cheering, some growls. A lot of chatter. The males didn''t know what to make of this. But Zev''s wolves remained loyal. So far.


    "No one?" Zev asked through his teeth.


    Xar''s smile widened. "She is human. We are all human. So she is not restricted to n¡ªshe could take any of us without concern for the babe."


    Zev rolled his jaw. If he wasn''t so certain she would choose him, he might have challenged the male on the spot. Normally thepetition over a female who reached adulthood would only ur within the n of her birth. The forests of Thana were thinly popted by the horrific results that urred over the past decade when the humans had made the undeniable mistake of mixing already split DNA. Those creatures¡ªnot Chimera, but something entirely other¡ªwere pitied by the Chimera, and treated as brothers deserving ofpassion. The Chimeran tradition was that mating pairs stayed within ns to ensure their offspring were not harmed.


    Xar was right, as a human, Sasha could safely mate with any Chimera, because she would only add additional human genes.


    But that meant creating conflict between the ns as the males fought to demonstrate dominance¡ªnot just within the n that had the female, but between all, because this female was a potential mate for any.


    "You would send your people into chaos over one female?" he growled. "With so few females, surely the honor of disying for her should go only to those highest ranked?"


    Xar tipped his head. "You wish to see only the strongest make an offer to the weak, human female?"


    "Of course! She is not weak for a human. Her stock is strong," Zev said emphatically.


    "You, who brought her here, want me to protect her from the advances of males too low in the ns?"


    "Do I need to repeat myself?" Zev snarled. "You are the leader here, Xar. Why would you send all of the ns into chaos? What would you gain?"


    Xar shrugged and raised his hands. "Our former Alpha has spoken. The female will only be approached by males in the highest tiers¡ªAlphas and their seconds, the unmated masters."


    Most of the males around them muttered, but those who were leaders began to smile and eye each other.


    Zev was torn¡ªrelieved, because this would stop the inevitable bloodbath that would only reduce their numbers further. But distinctly uneasy. Dunken had been right. Something was wrong with Xar. The wild light in his eyes when he smiled and¡­


    Why was he so pleased to give in to Zev''s demand?


    "Are you satisfied, Zev? Or do I need to wee your challenge so we can move on?"


    "I didn''te here to challenge you." Though it was starting to look like he might not have a choice.


    "Excellent, then we turn our attention to the problem of you." Xar''s smile brightened.


    Zev''s upper lip curled back from his teeth. "Discipline me as you see fit. But I am not the problem here, Xar, and you know it. The females were not taken under my watch. The humans were not allowed into Thana without warning under my rule. We did not move to make ourselves more essible to them at mymand!"


    Xar snarled, snapping his teeth, his scent telling Zev that if he''d been in Tiger form, his ears would have ttened and his fangs exposed.


    Cats were so fucking obnoxious.


    "You know nothing of what happened here after you disappeared!" Xar hissed. "You want to see the ns kept from chaos? What do you think urred the day we woke and our Alpha was gone? What do you think urred in the following days as we waited for him to return and sought him? What do you think happened when it became clear you weren''t returning and someone else would need to take control?"


    Zev held his ground, but his heart thudded painfully. He''d known the problems it would cause. But at the time, he believed staying would have created worse.


    "I said, discipline me for the choice I made," he growled. "But do not try to tell me that the choices made in my absence were my choices."


    "We tore each other apart!" Xar hissed. "There was no peace, no chance to provide while the hierarchy was reestablished¡ªyou did that! And while we fought, everyone was in danger. A pregnant female was thrown aside when the Owl and Hare Alphas fought, and she lost the babe. Everyone mourned!"


    Zev shook his head. "Truly a sad loss¡ª"


    "That is what brought the humans, you fuckwit! To keep our families and ns safe, we males agreed to move our conflicts to the outskirts of the city, to the amphitheater. But it took weeks! When the humans learned that a female had been harmed, that an offspring was lost, they came while we fought and stole the females and babes away from us!"


    "There should have been some left to watch over them, to protect them!"


    Xar''s face twisted with rage, "There was no Alpha in ce to make the order! Our Alpha abandoned us to ourselves, and the humans removed our females to keep them safe!"


    "And yet, you continue to allow them here! You continue to submit to their needs!" Zev snarled.


    "I submit to assure them the females can be returned! I submit to keep those left under my care safe from their weapons! You were not here! You cannot judge¡ªyou left us unprotected from them until someone wed their way to the top. That someone was me, Zev. I am Alpha! I am n Leader! And you will not walk away from your choices and the harm they delivered to all of us!"


    Zev half-crouched, ready to defend if they remained in human form, or to shift to wolf and battle. He regretted what had urred¡ªcould see how he''d been manipted. But he would not let Xar tell himself, or anyone else, that Zev had made those choices. He would regret killing Xar if that was what was needed. But he would not back down.


    Xar''s eyes were wide and shining with rage, his hands in ws at his sides. But then, just as Zev prepared to shift andunch himself, the old Tiger rxed. Rocked back on his heels and shook his head.


    And he smiled.


    "I''m not going to fight you, Zev," he said calmly. "I don''t have to. You are a traitor, and the bane of the ns. I do not need to notice you under my feet." He put his hand to Zev''s shoulder and Zev flinched but allowed it. Xar shook his head. "You betrayed our people, and left us to die. You are stripped of your rank. You will notpete for the attentions of the female you im¡ªshe belongs to the ns."


    "I am of the ns," Zev growled, his voice rising with his fear. "I am of rank!"


    "Not anymore," Xar hissed, his voice a slithering, creeping joy. "You are cast out."


    The vige exploded in protests and cheers.

 Chapter 58 - Outcast

    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev''s entire body went cold. Colder than Xar''s smile as the old tiger''s eyes slid away to focus on something behind Zev. As if Zev wasn''t even there.


    No.


    NO.


    "You can''t¡ª" he snarled. But Xar''s eyes were sharp and his smile smug as he turned away, turned that smile from Zev to address the crowd that was barking, roaring, calling¡ªsome in protest, others in excitement.


    Clearly Lhars had made some friends since Zev had been gone. Even the wolves seemed to be split in their responses to this news. Despite Zev''s previous power and respect.


    Shit.


    "The hierarchy remains!" Xar roared over the boiling of the crowd,pletely ignoring Zev¡ªas every Chimera now would, thanks to the Tiger''s deration. "Our ranks are unchanged. We are at peace, brothers. Tonight we feast! Prepare the fires! Prepare yourselves! There is a female to entice."


    A cheer went up and all the Chimera began to move, eddying around Zev like he was a rock in the flow of the river.


    The wolves were in disarray, some of them¡ªthose who must still support Zev¡ªgrowled and surged forward towards him. But they were held back by the others. Arguments began between good Chimera, so Zev shook his head for anyone watching. He couldn''t allow himself to be the cause for dissension between the people.


    It was strange to feel grateful for the males that were likely his brother''s supporters. He needed his people to stay in their ns, to not put themselves in danger. And if that meant listening to Lhars and his maniptors, well¡­ so be it.


    Zev red at Xar''s back and tried to wrap his mind around what had just happened. He had to cobble together a n.


    He''d expected discipline. He''d expected humiliation. He''d been prepared to humble himself and ept whatever was needed to retain his position within the ns.


    Making him outcast when their numbers were so few, and he was so strong, made no sense at all. Not even for a Tiger. And the response of the males around them said he wasn''t the only one who thought so.


    And yet¡­ and yet¡­ even those protesting the deration didn''t let their eyes settle on Zev. Even those he knew would grieve this decision, didn''t let themselves see him.


    They couldn''t.


    Among Chimera, to be cast out was the ultimate shame. You became unseen. While your family group might take pity and leave out resources for you to find, none would address you directly. They would refuse to see you, stepping past you as if you were not even there, and if you attempted to speak, they would turn away, ignoring youpletely.


    Casting out was punishment for the worst of betrayers. For those who took a female against her will. Or who killed an offspring.


    Casting out was for those who had revealed themselves to be the worst of the made beings. Those who could not be trusted, and should not survive.


    Casting out was not a way to remove a challenger before you had to fight them.


    A snarl ripped out of Zev''s throat and those near him flinched, but averted their eyes, stepping away as if they had simply chosen that moment to move.


    Then he heard his name, called across the clearing in that strong, pure voice that made his heart sing, but broken off quickly by a deep, rumbling whisper, urgent and insistent. His hands clenched to fists.


    Fuck.


    Sasha.


    They wouldn''t protect her if she acknowledged him.


    He whipped around to face her. Taller than most of the dispersing crowd anyway, as the males moved on, avoiding his gaze, it left a clear space between him and the woman he loved. But it wasn''t her that he turned to. It was Yhet, pleading with his eyes even as he sent words to Sasha so she would listen to him.


    You have to listen to Yhet. You can''t look at me, or touch me. If you do, they will turn on you. Please, Sasha. Don''t worry. I''ll work this out. I promise. I''ll work this out and we''ll be back together. Just¡­ just pretend you don''t see me. I have to hide for a while. Don''t worry about me, some of the others will help me. Just ignore me if you see me. I''ll fight my way back to you.


    Her face crumpled and he inhaled, drawing her scent from across the clearing. It broke his heart¡ªthe fear and anger in her. The confusion.


    She was afraid he would disappear again. It was thest thing she needed to fear, but they hadn''t had time yet.


    Fuck!


    Yhet met his eyes in passing as he turned to put his body between Zev and Sasha, speaking to her quietly, exining what was happening and how Zev would fix it.


    Good. Good. Yhet would exin.


    I''m not leaving you, Sasha, he murmured into her head. Just be patient. I''m still here. I will work this out. Just be patient.


    But he couldn''t say too much, he needed her to listen to Yhet.


    Then when she tried to push Yhet aside, to find him, he snarled again and turned on his heel, leaping into his wolf and sprinting for the trees.


    And not a single Chimera watched him pass.


    But behind him,ughter bounced in the cold air and Zev snarled again.


    He was going to kill Xar when this was done. The coward. The fucking pussy. He had set him up. Zev should have known.


    Never trust a smiling cat.


    *****


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 Chapter 59 - Don鈥檛 Look Now

    ~ SASHA ~


    At first she didn''t understand what was happening. The older man spat something about being outcast and all the men in the crowd started making a lot of noise. It wasn''t until this King turned around, smiling, and let his eyes lock on hers for a cold moment as he spoke that her stomach turned to lead.


    "The hierarchy remains!" the man roared over the noise of the crowd. "Our ranks are unchanged. We are at peace, brothers. Tonight we feast! Prepare the fires! Prepare yourselves! There is a female to entice."


    Sasha blinked. He was talking about her.


    But then the entire crowd went bananas¡ªsome men leaping forward, yelling or growling, others holding them back, tussling to get their attention.


    Zev stood among them, utterly still in a way she''d never seen any human able to do. Then a snarl ripped from his throat. Yet, even though the men closest to him flinched or moved quickly away, none of them looked at him. None of them spoke to him.


    It was as if he wasn''t even there.


    "ZE¡ª" she started to call to him, but Yhet pped a hand over her mouth.


    "No, no, no, you can''t, Sasha. I''m sorry, but you can''t," he rumbled, turning to step between her and Zev, even as Zev''s voice bloomed in her head again.


    You have to listen to Yhet. You can''t look at me, or touch me. If you do, they will turn on you. Please, Sasha. Don''t worry. I will work this out. I promise. I will work this out and we''ll be back together. Just¡­ just pretend you don''t see me. I will have to hide for a while. Some of them will help me. Don''t worry about me. Just ignore me if you see me. I will fight my way back.


    What did he mean she had to pretend not to see him? Where was he going? Why would she ignore him?!


    She tried to press Yhet aside so she could see him again, but the massive man''s arms were like cast iron. No matter how soft his expression, she couldn''t move.


    I''m not leaving you, Sasha, Zev whispered in her head. Just be patient. I''m still here. I will work this out. Just be patient.


    She heard him snarl again, but couldn''t see him as Yhet held her shoulders and insisted that she look at him.


    "What the hell is going on?" she demanded in a hissed whisper.


    "Xar has cast Zev out," Yhet said, his forehead crinkled into lines.


    "What does that even mean?"


    "It means he''s, uh, officially no longer a part of the ns." Yhet''s face was a picture of anguish. When her eyes widened, he hurried to reassure her. "Don''t worry, don''t worry! He cane back¡­ eventually."


    "How?" she pleaded. Zev had to leave? He was leaving her here? With these strange men? These¡­ these creatures?


    "He just has to fight his way back up the hierarchy to be recognized again. Don''t worry. He''s strong enough to do it. He''s been Alpha before. He can do it again. He''s probably even stronger now," Yhet said, that awful, brittle smile on his face that he''d had earlier when he wanted her to think there was nothing to worry about.


    She breathed a little easier then. Zev was a fighter¡ªshe''d seen him fight more than she wanted to. Yhet was right. He would be good at this.


    When she rxed, Yhet let go of her shoulders and started patting her hair. "Don''t worry. It''s good that you worry about him, but he can do this, Sasha."


    She nodded, swallowing hard. "Okay, so he has to fight. He can do that."


    "Yes, yes, he can."


    "But you''re saying he has to fight a lot of people?"


    "Yes, he has to fight every male¡ªif they want to oppose him. Some will submit. Especially those at the bottom of the hierarchy."


    "Okay, okay¡­" She blew out a heavy breath to calm her racing heart. Zev was strong and smart, she reminded herself. And bigger than most of the males she could see in the clearing. He could take them, right? She blinked. "Does he have to fight them all at once?"


    "No! No, just¡­ through the levels of the hierarchy of the wolves first. Then, once he''s recognized by the Alpha of his own tribe he can fight the others. It''s okay, Sasha, don''t cry. He can do this."


    "Yes, he can. He can. But¡­" Then her stomach clenched remembering what Xar had said to her and what she''d agreed to. She thought she had about ten days until her next cycle started. Maybe if Zev wasn''t back to his position by then she could hide or something¡ª


    "How long does it usually take, Yhet?" she asked quietly. "I mean, how long did it take himst time?"


    "Oh, only a few months!" Yhet said with another big, breakable smile.


    "A few months?!" she shrieked. Zev might take months to get his position back?


    She didn''t even think, just darted around Yhet heading for the center of the clearing where Zev had been. But she stopped dead even before his huge hand mped like a manacle on her upper arm.


    The crowd was fading away, the males all hurrying to tasks, or walking in clusters, talking animatedly to each other.


    But no matter how she looked she didn''t find ice-blue eyes fixed on her below near-ck hair. No shadowed jaw, twitching with tension. No hands reaching for her.


    Zev was gone. There was no sign of him at all.


    "Where did he go?" she asked in a tiny voice.


    Yhet sighed. "He has to get away from us. If he''s around someone might slip and talk to him and then they''ll get cast out too. So he''s protecting us by going away. But don''t worry, it''s not forever."


    "Wait, what?!" Sasha whirled on the huge man, whose face filled with worry. "He can''t even talk to us?"


    "No, Sasha," Yhet exined kindly, petting her hair again. "You can''t talk to him. You can''t look at him. You can''t be near him.. If they smell him on you, they''ll throw you out, too.

 Chapter 60 - Plan

    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev had known most of his life that he was cursed. That whatever he touched would likely fail. When he was little more than a pup, and still handled a great deal by the humans, he''d noticed a difference in their family structures. In the ways he was so often alone, while they seemed to be so rarely.


    And the ways they looked at him as if he frightened them.


    When he''d gotten older, the Chimera had been exined to him¡ªhow they were made, how they didn''t fit in the human world. Then he''d understood. And after that, when something went wrong, or stood in his way, he''d expected it.


    As a soulless creature, the Creator wasn''t giving him any easy wins.


    Growing up in Thana had been rtive blisspared to his first years in the human world. He''d epted his lot here and done the best he could with it, knowing he was alone in this world¡ªin any world¡ªand that it was his job to use what he''d been given to make the best life he could.


    But Sasha wasn''t cursed. Sasha had a soul. Sasha didn''t need to be punished¡­ unless it was because of him?


    The thoughts of his young-adult years, all those months they''d been together and perfect ease of his heart when she was there, the way it always turned on him as soon as he was out of herpany.


    He''d been gued, back then, with thoughts of what it might do to her, being close to him. What kind of curse it might call down. He''d been very up front with God¡ªhe would do as he was told. He wouldn''t hurt anyone who didn''t need hurting. And he wouldn''t hurt her¡ªever. He would protect her. With his life. Just¡­ just don''t me her for being close to him.


    Everything he''d done since the day he met her was intended to keep her safe. And he''d done it, so far.


    But this¡­ this could mean that it didn''t matter what he wanted, or what he tried to do. God might be stealing her away from him anyway.


    She wouldn''t mate another Chimera. Not by choice. He was sure of it.


    But that wouldn''t stop them trying. And if she didn''t dere a name on the day Xar had defined¡­ they''d both be outcast then.


    He couldn''t let that happen to her. Being hidden by the ns was her only option for staying out of Nick''s hands. His surrogate father was terrified of the gateway and would never actually brave it to walk into Thana himself. And even if the humans were here and interfering, it sounded like they still didn''t venture into the forests.


    He had to get her away from the other males. But that also meant he had to climb at least high enough to take Alpha of the wolves and be recognized again.


    Which would mean challenging his brother. After he''d fought his way through the pack.


    Fuck.


    FUCK!


    He ran on, harder, faster, until his breath began tobor in his throat. As the wolf he could cover many, many miles like this before he tired. But he didn''t want to be too far away from her. He had to watch over her, even if she didn''t realize he was doing it. Just like he had for thest five years.


    Shit. The irony¡­


    He shook his head so hard his ears snapped against his skull, but he ran on. He had to find out if anyone other than Yhet had found his cave. He needed shelter and some new clothes since he''d just left his bag behind.


    And he needed to make a n. A very detailed and organized n.


    He didn''t know how long he had, exactly. But by Sasha''s scent, he suspected he didn''t have much more than a week.


    He ran on. Every second counted.


    *****


    Twenty minutester he trotted up a sharp incline on a narrow path made by goat feet that wove between rocks and boulders on the mountainside.


    The cave was at the top, its mouth open to a ledge, but overhung by trees. Or at least, it had been, three years ago when he left.


    As he made it to the top, he sighed with relief when he saw the tree¡ªthicker and bushier than it had been three years ago, but now an even better screen for the mouth of the cave¡ªand shifted back to his human form.


    Being naked in the chill wasn''t fun, but his body was much more efficient at moderating his temperature than a normal human''s. It would take much colder temperatures than this to make him more than ufortable. But he would need food and water quickly. There was little fat on his body, and the energy it took to keep himself warm would deplete him before he fought if he didn''t eat well.


    It wasn''t until he made it into the cave mouth, pushing aside the branches and leaves of the tree to walk into its dark depths, that he let himself slump.


    The chill was even deeper in here, where the sun never reached. Without a fire or body heat, the cold stone on every side did little to inste it from the creeping cold of winter outside. He didn''t walk further in at first, just scanned the walls and ceilings and let himself scent in case he had a visitor.


    But the cave was dusty and cold, with no scent of predators. Some rustling near the back told him he would need to clear it of unwee pests, but if that was all he had to deal with, he would be grateful.


    If no one had found this ce, there were some clothes and nkets at the back, along with a flint to make fire. This ce was close enough to keep as a base until he could return to the vige, but far enough away that no one would stumble on him and be tempted to speak, or help him.


    He couldn''t get anyone else cast out while he fixed this.


    Creeping deeper and deeper into the cave, nostrils red to catch every scent and eyes wide to allow as much light as they could discern, he made his way to the back¡­ then cursed at what he saw.


    Fucking Lhars.


    *****


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 Chapter 61 - Look Up

    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha spent a very, very ufortable hour after Zev disappeared being led around by Yhet trying to find a ce for her to settle with her things. As they walked he exined that if Zev had been there, his position within the pack would have meant that other wolves would have made room because he was higher ranked. But as an unmated female¡ªhuman female¡ªshe was both desired, and unranked. No one knew her position. And those that wanted to offer their spaces were males hoping to catch her eye.


    When the first of them approached, Sasha had been touched.


    The guy was probably in his mid-twenties, strong and dark-skinned. His teeth shed when he smiled¡ªwhich he did a lot. But the most striking thing about him was his light-green eyes.


    "If you seek shelter, I would offer mine," he said, reaching for her arm as she passed at Yhet''s side.


    She''d paused out of habit, to be polite. Someone was addressing her and that meant she should respond.


    But Yhet tsked and mped his hand on her other wrist, tugging her forward, gently but firmly. "You have to ignore them," he said, his voice so low it seemed toe from the dirt beneath their feet. "Especially the ones that approach in the beginning. They know they''re not strong enough to hold your attention. They''re just trying their luck."


    "Trying for what? He was offering to help me. It was very thoughtful."


    "He was offering to share his space with you," Yhet muttered, ncing back over his shoulder at the male. "He would seduce you if he could and keep you away from the other males. There will be a lot ofpetition until you dere your mate. You have to ignore it until the very end. When the two strongest males begin to disy. Then you have to give them your attention. If you pay attention to the young ones, you''ll be making yourself look weak. Know your value, Sasha."


    She frowned. "What is my value?"


    "Zev," Yhet said with a wink. "Anything less than that and they got a bargain."


    Sasha spluttered, but Yhet didn''tugh. He carried both her and Zev''s bags, the thick straps clutched in a single hand. And the weight seemed nothing to him. Zev hadn''t been too bothered by the weight either, but Yhet was so huge, they looked like child''s backpacks in his hand. She shook her head.


    Every few minutes she would catch sight of something¡ªa man turning into a wolf, or one time, a goat like Dunken¡ªor Yhet himself and her brain would just¡­ refuse to believe any of it.


    Her clothing¡ªthe slick, waterproof surface of the snow jacket, and the crunch of her boots¡ªmade her feel very out of ce when everyone else wore furs or woven fabrics. But when Yhet caught her fingering the front of her jacket andparing it to the thick furs he wore, he had waved it off. "The humans all dress like you, don''t worry about it. No one cares¡ªexcept if you stink."


    "Stink?"


    Yhet shuddered. "Some of the human fabrics are sin¡­ syn¡­ sytics I think Zev called them. They smell," he wrinkled his huge nose that somehow managed to fit his face just right and shook his head until his hair fluttered behind him a like a g.


    "Synthetics," she said with a littleugh. "My jacket is, too."


    "Well it is not an offensive one," Yhet said with a sniff. "And I am grateful for that."


    He wove her back and forth around the vige, peering into different shelters, but always shaking his head or muttering an apology before pulling his head out of the darkened doorway and walking on.


    Sasha was fascinated. The buildings she''d observed at the clearing were continued throughout the vige¡ªthough here the trees hadn''t been cut off and they were under the shadow of the forest canopy.


    Then they pushed through some bushes, and Sasha''s mouth fell open.


    Here, as if it were now outside the vige altogether, there were no more buildings leaning against trees, or built alongside bushes on the dirt. If Sasha kept her eyes low, she''d have thought she was just walking through forest.


    But here and there, scattered through the trees, always where a thick trunk branched and massive boughs syed out, homes had been built within the trees themselves.


    Sasha gaped at the strange and wonderful beauty of these homes that first reminded her of giant wasp''s nests. The sides were rounded and unevenly textured, as if many different kinds of materials had been rolled into the y, or whatever was used to make the structures.


    "There aren''t¡­ wasp chimera are there?" she squeaked.


    Yhet frowned at her. "No. That would be creepy." When she gave him a look he shrugged. "I suppose it''s a fair question. It isn''t as if the humans haven''t made other abominations before now. But no, there are no insect Chimera."


    Sasha sighed with relief, uncertain she''d ever be able to see a human-sized insect and not scream, no matter how friendly they might be. But Yhet was already striding on.


    "No, these are the nests of the birds. Owls, mainly, though there are a few hawks and one eagle family."


    "Birds?"


    "Yes," Yhet said, frowning up at the trees, then striding on, beckoning her to follow. "They had more females until recently, so I''m hoping they also have some empty homes and might share one with us."


    Sasha stumbled at the word, "Us." While the homes she could see were sizeable¡ªspilling out over thick branches in wide, rounded shapes that looked like a massive football had been blown up around the trunk of the tree. Each one was about half the size of her apartment back home. None of them looked big enough to easily amodate someone of Yhet''s size.


    Then, as if he''d been searching for something and he found it, Yhet''s eyes lit up and he trotted forward, the ground under Sasha''s feet trembling with every step as he raced away from her. She was about to call him back and had just started to run, when he stopped at the base of a tree with a smaller nest home and reached up to tap on the arch that was made of a thick b of bark that had to be its door.


    As Sasha caught up to Yhet, her breathing heavy, more from fear than from keeping up with him, the door swung open, and the first female face Sasha had seen since entering this ce, leaned out.


    The woman looked older than Sasha¡ªbut her face was smooth, so Sasha couldn''t tell if it was just because her hair was brown and lush, but peppered with white that aged her. She wasn''t pretty, but had a pleasant face that made you think sheughed easily.


    She looked out of the door, then down, and when her eyesnded on Yhet, her eyebrows rose and a smile broke on her face that made Sasha rethink the idea that this woman wasn''t pretty.


    "Yhet!" she chirped. "What are you doing here? I wondered what had caused the earthquake!"


    She threw herself out of the door and into his arms, and heughed and caught her, hugging her for a moment as her fingers yed in his hair, then setting her on her feet.


    "It''s good to see you, Kyelle, but I''m not here for happy reasons, I''m afraid," he said slowly.


    "What? Oh no, has something happened? Or¡­. Oh." She noticed Sasha then and her brows rose again.


    "I''m helping Zev," Yhet said, his face suddenly very serious. He opened a hand towards Sasha. "Kyelle, this is Sasha."


    Kyelle''s head snapped up and she stared at Yhet, her eyes shing in despair.

 Chapter 62 - Is This Awkward For You?

    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha stood there awkwardly as something passed between the two that she didn''t understand, but that clearly reflected on her. How would this woman know her name?


    Well, to be fair, it seemed everyone here knew of her.


    She wasn''t sure whether the fact that Zev had told all of them about her should make her feel warm, or angry.


    "Hello," she said to the woman. "It''s nice to meet you." She held out a hand.


    It took the woman a moment to look away from Yhet''s face, but when she did, she wiped her hands on the apron she wore over long, thick robes before taking Sasha''s hand in a way that indicated she knew how to shake hands, but wasn''t particrly practiced at it.


    "I¡­ good morning, Sasha," she said, clearly off-bnce. "I never imagined¡­ wee to Thana."


    "Thank you," Sasha said, then turned to Yhet, who was still watching Kyelle carefully.


    "Zev is back?" Kyelle asked quietly, as if she were afraid of the answer.


    Yhet nodded. "Just this morning. I found him and Sasha outside the cave."


    "Shit, is that what all the roaring and barking was about? I thought the Alphas were fighting again."


    "No, unfortunately, that was Xar¡­ he dered Zev an outcast."


    "He did¡­ what?!" The woman red. One thin, birdlike hand shot out and fisted on Yhet''s shirtfront.


    Yhet had his hands up, though he didn''t look afraid. "Xar said that Zev was a traitor and cast him out. Poor Sasha had only just arrived with him. Before he got rid of him, Xar had her agree to take a mate before her next bleeding. She''s¡­ the males are circling Kyelle. I''m sorry, I didn''t know where else to go."


    Kyelle dropped his shirt as if she hadn''t meant to hold on, brushing her hands distractedly down the front of it to smooth out wrinkles, but she was frowning at his chest like she wasn''t quite ready to turn and meet Sasha''s eyes.


    What was going on?


    "Sasha. That must have been frightening. You''ll¡­ You''ll need a space," she said, swallowing hard.


    Sasha nodded. "A male offered one as we were walking out of the vige, but¡ª"


    "You can''t take anything from any of them before you''ve chosen!" Kyelle snapped.


    Sasha blinked, but nodded. "Yes, that''s what Yhet said."


    Kyelle smoothed her hands down her apron again. "I''m sorry, I''m sorry. That was very rude of me. I know humans are different in how you speak to each other. I didn''t mean to startle you. I only¡­ only¡­" she swallowed hard, "If you are meant for Zev and he is going to fight, you cannot make it harder on him by weing another."


    "Can you teach her, Kyelle?" Yhet asked softly. "Or rmend someone else that would do as well? I''m afraid I don''t pay enough attention to the politics. I might steer her wrong and then¡­"


    "It will hurt Zev," Kyelle said softly.


    Yhet nodded, but his face was sad.


    Sasha looked back and forth between them, utterly confused. But the woman had dropped her chin was biting her lip.


    Then she turned and gave Sasha a small smile. "It sounds like you''ve had an¡­ interesting introduction to Thana," she said carefully.


    Sasha nodded, "It''s been a little difficult," she said, surprised to need to blink because her eyes had suddenly begun to sting.


    "How did youe to be here? I mean, I realize Zev brought you. Has he taught you anything of our people, or the customs here?"


    "There wasn''t time," Sasha said, swallowing the pinch in her throat. "We ran into each other, then these men started chasing us and he almost killed a couple of them, then we just kept running. I fell asleep, then we were in the cave and¡­ and Yhet found us. It was¡­ he had nned to exin everything when we were alone."


    Kyelle gave a huff. "Typical Alpha male," she said with smile that was half-frustrated, half-amused, "expecting the world to bend to his needs, rather than nning to work within it."


    "I don''t think¡ª"


    Kyelle raised a hand to wave off the thought. "I mean no harm," she said. "I''m very fond of Zev and d to hear that he''s returned. Though this outcast business¡­" she shook her head, muttering something Sasha suspected was a curse. Then she took a deep breath and met Sasha''s eyes. "Will he fight? For you?"


    "Yes," Sasha said without hesitation. "He spoke in my head after that man told him he was cast out and said he''d work to fix all of this and I wasn''t to worry, but¡ª"


    "Zev can speak in your head?" Yhet gasped.


    Kyelle''s face went nk, though Sasha had the feeling she was bracing herself for the answer.


    "Y-yes. Can''t he do that with everyone? Isn''t it part of the¡­ the wolf thing?"


    Yhet looked at Kyelle, an apology on his sweet face that Sasha didn''t understand. "It''s something the wolves can do with each other. But outside of the n it''s¡­ rare. Very rare," he said. "But that''s good. That''s a good sign. For you," he added. Then he shot that sorry look at Kyelle again.


    "I''m sorry," Sasha blurted, "I feel like I''m missing something. What is going on? What aren''t you telling me? I came here for Zev¡ªbecause he told me this was where I''d be safe and we could be together. He said he''d never leave me again, and now he''s already gone. And you two are talking like you know something I don''t and¡­ I''m sorry, but can you please tell me what''s going on?"


    She watched as Kyelle closed her eyes and a tiny shiver rocked the woman. Her hands had clenched in the folds of her robe, her knuckles standing white and proud. When Sasha looked at Yhet, his brow was deeply furrowed and he watched Kyelle, as if following her lead. But when she didn''t speak, Yhet cleared his throat and turned to Sasha.


    "It''s been a strange time since Zev left¡ª" he began.


    But Kyelle made a tiny noise to interrupt him, raising one of her hands. "It''s okay, Yhet," she said, then put her hand on his arm.. "Thank you, but¡­ I''ll tell her."

 Chapter 63 - Fight

    ~ ZEV ~


    Stomping his feet in the dried out leathers, Zev shook his head and scanned the destruction that had greeted him. It had taken close to an hour to pick up all the pieces of leather and fur, linen and down, and figure out what he had that was still usable.


    He''d been left with two nkets that each had only one hole, and a single set of clothing, with an extra shirt. But no hood.


    Zev cursed again as he piled the rest into a small space at the back of the cave to be used for mending, or rags.


    Fucking Lhars.


    It was as if his brother had known he would be back here one day and need these things. The destruction was meaningless and spiteful. A knife had been used to cut the thicker fabrics and leather to shreds. He wasn''t surprised the food was gone¡ªthe creatures of the forest would have discovered it eventually. But if they had found or needed the warmth of the clothing or nkets they would have dragged them away.


    This¡­ this was destruction to remove the items so they couldn''t be useful. Why not just steal them?


    Because it was his brother, and his brother wanted him to hurt.


    Zev swore under his breath again, pushed thest of the ragged fur into the little hole in the cave wall, then turned around and put his hands to his hips.


    He needed food and water¡ªenough to help his body heal quickly if it was required. And he needed to start pursuing and challenging wolves at each level of the pack, forcing them to face him. Until he had worked his way through his own people, he wouldn''t be acknowledged by the wider Chimera at all.


    He was going to have to be careful. All the fighting he was about to do would give Lhars and Xar both an opportunity to watch him. He would have to hold back some, appear not quite as strong, not quite as skilled as he actually was.


    Sweat prickled his brow at the thought of fighting Lhars. The two were so evenly matched¡­ but Zev''s Alpha strength had always been greater. Would he still feel it, knowing the people didn''t see him? He was about to find out.


    He was going to have to hope that he could sniff out his bag. If he had to shift suddenly, he''d lose even this set of clothing. And while he might be able to cobble something together from the rags he''d just bundled up, it wasn''t ideal.


    He was about to match wits and bodies with the strongest, fastest, and most capable of the Chimera. More than one of them, over several days. To make it through the ranks in time he would have to find and fight several per day. All while staying out from under the eyes of Xar or Lhars as much as possible.


    Shaking off the nerves that wanted to flutter in his stomach, Zev reminded himself there was nothing to gain in waiting. He''d visit the creek for a drink, then return to the outskirts of the vige and see if he could gather some supplies, or find one of the low levels wolves. Some of them would likely submit if they were cornered anyway. But he couldn''t take the risk of underestimating them.


    Even the weakest of wolves was stronger than a human, and it had been over a year since he''d trained with a Chimera.


    He took a deep breath and, with teeth clenched against the injustice of it all, strode back out into the light.


    *****


    He hadn''t even made it to the outskirts of the vige when the ground began to tremble under his feet. Hoping it was his friend¡ªand praying it wasn''t, because if Yhet was travelling that quickly, what had happened to Sasha?¡ªhe sank into a thicket of small trees and bushes just off the trail to wait and try to catch the scent before whoever it was reached him.


    Sure enough, a minuteter, as the ground began to actually shake, Yhet appeared on the trail, hair flying behind him and pping his shoulders as he ran.


    His strides were so long, Zev had to leap out of the bushes to give him a warning that he wasn''t alone, or he might have streamed past before he caught Zev''s scent.


    "Zev!" he eximed, sliding to a halt just feet from his friend. "You''re okay. Good. Here''s your bag." He threw it down on the ground at Zev''s feet. "I would embrace you but I''m not sure I can cover that scent just by saying I carried the bag."


    "It''s fine," Zev said. "But if you''re here, where''s Sasha?"


    Yhet scratched the back of his head. "I left her with Kyelle," he said quietly.


    "You¡­ what? Why Kyelle of all¡ª"


    "She was the only female of high enough rank that I could find, Zev," Yhet whined. "The males were already circling, and Sasha ispletely unprepared for our ways! She almost stopped and thanked a male who offered her shelter!"


    "Shit!" Zev closed his eyes for a moment. There were so many ways her human manners could trip her up amongst the Chimera.


    "Shit is right," Yhet growled. "Kyelle is¡­ I told her what I knew. That Sasha was with you and you were iming her, and¡ª"


    "You told Kyelle I was iming Sasha¡­ then left her there with her?"


    "I didn''t have a choice, Zev! I had to get the bag to you, and I was afraid I might forget something important. Kyelle is going to help her because it will keep you safer."


    "But¡ª"


    "Tell me who would have been a better choice, Zev? She''s only ranking female left. The males will have to listen to her if she refuses them ess to Sasha. Who else could, or would, do that?"


    Zev cursed again, but his friend was right. There were no other choices. It was just so¡­ "Kyelle, though," he groaned, raking his hands through his hair.


    "She''s a strong female and a good teacher. She''ll help Sasha understand how to keep herself out of¡­ entanglements. But now that I''ve gotten your things to you, I have to get back to them. Even with Kyelle there, I don''t want her to have to deal with half the wolf pack without some support.


    Zev nodded grimly. "Thank you, brother. I mean it."


    Yhet pped his chest in salute and turned on his heel. But before he couldunch back into a run, Zev called him back. "Tell her¡­ tell her I said seven days. That''s all I need. A week. She can''t give up on me inside a week. Tell her what it will be like. She''ll be frightened when she sees it."


    Yhet nodded sadly. "I will. She¡­ she''s unhappy that you have left."


    "Did you exin?"


    Yhet gave him a t look. "Of course. But she is overwhelmed I think."


    "Yes, yes, she would be. Just make sure she knows I''ming, and not to be frightened when she sees it happen. Exin that I won''t kill them unless they force me to. That worries her. Death is different in their world."


    "I''ll tell her," Yhet promised. "Be well, Zev. Come back quickly.." Then he was gone, and Zev picked up the bag and began running it back to the cave.

 Chapter 64 - Truce Or Trust?

    ~ SASHA ~


    While Sasha waited for an exnation, it was agreed that they should speak inside, where it was warmer. Kyelle told Yhet she would shelter Sasha and teach as much as she could about the Chimeran''s traditions in a mating season while Yhet took Zev his bag. Then, Yhet had picked Sasha up bodily and ced her on the small ledge in front of the open door.


    Kyelle took her elbow and pulled her over the threshold quickly. "I don''t want you to get shaken off the ledge," she said in a low voice.


    "Shaken off how?" Sasha asked, but a momentter the entire house trembled, swaying slightly. Sasha squeaked and grabbed for something to help her stay steadily on her feet¡ªand ended up holding Kyelle''s arm.


    Sasha had been in a highrise once during a tiny earthquake. She had the same, surreal feeling and slightly nauseating sense that everything was moving now.


    "Yhet is running," Kyelle said as they stood there. "It won''t shake for long. He''s heavy, but the impacts only travel a short distance, especially when the ground is frozen.


    Sasha gaped at her. "That''s from Yhet?"


    Kyelle grinned. "He''s a lot of male," she said. But her smile faded quickly.


    Half a minuteter, the shaking stopped. Sasha blew out a breath and wiped her brow. Then she let go of Kyelle and turned to look at her home, intending topliment her. But her mouth dropped open.


    The inside of the tree house was a marvel.


    The home was wide and round, probably thirty feet across. The floor was solid wood nks that opened only where the trunk of the tree grew through it. The ten foot ceiling made the space look much bigger than it was, but what Sasha couldn''t get over was the furnishings.


    Rich furs, a leather couch, a solid-wood table polished to a shine, and all of it glowing from the light that came from windows on every side.


    This level of the home was all one room, with a small kitchen to Sasha''s right, a dining space right next to it, then couches, chairs, bookshelves and a strange pole that rose out of the floor¡ªarge branch that grew almost straight up just for a foot or two, then bent to a right angle and extended several feet parallel with the floor, just inside the window.


    Everything in the room was made from something organic. No stic. No metal. No rubber. It was all wood, leather, fur, and cotton.


    "This ce is beautiful!" she breathed. Although the room felt strange because it was round, everything in it felt like something out of a d¨¦cor magazine¡ªone of those rustic lodges or vacation rentals that would be titled, "Life as it was Meant to Be" or something like that.


    Sasha walked toward the fat couch and buried her hand in the soft, thick fur that was thrown over its back. "It''s so soft! I have a big nket on my couch, too. I love to curl up in it¡­"


    And then it hit her.


    She wasn''t home.


    This wasn''t a dream.


    She wasn''t ying a game.


    She was in a stranger''s house, touching strange things, being judged by strange rules¡­ and none of that was going to change. She wasn''t going to wake up in the morning to discover it had been a dream.


    Or that Zev was next to her.


    She was here alone andpletely unprepared. And Zev was nowhere to be seen. She put her hands in her hair and forced herself to just breathe for a moment. "I think¡­ I think it''s time for you to tell me whatever it was you were going to tell me."


    Kyelle sighed. "We should sit. This might take a while. Can I get you a drink?" she asked carefully. "I have water, milk, or eldertea."


    "I¡­ just water is fine," Sasha said faintly.


    What the hell was she doing? Where the hell was she?


    Kyelle began to cross the space, probably to get one of those mugs from the open cupboards on the wall above her kitchen block. All of her movements were short and swift, yet somehow graceful. "Are you warm enough, Sasha? I have a fur you could wear if¡ª"


    "I don''t wear fur," she said without thinking, then spluttered augh. Then another. Oh no. She was cracking up again.


    Kyelle gave her a strange look from over her shoulder, but didn''t say anything. She urged Sasha to take a seat on the couch, which Sasha did because she didn''t know what else to do. She was left sitting on an oversized couch, staring out a window of slightly rippled ss, but that gave her an unbroken view of the cold forest beyond.


    Her hands were shaking.


    Kyelle was gone for a minute or two, then returned quietly to stand at her side and passed her the water. There was a strange expression on her face as she watched Sasha sit there, staring at a mug. She needed to drink, she knew. And probably eat. And who knows how many other things. But all she could do was sit there and blink.


    "Sasha¡ª"


    "I don''t know what''s going on here, or why you and Yhet were talking around something in front of me. But I''m sitting here right now, holding onto my sanity by a fingernail. I walked out of my friend''s apartmentst night to find Zev in front of me for the first time in five years. Then suddenly men were shooting at us and we had to have a pretend argument in my apartment that wasn''t really pretend, and then they chased us in a car. I would have sworn he killed someone. Maybe two someone''s. Then just when things were calming down, he¡­ he turned into a wolf in front of me. And then he gave me something that helped me sleep. And then I woke up in a cave and I met¡­ thergest man I have ever met and learned that, by the way, he isn''t really a man.


    "Then we met a goat. Then another wolf. Then all these men¡ªone in particr who seems to hate Zev¡ªand now I''m alone again, except this time I''m who knows how far away from civilization and now I''m sitting in a living room that is gorgeous, but I feel like I can''t trust you. Are you going to try to kill me too? Was this whole thing a set up? Because, seriously, I can''t take any more surprises at this point. So just tell me and let me get on with losing my mind."


    When there was no immediate answer, she looked up at Kyelle, whose eyes had gone wide. "Well?"

 Chapter 65 - The Other Side Of The Story

    ~ SASHA ~


    Kyelle took a seat on the couch next to her. She sat oddly, with her feet pulled up onto the couch yet her arms at her sides. She wasn''t holding a drink. She stared out the window as if she, too, were somewhere else in her head.


    Sasha watched her, waiting for the attack¡­ or whatever wasing that made this woman so tense.


    "I''m sorry you felt we were speaking over you," she said finally. Sasha just waited since it was clear Kyelle was about to tell her why. "We were not trying to hide anything from you, only¡­ only be sensitive. You are¡­ special to Zev. I did not want to give you any reason to question that."


    A lead weight appeared in Sasha''s stomach. She swallowed. "Why¡­ how would you?"


    "I wouldn''t," Kyelle hurried to say. "But Zev and I are¡­ were close. And Yhet was aware of that. He was warning me that you were the one I had heard so much about. He was trying to spare my feelings."


    Sasha''s eyes closed. "You were one of his breeding partners?" she asked, her stomach churning.


    "What?! No! I cannot mate Zev, the offspring would be¡­" Kyelle shuddered and her hand fluttered up from the couch. "No, that is not what I meant," she said finally.


    "Then you''re going to have to spell it out for me because I think my brain is incapable of keeping anything in perspective right now."


    Kyelle sighed and her hand fluttered again. She shifted her weight as if she might get up from the couch, then resettled. "Yhet knew that I had been praying for Zev''s return. That I had hoped he woulde back and return to me."


    Ah. She understood. This woman harbored feelings for Zev. "But¡­ you said you two couldn''t have children. What kind of rtionship would that be?" It was a lot easier to talk about that, than to ask whether they could have sex. Who knew how these people''s bodies worked?


    "I cannot have offspring at all," Kyelle said, her voice heavy with grief.


    Sasha turned her head to watch the woman, torn betweenpassion and fear because of what that meant Kyelle and Zev could do¡­ if they wished.


    "It is why the humans leave me here. Why I can live in rtive freedom," she said. "I should be grateful for it."


    Sasha felt like she was walking a minefield. "I''m sorry to hear that. I can''t imagine¡ª"


    "No, you can''t," Kyelle said. "And I thank you for being kind about it. Not all Chimera are. In any case," she went on, her voice stronger and a little too bright, "Yhet knew that I would have preferred to be warned that Zev was back, and you were here. He felt bad to tell me that in front of you because he cares for my feelings. Yhet is a good male."


    Sasha smiled. "He does seem to be." They were both quiet for a minute, then Sasha bit her lip. "For what it''s worth, I''m sorry you had to hear that in front of me, too."


    Kyelle waved her away, but turned her head. "It doesn''t matter. I have known for years his heart would never be mine. Not truly. You are his mate, whether the humans believe it possible or not. No one can break that bond."


    Sasha warmed for a moment. She''d always thought of Zev as hers. But he''d been gone so long and had changed so much¡­


    Then she remembered the deration of the King, or whatever he was. "It isn''t the humans who need to believe that, it''s your alpha king guy," she said, her stomach clenching.


    "Xar? Tell me what he said. Word for word, if you can."


    Sasha thought back. "I''m not sure it''s word for word, but he agreed to protect me if I became Chimera. He said that meant that I needed to dere a mate before my next bleeding. And something about males of rank? It all seemed fine. I mean, Zev didn''t look worried about it until Xar cast him out."


    Kyelle nodded. "Zev is a male of rank. And our former Alpha. Even though he left, he has not weakened. If he were eligible within the ns, he would have the confidence and the power to win you."


    "He doesn''t need to win me," Sasha said without thinking.


    Kyelle flinched.


    Sasha dropped her face into her hand. "I''m sorry, that was thoughtless of me."


    "No, no, it''s fine," the woman said in a pinched voice. "You are both here now. I will need to be ustomed to that."


    "Except we aren''t," Sasha replied. "Zev is cast out. I don''t understand how this works, but Yhet said it would normally take him months to work his way back up the pack. But I''ve got maybe ten days, tops?" Sasha looked at the woman, pleading. "I''m sorry to ask this of you, but¡ª"


    "We have no control over what Zev does, or how quickly. But you must understand how you will rte to the males until he is strong enough to fight for you. If you do the wrong thing you will make it harder for him."


    Sasha blew out a breath. "Can you teach me?"


    Kyelle stared at the ripple window, her mouth pulling down at the sides. The fact that she didn''t answer immediately made Sasha deeply ufortable. But then she realized if the woman had rushed in to say yes, she would have been more suspicious of her answer.


    "I will help you because if you get this wrong you could get Zev killed. I am sure you are a wonderful female¡ªZev has always spoken of you¡­ so highly," she said faintly. Then she swallowed and her jaw got hard. "But you should know, my willingness to help is for his good. He deserves to be happy. I want him to be happy," she repeated, as if she were convincing herself.


    Sasha nodded. "Thank you. I''m sorry that this hurts you."


    Kyelle raised one shoulder. "Life is never easy. But I ept what I cannot change." Then she finally turned to look at Sasha, her eyes sad. "Now, do you need a rest before we begin?"


    *****


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 Chapter 66 - Culture Shock

    ~ SASHA ~


    An hourter Sasha''s head spun and nerves tingled in her stomach. It was going to be so, so easy to go wrong and make this harder for Zev. She''d had no idea.


    "I can''t even speak to them without them thinking that I''m receiving their interest?" she asked, incredulous.


    "Not one on one," Kyelle corrected. She had be brighter and warmer as she''d warmed up to her subject and they''d moved away from Zev. She seemed to truly want to help Sasha understand. Sasha just hoped she could remember it all. "If you sit at a meal or a gathering, where a group is discussing something, you are rtively safe¡ªthough it''s probably better not to smile at anyone. And definitely don''t meet their eyes if they preen."


    "Preen?"


    "You know, show themselves off. Disy their bodies, or feats of strength. Or if they bring you something they''ve made."


    Sasha''s mouth fell open. "Disy their bodies?" she repeated dumbly, her mind suddenly filled with images of walking into the vige to find a herd of tall, muscr men stripping their clothes off and flexing. A snort ofughter broke in her throat and she tried to swallow it, but just ended up making spluttering noises.


    Kyelle grinned. "Surely males have preened for you before?"


    "Well, sure," Sashaughed. "But the human guys are a little more¡­ subtle." Only a little, when she thought about it. Herughter died quickly, though. "I just¡­ I''m so worried I won''t think and I''ll identally give someone a signal. Are you certain I can ignore them without offending them? Maybe that''s the best way to make sure I don''t slip up. I''ll just ignore all of them?"


    "All of them but the Alphas," Kyelle reminded her. "Those have to be acknowledged, but you can simply meet their eyes and nod, then turn away. Don''t smile or speak to them unless you want to encourage the interest."


    "But¡­ how will I know if they''re an Alpha?"


    "You''ll know because the other males will submit to them. When an Alpha disys the others will remain behind him."


    Sasha shook her head. "I just feel so out of my depth. I never thought I''d have to navigate this without Zev," she said, then could have pped herself for the startled look that crossed Kyelle''s face¡ªfollowed by the woman averting her eyes again and turning away.


    She was about to apologize again when Kyelle stood and wiped her hands on her thighs. "Well, I know that Zev is strong enough to fight his way back for you," she said finally, still not meeting Sasha''s eye. "So¡­ perhaps your focus should be not on how difficult it is to learn quickly, but on being the female who is strong enough to deserve him."


    Then she turned and locked eyes with Sasha, who waspletely off-guard.


    For a moment her stomach twisted exactly the way it had back in high school when the popr girls would corner her and ask her how she''d held onto such a hot boyfriend. For a split second she wanted to cower as she had back then¡ªbecause their questions were her questions too.


    But then something in her chest red.


    She was a grown-ass woman. She had held onto herself even in the loss of Zev. And he hade back for her. If he''d been close to this woman, well, she''d been close to a guy since they broke up too.


    But not anymore. Now she was here¡ªwherever "here" was¡ªand she needed him. And it sounded like he needed her, too.


    "You''re right," she said, standing. Kyelle was several inches taller than her, but Sasha held her gaze. "I am strong enough to do this. Thank you for your advice. I need it. If you know anything else that might help me, tell me, I''ll listen. But other than that¡­ you''re right. He''s mine, and I''ll protect him, and myself, as best I can until this all ys out. Thank you. Sometimes I need a swift kick up the ass."


    Kyelle blinked, then a smile grew on her face. She really was quiet pretty. She nodded and turned for the kitchen, breaking eye contact as Sasha stood there, heart pounding.


    "You must be hungry," she said gently. "It''s lunchtime. Can I get you a¡ª"


    A hammering knock sounded on the door, startling Sasha. But Kyelle just looked towards it, rolling her eyes. "He really doesn''t know his own strength," she said with an affectionate smile. Then she hurried across the room to the front door, pulling it open. "Yhet!"


    "How are you doing?"


    "We''ve covered the basics. I think she will be able to handle it. Did you want some lunch?"


    "Thank you, Kyelle, but I think I need to take her to the meal so there''s no usation of her trying to find him."


    "Yes, that''s probably wise," Kyelle said without any hint of sadness, Sasha noted. "While you two eat I''ll see about a home. I''m assuming you''d like your own space?" Kyelle said turning to face her.


    "Yes," she said thoughtlessly. She always preferred to live alone. But did she really want that here?


    "Can you see if there''s anything on the edges, Kyelle? I don''t want to make it easy for them to find her¡ªand that way I can move around some without bothering people."


    "Of course, of course," she said, leaning out the door to pat Yhet''s shoulder. "You''re a good friend, Yhet. Zev must be so grateful."


    The man''s already rugged face reddened, and Sasha grinned. He really was a sweetheart.


    Then Yhet beckoned her forward and she walked to Kyelle''s side at the doorway.


    "Are you ready?" he asked pleasantly.


    Sasha nodded. "Were you able to find Zev and give him the bag?"


    "I did. He is well and prepared. He''s set up in the cave," Yhet said with a cautious nce at Kyelle. "But I imagine we''ll be seeing more of him before too long. Once he''s eaten."


    Kyelle nodded.


    Sasha was confused. "But I thought he wasn''t allowed in the vige?"


    "He can go wherever he wishes, but he won''t be acknowledged," Kyelle exined.


    "Until he forces one of them to see him," Yhet said darkly.


    They both gave little sighs.


    Oh, right, Sasha remembered. The fighting.


    Then she sighed as well.

 Chapter 67 - Shenanigans

    ~ SASHA ~


    Yhet ushered her back towards the Vige, their footsteps crunching on frozen leaves and twigs as they wove through trees.


    "It will be faster to walk as the crow flies. Are youfortable if I lead you off the trails?" Yhet asked carefully.


    "Sure." The truth was, she wasn''tfortable anywhere here, but what else could she do? Having Zev''s presence removed so swiftly meant she was rudderless. Yhet seemed like a big enough port for the storm.


    He led her through the trees, pulling back branches to allow her to walk through easily, then letting them go when she''d passed¡ªand the branches were sorge, the entire tree shook as it returned to its natural ce. Sasha shook her head.


    Yhet didn''t seem to notice her awe of his strength, pointing out small birds and wildlife as they walked¡ªreminding her of Zev all those years ago.


    Was this ce why he''d been so aware of nature? Well, of course, it must have been. She tried to pay attention, but she struggled to concentrate.


    "I''m sorry, Yhet," she broke in finally when the sweet man asked her a question and she wasn''t even sure what he was talking about. "I''m struggling to concentrate on anything except¡­ where is Zev? You saw him? Is he okay?"


    "Oh, I''m sorry, Sasha, I should have told you as soon as we were out of earshot of Kyelle," he rumbled, looking concerned. "Zev is fine. I gave him the bag, though we couldn''t embrace so I wouldn''t stink of him. He was going to eat, then return to begin challenging the males. It may take some time, but I imagine we''ll see him this afternoon."


    Yhey swung his great head around as if they might see Zev right then, and Sasha''s heart lifted. But the lovely man was just looking. He continued forward, pointing Sasha through the undergrowth to a point where more light was beginning to push through the trees.


    "Where are we going?" she asked once she was certain Zev wasn''t about to appear.


    "To lunch. There''s an area we keep and we take turns cooking and cleaning after everyone. It''s more efficient with the sharing of food, and it gives us a chance to see each other. Especially those of us who spend a lot of time working outside the vige itself.


    "Those noises you can hear are the males who are on duties this afternoon. They eat first, then the rest of us."


    Sasha listened carefully, but the only thing she could hear was the wind in the trees above, the asional twitter of a bird, and her own footsteps.


    She blinked, then looked at Yhet''s feet.


    Like Zev earlier, he was clothed in thick furs and his were natural, masin-like boots, the soles thick, but pliable. Sasha frowned. Despite Yhet''s massive weight, she couldn''t really hear it when his foot hit the ground. She had earlier when he was running, but now?


    "How do you walk so quietly?" she asked, pointing at his feet.


    Yhet looked down, frowning at his own feet as he took another long, slow step over a fallen log that Sasha would have had to leap or crawl over.


    "Oh! You haven''t trained, of course," he said with a deep chuckle. "Don''t worry, the longer you''re with us, the more you''ll learn to navigate the forest silently. It helps with hunting and¡­ avoiding unwanted attention."


    Sasha wasn''t sure she wanted to hear whose attention she needed to avoid, but she was about to ask anyway, when Yhet looked forward and smiled. "Mmmmmm, it''s Parritch today. One of my favorites." He rubbed his hands together, then looked at her quickly. "The males are already there. They''ll be eager to see you. But you must ignore them¡ªsit with me and only speak to any that I tell you have already mated, or are too young."


    Kyelle had mentioned that. How Sasha was supposed to tell between the males, she didn''t know. But she was resolved not to do anything that might make things worse for Zev. So she nodded.


    "You might have to give me a little signal?" she said, "So I can know which males are safe to speak with?"


    "Excellent idea," Yhet nodded, frowning thoughtfully. "Something subtle¡­ how about I scratch my nose if a male is safe. Unless I do that, you don''t speak to them?"


    "That sounds perfect, thank you, Yhet."


    The man''s cheeks pinked and Sasha was touched.


    A few stepster, Yhet stopped behind arge bush. At least it looked like a bush when she was standing back watching Yhet, but as she approached it she realized it was nearly as tall as her. Yhet, able to see clearly over it, was staring, scanning the other side where Sasha could now hear the murmur of male voices,ughter, and the raised voice ofmands and greetings.


    She stopped at Yhet''s side and his eyes narrowed.


    "What are you looking at?" she asked him after a moment when he didn''t move.


    "Lhars," Yhet said darkly.


    "Why are we looking for Lhars?"


    "Because he''s trouble and I always want to know where he is if¡ª"


    "Then you should have looked behind you, Yhet."


    They both whirled, Sasha with a hand to her chest. A low sound rumbled in Yhet''s chest, but he didn''t jump.


    "There''s no need for your tricks, Lhars," Yhet growled.


    Lhar''s eyes brows rose. "Who was using tricks? I could hear her walking for the past several minutes. You really need to teach her to do better if you''re going to be dragging her through the woods for the next few weeks."


    "Weeks?!" Sasha squeaked. "Who said anything about weeks? Zev will be back and¡ª"


    Lhars snapped his head, his gaze wide and surprised, but also much warmer than she would have expected as he gazed at her like she''d startled him. Yhet hurriedly motioned to her to stop talking and she snapped her mouth closed. But both of them were staring at her.


    "What? Why are you looking at me like that? What did I do? I haven''t learned to walk quietly yet¡ª"


    "No, no, don''t trouble yourself, Sasha," Lhars said, his voice warm and curled around her name. "You aren''t Chimera. The humans are always clumsy and loud. It''s fine. I could teach you, if you like. To navigate the forests."


    "I, uh¡­ I''m not sure¡ª" She looked pleadingly at Yhet who had his face in his hands as if something terrible had happened.


    What was wrong?


    "We can discuss itter," Lhars said, smiling as he nced at Yhet as well. "I''m sure you''re hungry. Perhaps we''ll speakter, after you''ve eaten and rested? I would be happy to show you the sights. That is how the humans put it, isn''t it?"


    "I¡­ thank you, but¡ª"


    "Stop talking to him!" Yhet hissed.


    Sasha''s mouth dropped open in horror.


    She''d been talking to Lhars. Privately. Acknowledging him.


    Eyes wide with fear and steaming mad at herself for so quickly and easily forgetting everything she''d just been told, she turned to stare at Zev''s brother, but pped her mouth shut and looked away when his smile broadened.


    "Later, then," he purred, then turned and seemed to fade away among the trees that still stood between them and the vigers.


    Yhet groaned.

 Chapter 68 - Food, Fights, And Family

    ~ SASHA ~


    The dining area¡ªYhet had called it the Trough, but that felt just a little too¡­ animalistic to Sasha for such a normal space.


    Well, almost normal.


    It was a true clearing¡ªno trees at all. There were cook fires at both ends, each bracketed by thick, green, forked branches stuck in the ground. A pole swung between them, the thick body of what looked like a massive chicken to Sasha, threaded over it. A young male stood next to each one, turning the roast, and tending the fire.


    It smelled like barbeque.


    The space between the two fires was peppered with tables, benches, and some individual chairs. And the entire span was covered overhead by what seemed to be tree branches, but branches tied together like a massive nketid over a central line that crossed the whole space.


    It made a natural roof, a guard from sun or rain.


    She sat at the table where Yhet had pointed, keeping her eyes down on the tabletop and her hands in herp. She was determined not to look at anyone. She wouldn''t even listen to their conversations so there was no chance she''d be distracted and look up or speak to someone. She''d apologized to Yhet as soon as Lhars disappeared. But even though he''d given her a sad smile and squeezed her shoulder gently, she had the distinct feeling that he was even more frustrated than her.


    A te appeared under her nose then, held by fingers so thick they seemed like sausages¡ªand made the te look like a child''s toy. But as soon as the steam rising off the thinly sliced meat hit her nose, she realized how hungry she was.


    "Thank you!" she said, then looked around for silverware¡­ only toe up nk.


    She sat at a wooden table that reminded her of a pic table because of the benches either side. But there was nothing on the weathered tabletop, or in Yhet''s hands.


    She watched as the man took the bench across the table from her, pulled it feet away from the table, and then sat down, his long knees pinched up against the tabletop.


    Without noticing her confusion, he dropped a cloth on the table next to each of their tes, took one of the thin slices of meat in his fingers, wrapped it around a long, green vegetable that looked like a t green bean to Sasha, then opened his mouth and took the whole thing, chewing with gusto, his lips smacking.


    "I do love Parritch!" he said around the mouthful. "Have you tried it before?"


    Sasha shook her head, but followed his example and wrapped a piece of the meat around one of the beans, and took a tentative bite.


    Surprising vors burst on her tongue¡ªnot unlike chicken, though stronger and sweeter, or maybe that was from the crunchy bean? She wasn''t sure. All she knew was that as soon as she put food in her mouth, her body suddenly ached for more, her stomach growling audibly so that Yhet grinned and motioned towards her te with his next roll of meat and bean.


    "Sounds like we should have fed you earlier," he said with a grin. "Next time tell me if you''re hungry. I can get you something."


    "I''m fine," she reassured him around her own mouthful. "I just skipped breakfast this morning.


    He opened his mouth to respond¡ªby the look of his grin, to tease her¡ªwhen there was a guttural snarl, followed by a quick yelp on the other side of the dining area.


    Sasha''s head snapped around instinctively. Yhet was on his feet, the bench falling down behind him, and the sound of many bodies rising from their seats echoed around the space.


    Sasha wanted to curse¡ªshe couldn''t see past all these tall men! "Yhet, what''s¡ª"


    "Shhhhh, Zev''s found one already," Yhet whispered.


    "Zev?" Her voice was far higher than it should have been, but she immediately started around the table, heading for the other side of the dining area where she''d heard the noise. But Yhet didn''t even have to take a step to reach past the end of the table and catch her arm.


    "You won''t help him by being close enough to distract him, Sasha," Yhet rumbled, tugging her back to his side of the table. "And you won''t help yourself by acknowledging him before he''s climbed high enough. If you give him space now, the lower level males will believe they have a chance with you."


    Sasha looked in the direction where the noise hade from. Oddly, all the males that had leaped up from their chairs, were settling back down, turning their backs¡­ ignoring whatever had caught their attention.


    "What are they doing?"


    "Zev''s caught the lowest ranking wolf and forced him to see him," Yhet breathed, nudging her back down to sit on the bench on his side. "Now the male has to either fight him or submit."


    Enough of the men had sat by then that Sasha peered around to see if she could catch a glimpse of him, her heart aching to be close to him¡ªit would be such a relief.


    But Yhet gave her a t look and turned her back to face the table so her back was to that side of the clearing. "You can''t acknowledge him yet," he said, kindly but firmly. "Don''t worry, he''s not going to fall to these wolves."


    "Wolves? They''re fighting as wolves?"


    Yhet shrugged. "They''ll fight in whatever form they choose. But Zev has to force his pack to ept him before he can dominate the other Chimera. So he starts with the wolves." His eyes unfocused for a moment as if he were relying on his hearing. Then he gave a small smile and nodded, returning to his food.


    "Be happy, Sasha. The male has submitted. Zev won''t even have to fight him."


    Yhet took anotherrge bit of meat and beans. Sasha found her appetite suddenly gone. "Can I look for him now?"


    "No," Yhet said, shaking his head so his hair fluttered around his shoulders. "Not until he''s taken the wolf-Alpha."


    Sasha sighed and picked at her food, her ears peeled for any sign or sound of Zev. But the men around them had started talking again and there was too much noise for her to make anything out. Her heart dropped.


    "Who''s the wolf Alpha?" she asked quietly after a few moments and only one mouthful of food.


    Yhet sighed and his lips twisted. "Lhars," he said tightly. "Zev will have to fight his brother to take Alpha of the pack if he wants to regain his rank."


    Of course it was Lhars.. Of course it was.

 Chapter 69 - Flawed

    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev clenched his jaw. This was going to be the easiest, but the most distasteful of the things he had to do in theing days.


    The pathetic mess of a Chimera that was the lowest wolf in the pack, cowered in front of him. His name was Grahm. He was a male who''d been one of the Poor Ones¡ªmade with a higher percentage of human DNA than wolf, but with the wrong gene exchange. And in his case, the already wed recipe they''d written for him was founded on weak human DNA and low-level wolves. His body was weak, and his mind not much better.


    Before, when he''d been Alpha, Zev had always gone out of his way to be kind to the poor soul. All the marks that should have made a wolf-warrior were there¡ªthe kid had the bright blue eyes rimmed in near-ck. He moved with grace. But while all the other wolves came into their majority in their early teens, at eighteen, Grahm''s arms were still narrower than a twelve-year-old''s, his hips slight. Hecked the pure strength that was needed for respect among the wolves¡ªand the mental sharpness that might have made up for any physical ws.


    He had always struggled to keep up with the others, but had found his ce tending fires and food. He was a hard worker with an honest heart, epted by the pack, though treated with minimal respect because of his position.


    But Zev knew it wasn''t his fault how he''d been made.


    It also wasn''t Zev''s fault that Grahm was the lowest on the wolf hierarchy, and therefore he had no choice but to begin with him. Grahm had tried to ignore him when Zev caught him hauling water back for the washers, but he was too easily distracted, and too easily flustered.


    Zev would apologize to him when he''d regained his rank.


    He''d mmed the poor male up against a tree, tossing his bucket to the side and snarling the challenge as soon as Grahm''s eyes met his own.


    The poor thing shook like he might wet on himself.


    "Submit," Zev growled at him, checking over his shoulder that they were out of sight of the those in the Trough. "I don''t want to hurt you, Grahm, but I will if I must."


    The male kept his chin down and hunched, lowering himself in front of Zev so that he was below Zev''s chest. "I¡­ I s-submit," he breathed. "Please don''t hurt me, Zev. I have to help with the dinner tonight!"


    Zev sighed and pped his hand to the back of Grahm''s neck. "Of course I won''t hurt you, brother," he whispered. "But you must remain submitted, you understand?" When the boy nodded, he sighed again. "I''ll walk you back to the fire."


    He stepped back and turned, Grahm moving after him, head still down. He''d grown since Zevst saw him¡ªhis shoulders were thicker, as was his hair. But he was the same, sweet kid he had been.


    "Does this mean I can talk to you now?" he whispered.


    "Yes," Zev said. "I''ve forced you to see me. You can look at me."


    "Great!" The kid raised his head, beaming. "I wanted to see you, but you were already cast out! Now we can talk!"


    Zev nodded, but his eyes were on the trees ahead. Those gathered for the meal. No point telling Grahm that talking to Zev wouldn''t help his standing among the pack. Few bullied Grahm anymore. At least, they hadn''t under Zev''s rule.


    He made a mental note to check with Yhet about what had been happening under Xar.


    He exchanged small talk with the boy until they broke through the trees and into the Trough clearing, then he set his teeth and watched. He wouldn''t put it past those who were loyal to his brother to try and put an arrow in his back¡ªidentally, of course.


    Talk at the tables near where he appeared came to a standstill, but no one looked up. Zev let them all feel his re, warning them with his eyes and his scent that he was not to be pushed¡ªor dismissed.


    He walked the boy back to the fire, only to find Rori, the Firemaster, standing over the mes, ring at them, his thick jaw twitching.


    "Where have you been, Grahm!" he snapped, never letting his eyes fall on Zev. "Where''s the water?"


    "I¡­ oh," the boy said, stopping and turning to look back where he''de from. "I''ll go get it."


    "You will not! You''ll do the carving. I''ll go for the water," the older man snapped, snatching another bucket from the pile near the fire. "You keep your eyes on the meat, and serve anyone whoes. I don''t have time for more mistakes!" Then he stormed off in the direction Zev and Grahm hade from.


    The poor kid flinched, but rushed to the task of turning the meat. When a moment had passed, he nced up at Zev with a half-smile. "I guess I better go back to work. It was good to see you."


    "You''re a good wolf, Grahm," Zev said quietly. He would have embraced him, but more of his scent on the kid was only going to hurt him further when he walked through the vige tonight. They all had to know Zev was going to fight his way back. But they''d still punish any wolves that gave in. "I''ll see you around, okay? And don''t worry, I''ming back. We''ll get this all sorted out¡ª"


    He was turning away as he spoke, preparing to go in search of the next wolf, when he mmed into a thick, heavy body that grunted at the impact.


    Zev whirled to find the massive Rayf, a wolf several steps up the rankings, standing in front of him, spitting curses and flicking the gravy off his tunic that had been stered there when Zev ran into the te the male was carrying and apparently ttened it against his stomach.


    "What the hell were you¡ª" Rayf''s eyes snapped up to meet Zev''s for a split second and the words died on his lips.


    Zev smiled and flexed his hands. "Good to see you, too, Rayf."


    "Well, fuck."

 Chapter 70 - Don鈥檛 Fight

    ~ SASHA ~


    A murmur rippled through the men at the tables around Sasha and Yhet. With a warning look at Sasha not to move or speak to anyone, Yhet turned to scan and see what was happening. Sasha kept her eyes on him.


    Then his brows rose.


    "You can watch this part," he rumbled quietly, nodding to something behind them. "He''s been acknowledged by Rayf."


    Sasha whipped her head around, but had to stand to see over the men seated behind them.


    Just as she got to her feet, a thick-set older man near the fire spat a curse and tossed aside a metal te that nged on the ground, wobbling on its rim until it hit a rock and pped to the dirt, ignored by all the men around it.


    Zev stood in front of him in a strange, ck outfit¡ªskin tight so it showed every ripple and ridge of his body in a way that made Sasha''s heart beat faster. Even his feet were encased in something that looked like ck socks with soles.


    "What''s he wearing?" she whispered to Yhet.


    He shrugged. "My guess is something the humans gave him that will help him fight."


    Zev said something to the older man and sank into a half-crouch, shoulder and hands loose, but held in front of his chest as if he were readying to block a blow¡ªor throw one of his own.


    The male in front of him growled a reply Sasha didn''t catch and raised his hands as well and two began to circle each other.


    Sasha''s heart was in her throat¡ªwhat if this guy had a knife? But then Zev flowed forward and Sasha''s mouth went ck for an entirely different reason.


    Zev fought like he was dancing, his body flowing from one movement to the next with a grace that belied the strength of his blows. Sasha heard the thwacks and thuds of fists finding their aim, but both men moved so quickly, limbs flying so fast they blurred¡ªwhen she could see them move at all¡ªthat it was almost impossible to know who was being hit, and who was doing the hitting.


    Zev''s entire body looked slick in the strange ck clothing. But as the two men darted forward and back, one advancing, then the other, the purpose of the thin, skin-tight clothing became clear.


    The older man reached for Zev with a lightening hand, but Zev ducked and weaved so his opponent wasn''t able to find a grip. Yet, the moment the older man was off bnce, Zev got his hands fisted in the man''s thick, fur jacket, and snapped him down as he brought his knee up in a swift strike.


    The man groaned, but twisted out of Zev''s grip, his hands looped around Zev''s thigh and pulling up on his leg.


    The two tumbled and twisted, their fists pummeling, both of them grunting as blowsnded. Then they almost tripped into the fire and Sasha gasped.


    Yhet took her wrist in his massive hand that covered half her forearm and tugged her back.


    "You can watch, but you can''t¡­ support him."


    "Why not?" she hissed.


    "He isn''t part of the pack again, yet. The wolves have to prioritize pack members. They''ll be waiting until one of the higher wolves sees him. Until then¡­ until then you have to just watch."


    "But he''s getting hurt!"


    Yhet snorted. "That''s nothing. He''ll heal those bruises in hours. Don''t worry about this one, worry about the fights toe with the higher ranked wolves. Rayf is older and not as fast as he used to be. He was always one of Zev''s supporters. He''s done Zev a favor by seeing him early¡ªit lets Zev not have to work his way through the lower wolves. But it also means Rayf has to fight for real. He can''t let Zev win. The pack needs to see him punished."


    Sasha gripped the cuffs of her jacket and turned back just in time to see Zev thrown to the dirt. She gasped¡ªand pped her hands to her mouth when Yhet red at her.


    The following minutes were gut-wrenching. When Zev misjudged a swipe and got too close, his head snapped back as Rayf got a solid strike to his temple. Sasha felt every blow like itnded on her. Her eyes swam with tears before Zev finally flipped in an arcing kick that took Rayf at the chin and the older male fell to the dirt¡ªand this time, didn''t get up.


    Zev stood over him, his shoulders heaving, hands loose at his sides, poised to move again. But the gray-haired man just rolled onto one elbow and shook his head, growling something Sasha couldn''t make out.


    Zev straightened, then took the final steps to stand right before the man, over his chest. Rayf dropped his chin and nodded and a momentter, Zev extended one of his hands to help him up.


    Soon they were both on their feet, though the older man was clearly favoring one leg as Zev pped him on the upper arm.


    "Is that it? Are they done?" Sasha asked, her voice hushed in case she wasn''t supposed to talk about it. But Yhet just nodded, his lips twisting up on one side.


    "Yes, Rayf submitted," he said, getting to his feet. "Which is going to help Zev."


    "Does that mean we can speak to him now?"


    "No," Yhet said firmly, folding his arms across his chest. "Some of the lower-level wolves will acknowledge him, but he hasn''t regained his standing. Now that we''ve witnessed the submission, we have to pretend he isn''t here, Sasha. Turn away. Now."


    Sasha was staring at Zev, silently begging him to look at her, but he never turned her direction. "Why won''t he¡­ why isn''t he looking at me? Can he smell me from there? Does he know I''m here?"


    Suddenly, Yhet was pulling gently on her arm, forcing her to turn away, and leaning down to speak to her in a whisper that sounded like a field of bumblebees swarmed around her. "He won''t look at you, Sasha, because it would put you at risk. He wants to give no male any reason to lower your value in the hierarchy. Do you understand? He''s helping you right now."


    She took a deep breath, and nodded. "Okay."


    Yhet''s face got sad and he pulled her close, petting her hair again. It was something like being patted by a massive steak, though he was gentle. "Don''t worry, Sasha. You''ve made him so happying here. It''s what he always wished for. He''ll get through this and he''ll im you. Don''t worry."


    She wasn''t sure about the iming part, but she prayed he was right about Zev getting through this. As Yhet let her go and she scanned the area, she was reminded of the time she''d been alongside the practice field full of a professional football team¡ªeverywhere she looked she had seenrge, incredibly strong men who all stood and walked with that air that some men had where their strength was just epted. A part of their lives, nothing to be remarked upon. She''d never been able to put her finger on it before, except that some men were so athletic, they moved differently. But now she saw it.


    These weren''t just men. These were warriors. And they were everywhere.


    And Zev had to fight his way through them.


    *****


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 Chapter 71 - Layers

    READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you to Kathy_Prewitt who suggested the name "Skahll" all those months ago. I''ve changed the spelling, but I''m grateful for your suggestion. I hope you like how I used it!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    The moment he''d won the fight he could smell her. She was there. Somewhere very close¡ªYhet, too, which was a relief. He couldn''t smell Kyelle nearby, which made him breathe easier, too.


    Rayfy on the cold ground, shaking his head. Zev regretted that he''d needed to floor the male, but Rayf was doing him a favor by not letting him win. Still, he hadn''t been kind. He needed to save both energy and strategy forter fights with the family group Alphas.


    He stood over the male trying to ignore the intoxicating scent of his mate¡ªhe would make them let him take her his mate or die trying¡ªand stared down at Rayf.


    "Don''t make me hurt you further, please, Rayf. I take no joy in it. I thank you for acknowledging me. I know what you did here. I owe you."


    "It should never havee to this," Rayf said, shaking his head again, but he didn''t meet Zev''s eyes. "I submit," he growled a momentter.


    With a sigh of relief, Zev leaned down and extended a hand to help the older male to his feet. Zev pped a hand to his upper arm and thanked him again.


    Rayf was still trying to clear his head, but he made it up and stomped his feet. "Don''t thank me yet. You have a long way to go," he muttered.


    "You''ve saved me some time. I''m grateful."


    The older male grunted, then looked over his shoulder. Suddenly his voice was live in Zev''s mind.


    Your brother will stand in your way if he can. He has enjoyed his power. He sits at Xar''s feet, he warned Zev.


    Zev''s upper lip curled, but he only nodded, then turned away, careful not to face the direction Sasha and Yhet stood.


    She hated it when he fought. She would look at him¡ªsearch him for injury¡ªhe knew, and he couldn''t let her do it. If she acknowledged him, she ced herself at the bottom of thedder in the hierarchy. Males at every level would believe themselves worthy of her then.


    A low growl rumbled in his throat at the idea of all those males disying for her, but he kept walking, darting out into the trees. He prayed news of Rayf''s defeat would travel quickly, because Zev knew who he needed to find next, and that male wasn''t here. It would be easier to force Skhal to see him if he''d already heard about Zev''s progress.


    The back of his neck prickled then, his skin warming.


    She was watching him. He would have bet his life. He could feel her eyes like fingers trailed through his hair.


    I will fight for you and I will win, he said in her head¡ªand felt her surprise. Be patient. I have not left. I never left. I''m still here. I will fight. And I will win.


    He shouldn''t have done it. It was a risk that she would tell someone and they''d consider it an acknowledgment. But he was weak. He''d only just found her, only just touched her and talked to her again, and he''d had to leave¡­ His gut twisted at what that must have done to her.


    With a sigh he removed his shoes and tied them to a loop on the waistline of his trousers, made for exactly this purpose. Then he leaped into his wolf and ran.


    To hell with waiting for word to travel. He needed to find Skhal.


    *****


    The male was on patrol, winding back and forth across the valley searching for the scent of intruders, or humans. Still in wolf form, Zev finally picked up his trail twenty minutes trot outside of the vige. Swallowing back the howl of pursuit, he made himself slow and keep his nose to the wind.


    The trail was a couple of hours old. Skhal lived on the edge of the vige and preferred to spend most of his time alone. If he''d slept until his shift on patrol it was possible his old teacher hadn''t heard about Zev''s arrival, or that he''d been cast out. Which meant Zev had to decide whether to warn him¡ªor use surprise to his advantage in making the older male submit.


    He huffed a breath out of his nostrils and trotted on silently, deep into the forest. This was turning out to be a day for humbling his former heroes, and he didn''t relish the idea. But it was necessary, and he was willing to do a helluva lot worse to keep Sasha safe¡ªand with him.


    Which made me think back on how he''d been set on this path.


    Xar had to have known Zev wouldn''t just roll over and take this? What was the male thinking, casting him out? He had to know he was pushing Zev towards challenging for Alpha?


    Zev had intended to submit to whomever was in power when he returned¡ªacknowledging his own retreat as a failure, and willing to help whomever had stepped in. But Xar seemed determined to make an enemy of Zev, and he''d rolled over and shown his testicles to the humans. Why? Xar was a strategist, and a skilled fighter. Why would he give away so much power¡ª


    There was no sound, only the barest sh at the corner of his vision¡ªsilver fur and white teeth¡ªthen he was tumbling sideways, snarling and internally cursing himself for not concentrating while on the trail of a wolf like Skhal.


    Skhal was cunning and had either heard himing, or been watching for him and doubled back to ambush him.


    They rolled, snarling and snapping, and Zev twisted out of his jaws and scrambled to his feet, whipping around to face the older wolf with the scar that crossed his eye, both of them growling deep and long.


    Traitor!


    The word, shouted in Zev''s mind, echoed through his heart, too. Because even though he knew he''d done everything in his power to protect his people, he''d also been na?ve¡ªand mistaken. He understood why they believed he''d abandoned them.


    Sasha too.


    And now he had yet another barrier before he could exin why.


    Cursing the god who was determined to gue his existence, he turned on the wolf, jaws wide andunched himself straight for the male''s neck.


    He would end this.. Then he would exin.

 Chapter 72 - Master

    ~ ZEV ~


    He stood over his former teacher, teeth bared and snarling, when the male, his silver fur dripping red in spots, disappeared to be reced with a naked human body, slumped and cursing.


    Zev didn''t shift immediately, still showing his teeth. But he stopped growling and waited. When the male didn''t meet his eyes, he growled in the male''s head, Do you submit?


    "For fuck''s sake, Zev, yes!" Skhal snapped. "And for what it''s worth, you look ridiculous in those clothes in your wolf. No wonder Xar cast you out."


    Zev returned to his human form, chuckling reluctantly. "Looks ridiculous, but it works," he said, pinching at the remarkable fabric at his stomach. Not only would it stretch in any direction to fit his wolf body so that he didn''t lose the clothes when he shifted, but it was impossibly warm. As long as he didn''t stand still for too long, it was all he needed, even in the snow. "I notice you weren''t able to get a grip on me," he grinned at the male on the ground.


    But Skhal scowled. "I could have caught those shoes hanging at your belt¡ªbe grateful I wasn''t of a mind to kill you. That''s an unwise addition. Human gifts, human curses. They give you something to help and it could just as easily get you killed."


    Zev let his face go hard. "Go ahead and try," he said through his teeth.


    But the male just rolled his eyes and pped a hand, his chest still rising and falling quickly from their tussle. "You''re terrifying, Zev," he said dryly. "But enough of the disy, I''m not wearing your Alpha crap. You''re no better than Xar. In fact, you''re worse. You went to the humans willingly!"


    "Bullshit," Zev growled. "Thana is home. I left because I didn''t believe there was a choice."


    Skhal pushed up to sit, his shoulder bleeding badly enough to trickle down his back. Zev looked at the wound, then back to the male''s face.


    "Do you want me to go get a healer?"


    "Fuck off," Skhal snarled. "They wouldn''t acknowledge you anyway. I''ve fallen in the ranks since you left. You''ve still got a long way to go. And a lot of exining to do."


    Zev grunted, then only slightly warily offered his former teacher a hand. "I didn''t leave because I didn''t care. I left because they convinced me that if I didn''t, it would be the end of the Chimera."


    "And you fell for that? You were even more na?ve than I thought."


    Zev clenched his jaw, but it was only true. "Well, I''m not anymore," he said darkly. Then looked around. "Do you have any clothes nearby?" he asked carefully as the male got to his feet. Skhal had already been prickly about showing weakness before Zev left. If he''d dropped in the ranks since Zevst saw him, he''d be even more sensitive about it.


    But surprisingly, Skhal only muttered something about blunt, thoughtless pups, and brushed the snow and dirt off his ass and thighs. "I have a den not far away," he said sullenly.


    Most Chimera kept stocks of clothing and food hidden in various spots around Thana in case a swift shift was needed. Especially in the winter. The snows began in autumn andsted near five months in Thana, giving wayte in the season to the spring rains, then a short, hot summer, then thend turned back to the glorious colors of Autumn, before the snows came again. Technically winter had begun in earnest a few weeks earlier, but the snow wouldn''t disappear for another three months.


    "Do you want me to run for you? That wound needs to be allowed to close or you''ll be weakened."


    "I''ve bled more blood than you''ve made in your life, Zev. And the cold doesn''t touch me like it used to. Stop worrying about me, and keep yourself on task. If you''re truly back, you have a fucking mountain to climb to get back to Alpha."


    "I didn''te for Alpha."


    "You''ll need it if you want to take the female. Xar won''t let you have her any other way."


    "Xar doesn''t get to choose¡ªshe does. I just need to be acknowledged by the tribes again¡ª"


    "Don''t bet on it. He changes the rules almost daily at this point. Something smells wrong on him." Then he eyed Zev like he was measuring him for a suit. "If you''re serious that you were deceived, if you really left out of concern for your people, not personal ambition, prove it."


    "How?"


    "You need to take Alpha back, Zev. We are weak and vulnerable, the humans visit almost every week now¡ªand sometimes they aren''t even dealing with us!"


    Zev frowned. "What? What are they doing?"


    "Who knows? We''re not supposed to leave the vige while they''re here. They''re researching something, they say. All I know is, enough of them areing, and Xar keeps us isted enough that we don''t know how many humans are here¡ªor what they''re doing. Do you know he called us back from the huntst week when they arrived unannounced?"


    "He did what?!" The hunt was crucial. Especially at this time of year. No leader would bring his hunters in from the prowl unless the danger were absolutely critical. "Why would he do that?"


    "Because the fucking humans told him to. Sound familiar?" Skhal spat, then shook his head again. "I don''t know what to make of any of you. Alphas didn''t share power in my day," he growled.


    Zev fought not to roll his eyes. It wasn''t true, of course, the Chimera had always been somewhat under the human rule. But for generations Thana had been their haven. The humans allowing the Chimera in Thana to live rtively natural lives, only asionally interrupted by humans arriving to take a count of their numbers, or ask for volunteers toe back with them into the human world to undergo tests¡ªfeats of strength and healing¡ªso they could track the bloodlines.


    There had always been a level of tension with the humans¡ªsuspicions that the loss of offspring, or even healthy adults, could asionally beid at their feet. But they''d never had proof. Until now.


    Zev had proof. The problem was, how to reveal it to his people without putting them at risk when they were already so weak. He''d assumed he was returning to a thrivingmunity, and a powerful Alpha. Instead he''d found a people limping along, vulnerable and snapping at every fly because they couldn''t fight the predator that hunted them.


    Zev had no doubt he would need to find a way to bring his people back to strength. But the how¡­ that needed more thought. He had a more pressing responsibility for the immediate future.


    "Walk to your clothing. I''ll join you. If the hierarchy has changed, I''d ask your help to rify who are my best targets. I have to get back to Alpha as quickly as possible."


    "How quickly?"


    "Less than a week."


    Skhal''s eyebrows snapped high. "You''re fucking insane."


    Zev shrugged.. "I guess we''ll find out."

 Chapter 73 - [Bonus ] Strategy

    ~ ZEV ~


    As they trudged through the snow, Skhal still didn''t smile. Zev could feel the tension in the male, though he''d submitted now, so it wasn''t aggression. Zev supposed he should be grateful for that.


    "Tell me how we ended up here," he said when they reached a spot where Skhal leaned down to put his hand under an overhang of rocks and pulled out a set of clothing and fur boots.


    Skhal dressed slowly, only his feet red and showing the signs of the cold. But he was still shirtless when he began to speak.


    "You left us," Skhal said through his teeth. "No warning. Everything spun out of control because the hierarchy was decimated. You expect to just walk back in and be apuded?"


    "No," Zev said through his teeth. "But I also don''t expect to be held ountable for the decisions the new Alpha made in my absence.


    Skhal snorted. "Why, because you''re so noble?"


    "I left because I believed if I didn''t the future of the Chimera was at stake. I believed that by leaving I removed the human attention from Thana."


    "Well, what a shock. Sounds like the humans lied."


    "I''ve learned that they''re very good at that," Zev said quietly, darkly.


    Skhal growled. "Some of us tried to tell you that before you left."


    Zev looked down to acknowledge his shame. "I did not disregard you. I only¡­ I thought I was closer to them and so understood them better. I wasn''t unaware of their machinations. But I thought¡­"


    "You thought they treated you special, and so you thought you had more power than you actually did," the older male snarled.


    Zev''s snapped his eyes up to meet the cold blue of Skhal''s. The male had been a coach and teacher for him when he was a pup, and had returned to his circle as an Advisor after Zev became Alpha.


    But Zev had always questioned his cynicism. Turned out, perhaps, the male wasn''t as wrong as Zev had thought.


    "Look," he said, his body ufortable as he tried to amodate the awareness of his own failing, "I want to make things better for all of us. If that means taking Alpha back, I''ll do it. But I can''t even start on that until I''m ranked¡ªand Sasha is safe."


    "Ah, yes, our Alpha''s human princess. You see no potential conflict with bringing her here? The humans are going to rage that you took one of theirs!"


    "They don''t have quite the same sense of¡­munity that we have," Zev said dryly. "She is just another pawn to the men who can make our lives hell. But it''s true, there''s a chance Nick will try to remove her from me. I assumed I was returning to Thana as it used to be. I hadn''t expected to be so vulnerable here."


    "Poor little Alpha," Skhal sneered.


    Zev stepped up into the male''s chest and stared a challenge. "I recognize¡ªI acknowledge that I have hurt you, and others. But I will not be mocked. Do I need to make you submit again?"


    Skhal tipped his head as if he was considering it, then dropped his eyes. "No," he said sullenly. "But also don''t expect me to apud you for the choices you have made."


    "Fair enough," Zev said quietly. Neither of them spoke for a moment, then Zev sighed. "If you want to see positive change here, then help me. Show me what has changed and how to navigate it. You were always good at looking ahead and seeing the different routes through a problem. Tell me. I''m listening."


    Skhal eyed him suspiciously. "Why now?"


    "Why now, what?"


    "Why listen to me now? You''ve never wanted to hear my strategies before."


    "Purely untrue," Zev growled. "I always listened to you. I made the mistake of dismissing your suspicion as paranoia. I will not make that mistake again. So tell me, Skhal, why have the Chimera moved closer to the gateway to benefit the humans? Why would they cater to the humans'' fear of the creatures? And why is Xar so¡­ submitted to them?"


    Skhal muttered a curse under his breath and pulled the fur jacket over his head. "Xar is a tyrant to his people, and toothless towards the humans," he snarled. Then his voice softened. "Even his mate was taken. Luckily for him, the twins were being naughty again and had gone to one of their hideouts to avoid their chores. When their mother was taken, they were not. They remain. I believe the humans use them as¡­ leverage. They know that they''re here¡ªtwo of the few healthy adults, and a female at that."


    Zev cursed. Axe and Arelia were Xar''s twin children¡ªAxe male, Arelia female. Thest time Zev had seen them they were adolescents, spoiled and emotional, but both showing the signs of Alpha strength and power. Either might have taken Zev''s ce if he''d left a few yearster.


    "I didn''t see the twins at the vige this morning," he said carefully.


    Skhal shook his head. "You won''t. Xar''s got them living in the City. He calls them Watchmen. We all know it''s just to keep them out of the human hands. They join us for meals sometimes. They will likely be at the feast tonight. The humans were just here a few days ago. They usually feel safe for about a week."


    Zev shook his head. "This is crazy."


    "It gets worse. I believe¡ªthough no one wants to hear me¡ªthat the humans are using his mate against him as well. I think they have him believing that if he helps them, they''ll give his mate back. There''s no evidence for it¡ªnot a single one of the females has been returned to us, except one that got sick and died a few days after they dropped her back here. That was early on. Her mate died a few monthster. I think they think if they don''t show us our mates dying that we won''t be taken by the mourning. They''re fucking crazy. That vige is full of males on the edge of death. It will take only one blow to tip them out of darkness and into the spiral towards death." Skhal''s lips twisted. "But even though the others won''t listen to me, I am almost certain Xar believes if he submits, his mate will be returned. But he''s entered the darkness as well. And even though the humans give him something to help him every time theye, it''s bing less and less effective. And his actions are bing more and more erratic."


    Then Skhal fixed him with a challenge look that almost made Zev growl.


    "You came back at just the right time, Zev. If someone doesn''t figure out how to fix this, none of us will be here in another couple years. I''m convinced of it.. So¡­ are you up to the challenge? If not, step aside so we can find someone who is."

 Chapter 74 - Coming To America

    ~ SASHA ~


    After the fight at lunchtime Zev had disappeared into the forest and no amount of Sasha''s peering between trees or aching longing brought him back. Yhet was empathetic, but firm. They needed to find her a space she could im as her own and keep the males out when she needed to.


    After the meal, they''d found Kyelle again, who seemed relieved to tell them that she had found a nest home for Sasha. There was little furniture, but they would find some more. And the bed was high and full.


    "You will have to climb to the door, but you should be able to do that¡­ shouldn''t you?" Kyelle had asked hesitantly.


    Sasha had to work not to scowl at her. "I''m sure I''ll make it," she said sweetly.


    Kyelle had led them out, through the trees, further and further from the vige, which made Sasha nervous, but Yhet seemed pleased. "Very good, Kyelle," he''d said when she finally walked to the trunk of a huge tree with another of those rounded homes¡ªevenrger than Kyelle''s from what Sasha could see.


    Also, positioned much further up the tree.


    Kyelle caught her eyeing the climb and smiled. "There is a ropedder, I''ll get it down for you," she said.


    Then before Sasha could respond, she burst into feathers. White, snowy feathers marked with dark spots on her wings, along with the huge golden eyes and tufted ears of an owl.


    Thergest owl Sasha had ever seen. Even in bird form, Kyelle was taller than Sasha, though she was a lot wider, too. She took one swooping leap, her long wings scooping at the air and with two or three ps her talons closed on the edge of the¡­ porch? Sasha wasn''t sure what to call the narrow, wooden tform directly outside the door. It was open on the front¡ªto allow the ess of those wings, Sasha realized. But there were waist-height railings on either side.


    Kyelle returned to her human form as soon as shended on the tform, then walked to the railing at the side and uncoiled a mass of ropes to drop adder that reached almost to the ground and reminded Sasha of thedders she''d seen in cartoons or on television shows¡ªwhere kids didn''t live in apartments or city streets, but had trees and grass behind their houses and built treehouses with fathers who were home on the weekends instead of in the office.


    She walked to the foot of it¡ªdangling a foot or so off the ground¡ªand tugged on it. The steps were single wooden nks with a hole at either end, and knots tied underneath to stop the step sliding down the rope. Sasha pulled all her weight against one of the steps and was heartened to find that it didn''t seem creaky or likely to break soon. "Looks good," she said brightly.


    Yhet stared at her strangely, but he gave Kyelle an uneasy nce as well. So Sasha ignored it. "If I climb up, can you pass me my bag, Yhet?"


    "Of course," he rumbled.


    With a grim smile, Sasha took hold of thedder above her head in both hands, then stepped onto the lowest rung with both feet¡ªand promptly had to wrap her arms around the rungs as her weight forced the untethereddder to swing so she would fall off backwards if she didn''t cling with her hands.


    It was an embarrassing few minutes where Yhet¡ªwho was far too big to climb thedder, and Kyelle, who didn''t need to climb it because she could fly¡ªattempted to exin to her how to move on thedder to keep herself upright. But eventually she made it to the top¡ªthen faced the challenge of hoisting her body up and onto the tform when thedder pulled underneath it because of her weight.


    Another lesson¡ªquick this time because Sasha''s arms were beginning to shake from holding her bodyweight¡ªabout gripping the railing on the side and letting go with the other hand to give herself some space to step up with her legs was all that was needed.


    Sasha finally, awkwardly, rolled herself onto the tform, puffing hard, but pleased with herself for making it unaided.


    "See?!" she said.


    Kyelle''s lips pressed together like she was trying not tough, while Yhet looked very uneasy.


    "Are you certain about this, Sasha? I can look for another¡ª"


    "This is great!" Sasha said, brushing herself up as she got to her feet. "It''ll be fun. And I''ll get better at it."


    Kyelle nodded, still swallowing that smile, but Sasha ignored it as she approached the woman near the door. "Can you pass me the bag, Yhet?"


    The man lifted the duffel bag up and onto the tform for her without even stretching. Then she and Kyelle went inside.


    The house was cold and dark. But Kyelle helped her, hurrying around the room lightingnterns andying a fire in a cozy little firece on the corner.


    "We can have fires in tree houses?" Sasha asked, concerned. Everything in the house was made of wood¡ªand the trunk of this tree was thicker than the one in Kyelle''s home. It made a massive, bark-covered round wall in the center of the room. "What if it pops and something catches fire? Won''t the tree go up as well?"


    "It is very difficult to burn a living tree down, especially in winter¡­ with all the snow," Kyelle said, in a tone that suggested Sasha should already know that.


    "Oh¡­ okay. I guess I''ll just be careful then," Sasha said, then shook her head at herself. Kyelle hurried around, showing her where the dishes and other useful items were, the bathing room¡ªthe only room with walls closing it off from the rest of the house¡ªand how to make use of the snow for water for bathing.


    They''d left the door open so Yhet could see in and offer his input and advice. But the house wasn''trge, so they were very quickly back at the tree trunk in the middle of the room.


    "I think that''s everything," Kyelle said, sping her hands together. "Do you have enough clothing? I can bring more for you¡ªsome furs if you''re cold. There are some books here, but I could bring more if you''d like to read to pass the time."


    "No, no, I''m fine. I''m just¡­ I''m just tired," Sasha said. "I think I''ll take a nap."


    Kyelle nodded. "In that case, I need to get back to my n. Yhet, will you bring Sasha to the meal this evening?"


    "Yes, of course," he said through the open door¡ªthat was also letting the cold, winter air inside to make it even more frigid.


    "Thank you, both of you," Sasha said. "I''m very grateful. I didn''t imagine losing touch with Zev so quickly after we got here."


    "Don''t worry, Sasha. He''ll work through the wolves quickly. It will be easier after that, when the others have to acknowledge him, as well. Then you''ll be able to show your favor," Yhet said, smiling. "It won''t be long."


    Kyelle didn''t look as confident, but she nodded and smiled. "Rest is likely a good idea. I hear crossing from the human world can be very tiring."


    Sasha started to nod. "I mean, I was asleep when¡­ wait¡­" she paused, her heart thumping. "What did you call it? The human¡­ world?"


    Kyelle frowned. "Yes. Do you have another name for it?"


    "Yes! Pennsylvania!"


    Kyelle and Yhet looked at each other, then Kyelle shook her head. "Sasha¡­ this isn''t pencil-vanya¡ª"


    Sasha looked around, then at both of them. "Aren''t we in America? Isn''t this¡­ aren''t we up in the mountains somewhere?"


    "You''re in the mountains of Thana," Kyelle said carefully. "Didn''t Zev exin?"


    "Sasha," Yhet said, his voice heavy with concern, "Thana isn''t in your world. This isn''t what you call earth. You have crossed the Gate ande to our world.. I''m sorry, I thought you knew that."

 Chapter 75 - Feast Or Famine

    ~ SASHA ~


    It made sense when she put it all together. The way Zev had always been vague about the "little town" he was from. It exined why he''d insisted he couldn''t show her the way there. The way she''d wondered how these incredible people¡ªshapeshifters¡ªcould exist without being discovered by hunters, or drones, or helicopters.


    If she''d thought about it deeply she would have assumed the scientists that made Zev were government agents and that this ce they called "Thana" was on some government base, under a no-fly zone, or something.


    But after Kyelle left, she''d sat on the tform outside the door and talked to Yhet for almost an hour.


    The reason Zev had given her something to make her sleep for the travel wasn''t to hide the location, exactly, though she supposed it served that purpose too. ording to Yhet¡ªwho had been to the "human world" as they called it¡ªcrossing the gateway was a unique kind of challenge. It took a single-mindedness and self-discipline that could be risky for some. By carrying her across when she was asleep, Zev had not only avoided Sasha learning where the Gateway was on her side. But he''d also removed the risk that she would create danger by being distracted once she was within the gate.


    "Distracted by what?" she asked.


    "The Gate isn''t just a doorway, as you would think of it, Sasha. It is a¡­ world of its own. And it offers you the opening to many other worlds. Many options," Yhet said with a sigh. "If you don''t keep your mind on the one ce you desire, you can end up being sucked into somewhere else. And not all the worlds are safe. Zev was protecting you. I''m certain he would have told you. He didn''t expect to be cast out as soon as he arrived."


    "And I didn''t expect to get taken to an alternate universe!" Sasha snapped, "so I guess all of us are dealing with disappointment right now!"


    "Yes, yes, of course you are. It''s been a very difficult day¡ª"


    "No, Yhet, it hasn''t been a difficult day. It''s been a night and a day of¡­ of danger, and unpleasant surprises, and more danger and¡­ where am I?!" she wailed, throwing her arms out at the forest around them. "Where did he bring me and then just leave?"


    "Zev didn''t leave you by choice."


    "I''ve heard that before," she snapped, then dropped her face into her hands. This huge man was lovely and worried and it wasn''t fair that she be rude to him¡ªhe wasn''t the one who''d let her down. "I''m sorry, Yhet. I just¡­ Zev keeps doing things without telling me they''re going to happen and I don''t know what to believe anymore."


    "Believe that he loves you, and always has," Yhet said softly. "We all know of you because you were the only one he could speak of whenever his mind turned back to his time in the human world."


    "Then why is he always leaving?!"


    The man ran a hand through his gray hair. "Sasha, you saw what happened with Xar. None of us predicted that. Lhars thought Xar wouldsh him, drop his ranking a few pegs¡ªwhich wouldn''t have mattered to anyone. Dunken thought Xar would put Zev in prison and it would take a council of the Alphas to release him. I thought Zev would have to fight Xar, to take back Alpha before he would leave him in peace. But none of us predicted this. I am not surprised Zev didn''t foresee it. This kind of conflict is not the proper foundation for casting a Chimera out. Frankly, I''m surprised more Chimera didn''t fight it and refuse not to see Zev. It is a mark of how frightened they are of Xar that they all went along with it."


    Sasha shook her head. She had seen Zev''s shock, and his fear for her. She had seen that he''d been working hard to keep her safe while he dealt with the n leader, or king or whatever he was. But then he''d left and now she was floating in this strange world, with no one but a Sasquatch to guide her and so many rules about what she could and couldn''t do with any male her head was spinning.


    She wasn''t in America. Not even on earth? That didn''t seem possible.


    Yet¡­ neither was a man who could turn into a wolf, or a woman who could be a huge owl.


    Or a sasquatch for that matter.


    She looked at Yhet, and her heart swelled. He stood right in front of her knees where her legs dangled in the air off the edge of the tform at the front door. His chest kept her legs warm, though her ass was freezing on the frozen wood. His eyes, so lightly brown they were almost gold, stared at her with empathy and concern over a broad nose and reddened face, pinched by the cold air.


    He was very obviously something not human¡ªor not entirely human¡ªand he''d been seen her world before. There had been legends of sasquatch for generations. And here she was talking to him about her ex-boyfriend.


    What the ever-loving hell was happening to her?


    "You know," she said, a touch of that hystericalughter bubbling in her throat again. "There are legends of you in my¡­ in my world," she spluttered. "People who go up into the mountains hunting for you. And¡­ and stuff like that."


    Then Yhet surprised her by nodding, his face falling sadly. "Yes, unfortunately, I was a rash youngster. I crossed many times and one¡­ one of those times I was sighted. I led the researchers here to Thana. If it weren''t for me, the Chimera wouldn''t be here¡ªand neither would you." he sighed heavily.


    "I''m not sure that''s a bad thing," she said, trying to sound kind. "Zev always talked about how much he loved this ce and he was so quick to want toe back here. Maybe what you did was a good thing?"


    Yhet shook his head. "I too, wish the Chimera could be here¡ªbut without the humans. I heard from the others that the way the scientists held them was often¡­ horrible. So perhaps this is better. Except that means¡­" and his face crumpled as if he might cry.


    "Yhet! What''s wrong?"


    "Don''t mind me," he rumbled, rubbing his eyes like a child. "I''m just missing my mate."


    *****


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 Chapter 76 - Just An Alpha

    ~ SASHA ~


    After a few more awkward moments with Yhet Sasha had made excuses to be by herself¡ªand she didn''t miss how his eyes brightened. When she''d gone into the little house, she''d taken a drink of water from the hand-powered pump in the kitchen, then fallen onto the bed, fully clothed, and cried. But not for long. Because she really was exhausted and had fallen asleep within minutes.


    She was still asleep when Yhet knocked at the door to take her to dinner. She''d had to rinse her mouth out, fingerb her hair, then dart out to the little tform and let him pull her down like a child in the arms of their father.


    He''d walked her through the woods again, asking her if she was okay, and she''d been fine¡ªbleary-eyed, and confused, but fine.


    Now she was sitting at the one of the tables, Kyelle across from her, Yhet to her side, blinking and staring at everything, and everyone.


    It was surreal. Everything looked different.


    The tiny differences she''d noticed, but not noticed¡ªthe way the pine needs on the trees stuck up instead of out, or down. The way everyone''s eyes were bright blues, greens, and golds. The way their skin was all ruddy, despite the cold and dim sun through the clouds. The fact that every fucking person around her could shift into an animal form¡­


    That probably should have been first on the list, as she thought about it.


    Suddenly, ever little movement or sound took on an entirely new weight. These weren''t humans. They were partially human, but they weren''t human the way she was human, and they didn''t live in her world.


    And Zev was one of them.


    It was aplete mindfuck.


    When she was graduating from high school and Zev was still around, they had been talking about how he was supposed to leave town, and her parents hadn''t wanted her to go with him¡ªhad encouraged her to choose her own university regardless of where he might go, or what he might do.


    Her mother had sat her down one night for a heart-to-heart, to warn her never to give up her life to follow a man.


    Yet, here, somehow she had travelled to apletely alternate world.


    Sorry, Mom.


    Sasha spluttered augh. Yhet and Kyelle both turned to look at her as if they were afraid she might be losing her mind. "Don''t mind me," she giggled behind her hand. "I have a bad habit of getting the giggles when I''m under stress."


    They took her at her word and went back to their hushed conversation while she struggled to get herself under control. But she was soon distracted by the people again, examining them for the differences she could see¡ªand her mind spinning with the differences she couldn''t.


    She was still trying to get her head around this when three men joined their tables.


    Males, Sasha reminded herself. The Chimera called themselves males and females, not men and women.


    The first of the males to approach went directly to Yhet, pulling him into an embrace and rubbing his cheek against therger man''s. Sasha tried not to stare as the other two joined them as well, and there was mutual sniffing and touching that all seemed entirelyfortable with.


    She didn''t think she''d ever seen grown men embrace the way these males did¡ªespecially not with the sniffing and rubbing.


    It was fascinating. And terrifying. Because it was just one more way that she had to see, had to admit to herself that she was somewhere else. Somewhere foreign.


    And she didn''t even have Zev to keep close and make losing her mind worth it.


    Kyelle said her name sharply and she blinked¡ªto find herself staring at the incredible, green eyes of a young male who''d sat across the table from her. He smiled and opened his mouth to greet her.


    "Eyes down!" Kyelle hissed and Sasha immediately dropped her gaze.


    "I''m sorry," she whispered. "I just¡­ I was distracted."


    There was a feminine sigh from Kyelle''s direction, then she said quietly, "Just¡­ focus on me. Look up. Speak to me. Look at me. Tell me what you''re thinking about. I can answer your questions."


    Gratefully, Sasha looked up to find the female staring at her with a lined forehead, but a small smile. "What were you thinking about? What questions do you have?" she asked patiently.


    "It isn''t even questions so much as¡­ I''m just fascinated. Everything¡­ this isn''t my world. I want to stare at everything, at everyone. I''m trying to make myself ept that it''s real."


    Kyelle nodded, her hair fluttering around her face. "You are wise to ept your changed circumstances. In the long run it will be easier for you."


    Yhet kept the males at the table talking, while Sasha focused on her meat and fruit, and spoke with Kyelle. At least she tried to. But very soon a hush fell over their table and those near them. A body moved at the end of the table, and Sasha was too scared to look, in case she did the wrong thing. But then a voice, simr to Zev''s, piped up.


    "It''s kind of you to save me a seat," the deep, male voice growled. "You can run along now, with my gratitude."


    One of the males who''d been two seats down from Kyelle, stood and picked up his te, then after a hesitation, walked away from the tablepletely.


    The male that had approached the table took his time settling into the seat, then he looked around at each of them, smiling.


    Lhars.


    Remembering the tension between the two brothers, Sasha was uneasy. But he looked so much like Zev, it was hard not to stare. And he was smiling now.


    "Please, don''t let me interrupt," he said politely. "I simply wanted to join you for the meal."


    Kyelle turned uneasily away from Lhars, to face Sasha again. "He''s Alpha of the wolf pack," she murmured, looking down at her te. "It would be rude not to acknowledge him. Be polite, but not¡­ weing."


    Sasha nodded quickly, remembering the hurried lesson they''d had that morning. She was to ignore every unmated male, except the leaders in each n. Kyelle and Yhet would let her know who they were.


    Somehow she''d forgotten, or missed, that Lhars was one of them.


    "Are you finding the food to your liking, Sasha?" he said in a honeyed voice so low it was almost a growl.


    Sasha looked up, and for a moment she was frozen in a set of bright blue eyes so like the ones she loved that her heart beat faster.


    "Everything''s great," she rasped, licking her lips and trying to find her bnce. "I''m d you could join us, Lhars."


    She was only trying to be polite, but Kyelle hissed again and Sasha''s heart dropped to her toes.

 Chapter 77 - Not So Quiet

    ~ SASHA ~


    She managed to navigate the next few minutes without doing or saying the wrong thing. Kyelle rxed as Sasha seemed to find the bnce between being politely civil to Lhars, but not encouraging his attention.


    And the truth was, for as long as she could forget exactly where she was, and what was happening around her, she was able to rx a little bit herself. Lhars was surprisingly warm and even funny at times, when there was no reason to be aggressive. And the other males at the table seemed almost to defer to him, which made it easier for Sasha not to do or say the wrong thing.


    Yhet kept giving tiny growls in his throat. But Kyelle looked at him sharply, and he stopped. Then Sasha took a tentative bite of something on her te that looked almost like green jelly and it burst on her tongue in such a cascade of sweet, citrus juiciness, she gasped.


    "What is this?" she asked Kyelle excitedly. "It''s delicious."


    "It''s the nectar of the elderblooms," Lhars purred. "Would you like some more?" He slid a chunk onto a spoon and held it across the table to her to take.


    Sasha''s eyes lit up, but Kyelle kicked her under the table again, and she jumped.


    Oh, that was right, she wasn''t supposed to ept any gifts or¡­ anything, from any male. She dropped her head quickly. "No, no thank you, but you''re very kind," she said, scooping up thest of her own on the spoon she''d been handed with her te.


    "If you don''t want your nectar, I''d be happy to share it, Lhars," Kyelle cooed, taking the spoon from his hand before he could pull it back.


    Sasha giggled at the thunderous look that crossed Lhars'' face¡ªbut then he shook his head and smiled with a low chuckle. "Very well yed, Kyelle," he said, his eyes twinkling. "Well done."


    Sasha was surprised. He hadn''t struck her as someone with a sense of humor when they''d run into him with Zev. Was he just putting on a front now? Because she was an unmated female?


    He caught her looking at him then and though he didn''t say anything, he dropped his chin and looked up at her from under his brows and for a moment her breath stopped because if her eyes had only passed over him, she would have sworn she was staring at Zev.


    Then there was a tter and another body appeared at the end of the table and everyone''s attention was drawn away to the male, and not, apparently with any great joy to see him.


    Shorter than any other Chimera she''d seen so far, this male was built just as powerfully as the others, though with an odd, twitching mannerism.


    He seemed to move in jerks¡ªvery quickly and all at once, then not at all for a moment.


    "You must be Sasha!" the male eximed. "Don''t worry about me, Sasha! My heart already belongs to Ulka!"


    Sasha looked at Kyelle, who rolled her eyes. "This is Oska," she said. "He''s Alpha of the hares, and already mated. You''re safe."


    Sasha heaved a sigh of relief. "Hello, Oska," she said. "It''s nice to meet you."


    "You too, of course! Beautiful manners, beautiful! I wouldn''t have expected anything less! Zev has always spoken so highly of you!"


    Everything the man¡ªmale¡ªsaid seemed to end in an exmation mark. Sasha bit her lip to stop herself smiling. "That''s very kind of you to say."


    "Oh, I''m a kind person¡ªbut don''t make me angry, the others will tell you!"


    Everyone around the table murmured with hurried affirmation as if they didn''t want to give this guy a reason to argue. Which was his point, Sasha supposed. But no one seemed afraid of him. It was strange.


    "So, have you all heard?" Oska said as he nudged one of the other males out of their seat just like Lhars had done, "Apparently Zev has already defeated Skhal and Saml! I''dy my firstborn that he''s out there looking for Hedin, now!"


    The entire table seemed to go still. Sasha looked back and forth between Kyelle and Yhet. "Is that good?" she asked him hurriedly.


    He nodded. "He has¡­ moved very quickly," Yhet mumbled.


    "Quickly!" Oska replied. "Once he beats Hedin he''s only two levels below the ranked wolves! I''ve never seen any move this quickly! He''ll being for you, soon, Lhars, mark my words!"


    Sasha''s heart sped up again, this time for all the right reasons. But she looked nervously at Lhars. He did seem such an even match with Zev physically, she couldn''t help wondering what would happen when the two of them fought.


    But Lhars just shrugged and kept eating. "He has some very difficult opponents to defeat before I''d even see that he exists," he drawled. "And if we do meet over a challenge, my brother will discover that I have grown a great deal stronger in years he has been gone." Then he turned his head and locked eyes with Sasha, as if challenging her to defend Zev.


    Sasha blinked and swallowed, looking away to Kyelle, who just sighed and leaned her elbows on the table, rubbing her temples between her fingers.


    Sasha thought the conversation might stop there, but Oska only leaned closer to the table and pointed at her down the table. "I know this must have been a difficult day for you, Sasha, and it won''t get easier soon. If you''re in need, if you want a message, or any goods run quickly to someone else, youe find me. If I cannot do it myself, I will make certain one of my n do it for you!"


    "Th-thank you¡ª"


    "No need to thank me! We are not only swift, we are extremely discreet. You can trust us with your most delicate needs, and we will ensure no one elsees to know them! Do not let yourself worry, Sasha. As Zev''s chosen, you will be a dear friend to my n, a dear friend!"


    "That''s¡­ wonderful," she said, feeling overwhelmed. "I thank you and your¡­ n."


    Then Oska chuckled and pointed at her again. "I''m so sorry, so sorry, you''re human, you wouldn''t know! We are the hares, Sasha.. We are the fastest of foot, and the quietest in travel. You wille to see just how valuable we can be to you, mark my words!"

 Chapter 78 - Not A Rabbit

    ~ SASHA ~


    "That''s lovely, Oska, thank you," Sasha repeated awkwardly. "I''m sure we will be very good friends. I''ve always loved rabbits. It was one pet we were allowed in our apartment growing up¡ª"


    But everyone at the table groaned. Sasha closed her mouth and looked around at all of them¡ªwho were all staring at Oska.


    There was an almighty thump. The entire table rattled and Sasha startled. Oska leapt to his feet so his chair fell to the ground behind him.


    "I was very clear!" he yelled down the table at her. Everyone at the nearby tables quieted and turned to watch. Sasha caught several rolled eyes. "We are hares. HARES!"


    Sasha''s mouth dropped open. "Oh, dear, I''m sorry, I never meant¡ª"


    Lhars groaned. "Oska, she''s human, she doesn''t know¡ª"


    "EVERYBODY KNOWS INSTINCTIVELY!"


    "That''s simply not true, Oska, you know the humans aren''t nearly as in touch with their instincts as we are¡ª"


    "Do I need to prove to you again that I am not intimidated by your predatory nature, LHars?" Oska said, his face growing red. Sasha was horrified.


    "I never meant to create a problem, I''m sorry¡ª"


    "Don''t worry about it," Lhars drawled, rolling his eyes. "It''s just a bit of a sore spot for Oska, is all. You weren''t to know."


    "This is not TENDERNESS!" Oska roared, his leg stamping quickly on the dirt. "I will not stand for this¡­ this dismissal of our natures! We are not cuddly children''s pets. We are not food for your fire. We are swift, hardworking Chimera with everything that is needed to kick your ass you¡ª"


    "Okay, who set him off this time," a feminine voice said wearily from behind Lhars.


    Everyone at the table seemed to breathe again as a female of a height with Oska, and with glossy, blonde hair stepped alongside him and put a restraining hand to his arm.


    "Ulka! Do not cate these¡­ these¡­ mutts!"


    "Who are you calling a mutt, Oska?" Lhars growled, going very still, his jaw tight and eyes sharp on the smaller male.


    Sasha held her breath.


    "You! I call you a mutt, straight to your wet muzzle, Lhars¡ªyou think I cannot hold my own with you?!"


    "Oska, please," Ulka sighed. "You''re frightening the human. Think of her and her poor nerves. I''m sure they wouldn''t stand a demonstration of your strength. The poor girl needs to feel more confident in her chosen n, not less. If you go beating all the wolves again, she''ll just be frightened. Think of her."


    Sasha wanted tough¡ªsurely the pompous disy was all bluster? Surely this man wouldn''t really have fought Lhars? A rabbit? Against a wolf? He had to be joking?


    But Oska took a deep breath, then looked back and forth between Sasha and Lhars. Sasha did her best to look uncertain¡ªbecause she was¡ªand not smile. While Lhars'' jaw kept twitching, but he kept his eyes on his food rather than on the bristling male¡ªa gesture, Sasha was beginning to understand, was to demonstrate ack of challenge.


    But Oska was eyeing the wolf man as if he couldn''t wait to pummel him, so Sasha stepped in, hoping she could help this time instead of hurting.


    "I am so sorry, Oska," she said quickly. "I had no idea you were so¡­ strong. I am very impressed," she said, putting her eyes down and biting the inside of her cheek so she wouldn''t smile. "I assure you, I won''t reference any other¡­ anything other than a hare in respect to your n again. And I hope¡­ I hope you won''t challenge anyone else. I would hate to be the reason anyone got hurt."


    Oska looked at her sharply and she raised her hands, palms out. "Anyone else, I meant¡ªI can see that you are a¡­ a formidable opponent."


    Ulka shed her a smile from beside Oska, who nodded.


    "Yes, I am," he said baldly.


    Then he scanned the table. And when no one else met his eyes, he snorted. "Very well, I won''t unleash my strength here today. But mark my words¡ªmark them! Do not underestimate me, or my people!"


    Everyone at the table made murmured noises to affirm him, including Sasha, then Ulka pointed out two males at a nearby table who were getting to their feet. "I wasing to look for you because your apprentices have been waiting to be shown that trail you''d mentioned might be good for trapping. The hunters brought in less yesterday and they''re looking for anything that might add to the pantry before the storm.


    Storm? Sasha looked around. There was snow on the ground, but none had fallen since she arrived, and here under the trees, the ground was dry. There wasn''t a breath of wind¡­ she turned to Ulka who winked, then turned back to her mate.


    "Very well!" Oska said. "I will take my leave. I hope you have all learned a lesson here today."


    He pulled his mate into him and whispered something in her ear. Her cheeks colored, but he only kissed her quickly, then started down the aisle, weaving between tables until he reached the two younger males and began ushering them away from the diners.


    Ulka waited until they''d moved closer to the trees, then turned back to face them, smiling, "It is nice to meet you, Sasha. We''ve all heard a great deal about you. I hope Zev will find his ce again soon, and you''ll be happy here. And don''t worry about my mate. He''s a lot of bark when his ruff is up, but he''s a good male¡ªstrong, and hard working. And he will make sure our people help you if you need it. Don''t hesitate to ask."


    "That''s¡­. very kind. I''m really sorry that I offended him," she said, meaning it. "I meant no harm. I''m still learning what''s appropriate and what isn''t. I''ll make sure I never mention rabbits again around your n¡ª"


    "I heard that!" Oska yelled across the clearing from where he stood between the trees, turned back to them. The two males with him each had a hand to his chest and began to wrestle him back. "I heard that! You aren''t funny!"


    But even Ulka giggled once he''d disappeared behind the trees.

 Chapter 79 - Speak

    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev had Hedin against a tree and his chin shoved back to bare his neck before the wolf submitted.


    When Zev finally released him, both of them were bleeding. He shook his head, carefully not moving his left arm due to the ribs he thought might be cracked from a powerful kick Hedin hadnded on his side.


    The male hadn''t shifted to wolf form to fight, which was a good sign that he didn''t truly want to see Zev defeated. But he''d fought like a whirlwind with fangs and for the first time Zev was nervous about his ability to get through the wolfpack and challenge Lhars in the few days needed. Especially if he''d already cracked a rib.


    He had thought about Skhal''sment, though, and left his shoes deep in the forest. His feet weren''t as calloused as they used to be, but the tougher his opponent, the less opportunity he could afford to give.


    He stood over the male who had slumped, his eyes and chin low. "You got me nervous there," he said quietly. "I don''t want to bite out your throat, Hedin, but I''ll do it if I have to."


    The male shook his head, his chest still heaving. "There''s no need," he growled, then spat a mouthful of blood on the ground, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I can''t give you a free pass because the wolves above me won''t see you if I do. But more of them are rooting for you than you might think," he said quietly, his eyes sliding up to make sure Zev was paying attention before he returned them to the ground.


    "That''s reassuring," Zev replied, watching him closely. "The question is¡­ why would the wolf pack root for an Alpha who left, over one who is present?"


    "It isn''t your brother they want to see dethroned, it''s the Tiger."


    Zev rolled his jaw. "I hear that Lhars submits to the Tiger."


    Hedin snorted. "Lhars doesn''t submit to anyone. You know that."


    "And yet, he dly ran off to the tell the King I was here and kick off this shitshow which he apparently anticipated."


    "He anticipated it because he wants to see Xar off bnce."


    Zev huffed. "Now I know you''re lying."


    Hedin shook his head and spat again. "Lhars is raging mad at you, and will kick your ass if he gets the chance. But he''s never denied that you were a better King than this aging sack of bitter selfishness."


    "Then why is he keeping Xar happy, instead of challenging him himself?" Zev folded his arms to give some support to that rib without making it obvious.


    Hedin''s head snapped back and his eyes narrowed. "Haven''t they told you?"


    "Told me what? When? I walked into the vige and was greeted, then immediately confronted by Xar and cast out. No one''s had any time to tell me anything."


    "Didn''t Dunken meet you on the trail?"


    "Yes. He told me that Xar was Alpha, and warned me that I''d be facing discipline. He talked through how the females were taken and that Xar is submitting to the humans. But then we ran into Lhars. And Lhars wasn''t giving an inch."


    Hedin raked a hand through his hair, then winced, grabbing at his own ribs.


    Zev had gotten in some kicks of his own.


    When the wolf didn''t immediately respond, Zev continued. "I did hear one theory¡­ that the humans might be using Xar''s mate and offspring as leverage. But I don''t see how that could be used against Lhars since he isn''t mated."


    "That might be true about Xar, I don''t know," Hedin admitted. "What I do know is that Lhars licks the dirt off Xar''s shoes publicly, but when the wolves are alone, it''s a very different picture."


    Zev raised an eyebrow. "Lhars is a coward?"


    Hedin shook his head. "We''ve been instructed to put away far more clothing, resources, and food for the winter than we ever were in the past¡ªand not to share the locations of our dens around Thana. There''s discussion of returning to the City, or perhaps even establishing another vige somewhere else entirely."


    "A mutiny?" Zev breathed.


    "No, a defection. Removing the wolves, but keeping them intact and isted."


    "When?"


    "There''s been no order. No actual instruction for it. Only preparations that clearly point in that direction."


    Zev watched the male carefully, inhaling his scent, to measure him for honesty. The problem was, the wolves were so ustomed to strategy and cunning, it was often difficult to discern truth from lies when even the truth could be used as a weapon.


    "Why are you telling me this?" he asked finally.


    Hedin held his gaze for a moment¡ªnot a challenge, but measuring him. "I told you, you have more support than you likely expect."


    "And you''ve had time to gather input from enough wolves since this morning to know that?"


    "No. I''ve been present for the past three years when you weren''t," Hedin shot back. Then he looked down again before he spoke again. "If you hadn''t left secretly, allowed the hierarchy to implode, you would have been heralded at the gates today. As it is, everyone knows that you have not earned the casting out. Xar may have intended to weaken you, but for those not intimidated by his strength, he risks strengthening his enemies. But it''s possible he''s too far gone in the darkness to even realize it," Hedin said regretfully.


    "So he truly is mourning?"


    "He doesn''t believe she''s dead. But she was taken in the first wave¡ªwhile Hedin fought to defend his dominance. He has seethed with anger ever since. You were an easy scapegoat when you were absent¡ªthough apparently while you''re here, as well. He does not rule by the traditions anymore. He ims the Creator has abandoned us and we have to make our way alone."


    Zev''s eyebrows shot up. "Xar speaks against the Creator?"


    "Xar has¡­ things have gotten ugly, Zev. The tiger you knew no longer exists. He doesn''t even make an appearance after the medicine anymore. He only stops raging for a time¡ªbut he''s be¡­ he enjoys inflicting pain," Hedin said, his voice hushed, as if the forest might have ears.


    Zev frowned. Sadists were rare among the Chimera and generally only found among those who had be mentally imbnced. But Xar had always been very steady. If he''d be cruel, what had changed?


    "And Lhars licks his feet?" Zev growled.


    Hedin shook his head. "Your brother makes the Tiger believe he is submitted, but I''m telling you, Zev, the Chimera a boiling pot of resentments and fear. Your arrival could not be more timely. I fear where this will take us if someone doesn''t return order and remove the influence of the humans. We have already lost most of our females and offspring. There are not very many steps to be taken before the males turn on each other and we simply cease to exist."


    Stunned silent, Zev thought of what he''d been put through over the past three years and suddenly, things clicked into ce.


    His own story took on an entirely new color and texture¡­ and sense of dread.

 Chapter 80 - Measure Your Fear

    ~ SASHA ~


    After dinner Sasha spent some time with Yhet and Kyelle at the table, watching with fascination as different Chimera came and went. Sasha''s mind still struggled toprehend that she had found her way into an entirely new world.


    Then she saw a man get up from a table, wave goodbye to his friends, and shift into a wolf, and it hit her all over again.


    Sasha was about to ask about the different kinds of Chimera, when the conversation between Kyelle and Yhet changed to spection about whether Zev would have found Hedin that evening, or would save his energy for the following day. Sasha listened intently, but other than learning that Hedin was close to Lhars, she didn''t learn anything new.


    By the time they were ready to leave, Sasha was dead on her feet. Yet, her heart pounded painfully. Now that it was dark, the forest seemed sinister, the bare branches of some trees like gnarled fingers that wanted to catch her clothing, or taken out an eye. Yhet apologized time and again for taking her off the trails when she stumbled over tree roots, or yelped because her hair caught on a twig.


    By the time the trees opened and she gratefully followed them back towards her new tree house, she was ready to shower and fall into bed.


    Shower. Right.


    The little bathing room, as Kyelle had called it, in her home held a primitive toilet and a tiny sink, but there was no bath or shower.


    As they stepped out of the thickest of the trees, Sasha was surprised to find that there were strings ofnterns lighting the way, casting cones of warm glow from tree to tree.


    Then her tree came into view and Sasha almost cried with relief. Without thinking, she''d left antern on inside. Therge, square window on either side of the door glowed invitingly.


    "How do you bathe?" she blurted as they crossed the snowy ground ahead of the house. "I mean, where?"


    Kyelle smiled. "That is an advantage to being on the edge of the vige, the bathing pools are only a couple minutes that way," Kyelle said, pointing down the line ofnterns that disappeared into the forest off to the right of her tree house. "But thenterns don''t extend to the pools because the Chimera generally bathe in the morning. So if you go tonight, take antern as it''s likely no one else will be there."


    "No one¡­ else? The bathing pools are¡­munal?" Sasha asked uncertainly.


    "Yes. None of us own thend, Sasha," Yhet said sagely. "We share all resources."


    Sasha''s stomach dropped further. "But¡­ is there¡­ I mean any, I don''t know, walls or¡­ privacy?"


    Yhet snorted. "I had forgotten the human shame of their bodies."


    Kyelle grinned, but whacked his arm with her hand before she turned to Sasha. "No, they are natural mineral pools¡ªwarm enough to use even in the winter, and quite beautiful. But Chimera do not hide ourselves from each other, Sasha. We are too closely knit¡ªscents give away most of our secrets, and those we can hold aren''t hidden on our bodies."


    Sasha almost wept. "I can''t ever get clean here by myself?" Her voice was too high, quavering, and she was embarrassed that this realization was what tipped her back towards tears.


    She swallowed hard as Kyelle shook her head. "Not unless you want to venture to the pools in the dark. Most Chimera bathe at the beginning of the day when they need to do it at all. Like said, just make sure to take antern. There''s no light down there."


    Sasha nodded, her stomach in her toes. Then they reached her house and despair fluttered in her chest¡ªshe had to climb that stupiddder again. But as she took a deep breath and started towards it, she determined that she would show them. She would notin. She would not cry. And she would figure out a way to get clean without having to jump in the pool with a bunch of horny males.


    After struggling up thedder while Yhet and Kyelle watched awkwardly, she stood on the little tform, puffing, but pleased with herself. "Thank you for all your help today. Both of you," she said. "I know this wasn''t how you thought you would spend your day. I''m grateful."


    Kyelle nodded graciously, then farewelled Yhet, before disappearing back into the forest herself.


    Then Yhet turned to her. "You''ve done well today, Sasha. Better than most of the scientists do their first times."


    Sasha found herself oddly proud. "Thank you, Yhet. And thank you for helping me when Zev had to leave. That''s been¡­ difficult."


    Yhet shrugged. "He would do the same for me," he said simply. "Will you be okay to sleep alone?" he said worriedly, as if this were odd to him.


    "Yes!" Sasha said hurriedly. "I''ll¡­ I''ll be fine!"


    "Very good. Then I will take a walk and return to my cave. But I will return at daylight. Sleep aste as you like. I will be here when you want to go to breakfast."


    "Thank you, Yhet!" She leaned down to put a hand on his broad shoulder. "You''ve saved my life today."


    He snorted, and his cheeks colored, but his smile stretched his cheeks like a child''s. "I did no such thing. But I''m d that you felt safe."


    He patted her hand on his shoulder awkwardly, then Sasha straightened and went inside.


    With the warm light inside, the outside suddenly felt menacingly ck. Sasha tried to wash her face and arms before changing into the massive t-shirt she usually slept in. But when she peeled back the covers on the soft bed at the side of the room, her thigh itched and she grimaced.


    She hated going to bed dirty.


    But apparently, she was going to have to do that until she got the courage to bathe in front of strange men¡ªin numbers.


    She looked out the window to the ckness outside. Unless she went now? Kyelle had said it was only a couple of minutes away. And warm.


    She could run down there, leap into it and scrub herself, thene back to bed and¡­ She bit her lip. Did she have the courage to go out into the forest, in the dark, on her own?


    She walked back to the window. She could barely see anything except the moon high in the sky, but she knew there werenterns to lead her to the bathing pools¡­ was that the answer? She would simply bathe at night?


    Was she more afraid of the dark? Or of being seen naked by strangers?


    Sasha discovered that the answer to that question was simple, and she turned to look through the cupboards until she found a thick towel, grabbed the soap from her sink, and trotted to the door before she lost her nerve.


    *****


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 Chapter 81 - That鈥檚 Not The Hard Part

    ~ SASHA ~


    Following thenterns along the forest path was easy. What was harder was gathering her courage when the path branched, and one trail led on under the merry glow, while the other descended into darkness within feet of where she stood.


    It had to be the path to the pools. It was a well-worn trail, widened and hard-packed by thousands of footsteps. And, just as Kyelle had warned, no light at all.


    Gripping the handle of thentern tighter, Sasha pushed her shoulders back and forced herself to remember that her choices were bathing out here in the dark, alone, or showing up tomorrow in full daylight to bathe with who-knew-how-many men.


    Pulling the towel tight around her shoulders and body, like a nket, the skin on the back of her neck crawled as she stepped into the darkness and felt it close behind her, her steps lit only by the small circle of light cast by herntern.


    Thankfully, the path was short and in less than a minute, the scent of something warm and musky hit her nostrils as the bushes and undergrowth on either side of the path opened up and the yellow glow of thentern reflected in ripples on the pool.


    It was too wide for her to see the far end of it that was swallowed by the dark, but it swept out to either side of her, its banks clear and t, hardpacked earth. The water itself steamed heavily as ripples wavered from her right to¡­


    Wait.


    Ripples?


    Sasha sucked in a breath to scream as the hair on the back of her neck stood straight because something brushed her back. A wide palm pped over her mouth from behind, just as she was assaulted by the most wonderful scent in the world, and the voice that made her heart sing, whispered in her ear, "Sasha?! What are you doing here?"


    "Zev?" Her mouth was covered by his hand, so it sounded like, Yem?


    "You shouldn''t be here!" Releasing her, he grabbed thentern and doused it so they were thrown into darkness so ck, Sasha froze mid-turn, the entire world disappearing in front of her nose.


    "Zev?" she whispered. "I can''t see! Is that you?"


    "Sorry!" he muttered. A warm hand appeared around hers, tugging her forward and into an even warmer chest.


    A naked chest. That smelled like grass in the sun. Suddenly the crawling at her neck became a tingle and her breath rushed out of her nose.


    Sasha cried with relief and threw her arms around his neck, dissolving into great, hupping sobs as his arms circled her back and pulled her in.


    "Shhhhhh, baby. Shhhhhh, it''s okay. I''m here. Oh, Sash, I''m so sorry."


    She shook her head, her nose buried in his corbones and clung to him, pressing against his solid warmth.


    Zev was here. It wasn''t a dream. He was really here in this strange ce. And he was calling her baby.


    One of his armsy up her spine, his fingers fisted in the back of her hair, and he whispered in her ear, nuzzling her as he tried frantically to reassure her that she didn''t need to cry.


    He was so desperate, she almostughed. But she recognized that as the edge of hysteria returning, and gulped deep breaths to calm her racing heart.


    When she was finally calm enough to push back and look at him¡ªher eyes had adjusted so she could see some of his features in the moonlight¡ªshe put a hand to his face to touch it, to be certain it was really him.


    "What are you doing here?" she hissed, her breath still catching in a sob.


    "Pretty sure that''s the question I should be asking you," he said and she could see one side of his mouth tip up into a smile. He put a hand to her face, his thumb stroking her cheek. "What the hell are you doing out here at night by yourself?"


    She widened her eyes. "Zev! These people take baths together! They''re all naked and¡­ and they just¡­ together!"


    He gave a low chuckle that was so delicious, it raised the hair on her arms. "I''m so sorry I didn''t warn you," he murmured. Then he pulled her close again and they clung to each other, their hearts racing in time.


    Sasha was so desperate to reassure herself this was real, she squeezed him as hard as she could, but let him go quickly when he sucked in, wincing away from her clutch.


    "What¡ª"


    "It''s fine. I''m fine. Don''t pull away. It was just reflex," he whispered, pulling her back into his chest when she tried to step back.


    "You''re hurt? From the fighting?"


    He gave her a dry look. "That''s why they call it fighting, Sash. It''s not a dance off."


    "But¡ª"


    "Don''t worry about me. I heal fast, and once I get through Lhars, I have some tricks up my sleeve, okay? I just have to be careful with my own n. I have to win them over, not frighten them into submission."


    She searched his eyes. In the night they were little more than dark pools surrounded by white, hisshes thick and long enough to look like he was wearing eyeliner in the strange light. But they shed, catching light in a way no human''s eyes ever did and Sasha''s breath stopped.


    Zev froze. "Are you okay?"


    "Yes, yes," she whispered. "I''m just¡­ overwhelmed. So much has happened and you weren''t there, and¡­ Zev, I was so scared."


    His face fell and he raked a hand through his hair. "I''m so sorry, Sash, I never imagined it would be like this when we got here." He pulled her close again, and even though she was shaking, it was such a relief to be close to him she just pressed her head against his chest and held him¡ªcareful to avoid the spot where his ribs hurt.


    As they stood there together, sharing warmth, the night was peaceful, broken only by the rustle of a breeze in the trees, and the asional bird.. Painted in moonlight and wrapped in his smell, for the first time in what felt like years, Sasha''s body rxed.

 Chapter 82 - Close

    ~ ZEV ~


    Holding Sasha in the moonlight, inhaling her scent, soaking up her warmth, Zev''s mind quieted in a way it hadn''t in years. The worries and pressures of events, his fears for theing days, even his hopes¡­ everything sank to a tiny buzz in the back of his mind, a gnat to be ignored.


    She was here. And she was holding onto him like she was afraid he would disappear. Stroking her hair, trailing his hands down her back, he shifted so they were pressed together from her knees to point where he''d tucked her head under his chin.


    But the longer they stood that way, the more aware of her he became¡ªhis skin prickling, pebbling at the slightest shift between them just from breathing. He felt her on every inch of him, and his body woke up under her hands.


    He didn''t think she''d realized yet that he was naked and he didn''t want to break the beautiful moment they were having. But he could feel her starting to shiver and he wasn''t sure her goosebumps were entirely from touching him.


    So, dropping his head to brush his lips to the side of her neck, he whispered, "let''s get in the water where it''s warm."


    Her head came up and she met his eyes. He could see the questions in them. But either she was too tired to fight, or she''d felt, just like he had, that the need to be closer was¡­ just that: a need.


    His breath got faster.


    She''d had the towel wrapped around her like a nket when she appeared, but it had fallen to the dirt when he startled her and now she stood there in nothing but a long, shapeless cotton shirt.


    While she watched, he slid a hand from her jaw, down her neck, brushing the side of her breast as he followed the line of her body down to that gorgeous dip in her waist, and the re of her hip, then to her thigh where he stopped and fisted the shirt.


    It only reached halfway to her knees and he was almost certain if he raised it, she''d be wearing nothing underneath. His body howled for attention, but he pushed it back. He hadn''t even kissed her yet, but something drove him forward¡ªthe instinct of the wolf inside, to take and im his mate, to cover her in his scent so that no other would dare touch her.


    To be close to her so her head couldn''t be turned by another. And yet, as things stood, that could be a death sentence.


    She''d gone still when he clenched her shirt in his fist, but he hadn''t tugged it up. He cleared his throat, both their eyes fixed on that point where his hand was so, so close to baring her.


    "I''ll get in," he said hoarsely, gently brushing the side of her thigh with the backs of his fisted fingers through the cotton. "You can get undressed and follow. I won''t turn around until you tell me to."


    She nodded, her eyes wide and mouth ck, but she didn''t stop him when he let go of the shirt, leaving a cluster of creases and lines in it as he stepped back, then forced himself to turn away and walked deeper into the pool until he was covered to his chest.


    Behind him, the whump of the towel being picked up then the rustle of it thrown over a nearby bush was followed by the whisper of thin fabric on skin. A tantalizing image bloomed in his mind of Sasha standing on the banks of the pools, taking hold of the hem of the shirt and pulling it up and over her head, so it pulled her mahogany hair over her shoulders and down her back until she flung it onto the bush to join the towel.


    Her breath shook, her teeth beginning to chatter, but she didn''t say anything. He followed the soft sound of her feet on the dirt bank, then the ripple as she stepped deeper and deeper into the water, and the guttural groan she gave as her body was washed in its heat.


    "Oh that''s fantastic," she breathed.


    Zev gave a little shiver of his own, but not from the warmth. He could feel the tiny waves in the water from her passage breaking on his back. Then suddenly she was there, pressing herself against his back, her hands at his waist, her cheek resting in the dip between his shoulder des.


    Zev could barely breathe. How had this happened? How had he gone from bathing in the istion of being cast out, to naked and warmed by the full, soft press of Sasha''s breasts on his back?


    "Are you¡ª" he broke off and cleared his throat. "Are you okay if I turn around?" he asked, his voice deeper than usual.


    "Just a second," she whispered. Her hands came around to sy on his stomach, fingers wide as if she wanted to touch as much of him as it was possible to do at once. "I just need¡­ a second," she breathed.


    Zev nodded and let his head fall back, pulling his elbows in to pin her arms under his and sighing so deeply it felt as if he released something broken.


    "Five years, Zev," she whispered, her voice so quiet he imagined a human wouldn''t have caught it. "Five years I''ve dreamed about this. About what it would feel like to touch you again, to have you touch me. It''s just¡­ it''s hard to believe it''s actually happening. And even though I want it¡ªI want you, Zev. I''ve never wanted anyone else at all. I''ve never trusted anyone else enough¡ªI''m afraid too. This whole thing is crazy. And I can''t be alone with you. And¡­"


    She tensed, like she was waking up from a dream, and Zev felt the shift in her, as if she''d just realized what she was doing¡ªand regretted it.


    He couldn''t let her regret it.


    As she leaned back, lifting her head from against his back, he turned and took her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his eyes.


    "I''ve waited five years, too, Sash," he whispered. "And not just to¡­ sleep with you. I''ve waited to be close to you. To see you smile, and to hear your voice. I''ve waited for the day I could tell you you''re my mate. Tell everyone you''re mine!" he hissed urgently, his fingers tightening on her jaw.


    She blinked, but her eyes sparked and Zev''s heart fizzed.


    "I know it''s hard, Sash, but you have to trust me. I will never, ever let anything bad happen to you. I''d die myself first."


    Her chest expanded, like what he''d said had released something in her. But then her brows pinched in over her nose. "How can you say that when you left?"


    "I left because I was manipted into believing if I didn''t, they''d kill you. And they promised to keep you safe from everything else. The only threat to you was me, Sash. Being close to me. I thought¡­ I thought I was keeping you safe."


    "You broke my heart, Zev," she said in a tiny voice that cut his own heart to ribbons.


    "I''m sorry, Sash. I got it wrong. I know that. But please¡­ believe me. If I''d known, I would have fought. I left because I thought it kept you safe. I love you." In the moonlight, her eyes shone, glistening with unshed tears.


    "I''ve waited so long to hear that again."


    "You''ll hear it every day that I''m still breathing," he whispered, dropping his nose to brush the side of hers, inhaling her scent. "I''m going to fix this, and then I''m going to im you. And you''re going to fight me on it, and I''m going to win you and then no one''s ever going to stand between us again," he vowed, his lips just millimeters from hers, their breaths mingling. "Please, Sash¡­ please believe me."


    And then he kissed her.

 Chapter 83 - Dreams Come True

    ~ SASHA ~


    A shiver rocked Sasha''s entire body the moment his lips brushed hers¡ªsoft, warm, and featherlight. The kiss was a question. A request. An entreaty.


    She knew she shouldn''t give in, should make him answer for¡­ well, everything.


    But having him there, so close, so warm, so sweet¡­ whispering that he still loved her, wanted her, intended to im her. It was everything she''d yearned for since she was a teenager. And being so close that she could smell him, feel him, see the water droplets trailing down his chest¡­


    It all conspired to silence the protests in her wounded heart and fill her instead with a sparkling, glittering heat that raised goosebumps on her skin and made her breath suck in.


    Then his lips dragged across hers again, slightly harder this time, and she made a small cry and pulled him in, her handscing at the nape of his neck.


    One of his hands dragged down to the small of her back, pulling her against him until she felt his arousal, hard on her belly. But that wasn''t what made her skin tingle and her breathe faster.


    His kiss¡­ his kiss was intoxicating. A dance of gentle lips and probing tongue, Of fingers dragged slowly, softly down the skin of her arm, then back up to bury in her hair and tug her head back.


    Sasha arched against him as he pressed a thigh between her knees and deepened the kiss, still pressing his hand t at her lower back and pulling her in tight, until the nerves lit up from the apex of her thighs, all the way up her spine, and she shivered again.


    His breath thundered against her cheek, fluttering in her hair as he dropped his head to kiss along her jaw, the point of her chin, and down her throat.


    She was arched so far back, her hair dangled into the water and still he leaned over her, covering her with his body and pressing her against him.


    She''d never felt so exposed, and so safe in the same moment. Here with him in the dark, naked felt natural and she wanted to cry again. Because no man had ever made her feel that way except Zev.


    Goosebumps chased themselves up and down her skin wherever his hand stroked. She opened her mouth and tilted her head, taking more from the kiss so that a growl of approval puttered in his throat.


    Then, without breaking the kiss, he dropped his hand to cup the back of her leg, his fingers teasing the inside of her thigh, and pulled up to wrap her knee around his hip, his mouth opening over hers as he ground against her and a groan broke in his throat.


    Whimpering again, Sasha clung to his shoulders, silently pleading with him not to stop, telling herself she was crazy, but deciding that, at least in that moment, crazy was exactly where she wanted to be.


    Then, with a tortured moan, he let himself sink deeper into the water and pulled her up into hisp, still kissing her, until they bobbed in the water together, hands exploring, bodies yearning.


    "Fuck, Sash," he groaned, his head dropping back when she rocked against him, the water rippling around them.


    "I''ve missed you so much, Zev!"


    His breath whooshed out of him and he groaned as he took her mouth again, forcefully this time, devouring her. Sasha locked her ankles behind his back and pulled him closer, grinding against him, shuddering at the delicious wave of jangling pleasure crackled through her body.


    Then she felt him, there¡ªright there. And she remembered the one other time they''d been here¡­


    They were curled up on that tiny twin bed together, naked, the only sound in the room their panting breaths and the asional smack of lips, or suck of mouth on skin. He''d rubbed himself against her until her body twitched every time he passed over her and she''d pped a hand to the back of his neck and practically demanded he stop waiting.


    Braced over her, one hand on either side of her shoulders, he''d pulled back, forced her to stop¡ªeven as he nudged at her core.


    When she opened her eyes, she wanted to snarl at him, but there was a look of such awe, such love on his face, it stopped the words on her tongue.


    "Are you sure, Sash?" he''d whispered, his eyes searching hers. "Are you certain I''m the one?"


    The question had shaken her out of her arousal and tumbled her down into her insecurities.


    "Why? Aren''t you?" she''d asked quickly, breathlessly, trying to swallow the panting. "I mean, if you don''t want to¡ª"


    "Are you fucking crazy, Sash," he groaned, his eyes going wide. "You''re it for me. I''m gone. Done. Whether we do this or not. You own me. But¡­ this is a big deal and I don''t want you to be sad¡­"


    She''d almost cried¡ªin relief, and because his concern touched her so deeply. While he stared, she smiled, tried to let him see how happy he made her. How much love she felt for him. How absolutely certain she was.


    "Yes," she whispered, then put a hand to his gorgeous jaw. "I want this, Zev. With you. Right now. Please?"


    His eyes softened and his smile crept up on one side, pressing those little lines to bracket his mouth. "No need to beg," he said in a guttural drawl.


    "Zev!"


    But even as she pped his shoulder, his face got serious. "I love you, Sash, you know that right?"


    "I know," she said. She could feel her cheeks heating, but she didn''t care. "I love you, too."


    He shook his head like he didn''t quiet believe it. But before she could say it again, he sank down to take her mouth, tilted his hips, and took her. And every thought Sasha had ever had flew out of her head at the onught of emotion and sensation that was, all at once, entirely new, and the most ancient and perfect thing she''d ever done¡­


    Sasha blinked back to the present to find Zev staring at her again, water dripping from a strand of hair that had fallen loose to curl over his forehead, eyes wide and watching her.


    Sasha smiled, her heart still buried in the memory, but her body very much alive and in the present.


    "I still love you, Zev," she breathed, shocked that it hade out, but knowing it was only true, her heart dancing when his eyes leapt.


    "I love you too, Sash," he groaned and kissed her again. Then he pressed his forehead against hers and sighed.. "Which is exactly why we can''t do this now."

 Chapter 84 - Torture

    ~ ZEV ~


    "I''m sorry¡­ what¡­ what did you say?" Sasha said a little louder than was strictly necessary, her voice husky with desire and weariness. The resonance of it yed down his spine like fingers on a piano.


    "You have no idea how much I want to just¡­ take you right now, Sash, but I never thought it woulde to this, I just¡­ I just wanted to be close to you. I shouldn''t even be doing that. They''re going to smell me on you tomorrow. You''re going to have wash really good, and stay away from Lhars and Xar, because if they get wind that we''ve been together¡ª"


    "You didn''t just¡­ You didn''t just tease me, Zev. Say you didn''t tease me just to¡ª"


    "No! No!" he held her tightly when she tensed as if she was going to crawl out of hisp. The water rippled against her breasts and he had to force his eyes to stay on her face. "I wasn''t¡­ I didn''t think it would go this far. I just wanted you to be warm and¡ªyou have to understand, Sash, in their eyes, I have to earn you. If I don''t¡­ they''ll eat me alive."


    "Earn what?" she asked sharply. "What the hell, Zev? I''ve known you were the one for me since I was seventeen¡ªwhether these people realize that or not."


    He shushed her and stroked her hair. "Don''t be upset, please, let me exin: You agreed to Xar''s terms. That means whatever male would im you not only has to have beaten the other males, but he has to disy for you and you have to choose him. He has to earn you¡ªpublicly. If we do this now, Sash, they''ll smell me on you in the morning¡ªsmell that we had sex¡ªand in their eyes, if I did that in private when I''m cast out¡­ it''s as if you were raped. Your mating was stolen. I can''t do that to you."


    "But I''m asking you to!"


    He groaned and kissed her again. Her hands clung to his shoulders and she pulled him in, rocking against him again, until he wasn''t even going to have to enter her to finish this.


    "Sash, stop," he pleaded, one hand at the back of her neck, leaning his forehead on hers. "Please. Please listen to me. This is for you. To help you¡ª"


    "That''s what you said about leaving me! That''s what you said about leaving and noting back for five years!" she spat, tears in her eyes as she struggled to get loose from him. He didn''t want to force her to stay close, so he let her go, staying low in the water. Once she''d twisted out of hisp, she did too, her arms keeping her upright as she red at him. "I can''t believe I fell for this again¡ª"


    "Fell for what?" he asked sharply. "There''s no falling for anything, Sash. I''m not deceiving you. I''m doing what''s right. You have to wait until I''ve worked my way through the wolf-pack, then the other alphas. And you have to let me disy for you. And you have to make me work for it."


    "Make you what?"


    "Make me work for it. Don''t just say yes the second I show up. You have to make me earn it¡ªthey have to see that you''re a match for me. Show them that sass you''ve got. Show them how strong you are¡ªdon''t give in. Make me convince you. Make me work for it!"


    "Why?" she said, the water sshing as she threw her hands up. "If we already know¡ª"


    "Because they have to know, Sash. They have to know. Then no one will challenge it. That''s how we end up mates, and I can sort the rest of this shitshow out. Please¡­. please¡­ baby, I''m not saying this to toy with you, I promise. You know I want you. You know I love you!"


    She stared at him, her forehead lined with worry, and eyes pinched.


    "Sash?" he murmured, suddenly afraid. "You know that, right?"


    Her chin trembled. "I want to," she whispered. "I want it to be true."


    "It is true!" He slid forward in the water to pull her into his chest again and even though she didn''t pull away, she was stiff. "Sasha, look at me."


    He held her by the shoulders and demanded that she meet his eye. She was looking down at the water, her lips pushed into a frown, and it was sending terror jolting through him. But finally, slowly, her eyes lifted, though her chin didn''t. She stared at him out from under hershes and puckered brow, as if afraid of what she might see on his face.


    He slid his hands up to cup either side of her jaw and keep her there, eyes locked.


    "You''re mine," he hissed urgently. "That is never going to change, no matter what. Five years? It''s nothing. I haven''t stopped thinking about you and wanting you every day in that entire time. No matter what they do, Sash, they can''t steal that from us, okay? Whether we do this now or in a week, nothing changes between us. What I''m trying to protect you from is them!"


    Her throat bobbed, and he prayed. She didn''t look away, but the worry lines and tension didn''t leave her face either.


    "Do you believe me?" he asked.


    Sasha took a deep breath and blew it out and it fluttered against his chest¡ªwhich just made his cock twitch. This was not the time!


    "Sasha?"


    "I believe you that you mean it right now, Zev," she said reluctantly. "Maybe I shouldn''t, but I do. But the question is¡­ will you still feel that way in a few hours when I''m not in front of you?"


    "Don''t ever doubt it," he rasped, then cupped the back of her neck and pulled her into a kiss, poured himself into the kiss, insisting that she listen.


    A long minuteter, they were both panting again when Zev finally eased back to look at her. Her eyes fluttered open, slightly zed, her lips full and plump from the kissing.


    She was the most beautiful thing he''d ever seen. "Never doubt it, Sash. I''ll prove it to you," he whispered.. Then kissed her again.

 Chapter 85 - Stop Sparkling At Me

    ~ SASHA ~


    The man befuddled her. There was no other word for it. She''d gone from happily walking into a normal night, to crossing worlds. She''d gone from walking to the bathing pools to be brave in one way and a coward in another, to grinding herself against the love of her life in the hot water.


    And she''d gone from doubting every word that came out of his mouth, to certain they were destined to be together forever.


    He could turn her head¡ªand her heart¡ªon a dime. It was so unfair. But she was too tired to fight it.


    "Can you¡­e back to my house?" she asked quietly, embarrassed. Knowing he''d hear the unspoken invitation in it.


    "Absolutely not," he said, though his voice was heavy with regret. "If anyone visited and smelled me at your ce¡­ let me exin this, Sash: Because choosing a mate is such an important decision for a Chimera, there''s a bunch of¡­ rules around it. Some of them don''t apply now because we''re both adults and you''re human, but in my world, the decision to mate is taken really serious. Most Chimera never do it until their mate is already chosen and they''ve been through the rituals. Then they leave together¡ªkind of like a honeymoon¡ªto try and get her pregnant.


    "But the thing you need to understand is, there''s a whole process they went through to get to that point. He had to fight off the other male''s attention to keep her for himself. Then he had to disy for her and she had to ept him¡ªand that all happened publicly. So every male in the vicinity knows and can scent that they''ve chosen each other.


    "And that''s not even covering how the hierarchyes into y, and making sure that every male that was supposed to have a shot at her has had their chance.


    "If a male in the Chimera were to sneak into a female''s home, or steal her away, and mate her before they''d been through that, it''s like¡­ it''s like he stole her chance to make sure there wasn''t someone else better suited for her. And stole the other males'' chances to make sure they aren''t the one for her.


    "Doing that is a betrayal. A vition¡ªto her, and to the other males. The few who''ve done it have been cast out, or killed. I have to keep my hands off you¡ªI have to stay away from you until I''ve earned the right to disy for you. And then when I do, you have to make me fight for it. Show attention to some other males at first, as if you''re trying to decide between us. And when you do ept me¡­ y hard to get. Make me win you. Don''t just throw yourself into my arms¡­ no matter how tempting it might me," he added with a chuckle.


    Sasha pped his chest, but somehow it turned into a stroke and they both stopped breathing for a moment at the beauty of the sensations they felt when they were skin to skin.


    "So, I can''t touch you until you''ve fought through all these guys?" she asked wistfully.


    He shook his head, his eyes still on the ce where her palm rested on his pec. "No, and even once they''re forced to acknowledge me, you can''t give me any special attention. You can talk to me then¡ªeven flirt. But you can''t single me out."


    "But¡­ we''ve already mated!" she pouted.


    "Yes, but they don''t know that," he said. "Not really. Not in a way they understand. We have to walk through this, Sash. For them."


    She shook her head and ground her teeth. How was it possible that after being torn apart for so long, they were forced to keep their distance anyway?


    "How long is this going to take?" she asked quietly, letting herself float up against him again so her breasts pressed against his chest.


    Zev cleared his throat and lifted one hand from the water to stroke the side of her floating breast with the backs of his fingers. "A week, at the most," he croaked.


    A week? Sasha wanted to cry. "And you''re certain you can beat all these males?" she asked quietly¡ªfearfully¡ªYhet said it normally takes months to do this."


    "Well, sure. But it''s also usually someone who hasn''t done it before¡ªand who doesn''t have the allies I have. I''m already only one male away from being ranked¡ªat which point the wolves will have to acknowledge me. Though some will try to refuse to do so until I''ve beaten Lhars."


    At mention of his brother, Sasha winced. "How bad is that fight going to be? You two seem so simr."


    Zev looked at her sharply. "You''ve been talking to Lhars today?"


    She shrugged ufortably. "Yhet and I ran into him in the forest. Then he came and sat at our table. Kyelle said I couldn''t ignore him because he''s an Alpha."


    Zev gave a low growl. "Ran into him, my ass. He''s following you."


    Sasha frowned. "No, I only saw him that one time¡ª"


    "Just because you didn''t see him doesn''t mean he wasn''t there. My brother is cunning and very intelligent. Don''t underestimate him, Sash. And don''t give him any reason to think you''re interested. He''s a dog with a bone if he''s encouraged."


    Sasha''s stomach swooped when she thought of the way she''d acknowledged him in the forest with Yhet¡ªjustpletely forgotten to be aloof¡ªand the smug smile he''d had at the dining table when she was polite to him.


    "What would make it encouragement¡ªjust so I know what to avoid?" she asked carefully.


    "Just don''t¡­ sparkle at him," Zev grumbled.


    "Sparkle? What?"


    "That thing you do, when you smile and you look up at guys when your chin is down. It''s¡­ you have no idea how sexy you are, Sash. If you make him think you''re happy he''s around¡ªeven if you don''t say the words, but just make him feel like you like that he''s close by¡ªhe will not give up."


    Sasha blinked remembering her words the night before.


    It''s good to see you, Lhars.


    She swallowed hard. "I don''t know about sparkling," she said nervously, "but the only person I want to be sexy to is you, Zev."


    "Do humans always talk about it as sex? Or is that a joke between you?" The voice, warm, but very quiet, appeared somewhere in the bushes at the bank of the pool.


    *****


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 Chapter 86 - Friend

    ~ ZEV ~


    Sasha gasped and Zev whipped around to face the bank, pulling her behind him and growling, even as he registered the voice, and who owned it.


    "Jhon, we didn''t n this. She came to bathe when others wouldn''t be here. She didn''t know I would be."


    "A likely story," his best friend chuckled. "Better not let the pack get wind of this, Zev. They''ll have your hide."


    "I know. I was just exining¡ªshe doesn''t understand the hierarchy and the mating rituals."


    His best friend, tall, muscr, and light everywhere that Zev was dark, finally stepped out of the bushes that rimmed the mineral pools. He was grinning from ear to ear, and Zev internally groaned. He was not going to live this one down soon.


    Especially since Jhon knew how he''d pined for her after he''d left the human world. His friend had been a needed support and encouragement during those years. But now there was an edge in his smile that Zev understood.


    It must have seemed very unfair that Zev left and threw the rest of the Chimera into chaos, and yet still ended up mated first. Jhon wasn''t ainer¡ªZev would have trusted Sasha''s life in his hands. And her mating ritual. But that didn''t mean he wanted to twist the knife in his friend''s heart. Jhon had yearned for a mate just as strongly as Zev ever did.


    "It''s good to see you, brother. I wasn''t sure if you''d remember."


    "Of course I remembered. I just had to make sure to avoid actually seeing anyone. I don''t want to be the reason Xar decides to slit your throat."


    "Wait, is that a risk?" Sasha piped up from behind him. She''d pressed herself into his back again, covering herself with his body. And he loved it. But his body loved it too.


    Jhon was going to mock him until his hair turned gray.


    "You know you can''t do this, right, Zev?" Jhon said a momentter.


    "Like I said, it wasn''t nned. And we''re already bonded, Jhon. Do you have any clue how hard it is to stay away from her?"


    He could have kicked himself as soon as the words were out of his mouth. Of course Jhon didn''t. He''d never found his mate.


    "Well, you''re going to have to say goodbye, Zev. You can''t risk this. For her sake."


    "I know, I know."


    "Why don''t you let her out and I''ll walk her back to the house Kyelle found for her."


    "Thank you," Zev said, mourning that he wouldn''t have any more time alone with her for now. But he turned to face her and took hold of her head, leaning into her ear. "Same time, same ce, any day that you can." Then he kissed her quickly, then turned away to start walking out of the water.


    Jhon raised an eyebrow at the squawks and hissed whispers of Sasha behind him, reminding him that she was naked.


    "Do me a favor and turn around?" Zev asked him. "The humans are different about this stuff. She needs to get herself dried and dressed before you look."


    His friend sucked in a long breath, but he''d been around the humans from the Team enough to know that they had strange ideas about many things, so he just shrugged and turned his back, folding his arms to wait.


    Sasha was still hissing at Zev that she couldn''t get out of the water with him there, when Zev trotted out of the water and crossed the bank to pick up her towel and put himself on the back between Jhon''s back and Sasha, holding it open for her.


    Sasha glowered at him, but knowing anything she said could be heard by his friend, she covered her chest and thighs as best she could and darted out of the water into Zev''s wide-open arms. He wrapped her in the towel and began to dry her carefully¡ªbeing wet in the winter air was no joke. Even Chimera could fall to serious illness if hypothermia set in.


    So he rubbed her skin vigorously, all over, until it was blushing and pink everywhere, then threw the cotton shirt over her head and growled. "Next time you bring dry clothes or another nket to wrap around you for the trip home. This towel is damp now."


    Sasha grumbled about men who disappeared for years then turned up being bossy, but he could hear her teeth beginning to chatter before she''d muttered the words.


    "Get her back to the tree, now," he said, quickly to Jhon. "I''ll wait here for you. I need to talk to you."


    Jhon nodded then leaned down until he was almost nose to nose with Sasha, catching himself before he actually rubbed on her which was a relief. "I know this has been quite the day for you," he said with a slow smile. "But you are my best friend''s mate. You are safe with me. And I will ensure that you are safe with anyone else while you''re in my presence. I would rub you to show you my truth, but I understand you humans don''t do that. So, please, take my word for it."


    Sasha''s eyes went wide. She stared at Zev, who smiled around gritted teeth. Jhon had always been the charmer, and having the golden wolf so close to his mate made Zev want to bite something. But he knew he couldn''t put her in safer hands.


    "I''ll see you soon," he whispered to Sasha as she nodded at Jhon. "And don''t worry. I''ve got this under control."


    Jhon snorted, but didn''t say anything when Zev shot him a re.


    Sasha put her hand out of the damp towel to hold his face. "I don''t want to leave you," she admitted after a second.


    Zev knew he couldn''t embrace her. Some of his scent would have been diluted by her being in the water, but there was already enough of him on her to raise eyebrows in the morning if anyone who cared to pay attention got close.


    "Remember everything I said," he said with a nce towards Jhon, as if that were the reason he wasn''t touching her. "It remains true. Rest and enjoy yourself as much as you can. We''ll be together soon."


    Jhon was frowning when he turned away to walk back into the hot pool. But he didn''t say anything and Jhon obviously thought better of confronting him then, because he only turned, offered his arm for Sasha to hold in the way they''d been taught that the older humans used to do. Then led her away from the pool and into the dark, until he couldn''t see her anymore, or smell anything except the trail she left.


    Sinking back into the pool, Zev sighed and let himselfy back and float, staring at the stars and moon glowing high above.


    And then he started praying.

 Chapter 87 - Don鈥檛 Look At Me

    ~ SASHA ~


    Despite her emotional turmoil, Sasha slept well. Between the time in the hot pools, and seeing Zev, once she''d gotten back to her new house, she''d fallen into the bed and slept without waiting until the birds were chirping outside and the sun was making orange shapes on the wall.


    True to his word, Yhet was waiting for her outside when she got dressed and ventured out. He beamed at her, his voice booming his good morning as he beckoned her to follow him to the trough for breakfast.


    "Do we have to call it a trough?" Sasha said, wrinkling her nose. "It sounds like something cattle eat out of."


    Yhet frowned. "Well, the goats might qualify?" he suggested, then threw back his head andughed until his voice was booming through the trees.


    Sasha made a mental note never to amuse Yhet when she wanted to be discreet.


    Half an hourter they were at a table and Kyelle had joined them again, but no one else that Sasha recognized. They''d only had to warn her away from almost greeting people twice. She was getting better at remembering.


    Instead she''d used the time to watch all the males that milled around, eating and chatting, trying to get her head around the fact that all of them were shapeshifters.


    "How many different types of Chimera are there?" she whispered to Yhet. "How can you tell who is what? Is it rude to ask?"


    Yhet blinked and looked at Kyelle, who also looked confused.


    "We can scent them," Kyelle said a momentter when Sasha looked back and forth between them, wondering what she''d said wrong.


    "I can''t," Sasha said, looking around at all the males gathered at different tables. "How am I supposed to know who''s a wolf and who''s a tiger and who''s an owl¡­ and whatever else¡ª"


    "You''ve met someone from each of the ns already," Yhet said carefully. "In terms of numbers, there are more wolf Chimera than anything else¡ªthe humans seem to prefer them. But we have the mountain goats¡ªIbex, hares, owls, tigers and of course, sasquatch," he said with a grin. "There are others, but they do not integrate with the ns."


    "What are they?" Sasha felt like a child who had never learned to filter her curiosity, but she felt so off-bnce, so ill-equipped for this world¡­


    "Everything," Yhet said sadly. "Generally they do not hold the appearance of humans, which is why they choose to stay in the forest and live as the creatures do. But their minds¡­ their minds are human. Or human enough. They understand ournguage and¡­" he trailed off nervously, ncing at Kyelle as if asking for help.


    She sighed. "Sasha, the creatures of the forest are¡­ tormented. They are experiments that did not go well, and their lives have been reduced, or painful because of it. Some are human minds trapped in an animal''s body. Others are strange mixes¡ªunable to find n or mate because they are the only one of their kind that exist. And some¡­" Kyelle''s lips thinned. "The reason the humans do not venture into the forests of Thana is because there is evidence that some of the creatures have ns for revenge, or¡­ that they wish to punish their makers." She shuddered, and Sasha''s blood ran cold.


    She''d walked through the night alone the night before, just casually concerned about being naked, not even pausing to think that some kind of monster of science might be waiting to leap upon her from the bushes.


    "Won''t they think I''m one of the people that did this to them, then?" Sasha asked, horrified that she''d just been trudging through the forest all night without any clue. Though Zev and Jhon hadn''t seemed worried about it.


    "I don''t believe so," Yhet said, his smile a touch too bright. "Youck the medicinal smell of the Team. At most they might wish to question you."


    Sasha swallowed. "How, exactly, does a Chimera who isn''t human question someone?"


    Yhet shrugged like it was no big deal. "It depends on the Chimera."


    Kyelle put a kind hand to her arm. "Don''t let him frighten you, Sasha, the Chimera are intelligent, whether they canmunicate to you in yournguage or not. If you ever find yourself facing one of the creatures, speak to them just like you would to us. They''ll understand you. And they all know Zev. If he''s with you, you''ll have nothing to worry about."


    That was what Zev had said too, she realized, when they first arrived and had started talking about these creatures, but they''d gotten side-tracked by learning all that was happening within the Chimera of the vige.


    Sasha dropped her head in her hands and sighed. Despite her nap that afternoon, she was exhausted. And terrified. And missing Zev. And angry at Zev and¡­ and¡­ and¡­


    "Do they evere into the vige?" she asked faintly.


    "No," Yhet and Kyelle said emphatically, and at the same time.


    Kyelle continued. "They live as creatures do¡ªavoiding us as much as possible. And even in the forest if they saw or scented you, they are most likely to stay out of your way. Just¡­ just stay within the sentries of the vige if you''re worried about it."


    She said the words like Sasha had no reason to be worried, but if she was going to trouble herself¡­


    Sasha sighed. But before she could respond, Dunken appeared from nowhere at the end of their table and rushed to her side.


    "Get up, now," he said, tugging at her arm. Sasha got to her feet, and he was already pulling her away, Yhet following and Kyelle watching them from the seats, a worried frown on her face.


    "Already?" Yhet asked as Dunkin dragged her by her wrist towards the trees.


    "Yes. Unannounced. Even Xar was taken off guard. The twins are still here and he doesn''t know where they went or whether the humans found them on the way in."


    "The¡­ what?! The humans are here?" Sasha yelped, hurrying after Dunken.


    "Yes," the man murmured, shooting her a look for quiet. "And we need to get you out of here before they realize who you are. Yhet, you can''t be with her, you''re too obvious. I''ll take her. We''ll be watching from the fox hole."


    Yhet nodded, reached out to squeeze Sasha''s arm and rumbled, "Do what he says, he''ll keep you safe," then peeled off among the trees, making a great deal more noise than he had before, andughing loudly.


    "What is he doing?" she whispered to Dunken as they hurried deeper into the forest.


    "Creating a diversion," the goat-man said with a grim smile. "The human''s are always half-afraid of him, so it keeps them on their toes.. C''mon, we can''t risk them catching any sight or scent of you."

 Chapter 88 - The Fox-Hole

    ~ SASHA ~


    Dunken was a man of few words, Sasha discovered. She wanted to ask a dozen questions, but he led her quickly away from the vige¡ªso quickly, she struggled to keep up. Soon even if she could have found the words, she didn''t have the breath to speak. Apparently he noticed her panting though, because a few minutester he hesitated, urging her to squat behind some trees and rest for a moment. "I''m going to explore the best path to the position where we can observe without being observed. You wait here, and do not move!" he whispered urgently.


    Sasha, wide eyed and grateful for a chance to breathe, just nodded and did as he said. But when he disappearedpletely a momentter¡ªno sound or sight to even show which way he''d gone¡ªshe suddenly realized just how alone she was.


    Visions of Dunken leaving her there to be found by the other humans floated in her head, but Sasha shoved them away. Zev and Yhet both trusted Dunken. She would too. Until he proved himself untrustworthy. Which made her think of him ratting her out to Xar or the humans, and that, by the time she''d found out he''d done it, it would be toote to decide not to trust him.


    She was still sitting there, stewing in a cycle of fear and determination when he popped up again, right in front of her.


    Sasha sucked in a gasp and he pped his hand over her mouth, holding a finger to his lips until she nodded, then he leaned into her ear. "Move as quietly as you''re able." Then he tipped his head in the direction they were going, stood, and offered her a hand to her feet.


    To Sasha they walked through the forest out of sight of the vige. She had no idea where they were in rtionship to the ces she knew, only that Dunken was being very careful to walk silently, and urge her to step only in his own footsteps through the snow and dirt under the trees.


    She wasn''t sure how long they walked, but soon she realized they were curving around to the right. Soon she heard a babble of voices, like the rush of the sea, but she couldn''t make out any of the words.


    Then finally, as the noise grew louder and the voices became discernable, they stepped to the edge of a deep dip in the earth, where the trail dropped behind a cluster of trees, both alive and fallen trunks and boulders, to a creek, thin enough even for Sasha to simply step across. At its other side the ground rose again, but the trail disappeared under more boulders and a massive fallen tree.


    Sasha frowned as Dunken trotted down the side of the dip, hopped across the water then began to climb the other side, looking over his shoulder to beckon her to follow. Then he seemed to disappear underneath the massive trunk of the tree that nted out from the boulders and dead trees above the creek, to meet the earth on this side.


    Blinking, Sasha hurried down and managed to step across the little creek without getting her feet wet. Then, as she began to climb the other side¡ªsteeper than it appeared, and somewhat slick¡ªa thick, masculine hand appeared underneath the trunk of the tree. She grasped it and swallowed a yelp when she was yanked up, underneath the rotting log to a small space on its other side.


    Her eyes went wide. They were in a room¡­ almost. To Sasha''s right the pile of boulders and dead trees made a wall, with only a few gaps scattered here and there at different levels that allowed light and sound through. The boulders and trees continued to stack and made an arch over their heads. Any gaps had clearly been filled from inside by y and small nts until the ceiling was solid. With the gap under the tree behind her, she stood in what looked like a natural dome,pletely dry and separate from the rest of the forest.


    As soon as she was up and on her feet, Dunken stepped over to the gaps at the front, where the light came through and peered through, frowning.


    When Sasha followed and found gap at head-height, she was surprised to see that they''d circled the vige and were now on a slight rise above and to the east of the center of the vige where she''d first seen Zev greeted by the other Chimera. The voices she''d been hearing were a rising tide as more and more men flooded into the vige square. At first Sasha could only see Chimera in the crowd and wondered if perhaps the humans hadn''t arrived yet. But then she noticed a cluster of activity near the trail they''d followed toe into the vige that day, saw Xar in a long robe with that thick fur scarf around his neck, and his hair flying in every direction as if he''d been raking his hands through it. Alongside him stood to men and a woman, all dressed in the strange ck clothing like the body suit Zev had fought in, though they also had tool belts at their waists, and wore what looked like hiking boots and beanies. The woman had a thick vest on over hers simr to a fishing jacket, with many pockets and spaces to hold small items.


    The three of them were in what appeared to be a heated discussion with Xar.


    "What''s going on?" Sasha whispered. "What does it mean that they''re here?"


    "They must know about you," Dunken said grimly. "There''s no other reason for them to have shown up again so soon¡ªand it''s why Xar looks like he just swallowed a lemon."


    Sasha couldn''t see the King''s face that clearly from this distance, though it was clear he wasn''t happy. "But¡­ if they know I''m here isn''t he just going to give me up? Why are we sitting here? Shouldn''t I be running?"


    Dunken snorted. "The humans have many advantages over us, Sasha-don, but their senses are dull. Xar epted you among the Chimera and the females are prized. He won''t betray you."


    Sasha-don? "What did you call me?" she asked, looking at him.


    Dunken went still for a moment, then shook his head. He never turned away from their view of the people outside. "It''s nothing. Just a Chimera title. A slip of the tongue. Forget I said it," he said.


    But she had the distinct impression he was suddenly a lot more tense than he had been a moment earlier.

 Chapter 89 - Stupid, Sight-Blind

    ~ SASHA ~


    "Look, Xar has convinced them to search the vige. I just pray Zev has hidden himself somewhere safe. If they find him, it won''t matter whether they find you or not."


    "Should we go¡ª"


    "You go nowhere, and move nothing," Dunken snapped, turning away from the hole to re at her. "This is the fox hole. It is surrounded by foxglove to cover scent. It allows a view of the vige, and we''ll be able to hear when they speak to the crowd. The humans are so sight-blind and nose-dumb, they will never find you here unless you call their attention to this location. A location they are not aware of. So you stand here quietly, and you do not move from this ce until I tell you to."


    Sasha blinked. Part of her bristled, wanted to tell him where he could shove apparent confusion about who was the boss of her. But reason argued that he likely knew a lot more about what was happening out there than she did¡ªand how to navigate it safely. So she scowled and folded her arms, but nodded.


    Dunken smiled then and his entire face went from stony to brilliant in that simple step. "Very good, Sasha," he said. "You''re learning."


    "Learning what?" she asked bitterly. "How utterly out of my element I am here?"


    Dunken shrugged. "Perhaps. But also¡­ we have found the humans often resistant to adopting the hierarchy, forcing us to press our strength on them. If they would only understand the benefit of a society where everyone knows their ce, and who stands over whom¡­ many of our conflicts could have been avoided."


    "Conflicts? I thought you said Xar did whatever the humans wanted?"


    "He does now¡ªmostly. Though as you can see, he isn''t giving them what they want in this moment. In any case, I wasn''t speaking of Xar, but the humans. They stumble into our people with their stupidity and ignorance of Thana, believing dominancees only from force¡ªthat the threat to kill is akin to strength." He blew air from his nostrils, frowning and shaking his head like he was trying to free himself of something. "If they would only learn¡ªas you have apparently done¡ªto listen and understand that we advise and choose the path that is for good, perhaps we could find a way to exist together, instead of in oppression."


    Sasha chewed on that as Dunken turned back to watch the crowd. But Xar was still arguing with the humans, and the crowd continued to mill and talk.


    Sasha couldn''t see a single female.


    "That''s because the few we have are kept hidden from the humans," Dunken growled. "We cannot risk losing them."


    Sasha frowned harder. "This oppression¡­ if you''re so much stronger and your senses so much better, why aren''t you all just rushing them, killing any human that enters Thana until they leave you alone? There''s so many more of you than them."


    Dunken turned to stare at her. "Are you not familiar with guns? With the many weapons the humans have? Not only those that kill, but those that can stop even Yhet in his tracks¡ªor shut down a Chimera''s mind. There are those that make any of us fall as if struck dumb, and those that could annihte our entire people in a matter of minutes. Are you not familiar with these? Are they notmon in your world?"


    "Well, of course, but¡ª"


    "The humans would kill us. Execute us¡ªincluding our females and offspring. While we could set a trap for them, once they realized what was waiting for them on this side, they would simply send bigger numbers with more weapons. And we would lose all chance of being reunited with our females," he said sadly, as if he had already lost hope of that.


    Sasha reached for his arm. "I''m sorry that this has happened," she said genuinely. "I hope I can somehow help¡­ I mean, I don''t know how, but¡ª"


    "You can convince Zev to take back Alpha," Dunken said. "I know he is reluctant. He believes the people wouldn''t have him. But they will. I''m certain of it¡ªmore than certain, many have told me. And even those that are angry at him¡­ I believe if he would challenge Xar, they would not work to Xar''s aid. Not any of the healthy ones, anyway."


    Sasha swallowed. "I mean¡­ I don''t get to talk to him right now, but once I do I can ask¡­"


    Dunken gave her a t look from the side. "I know about the poolsst night."


    "What? How?"


    "Zev passed a message through Jhon¡­ Jhon was greatly amused by your fear of nakedness. He has not had the pleasure of spending time with human females in a context for that to be demonstrated. He howled."


    Sasha scowled at the crowd outside. "It''s a¡­ a difference in our societies," she said primly. "If you all showed up in my world and just started walking around naked you''d end up in prison."


    Dunken''s amusement faded from his features. "I fear we already are, Sasha-don. But your point is taken. I will endeavor not to chuckle at your naked-fright again."


    Sasha wanted to bury her face in her hands. She didn''t want to talk about being naked¡ªor even about not being naked¡ªwith men!


    Thankfully, before she had to respond, Xar lifted his hands, and she and Dunken both went silent, waiting to hear what would be said to the crowd below.


    "My people, please be at peace!" Xar intoned formally. The babble of the crowd faded as all the men turned to look at him and the humans that now stood to either side of him, their faces grim, eyes scanning the crowd as if they were watching for trouble.


    And one, Sasha noticed, thergest of the two guys, who stood just a foot or so away from those that bracketed Xar, had his hand on the gun in a holster at his waist.


    Sasha saw it then¡­ how the humans looked to these men¡ªthese Chimera. She was reminded of Oska''s insistence on looking for a fight¡ªexcept the man next to Xar looked like he was looking for a reason to shoot people.


    And there was no ountability at all, she realized with a start.


    These humans had no reason not to kill Chimera. What would happen to them if they did? Nothing, that''s what. Sasha''s stomach yawned into a pit.


    No one knew about this ce in her world. In her society, even those at conflict¡ªat war¡ªwere ountable to the other people for any deaths they caused. But here?


    Here there was no safety. There was no watching eye of thew, or of morality.


    These other humans were god here, she realized.


    And one of them stood there with his hand on a gun.

 Chapter 90 - Poison

    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev crept through the trees, barely breathing. He''d heard Xar call the males to order a minute earlier, but he''d been so distracted thinking of Sasha, he hadn''t paid attention to what was happening and was still creeping a wide berth around the vige to his hiding ce. The humans might search when this was done. He didn''t want to leave any trail they could follow.


    He walked slowly, silently, knowing the humans were unlikely to be paying enough attention to hear any of his movement over the crowd. But there was no harm in taking extra care.


    He passed within fifty feet of the fox hole and caught a whiff of Sasha in there with Dunken. His heartrate eased a little then. His friend had done as he''d asked. He was relieved.


    Yhet had been the one to find him and warn him the humans were there. Technically he should have gone to his cave and hidden until they left¡ªYhet had said he''d let him know. But Zev was deeply concerned. He knew Nick wouldn''t be among the team they''d sent. But to have gotten people here so quickly¡­ it spoke volumes about how important he was to their ns, and how quickly they were willing to break their own rules to keep him in his ce.


    The gateway wasn''t safe for humans. That the teams wereing through frequently¡ªand now at unnned times¡ªmeant they saw their work here as primary to their goals.


    Thana had always been little more than a zoo them to before. What had changed?


    Even so, humans he could handle. As long as they didn''t send an army of avatars through, he was certain he''d be fine.


    Sasha on the other hand¡­


    She didn''t understand at all who she was dealing with, and until he could exin it to her, he had to trust her willingness to listen to males she''d known only hours. He shouldn''t have been kissing herst night, he should have been filling her in on all the dangers here, all the ways she was vulnerable¡ªand who could be trusted to help her in situations like this.


    He prayed Dunken hadn''t had to get too aggressive with her to keep her in check. She was sassy when she was frightened¡ªespecially if a guy made her feel like she''d been marginalized. Zev huffed a tiny chuckle remembering the time at a high school party when some drunk guy had made somement about her ass.


    Zev had whirled, knowing the male was actually challenging him. But before he could even take a step, Sasha was in the guy''s face, tearing him a new asshole of his own.


    Zev stood behind her, grinning, just in case. If the male lost his control and decided toy a hand on her, he would find it torn off by Zev before even Sasha''s tongue could p. But in the end, there''d been no need. She had known the guy since he was small and she''d belittled him in front of the whole party.


    All the other females in the room had cheered. And when she turned away, her hair rippling like a g behind her as she stormed away, Zev had followed in her wake, almost delirious with desire for her¡ªbut not before he shot the male a warning look over his shoulder to quell any chance the male''s pride would get the better of him. If he tried, he would face a helluva lot more than whips from Sasha''s tongue.


    When they''d gotten outside, he''d grabbed her wrist and tugged her behind a hedge, pulling her into a kiss before she could even speak. And when they finally came up for air, she''d been gaping at him. "What was that for?"


    "For not being intimidated," he''d whispered, then nipped her earlobe. "Your strength makes me want you."


    They''d fought the wanting for so long¡­ then given in not long after that.


    Falling into memories of that night reminded him that he''d held her, naked and wanting, the night before. The palms of his hands itched to be on her skin again. He growled and shook his head. But as he circled the vige until he found the tree he''d been looking for, not far from the fox hole, he couldn''tpletely shake off the tension within him that wanted¡ªneeded¡ªto im her. To make sure every male in the vicinity knew it.


    Even now, knowing she was in that small space with Dunken made the alpha authority within him snarl. He wanted to crawl in there and disy for her, to dominate Dunken and kick the male out on his ass. Which was ridiculous. Dunken would never try to take Sasha.


    Growling at himself to cool off, Zev turned his attention back to the vige square¡ªdistant enough that it took his wolf-eyes and ears to make out the expression on Xar''s face, and to hear the voices.


    He hoped Sasha was hearing this from her spot.


    "Chimera! Hear me!" Xar called, scanning the crowd, that was still growing as Chimera arrived from hunting or out on patrols. "Our human brothers need our aid. They have lost one of their own¡ªa feeling we know well¡ªand they seek her here. I have assured her we have had no visitors from the human world except their own teammates, but they fear we may have been deceived, or their¡­ friend may have entered without our knowledge. Does anyone here have knowledge of a new female? A human?"


    A murmur rippled through the crowd of gathered males. Zev wasn''t nervous that they would reveal Sasha¡ªany female was so precious to the Chimera, they wouldn''t give her up without a significant fight. But he was concerned about any incentives they might give Xar, or someone else of rank, to give him up.


    Those who didn''t want to see him take power again would have reason to betray him. And if he was found, it would be only a matter of time until they found her as well, with or without the Chimera''s help.


    "Please, brothers, speak if you know of anything. Our human friends are very tense. This female is valuable to them."


    Hearing the Chimera King, the Alpha of the ns, refer to the humans as friends, set Zev''s teeth on edge. But he just clenched them harder and kept listening. His opinions on Xar''s attitude to the humans would keep for the day he was acknowledged by the tribes again.


    "Perhaps then, if you have not seen a human female, perhaps you have seen our former Alpha? The wolf, Zev?" There was a glint in Xar''s eyes that should have warned him. But Zev had never imagined, never even considered¡ª "As Alpha, I bring you terrible news about your former leader, brothers. Please, if you know anything of his whereabouts, offer it up. The humans need to return him to their world, for he has been tasked with breeding the females in an effort continue our race."


    "What do you mean, breeding the females?" a voice cried from the crowd. Zev''s stomach went cold.


    Xar gave a cold smile. "I have just been informed that Zev has been mating all of our females for the past three years, while we await their return. He has formed some kind of bond¡ªnot the normal mating bond, something unique and¡­ well. Our friends need to return him to the females before his absence creates difficulties for them. So let''s help them, since I''m certain, like me, you would like nothing more than to close your teeth on his throat."


    Zev swore as a great cacophony of howls, barks, and cries rose to echo around the forest of Thana.


    *****


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 Chapter 91 - Did You Know?

    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha went cold. She didn''t take her eyes off of Xar, whose smile grew as the males around him raised their voices and howls in a chaotic response to his statement.


    They didn''t know about the breeding thing? Well, she supposed if they hadn''t known he was leaving, they wouldn''t have known why. But obviously the idea offended them even more than it had her. How could that be?


    "Did you know?"


    She turned to look at Dunken, who was staring at her, his face an expressionless mask.


    "I thought I did, but¡­ the way they''re reacting¡­ what do they know that I don''t? Why are they so upset? I thought guys thought it was cool when other guys had a lot of women?"


    Dunken shook his head. "If he''s taken females that already have mates, it''s a vition¡ªwhether the females were willing or not. And if he''s taken females that don''t have mates, that haven''t bonded to anyone else¡­ if they''ve taken the bond to him¡­ multiple females bonded to one male is¡­ sick." He spat the word. "If he has left no females for any other male Chimera, he has doomed our people to death."


    "No, he wasn''t¡­ he said it was for the opposite of that. That they told him they needed him to do this otherwise the Chimera would die out. And he never talked about taking anyone else''s mate¡­" Had he? Had they even had a chance to get into it? That whole night was a blur to her. "Would he know?" she asked. "If they were someone else''s mate¡ªwould he know if they didn''t tell him?"


    Dunken nodded once, emphatic. "You can smell it."


    "He wouldn''t do that, I don''t think. He would have told me." Wouldn''t he? Certainly the Zev she knew five years ago would have. He was unswervingly honest¡ªto the point that he offended people at times. He''d never had the same sense of manners that everyone¡ªhumans¡ªhad.


    If he was being honest with her that she really knew him, that he was the guy she''d fallen in love with, then she knew¡ªshe was certain¡ªhe wouldn''t have done that to other men. To their mates. And she was certain he would have told her if somehow he''d been forced.


    The question was, was he still honest? Had he told her the truth about all of this? Or did these people know something she didn''t?


    "He said it was always in his wolf form," she blurted. "I don''t know what difference that makes, but¡ª"


    Dunken turned back to the hole and the sight of Xar through it. "Well, firstly it means that he only ever mated female wolves, not others. So Xar''s statement leaves an implication that is untrue."


    They both stood there for a moment. She could tell the guy was thinking something through.


    "Zev is a good male," he said finally, though his jaw twitched. "I think this story is false, or exaggerated. A lie."


    "It''s¡­ not a lie that they''ve been using him to breed."


    Dunken nodded without looking away from Xar, who was stalking back and forth in front of the crowd, his arms flying in big gestures, his mouth open to shout words she couldn''t hear over the other men¡ªbut whatever he said, it was feeding their rage.


    Dunken sighed and she turned to look at him again.


    The male, with his odd eyes andrge stature was handsome, she realized. Other men always faded in her eyes inparison to Zev. But on an objective level, she could see that he was the kind of guy her friends would have noticed if he''d walked into a bar at home, or visited the office.


    But there was a darkness to him, too. An edge that made her slightly uneasy. Like Zev, he seemed to carry death with him. But unlike Zev, she wasn''t entirely certain it would never be directed at her.


    It struck her, then, where she was. How utterly vulnerable.


    She was in a ce she didn''t know or understand, surrounded by hundreds of men who had no loyalty to her¡ªno reason to care for her. And there were political and power dynamics at y around her that threatened even the strongest among them.


    There were people here with weapons that intimidated these men¡ªthese men who were massive, and strong, and so much more capable than any other men she knew. It was like their senses made them able to see more of the world, or something. In a sixth sense kind of way.


    As if he read her mind, Dunken gave a small grunt, then spoke without looking away from the scene outside.


    "You do not need to fear me, Sasha-don," he said quietly. "You are the mate of my former Alpha, and the male I believe was destined by the Creator to lead us. No matter what his ws might be, I do not deny that his strength here was far healthier than Xar''s. And I would wee his return to Alpha. He ims you as his mate, and that is all I need to know to protect you."


    Then he did turn to meet her eyes. "But while I might be trustworthy, others here are not. They hide their true desires, and cage their minds. They are influenced by powers from your world, and we cannot know what they have been promised. You are safe with me, with Yhet, and a few others. But trust no one else. Not if you wish to survive these days. The males will disy for you¡ªnow more than ever. This is Zev''s betrayal to them, and in their eyes, to you, whether you see it that way or not."


    "Oh, I see it," she said dryly. "I just¡­ I''m still processing."


    Dunken nodded. "Then understand that they believe you have reason to abandon Zev as your choice, and they will be working doubly hard to catch your attention¡ªmore of them will stand in his way, now. And more will attempt to attract you. If you are certain Zev is your chosen male, you must be strong. You cannot waver. A wolf will not give up on his prey easily. And these wolves have three years of tension and disappointment to fuel them."


    Sasha''s stomach sank as Dunken turned back to the hole, as if that was all that needed to be said. But she was left with a spinning head, more questions asked than answered.


    And none of them could be answered by anyone but Zev.

 Chapter 92 - Betrayed

    ~ ZEV ~


    Rage burned in Zev''s chest as he peered through the leaves to watch Xar inciting the anger and despair of the other males. He shook his head and swore under his breath.


    Everything in him pulled back in the direction of the fox hole, where Sasha stood, listening to this, her head probably spinning with questions and her heart either breaking, or going up in mes.


    He hadn''t had enough time to exin. He needed to exin!


    But Xar was so busy riling up the males, he was terrified they would break from the vige and go hunting him. Despite the circuitous route he''d taken, they''d find him easily when he was this close.


    The safe thing to do would have been to flee to the mountains, use the snow and rivers to hide his scent until everyone had cooled down.


    But then Xar would continue to spew these lies, and set the others against him. And Sasha¡­ Sasha might listen to them, too. She''d been so ufortable with all of this already. To have everyone knowing and talking about it¡­


    He had to see her.


    There was no other choice.


    The conviction was so strong, he didn''t even question it, simply began to slip down the tree to the ground, careful to keep himself low and out of sight. But listening carefully, he could still hear Xar as he crept through the forest, back towards the fox hole.


    "Your former alpha is a traitor! He left you without word, without an appointed second¡ªhe abandoned you for three years. He took your females, and now he has stolen one of the human females as well!"


    Zev clenched his teeth so hard his jaw almost cracked. The lies¡­ the fucking lies!


    He hesitated for a minute, tempted to confront Xar and put this entire episode to rest¡ªdespite the uproar it would have caused for him to force the King to acknowledge him, he likely would have done it if the humans hadn''t been there. He knew they would have anesthetic darts, tazers, any number of medications on them that could drop a Chimera in seconds.


    They never took the risk that a Chimera would lose their temper and attack, despite the controls ced on them.


    And he couldn''t risk being taken and leaving Sasha here and alone in the wake of this.


    So, no matter how the growl wanted to begin in his throat, no matter how his fingers twitched, yearning for the Tiger''s neck, he crept on.


    There had been a lull in Xar''s rant. But the Tiger spoke up again a breathter.


    "If anyone sees him, or learns of his whereabouts, you bring that information to me, or to the humans directly. You will not be punished for dying. The Wolf is cunning and maniptive¡ªthe truth you think you hear is not necessarily the truth when you speak with him. Give careful thought, brothers, to what kind of heart it takes to have taken our females this way!"


    Zev snarled under the sound of the crowd that howled and bellowed their rage in response to that. Zev shook his head¡ªhis entire body trembling with rage.


    The Tiger was working hard to turn the people against him. Which meant that he''d received word that the wolves were in support of Zev. That had to be it. Xar didn''t want the humans taking any more Chimera from Thana any more than Zev did. So for him to bring them in like this, to feed this fury, he was using it to turn the ns against Zev. Which meant he knew his leadership was under threat.


    Zev gave a grim smile at the idea of finally putting the tiger on his ass and taking control of this shitshow.


    But then Sasha''s face shed into his mind¡ªhow she must be feeling now. And the males, their snarls and roars making it very clear that they believed he''de here to protect his own female while theirs all remained under threat¡ªand, apparently, mated to him, though he hadn''t stayed with them. Of course they believed it. They were all grieving and alone. If the roles had been reversed, he would have wanted to bite out his throat, as well. He couldn''t me them. They were not ustomed to such tant lies. The question was whether Xar knew he was lying or not.


    He reached the open space he''d avoided on the way in, where movement risked betraying his location if anyone was looking in the right direction. His choice was to head east for a few minutes until thend nted down, or belly-crawl across this space to ensure none of them would see him below the level of the snow and underbrush.


    He was about to turn and follow the longer route that he''d useding in, when Xar roared for silence and the crowd settled.


    "No matter what, my friends, you know that I have stayed true to you¡ªto your safety, and to seeking the return of our females¡ªsince the day the former alpha abandoned you. Do not let your heads be turned now. If you know of his location, speak it!"


    The vige was silent. Zev dropped to his belly and began to snake his way across the rocky dirt. His ribsined at the uneven pressure of the rough ground and he winced. But he was healing. Would heal, and soon. But he would likely have to fight more of the wolves now since many more would be invested in seeing his downfall.


    He had to hide the vulnerability. He paused to press his arm to his side and protect the spot¡ªbut then his mind shed with an image of Sasha''s face, pale and horrified as she watched him fall to the humans¡­ or red-eyed and shaking as she used him of further betrayals.


    He couldn''t let her carry this alone.


    With teeth gritted and counting the ways he would make the tiger pay for this, he plowed forward across the clearnd as quickly as he could without risking discovery.


    His ribs would heal. And he would win the right to im her. And they would put all this bullshit behind them.


    Including the tiger. No more question in his mind. He would not stop until Xar was defeated¡ªand hopefully given over to the humans that he loved so much.


    Yes¡­ the old male didn''t deserve any better than that.

 Chapter 93 - Call To Arms

    ~ SASHA ~


    Xar called for anyone who knew anything about Zev to speak up. Then he told them that Zev had stolen their females from them¡ªas if Zev had anything to do with the disappearance of the female Chimera¡ªSasha wanted to rush out and defend Zev, when he couldn''t defend himself. But she knew it was a death sentence to let any of them know that she was there. So she ground her teeth but stayed still.


    There was quiet, but no one stood or called out to tell Xar where Zev was, and Sasha''s heart began to bubble with hope that perhaps they knew they were being manipted, and they weren''t immediately ready to believe it.


    But then Xar spewed more hate, and their howls and snarls rose again, and Dunken shook his head.


    "They aren''t speaking up," she whispered. "Does that meant they don''t really believe it?"


    "I don''t know," Dunken said. "Certainly those he was closest to will be skeptical, but¡­ but there''s no denying that removing Zev gave the humans more ess. Even those that don''t like Xar will struggle to argue for Zev when they mourn the loss of a mate, or of the chance to mate."


    "Then why isn''t someone talking?" she asked nervously. "Are they waiting to do it in private or something?"


    "Possibly. But since the humans will rarely be alone with Chimera, I think it''s more likely that they simply hate the humans more than they hate Zev. At least, right now.


    "They are angry¡ªI can smell it on them. They are listening to Xar and many will decide to stand in Zev''s way now that perhaps wouldn''t have before. He will have to fight more¡­"


    Sasha dropped her face into her hands. She knew Zev was strong. But there was a limit to anyone. All these men were so strong, so capable. If he fought over and over again, he''d be worn out. And if the fights got harder as he went, he''d end up being taken down.


    As Xar¡ªwith an edge of impatience¡ªurged the males to speak again, to tell the humans were Zev was, Dunken made a strange noise.


    "What is it?" Sasha asked.


    "He isn''t betraying Zev himself," Dunken said, an edge of confusion underlying his toneless voice. "Why? Why wouldn''t he just tell them himself and be done with it? It''s as if he needs someone else to be the one to betray Zev. But why?"


    Xar went quiet as the crowd discussed histest rant among themselves. Sasha prayed that Dunken was right¡ªthat they hated the humans more than they did Zev, even under these circumstances. That Zev wouldn''t be stolen from her.


    Fuck¡ªshe''d be left here in Chimera alone.


    Holy shit.


    "Lhars doesn''t speak, either," Dunken said thoughtfully.


    "Wh-what?" Sasha said faintly, trying to turn away from the mental image of herself stuck in this world, surrounded by aggressive males and no females¡­ and no Zev."


    "I find it curious that Lhars doesn''t take this opportunity to betray his brother," Dunken said quietly, still staring out of the hole. "He hasn''t hidden his revulsion for his brother¡ªor his own ambitions for power. This would be the perfect time to align himself with the humans and gain their trust. Why doesn''t he speak?"


    Sasha peered out of the hole and searched the crowd for the Lhars, but couldn''t pick him out anywhere.


    "It must demonstrate where he truly stands," Dunken said quietly. "Perhaps¡­ perhaps this is Xar''s attempt to ensure Lhars is truly at his side¡ªand the cunning wolf isn''t giving it to him?"


    "So, Lhars really hates Zev?" she asked.


    Dunken shook his head. "I don''t believe so. I believe Lhars is very jealous of Zev and that colors his feelings about his brother. If he truly held only malice for Zev, he would have spoken already. He would have led to the humans to him, just to remove him. They couldn''t scent Zev out, but Lhars can."


    "So¡­ he cares about Zev?"


    Dunken shrugged again. "I think at least we can be certain that Lhars hates the humans more than he is jealous of Zev, and that''s better than I would have thought," he said, his hands clenching to fists at his sides.


    It was a coldfort to Sasha. So many unkonwns, and so many angers and jealousies¡­ Zev had always inspired those kinds of feelings in other men. She''d seen it even in high school. Despite his friendliness and warmth, there were always guys who just couldn''t stand to be around him¡ªand always because they didn''t want topete for the attentions of the girls, or maybe they didn''t feel as strong when he was near, or something.


    Or maybe¡­ maybe it was just that deep down they''d all been able to sense that wild creature inside him. Maybe they felt inadequate around him because they were. Maybe it didn''t have anything to do with how gorgeous or strong he was.


    It certainly hadn''t had anything to do with her back in those days. Everyone had been baffled when Zev chose her¡ªand worse, stuck with her. She''d heard the rumors at the start, that he just wanted to sleep with a virgin, which she was known to be, because she''d been outed in ninth grade, and everyone knew she hadn''t had a real boyfriend since.


    It was hard to attract a guy when the thing you were most known for was winning Battle of the Books in middle school, and then being a self-admitted virgin at a time when most people lied.


    Sasha shook her head. Back in those days she''d been no prize at all¡ªZev had taken a lot of teasing and questions about it. And it had pissed him off royally. He''d always stood in defense of her whenever another guy questioned why he''d be with her.


    Which made all the hot girls swoon¡ªand be even more jealous and pissed off that he was sticking to her so closely.


    It was odd, now, to realize that somehow, here, she was seen as the prize. That didn''t make sense to her at all.


    But she didn''t have time to figure it out as a scrape sounded behind them and they both turned to find Zev''s midnight-dark head popping up under the tree trunk.


    "Sasha," he whispered, "Thank God." His eyes were sunken and dark. There was dirt on his cheek, and his hair was mussed.


    He was gorgeous.


    Everything inside her tore in two directions¡ªhalf of her ecstatic and overjoyed to see him. The other half ready to tear off his face.


    The question was, which side would she give in to?

 Chapter 94 - Crazy

    ~ ZEV ~


    When he''d gotten to his feet inside the fox hole, Sasha was still gripping the rocks at the look holes and staring at him.


    Her face was a mix of joy and fear, and his stomach dropped.


    He was d he''de. And terrified of what might happen now.


    Zev cleared his throat. "Sasha, he''s lying. About a lot of it. And¡­ I already told you, it wasn''t¡­ there wasn''t anything in it that I enjoyed or¡­ it was ugly. All of it. I did it because I thought I had to, and¡ª"


    Sheunched herself across the dirt and into his arms. He grunted as she ran into his tender ribs, but he didn''t let her go, holding her tightly to his chest and pressing his cheek against the top of her head as she clung to him.


    Her whole body was shaking. Fuck, he hated what this was doing to her.


    Eyes on Dunken whose face was still a nk mask, he shushed her when she whispered his name, and held her tightly.


    Her hands yed on his chest and she trembled in his arms. "I knew it couldn''t be true," she said. "I just¡­ it''s hard, Zev. This ce is frightening, and I don''t understand how it works."


    "I know, I know. I''m sorry. I''m going to try and fix that now, I think," he said with another nce at Dunken, whose face had gone very hard, but he didn''t argue.


    They continue to hold each other, but Sasha was beginning to soften in his arms when he finally addressed his old friend.


    "I didn''t mate anyone who already had a mate," he said through his teeth. "That''s a lie. And I didn''t mate all the females¡ªonly wolves, and not all of them. At least, not all that were taken from here."


    "Howforting," Dunken said dryly.


    Zev pressed his lips together to stop himself snapping that now wasn''t the time for sarcasm. He kept having shes of the things that he''d been forced to do over the past three years, and it was making him shake.


    He had to make Sasha utterly certain.


    He pulled back from her face enough to take her face in his hands and meet her eyes. "No matter what has happened before, those days are finished for me," he whispered. "I will never mate another female in my life, Sasha. You have to know that. It''s you. Only you. Do you understand?"


    She nodded, but her eyes welled with tears. "I just¡­ I don''t understand how¡­"


    "I believed I was keeping you, and the people safe. It''s only truth, Sasha. I see the stupidity in it now¡ªthat''s why I left. I learned they were lying to me. But even I didn''t know the extent¡­ But just know, it will never happen again. I vow to you."


    "What are they going to do to you?" she breathed, and he knew she meant the other males. "Dunken said this will make it harder to fight? That you''ll have to fight more of them, or something?"


    Zev clenched his jaw. "I don''t know," he said truthfully. "But it doesn''t matter. Whatever is needed, I''ll do it. I will win the right to im you, Sasha. Don''t worry about that. No matter what they think they''ll put in my path¡­ I''ll do it."


    "You''re going to have to be a lot more careful," Dunken said, his low voice rumbling. "If you show up when there''s a group of males there, you might get jumped. And you know Xar isn''t going to censure them for killing you after this."


    Zev nodded and Sasha gasped. He forced himself to smile down at her and wink. "They won''t find me easy to kill, don''t worry about it."


    "Kill? But I thought¡­ I thought these were fights, like¡­ like just to win. Apetition?"


    Before he could answer, Xar started speaking again outside. Still holding Sasha, they all walked over to the holes to watch the wily King.


    The crowd of males had settled down and were listening, and the humans had taken a more prominent position in front of them. "You are all to stay here while the humans search¡ªunder pain of my censure!" Xar called, his voice booming across the square. "I have told the humans that those they seek are not here, but they fear we may have been deceived and they wish to search. None of your personal belongings will be taken, but this will take some time. Cooks, make your fires here today and bring your supplies. Everyone else is to stay here with us. We will share a meal while we wait and reassure our friends that we are not harboring their stolen female."


    The hubbub of voices rose then¡ªthere were hunters, patrols, and other responsible males among the crowd who were being told they would not have the chance to fulfill their duties that day. A search of the vige¡ªeven a simple one¡ªwould take hours. And they were to stay there for meals?


    Zev growled and Sasha''s arms tightened on his waist.


    He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her closer, ignoring the twinge in his ribs.


    "If you should recall anything you think can be of use, you need only speak. There will be no punishment for not remembering sooner. Now, take this time to rx and enjoy your brothers while we let the humans do their work."


    Zev growled again as he saw his brother, near the front. When Xar finished his announcements and the humans stepped away from him, trotting around and through the crowd towards the dwellings and buildings behind them, everyone began speaking again. Zev didn''t miss that Lhars turned around, answering a tap on the shoulder from behind him.


    But his brother''s eyes trailed over the fox hole and locked on it for a second, before he moved on.


    Did he know Sasha was in there? Zev''s teeth wanted to snap. Did he know Zev was nearby?


    There was no way to know.


    Stepping back from the view hole, and ignoring the pointed look from Dunken, Zev pulled Sasha down towards the dirt, urging her to sit next to him. "We should getfortable," he said tightly. "It looks like we''re going to be here a while. I''m not risking taking you out there while they''re searching.. Even the humans won''t miss it if they see you."

 Chapter 95 - Together

    ~ ZEV ~


    There was an awkward few minutes where Sasha sat stiffly. She hugged his arm, but her back was against the rocks behind them, and Dunken still stood, watching out of the holes. But she rxed soon, and while Zev held her hand, he answered her questions.


    "Won''t they find us if we just sit here?" she whispered.


    Dunken snorted and Zev had to fight a smile. "Um, no," he said quietly. "The human senses are¡­ they just aren''t as sharp as ours," he said carefully. "They can''t follow scents. They have to see things with their eyes¡ªwhich can''t see as far, or in the dark. And they don''t hear as much as we do. So, no, unless we do something to draw their attention, they''ll never know we''re here."


    "The humans are sight-blind," Dunken added.


    "You said that before," Sasha frowned. "What does that mean? Those words mean the opposite things in my world."


    Dunken met his eyes and Zev gave a short nod. He could exin. "Sight-blind is¡­ it''s a term we use when a Chimera bes too reliant on their sight so that they ignore the other things their senses would tell them."


    "But¡­ your senses can''t tell you the same thing as your other senses."


    Zev smiled. "No, but other senses can often tell you more. For example, right now, I see you here and you look calm, if a little tense. Your voice sounds normal. If I were to rely only on my sight, I would think you were fine. But I can smell the fear on you, Sasha," he said, hurrying on when she looked like she was going to argue. "I don''t mean that as a criticism¡ªany kind of nerves or anxiousness¡ªeven the smallest part¡ªcan be scented. We would all stink of some level of fear right now."


    "Speak for yourself," Dunken said dryly.


    Zev rolled his eyes. "Except the Ice Queen over there. He doesn''t care enough about anything to have his emotions ruffled."


    Sasha nced at Dunken, who gave Zev a very t look. "I experience fear," he snipped.


    "Anyway," Zev continued, "If I only relied on my sight, I would gain all the information about my surroundings, about people¡­ and sight can be really¡­ narrow, too. If you''re concentrating hard on someone''s face, it''s easy to miss the little things they do with their body. Things that give away how they truly feel. Our noses, our ears, they pick up things we can''t see, and they scan a much wider area all at once than our eyes do. That''s sight-blind¡ªit''s something young Chimera often experience for a while after they hit adolescence and be more confident in themselves. They think they can see and discern everything, when actually they only see a very small portion."


    "I think I understand," Sasha said. "We call it tunnel-vision."


    "Yes! That''s it. It''s when you keep your focus on such a small area, that you miss really important things outside of it."


    "Okay¡­ so, if I''m a human and I don''t have your chimera senses, how do I not be¡­ sight blind?"


    Zev was warmed by the question. She was such a strong heart, his mate. Only the strongest leaders identified their own weaknesses and tried to work against them without being told to do so.


    "Once we''ve got everything sorted out, I''ll help you. Your hearing and nose may not be as strong as Chimera, but there are things you can learn and do to help you."


    "In any case," Dunken interrupted. "You don''t need to worry about the humans finding us, Sasha. We have dozens of dens and hiding ces scattered all around the vige ever since we moved here, and every Chimera has hidden dens and resources throughout the forest. The humans¡ªbecause they are sight-blind¡ªnever even notice them. They only see what they expect to see."


    "But¡­ won''t someone else tell them? If they can smell us or hear us, they''ll figure out we''re here, right?"


    "They won''t reveal our hiding ces because then they''ll have nowhere to run when they need it," Zev exined. "No one tells the humans because they don''t want the information used against them."


    Dunken snorted again. "I still believe we could all simply disappear and they could not find us," he said, his upper lip pulling into a sneer. "Their weapons are only of use if they know where to point them. If we were all to use our skills at the same time¡­ they would simply never find any of us."


    Zev sighed. It was an old argument they''d had even back when he was the Alpha and chafed against what little control the humans had back then. But he''d been in the human world, and he''d been with the team in theirbs and their training grounds. He knew that they were far better equipped than the Chimera who had never left Thana realized. The fact that the humans came to Thana with such limited options, indicated that they understood the havoc they could wreak if they panicked or weren''t careful.


    But he wasn''t going to argue with his friend again. The humans were not as helpless or as stupid as Dunken thought, but until Dunken saw it for himself, nothing would convince him.


    "Look, the important thing is, we''re safe," he said quietly, putting his arm around Sasha and pulling him into his side. "And it looks like we''re going to be here for a while. So let''s getfortable and make a n for what is needed after the humans leave. I''m¡­ I''m beginning to see that I may have to take a more active role here in the ns than I thought. So I need your help, Dunken," he said. "I need to do everything I can to make sure no one else is ever taken from Thana to the human world¡ªat least, not against their will," he added, thinking of Yhet, who yearned to get out to therger mountain ranges and ins of earth. "But in order to do that, I need to understand exactly what''s happened here and how they''re keeping the controls on everyone. Not just Xar. I saw hunters out there, today. Who the hell was able to motivate them to return to the vige for humans?"


    Dunken sighed. "It''s a long story."


    "Well, it looks like we have time."


    *****


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 Chapter 96 - Controlled

    ~ ZEV ~


    The more Dunken talked, the more tense Zev became.


    He''d been fine when his friend was covering all the things he already knew¡ªthat the males had been off fighting, demonstrating dominance, and working through the hierarchy on the night the females were taken.


    But he hadn''t known that the Team must have brought through dozens of people, because hundreds of females and offspring were removed from Thana in only seven hours.


    That more than a dozen lower level males were killed because they''d returned to the City to check on their families, or to sleep in preparation for the following day, and disturbed the raid.


    He hadn''t known that the males still didn''t understand how the females had been removed¡ªso many of them, so quickly¡ªbecause they knew their females would have fought the weaker, smaller humans.


    "It made no sense," Dunken said, his frustration in. "There was no blood, no evidence of a struggle, even! We heard none of the sounds of weapons¡ªand yet, the males that disturbed them were executed. So, how did they do it?"


    "Hasn''t anyone asked them?" Zev asked.


    "They say they went voluntarily."


    "Wait, what?"


    Dunken nodded. "I know, it''s crazy, but the researchers swear that they came and presented their case, and the females followed them. On their own feet."


    "With the offspring?"


    "Yes! At least, that''s what they say, but it can''t be true! They would never abandon their mates. The only thing I''ve discussed with Lhars¡ªwhen Xar wasn''t listeneing, because the Tiger gets really tense whenever we question this stuff¡ªis that maybe they were deceived? Like, maybe the humans offered them something they thought¡­ like you said they made you believe that you had to go save lives. Maybe something like that? But I just can''t see them all falling for that kind of ruse¡ªand bringing the kids! I mean, the humans were being so helpful in the wake of you leaving, yes. We were all cheered. It seemed like they actually wanted to help. But this? I just can''t see it."


    "Wanted to help? How would humans help you work through the hierarchy?"


    "They left that part to us. But they brought extra teams through with food and medical supplies, so we didn''t have to hunt, and we could heal even faster. They offered¡ªand they were true to their words. They were bringing stuff through every few days. Even I was surprised."


    "They brought food?" Zev asked faintly.


    "And medical supplies¡ªand I know what you''re thinking, Zev. But no, it wasn''t drugged or anything. We all shared the evening meal before the males went off to finalize the hierarchy. If that had been it, we would have all passed out, or¡­ or whatever."


    That wasn''t true. But his friend couldn''t be expected to know that. Zev''s stomach dropped into a pit and Dunken''s eyes got sharp.


    "What is it?" he growled.


    Zev raked a hand through his hair. Sasha was watching him closely. He had to be careful not to frighten her. "So, the humans¡­ they have tools¡­ things I''ve learned about since my time with them. And it''s not true that the food you ate couldn''t have been tainted or poisoned. At least, you''re right¡ªthey didn''t put a drug in it. But they have¡­ other things at their disposal."


    "Things like what?"


    "Like drugs that are harmless in their normal state, but that shift in your blood if you''re given the right addition to them." Zev cursed and Dunken got very tense.


    "What are you saying, Zev?"


    Sasha stared up at him, her eyes wide. Zev squeezed her hand.


    "I''m saying it''s very possible that you all had something in your bloodstream that, if you''d been given whatever the females were given while you were gone, it would have made you decide to walk out of here by choice, too."


    "What?! You can''t be serious?"


    "I''ve seen things they give people that just¡­ remove their¡­ I don''t even know how to say it. Remove their will? They bepliant. They can be told to do something and they won''t question. They can be asked a question and they''ll just answer it¡ªno matter what the truth is.


    "If they gave all of you something that needed, I don''t know, a second food or drink that would trigger the first in your system¡ªthe trigger is different depending what they used. Hell, it could even be that all they have to do is shine a specific type of light on you, or y a certain piece of music¡ª"


    "What? Are you crazy, Zev?" Dunken scrambled to his feet to stand over him. "What music or light would make people do something so stupid? How many types of light can there be?"


    "Thousands," Sasha breathed, still staring at Zev.


    He looked down at her, an apology in his eyes. "I don''t want to scare you¡ª"


    "You''re saying all that mind-control stuff¡­ the people that you worked with, they do that?" Sasha said quietly.


    Zev nodded, and his stomach sank further. She knew about these things?


    Sasha shook her head. "I so hoped that those programs, those operations that got dessifiedst year¡­ that they were thest." Her eyes looked so sad. "That''s how they got you to walk out on me? And on this ce? These people?"


    "No! No, that was just¡­ Nick deceived me. Manipted me. I wasn''t mind controlled."


    "Are you certain?" she asked.


    Zev blinked. He hadn''t been. Had he?


    A small, cold trickle of fear started down his back. He had to turn away from Sasha''s worried face for a moment. Why was it that he''d never asked himself that before? He''d seen these tools used so many times¡ªhad been party to their use against criminals and murderers¡­ But himself?


    "No," he said emphatically. "They haven''t. I remember everything clearly¡ªand the people they do these things to always forget. Plus, Nick said they never want to risk messing with my head, because they need me¡­ look, the point is. I was wrong to go¡ªfrom both of you," he said looking back and forth between Dunken and Sasha. "But I was manipted. I was young and na?ve when they took me from you, Sasha, and I was desperate to prove to myself that I hadn''t made a mistake when I left you when they got me out of Thana. The whole thing is just a cluster fuck and I wish I''d never been a part of any of it."


    He was beginning to shake. His mind starting to sh with images that he had to force himself to turn from.


    They were both staring at him. Why wouldn''t they stop staring? He was fine! He was just upset.


    But then Sasha turned and put a hand on his thigh. "Zev, what is it?" And when he reached for her, his hand was trembling so badly his finger snagged on her jacket.


    "It''s just¡­ It''s just ugly stuff. The things you''re describing, Dunken, they end in ugly things. And I wish¡­ I would do anything not to have been a part of it. That''s all," he said, sliding his hand under Sasha''s on his thigh and locking their fingers.


    "So, they really did just walk out?" Dunken breathed.


    Zev nodded. "I''m sorry. They probably did. But it isn''t because they wanted to. They weren''t convinced of anything. They were controlled. They won''t even remember it."


    But Zev did.


    Zev remembered what was done to themter.. And that was the sickest part of all.

 Chapter 97 - Your Trauma Is Showing - Part 1

    ~ SASHA ~


    Of all the things she''d seen from Zev since he showed up again, this was the moment that worried her most.


    To be fair, the neck snapping ran a very close second.


    But as she sat there questioning him, she watched Zev go pale. His hands shook first, then the rest of him began to twitch. He gripped her hand so tightly she was starting to lose blood flow. And he wasn''t even conscious of it, she was sure.


    "Zev?" she asked, rubbing his arm with her free hand. "Are you okay?"


    "I didn''t know," he mumbled. "Not at first. And once I did¡­ I stopped. I mean, it took me some time to ept it, but once I realized¡­ I didn''t know, Sash, you have to believe me."


    "I believe you... What are you talking about?"


    Zev closed his eyes and let his head sink back against the rock behind them, his face twisted in a grimace that rang her heart like a bell.


    "Dunken?" he said without opening his eyes. "Skhal told me there was a female who was returned, but she got sick soon after, and died. What¡­ what happened to her? What kind of sickness did she have? How long did itst?"


    Dunken frowned. "You''re speaking of Ehle. She seemed fine when she first returned, if a little quiet. We all assumed it was because she''d been torn from her mate."


    "What did she say about how they were taken?"


    "I don''t know. She only spoke to Xar and her mate about it. Early on, she didn''t seem to want to be in groups. She spent all her time with her mate and he with her. Then she got sick. After she died, when we asked what Xar knew about what had happened, he said she affirmed what the humans told us. And that she hadn''t been able to tell him why she decided to follow them. He''d been nning to question her further, but she got ill."


    Zev''s face dragged for the floor. "And her mate? He died too? How long after?"


    "It was really quick for him. He shut off almost as soon as she died, and he was gone in less than a month."


    "Shut off?" Sasha asked.


    Zev''s throat bobbed. "When a Chimera loses their mate they go into this kind of grief," he said hoarsely. "They just¡­ don''t want anything. They don''t sleep. Don''t want to eat. They disappear into their own minds and memories and¡­ they nevere back."


    Dunken nodded. "His was unusually fast, though."


    Zev''s arm tensed under her hand and his face was so pale he looked almost gray.


    "Zev, what¡ª"


    "Was she pregnant?" he asked Dunken, his face drawn and tight.


    Dunken''s eyebrows rose. "Not that I know of."


    Zev''s lips thinned and the little muscles at the back of his jaw twitched. "Are you certain?"


    "Well, no. I mean. I didn''t ask her. If she was, it would have had to be early because she wasn''t showing, and she didn''t smell of it."


    Zev nodded, but still didn''t open his eyes. Sasha''s heart was pounding. Something was really scaring him. "Zev," she said urgently, "What is it? You look terrible. What''s wrong?"


    "I think I know what she died of. And I think¡­ I think I know what the humans are doing with all the females. And why they came back today to tell Xar that I bred them."


    "Wait, weren''t you with the females, Zev?" Dunken said, frowning. "Sasha said you have been breeding¡ª"


    Zev''s eyes finally opened and he turned to her. "Yes, but¡­ I mean the mated females. They never gave those to me."


    Sasha and Dunken waited. Zev seemed to brace himself, then he finally turned his head and it was Sasha''s eyes he sought, though she suspected Dunken better understood what he said. His arm went rigid under her hand, as if he fought something to get the words out.


    "I think they gave the mated females to humans," he croaked. "And I think they gave the other ones to me¡ªsome of them. Not all. And I think¡­ I think they''re failing in making what they want, so they keep trying and¡­ I think the females are dying because of it."


    "Zev, what are you talking about? What happened to the females?"


    "I don''t know! That''s my point! I only ever saw most of them one time and they were never¡­ they chose to be there! It was me who struggled with it all, and I was supposed to the easy one. I was never anywhere near them except in the breeding arena. I never saw them where they were held or¡­ or housed."


    "Never?" Dunken asked skeptically.


    "Never!" Zev cursed. "The males they had, who were actively working, they kept us busy training and on operations¡ªwe only went to the farm a couple times a month. And I never wanted to¡­ it was the threats¡ªthey had me believing¡­ it doesn''t matter. I learned over time.


    "I finally put it all together and realized they were lying to me¡ªbut by then they had Sasha under surveince, and they were letting me watch over her. And the females always said yes. They always said yes!" He groaned. "There were only a couple of them that I saw more than once, and I just assumed that was because they hadn''t gotten pregnant so we were trying again. But¡­ but if they were using the mated females¡­ Fuck, Dunken¡­ this is even worse than I thought."


    "Wait, you two weren''t together this whole time?" Dunken said, looking between them.


    "What?" Sasha cried. "No! I haven''t seen Zev in five years until a couple days ago."


    Dunken''s mouth dropped open. "Zev, what the fuck have you been doing?"


    "I''ve been trying to save her and keep them off my back, and I thought¡­ I always thought I''d get back here and be able to exin. But a month turned into two, and two turned into six, and then it had been a year and I knew there had to be a new Alpha. And Sasha was still under their eyes, and I couldn''t leave her¡­ Every time they made me breed I''d tell myself it was thest time. That was going to take Sasha and run, but I kept getting¡­ I don''t know. Something always made me change my mind."


    He broke off, his face wide with horror. Sasha clutched his arm but she didn''t think he even realized she as touching him.


    "Fuck, this is¡­ Fuck.. Are they inside my head?" he snarled.

 Chapter 98 - Your Trauma Is Showing - Part 2

    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha grabbed for him, pulling his face towards her, forcing him to meet her gaze "No," she said, stroking his face frantically. "They aren''t in your head, Zev. You''re safe. You''re here. You''re you. I''m sorry I asked. I didn''t mean to scare you."


    Zev gave a strangledugh. "I''m supposed to be the one not scaring you!" he whispered, and his eyes looked so pained, so tortured, she couldn''t think of anything to do except kiss him and show him how much she still loved him.


    Their lips met and both of them sucked in a breath. But Sasha was tense. Dunken was watching¡­


    Sasha pulled back to meet his eyes. "Whatever it is, we''ll face it together. Tell me."


    Zev blew out a long breath and shook his head. But then he spoke the words as if they pained him to say.


    "I think they''re killing all the females¡ªbut not meaning to. I think they thought if they controlled their minds, the wasting away wouldn''t happen. But I think they''ve just sped up the process. I think¡­ I think their panic about needing to breed more and have more offspring wasn''t faked. I think they''ve identally killed the females off and they don''t want to admit it. I think they''re fooling Xar¡ªor maybe controlling him, who knows. But that first female? She was a test and it failed. I think they''d already mated her and sent her back here to have the pregnancy to see if it would work. But it didn''t. She died, so her mate died. So they had to find another n¡ªbut whatever the n is¡­ it''s not working.


    "You have to understand," Zev said, his teeth clenched like he was stopping them from chattering. "When they brought the females to me, every single one consented. They were attracted to me. They never¡­ there was never¡­ I never forced anyone except myself!" he spat.


    Dunken''s brows rose higher. Sasha clung to him.


    Zev made a strange noise in his throat, then let go of Sasha to w both hands into his hair and blow out a deep breath.


    "They were all sick. I didn''t want to see it for the first year, but after that it was impossible to ignore. Even my wolf was rmed. But what could I do? There was something wrong, but they wanted to have babies. I think¡­ I think maybe they got told as soon as they got pregnant they coulde back here. So they went along with it."


    Sasha''s mouth dropped open at the horror of what he was describing, but his eyes pleaded with her to understand. "The Team told me that the females were volunteers¡ªand whenever I asked any of them, they always said they wanted it. Said that having a baby was the biggest desire of their lives. Then the Team would tell me that I was helping them, and I believed them. I was so stupid!" he snarled. "I believed them for so long and I was so stupid to believe anything that came out of their fucking mouths!"


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Sasha didn''t get it. Not really. She wasn''t Chimera. She couldn''t. It wasn''t her fault. But whatever she did understand horrified her. She gaped at him, her eyes wide and terrified.


    But it was Dunken that stalked over to stand at Zev''s feet and stare down at him, his hands clenched to fists. "You think¡­ you think the humans are trying to breed them. And it''s killing them?"


    He didn''t know another way to do it, so he showed his friend the images from his mind. Just shes. Dunken''s eyes zed as Zev buried his face in his hands and let the scene flicker through his head¡ªand into Dunken''s.


    A small, pale Chimera, hair near-white and eyes deeply blue. Her cheeks had high, pink spots and her eyes were slightly zed. But her speech was clear and she was mature, if young looking for her age.


    Zev had thoughtlessly walked into the breeding arena as himself, not the wolf like he hadst time¡ªa quick, perfunctory joining that made him throw up afterward¡ªso this time she recognized him. And she wept with happiness. She''d been so grateful. So grateful.


    "You''re alive!" she gasped and ran to throw herself into his chest. It was the first time he''d held another Chimera in over a year, and something inside him broke open. As they shared scents he began to shake.


    "You''re back," he said quietly, frustrated with himself that he couldn''t remember her name.


    She looked up at him with shining eyes¡ªso happy¡ªand put a hand to his face. "It didn''t workst time, but I don''t mind," she breathed, rubbing herself against him, encouraging him to disy.


    But there was something off about all of it. Something¡­ feverish in her eyes. Her joy at seeing him had an edge to it¡ªa desperation that he didn''t understand.


    He''d shifted into his wolf just to separate himself from her hands¡ªshe followed him a heartbeatter, her wolf near-white with blue eyes, and her once-beautiful coat dull and thin.


    She whined and shed her tail at him.


    He wanted to say no. He always wanted to say no¡ªbut Nick had been clear. If he didn''t carry the program forward, it would be ended by those in the highest realms of power. The Chimera would be killed. Executed. And Sasha¡­


    They had hands on Sasha, ways to hurt her whether she knew it or not.


    So he let instinct take over. Let his wolf body respond to the female''s scent, and her increasing desperation.


    Wrong. Wrong. It was all wrong. But when he looked up to the mirrored ss above them where he knew Nick and many of the others stood, watching, he knew there was no other choice.


    Sickened and shaking, even inside his wolf, as he mounted her, he turned elsewhere in his mind.


    This was not right. It was not happening. He was not there.


    But his body knew.


    His body knew¡­

 Chapter 99 - Bonded

    ~ ZEV ~


    His shaking was worrying Sasha, so he changed the subject from the breeding¡ªthey agreed that until the humans were gone and they could get more information about what had urred today, there was no point specting further. But Zev could see that Dunken was shaken by the idea of what was happening to the females¡ªand what else it might entail that Zev didn''t even know.


    It took a good hour for Zev to stop shaking after going back into that memory of the breeding arena and the females. But having Sasha so warm and close, the fox hole filled with her scent, her head resting on his shoulder and arms hugging his¡­ it was everything he''d yearned for for so long that it helped his heart ease.


    A couple hours after the humans began their search, the three of them were quiet, and Sasha began to doze, her temple resting against his upper arm.


    Dunken had been a little restless, checking the view holes and pacing slowly in the space. When he spoke again after so long in silence, Zev almost startled. Sasha''s breathing shortened, but soon eased again even as Dunken whispered.


    "Your bond is strange," he said, out of nowhere, frowning at Zev. "I can smell it, but it''s different to the Chimera bond¡ªis this something the humans have?"


    Zev answered in Dunken''s head.


    I don''t know. I didn''t recognize it for a long time because it didn''t feel like what the other males had described when they bonded. There was no lightning bolt for me. It''s like she crept up on me. It grew over time. I think this is what humans mean when they talk about falling in love? It wasn''t until we were separated that I realized it was a part of me. More than emotion. Just¡­ a connection. Something about her that pulled me and kept hold of me even when she wasn''t there. I couldn''t bear it. Couldn''t leave her alone¡ªeven though she didn''t know I was there.


    Dunken nodded. "That sounds like the bond. I wouldn''t know, of course.." he said wistfully. "All I know is that I wouldn''t have recognized it as the bond in your scent if I didn''t have the two of you together¡ªit''s as if a part of each of your scents is the same. As if you truly are pieces of each other."


    Zev was quiet. That was how it felt too¡ªwhen she was far away, a piece of him was missing. But the distance didn''t have to be physical. When she''d tried to flee him, when he thought she might leave by choice and never return¡­ he''d felt a gaping hole open in his chest.


    "Is she worth it?" Dunken asked suddenly.


    Zev blinked. Yes, without question.


    Dunken sighed and began pacing again. "I called her Sasha-don by ident."


    Zev snorted. Did she catch it?


    "She doesn''t know what it means, but she knew I''d given her a title."


    Did you tell her what it was?


    "No."


    Zev held his friend''s eyes. "Thank you," he whispered. "But try to keep it back. Let me give it to her."


    "Don''t thank me yet," Dunken whispered dryly. "You have to get Alpha back first¡ªand she has to ept you. That''s going to be harder after today."


    Zev turned his head to look down on Sasha who had slumpedpletely against him and was snuggled into his arm. "It doesn''t matter," he breathed. "And she will ept me, I''m certain of it. She feels the bond too. She just doesn''t realize that''s what she''s feeling. She''s weathered pressure from the humans every day that I was gone¡ªthey told her she was crazy to believe I loved her the way she loved me," he growled, flexing his hand on this thigh because it wanted to close on the throat of the human that had almost convinced her of that. "Now it''s time for me to prove to her that she wasn''t wrong to hold onto her hope."


    Dunken nodded thoughtfully. "Will she understand, though? She seems confused by our traditions."


    "She''ll understand enough," he said firmly. "And the humans are big on vows and¡­ and promises. Once she forgives me for breaking the promise I made before, once she sees that I''ve returned to fulfill it, she will take me."


    He wished he was as convinced as he sounded. He knew their connection was real, and he loved being so close to her and seeing her eyes sparkle when theynded on him. But she''d pulled back more than once¡ªand he knew there would be many things in theing days that would frighten her.


    Unable to resist, he reached across tob her hair off her forehead with his free hand. She shifted, rubbing her cheek on his arm and murmuring something unintelligible.


    "She''s going to stink of you, and you of her, when we leave here," Dunken said, his voice heavy with disapproval. "You shouldn''t havee in here."


    "There was no choice," Zev said. "I couldn''t let her hear those lies and believe them. She needed the truth. This is her life¡ªour life together. I had to tell her," he finished firmly, still watching her face, so smooth and young looking because she was asleep.


    Was this what it would be like to wake alongside her? Would he still have the chance, five years from now, to stand over her, protect her when she rested and was vulnerable? He hoped so.


    "Would waiting a few hours, even days, until they were forced to acknowledge you really have done so much damage? They''re going to try to win her now, Zev. You know that. They were holding back. But after this... they will do everything they can to sway her from you. Your scent on her will only embolden them."


    "All the more reason she needed to know the truth." When it looked like Dunken would argue, Zev shook his head. "Nothing we can do about it now. Besides, with what''s happening¡­ I think I''m going to have to take a different approach." He lifted his eyes to meet his friend''s, only to find Dunken''s face shifting quickly from shock to anger.


    "No, Zev. Absolutely not!" he hissed.. "You are not challenging Xar directly. You don''t have the support! He''ll kill you¡ªthey''ll kill you!"

 Chapter 100 - Alpha

    ~ Zev ~


    "I don''t have a choice!" he spat back. "Something is wrong in his head, Dunken¡ªeven the wolves who hate me can see it. And this clusterfuck today is only the beginning." Zev knew his eyes were shing with his Alpha authority, but he didn''t care. Dunken was a strong male. If Zev didn''t stand his ground, the goat wouldn''t give. "If he sees me take down Lhars and move to the next Alpha, he knows I''ming for him. I can''t give him the time to prepare and n. He''s cunning¡ªwhether he''s out of his mind or not, he is no easy enemy to defeat."


    "Exactly my point!" Dunken snarled. "If you try to take him without the wolves behind you¡­ they may kill you for him, Zev."


    "I don''t think so," he said, though not as firmly as he should have. "But it''s a risk I''ll have to take. I don''t have a choice."


    "There is always a choice!"


    "Not when ites to her. Not for me," Zev said. "I can''t risk it, Dunken. I can''t risk that he finds a way to tie her to someone¡ªor she identally trips on her manners and epts a male without even realizing she''s done it. That really would be a shitshow. And if I keep getting hurt¡­ I have to take Xar while I''m still strong and not exhausted. I''ve been thinking about it. The events with the humans just made the decision for me."


    "You''re crazy."


    "I never denied that," Zev said, trying to force a grin. "But there is one thing you can do for me, to help. To pave the way the best we can."


    Dunken''s jaw twitched and he stood at Zev''s feet, ring down at him, clearly torn between helping his friend, and aiding a n he thought was a death sentence.


    Please? Zev added in his head.


    Dunken''s lips twisted like he''d tasted something sour. But then the tension went out of him. "What is it?"


    "Thank you, brother."


    "I haven''t said yes, yet. What is it you want me to do?"


    "I need you to go out and spread to as many of the males as will listen, the truth of what really happened between me and the females. They need to know I haven''t touched a mated female, and that I didn''t take all the others either¡ªand those, only wolves. They need to know that if the females don''t return, it isn''t because of me. That I tried to keep them safe."


    Dunken''s wide chest rose and fell once, then he turned to look at the exit of the fox hole. "They won''t believe me."


    "Some of them will."


    Zev waited as his friend¡ªnever quick to rush into any n, whether he thought it foolish or not¡ªexamined what he''d been asked and turned it over in his mind.


    "What is it you believe this will achieve?" he asked.


    Zev looked at Sasha. "I think right now, as things stand, most of the males will attempt to stand in my way. The moment I appear, if they acknowledge me, they will fight me. I can''t afford to have to fight every single male I step in front of before I get to Xar. Those that are thoughtful¡ªthe ones that can already sense Xar''s imbnce¡­ they''ll listen. They''ll at least wait for the question to be answered, rather than rushing in to get between us.


    "Once I''ve taken Xar, I can address the people and clear it all up. The wolves can examine my mind and see the truth and tell the others. But until then¡­ this will soften the rocky path."


    Dunken began to pace again.


    "I don''t have to tell you," Zev added, "that right now, they''re all out there together. Easy to reach any that you think will listen. Easy to spread the word while they''re so close together, before they scatter again."


    "I stink of you," Dunken retorted.


    "It will add credence¡ªthey''ll know you''ve actually spoken with me."


    "And possibly decide to attack me because of it if they aren''t prepared to listen."


    "You''re strong enough to take a few wolves," Zev said, shing a smile at the Captain of the Guard, and the strongest Chimera¡ªbar Yhet¡ªthat he knew.


    Dunken snorted. "If you really believe I would fall to that kind of ttery, you don''t understand me at all."


    "No," Zev said softly. "I just¡­ I can''t see another way. I''m sorry, Dunken. I''m sorry to ask this of you and to make you a target. But I need help. Please. Do you want me to take Alpha?"


    "Of course."


    "Then, please, help me."


    Dunken looked at him for a long moment, then at Sasha on his shoulder, whose heart was getting a little faster. She was going to wake soon. Zev really wanted to be alone with her when that happened. There were so many things he needed to say, but he knew she wouldn''t stomach those kinds of conversations in front of others.


    "Very well, I''ll help you, but on one condition," Dunken said, folding his thick arms across his chest.


    "Name it."


    "You don''t go for Xar until I''ve had a chance to talk to all the males. Twenty-four hours, tops. But you rest between now and then¡ªno more fighting¡ªand you don''t confront anyone."


    "What if they find me? If theye for me?"


    "You defend yourself, of course," Dunken said, as if that were obvious. "But you don''t seek out another step up the hierarchy until I''ve had time toy the groundwork with the males.


    Zev bit his lip. Waiting was a risk¡ªit shortened his time that much more if he ended up needing to fight other challengers, or if any caught him before he got to Xar. But he couldn''t deny that the rest ahead of that kind of battle would do his body good.


    "Okay," Zev said a momentter. "I won''t pick a fight with anyone. I won''t force anyone to acknowledge me. But if they do¡ªif theye for me, I''m fighting. I can''t afford to look weak right now."


    Dunken nodded. "Very well. I will help you," he said solemnly as if they''d just made a vow. The goat had always been a little formal that way. But Zev grinned and held out his free hand. "Thank you, brother. If you see Jhon, tell him what you''re doing. He''ll help you."


    Dunken took Zev''s hand and nodded, but then, without another word he was easing himself down the gap to exit the fox hole, and disappearing out of sight as soon as he stepped away from it.


    Zev sighed heavily with relief, then turned to look at Sasha, and wait for her to wake. But until she did, he would simply enjoy sitting with her close. He didn''t know how long it would be before they could do that again.


    *****


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 Chapter 101 - To Save A Life

    ~ SASHA ~


    She woke to find Zev staring down at her, his long, darkshes outlining his eyes¡ªwhich looked an even brighter blue than usual because his jaw was deeply shadowed by two days growth.


    "Hey," she croaked, then realized she was leaning against him and sat up. "Sorry!" She rubbed her eyes and looked around. Dunken was gone and they were alone.


    Her stomach trilled.


    "I hope you slept okay. It wasn''t the mostfortable bed."


    "Are you kidding,ying on you is the best bed I can¡ª" she pped her hand over her mouth and stared at him wide eyed.


    Zev''s smile beamed, his eyes twinkling. "Well, same here," he said, then leaned in to kiss her.


    Sasha whimpered a little bit and put a hand to his neck as the kiss turned soft and probing. She was the one to pull back, Zev''s eyes opening more slowly to meet hers.


    "You okay?" he asked softly.


    She nodded. "I''m just¡­ very aware of¡­ everything," she saidmely. "This whole thing, Zev¡ªwhat''s happened to you since you''ve been gone, what''s happening now. It''s a lot."


    He nodded. "I know. I''m sorry. But I''m going to clear it all up. I''ve been talking to Dunken. I''m going to have to challenge Xar and take Alpha," he said. "He''s determined to remove you from me¡ªI don''t know why. Maybe just because he lost his mate and he can''t stand the thought of someone else finding theirs. I don''t know. But for whatever reason, I can''t leave you here without me for so long. Dunken''s going to help me, and some of the others will too."


    "Help you do what?"


    "Help me challenge him up front. Force him to acknowledge me. So I don''t have to make it through all the otheryers of the hierarchy first."


    Sasha blinked. "If that was an option, why didn''t you just start there?"


    "Because it''s risky. Fighting for dominance¡­ it generally doesn''t end in death, Sash. We do it to prove our strength, to find which of us is more determined, stronger¡ªwho has the most support from the ns. But if I take Xar out this way¡­ he''ll try to kill me. And he might not submit until I kill him. I hope it won''te to that. But at least it means we''ll be together sooner, right?"


    "Kill you? You''d kill him?"


    "I don''t want to," he reminded her. He turned to sit face her, cross legged in the dirt. "I didn''t want any of this. But he''s set me up now. The males¡­ they''reing for you, Sash. As soon as you appear out there they''re not going to hold back any more."


    "They were holding back?"


    Zev snorted. "A lot. The Alphas especially. They''ve been watching to see what would happen. But now¡­ now they''ll actively try to seduce you, to sway you from bonding with me."


    "But¡­ we''re already bonded."


    "It''s a different kind of bond, Sash. Most of them don''t even realize we have it. It doesn''t smell the same. Until they see us together and we''re past all this dramatic bullshit, they aren''t going to recognize it. So just prepare yourself. You''re going to gain a lot of male attention in the next twenty four hours."


    "Why twenty-four? What''s happening?"


    "I promised I would give Dunken twenty-hours to spread the information, the truth, about what happened with the females so the Chimera that are willing to listen will be less likely to stand in my way. But after that¡­ tomorrow night at thetest, I''m taking Xar down."


    Sasha''s heart swelled, half in pride at his confidence, and half with fear.


    Her mind filled, suddenly, with visions of him fighting the way he''d fought that thing back in the parking lot¡ªno hesitations, ruthless, snapping its neck in the end.


    He would do that to Xar?


    For her?


    She couldn''t decide if it was endlessly romantic, or the sickest thing she''d ever heard. Maybe both?


    "What is it?" Zev asked suddenly, putting a hand to her arm. "What were you just thinking? Why do you smell like you''re pulling away?"


    "I don''t want you to have to kill anyone, Zev! We should be able to just¡­ to just walk into this¡­ whatever we have, without someone else having to die for it."


    "No one else will die unless they forced me to it, Sasha. But Chimera are not humans. Our traditions are different. If a male challenges you to the death, there is honor in it. If two are so strong that they can''t beat each other without stealing life it means the Chimera was a strong adversary, and they''ll be remembered for it."


    "Doesn''t he have kids, though? Didn''t you say¡ª"


    Zev raked a hand through his hair, his face tight and disturbed. "I told you, Sash, I won''t kill him unless it''s the only way to live myself."


    "Do you promise?"


    "Promise what?"


    "That you won''t kill anyone unless they force you to? Unless they''re going to kill you if you don''t."


    "Yes," he said simply, his brow lined. "Sasha I take no joy in killing anyone, ever. I will never take a life unless there''s actual need. I can''t say the same for Xar, though. He seems to be very invested in putting me in positions to die without dirtying his own hands, the fucker."


    Something passed behind his eyes then, something that dragged him down and away¡ªthe same way he''d looked before he started shaking earlier. Sasha didn''t even think about it, just reached for him, putting a hand to his neck and leaning close.


    He blinked and focused on her, his smile creeping up hesitantly as he measured her for her intent.


    Sasha swallowed. "I don''t understand everything that''s happening, Zev. Not here in this world, and not to you. I feel like what we need is time to just be together and talk. But I want you to know that I think¡­ I believe in us. I want to be with you¡ªI just feel¡­ nervous. So if you promise me you won''t go killing people who don''t need killing, I''ll promise you that¡­ I''ll keep my promise that I''m never going to give my heart to someone else. Okay?"


    He stared, searching her eyes, and that glint of fear or rage whatever it had been, faded from his gaze.


    "I was deceived, Sash. I was manipted, and I wish I''d never left you. But you have my word¡ªI won''t kill anyone, except in defense of my own life, or yours. And once this is behind us¡­ we''re taking a break together,pletely alone so we can be together and¡­ just be. You''re mine, Sasha, whether they recognize it or not. And I''m going to show you. I''m going to make sure there''s never another day in your life where you have to doubt it."


    Then he kissed her, and Sasha''s heart wanted to explode.

 Chapter 102 - Gotta Play Fair

    ~ SASHA ~


    A strange dynamic settled into their little dirt and rock hidey-hole after those words.


    Sasha found her heart fluttering and her body tingling as, whether they sat and talked, or stood and looked out of the view holes, they moved around each other with a new awareness.


    When she leaned into the view hole, Zev moved to stand behind her, his body brushed hers every time he moved, one hand resting on the side of her thigh when he pointed with the other as he leaned over her shoulder to point out andmark.


    The back of her neck washed in goosebumps when his breath fluttered in her hair.


    His voice got deeper.


    Her stomach got butterflies.


    And even though neither of them said anything about this strange, delicious tension, their eyes followed each other every time they moved around the space.


    The morning passed into afternoon. And afternoon passed in endlessly slow hours, as they watched and waited for the humans to return and free the Chimera from their enforced confinement in the vige square. But as the sun began its slow descent back towards the horizon, Sasha wished it would crawl even more slowly as her awareness of every ridge and ripple of Zev''s body became more heightened. As every time his eyes raked down her form, she felt the look like fingers on her skin.


    Their words got slower, the pauses in between got longer, and the tension crackling between them seemed so electric that Sasha felt like touching him would raise her hair off her shoulders.


    It got darker in the fox hole as the sun fell to the level of the trees and deep shadows were thrown over their hiding ce¡ªand the square.


    The males in the vige were bing restless, but Xar had disappeared with the humans, helping them, Zev said with a growl.


    As early evening arrived, she''d just looked out of a view hole again to see if there was any movement, when she turned around to find Zev standing a foot away from her, staring down at her, a strange light in his eyes.


    Not a strange light. A very recognizable light. A light that burned in heat.


    Sasha swallowed hard. For a second she let herself remember that afternoon when they were little more than kids¡­ Then she shook her head and turned back to the view hole, ignoring the slump in his shoulders when she did it, forcing herself to concentrate on something other than the desire wafting off of Zev like heat ripples off a desert road.


    But then the hairs on her arms did stand up¡ªand not because she wanted Zev as much as he wanted her. "The humans are back," she whispered.


    Zev cursed and leaned over her to peer out, his jaw tightening as they watched the three humans, Xar, Lhars, and a couple other Chimera walk back towards the front of the square to address the now rippling crowd.


    Sasha couldn''t follow everything that was said, but it was obvious from the human''s frowns, and Xar''s tension, that they hadn''t found anything.


    The humans addressed the Chimera briefly, exining that they would be returning the following week, but that if anything was found or either Sasha or Zev identified before then, that Xar had a way to contact them and they should tell him.


    Sasha frowned. "How would he contact them?"


    "He must send someone through," Zev whispered. His warm chest was against her back and she felt his voice rumble against her shoulder des. It made her mouth dry.


    It was dusk by the time the humans said their farewells and started on the hike back to the cave. Sasha expected that the moment they were out of sight the Chimera would scatter. But instead, the cooks lit the fires and everyone seemed to settle in¡ªthe males gathering in clusters of deep discussion.


    "Why don''t they move? Why aren''t they leaving?" Sasha asked a few minutester.


    "Because they don''t trust the humans to actually leave," Zev said darkly. "They''ll stay there until the guards return and confirm they''ve passed into the gateway. That''s when everything returns to normal."


    "But¡­ that will take hours!"


    "An hour or two," Zev said, his handsing to rest on her hips. "They''ll shift to run back, so they''ll return a lot faster than they''ll take to get out there with the humans on foot.


    Sasha groaned. "Two hours?"


    "Maybe less. Why? Are you sick of me?"


    "No, of course not!" she turned around to reassure him, but instead, she froze.


    Zev was right behind her and when she turned, it was to find him grinning down at her. His big hands rested on her hips. When she froze, he tightened his grip and pulled her closer, dropping his chin so they were almost nose to nose.


    Sasha swallowed hard.


    "We better make the most of it," he whispered, then raised his hand tob her hair back from her face.


    She licked her lips and his eyes dropped to her mouth. A tiny, tiny growl puttered in his throat.


    She put one hand to his chest¡ªt on that broad, steely ne under his corbone. She was hesitant, her fingers half-curled. Not because she didn''t want touch him¡ªshe ached to do it. But because¡­ something held her back.


    "Sash?" he breathed.


    "Yeah?"


    "I really want to kiss you."


    She snorted. "You already have. Several times."


    "No, I mean¡­ I want to really kiss you." His breathing was bing more rapid and his eyes locked on hers, full of his intention and the weight of what he meant. "I don''t want you going out there to face those¡­ those¡­ dogs in heat without knowing exactly how I feel about you."


    Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. "I¡­ I do know," she rasped.


    But Zev shook his head. "No, you don''t. You''re still questioning. And I get it. I do. But I can''t stand the idea that you''re going to be walking around for the next day without me and maybe those questions be doubts, or maybe someone else catches your eye and¡­ I just need to show you. Please."


    He''d leaned in so close she was having trouble focusing on his eyes. Somehow her hand hade up to his neck. She curled her fingers against his cheek, let her nails catch on the scruff of his jaw so the scritch of them echoed in the silent space.


    "What¡­ how would you¡­ what is it you want to show me?" she asked breathlessly, everything within her pulling towards him, urging her lean into his chest, to take his mouth, to take him into her body and never let him go.


    His hands were at her back now, their bellies pressed together and tingles chased themselves up and down Sasha''s thighs.


    "This," Zev said, his voice deep and rough, then he took her face in his hands, andid his lips on hers, so softly.


    At first, as she opened to him, her heart fluttered with simple longing, a wave of heat that had always been right on the edge of her consciousness when Zev was around.


    But suddenly, images bloomed in her head¡ªimages she didn''t know. Pictures of herself¡­ herself at seventeen, and eighteen¡ªand alongside them, feelings¡­ Zev''s feelings.


    Her impish smile over a te of syrupy French toast and the warmth it drew in his chest to see her happy. Her eyes sparkling when they passed in the hall at school and how it made him feel like beating his chest.


    Her head thrown back and her mouth open with sheer pleasure as their bodies rocked together, and the overwhelming wave of devotion that threatened to break his ribs¡ª


    "Zev!" she gasped, pulling away. "Stop it! That''s not fair!"

 Chapter 103 - Love

    ~ ZEV ~


    It felt like Sasha was tearing off his skin when she pulled away. But he let her take her space and made himself meet her eyes.


    Thinking about how the males were going to see her now¡ªas a challenge to him, as well as a prize to be won¡ªhad kicked his instincts into gear and everything within him fizzed with the desire to take her, to own her before all the Chimera. His Alpha wanted to howl his possession¡ªand dominate her so she''d concede to his iming.


    But he''d always sworn he''d never use that against her.


    "I''m not trying to manipte you, Sash," he murmured, tracing that gorgeous line down her neck with his thumb. "I want you to see my thoughts, my heart. I want you to know. If you''re alone tonight and thinking about me, I want you thinking about how much I love you, not how much I hurt you."


    "But you did hurt me, Zev!"


    "I know. I know. I''m not saying you can just forget about that. But¡­ fuck, Sash, let me show you why. Let me show you how it was¡ªand why I did it, so you can at least understand."


    "I¡­ okay," she whispered, staring at him, her eyes wide pools of warring fear and hope.


    He cupped her face with his hands¡ªphysical connection would let himmunicate the feelings more deeply¡ªand stared into her eyes. "I never wanted to leave you for a second, Sash. You have to know that. Not once."


    She bit her lip as he shared his memories¡­


    ¡­That conversation with Nick, and the horrifying images he''d had in his head of all the ways Sasha might die or get hurt¡­


    Her breath sucked in when she saw the graphic way he imagined that teacher taking her.


    Then he showed her the day the Team had arrived in Thana, when he was tall and proud as Alpha, so full of his power he was preparing to resist their use of the gateway, to give himself to the Chimerapletely¡­ but they''d lost three offspring in as many months, and the Team were helping the mothers recover. And then they''d convinced him that he had to visit Nick, that there was something they''d found that was life and death for the Chimera.


    He''d been so stupid to trust Nick¡­ so na?ve.


    But he''d seen it with his own eyes¡ªthe Chimera in theb, wasting away. The strange mutations that were urring because fully adult Chimera had somehow flipped a switch in their gics and the Team didn''t know how to switch it back. How it was only a matter of time until someone in Chimera mutated as well and the only way they could study this was to have offspring, more offspring. To study the development of their gic codes as they aged and identify what had changed in these individuals¡­


    He''d been terrified, asking Nick if he was at risk.


    "No, no. Not you. But you''re the only one, Zev, that''s the point. We got something different with you and we don''t know why, or how. You have to pass on your gics and we have to hope that''s what will save them. Because you''re the only one who doesn''t have the marker for it, and¡­"


    He''d descended into scientific jargon then that Zev had been too stressed, or too distracted to take in. But he understood enough to know¡­ the Chimera that were Zev''s age or younger were going to start dying. And unless the Team could figure out why, it spelled the end of their people.


    "If we can''t turn this around, our owners will pull the plug on the program. We''ll have to abandon Thana and leave you all to die. We have to prove we have an antidote to it, Zev, and you''re it."


    And he''d stood there, knowing it meant leaving his people, understanding that Nick was scared¡ªbut also putting pressure on him. He wasn''t unaware. He was just¡­ willing to be convinced. Because then he used his own leverage for his own means. Because in the end, he was his "father''s" son.


    "Give me Sasha," he said gruffly, a trickle of his alpha authority resonating in the room.


    Nick gave him a sharp look because he recognized it. But he didn''t say anything.


    "You can''t have her, Zev. She''s not yours."


    "You know what I mean. Make me her watcher."


    "Do I look like an idiot?" Nickughed¡ªtoo hard.


    Zev didn''t even crack a smile. "No more photos. No more videos. I want ess."


    "The minute you show up in her sphere they yank her, Zev, I told you."


    "I don''t mean that I''ll talk to her. I just mean, you let me be the one handling her case."


    Nick eyed him suspiciously. "You''re telling me you think you can watch her without touching her? Without talking to her? Bullshit."


    "It''ll be easier than this," Zev snapped. "Always wondering where she is, what she''s doing, if she''s safe. At least if I''m watching, I have ess. I can make sure she''s okay¡ªyour guys can''t even tell if she''s distressed. I can!"


    "The only reason we''re watching her is to keep you away from her, Zev," Nick pointed out.


    "So, call it¡­ therapy. You let me take care of keeping her safe. I do what you need¡­"


    "And stay no contact?"


    "None. She won''t even know I''m there."


    Nick''s jaw rolled. "Then you''re going on operations, too. You have to learn how to track in urban environments. And if we train you in that, we need to use you or they''ll yank our funding."


    It had tickled in the back of his mind, then, that Nick had rolled over far too easily. That maybe this¡ªgetting Zev active in the covert operations, their original goal for him¡ªhad more to do with why they were pulling him out of Thana than Nick was letting on.


    But he hadn''t examined it. He''d been too full of his own arrogance and knowledge. He was twenty-one years old, stronger than any human male he''d ever met, and he was going to get to see Sasha, in the flesh, for the first time in two years. He''d stifled his instincts and not let himself question.


    And it had brought them all down.


    But it had also brought him back to Sasha¡­

 Chapter 104 - All The Ways I Love You

    ~ SASHA ~


    It was alive in her head. All of it. She could feel the tension in Zev''s chest, smell the stale cigarette smoke that still clung to Nick''s jacket even though he wasn''t a smoker. She could feel the fizzing tension in the older man.


    And she could feel the ache in Zev whenever her face popped into his mind.


    While he negotiated with the man who felt like the closest thing he had to a father, she could feel his nerves¡ªand his hope, because he''d spoken her name and Nick hadn''t shut it down. After two years¡­ he imagined seeing her, watching her smile, making sure she was safe¡­ and how even that little bit felt like it filled a hole in his chest.


    Then she felt the bottom fall out of his stomach when he asked himself if she''d found anyone else yet.


    And as she watched through Zev''s memory, through his heart, she saw the wary glint in the other man''s eyes.


    She saw the sh of triumph when Zev agreed to train for the covert work in the city. And she felt Zev discard the niggling worry that he was being manipted, because the thrill he felt when he thought of seeing her was so overwhelming, nothing else mattered.


    Standing there in that little dirt hole, Sasha wanted to fold into a ball and weep for what they''d both lost. She wanted to p him in the face and ask how he could have been so easily fooled¡ªand she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him silly for being willing to make himself so miserable just to keep her safe¡ªand his people, too.


    They''d used his soft heart and generous nature against him. She could see it. It was something they''d argued about a few times when they were young. She''d watched him to be kind to girls that were only trying to get him away from her¡ªbut he didn''t even realize. Because they didn''t flirt. They cried. They didn''t act angry or jealous of her, but like she was a friend.


    They didn''t touch him, they just yearned with their eyes.


    She''d known from the very first day that he was far too trusting of their motives, but he''d been hurt when she tried to tell him that they were fooling him.


    And now she''d just watched the men in his life do the same thing.


    She''d been so hurt for so long, and had so many people telling her all the ways he''d fooled her, she''d stopped believing in his heart. His heart that she knew¡ªthat she understood.


    No matter how strong he might be, Zev was a lover. He was her lover. Of course he would have taken steps to protect her if he was certain her life was in danger. And she knew it had been. Probably still was. Those images in his mind¡­ she''d felt them. They were real. Things he''d known and seen and¡­ things that had changed him.


    When that man, Nick, told him about those other men, the conviction in Zev''s heart was real, and unwavering.


    The man wasn''t lying.


    Of course he would have left if he''d thought that''s what was waiting for her if he didn''t. Of course he had.


    "Oh, Zev," she sobbed. "I''m so sorry. I''m so sorry I didn''t believe in you."


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    He blinked back to the present and realized Sasha was weeping. Had he squeezed her too tightly? Let images from his operations bleed through¡ªor worse, the breeding arena?


    "Shhhhhh, Sash. Please don''t cry."


    But as he searched her eyes, shining, her eyshes fluttering as she tried to blink the tears away, she rasped, "Oh, Zev. I''m so sorry. I''m so sorry I didn''t believe in you."


    Stunned, he gaped at her. "What do you mean? I was the one who left. I knew what that would do to you. Sash, I just wanted you to see that I really thought I was protecting you¡ª"


    She threw herself into his chest. He wrapped her in his arms, dropping his lips to her hair.


    "Hey, hey, you weren''t supposed to cry."


    "I could feel it, Zev," she whispered against his slick, ck shirt. "I could feel how much you love me. How hard it was for you¡­ that''s what it was like for me too. Except I didn''t understand." She covered her face and pressed herself into his chest and Zev felt his own eyes pinching at her grief. "I''m sorry I listened to those people who didn''t know you like I did. I''m sorry. I knew¡ªwhen you first left I knew, I knew something had to have happened. That you''d never leave me unless you''d been forced, or¡­ or¡­" She dissolved into sobs and Zev''s heart twinged with pain.


    "Sash, don''t cry. Please, baby. I just wanted you to be certain of me."


    "I am," she blubbered, pulling out of his chest. "I still want to kick your ass for leaving without telling me, but¡­ but I get it¡­ And I love you too, Zev. I love you too!"


    His mouth fell open. She''d said it hesitantly. She''d talked about her love in the past tense. She''d even talked about hope for the future. But this¡­ this was the kind of love she''d given him for a year and half before he left. It was all of herself. No barriers. She''d surrendered herself to him then, and she did it again now, throwing herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face there, under his chin, begging him to forgive her for not holding on to what she''d known.


    His throat pinched and he swallowed over and over, his chest expanding with hope and love and¡­ a little bit of fear.


    Because she really was here. It was his dreame true. And there were so many things in this world that threatened to turn it into a nightmare.


    But instead of focusing on that, he pulled her in tight and stroked her hair, shushing her and wiping her tears when she looked up at him.


    She was back. And she was his. Finally.. She was his.

 Chapter 105 - Finally

    READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you to Janell_apple, Geri_ir, and Grace_Gilbert for your GENEROUS gifts, and thank you to EVERYONE who has shared those precious Golden Tickets with Zev! I can''t believe he''s in the Top 10 in his first month! That is INSANE. I''m nning an EIGHT CHAPTER Christmas Mass Release to say thank you! Please keep voting!


    ****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev could feel it in her¡ªand scent it, too¡ªthe way she''d stopped holding herself back. Hope roared in his heart like a feast bonfire, crackling and dancing, screaming to anyone who was watching that she was there, and open, and fully his.


    And then she took his face in her hands and pulled him down and she devoured him¡ªher lips on his, her tongue searching, her breath breaking in near-sobs, half-cries as she sought and sought.


    Her onught was so intense, so immediately, Zev was taken off guard. It took him a moment to register her fingers wing into his scalp, her mouth open and warm, pulling him in.


    But then he caught her scent, and that hot thread of desire woven between the exhaustion and confusion and tension¡ªeverything else falling away in the face of that heat as it rose.


    She whimpered, and something within him snapped.


    Leaning down to circle her back and pull her in tight, he tilted his head to take her mouth deeper, his breath thundering against her cheek.


    Her hands scrabbled at his back, like she wanted to pull him into herself¡ªand that thought brought an image of her on that one, glorious afternoon they''d shared¡­ her flushed skin and hooded eyes, her hair mussed and falling over her face, her mouth open and calling his name.


    With a growl, Zev pulled her up into his chest, off her feet, walking her backwards to the stones that made the wall behind her and sitting her on the edge of one boulder, positioning himself between her knees so she wouldn''t slip¡ªand she couldn''t escape¡ªwith a groan he fisted her hair and pulled her head back, dropping his chin to kiss his way down her jaw, to her neck, nipping at her skin and tonguing the space behind her corbone when she arched back and offered him her throat.


    It was a picture, a gesture, so deeply intimate and trusting, Zev had to take a moment. To stop and take her in. He raised his head, his chest heaving, jaw ck and looked at her. Her eyes were closed and she was smiling, her arms extended because her fingers wereced behind his neck.


    Unable to resist, he traced the line from the point of her chin, down her throat, the arch of her neck, to that hollow between her vicles, and a low growl of approval puttered in his throat that shifted to a deep call¡ªrough and rasping, a resonant cry of mate to mate, her name in thenguage of wolves. His heart''s song.


    Sasha''s body twitched and she gasped, her eyes flying wide. "What was that?" she whispered, blinking like she''d been happily shocked, one hand on his neck, the other sliding down to palm his chest.


    Zev shuddered. "That''s what you sound like in my heart," he rasped. "Because I belong to you. That''s the sound my heart makes when I think of you."


    Her brows rose and she looked like she might cry again. But Zev wouldn''t let her fall into grief over what they''d lost, or where they''d been. Desperate to be close, always closer, he pulled her face up and took her mouth.


    He needed her. Needed to im her. She was his. The idea of another male disying for her, touching her, brushing her skin¡ª


    Zev snarled and his fingers on her back tightened.


    She gasped again and her fingers wed into his shoulders as he ground against her. "Zev! Dear Lord¡ª"


    "Please, Sasha, I can''t have them scent you and touch you¡­ you''re mine," he groaned, then dove to suck on the spot her neck met her shoulder.


    Her breath shuddered out of her and she clung to him again. "I thought you said¡­ if we did it¡­ they could¡­ tell and¡­ problems?" she stammered.


    Zev smiled against her skin and sucked harder, growling again when goosebumps rose under his lips. It was warm in the small room and she''d taken her jacket off earlier, so he only had to pull at the neckline of her shirt to bare her shoulderpletely¡ªand the top swell of her breast where her skin was pale and so, so soft.


    "They will," he rasped, taking her mouth, then speaking against her lips. "But I don''t care. I have to¡­ the other males¡­ you can''t¡­"


    "Agreed," she blurted, then sighed when he moaned and grabbed her hips, pulling her hard against him as they rocked together. Her breath caught and one of her hands pinched on his bicep, her nails digging into his muscle as she fought the pull to be nearer.


    Desire jangled in his veins and his body stood to attention at the sheer beauty of her. He couldn''t stop stroking¡ªher hair, her back, down her side, gripping her hip, wing at her back¡ªand everywhere he touched, she arched into it, like a cat.


    That had to be the first time he''d thought <i>that</i> word with a groan of desire.


    Then they found each other again with lips and tongue, and he was lost in the heat of her breath, and the tiny cries she made when his hands found the hem of her shirt and slid underneath it, her skin prickling and rippling under his touch as he slowly, slowly pulled it up, his hands sliding up her sides until she lifted her arms, then he stroked up those too, taking the soft woolen fabric up until he had to tug it past her chin and her hair was dragged off her face and up, to cascade down around her shoulders and breasts.


    Her nipples stood up, hard and rosy, calling for his touch.


    Holy shit. She wasn''t wearing a bra.


    He gaped down at her, struggling to take her in, to believe she was really there and offering herself, that they were going to do this here, with the entire Chimera just a hundred feet away and¡­


    And that''s when it hit him.


    An entire vige of males just one hundred feet away, and his mate half naked and stinking of desire.


    His eyes went wide and his mouth dropped open. "Put your shirt back on!" he hissed, scrambling to unwind it from the fist he had in it, ready to toss it over his shoulder. "They''reing!"


    "What?!" she whisper-screamed. "Who''sing?"


    "Half the fucking vige¡ªZev, what the hell were you thinking?!" Dunken growled, his head popping up from the hole over the trail.


    Sasha shrieked and threw her arms around herself to hide her breasts, hissing at him to give her back the shirt.


    But a deep, rolling snarl of protection and possession erupted from Zev and he whirled, putting himself between her and Dunken, one handshing out to grab his friend by the throat and pull him up until they were eye to eye.


    Dunken''s face was red and he coughed, but he didn''t fight.


    "Get. Out!" Zev roared in a guttural snarl, tossing him back down the hole and leaning over it, his teeth bared.


    Dunken, coughing and his eyes red, red back at him, but didn''t back away.


    "They can smell her, Zev, and they''reing.. Get your head in the game otherwise you''re going to die."

 Chapter 106 - Mob

    ~ ZEV ~


    A single, vering howl rose outside, quickly followed by a hundred more.


    "Shit. SHIT."


    Zev snapped his head around to make sure Sasha was covered, then peered out of one of the view holes. Sure enough, the males were moving away from the square and towards the fox hole¡ªsome, those with mates, or too old to care that they didn''t have them¡ªwere trying to slow the others, to distract them. But the wolves paced the line of males that were attempting to hold everyone back and the numbers were growing. They would be there soon.


    "Shit!"


    "What''s going on?" Sasha''s head popped through the neck of her shirt and she yanked it down, her cheeks bright red and eyes shining. She was shivering with both desire and fear, and his wolf wanted to howl¡ªand to snarl. To im her. To fight and win.


    "They could smell your desire for me," he muttered, stalking to another view hole to peer out again. "They''reing to disy for you. And if I don''t let them, they''ll gang up and kill me."


    "WHAT?!" Sasha scrambled off the boulder and pulled him to face her. "What the hell, Zev?! Then let them do their disys or whatever! I''ll just say no!"


    "I can''t do it, Sash. You don''t understand¡ªI can''t let them touch you like that."


    "I won''t do anything! I don''t want any of them!"


    "I know, but¡­ I know¡­ but it''s just..." With a tortured growl, his hands fisted and his body shivered as his mind showed him all the ways she would be touched. All the scents left on her skin. All the ways her head might be turned¡­


    He shook his head. He had to think! He couldn''t let his wolf take over, he''d end up fighting the entire pack on the spot¡ªand he''d lose. He was good, but not that good. Not against whole crowds of wolves at once.


    Zev shuddered. He had to keep it together. He had to be careful.


    He had to win her.


    "Let me do this. Tell me what to do! I can handle it!" she said hurriedly, picking up her jacket and was putting it on.


    Zev''s chest wanted to crack open at the scent of resolution and determination that rose from her, the set of her jaw. She wanted to fight for them too.


    Holy fuck he loved her.


    "Zev," she said, her eyes shing. "You can''t do this alone. Let me help or¡­ whatever it is I can do. Just tell me."


    A tiny whine broke in his throat, but he knew she was right. He had to let her do this, no matter how it tortured him. She was zipping up the jacket like it was armor when he took her by the shoulders and leaned down to hold her eyes and let her see how serious he was.


    "Listen," he muttered. "You get out there and you head straight for your house. You just start walking and let them do what they''re going to do. If they stop you, you pause and take the disy, but then you move on."


    "What are these disys?"


    Zev blew out a breath. "They''re going to touch you and scent you and tempt you. They''re going to attempt to seduce you."


    Her eyes went wide. "Touching? Will they¡­ try to¡­ undress me or¡ª"


    "No! No!" he rushed to reassure her. "They want to show themselves off¡ªtry to catch your eye. They may even fight in front of you to prove their strength and hope that you''ll choose them. Touch is natural for a Chimera. We are free with our bodies. Their touches will be to tempt, not to vite. But¡­ You can''t do anything. You can''t smile. You can''t speak. You can watch¡ªyou have to watch¡ªbut then you walk away."


    "I''ll just ignore them¡ª"


    "No, Sasha, listen. They won''t stop now. They think I betrayed them and removed the other females from them. They do this as much to challenge me as to tempt you. You have to see them, you understand? They have to see you seeing them¡ªbut then when they''re done, you turn away or walk away or¡­ you just make it in that you dismiss their attention. One by one. And if you find them attractive¡­ they''ll know. So even if they¡­ even if they make you desire, you shake your head and move on."


    "Zev," she said softly, one hand on his chest, "I don''t want anyone else. I just want you."


    He groaned and stole a brief kiss, letting his tongue curl to hook her lip, then rested his forehead on hers, both hands in her hair. "You can''t lie about this, Sasha. Attraction is chemical. I won''t¡­ it isn''t a betrayal to notice a handsome male. But choosing¡­ choosing not to entertain his interest. Choosing not to linger¡­ please don''t linger on any of them."


    "I won''t." She shook her head. "I won''t, Zev."


    He swallowed and nodded. "And if Lhars, or any of the other Alphas disy you have to watch them. You have to be seen to consider them, you understand? You give them your full attention and you watch."


    "How will I know who the Alphas are?"


    "You''ll know because all the other males will back off when one of them steps in to take your attention. And they have to be acknowledged. But only acknowledged, not pleased, you understand? If they question, you answer, but you don''t smile¡ªyou don''t give anything! Not even manners!"


    She stroked his neck and chest, shushing him. "I won''t. I promise I won''t. Rx, Zev. I don''t want them. I''ll just tell them all no. Please¡­ please don''t try to fight them all. You don''t need to."


    He grimaced. "I might not have a choice. The Alphas don''t have to acknowledge me yet. I''m unseen to them. If I jump one of them, the others wille to their aide¡ª"


    "Then you stay here and I''ll go out there and we''ll get this out of the way and then¡­ tonight¡­ you''ll be at the bathing pools again?"


    "Oh, fuck, Sash¡ª"


    "Please, Zev. I can do this. Let me handle it."


    "It''s a good idea, Zev," Dunken said, still standing on the ground below the entrance hole. Zev shot a re at him over her shoulder, but his friend only rolled his eyes. "You can''t win this by getting yourself killed, Zev. If she''s going to be your mate, you''re going to have to trust her sometime."


    "It''s not her I don''t trust," he growled. "It''s¡ª"


    Dunken ducked down suddenly, then popped back up. "They''re almost here. The ranks are breaking. She needs to get out here so she has space, otherwise this will get ugly."


    Zev snarled, but forced himself not to leap down the hole and confront the first of the males to reach the fox hole. Instead he turned back to Sasha, taking her face in his hands and kissing her, then pulling her into his chest.


    "I''ll be there," he said. "I won''t interfere, but I''ll be there. Just look for me. I''m not leaving you," he whispered into her hair.


    She nodded and her heart sped up.


    "I''ll watch too," Dunken said. "I can step between if they start fighting near her."


    Zev slumped. "Thank you, friend."


    Then he met Sasha''s wide, worried eyes again and gritted his teeth. "Go," he said. "Just¡­ choose me, Sasha. Please.. Choose me."

 Chapter 107 - Meeting Expectations

    AUTHOR NOTE: If you like to listen to music while reading, try "Animals" by Maroon 5 while you read this chapter. It''s the song I listened to while writing it!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Dunken helped her keep her feet going down the hole to get outside.


    It was brighter outside¡ªstill dusky, but more light than there''d been in the fox hole. Thend dipped down to that little creek, then back up the other side. She could hear howls still rising¡ªlouder out here¡ªand growls and barks. Were they going to do this disying in the wolf forms she wondered nervously.


    "You''re a good female, Sasha," Dunken said as he led her back up thend on the other side of the creek, and towards the pile of boulders and trees, toward the vige, the direction that even she could hear the footsteps and voices approaching from. "Just be resolved that they aren''t for you. Like Zev said, don''t smile or be inviting. The rest is up to them."


    She nodded, but her breath wasing quickly and her heart trilling as they climbed the pile of boulders and began leaping from rock to tree trunk to rock down the other side.


    Sasha stopped for a moment to breathe once she found a t top on a rock where she wouldn''t lose her bnce. She looked up towards the vige and cursed.


    A crowd of men was spreading out in front of her, pushing past the few that had their backs to her and were trying to slow the others, breaking through that line, those at the front began to run¡ªfast, faster than she''d seen a man run before¡ªand reached the bottom of the rocks where she stood within seconds.


    Sasha wasn''t sure what she''d expected when Zev said the males were going to disy, but it wasn''t that she would be mobbed by a hundred men or more, all pushing each other aside to draw closer, their eyes alight with an edge that chilled her, while animal snarls and howls broke the deepening dark.


    Dunken returned to her rock and stood at her shoulder. "They will touch, but they will not¡­ vite you," he repeated. "You are not unsafe. Zev is not the only male that would defend you if anyone didn''t respect the boundaries," he murmured.


    Sasha nodded. "So I just¡­ walk out there?"


    The men stood in a dense crowd, watching her. She swallowed hard.


    "Do you know the way to your house from here?" Dunken asked.


    "Sort of. I mean, it''s that way," she said, pping her hand vaguely to the other side of the vige and a little right.


    Dunken nodded. "You see where the peak of the mountain rises between the tops of those two trees?"


    "Yes."


    "Following that line will lead you to the edge of the vige, to the trail behind your house that leads to the bathing pools. You''ll be able to find it from there."


    "Thank you," she breathed.


    "Good luck," he said, and she could hear the smile in his voice which was so rare that she turned to look at him.


    His face waspletely straight, but she couldn''t shake the feeling he was on the edge ofughter. "What''s funny?"


    "You''ll see," he said, his lips twitching up on one side.


    Sasha gave him a t look, but he lost the twinkle in his gaze and nodded tipped his head towards the men.


    "Dying will only heighten their anticipation," he said quietly. "Best that you¡­ give them their moments."


    Sasha blew out a breath, then stepped off the rock and down one, two, three boulders, and over a dead tree until her boots crunched in the snow on the ground.


    The males inched forward, making a hesitant semi-circle around her, watching her as if waiting for a signal. But she didn''t know what it was they expected, so remembering Zev''s warning to just keep walking for home, and Dunken''s directions, she fixed her eyes on that mountain peak, and was about to step forward, when a deep, guttural snarl rose behind her, echoing across the near-silent space. The males didn''t move, but they all tensed and some eyes flickered up, over Sasha''s shoulder.


    Sasha turned quickly to find in the waning light, the form of Zev stepping down to the boulder where she''d stood a moment earlier, his body disappearing in that ck suit against the deepening dark of the forest beyond. But his eyes¡­


    His eyes glowed, catching the light and reflecting it back like a wild-animal in the dark.


    Sasha''s heart leaped, but she knew she couldn''t run back to him¡ªif she threw herself into his arms, she''d be forcing him to fight for her and she didn''t want him to have to fight anymore. So she took a deep breath, turned back and stepped forward towards that peak.


    Surprisingly, seeing the course she took, the men all shifted, making space for her to walk through the crowd as she approached the line of them.


    Sasha blinked. Had Zev been wrong? Did they, perhaps, not want her at all? Were they just going to let her walk through them and head to her house?


    But just as she reached the first line of men and stepped in between them, they closed ranks behind her until she waspletely surrounded and while the space in front of her was left clear, the men in the direction she was going did not move to make room for her to pass.


    She frowned, but remembered that she wasn''t to speak or invite anything from them, so without any other option, she just kept walking.


    Ten feet before she hit line of men that would block her path, one of them stepped from her right to stand in front of her.


    He was shorter than Zev, but heavily muscled if the breadth of his shoulders was anything to go by. Swathed in furs, she couldn''t see much beyond his face.


    But then he shed a smile, his teeth and eyes white in the dark and he bowed slightly from the waist, dipping his head.


    Then he reached back with one hand to pull his thick shirt¡ªjacket?¡ªfrom behind his neck and tugged it forward, over his head, and off until he stood in front of her, naked from the waist up, his muscles¡ªjust as ridged and defined as Zev''s¡ªgleaming in the moonlight.


    Sasha swallowed as he prowled forward, his eyes locked on hers.

 Chapter 108 - Peacocks & Pricks

    ~ SASHA ~


    There was a moment, before the male brushed up against her, that Sasha almostughed. As this rippling god of a man stalked towards her with the rolling gait of a predator and it urred to her how ridiculous this would look to anyone from her life. For a split-second she saw herself through eyes of someone from her world: A young woman, alone, surrounded by strong and handsome men who were, apparently, going to be offering a free strip show¡­


    But the male was deadly serious, she could see, his eyes bright and smile shing. And as he moved, he sucked in his stomach, moving his arms and chest to make his muscles ripple.


    That hystericalughter tried to bubble in her throat as the male finally reached her, walking right up to her toes. He stopped in front of her, forcing her to stop walking as well, and they stared at each other.


    She almost opened her mouth to ask him what he wanted, but she remembered Zev''s warning not to speak, and clenched her teeth. No matter how awkward¡ªor hrious¡ªthis might be, she needed to just let it happen around her.


    Then she swallowed as the guy lifted one of his hands to stroke the underside of her forearm, his fingers trailing down the inside of her sleeve, from her elbow to the wrist.


    Sasha''s breath caught in shock, and his eyes shed again.


    "I am Erghan. A hunter. A wolf," he said, his voice low and husky, eyes hooded. "Strong and healthy. You will never go hungry, but fill those holes in your cheeks and the rounds of your ass, plump and ready for summer."


    Sasha blinked¡ªwas he saying she was too skinny?


    But before she could consider that, the guy leaned in and whispered, "¡­ and for babes."


    His eyebrow levered up to make the statement suggestive, and Sasha had to cover a splutteringugh with a cough.


    Not to be deterred, the male slipped to her side, facing her, his chest brushing her upper arm, then shoulder-des as he circled her, inhaling her scent.


    "Your scent is heavenly, like the Jasmine blossoms in the spring¡ª"


    But Sasha had just realized that by moving, he''d given her some space and she could walk forward a few steps. So she did.


    The nearest males howled,ughing and teasing the guy who hadn''t followed her, but was apparently now the target of jeers and jokes as she walked away from him.


    He didn''t stay at her back, didn''t follow when she moved.


    Was that all it took? Did she just have to stay quiet and walk away from them? She could do that!


    Stifling a smile she kept walking, one foot in front of the other, until she reached the first line of men who now blocked her way. The guy directly in front of her met her gaze, his arms folded across his chest. He was older than Sasha, his temples just barely peppered with gray. His eyes were ice-blue and his dark hair mussed. He stood head and shoulders taller than her, and rather than the showy ttery of the previous guy, his smile seemed¡­ quietly confident.


    "You''re very beautiful," he said in a voice like honeyed butter. Sasha swallowed and waited, forcing her face to a t, expressionless gaze as the guy leaned into her space without unfolding his arms. "The young are not strong enough for you, the old do not have enough life left in their pricks. You need a true male, strong and certain of himself, young enough to father, but old enough to match your will. I am a scout, and a woodworker. I fight to keep others safe and will protect you." Then he dropped his voice to a whisper and leaned into her ear. "And I have very talented fingers," he rasped, then turned his head so his nose brushed the corner of her jaw.


    Sasha flinched, not expecting the intimate touch, though he''d kept his arms folded and wasn''t reaching for her.


    It was instinct to side-step him, to pull away from the invasion of her space and move around him, and once again the men howled andughed, shoving and jostling the guy who had tried to attract her. Sasha stepped into a gap between the men, and once again they opened to let her pass¡ªand once again only allowed her a short amount of space, opening in a circle around her to let another male step forward.


    For the first five or six, it was almostical¡ªthe stripping of clothing, the seductive voices, the sparkling eyes and flexed muscles. When Kyelle had said the males would disy, she hadn''t been exaggerating. One even stripped down to what she could only describe as a loin-cloth and began to dance.


    The urge tough closed her throat and brought tears to her eyes. For a moment she closed them, wondering if this was all some stupid, erotic dream her frustrated body had conjured because she wanted Zev so badly.


    But no. When she opened her eyes, the men were all still there, and she was still walking slowly through them¡ªand now she could feel eyes on the back of her neck.


    Eyes that yearned and burned. Eyes that she knew, if she turned, were the brightest blue, outlined in another blue so dark it was almost ck. Eyes that shone in the dark because they picked up so much light. And that sat in the most handsome face she''d ever seen, over a chiseled jaw that she yearned to curl her fingers into again.


    Thoughts of Zev had her turning her head to find him, hear heart beating faster, and that space between her thighs throbbing when her mind turned back to way he''d kissed her in the fox hole. To how close she''de to¡ª


    "No, Sasha!" her favorite voice growled from somewhere behind her. She turned to find him, to ask with her eyes, when Zev''s voice bloomed in her mind: You can''t let yourself get aroused¡ªit will only encourage them!


    Sasha blinked as something shifted in the crowd, and suddenly the males pulled in around her, closer, their eyes predatory.

 Chapter 109 - Predators

    READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you so much for your support and encouragement, @Cindi_127! You''re a blessing. I hope you enjoy this!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Watching those males touch her and stroke her, whisper in her ear, leaving their scents on her, it had all conspired to make every muscle in his body tense and his jaw ache because he clenched it so hard his teeth wanted to crack.


    He''d stayed at the back, behind thest line of males to watch over her and make sure she remained safe. But it was costing him more energy to hold himself back, to not roar into the fray and beat all these males away from her.


    Then Joyte ran his nose along her jaw and she startled¡ªout of fear or difort.


    A low growl began in Zev''s chest and several of the males in front of him flinched. They were low enough ranked to be forced to acknowledge him, and they knew that sound. Knew that it meant he was on the edge of violence.


    They submitted their positions in the pack and let him draw closer, deeper into the crowd, until he was only a few rows behind her.


    He shouldn''t be there. He knew he shouldn''t. Dunken had hissed at him to leave when this began. But this was only going to get worse. But he couldn''t remain so far away when she was uncertain. He couldn''t let her feel that he''d abandoned her to it. The males wouldn''t harm her, he knew. But he also knew in her world that those touches, this kind of uninvited attention, would be cause for rm. She needed to know she had someone there who understood, and would help if it became too much for her.


    The lower ranked males had already given away and those who stepped forward now were bing bolder¡ªone even danced. He was beautiful in his forms, and his body an excellent example. In any other circumstance Zev would haveughed, knowing how the male impressed the Chimera, yet left Sasha baffled. She stepped beyond him without a word,pletely unaware that that simple gesture had just kicked thepetitive nature of each of the males into overdrive.


    She was a true challenge, and the pack blood boiled for her.


    But none of them knew her as he did. They misunderstood her signs because they read her as they would read a Chimera.


    Her averted eyes and hurried dismissals were difort¡ªthat tang in her scent, frustration and a de of fear. But the males took it as if she sought someone else. As if she had not yet found the male that could hold her attention.


    Which, he supposed, was true. Because the attention she wanted was his.


    He let himself linger on her then, watching the back of her neck as she hesitated, looking for a way forward while all the males inched closer.


    His teeth set against the desire to leap into the crowd and fight for her, he only watched. Caressed her hair with his eyes.


    She dropped her chin and her shoulders rose and fell, as if she''d taken a deep breath. Had they been alone, he might have whined, to feel her pain with her¡ªto let her know that she was not alone. To encourage her not to give up.


    But then the entire pack froze as her scent rose among them, tantalizing and sweet.


    The hair on the back of Zev''s neck stood up as every male around him tensed.


    No.


    That musky, gorgeous aroma of her wanting, the scent he''d been bathed in back in the fox hole¡ªhis favorite smell in the world, but not here. Not now.


    He almost said her name, had to swallow the word. But then her scent spiked and despair broke in his chest.


    "No, Sasha!" he snarled under his breath. Too quiet, he thought, for her to hear him. But she startled and looked over her shoulder, searching for him, he was certain.


    And as the males closest to her began to pant, he growled in her head, ''You can''t let yourself get aroused¡ªit will only encourage them!''


    But it was toote. Toote.


    Zev growled again¡ªand rose into a snarl when the males behind were drawn forward. They fell back again, submitting, but it wasn''t enough.


    The males nearest her, those of higher rank, had caught the wind of her desire now, and they closed in, jostling each other, snapping and whining as they wrestled to get closer.


    Sasha gasped when a fight broke out between two, just feet from her, pulling back in fright until she ran into other males on her other side and disappeared from his view behind them. Had she tripped? Or been embraced?


    Zev cursed under his breath.


    None of the males would hurt her¡ªthey wanted her to see their strength, their willingness to provide, their capability¡ªbut in her world this would look like chaos. It would look like the lone female was at highest risk.


    And the truth was, he couldn''t discount it. The males had no desire to hurt or rm her, but when their instincts took over and they began to fight with real intent? If they shifted and fought as wolves? Sasha would not respond as a Chimera female¡ªshe would not stay in ce to watch, examine how the males dominated one another.


    Sasha would try to escape and in so doing, might put herself in the path of others who fought, or hadn''t realized she was so close.


    Zev''s heart thundered in his chest. He snarled again¡ªnot holding back, warning any who were close that the Alpha was there and would not ept any harm to her, for any reason.


    But he was no longer surrounded by the weak males. He''d ventured into those who were ranked, and highly sought. Those who could look at Alpha in the eye and own their own strength before him.


    Those who knew he hadn''t yet earned back his authority.


    Around him a dozen males whipped to face him, their snarls answering his.


    "No!" Sasha cried when she saw their attention shift and followed their gazes to Zev. "Don''t fight!"


    But none of the males would heed that. Zev stood, feet shoulder width apart, hands out from his sides, eyes darting to see how would be the first to challenge him¡ªbecause it was toote to avoid now, he knew.


    Heart sinking in his chest¡ªand mming against his ribs because she was his!¡ªhe readied for the assault, eyeing the nearby males and measuring who was lowest among them.


    "Who''s first," he barked, flexing his hands and sinking his weight lower so he could move quick as lightening.


    Two males eyes shed and one opened his mouth. Zev was beginning to turn, to face the first contender, when a familiar voice rose, t and drawling, from Sasha''s other side.


    "I am," Lhars said. "Enough of this hierarchy bullshit, Zev.. You want her? You have to get through me."

 Chapter 110 - At Each Other鈥檚 Throats

    ~ SASHA ~


    When the fight broke out just a few feet away, it was reflex to flinch away. But she''d tripped, disappearing into the forest of thick, muscr bodies and headed for the dirt, until her arms were caught by strong male hands, holding her elbow and upper arm until she found her feet again.


    It wasn''t until she straightened and pushed her hair back off her face with an embarrassed, reflexive "Thank you," that she realized who''d caught her.


    Lhars stood over her, his hands still on her arms, his hair falling over his eyes so that he peered through it over the knowing smile on his angr face¡ªa face just as handsome as Zev, she realized, but slightly thinner, slightly harder.


    Where Zev was a lion, Lhars was the fox. Though she doubted either of them would appreciate theparisons.


    Then her stomach sank, because she realized she''d thanked him without thinking, and that was probably one of things Zev had meant about not giving them anything.


    She straightened quickly and pulled her arms out of his grip. He let her go, but his smile widened.


    He seemedpletely unconcerned with the snapping, snarling fight that was taking ce just feet away, instead tilting his head and holding her gaze.


    She couldn''t ignore him, she remembered. But she had to be very careful not to smile. Or¡­ invite him closer.


    She swallowed.


    "Very good, Sasha," Lhars murmured below the level of noise from the crowd. "He''s watching."


    "They''re all watching," she snapped back.


    She''d meant it as a warning to him¡ªbut a quick scan of the nearby males revealed why Lhars'' smile had broadened further.


    "That''s because they know they don''t stand a chance against me," he said, his voice a low, husky growl, softened only by the smile.


    "Thest time I heard a line like that I was twelve and the boys were fighting over a candy-bar," she sneered.


    But far from being put off by her hostility¡ªor offended¡ªLhars only raised a single eyebrow in a question. "A¡­ candbar? That is¡­ a sweet?" he said good-naturedly.


    "Chocte," she conceded, off-bnce because he wasn''t responding the way she expected, and she wasn''t sure what to do to make her intentions clear.


    "Theparison is not ttering to you, Sasha. You should value yourself so much more highly than a simple snack¡ªeven a tasty one," he quipped and Sasha wanted to scream. He was supposed to be able to see that she didn''t want him¡­ not act like he was volleying flirtation back to her!


    He leaned closer, "You have probably observed by now that we males never truly grow up¡­ we simply be more discerning about the treats we''re willing to fight for," he said slyly. But then his face turned serious. "Are you certain, Sasha, that my brother is the male you want? The male you need?"


    "Yes," she said without hesitation, warning him with her eyes. But he didn''t let her continue.


    "Don''t be angry," he said softly. "I stepped in to gain you some breathing room." Then he opened a hand to indicate the crowd.


    Sasha blinked and looked around. He was right¡ªall the males that had been closing in on her, whose eyes had gleamed, and their bodies leaned in, had all stopped moving closer. Were giving them space. She stood toe-to-toe with Lhars, but the wall of males around her had edged back to give them room.


    She didn''t know whether to thank him, or scream in fear. But before she could decide, the guys nearby all turned their heads and, grateful for a reason to look away from Lhars, Sasha turned too.


    Adrenalin flooded her veins when she followed their gazes to find Zev, hunched and ring at a huddle of at least ten men closing in around him.


    "No!" she cried. "Don''t fight!"


    He was braced and cocky, his eyes narrowed and hands held out from his sides.


    "Who''s first," Zev barked, flexing his hands and sinking his weight lower so he could move quick as lightening.


    Sasha''s hands flew to cover her mouth¡ªhe couldn''t do this! They were going to kill him! Even he''d admitted that having too many of them at once was a death sentence, it was why he''d let her walk into this.


    She opened her mouth to call to him, to beg him not to fight, when that familiar drawl sounded from right beside her.


    "I am," Lhars snapped loudly. "Enough of this hierarchy bullshit, Zev. You want her? You have to get through me."


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    It was a stunning move from his brother¡ªone Sasha wouldn''t understand, he was sure. One that threw Zev into a world of confusion.


    As Alpha of the wolf pack, to even speak to Zev was to acknowledge him¡ªwhich meant that all the wolves had to. It immediately strengthened Zev''s position in the pack. And then to challenge him instead of allowing the others to kill Zev off for him?


    With that one statement, Lhars had simultaneously dered his interest in Sasha, acknowledged Zev as a contender for her, and stopped any other male stepping between them, and because he''d challenged Zev directly instead of leaving Zev to challenge him, essentially cing himself as the lower wolf on the hierarchy.


    Why was his brother helping him?


    Zev straightened, gaping at Lhars as the wolves between them all drew back, opening the path between the two Alphas, their pants of desire shifting to bloodlust.


    Disappointed thought they might be, they couldn''t wait to see who would win, and who might die.


    Sadness throbbed in Zev''s chest that it hade to this. That his brother''s rage and jealousy might force Zev to end his life if he didn''t submit. For a moment he almost grieved, almost conceded his gratitude, though it would have strengthened his brother''s authority.


    But then Lhars smiled and drew a single finger down the outside of Sasha''s arm. A gentle touch¡ªand highly possessive.


    As Sasha yanked her arm back, rage and power exploded in Zev''s chest. He flowed forward snarling, "It''s your funeral."


    *****


    DID YOU WANT TO CHAT OUTSIDE OF WEBNOVEL, OR FIND MY OTHER BOOKS? Head over to linktr.ee/aimeelynn to find me on various social media, or get direct links to my other books!

 Chapter 111 - Time To Believe

    If you like listening to music while you read, try "Trials" by Starset when you''re listening to this scene and the following chapter. It''s the song I listened to while writing!


    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev prowled forward, chin low and eyes shining with the glint of death, stealing Sasha''s breath because she''d never seen him look like such a¡­ predator.


    For a blink she saw him as others must¡ªthe honed body, the determined set of his jaw, the light in his eyes that rippled with the mes violence. She saw how his massive body flowed like water across the space between he and his brother, in the same moment his brother left her side and rippled across the space to meet him.


    She wasn''t sure what she expected¡ªa handshake? A discussion? A referee? So her entire body startled when neither of them broke stride, but glided together¡ªZev stretching, one foot shing in the exact spot Lhar''s head had been just a blink before.


    Somehow Lhars dropped his upper body and whirled to bring his own foot up in a sh, straight for Zev''s temple¡ªbut Zev had already ducked to throw a whip-quick jab at Lhars'' ribs while his brother was stretched into the kick. Lhars blocked the blow, but with a grunt, and the two danced back away from each other, to prowl in a circle, their eyes locked¡ªtwin near-ck hair, twin blue eyes, though Lhars'' were more a stormy ocean to Zev''s bright and sunny skies.


    They were exactly the same height and breadth¡ªfrom the back as they circled, Sasha would have struggled to tell them apart. But there was something sharper about Lhars, something harder¡ªboth in his face and his way of carrying himself.


    Zev looked deadly, but leashed. As if violence was an answer to an unsettling question within him. While Lhars¡­ Lhars seemed to quiver with joy as he measured his brother for a mortal blow.


    These impressions passed through Sasha in a few seconds as the two men circled each other, then Sasha''s stomach jolted as Lhars lifted a leg faster than Sasha could see him move. But the jerk was feinting, his eyes widening as Zev took the bait, throwing his own foot high to snap first for Lhar''s head, then his side¡ªand when Lhars blocked his foot, Zev thrust a fist at Lhar''s side.


    Their arms and feet pped and thudded with the impact of their blows and blocks, and Sasha felt sick.


    Then Zev, his body positioned side-on and arms defending his side and chest, threw another whip-quick kick at Lhar''s head.


    Lhars dropped to a squat, following Zev up as he straightened, with an uppercut aimed straight for Zev''s chin.


    Impossibly face, Zev''s head and shoulders rolled back to give the swing space and, as he found his bnce, his hands snapped out to block two quick jabs to the face.


    They both turned into whirling tornadoes then, Lhars'' leg swinging around as his body seemed to hang in the air until he unleashed a kick straight for Zev''s face¡ªwhile Zev turned and dropped so it whistled over his head.


    Then both were on the balls of their feet and dancing away again, their eyes promising death.


    Sasha swore. They were so fast. So incredibly quick, it was only as she reviewed it in her mind that she could even take in what was happening.


    "Someone''s going to get killed," she murmured, hands both clenched at her sides. "He has to stop¡ª"


    But a firm hand caught her upper arm before she could even move and she snapped her head around, expecting to find one of these strangers holding her, but instead finding Dunken had slid between the wolves to her side. He met her eyes and shook her head.


    "You can do nothing but distract him and make death more likely," he said firmly. "This had to happen at some point if Zev was going to win you. His brother honors him by acknowledging him. They will fight, and they will hurt each other, then it will be over. This is what it means to be Chimera, Sasha-don. Watch and learn."


    Her jaw dropped. "I''m supposed to just sit here and watch the love of my life get¡­ get¡­ pummeled, maybe killed in front of me?"


    "Yes," he said baldly. "You would dishonor him if you imply he needed help to win. You would diminish him if you try to stop the fight¡ªas if he cannot handle it. Not to mention that you would be suggesting you believe Lhars will win¡ªand putting yourself in Lhars'' hands. Is that what you want?"


    "No! I want them to not fight! I want them to realize that Zev is mine and I''m his and¡ª"


    "They will see that. After this," Dunken said softly, his voice velvet covered steel. "You cannot change the need for this, Sasha. I understand that in your world males do this for show more than truth. But here¡­ here we understand the value of dominance. If Zev is to help the Chimera, he must prove his worth."


    "I already know his worth! He doesn''t have to fight to have my value!"


    "It''s not your honor he''s fighting for. It''s his own. He will not see himself as deserving of you if he does not win."


    "What?! But¡ª"


    "Hush," Dunken said, turning back to watch the fight. "Watch. Learn."


    Sasha shook with indignation and¡­ something she couldn''t quite put her finger on. The sense that she was misunderstood, that something in this was wrong and she was being silenced for it. But there was also an uneasiness in her chest¡­ what if Zev did lose? Even the best fighters could make a mistake, or slip. He already had sore ribs. And Lhars looked like he''d had a full night''s sleep and was enjoying himself.


    What if Lhars won, what then?


    "I can smell your doubt, Sasha," Dunken muttered, his eyes darting around the circle of men that surrounded them. "Do not dishonor Zev. He needs every support he can get."


    She turned on him to tell him where he could put his criticisms of her¡ªconcern was only realistic! But then she saw his eyes, fixed on her, pleading, and firm.


    "In our culture," he exined, "Alpha power and authorityes from within. You are born with it, or you aren''t. But it is bolstered by the confidence of others. Do you believe in him, Sasha?"


    "Of course!" she hissed.


    "Then do not focus on your doubts, focus on that," Dunken said turning away again. "The strength of your belief will feed his power. Watch."


    Sasha frowned. How could the strength of her belief have any bearing on whether Zev was faster and stronger than his brother?


    But for once, she kept her mouth shut. It seemed like every time she opened it here she was saying the wrong thing. If Dunken and the others believed that her believing in Zev could turn this fight in his favor, then she was going to believe more than anyone present.


    She turned back to the circling brothers just as they flowed together, sending her heart into her throat.


    But her heart beat for Zev, and in case it mattered, she did focus on that, remembering all the ways she''d seen Zev out-fight and out-wit those men that came after them the other night. He was a weapon, and a powerful one.


    She willed him to show Lhars just how powerful he could be.

 Chapter 112 - Challenger

    (23 Dec) THANK YOU for your support of this book! To show you I mean it, you get EIGHT chapters tonight! I hope you enjoy! Merry Christmas from me to you!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    His brother still moved like a snake. And like Zev, the past three years had done nothing but add to his strength and speed. As they threw themselves together again, Zev smiled grimly when he realized his fears had been unfounded. His time with the humans hadn''t blunted his instincts. He was still able to see his brother''s attacksing.


    Lhars flowed forward, throwing both hands in thrusts for Zev''s chin in a one-two that, if they had connected, would have dropped him like a stone. A human likely couldn''t even have seen Lhar''s hands move before the victim was on the floor. But Zev ducked his head and brought his shoulders up to block¡ªone, two¡ªthen dropped his entire upper body to duck when Lhars added a jab for his temple.


    Swinging himself to the side, Zev threw a low right hook, then a left, but Lhars twisted, blocking first with his elbow, then grabbing Zev''s arm and turning, ending with Zev''s shoulder forced down under his free hand while Zev grunted at the sparkling pain that shot through his still-healing ribs at the forced extension.


    Quicker than lightning, Lhars tried to bring a knee up into Zev''s face, but Zev gave a knife-hand to his thigh and Lhars cried out, flinching. Using the split-second his brother was undefended, Zev twisted his body, whipping his free elbow back, into his brother''s side, then whirled to break the grip Lhars had on his shoulder and arm.


    Lhars saw himing and ducked, cursing at losing his advantage, but not stupid enough to drop his guard again¡ªbut when he tried to block, Zev sped his arm and continued the turn until he''d reversed their positions and stood behind Lhars, his brother''s arm and shoulder locked in his grip.


    There was no time to think or n¡ªor soothe his painful ribs. His body flowed from one move to the next, from strike, to thrust, to block, to kick¡ªand Lhars did as well.


    Then he got his brother''s upper body low¡ªstill unable to break Zev''s grip on his arm¡ªand tried to keep him extended, to kick him in the face to knock him out. But Lhar''s onlyughed and turned into Zev''s body, rushing him, his shoulder plowing into Zev''s stomach and bearing him backwards, off his feet.


    Zev stumbled and almost fell, crying out when he caught his weight on his fingertips to keep himself upright, and the odd angle jolted his ribs again. He heard a horrified gasp from Sasha behind him, but he couldn''t afford to take his attention off his brother for a single second as Lhars pulled him around and into a headlock from behind.


    His arm stuck out awkwardly from his side, levered up by Lhars'' arm curled under his armpit then snaked up in front of his neck. Then Lhars sped his shoulder with the other hand, bearing down on his neck with his one forearm, forcing Zev''s throat to pinch forward, into Lhars'' other wrist.


    Zev grimaced, his oxygen already restricted. Then his brother began to squeeze and Zev felt one of his ribs pop. He groaned. The grips Lhars had meant Zev couldn''t release without injuring his brother¡ªand probably himself.


    He had to end this. He had to. But the question was, how? Did he want to kill his brother, who had always been a pain in the ass, and more cunning than kind?


    Yet, Lhars apparently was subverting Xar''s work with the human Team. And he''d helped Zev by challenging him directly¡ªced himself lower, and forcing the entire wolf pack to acknowledge Zev again. It wasn''t an ident. It was a choice his brother had made.


    Not to mention that they were both still in human form.


    "You didn''t¡­ shift," Zev grunted, fighting Lhar''s grip at his throat.


    "Neither did you," his brother growled through his teeth.


    "You spoke¡­ to me¡­ first."


    "A mistake I regret," Lhars snarled. "Now submit, so I don''t have to snap your neck."


    Zev snorted a single huff ofughter¡ªthat cut off when his brother pushed his head down even harder to cut of his air almostpletely.


    He had seconds before he lost strength¡ªand possibly consciousness¡ªand Lhars knew it.


    "I don''t¡­ want¡­ alpha of¡­ wolves," Zev croaked.


    "I wasn''t nning on giving it to you," Lhars sneered, and several of the males behind them roared withughter.


    "If¡­ you submit¡­ I''ll ask¡­ only that you¡­ you help me¡­ ovee Xar."


    "You won''t be asking anything with your spine snapped. Submit, Zev," Lhars growled. "You''re already acknowledged. You can take your ce in the pack and leave the female to me, I''ll make sure to keep her pleas¡ª"


    "She''s mine," Zev growled, reaching back behind his neck to grasp the wrist braced there with one hand, while he snapped the other arm straight up and dropped his entire bodyweight down, pulling an unsuspecting Lhars with him and breaking the grip he had around Zev''s chest.


    As he sucked in a deep breath, Zev snapped that high elbow straight down and into his brother''s ribs.


    Lhars grunted and pitched forward to meet the backhand Zev threw up right into his nose.


    With a cry of pain, Lhars lost his grippletely, trying to push Zev away so he could scramble back and find his bearings again despite a nose bleeding like water, and eyes brimming with tears. But Zev knew this was his only chance. He had to finish his brother, finish the question of his own dominance, or he would end up dogpiled by the entire pack and brought down like a running deer.


    Using the grip he still held on his brother''s wrist, he leaned forward to snap tension between them, then pushed his hip into his brother''s groin and yanked Lhars forward, over his thigh.


    Lhars, still blinded by the blow to his face, cartwheeled over and thudded to the ground with a groan¡ªand a hiss from the watching crowd who knew what they had just seen.


    Zev stood over his brother whoid in the dirt, cursing and spitting blood. Zev was still holding Lhar''s wrist, the arm twisted so that if Lhars put any tension on it, it would snap. Even so, his brother didn''t submit, writhing, his face covered in blood from his nose, his eyes streaming.


    Zev waited until he quieted and opened his eyes and they stared at each other for a long moment.


    Zev''s chest heaved, his ribs jangling with pain at every deep inhale, from the effort of the fight¡ªand with a measure of fear. He did not want to kill his brother, he realized. But he would if it was what it took to keep Sasha from him.


    "Submit," he snarled.


    Lhars red at him. Zev twisted his wrist further, to the very edge of snapping the bones in the join. Lhars gritted his teeth against the pain, but his heels drummed on the ground.


    "Vow that you will remove the humans from us! Vow it!" Lhars spat.


    "I will free the Chimera of any power or person that seeks to oppress us!" Zev snarled. "Now, submit!"


    Lhars stared at him a moment longer, then closed his eyes and let his head fall to the side, breaking eye-contact and softening his posture in submission.


    Zev groaned with relief and dropped his grip on his brother''s arm, turning, still panting, to find Sasha staring at him, wide eyed over her hands.


    "You don''t have to avoid me anymore, beautiful," he wheezed, holding his painful side. "I''m staking my im. If you''ll have me."


    Sasha broke away from Dunken and ran to throw herself into his chest.


    He grunted with the impact to his ribs.. But he pulled her in tighter because he wouldn''t exchange the pain for anything less than the sweet, sweet smell of her¡­ and her utter conviction that he was going to win.

 Chapter 113 - In Your Arms

    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha ran to Zev and threw herself into his chest, fighting tears of relief. When his hands pressed into the small of her back, pulling her close, she let go of a huge breath she''d been holding.


    For a moment they just held each other, then she lifted her head to meet his eyes and found him staring down at her, his gorgeous blue eyes prating¡ªand sparkling with delight.


    "Is that a yes, then?" he murmured yfully.


    "Yes! I mean, yes! Yes!" she repeated, turning to face the crowd still milling close and staring. "Zev is my mate. He''s the one I want! I choose him!"


    Zev chuckled, the warm rich sound vibrating under her palm on his chest, and she turned back. "Is that it? Can you stop fighting now?"


    "Not quite," he said, the smile falling from his face. "But things are looking up, definitely."


    "Always the optimist," Lhars muttered from the dirt at their feet.


    Sasha almost kicked him, but as he pushed himself up to sit, shaking his hair out of his eyes Zev let go of her with one hand and leaned down to help him up.


    Lhars stared at the proffered hand for a moment, then took it with a sigh and let Zev pull him to his feet.


    Once again the two brothers stood almost chest to chest, staring at each other. Sasha didn''t miss that Zev had pulled her more to his side, giving himself room to step between them if Lhars did anything to her.


    But his brother just sighed again. "Congrattions, Zev," he said. "The infamous Sasha is finally here, and likely to be yours. Now all you have¡ª"


    "Likely?" Sasha eximed. "What do you mean, likely? I just told you, I choose him. He chose me, and I choose him. That''s the end of it, right?"


    Lhars stared at her for a moment, his face a frozen mask, as if he couldn''t let whatever he felt show on his face. Then he turned back to Zev. "We need to call the council."


    Zev nodded once, his hand at her waist tightening again. He was keeping her pinned to his side, and she was happy to be there, clinging to his waist with an iron grip.


    "Lupine!" Lhars barked suddenly, and every man in the clearing stood to attention. "Submit to your new Alpha, Zev, and his chosen mate, Sasha!"


    A single howl rose mournfully into the darkened sky, but when it was repeated, the entire crowd¡ªa hundred men or more¡ªraised their howls with it.


    Then, to Sasha''s surprise, the men all dropped to one knee, their heads bowed.


    But Zev frowned and growled, "Get up. I am Alpha, not King¡ªI do not require worship. Get up!"


    The men all looked at each other, then got to their feet, popping up, looking at Zev suspiciously, as if it might be a trick.


    But the anger on his face was real. "I don''t know what''s happened since I''ve been gone. But you all know me. You know how I rule¡ªhow I will rule. I do not require your devotion, only your respect. Whatever has been asked of you," he gave a quick nce to Lhars, that made Lhars frown, "now you are free. Live your lives. Choose your paths. You answer to me only if you harm others, or resist the hierarchy."


    A chorus of barks and howls rose then, with many of the men pping their hands, or nodding.


    But almost as many didn''t.


    Zev scanned the crowd, his eyes narrowing. "You have heard things today that are false¡ªabout my motives, and my actions. And I give you my word that I will tell you the whole story. You will hear from my own mouth what is true and what isn''t. Right now, I need to meet with my chosen mate, and the council. I will exin myself to them and learn what has happened in my absence.


    "Tomorrow we will conve after dinner. Meet on thekeside. Those of you who still have mates or families, bring them. Let us all celebrate and begin finding our strength as a pack again!"


    A roar of approval met that statement, though Sasha could still see groups of men in clusters that weren''t smiling, or joining in the celebrations of the others. She looked up at Zev and saw him marking some of them. His hand tightened on her waist again.


    "Nothing will change in your daily lives on my ount," he called when the noise had settled. "Lhars and your council will remain in ce until the hierarchy is settled. Do not be concerned. I don''t take Alpha to throw your lives into turmoil again."


    There was another murmur of approval, but then a deep voice rose from somewhere in the crowd. "So you say, but you imed loyalty to us as Alpha of the ns three years ago, too."


    Zev''s face dragged for the dirt. Sasha gripped his waist and squeezed to offerfort. He looked so sad. "I understand that with all that''s happened, you feel¡­ uncertain. I will not remove Lhars from daily leadership. You can continue to follow him and assume his orders are mine. Once I have cleared the path with the leaders, I will speak with you all tomorrow and hopefully¡­ hopefully you can forgive me what needs forgiving. And forget the lies. But for now I need to speak with my chosen mate, and the council. And Skhal. Is he here?"


    There was a murmuring moment where everyone looked around, obviously searching for the man he''d named. But he wasn''t found apparently.


    Zev turned back to Lhars. "Can you find him? I want him there. Call the Council to my cave and bring Skhal as well. I want everyone to hear what he''s saying."


    Lhar''s jaw tightened, but he nodded once, then turned, limping into the crowd, growling at a couple young men to follow him and muttering instruction to them as he walked.


    Then Zev looked at Dunken who had approached. "I''m sorry, friend," Zev said quietly. "I can''t bring you to a pack council."


    Dunken nodded. "Just don''t forget me when you''re in a position to bring us all together," he said tonelessly. "We share a vision."


    Zev nodded and sped his hand. "Thank you for your help today. This hasn''t gone as I expected, but I suspect we wouldn''t have got this far without you."


    Dunken shrugged. "Only the Creator knows."


    Zev''s lips thinned, but he nodded tightly, then started to walk, pulling Sasha with him by the hand.


    "Where are we going?" she asked as he hurried her through the crowd, all the males following them with their eyes¡ªsome reaching out to brush Zev as he passed, others faces frozen.


    We need to get out of here before any of the other n Alphas hear about this and decide to challenge me, he said in her head. And I need to get you alone.


    Sasha hurried faster.

 Chapter 114 - Chosen

    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev tugged her through the crowd, epting the submission and the wary nces as they passed most of the wolf poption.


    He would prove himself to them again. He would. But just then he needed to Sasha out and away. He needed to smell her and touch her and hold her, remind himself that she was his, and prove himself to her. Because this was going to get harder before it got easier.


    They broke through thest of the crowd and he rushed her, jogging, through the vige towards the trail that would take them to his cave. It was work not to be impatient as she hurried after him, gripping his hand like a vice. But her breath was heaving and by Chimera standards, she set a snail''s pace. If they didn''t speed up, they weren''t going to get any time in the cave to themselves, because Lhars would have located everyone and brought them there before they even reached it.


    Zev halted suddenly, and Sasha staggered to a standstill, her chest heaving, but her eyes were bright and there was a small smile on her face.


    Then he dropped to squat in front of her, giving her his back. "Hop on," he said, pointing to his own shoulder.


    Her eyebrows popped up, but then she beamed. "Like when we were kids!"


    He nodded and couldn''t help beaming back. "Yes, exactly."


    She scrambled onto his back and he gripped her thighs, bouncing her higher so her head was over his shoulder and her arms around his neck. "Ready?"


    "Sure," she giggled. "I feel like I''m about five, but¡ªgah!"


    She squealed as he took off in a run, her arms and knees tightening on him. Had anyone else''s arm pressed on his neck like that he might have snarled. It would have been instinctive to remove the threat. But with her¡­ with her it didn''t matter. He trusted her and knew she''d never try to hurt him. Her hands at his throat were a gift. It meant she was there, finally.


    He couldn''t make the trip as quickly in human form as he would in the wolf, but he didn''t think she was quite ready for that kind of piggy-back yet, so he clung to her and ran, keeping her body as tight against his own as he could so she wouldn''t be jostled too terribly.


    "How¡­ far is it?" she asked in his ear after they''d been running for some time, her voice shaking in time with his pounding steps.


    "Another ten minutes," he said quickly. "I need to get you away so there''s no risk of another challenge. I''ll have to meet with the Council soon, but¡­ I just needed to be with you."


    "I''m d," she breathed in his ear, her grip tightening again. "Can we be together now? I don''t want to be alone anymore, Zev."


    The words were so in and spoke such volumes to him, he almost stopped running to put her on her feet and kiss her and prove to her she never would be again. But he knew they didn''t have much time.


    Curling his fingers into the back of her thigh, he said, "You won''t be, Sasha. Not if I have any choice in it. I promise."


    He felt her tense then and remembered other promises, other times. She didn''t know he''d still kept his promise to her¡ªshe thought he''d given up.


    "When I left¡­ I never really left¡­ Sasha," he said, his breathinging heavier now from running and carrying her.


    "What d-do you mean?"


    "It was part of the deal that they protect you¡­ I got reports on where you were and what you were doing. They kept security tails on you in case there was ever danger. And when I came back to the human world, I was able to¡­ put stuff in ce. So if I ever needed to get you out like this, I could."


    "You were stalking me?!" Her voice got really high at the end.


    Zev snorted. "No. I never snuck into your apartment to watch you sleep, or anything like that." Though it had been tempting at times. He could have done it. "I never listened to your phone calls, or anything. I just¡­ made sure you always had someone close enough to help you if you needed it."


    "And apparently close enough¡­ to have guys in the p-parking lot of the buildings¡­ next to my best friend''s apartment?"


    "They did that for me, not you," he muttered, turning on the trail to head deeper into the forest. They''d reach the cave soon. "That guy was watching for me."


    "And the ones that followed us?"


    "They were following me¡ªbut they targeted you when they realized you were why I was there," he said reluctantly.


    She didn''t respond to that immediately and he let her chew it over before he gave her more.


    "It was part of the deal that I ran your security detail when I came back. I mean, I''m sure Nick did stuff I don''t know about. But I''ve been as close as I could be without actually making contact, Sash. I''ve been keeping you safe, like I said I would. Remember those two guys in the parking lot when you went to that concertst year?"


    She gasped, "That was you?"


    "No, our guys took them. When they started following you and your friend, our guys watched and followed. And when you told them to leave you alone and they moved away, they were circling around. They were going to try and intercept you before you made it in the doors. Our guys took them."


    "Seriously?"


    "Seriously."


    "What did they d-do to them? I mean¡­ they were just assholes. Not¡­ not¡­ what were they?"


    "One had a record for sexual assault, and the other had a pending warrant for aggravated robbery. They weren''t good guys, Sash. I made sure they''d nevere anywhere near you again."


    "How?"


    Zev blew out a breath and took thest turn in the trail before the stretch up to the cave. "They might believe that their actions that night put them under FBI scrutiny," he said carefully.


    "You work for the FBI?!" she gasped.


    "No! But¡­ most people don''t know the difference. When guys with technology and surveince footage talk likew enforcement, people make assumptions."


    "So¡­ your guys aren''t¡­ part of the FBI or something?"


    "No."


    "Who are they then? G-government officials?"


    "No," he said again tightly. "They are¡­ powerful people. The kind of people that tell governments what to do¡­ but you don''t have to worry about that here, Sash. There''s no government in Thana."


    She was quiet for another minute as Zev pushed up the incline towards the cave, weaving around the boulders and trees that hid the trail from below, until they reached the cave mouth and he finally slowed to let her down from his back.


    He was panting, though not sweating. Sasha was a little shaky getting to her feet, but he noticed she never stopped touching him¡ªa hand on his back, or his arm. Their sides brushing when she turned to look at the cave.


    "It''s not much," he said. "But it will keep us dry and warm until I take you hometer."


    Then her eyes snapped up to him and her scent flushed with warmth.. "As long as you''re with me, Zev¡­ I don''t think I care."

 Chapter 115 - Questions About Brothers

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    The cave was beautiful and natural¡­ and creepy as all get out. The walls were a beautiful, textured stone, molded by time and its infinite dwellers into a rtively smooth floor with an arched space peppered with tiny alcoves and ripples... that probably hid insects. Or... oh, fuck... bats?


    Sasha had to force herself not to shudder bodily when there was a rustle at the back of the cave, in its shadowy depths, that startled her. Zev told her not to worry, it was just a few rats.


    "I haven''t had time to clean up yet from the carnage Lhars left while I was gone," Zev said, shaking out a fur, thenying it on the hard stone of the floor and gesturing for her to sit.


    Unlike in the vige homes that reminded her of lodges or cabins back home, everything here seemed dusty or dry¡ªan old ce, falling apart. The few jars and dishes she could see were piled neatly, but there was little furniture to speak of, and the furs she could see arranged in a bed at the back looked old and ragged.


    There was a fire pit at the center with a pile of ashes and charred wood at its center. A soft glow emanated from it, but little heat.


    "So¡­" she said as she settled cross-legged onto the fur he''did out next to it, looking around nervously. "Why are we here? What''s going to happen now?"


    Zev immediately joined her on the fur and took her hand. "I''ve made my im, and you''ve epted," he said with a delighted grin that made Sasha forget about the threat of cave spiders, and want to bask in that smile like it was the sun. "Unless I''m challenged again, you''re mine." His voice had gotten very deep.


    He''d just settled, his elbow on one knee, the other knee bent and folded in front of him. He reached for her hand and something electric crackled in his gaze.


    Sasha leaned closer. "I am yours, Zev," she said quietly. "God help me."


    He chuckled, but she felt the tension in him. He stared at their hands, twisting his palm against hers so he could line their fingers up, thence them together. "Well, Lhars did me a favor tonight, though I don''t know why."


    "Lhars did? How?"


    "By challenging me."


    "How did that help you?"


    Zev shook his head in apparent disbelief. "It was an acknowledgement, first of all. Because he outranks all the other wolves, by speaking to me he forced them all to see me. And then on top of that, he challenged for you. He should have waited for me toe for you, to challenge him to show his strength because he didn''t have to look for the fight. But because I was still cast out, when I starteding for you, the others were turning on me. They would have defeated me¡­" he trailed off, his brows pinched together and face tight.


    Sasha swallowed, seeing the shadow of death on his face. She''d had no idea it was that close. "Why would he do that?" she asked carefully. "I mean, don''t get me wrong, I''m d he did. But why didn''t the others just go after you anyway, if he was in charge and didn''t need to fight?"


    "This world isn''t like the human world, Sasha," Zev said.


    Sasha snorted, swallowing back hysterical giggles again as all the impossible, crazy things she''d seen in the past two days flipped through her head like some kind of bad acid trip. "I''ve noticed."


    Zev smiled easily and traced his thumb across the back of her hand. "Here, power is all. The hierarchy¡ªwho''s in charge of who¡­ that''s the rule we live by. So unless you know your ce in it, you''re adrift."


    "And your ce is Alpha of the wolves now."


    He nodded thoughtfully.


    "The thing I don''t understand is, in my world when someone''s powerful, other people protect them so they don''t have to fight. Because they''re valuable. If Lhars was in charge, why didn''t he just tell the others to finish you off for him?"


    "He didn''t have to tell them. They were going to do it. He did the opposite¡ªhe stopped them."


    "How? Why?"


    Zev sighed, frowning. "Well, the how is: As soon as he challenged me, the others had to back off and give him his shot¡ªbecause he was Alpha. In this world, you be powerful by being strong¡ªeither physically or in your mind. And when you want to demonstrate that¡­ no one should stop you. Alphas increase their power by defeating others. As soon as he dered his intention to fight me for you, he saved me from the others. Their wills are submitted to his as Alpha. So they stepped down. On top of that, he stayed in human form."


    "Why is that important?"


    "Usually it''s a sign that whoever challenged isn''t challenging to the death. When two Alpha''s fight, whoever stepped up to make the challenge will approach in human form and once the challenge is acknowledged, they begin to fight. If they don''t shift, then it''s a challenge for the hierarchy. But if they do¡­ there''s no limits."


    Sasha''s mouth fell open. "So¡­ anytime you fight in your wolf you''re trying to kill the person?"


    "No, no. It''s not that simple. I''m just saying, Lhars staying in human form was significant. It said something. It helped me¡ªagain. But as for the why¡­ I don''t know. That''s what''s bothering me¡­"


    "What does it bother you? You beat him. So, you''re in charge of the wolves now, right?" she asked.


    He nodded. "It wasn''t what I wanted, but it''s unavoidable. When I beat Xar I can appoint Lhars as Alpha of the pack again. But until then, he can lead as my second. It''s just¡­ I don''t get it. Lhars hates me."


    "Well, obviously not," she said, tracing the tendons on the back of his hand. "I mean, he''s your brother, right? Brothers fight a lot, but they''re still brothers."


    Zev grimaced. "We aren''t brothers the way you''d think of them," he said quietly, and she saw the grief on his face, heard it in his tone. It made her want to hug him.


    "You''re from the same parents, right?"


    "Yeah, except, as far as I know, our parents never met. And they changed us¡ªour gics. The whole thing happened in ab, Sash. It''s not like I got to go to the hospital and take the big brother pictures with Mom, you know?"


    "Okay, but you guys grew up together? Knew you were brothers?"


    "Sure. But here that doesn''t really¡­ I mean, there''s lots of wolves that are rted gically. It doesn''t mean they''re family."


    "So you guys never got along?"


    "We used to, when we were kids."


    "What happened?"


    Zev turned his head away to frown at the cave wall, his eyes going distant. Despite the unpleasant subject matter, Sasha couldn''t help noticing the strong, square line of his jaw. The way his cheeks were shadowed with growth¡ªand how that contrast made his eyes even more brilliant.


    "What happened," he said slowly, "Was that first the Team treated me differently. Like I was more important than him. That added to my status in the pack even when I was young. And then¡­ then I went away and found you," he said quietly, turning back to meet her eyes.


    Sasha frowned. "Why would that cause problems for him?"


    "Because the one thing Lhars always wanted was a mate. It was the one thing he could have that I couldn''t. That''s¡­ when we argued one time, he said that. That by finding you I''d stolen from him the one thing he could have that wasn''t tainted by me."


    "What? That''s awful! That''s not your fault!"


    Zev shrugged. "It isn''t anyone''s fault. He just¡­ he just wanted to have something I couldn''t," he muttered. "I thought when I left, Lhars would have had a party. He''d finally hold a ce in the hierarchy higher than me. And whether he knew it or not, I''d lost you. He was going to beat me in that, too."


    They stared at each other and Sasha''s heart thumped. "Well, I''m really d that he didn''t," she whispered finally.


    Zev nodded. "Me too." Then he smiled. "And we''re almost there, Sash. Once we''ve done the mating ritual, that''s it. You''re mine."


    Sasha''s heart swelled and she leaned forward to kiss him softly. He took the back of her head and held her to him while they kissed, and they both sighed.


    When she pulled back, Sasha grinned. "Okay, so let''s get on that. What''s this mating ritual?"


    Zev''s face went nk.


    *****


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 Chapter 116 - Ritual

    ~ ZEV ~


    Sasha''s eyes got wary before he managed to pull the smile back up onto his face.


    "What?" she asked, her tone almost panicked. "Why do you look like that?"


    "Hey, hey, it''s fine! Don''t worry!"


    "I wasn''t until you looked like that!"


    Zev shook his head and took her hands. "Look, it''s just¡­ it''s going to sound weird. But our mating ritual¡­ think of it like a wedding with lots of dancing, and a little male nudity."


    "Dancing isn''t¡ªwait, what?!"


    He raised his hands toward her, palms out. "Don''t panic¡ª"


    "Why would guys be getting naked at my wedding?" she asked, her voice shrill. Thenughter bubbled out of her throat. She tried to catch it, but she was spluttering. "N-nudity? For real? What the h-hell kind of p-ce is this, Zev?"


    He gave her a t look. "I was mostly being funny," he said. "But there are some, um, traditions that you''ll probably find a little crazy. But you don''t have to worry. It''s all just for show. And¡­ for you to prove that you''re choosing me over the others."


    "So, what," she giggled, "They all get naked to make sure I don''t like their bodies better?"


    Zev watched her warily and she stopped sniggering immediately.


    "You can''t be serious!"


    "Sash¡ª"


    "Why does everyone here seem to think all a guy has to do is get naked and I''ll suddenly abandon any feelings I have for you?!"


    "It''s not that¡ª"


    "That''s what that disying bullshit was about tonight, right? They were trying to¡­ how did you put it, entice me?"


    "Well, yes, but¡ª"


    "So does this mean the females are going to get naked too, so you have to choose me over them?"


    Zev snorted. "No. That would be crazy." Even the thought wasughable.


    Sasha gaped at him.


    "What?" he asked, confused.


    She widened her eyes, but he was still baffled.


    "Zev, you''re telling me it''s crazy for women to get naked, but not men?"


    "Males," he corrected. "And yes, because it''s always up to the females to choose their mates. That''s just¡­ how life works. The males disy and provide, the females choose. The females are always desirable. They don''tpete, the males do."


    Sasha dropped her face in her hands. "This is too much."


    But Zev caught her hands and pulled them down, smiling at her. "Sash, seriously, you don''t have to panic. By the time we get that far, the chances of anything going wrong are so small. It''s the days between now and then we have to worry about."


    "Days? How many days?"


    "I''m going to ask the wolf pack to arrange the ritual the day after tomorrow, if they can."


    "What has to be arranged? Why don''t we just do it now?"


    Zev''s lips ttened. "We have to give everyone a chance to learn about the choosing and challenge me if they want to."


    "What? Why? I thought that''s what you just did¡ª?"


    "No, I told you, we settled things with the wolves¡ªand they''re the biggest n. But the Alphas still have to have a chance to challenge me for you."


    Sasha sighed. "How many of them are there?"


    "At this level? Not many. That''s what I meant about Lhars doing me a favor. Now that I''m pack Alpha, the only others who can try are other n Alphas¡ªbut Oksa and Xar are already mated. So that only leaves the goats and the owls. Dunken will find out for me if Gheet has any ns. And Kyelle is technically Alpha of the owls, though she does have a male who could probably step up for their n if she wanted him to¡­ I just¡­ I doubt it." He trailed off frowning as the little voice in the back of his mind sang about the bird and the ways she might be motivated.


    Sasha sighed. "Kyelle?"


    "Yes."


    "The one who''s in love with you?"


    Zev snapped his eyes up to meet hers. "She talked to you about that?"


    Sasha had slumped, her elbows on her knees. She ran a hand through her hair and looked ufortable. "Sort of. I mean, it''s not like I can me her. But¡­ seems like she might have a reason to see if she can put some kind of barrier between us."


    Zev shook his head. "She''s not petty like that."


    Sasha shifted her weight. "She might not see it as petty. She might see it as¡­ taking herst shot? She really cares for you, Zev."


    He sighed, wishing this whole situation didn''t have to be soplicated. "Well, she''s out of luck," he said, pulling Sasha''s chin forward so she had to meet his eyes. "You''re my chosen mate, and I''m yours. That''s the end of the story. If she sends a male, I''ll kick his ass. It''s that simple."


    Sasha smiled, but forced one eyebrow high as if she were skeptical. "So cocky."


    "No, I just know my own strength. And it''s¡­ impressive," he grinned. "Wouldn''t you agree?"


    Sasha rolled her eyes, but her smile widened and she leaned forward to kiss him quickly.


    Zev hummed and buried a hand in her hair, holding her close when she started to pull away, and deepening the kiss.


    Her hands appeared on his chest, clinging, and she leaned into him with a little sigh that started a fire in his gut. He groaned, and forced himself to pull away.


    He was slow opening his eyes because he knew looking into hers would urge him to plunder her soft mouth again. Thank the Creator that he only had two more days to wait until there would be no more waiting.


    Her eyes were bright, and she licked her lips¡ªwhich drew his gaze down to them and had him considering whether those two days were really,pletely necessary? But he knew they were. He was giving no male any reason to challenge their mating. So he cleared his throat and forced himself to focus.


    Sasha leaned back and tried to take his mouth, looking concerned when he pulled back, shaking his head.


    "Lhars will be here soon with the others," he said quietly, his voice rough with desire. "I don''t want to make it awkward."


    She blew out a breath, fluttering her hair. "What''s awkward?" she asked dryly. "I mean, he''sing to the wedding naked, isn''t he?"


    Zev smiled and she sighed again, stroking his cheek with her soft little hand. "I know you have to do this. I know it''s important and I''m d that you''re back in some kind of power. But¡­ I need time with you, Zev. I need to¡­ to get all of this straight in my head and remember why we''re doing it. You''re spending the night with me tonight, right? At the house?"


    He nodded. "I''m not leaving you alone for another night, ever, Sash," he said huskily.


    When she smiled it was like something that had been tied around his heart just loosened and fell away.


    He was leaning in to kiss her again, and she was leaning forward to meet him when she froze and her eyes went wide.


    Zev went still, his eyes darting left and right. But there were no intruders, and no sounds outside of footsteps approaching. Surely she couldn''t have heard something he hadn''t?


    "What it is?" he whispered.


    Her throat bobbed. "Did you say¡­ wedding?"

 Chapter 117 - Proposalis Interruptus

    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev didn''t move, his eyes locked on hers.


    "Yes? Is that¡­ a bad thing?" he asked, his voice tipping up high at the end, which was odd.


    Sasha swallowed again and shook her head, but she knew her face wasn''t exactly painted in glee. "Of course not! No. Of course not," she repeatedmely as her heart cracked open, just a little.


    Zev watched her, his brows pinched together. "What is it, Sash?" he asked quietly. "Did¡­ are you unsure? I mean, I know the deration was kind of abrupt, but I thought we''d already talked about it and you knew how I felt about you. When we were in the fox hole you seemed really happy to¡ª"


    "The mate thing?" she said, her voice way too high and strangled. "Yes, yes! I was. I mean, I am! I definitely want that. I feel it. That''s our thing, right?" she said, trying to make herselfugh and brush off the bone crunching disappointment that washed over her like a wave.


    It wasn''t Zev''s fault, she reminded herself. Their entire reunion had been a clusterfuck of epic proportions. First he''d had to steal her away from gun wielding robots, then fend off vengeful Alpha Kings, and then protect her from hormonal¡ªpossibly homicidal¡ªshape shifters. They''d barely had a moment to breathe, let alone be alone and get romantic. And Zev had said he hadn''t even known they were going to be going to Thana three days ago. It wasn''t like she could expect him to have woven a rose arch to propose under, or anything ridiculous like that.


    Sasha was a practical woman. She''d missed Zev for five years, and here he was, wanting to be with her, to spend the rest of his life with her. There was nothing more romantic than that. Nothing.


    It was just that¡­


    "Sash, why do you smell so sad?" His face was pained. He was truly confused, and she realized she was torturing him.


    "It''s fine! It''s fine," she said, shaking her head and pulling him back in,cing her fingers at the back of his neck and forcing herself to smile. "Don''t worry about me, I''m just being silly."


    "No, c''mon, Sash, what is it?"


    "Zev, it''s really fine, don''t worry¡ª"


    "No it''s not! What is going on?" He resisted her pull toe closer, his forehead lined with concern.


    Sasha dropped her chin, saturated in embarrassment. It was quite possible that the only thing worse than not actually being proposed to, was having to admit that you wanted him to.


    "Zev," she said to the fur on the ground between them, "It''s really not a problem. Trust me. I just¡­ the traditions around getting married are different here, that''s all. And I just¡­ there''s stuff I hoped we''d¡ª" she broke off, her cheeks going hot. "Look, it doesn''t matter. This is us. This is where we are. You want me and I want you. That''s the important thing, okay? So don''t worry about it. Just, kiss me, please."


    She brought her face up high enough that she could look at him through hershes¡ªsomething he''d always fallen for when they were younger. And for a moment, his face softened and he started to smile.


    But then he caught himself when she leaned up to kiss him, and he shook his head and pulled away. "No, I want to hear it. If you''re missing something, I can''t guarantee it, but tell me so I can at least¡ª"


    Sasha groaned in frustration and dropped her face into her hands. "Zev, I was just disappointed that you didn''t propose, okay? It''s not biggie. I''m embarrassed I even let you see that. I wasn''t thinking. So please¡­ please can we just be happy to be together and not talk about it?"


    He didn''t respond immediately, and when she peered up at him through her fingers, he was gaping, his brows high and eyes wide.


    "Oh, Sash¡­ I''m sorry. I didn''t even¡ª"


    "Please don''t apologize!" she shrilled, mortified. "Things are different here. I get it!"


    "I''m so sorry, I forgot to ask like a human¡ª"


    "It doesn''t matter, Zev. I''m getting so much more. I mean¡­ how many women get to see a crowd of Chimera disy and try to¡­ entice them?" she said, her smile mostly genuine¡ªbecause it was something she wished she could have told her friends. They would have flipped. "I''m just d that we''re here together and you''re safe and¡­ it''s fine, Zev. Really. It just took me a minute, that''s all."


    And it was, she realized. It wasn''t fun. It wasn''t what she''d dreamed of since she was seventeen. But she was going to experience something beyond her dreams. Somethingpletely new. And if it ended in Zev being hers forever, that was what she''d really hoped and prayed for. Did it really matter, in the end, how it came to be?


    No, she decided. It didn''t.


    But now, just when she found her smile, just when she shook off the little girl inside of her that had always looked forward to the day she would see a handsome man down on one knee and weed the woman that realized the man she got forever was more important than the moment, that man stared down at her with eyes full of grief. He stroked his fingers through her hair and she knew¡­ she knew!


    Apparently Zev at twenty-four still had that same, self-condemning streak that the Zev she''d known at eighteen had.


    "Don''t do it," she warned him when his mouth turned down.


    "Don''t do what?"


    "Don''t do that thing you do where you decide you''re a terrible person and you start beating yourself up in your head," she said firmly. "Seriously, Zev. Don''t do it."


    "I''m not."


    She gave him a look and he scoffed.


    "I don''t think I''m terrible. I just wish I''d remembered, that''s all."


    "And I wish you''d never had to worry about someone shooting me in the head, but we don''t always get what we want, right? I''m sorry I brought it up, Zev. Seriously. It''s way, way more important to me that you want to have me forever, than anything else. I don''t regret this. At all."


    His face softened and he shook his head slightly. "You''re really amazing, you know that?"


    "Well, I have to keep up with you," she said quietly, and her smile was genuine. The ache in her chest almost gone¡ªbecause she really could see that what she was getting was more important than what she''d lost.


    She''d be over it in days, she was sure. Probably just as soon as she and Zev got to¡ª


    "I love you, Sash," he rumbled, cupping her jaw and staring into her eyes so that she felt naked to his gaze¡ªand she didn''t care.


    "I love you, too, Zev," she whispered.


    And as they kissed again, she shoved away the niggling little voice in the back of her head that kept whispering questions in her ear about the past, and the future.


    Because the warm, strong, solid male she''d yearned after for five years was finally here in front of her, and doing everything in his power to make sure they never had to let each other go again.


    She couldn''t ask for more than that.

 Chapter 118 - Adjust

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev wanted to snarl at himself for not thinking this through. Of course she wanted a proposal¡ªshe''d even told him that''s what she''d hoped he was preparing for five years ago when he''d said he had something important to talk to her about.


    Fuck he was an idiot.


    As he kissed her and his blood lit in his veins again from the sheer thrill of being close to her, of having imed her¡ªthe Chimera equivalent to a proposal¡ªhe turned his mind to how he might fulfill the human tradition in the short time had before the ritual.


    But before he coulde up a n¡ªand just as Sasha''s kiss became more frantic, her hands wing into his hair¡ªhe heard footsteps approaching on the path to the cave. They were already in human form and only walking, but still they would be there in a very few minutes.


    Sucking in a breath to calm himself, he pulled back out of the kiss, Sasha following him for a second, before opening her eyes, her face twisted in disappointment.


    "What is it?" she asked when she saw his face.


    "They''re here," he said. "The council. I have to¡­ turn my mind to them for a time. Will you stay, please? I''m not eager to have you out of my sight."


    She smiled and her cheeks, already pink from the kisses, bloomed deeper. "I''m kind of eager to stick together myself," she said quietly.


    "Just follow my lead," he said. "Technically you aren''t supposed to be present for a council meeting because you aren''t an Alpha. But I''m going to argue that you''re about to be one, so¡­ they can just suck it," he growled, ring at the mouth of the cave as if they were already there.


    Sasha snorted. "Okay, then."


    He shed her a grin, then got to his feet, pulling her behind him. "Help me spread some furs around the fire? I''ll light it and we can all sit here. It''s going to get cold soon."


    "Soon?" Sasha said dryly, but she didn''t look cold, and she was already walking to the furs he''d spread at the back of the cave as a bed and picking them up.


    He busied himself getting the banked fire re-lit, ce the wood carefully so the smoke would drift up and be drawn to the chimney at the side of the cave while Sasha fluffed furs andid them out in a circle around the crackling fire.


    For a moment Zev had a mental image of their lives¡ªliving and working together like this, each of them at their task, but their efforts bringing them both sess, and his heart howled with joy.


    As the footsteps outside became near, and Sasha started back to the bedding to rece one of the furs she hadn''t needed, he caught her waist and pulled her into a quick kiss.


    Taken by surprise, Sasha''s free hand curled into his chest, but she responded enthusiastically, and her heartrate picked up immediately.


    When he broke the kiss, she stared up at him, delight on her face. "I love you, Sash. Just¡­ remember that, okay?"


    She nodded, then they both turned as two forms suddenly appeared in the darkened mouth of the cave, ck because the trees and bushes that grew outside didn''t allow light in, so there was little light except from the fire.


    Their scents drifted to him before he could see them clearly on the other side of the light of the fire.


    Joyte, the older wolf who had tried to tempt Sasha, and Jhon, Zev''s best friend. Zev''s eyebrows rose. He hadn''t realized Lhars had kept Jhon on the council. It was a good choice, but¡­ yet another unexpected move from his maniptive brother.


    "Congrattions, Zev," Jhon said, beaming as he stalked across the cave to take Zev in an embrace so they could share scents.


    Zev grinned and pped his back until Jhon pulled back to turn to Sasha. "And wee to the pack, Sasha-don."


    Sasha blinked, but smiled and epted the title, though she had no idea what it meant. Zev''s heart thudded, heavy with emotion at the generosity of his best friend. He caught Jhon''s eye as the male turned away to let Joyte step into the ring of light from the fire.


    To his surprise, Joyte went a step further, taking a knee and dropping his chin to both of them. "You have my faith and loyalty, Zev-dan, Sasha-don."


    Sasha''s brows climbed high at that¡ªshe recognized him. Zev winked at her. "Don''t worry, this means he''s epted defeat," he murmured to her with a smile to soften the words for the male.


    Joyte boomed augh and got to his feet, nodding. "Yes, definitely, Zev-dan. I know when the better male has won. You have my submission."


    "Thank you, Joyte," Zev said firmly, he would give the male no room to question that he had been bettered. Joyte was a good male, and a strong one, but that only meant that when he got an idea he was confident about, it was difficult to sway him.


    The others began to arrive then, as well. Lhars and his closest ally, Bleddyn¡ªa heavyset and dark natured brute of a wolf that Zev always felt like he needed one eye on. Wheyln, the white-blonde young empath that Zev had nned to bring into the council when he got a little older because he''d never seen a wolf more skilled in reading a pack and offering advice for bringing wolves alongside in support. Clearly Lhars had had the same thought.


    Behind Wheyln, two young wolves, both teenagers, Hahry and Th, Zev thought¡ªhe barely recognized them because they''d grown from gangly pups tripping over their own feet, into young men in the past three years.


    Without thought, Zev waited for the females, the alphas and advisors of the wolves¡­ But there was nothing. No more bodies filling the cave mouth. No more feet on the path outside.


    Of course. They were gone. The thought was a spear in his guts as Zev turned to Lhars.


    "Where''s Skhal?"


    "He''sing. I sent a messenger. Apparently he didn''t return from the hunt when Xar called us all in after the humans arrived.


    They stared at each other, because they all knew what that meant.


    Skhal had either been hurt, or was stepping into outright rebellion.


    "I''ll talk to him," Zev said quietly. Lhars nodded, but rolled a shoulder as he turned away, the loss of the Alpha authority grating. But Zev ignored it¡ªhis brother would have to be ustomed to the shift in power, just like everyone else. Including himself.


    "Thank you all foring," he said quietly, gesturing for them to sit around the fire.


    The males started to move, but Bleddyn eye''s fixed on Sasha, who had settled on the fur they''d been sitting on earlier.


    "What''s she doing here?" the dark wolf asked bluntly.


    Zev turned to face him, let himself feel the pulse of the Alpha authority in his veins. "She''s my mate, and soon to be Alpha Female of the pack. She''s here to help. Take a seat and I''ll exin."


    But Bleddyn didn''t sit down.. He stared at Sasha and growled.

 Chapter 119 - Dominant

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Like a shot, Zev crossed the space between Bleddyn and Sasha, putting himself between them, and staring the male in the eyes.


    Bleddyn''s growl faded, but he didn''t drop Zev''s gaze.


    Zev''s upper lip curled back from his teeth. "She is the Alpha female. It''s not your ce, Bled."


    "She''s not the Alpha yet."


    "The only thing that will stand between her and that title is me, and I do not," Zev growled.


    "The other Alphas might yet take her."


    Zev raised a brow. "You think I won''t beat them just as I did a few years ago?" He stood on the balls of his feet, his hands loose at his sides, but poised. Bleddyn was strong and an excellent battle strategist¡ªthe perfectpliment to Lhar''s cunning and ambition. But he was a dark wolf and the very tenacity that gave him such strength and single-minded purpose, also made him stubborn and slow to change.


    "If you have a challenge to present, Bleddyn, it''s to me, not to her."


    "An Alpha female that can''t fight her own battles?" Bleddyn snorted. "Female through and through¡ª"


    Zev didn''t hesitate. Bleddyn was a male who didn''t waver once he''d started on a path. There would be no swaying him from this. He was a wolf who needed evidence.


    Clearly he''d decided he hadn''t enough from watching Zev beat Lhars.


    Sasha gasped when Zev rushed Bleddyn, but the others only waited. They all knew. Bleddyn was all strength and might, but little speed.


    Within seconds, Zev had put a fist into the massive wolf-man''s stomach that had him doubled over, then brought an elbow down on his kidney, dropping him to the cave floor, right at Zev''s feet.


    "Do you need more?" he snarled at the male on all fours, sucking against the winding of the blows.


    Bleddyn shook his head. "No," he croaked when he could catch his breath. "I submit. But she remains un-acknowledged by the n. She shouldn''t be at Council."


    "Then call her my messenger if it makes you feel better. She''s not leaving." Zev turned from the submitted male and held the eyes of each of the others, one by one. "Any more challenges? Let''s get them out of the way so we can actually start bringing our people back to strength."


    The others all dropped their eyes and shook their heads in the face of his re, though Lhars was thest to do it, and slowest.


    But that was as it should be if he was to retain second in the pack. He needed to be the whetstone to Zev''s de. Something he''d been good at since they were pups.


    The question was whether his motives could be trusted now. By all ounts, he''d been in Xar''s pocket.


    Zev was undecided. The evidence against his brother was too mixed. For now, he would keep him in ce since it would keep the pack more settled.


    When no one lifted their eyes, Zev snorted. "Take your seats. Let''s begin."


    The wolves spread around the fire, settling onto the furs, except Harhy and Th, who put their backs to the cave wall and squatted, waiting for orders. If there were messages to take back to the vige, or requests for information, they would be runners.


    Zev took his seat on the same fur as Sasha, her knee brushing his thigh when he sat with one knee up and leaned on it, while the other was bent on the ground so that he could rise in a single motion. Tensions were high in the room, and though he trusted all of these males to follow where he led¡ªeventually¡ªthe taking over of new Alpha was always a time of uncertainty and unpredictable behavior in any strong members of a pack. And these males were some of the strongest.


    He would have to prove himself not only physically tough enough, but mentally sharp and demonstrate to them that he had not lost his edge¡ªor his loyalty¡ªin the years he''d been gone.


    It was frustrating to begin again with them. To begin with less trust than thest time, actually. But he was better equipped now.


    He would show them. And then together they''d remove Xar and bring the wolves to their correct position as the strongest pack.


    The question about why Lhars hadn''t already done this in his absences niggled, but he pushed it away. Lhars had always been more circumspect about attacking in in sight than Zev.


    "Thank you foring, and for being willing to hear me," he said, meeting eyes with every male around the fire. "I know it''s been a difficult few years while I''ve been gone. I grieve it."


    "What happened?" Bleddyn piped up immediately. "Why did you leave without warning us?"


    Zev''s jaw rolled. "That''s why I brought you here first, so you can ask me any question you wish. We can''t move forward until you''re certain of me and my motives¡ªand what I''ve done since I''ve been gone. Let me make it clear, you were not told the truth today. I don''t know if the humans lied, or if Xar did, but there was little truth in the picture he painted." Zev took a deep breath and the others waited. "I''ll tell you what happened the day I left, and then you can ask any questions you want. I''ll answer all of them." He said, his voice a low growl. "But I ask you to have a care. The past three years have been¡­ difficult." Bleddyn snorted, but didn''t speak up, and Zev ignored him. "But I wager by the end of this we''ll share what we know and understand better exactly what''s been happening with the humans. Then our job will be to find a way to thwart them," he said.


    The males all nodded and gave yips and barks of approval as Zev turned to look at Sasha.


    She sat on the fur, her brow furrowed. When he looked at her, she put a hand up to his arm and squeezed, and he could feel her concern for him.


    He prayed she still felt that way by the end of the night.

 Chapter 120 - History - Part 1

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev began to ry the things he''d told her and Dunken. But this time¡ªwith more time and fewer pressures, he was able to give more detail.


    He sat next to her, the mes of the fire reflected in his eyes. His heavy brows and dark cheeks moving unselfconsciously as he fell into the memories, his gaze bing distant. He gestured with his hands, while his eyes searched the mes, as if he saw things within them.


    "The team came that day and pulled me aside," he said quietly. "They were only two days early, so I wasn''t rmed. I weed them. I''d nned to speak with them about the problems we were having among the youngsters with that cough¡ªremember?"


    Several of the other men nodded.


    Zev cleared his throat. "Their medicines had been so effective thest time, it seemed a good idea to get them involved early this time. But I didn''t want theming through more often. I''d nned to talk to them about arranging a time toe, that I''d send healers to meet them, so they didn''t have toe through at all¡­ but as soon as we were alone, it was clear they were disturbed. The kind of disturbed the humans aren''t good at faking, you follow?" He looked around and the others all nodded. "They sent four through that day, three who''d been many times before. I''d never seen them so agitated. They started asking questions about our health before I even raised the issue¡ªand then they told me why they''d arrived early."


    He took a deep breath and met eyes with everyone again. "You know they have the sanctuary in their world, where they make us. There''s always a poption there, usually younger than here. But they keep a few from each round of trials¡­"


    He spoke about these things so easily as if they were simply given truths. Sasha''s mouth fell open at the idea of an entire race of people stuck in any kind ofb or sanctuary. She hated seeing animals chained in any way¡ªand these were people, not animals. But looking around the group of men it came home to her that all of these people in front of her hade to Chimera because of the intervention of humans like her.


    To them, a ce where they were "made" was a simple reality.


    It made her skin crawl. She wanted to ask Zev questions, but he was already moving on.


    "They''d had an outbreak of the cough among their young, as well, and it was deadly. They were bing genuinely concerned that they might lose an entire generation¡ªthey were desperate, though trying to hide it. They feared they may have brought the germ from their world on their previous trip¡ªsomething the humans were immune to, or that was more minor for them, but that was decimating their Chimera.


    "They didn''t know why the Chimera were weaker to this germ than to others. Usually we are far stronger against illness than humans," he turned to Sasha to say quickly, then returned to the men. "By the time we''d spoken for an hour, I was convinced: There was a genuine crisis urring in our people in the human world. Nick had sent a message with them to make sure I understood how dire the situation was, and to personally ask me to return with them."


    His jaw went tight, the little muscles at the back of it twitching. "It was the first lie that I swallowedpletely," he said bitterly. "And one I wouldn''t uncover for years. But he told me that they had reason to believe I was immune to this disease, and that it was crucial that Ie work in the program they''d always told me I was made to¡­ to head up. The entire purpose of my existence. Nick told me that it would be a few weeks at most. That I was needed, and I was needed urgently."


    He shook his head, his jaw set and mouth frowning. "I wanted to go back, to speak to the council and set the hierarchy for my absence. That was the only thing I requested. But they were afraid that if they carried the germ and had spent that time close to me, that even in that short contact I might carry more of it back to the people, only to tell them I was leaving." He swallowed and Sasha''s stomach flipped. He didn''t turn to look at her, his eyes going dark and shadowed.


    "He told me they would send one of the team back to the City right then, to inform you all¡ªthat was why they''d sent through four instead of three. That''s what he said. And he assured me that I could return a message to you all¡ªa recording, the way they brought me his. I thought¡­ I thought it would be enough. A couple of weeks, I told myself. I could help our people over there, and you all would survive no trouble."


    He took a deep breath and rubbed his face that was suddenly haggard.


    Despite the sick dread in the pit of her stomach, Sasha reached for his arm again, andid her hand there.


    It was easy to see how much he hated this. And that he was avoiding her eyes, his shoulders hunching slightly with shame.


    A part of her was d to see it, d that he wasn''t untouched by this terrible part of his past. But the part of her that loved him, that hated seeing him hurt¡­ that part of her wanted to weep.


    He was heartbroken, and sickened¡­ and, as he spoke, it became clear, Zev was also traumatized.


    His body began to shake as he ryed what had urred in those first days that he returned with the humans. And the picture he painted made Sasha want to scream¡ªand to weep.


    He brushed over the details¡ªfor her benefit, or his own, she wasn''t sure. But regardless, his references to mating were little more than dark words punctuating a picture of technological and mental maniption. He didn''t see sunlight for almost a month¡ªhim, who had been living in Thana and breathing the fresh air for two years. Her vibrant, athletic Zev who was more active than anyone she knew. He''d been essentially jailed in fluorescent lighting, and told that he was saving lives. That the very future of his people was in his hands.


    "From the very first week they had me in the breeding arena every day¡ªbut they didn''t seem to be any happier. The females were healthy, but¡­ nk. I don''t know how else to describe it. But I checked with all of them. They were happy to be there, they said. Excited to be with me, to seek their own young."


    Sasha''s stomach roiled. She prayed she wouldn''t throw up. She wanted to let him go, to remove her touch because it was cutting her to her bones to hear this, but it was so obvious to see how bereft he felt, she couldn''t bear to break contact with him.


    Zev''s eyes closed. "The ones from those first weeks never returned to me," he said quietly. "I assumed it had been sessful. I began to n my return. I''d recorded a message for you with Nick in the first couple of days I''d been gone and¡­ I believed everything here was simply progressing while I was gone. And that''s when¡­ that''s when they lied to me again. And I was too fucking young and stupid to realize it," he snarled, his hand fisted so hard, his knuckles turned white. And the forearm under her hand became a steel bar.


    *****


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 Chapter 121 - History - Part 2

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    "There''d been an outbreak," he ground out. "That''s what they told me. Nick took me aside the day before I''d nned to return and said he was so, so grateful they''d taken me out and been controlling my contact, because there''d been an outbreak here, and Chimera were dying. It was the same germ, probably spread by the young. But it was beginning to take some of the adults. And it wasn''t safe for me to return until they had confirmed why I could resist it, to ensure there was no risk that I could contract it with extended contact."


    He gritted his teeth and forced himself not to see the images shing through his mind¡ªthe carnage they''d described. The fear of the people, and his own guilt and relief that he was safe and could do what was needed to protect all of them¡­ It was sick. So sick.


    "Nick convinced me that our purpose was even more important than ever. I had to stay. I had to continue to take any willing female, to attempt to build the resilience of our species. That if we lost too many and the research couldn''t continue, that those who made the decisions would stop funding it and the Chimera would be executed so they couldn''t fall into the hands of anyone else.


    "He said this outbreak put us at just as much risk¡ªbecause if too many were lost, it would have the same result. He pleaded with me, tears in his eyes, to stay, to sacrifice my freedom. He made it sound noble and as if I had been given a purpose by God.


    "I questioned the mating bond. But he was certain: I couldn''t form it, so the females wouldn''t either. By mating them, by bringing offspring into the world who were resistant as I was... He had me convinced."


    He shook his head and raked a hand through his hair. "It sounds so stupid now¡ªso many things I could have asked or done to make sure this was real. But it hadn''t urred to me. I knew there were a lot of our young who were sick. I had seen through a window four females in ab room there who were near death¡ªand they were all coughing. I had no reason to believe¡­ Nick had always seemed so focused on keeping the Chimera alive and thriving¡­ I was na?ve and stupid, and I regret it every day," he said, his voice a low, hollow husk.


    The other males began to murmur between themselves discussing what he''d said, and he let them because he had to tell Sasha something. He caught her eye and she squeezed his arm again, but he could smell the thick dread in her¡ªfear of what he was going to say, and revulsion over what he''d already described.


    When he spoke into her head, it startled her. He prayed no one else noticed.


    They also dangled you in front of me like fresh meat, he said, his voice heavy with grief. The promise of seeing you again, of knowing I was so much closer that¡­ that there was a chance¡­ I was getting updates on you every few days instead of every few months, and I was like a¡­ a drug addict. Wanting more and more¡­ it pushed my priorities off bnce and made me¡­ I can''t tell them this, Sasha, but it made me easier to convince. I wanted to reason to have to stay. Because I knew I couldn''t choose it. But being forced to it¡­ Nick knew how to make it attractive to me to stay.


    "Why didn''t you visit? Check in? Why note back to see for yourself and inform us?" Lhars growled from the other side of the fire.


    Zev sighed. "After the outbreak¡ªor, when they told me there was one¡ªI recorded messages for the hierarchy, describing how you were to manage without me, and why I was allowing the humans toe through more often. I believed they were taking medications and assistance to you¡ªalong with my messages. Nick was terrified of risking me before they were certain I was immune. But I did keep asking.


    "As I understood it, you knew exactly what was going on. What changed it all was when¡­ when he told me that they''d been forced to bring a hundred or more Chimera back to this world, to treat them more effectively. They said that they were trying to contain the outbreak, stop it spreading. And they told me¡­ told me that the males were stronger against it. That they''d left most of the males back in Thana, along with the healthy females and young.


    "I thought¡­ I thought our people were split. I asked to see those that had been brought through. But Nick wouldn''t let me risk getting this terrible disease. He said once they were healthy he''d start letting me meet with them one by one.


    "But over months, the only ones I saw were females¡ªyounger females, never mated. And Nick told me¡­ told me that the bond never took for them. That I wasn''t creating any problems for them. That having my pups was going to change the gics of the wolf pack and allow them to study, so they could figure out the gene switch¡ªthat''s what he called it. He said genes were things they could turn on and off, and that they had to identify how to flip the one that stopped me from getting ill, so they could switch it in others. And I fell for it¡­"


    He heard his own words and they made him ill. How he hadn''t seen this sooner, how he hadn''t realized for so long¡­ he shook his head and bit back tears. He had not only failed Sasha, he''d failed his people. And he was back now to put it right. To correct what he could, and to ensure that his people were never put in that position again.


    Zev dropped his head into his hands, unable to look at any of them. "I sent a message six months in that I felt a new Alpha should be chosen and followed. Someone who was on the ground here and could see what was needed. I urged you to caution about the process. Not to weaken yourselves. I thought¡­ I''d been told you were being loyal and waiting. It was all lies," he spat. "All lies. And I fell for it. I will not again!" He lifted his head then to meet their eyes, to let them see that he understood what he''d done, that he knew he''d failed them. And he was determined to never see it happen again.


    "I ask for your forgiveness," he asked. "Over time I was depressed and¡­ hollowed out by all of this. I''d spent so much time stifling everything I felt and thought that I was turning into one of their machines. I was certain you were all better off without me. I¡­ I gave up. I thought I hadn''t been able to fix what was broken, so I left you. It was wrong, and I regret it. But you need to be certain," he snarled, "I did not understand what had happened here. Had I done so, I would have fought to the death to return, to stop the¡­ the envement of our people. And now¡­ I intend to do that now. I will make this up to you. I will correct the mistakes that I made.. And I will not leave you in human hands, ever again."

 Chapter 122 - Remember When - Part 1

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    The others began to question him then¡ªexploring the decisions he''d made, the information he''d been given, and asking detailed questions about the females he''d had contact with, or Chimera he''d seen in the human world.


    She still had her hand on his forearm and she could feel the tension in him, see the disgust with himself on his face¡ªand she recognized the expression. It surprised her. But when one of the men around the fire asked him about a specific female he''d recognized and named, she was thrown back into a memory from their years together in high school¡­


    In the months before they''d finally slept together, they''d discussed it many times. There had been any number of near-misses, nights when they''d found themselves alone unexpectedly, or times when the kiss turned heated and clothes became restrictive.


    Sasha had never experienced the heat before¡ªthe drive in her gut that pushed her forward, yearning, seeking something. She knew what, she wasn''t an idiot. But the whole idea, on its own, had always terrified her a little bit.


    Being naked with a guy?


    Letting him put himself inside your body?


    Being so¡­ open. So visible? Sharing a part of herself that literally no one else had ever seen or felt?


    Before she''d met Zev, she hadn''t really been that tempted to have sex. She''d felt desire, sure, but never strong enough to ovee her fear.


    But then Zev walked into her life.


    Her friends called it immediately, that he would be The One. In fact, they were so annoying the first few months, she refused to even think about going there, just because something stubborn within her refused to be such a clich¨¦.


    But as her friends got bored of teasing her¡ªand probably gave up because at that point she''d held out for six months already¡ªher mind turned more and more often to Zev and his body and his touch and the way it made her feel.


    She''d catch herself sometimes when they were at school, or out on a date. Simple things¡ªlike the time he left her at the table while he went to the front counter of the restaurant to pay for the dinner they''d just enjoyed. He was half-turned away from her, his wide shoulders prominent. He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket in that easy way guys had when they weren''t really thinking, and as he reached back his shoulder de punched out of the tight top he wore, reminding her of the weekend before when they''d taken that trip to the beach and she''d watched the muscles on his back ripple and move under his skin as he walked and moved and¡­


    Sitting there, in the little local diner, with nothing going on, she''d suddenly felt that ache between her legs¡­ the hollow in the pit of her stomach that yearned to be filled. She''d imagined herself standing behind him when he had no shirt on, stroking down his back, following the hollow that hugged his spine, and the ridges between his muscles with her fingers.


    And that heat, that little ache, had climbed. Be something powerful. Something that made her heart beat faster and her mouth go dry.


    She''d had to turn away from him and turn her mind from what she was seeing, because otherwise when he came back to her, she was going to embarrass herself.


    When he''d returned from paying, he looked tense, and she wasn''t really sure why. But she was so busy dealing with her own difort¡ªthe urge to put her hand between her legs and press¡ªthat she''d tried to ignore it.


    Maybe some guy had made a crack at him, or the woman had been rude. Zev was really sweet and good-natured, but if he thought people were mistreating others, he could get angry fast. She left him to his own tension as they got in his truck, and turned her face to the window, putting her forehead against the cold ss and pressing her hands between her thighs.


    "Sash?" he''d said a few minutes down the road. "Are you okay?"


    "Yeah, yeah, I''m fine." But she hadn''t turned away from the window that felt wonderful on her burning skin.


    Was she having some kind of weird hormonal re or something? Why was she suddenly¡­ horny? She''d never experienced that before. Usually, the few rtionships she''d had before had ended because she was so busy pping the guy''s hands away that they both got tired of it.


    When they reached her house, the lights weren''t on. Which meant her parents weren''t home. Which meant¡­ holy shit. Was she actually considering this?


    "Sash?" Zev''s voice was kind of strangled. "What''s going on? You''re really quiet."


    She turned to him to find him sitting, hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white. And his eyes¡­ his eyes fixed on her so intently, pupils so wide the rest of his eyes almost seemed to glow.


    "Oh, gosh, Zev, I''m sorry. I''m just¡­ I''m just distracted. Don''t worry. You don''t have to worry. I promise." She made herself lean across and kiss him gently, tried not to let herself linger too long, but he put a hand to her face when their lips met and neither of them pulled away quickly.


    By the time they did, she was actually panting. "I''m feeling a little¡­ um¡­ flustered," she said with a nervous giggle.


    Zev''s eyes hadn''t strayed from her face. His Adam''s apple bobbed and he nodded. "I''m thinking¡­ it looks like your parent''s aren''t home, right?"


    "Yeah," she said, watching him. Would he ask? Would she say yes?


    She wanted to.


    Holy shit, she wanted to.


    They''d gotten out of the truck and he''d taken her hand, leading her towards the door. But as they stepped onto the porch and she got her key out, he hung back. When she opened it, he took her hand and stopped her walking in.


    Her stomach had plummeted. And then she''d turned around and it felt like the floor dropped out from under her feet.. Because everything on his face spoke of revulsion and dread.

 Chapter 123 - Remember When - Part 2

    ~ SASHA ~


    "What do you think about¡­ about staying out here, on the porch while I''m here?" he asked her quietly. His dark hair fell over his eyes as he looked down on her, but his jaw was tight and his eyes shadowed.


    Sasha had blinked. "What is it? What''s wrong?"


    Did he not want her?


    Zev ran a hand through his hair and scratched the back of his neck, the other hand plunged into the pocket of his jeans. "Nothing''s wrong. I''m just¡­ I''m thinking there''s some stuff I should talk to you about¡­ before¡­ I mean, your parents mighte home and¡­ why don''t we just talk?"


    She''dughed suddenly, and pped a hand over her mouth, cursing herself for the stupid, knee-jerk reaction she always had to stress. "You want to sit out here and¡­ talk?" she asked when she got herself under control.


    Zev nodded. "I need to tell you some stuff, I think," he said. And his voice wasn''t that honeyed gravel she''d always loved. It wasn''t even the warm smile he usually had.


    He sounded tense, and stressed and¡­


    "Okay," she said. "I guess I''ll go make some cocoa and get a nket."


    He nodded. "I''ll wait out here."


    "Won''t you be cold?"


    He gave a self-deprecating smile. "I''ve never felt the cold like other people," he said without meeting her eyes. "It''s fine. Take your time. Don''t worry about me."


    She''d gone inside feeling confused and afraid. Was he going to break up with her? There''d been no signs at all that he was unhappy¡ªnot at school, not at dinner. Not until they were leaving the diner¡­


    She hurried through making the cocoa and grabbed a quilt from the couch as she passed through the living room, but her heart was pounding with nerves and she had some trouble juggling the mugs and nket with the door. Zev had leaped up from the couch on the porch and opened the door for her, but when he smiled it was forced.


    Sasha couldn''t meet his eyes. She walked to the little table they had in front of the couch, put the mugs down a little harder than necessary, and slumped onto the couch with the quilt over herp.


    As soon as Zev sat down she didn''t even give him a chance to speak. "What''s going on, Zev? Are you breaking up with me?"


    "What?! No!" he said, eyebrows high and his face rmed. "No! Sasha¡­ why would you even think that."


    She gaped at him. "You were weird in the car, then when we got here and found out we were alone you looked like you''d swallowed something painful."


    Zev wed his hands through his hair and scooted along the couch until they were thigh-to-thigh. "I''m sorry, Sash, I didn''t mean to scare you. You were just¡­ looking at me different tonight and it got me thinking and I realized I hadn''t really ever talked to you about why¡­ why I don''t¡­ why we haven''t¡ª"


    "Are you gay?" Sasha whispered. Then she swallowed hard. "You can tell me¡­ if you are¡­ I wouldn''t judge."


    Zev raised an eyebrow. "Well, thanks, but¡­ Seriously, Sash?"


    "Well, I don''t know," she''d grumbled. "I mean, I don''t have a lot of experience with this. But what little I do have has a lot to do with fending off stealth attacks from guys in movie theaters and on couches. But you¡­ you don''t do that and¡­ it doesn''t seem normal. I mean, it seems like maybe you don''t want me¡­" she looked at her hands, cheeks heating that she''d just blurted it out.


    Zev let his head drop back against the couch and put his hands to his face with a heavy sigh. Sasha had been rmed¡ªhe was always so sunny and upbeat. Even when he got mad, he didn''t stay that way. She didn''t think she''d ever seen him sad or¡­ heavy. Yet, here he was, suddenly looking like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.


    What the hell was going on?


    "You can tell me anything, Zev. I''ll still care about you," she whispered, but tears were threatening because it felt like whatever he was about to say¡ª


    "I''ve had sex lots of times before you, Sash¡ªwith females," he said dryly. "I don''t judge either but that''s¡­ that''s not my thing."


    Sasha tried not to make her relief too obvious. "So, if you aren''t scared to do it at all¡­ why don''t you want to do it with me?"


    He dropped his hands to his thighs and without pulling his head up from the back of the couch he turned his head to look up at her. "You really think I don''t want to?"


    "I didn''t. Until tonight," she said honestly. "I mean¡­ what better opportunity. And you didn''t even want to go into the house."


    "Because it would be impossible to resist when we''re alone and you''re¡­ looking at me like that!"


    Sasha blinked. Oh. Okay. That was good, right? That he didn''t think he could resist? But then¡­ "Why do you want to resist so bad?"


    "That''s what I wanted to talk to you about," he said quietly, his voice a low rumble in the half-light of the porch. Then he reached across to take her hand and twine their fingers, resting the back of his palm on her thigh, her hand in his. "Where Ie from it''s a little different to here," he said quietly. "It''s really normal for people to just¡­ to wait until they know they''ve found the right one, and then they stay together after that. Like, permanently."


    Sasha blinked. "They wait for marriage?"


    He nodded, staring at their hands. "The fact that I''ve done this before¡­ it''s not normal where Ie from."


    "So, it''s one of those old-fashioned ces, I guess? Are they super-religious or something?"


    Zev shrugged. "Sort of. But it''s more about¡­ It''s more about finding the right person. My Dad¡­ he wants me to sort of explore, you know? But I''ve done that some and¡­ it didn''t¡­ I didn''t find what the people I grew up with found and it felt kind of¡­ kind of hollow. It made me want to wait and not just¡­ just do whatever, with whoever¡­" he trailed off and made a face, like he was embarrassed.


    Sasha squeezed his hand, her heart swelling at how seriously he took all of this. "That''s kind of beautiful in a weird way," she said quietly.


    "So, here''s the thing, Sash. I want you. I want you more than I''ve ever wanted anyone else¡ªthat''s for real. Like what we''ve got¡­ that doesn''t feel hollow to me. So I don''t want to mess it up. I think¡­ I think it would be better to wait and see. Because I''d rather wait with you, than do this and lose you. I know it''s not the normal way of doing stuff here"


    She almost cried. Turning in her seat, she leaned over him, took his broad jaw in her free hand and kissed him, loving the scratch of his shadowing jaw against her cheek.


    He gripped her hair in his free hand and held her there, sucking in a deep breath.


    When she finally pulled back, they just stared at each other for a long moment. Then she smiled. "I''d rather wait with you than do this and lose you, too," she whispered. All the fear left Zev''s eyes and he beamed. She leaned in to kiss him again, but paused just before their lips touched. "And just for the record, you''re definitely not normal.. It''s a big part of the reason I love you."

 Chapter 124 - Remember When - Part 3

    ~ SASHA ~


    Even here and now, yearster, Sasha''s cheeks heated at that memory. She''d been immediately mortified with herself when she realized she was the first one to say those words.


    But Zev, as he always did, made up for her gaffe. His eyes had gone wide and he''d straightened in his seat, staring at her.


    "I''m sorry," she''d gasped, letting go of his hand and covering her mouth in horror. "I didn''t mean to¡ª"


    "No, Sash, that''s¡­ that the best¡­ I love you, too!" he whispered.


    They''d stared at each other, smiles breaking on both their faces, then he''d pulled her into a kiss so intense, so full of emotion, it had stolen her breath.


    In the ultimate irony, given how the conversation had begun, Sasha found herself circled in strong arms, peppered with kiss after kiss, breath heaving, and hands that started in her hair, but dragged down. At first she almost questioned him. Almost asked. But then he tilted his head and his tongue traced along hers and her stomach clenched. Sasha sucked in, grabbing at his neck and pulling him closer, and losing herself in his kiss.


    The entire world tunneled to the tiny space where they existed. The quilt slid to the ground and she didn''t even notice the cold, because he was holding her and her heart was pounding. When one of his hands slid under her sweater to the skin of her waist, her skin prickled with goosebumps and she dove deeper into his kiss.


    It was the first night he touched her¡ªreally touched her¡ªand the first time she touched him. It was nothing, really. Her friendsughed at herter when she marveled about it. But she''d dragged her hand across hisp to find that shocking bulge under his jeans. She''d felt him get hard before, felt the press of it against her leg or her stomach. But she''d never¡­ never touched it.


    Never realized the power of it.


    Even that tiny drag of her touch across him made him shudder. He''d whispered her name and groaned, pressing her back into the couch and she''d gone willingly.


    But before she could explore further, or get the courage to touch him more specifically, the rush of car tires on the road sounded, and twin cones of light started up the street.


    Zev threw himself backwards off of her, pushing himself into the corner of the couch, his chest heaving up and down.


    Sasha blinked at the sudden cold, but when she realized, she pushed up to sit in the opposite corner of the couch, and when Zev swallowed, then leaned forward with one of those long arms to snatch the quilt from the deck and throw it over their legs¡ªover hisp, she realized¡ªshe''d started giggling.


    He''d shushed her, but she couldn''t stop¡ªshe was giddy. And when her parents finally got out of the car in the driveway and walked up onto the porch, she was still sniggering¡ªwhile Zev rubbed his eyes with a thumb and forefinger.


    Sasha blinked back to the present, to the firelight and the men around her, the low, hard voices and Zev''s serious responses to their questions.


    That memory¡­ she''d always cherished it. But now¡­ with what he was saying, what he was describing¡­ it all looked different. Better, in some ways. Worse in others.


    She wasn''t sure how to feel about it.


    He turned to nce at her, reaching for her hand as he listened to a question from Jhon. And even that simple touch set her blood ame.


    She was ridiculous.


    He''d lied to her, abandoned her, stalked her for three years, then turned up and¡­ and her heart sang.


    She gripped his hand so hard he looked at her again, a question in his eyes.


    What is it? What''s wrong? He said in her mind, but she had no way to answer him, not with this audience. So they only met eyes, then she dropped her gaze to their entwined hands while he was forced to focus on the conversation with the other men.


    "If you learned of the human''s deception, if you knew that they''d lied, why didn''t you fight to return? You clearly had some freedoms¡ªwhy not just return to use when you realized?" Joyte asked gruffly.


    Zev shook his head. "It took months¡­ years to understand how bad it was," he said. "And I couldn''t let the team realize what I''d learned. The day I learned the females weren''t breeding sessfully, that there weren''t offspring, I wasn''t even supposed to have been in theb. They weren''t supposed to be there either. But yet, we crossed paths¡­


    "I askedter¡ªI had to be so careful. If they knew I was questioning what they were saying I was at risk of being caged like those I saw in theb. I couldn''t help them if I was locked up. I had to wait for the conversation of offspring toe up naturally, to ask Nick what was happening¡ªwhere were the children? Were they in Thana or here?


    "Nick lied and told me that they were holding the females until the offspring were born, then sending them back to Thana after safe delivery."


    Zev shook his head, lines appearing at the corners of his mouth. "It was a lie. All of it. Once I''d caught them in one, I started questioning everything¡­ but it was only a couple of months ago that I was certain. And then I did start nning. I thought it would take longer to get back here, but when they tried to take Sasha¡­ it was time."


    He looked at her again and she squeezed his hand, though she was desperately aware of the gazes around the fire¡ªsome of them disapproving.


    "You all need to know, iming Sasha wasn''t just convenience or pride. Sasha is different for me. We do have the bond¡ªbut it''s different. Maybe it''s the only kind of bond I''m capable of? I don''t know. I just know that¡­ that she''s my One. My heart''s song. I will never breed another female as long as I live." He said the words to her, and Sasha''s heart squeezed. Then he turned back to the other men. "I will never betray our people in that way again. Ever. I am no longer deceived. I will not be tricked into this darkness again. It would be a betrayal not only to you, but to my mate, and our bond. Hear me: I need your forgiveness. I beg it. But I also offer you my vow."


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 Chapter 125 - Cognitive Dissonance

    (Added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words) 10 DAYS LEFT! Zev''s Werewolfpetition closes on 5 January. I know it''s an expensive time, but ALLments, votes, Golden Tickets, gifts, chapters/privilege through 5 January help! And I am nning a mass release for January to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev sat quietly, staring around the circle, meeting eyes with each of the men. She could see the certainty in the way his shoulders were back and he met each set of eyes evenly, patiently. But she could also see his tension.


    Would they believe him as much as he believed in himself?


    Sasha turned her thoughts inward to her own heart and mind. Did she believe in him as much as he believed in himself?


    And she found her answer was yes, but.


    If she took away her embarrassment and fear of what others thought, if she put aside the doubts that rose in her own mind just because she saw them in the eyes of her mother and her friends¡­ if she dismissed the fear of having to convince others that she wasn''t crazy, the truth was, she did believe Zev. She believed that he hadn''t wanted to leave her¡ªor the Chimera¡ªand that he had no intention of doing it again.


    But the flipside of that truth was that he hadn''t wanted, or nned to leave them the first time either.


    Was it possible that this Nick, or the team of scientists the Chimera were familiar with, had some kind of control over him that he didn''t even know about?


    Was it possible that in this moment, under these circumstances, he had every intention of beating Xar as Alpha, iming her, walking through this marriage rite, whatever it was, and saving the chimera from the humans? And that somehow these people would make him swerve from that?


    That was what she feared, she realized.


    She didn''t doubt that Zev loved her. She never had. She doubted his ability to stay strong enough to protect their love.


    And that thought made her want to weep.


    Suddenly insecure, suddenly uncertain, she tried to lean subtly closer to him, to feel his warmth and strength and convince her body not to twist up in fear.


    But she didn''t want to draw the attentions of the other men. She didn''t want to be some fawning woman who just hung all over her man like a leech.


    She was a grown woman. She''d survived the past five years without Zev¡ªwhether she wanted to or not¡ªand now that he was back, she didn''t want to go back to the way she''d been before.


    Back then, she''d just hung on his every word. She would have followed him anywhere. And he''d never taken advantage of that. He''d always kept her safe and never used his power against her.


    But she didn''t want to give that power back to him, she realized.


    She didn''t want to be in this strange world with these strange people and be no one but Zev''s mate.


    She wanted to¡­ she wanted to have a life if he left again.


    She swallowed hard, because admitting that meant admitting that he might leave again, and that thought opened a pit in her stomach. But one thing she''d tried so hard to do in the years since he''d left was to be honest with herself about herself.


    She''d always known that Zev loved her, and she loved him. She''d also known no one else believed it after he left her.


    And she knew why, as well. Because she questioned that part as well.


    Love was all well and good¡­ but how deep did it run if someone was able to just leave?


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Everyone in the cave could scent Sasha''s growing tension and unease. Under the circumstances, no one would judge it. But Zev was worried.


    He tried to catch her eye multiple times, but she was looking down, staring into nothing, her mahogany hair falling between them like a curtain, the firelight sparking deep reds and golds in it. He took her hand again and she turned her chin slightly to look at where they were joined, their fingers entwined. She didn''t resist touching him, which soothed his fear.


    But she didn''t look at him either. What was she thinking?


    Not for the first time he cursed that she wasn''t a wolf and couldn''t share her thoughts with him. There were so many ways he could show himself to her,municate. And she, already weaker, was restricted to so few.


    "What''s wrong?" he asked in her head again without taking his eyes off Lhars who was speaking to the others about how the humans worked, how all of them would need to handlemunications until Zev had returned as Alpha and he and Sasha hadpleted the mating ritual.


    She shook her head almost imperceptibly¡ªto a human. The tiny movement would be a shing light to the wolves, though they knew enough of humans to know she might make those movements simply in thinking to herself. He prayed the others would ignore it as a human strangeness and keep their focus on the discussion. But he could only keep half his mind on the words being spoken around that fire. And he couldn''t afford that.


    The next few days would literally determine the future of the Chimera. Their very existence if his suspicions were correct.


    He almost shook his head, too.


    Watching Xar submit to the humans, treat them as a human would royalty, or a powerful celebrity... it had put his teeth on edge.


    The Chimera were strong, intelligent, capable, and physically so superior to humans one-on-one, it was almostughable.


    Yet, the humans evened the ying field with their technologies and weapons. And their plots.


    The wolves were cunning. The Tigers were aggressive. The owls were wise. The goats were immoveable. The hares served others with a single-minded integrity that had always humbled and inspired Zev.


    But the humans¡­ the humans conquered. Their intelligence and dedication to their causes, their ability to look ahead, to n, to create their own futures¡­ it was staggering.


    When the human intention and dedication was applied to a good cause, Zev saw them as examples in¡­ well, almost everything. But when their motives were selfish¡­


    He looked at Sasha again and a growl wanted to begin in his throat. She must have felt him tense because she turned, eyes widening when she caught sight of his face.


    He spoke into her head.


    Don''t ever give up hope, Sash. I''m here. This is going to¡ª


    Footsteps, just outside the cave, sent adrenalin flooding through Zev and he leaped to his feet, putting himself between Sasha and the cave mouth.


    How had anyone gotten so close without warning?


    But then the shadows at the cave mouth shifted, and suddenly Skhal stood in the dim light of the fire, grinning at all of them like¡­ well, like a wolf.


    "Good evening, gentlemen. I hear it''s been an interesting day?"


    *****


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 Chapter 126 - Advisor

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Skhal smiled grimly as he epted Zev''s offer of position as his Chief Advisor. "Just so long as you don''t expect me to lick your ass, we''ll do fine."


    Zev was relieved, even after their discussion he hadn''t beenpletely convinced the wolf would ept him.


    They had hurriedly caught Skhal up on what Zev had already covered, and that they were now discussing how to support him in his bid for Alpha of ns.


    Zev watched his brother carefully. It was like looking into a mirror that made the shadows deeper, the light harsher. Looking at his brother was like looking at himself with sharper angles. And from the first years they''d both been adults, Zev had always felt like that was Lhars'' personality as well¡ªthat his brother had a darkness and cunning that bordered on evil. He''d wondered how they''d bothe from the same genes, how they could look so alike yet think so differently.


    Running into Lhars and the glee he''d taken in telling Xar that Zev was back¡­ he''d assumed his brother hadn''t changed. Yet, everything Lhars had said or done since¡­


    Lhars was a contradiction in terms.


    He sneered at Zev, then acknowledged him in front of the entire n?


    He yanked Zev in front of Xar with the kind of grinning delight reserved for viins in cartoons, then sat here tonight, nning to support Zev in orchestrating Xar''s downfall?


    He ran around after the humans alongside the Tiger King, yet made Zev swear he would free the Chimera from human rule before he''d submit the Alpha?


    Zev had always sworn actions spoke louder than words. And if he was honest, his brother''s actions since he''d arrived back in Thana¡ªand before that, if Skhal and Hedin could be believed¡ªadded up to a wolf that could be trusted. Whose heart aimed for the same goals as Zev.


    Yet¡­


    Zev hadn''t realized he was staring at Lhars until his brother met his eyes and spoke into his mind.


    What?


    The word was terse, impatient. Zev''s pride red and he wanted to shake his head and turn away, dismiss his brother as a lost cause. But something stopped him.


    Why are you supporting me?


    Lhars'' eyes went t. I might despise you, brother, but anyone can see the Chimera were better, healthier, stronger when you were Alpha of All. The decision is practical.


    Why not defeat Xar yourself? You''re as strong as me. If I can kill him, you can.


    Lhars'' jaw twitched. Strength isn''t just in body. You know that.


    You''ve had the entire wolf n behind you.


    No, Zev. I have had the desperate support of a helpless people still waiting for the return of the Alpha they truly desired.


    Lhars voice was a spiteful hiss in his head.


    Zev blinked. What are you talking about? They were all furious at me. None of them stood against my casting out.


    Because they all knew you would fight back. They follow you, Zev. They don''t see you as needing them¡ªthey think they need you. They''re itching to see you kill Xar and defeat the humans.


    Then Lhars smiled a smile that shed like a de. I hope you seed, I really do. And if you do, I will remain submitted. But if you don''t¡­ I will be the first to take your throat.


    Zev huffed. There''s nothing more touching than the love of family, he said in Lhar''s head, his tone as dry as kindling. Thank you for your support.


    Lhars rolled his eyes and looked away as if the conversation was over. But Zev knew he had to bridge the gap, because no matter what he thought of how it had happened, the truth was, Lhars had kept the wolves as safe as he knew how while Zev was gone.


    Thank you, he said in his brother''s head, his voice soft and authentic. Thank you for keeping them all this time.


    Lhars chest expanded and he dragged his gaze away from Skhal and back to Zev slowly.


    I didn''t have any choice, brother, he sent, his voice a whip-crack of usation.


    Yes, you did, Zev argued. And though I never thought I''d say it, I''m grateful that you made the choice you did. I''m grateful to you for your intervention on my behalf tonight, as well. You''ve made my bid for Sasha, and for the Alpha easier by acknowledging me. You didn''t have to do that. I''m grateful. I owe you.


    You owe me far more than you can ever repay.


    There was silence between them, but even though Lhars'' eyes returned to Skhal, Zev had the distinct impression that his brother''s attention was still on him. Still waiting for his response.


    You''re right, Zev said finally. If he''d spoken it, it would have been through his teeth. But it was true, he knew. I do owe you more than I can ever repay. But I will do my best to make it up to you as much as I can.


    Always so noble, Lhars drawled.


    You say that like it''s a bad thing.


    Not bad, just a lie.


    A lie? The people want me as Alpha because I try to do what''s best for others. But you see that as a vice?


    No, Zev, I see it as a lie. You lie to yourself. And you lie to them. You are strong and you will do well, and they will love you for it. But all of you are blind to the truth.


    Which is? Zev growled.


    Which is that in the end, there''s always a piece of you seeking what you want. You use others to get what you want, what you need, then say you do it for them. Don''t worry, I use others for my gain too. It''s why I can see it in you. I just don''t pretend I''m helping them when I do it, he snapped.


    Zev rolled his jaw. What good did you gain by helping me, then?


    Zev was certain that the wave of emotion that sh through his brother wasn''t supposed to have bled through to him, but Lhars had been taken off-guard, or opened himself to Zev more than he''d realized.


    Zev jolted with the wash of pure feeling that was gone as quickly as it had appeared. He stared at his brother who''d gone suddenly very still.


    Zev sucked in a deep breath. What is her name, Lhars? Is she here, or do the humans have her.


    It''s none of your business.


    Brother, if I understand anything it''s the lengths we will go to for our ma¡ª


    I do not have a mate and will not. I am not speaking about this further.


    And he was gone, closing off his mind from Zev, presumably from everyone in the room.


    For the second time that night, Zev''s temptation was to say to hell with his brother and turn away. But that little, quiet voice in the back of his head wouldn''t let him.


    The revtion was staggering¡ªand very, very inconvenient as, for the first time really in his adult life, Zev found himself feeling empathy for his brother. He hated to admit it, even to himself.


    But it took only one look at his own mate, at Sasha''s beautiful hair, fallen down between them again and her small hand in his, and he was convinced¡­


    He and his brother had far more inmon than he''d ever realized.

 Chapter 127 - Council

    (Added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words) 10 DAYS LEFT! Zev''s Werewolfpetition closes on 5 January. I know it''s an expensive time, but ALLments, votes, Golden Tickets, gifts, chapters/privilege through 5 January help! And I''m nning a mass release for January to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    It was a tradition of the Wolf Council that every decision must be voted. The vote itself was little more than an exercise it finding unity¡ªthey''d always discussed issues and problems until they could find an approach that all members could at least support, if not apud.


    So when Bleddyn was the one to suggest voting in support of Zev as Wolf n Alpha, and his bid for Alpha of All, Zev was touched¡ªand more than a little surprised. But apparently the dark wolf really had submitted despite their rocky start, because he voted in unity with the others, and so it was decided.


    The wolves would support Zev in a bid for the Alpha of All.


    With that vote out of the way, the discussion eased a little, but turned to the future of the wolf n, and the Chimera as a whole.


    "So, your im is made and we will support you in it. But what do you n to do? Will you take Alpha before you enter the ritual?"


    "I don''t know," Zev said. "I need to heal before I face Xar, but I also don''t want to fight any more of the if it isn''t necessary. I don''t want to give them a lot of time to change their minds. I say we move ahead with the ritual¡ªthe day after tomorrow. Once that''s done and we''ve had our solitude, I can Xar when we''re back and I''ll be fully healed." His ribs screamed every time he moved, but he knew within two days that would be an ache, and two days after that he''d be good as new.


    What he was less sure of was how the males would react with an unmated female running around loose, since their bond wouldn''t be acknowledged by most. He needed that ritual, and fast.


    "What does your mate say?" Skhal asked quietly.


    The males all eyed Sasha and Zev sighed. They could all still scent Sasha''s tension. Zev was desperate to get her alone after this n business was finished so they could finally talk without being under threat. But he knew he couldn''t risk appearing to rush the council. The males needed a lot of reassurance¡ªand he needed them behind him.


    Sasha looked around, startled when she realized they were all staring at her. "I told you, I choose Zev," she said quickly, licking her lips, then eyeing Zev, who nodded. She was doing the right thing.


    "Do you have concerns about the mating ritual happening so quickly?" Jhon asked, watching her carefully.


    "No. Why would I? He''s my mate, as you put it. I''ve been waiting for him."


    The males all grunted or murmured, nodding their heads, and Zev hid a smile. She didn''t know that, by Chimera tradition, she''d just told them she''d been keeping herself for Zev.


    He wondered if she really had. She''d had a boyfriend in the past year. Her apparent happiness to be rid of the guy didn''t mean that she hadn''t touched him, or let him touch her. Zev rolled his shoulders and tried to loosen the sudden tension in his neck, reminding himself he had no right to be ufortable with any rtionship she might have had, under the circumstances.


    "You don''t wish to wait until your bleeding has passed?" Joyte asked frankly.


    Sasha choked like she''d swallowed something wrong. Zev stifled a grin and watched her, knowing he was taking too much pleasure in her difort. But it was kind of funny to see the shoe on the other foot.


    Sasha had always been the one who spoke what she thought, with few filters, and fewer malicious intentions. But her blunt honesty¡ªor verbal diarrhea under stress, as she put it¡ªhad always been a shock to people. He was d she hadn''t grown out of it. But he did wonder how she would cope with the Chimera''s openness about the things of the body and nature.


    "I, uh¡­ I don''t want to wait, no," she said.


    "You may enjoy your solitude more¡ªand you are more likely to be sessful in reproduction if you wait until after¡ªunless the human female body is different?" Skhal asked.


    The male didn''t smile, but Zev wondered if he knew more than he was letting on, and was just enjoying teasing Sasha.


    He looked at her. Her cheeks were beet-red and it hit him then that to her, speaking to other males about this was akin to the vition of being seen naked. He hurried to intervene, cursing himself for not taking seriously how sensitive she could be about those things.


    "Sasha and I have no reason to fear problems in seeking a family," Zev said quietly, putting his authority behind the statement. "To us, this is reunion after a long separation. We don''t want to extend it a day longer than necessary."


    Cheeks still red, Sasha nodded in agreement.


    "I will speak with Kyelle about setting up the ritual for the day after tomorrow," Joyte said with a quiet nod.


    Sasha blinked. "Why Kyelle?"


    "You need a female alongside you during the ritual," Zev said nervously, cursing his luck in this as well. "There are very few still in Thana, and it really needs to be a female that matches you in rank. Once we''re mated, you''ll be the highest ranking female. Only Kyellees close right now." Zev''s stomach felt sick at the thought, but Joyte was right, what other choice did he have?


    Sasha looked at him strangely. "Will she want to do it?"


    "Kyelle will do whatever is best for the people," Zev said, answering the question without actually answering it, because the truth was¡­ he very much doubted it. He also had little doubt that she would. Kyelle had a heart of gold. But she was a strong female, and her feelings for Zev¡­


    He''d never led her on. They''d been close as friends. But he''d known of her hope. He''d always been clear with her that he believed Sasha was his mate and she''d epted the boundaries he set. But her hope had lived on, he knew. But now¡­


    He was going to have to speak with her¡ªas Alpha of the n, as well as mate to the female Kyelle would help.


    He had to make sure she wasn''t going to put any barriers in their way.

 Chapter 128 - Future

    <strong>READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you, DespinaNY, for being literally my biggest supporter this year. I didn''t imagine generosity like yours existed in today''s world. Thank you for being an example of love and giving! I hope you have a Christmas full of love and joy. </strong>


    <strong>*****</strong>


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    "So once you''re mated, and you''ve had your solitude, you will return to take Xar?"


    Zev nodded, and a little me of thrill lit in his chest.


    "And you''ll loosen the grip of the humans," Lhars pressed.


    Zev nodded again. "There is much I need to learn, but I will begin that process the day I take power, you have my word on it," he said seriously.


    Lhars held his gaze. "He will be expecting your attack," his brother warned. "You''ll have to be either very stealthy, orpletely transparent. Either walk the vige calling your challenge and demanding hee to meet it, or take him alone at a time he least expects. He will be surrounded by guards though, I''m sure, from the moment he learns that you''re Alpha of the Wolf n. It''s an argument for you trying to take him right away, actually. He won''t expect that. He wouldn''t have believed you could climb the ranks so quickly."


    The brothers met eyes again then and Zev nodded, acknowledging that Lhars had assisted him intentionally. The other wolves grunted their approval of the brothers unity in this.


    Then Lhars, being Lhars, had to up the stakes. "I assume you don''t n to challenge the other Alphas?"


    Zev frowned and shook his head. "Not for power. I''ll beat them if I have to, to get Sasha safe. But once I get the mating out of the way, they''ll get no trouble from me unless they bring it. I''m thinking about what you said about Xar not expecting me to climb so quickly. Is it better to try and take him before the ritual? Simply because he won''t expect it? Skhal?"


    Skhal shifted his weight, his face thoughtful. "Strategically, yes. But the solitude is a necessary part of the ritual and I can''t see how you could take it if you''d just taken Alpha of All. It would be far better to establish one, then the other. Take your mate, Zev. Being mated will show your growth and provide greater assurance to the people, as well. It isn''t a bad thing."


    Zev breathed easier then. He really didn''t feel good about taking any dys with Sasha. That little voice piped up again¡ªthat he needed to be certain of her, and her of him. Not to rely on a ritual to provide that for them. But he shook it off. He didn''t think walking the ritual would make her love him more. He just¡­ he just wanted her to see hismitment.


    And he definitely wanted the other males under no deception about Sasha''s status as a mate.


    None.


    Jhon raised an eyebrow at him. His scent must have changed with the fierceness of his thoughts. Zev cleared his throat and moved on.


    "Okay, then we''re agreed. Sasha and I will mate first, then I''lle for Xar. While we''re in the solitude, I will rely on the rest of you to gather support and prepare the hearts of the people. I will need every heart on that field, not just the wolves."


    "You want us to warn the other ns?" Lhars looked shocked.


    Zev shrugged. "I trust your judgment. The wolves in this cave know how to read the people. Dunken already knows. Yhet will soon enough. I''m happy for others to know that you would measure as those who would stand with us."


    "That''s just about everyone," Lhars growled. "Honestly."


    Zev frowned. "How can that be?"


    "It wouldn''t have been true a year ago," Skhal said. "But we''ve all watched Xar''s descent. Now we''re watching our people be destroyed at the hands of a madman."


    Lhars nodded. "Thana is now full of lone wolves, it''s not healthy for any of us. Something needs to happen with the humans. Something that gives us more freedom. More ability to build families and packs again."


    They all looked at Sasha again and she looked at Zev, clearly trying not to look nervous, and not remembering they could all smell it on her.


    "The only way that can happen is if we get the females back," Zev growled. "I still don''t understand why everyone has just rolled over for this!"


    "You don''t understand because you weren''t here," Lhars snapped. "Xar has never had your strength with the humans, and even less so since the females were taken."


    "But why? Why wasn''t Xar challenged? Why didn''t YOU challenge him?"


    Lhars growled, but it was Skhal that spoke over all of them. "Burying ourselves in the past will never help any of us. We have all made choices¡ªchoices that seemed wise at the time, whether they were or not. But now we face a new future. Let go of what has happened and look ahead. Zev, don''t ask why no one else has done the job, ask how you can do it."


    A low growl puttered in his throat, but he knew Skhal was right. And bringing up the past was only going to remind people of how he had let them down, as well.


    Zev sighed. "Okay, tell me what happened today when the humans came and made everyone stay in the square. Did they take anything when they searched? Were there any obvious plots? Anything that wasn''t rted to Sasha and I that they did?"


    Lhars shook his head. "They really were looking for you guys," he said sullenly. "Especially Sasha."


    Zev''s teeth wanted to snap. They prioritized her because she would be easier to take and they knew if they had her, they had power over him.


    "Tell me what they did, step by step," Zev demanded.


    Lhars rolled his eyes. "You want a list of the homes we examined? All of them! They were looking for tworge prey¡ªyou two. We went from home to home, they searched possible hiding ces around the vige and woods¡­ they truly believed you were here¡ªand left believing that, I''m certain of it."


    "Did they leave you to search without them?"


    Lhars shook his head. "No, Xar and I were always with at least one human. And the only time we split uppletely was when the humans took Xar to give him their medicine."


    "What is this medicine everyone keeps mentioning. Xar looks strong, not sick."


    "He''s sick in his mind," Skhal said bluntly. "He''s beginning to lose touch with reality¡ªit''s part of the reason he banished you. They give him a drug that helps him be more¡­ present in reality."


    "They give him a drug to make him stronger so that no one can challenge him, at least not easily," Lhars added quietly.


    Everyone went still.

 Chapter 129 - Real

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    "What do you mean they make him stronger?" Zev asked Lhars quietly.


    "I mean exactly what I said. They''re strengthening him, doing everything they can to make sure he doesn''t lose control¡ªbecause he''spletely under their thumbs," Lhars growled. "I don''t know what they''ve promised him, but whatever it is, he has no desire to resist them, and as long as he''s in power, the Chimera will follow too. It''s part of the reason I didn''t challenge him¡ªonly part," Lhars admitted. "I knew they were going to help him stay in power. But they were nervous today. I think you''re the one they''ve warned him about. They all seemed very twitchy."


    "That''s got to be why he cast me out," Zev said, his lip curling away from his teeth. "It was such a wrong reaction¡­ I can''t help but think it was specifically designed to slow me from reaching him, to challenge for Alpha."


    Surprisingly, Lhars nodded along with that.


    Zev stared at his brother. "You know this?"


    Lhars didn''t look away from the mes but shook his head. "I only suspect. He''s been imbnced about you from the beginning. And you''vee back stronger. He''s nervous."


    "Is he?" Zev scoffed. "If anything, he seemed less concerned than he should be."


    "He''s a master at hiding his fear. But he lives in it. The male has nightmares every night¡ªthe humans give him medication to stop them. At least, that''s what he says. Or what they say. I have my doubts."


    "Nightmares are hardly¡ª"


    Lhars looked up, his face twisted. "The kind of nightmares that close his hands on the throat of anyone who tries to wake him or help. The kind where he locks his door from the inside at night so no one cane to him when he''s asleep. The male is insane and losing control."


    Zev blew out a breath. "Why hasn''t anyone challenged him before now? Why haven''t you? Pure strength won''t win you Alpha of All¡ªyou know that."


    Lhars nodded and his face went hard. "No, you''re right. Had you not shown up soon, who knows what would have happened? I''ve been preparing the wolves to abandon the Vige, just in case."


    "Why not just beat him?"


    "Because we couldn''t risk yet another dissolution of the hierarchy that gave the humans even more reason to be here, to interfere!" Lhars snapped. "I didn''t have support outside of the wolves, and even then¡­ I told you, Zev. Everyone''s been waiting for your return. And now here you are. Clearly it''s the Creator''s will."


    Zev''s lips went t at that, but he didn''t respond. "So it''s best if I challenge Xar when it''s been a few days since the humans medicated him?"


    "Definitely. I think you would still win, but he''ll be easier to beat when he isn''t juiced up."


    Zev eyed his brother, his senses crackling with suspicion. "You seem very eager for me to fight the Tiger that you weren''t prepared to fight yourself. Why?"


    Lhars frowned. "I told you, I want to see the ns back to bnce and¡­ why are you looking at me like that?" he growled.


    "Because I don''t trust you," Zev said. "You''re acting¡­ strangely."


    Lhars'' mouth dropped open. "I''m submitting. To you!"


    "Exactly. You''ve never done that before. Why now?"


    "You''re serious?"


    "Yes, I''m serious."


    Lhars shook his head, his upper lip curling. "I do the right thing¡­ you show up and I do the right thing and that''s what makes you suspicious of me!? You aren''t the only one who grew up in the past three years, Zev. But I''m happy to take another shot at kicking your ass if that''s what it takes for you to see sense."


    Sasha put a hand to his arm just as Zev was about to bite back. They met eyes and she shook her head.


    Zev sighed. She was right.


    "Fine," he said after a moment. "I just¡­ Is there anything you haven''t told us? Anything you''re still holding for the Tiger?"


    Lhars'' eyes narrowed and he shook his head. "No," he spat, "I have done everything in my power to help you today, and this is how you treat me. I can''t win with you, Zev." No one spoke, then a momentter Lhars pushed to his feet. "You have my vote for the mating ritual, and to attack Xar afterwards. I need to get some sleep. I''ll see you tomorrow."


    "Lhars," Zev started as his brother stormed for the front of the cave, but Skhal stood and shook his head.


    "I''ll go after him," the older male said. "He''s just tender about losing his position. But he''s right, Zev, he''s done the right thing. It''s up to you to acknowledge that."


    "I already have!" Zev said, feeling like a sibling defending themselves against their father. "I spoke in his mind and thanked him for all he''s done."


    "Then get your head out of your ass and mean it," Skhal said bluntly. "Because you''re going to need him in theing months. And you can''t be looking behind everything he does to help you otherwise you''ll never see the real enemy because you''ll be so busy looking at the ally that you don''t like."


    "Weren''t you the one who always warned me about him?"


    Skhal snarled. "I warned you to watch for yourself because he wasn''t submitted. Now he is. Since when do we not respect a Chimera who has submitted publicly?"


    He left Zev sitting there, blinking, a sinking feeling in his stomach as he went after Lhars.


    Sasha''s hand tightened on his arm, but he didn''t speak.


    Was he wrong to be suspicious of his brother?


    He barely spoke as Jhon led the vote for both the mating ritual, and for challenging Xar, then they all said their farewells.


    Zev''s head was spinning so badly, so off bnce, he waste getting to his feet to receive the submissions of the councilors¡ªa tradition he couldn''t afford to skip as their new Alpha. So, motioning for Sasha to stand back since she wasn''t yet an Alpha, he walked to the front of the cave and embraced and shared scents with each male before they left.


    He couldn''t help wondering what it would have been like if Lhars were here.


    Would he have felt better, safer, sharing scents with his brother as well as the others?


    He still didn''t know.

 Chapter 130 - Together

    (Added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words) 10 DAYS LEFT! Zev''s Werewolfpetition closes on 5 January. I know it''s an expensive time, but ALLments, votes, Golden Tickets, gifts, chapters/privilege through 5 January help! And I am nning a mass release for January to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev was so preupied he almost missed the moment when thest of the males finally left the cave and he was alone with Sasha.


    He stood near the cave mouth, waiting until they all disappeared around the corner. Without realizing it, he was still staring at the space when they were all out of sight and suddenly Sasha''s arms wrapped around his middle and she leaned into his chest, bringing her gorgeous scent with her.


    Zev startled back to awareness and pulled her into a hug, resting his head on the crown of her hair.


    They both sighed.


    All thoughts of his brother and his confusion left as Zev realized that she was there. She was really there. And she was his¡ªmostly. Almost. He could fight for her now, and she didn''t have to ignore him, and¡­


    "I can''t believe you''re finally here!" he whispered and pulled up her chin to kiss her,bing her hair back with his fingers as she lifted her eyes¡ªwide and serious¡ªto meet his.


    Which is when he remembered the tension and fear he''d been smelling on her for the past hour or more and his heart sank again.


    "What is it, baby?" he whispered. "What''s made you afraid?"


    She shook her head. "I''m not afraid, exactly."


    "What was upsetting you? I could tell before Skhal arrived, but I had to do that. I''m sorry. I couldn''t leave them waiting."


    "I know, I know," she said patting his chest. "I wasn''t expecting you to. Really. I just¡­ I don''t know. I guess I''m still trying to ept that this is all real. And everything you''ve been put through since you left. I know that''s taken a toll on you, Zev. I do. I just¡­ I''m struggling with it."


    His body wanted to shiver. He wanted nothing more than to just pull her into the furs and curl himself around her, make love to her, and shut out the rest of the world. But he knew he couldn''t. In the end, that wouldn''t help either of them.


    So instead, he led her back to the fire, settled down, then pulled her into hisp. She made noises like she wasn''t pleased, but when he gripped her and looked into her eyes, she stopped struggling.


    So, one arm around her back, her legs over his thigh, he stroked her hair again. "Tell me. Or ask me. Whatever it is. I want you here with me and happy about it, Sash. Whatever it takes."


    Her forehead crinkled and she shook her head. "See, that''s just the thing. You''re so freaking sweet, and loving and¡­ so open with me Zev. I don''t get it. I don''t get how you just walked out and I never saw you again. I mean¡ªI get it. If I really believed being close to me was going to kill you, I would have gone too. I get that part. But that story you told tonight¡­ It''s been three years. And you''re saying you had a clue after what, six months? Definitely a year? But I still didn''t see a hair of you until this week. That''s just¡­ it''s crazy!"


    "My life is crazy," he said sadly. "I know how it sounds. But it''s just the truth. My head was messed up back then¡ªmostly over losing you¡ªand I think Nick used that. Like I said, being able to see photos of you, follow you, know that you were safe¡­ it was like a balm for a while. But then it started to grate¡ªbeing close enough to see you, but not close enough to touch. And the more I learned about what they were doing¡­ the harder it got."


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    She almost didn''t ask. She almost chickened out. Because he looked so miserable, and she knew he was exhausted¡ªand she would have bet money that if she squeezed the other side of his ribs that he had very carefully positioned away from her, that he would have flinched.


    He was injured, and exhausted, and worn out. And she was putting him under further pressure. But she had to know.


    So she just blurted it out.


    "The Zev I know couldn''t¡­ force himself on someone," she said, her stomach flipping over at the wordsing out of her mouth. "I don''t understand how you could have¡­ have been there¡­ with those women and just¡­. Just done that. Not if you''re the Zev I really know."


    His eyes closed and he hung his head, his face screwed up with pain and shame.


    She curled a hand around his neck and pulled his face towards her, forcing him to meet her eyes. "Tell me," she whispered. "I''ll try really hard to believe you."


    "I had to be in my wolf," he said. "He''s more¡­ triggered by scent and hormones and¡­ You''re right, Sash. I can''t force myself on someone. I checked with everyone of them. They all wanted it. They all gave the right signals and told me the right things. But something was off and¡­ and I wasn''t right either. All of us were there because we''d been told to be there, not because we wanted it. It was¡­ sick."


    "All of you? They made you have more than one at a time?"


    "No, no, that''s not what I meant. I just¡­ They had a ce they took us where we could shift without worrying about space, and¡­ they''d always give me something before I went in. Something that would make me more¡­ easily aroused," he said, his eyes flicking to hers to check her response. "Then I''d talk to the female and she''d say she wanted to have offspring and we''d bboth shift and¡­"


    "Could you feel it? Or like, being in your wolf, was it different than when¡­ you''re¡­ I mean¡­"


    "It''s differently," he said, his voice t. "But I remember everything. I''m there. But my body''s different. The triggers are different. How it works is different. The whole thing is just¡­ fuck, Sash, I wish none of it had happened! I wish I didn''t have to tell you this! I wish I could hide it, but¡­ I can''t. This is real. And it was fucking horrible for all of us!"


    He was beginning to shake from head to toe. rmed, Sasha wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in tight.


    *****


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 Chapter 131 - Just This Once

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha had had a conversation with a friend once, when they were rying a part they''d been to. Where they''d been sexually assaulted. How it had changed their life and¡­ her friend had trembled in exactly the same way. Her entire body vibrating. Not the way it happened from cold, where skin and muscle were reacting to something outside. But¡­ it was like the body couldn''t contain everything it was feeling and began to shudder.


    Zev stared at her, his eyes pleading and she held his face.


    "Tell me," she whispered, though she didn''t want to hear it. "Tell me what it was like, and how it made you feel, and whates into your head when you think about it. I''ll never ask you again unless you want to talk about it. But tell me once. Let''s get it out there and¡­ deal with it," she whispered. "Because I love you, Zev. And once I understand, that''s going to be it. We''re going to be together and we''re going to be happy. So¡­ tell me."


    He stared at her sadly for a long minute, then he did. They sat there together, him shaking, her trying not to weep, as he ryed the sick dread he woke with every time he knew he had to go to the ce he called the Breeding Arena.


    Zev talked about the conversations he had with Nick about how crucial this "work" was. How every time he wanted to pull out or stop, Nick would convince him that the future of the Chimera depended on him.


    He told her that at first he thought he was the only one who really didn''t want to do this thing¡ªthat the females were so eager for offspring that they were open to him.


    He was told that they wouldn''t bond with him, because he couldn''t form the bond, remember?


    He was told that he was saving the Chimera from extinction, and singlehandedly stopping the "powers that be" as Nick always referred to them, from pulling the funding.


    He''d even asked once, what would happen if they did. Didn''t that just mean the humans would stoping through the Gate and they could just live happily in Thana?


    But Nick had gotten very serious and hard.


    "No, Zev. You have to understand. These people, they have so much money and so much power¡­ they''re bored. So if they decide they don''t want to y with a toy anymore, they don''t want anyone else ying with it, either. The day they decide our projects are over, I''ll get the kill sign and¡­ and then it''s over. Thana is over."


    Zev''s face paled when he remembered that moment and Sasha tightened her grip on his shoulders.


    "He painted a picture of¡­ annihtion, Sash. Their weapons brought to Thana¡ªthe real ones. Not tasers and guns. But bombs and germs, and¡­"


    "Germs?"


    His face got very hard then, but he nodded. "That''s the thing I found out," he said through his teeth. "I couldn''t tell the pack, they''d¡­ they''d never understand. They haven''t been to the human world, they don''t understand what it''s like over there."


    "What? What are you talking about?"


    Zev took a deep breath. "They call it biological warfare."


    Sasha blinked. "You''re serious?"


    Zev nodded. "That whole thing with the germs? It was real. I mean, not the things they told me, but the fact that chimera were getting sick. That part was real. But it was intentional. They didn''t just make us sick to test us, Sash. They were making sure that I wouldn''t get it. They were making sure that my blood¡­ that I could resist it. I don''t know what it is, but it kills Chimera and not humans.


    "When the pack said that the humans had been helping with food and medicine? I wanted to scream. Because anything they''re bringing here is either designed to make Chimera sick, or make them¡­ instructible."


    Sasha felt sick. But she just listened, stroking the back of his neck as he held her and spoke.


    "All that mating, all that time with the females, it was all to make sure that I was immune. And, I think, sometimes, they did hope that it would make offspring, that the offspring could be experimented on. I don''t know. All I know is¡­ those females are all dead. They''re all gone, Sasha."


    "All of them?" she gasped. "All the ones from here?"


    "I don''t know! I just know that that all the females I talked to, or mated¡­ I saw a list¡­ fuck." He let go of Sasha, sliding her to the fur on the cave floor, then scrambling to his feet to pace. "I know it''s sick, what you''re thinking, what you''re seeing. I get why it makes you nervous about me, Sasha. I do. After what we had. It was nothing. You have to believe me. What happened with those females¡­ it didn''t involve my heart at all. And by the end¡­ by the end they were calling me in less and less. I think they could tell I was ready to snap."


    "Snap?"


    "I was losing control of myself. I was starting to struggle to do it even when I was a wolf. The whole thing gives me nightmares. Almost every night. I don''t sleep half the time because¡­ because I keep seeing them. They were so pale, so pale. They never saw sun! And they were scared¡­ fuck!"


    Sasha pushed to her feet and intercepted him when he turned in his pacing, pulling him against her and stroking his back. Shushing him.


    "You don''t have to talk about it anymore, I get it."


    "No, you don''t. It''s¡­ it''s sick, Sash. And they''re still there. I came here to save you¡ªto save us! Lhars was right."


    Sasha blinked. "Right about what?"


    Zev raked a hand through his hair and grimaced. "We were talking in our heads for a while tonight. And one of the things he said¡­ he said that sometimes I do things for other people, but it''s really because it''s going to help me get what I want. And¡­ he was right. In the end¡­ I do what suits me.. Because I came for you, Sash, and I left them there. I left them!"

 Chapter 132 - Shaken, Not Stirred

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev''s entire body trembled and his face had gone pale. He stared down at her, tormented, his eyes wells of pain and self-loathing. She tried to pull him back down, but he was steeling himself against the emotion. As she watched, his jaw went tight and he screwed his eyes closed, blowing out his breaths and clearly trying to get himself back under control.


    Sasha didn''t know what to say. Here she''d been angry with him, insecure that he was off having sex with all these women when in reality, he''d been traumatized. Vited as surely as if she''d been forced to sleep with men she didn''t want¡ªand on top of it all, he took responsibility.


    "Zev," she started, wholly uncertain how to soothe him.


    But he shook his head and opened his eyes. "Don''t, Sash," he said hoarsely. "The truth is¡­ mated or not, they were my people, and I left them there. And I can''t¡­ I can''t regret it because it brought me back to you. And I refuse to change that. I hate myself for it, but I''m selfish enough to¡ª"


    "You are not selfish!" she hissed, gripping his waist tightly. "If Lhars said that he''s an asshole. Everything you''ve done has been against what you wanted, and intended to help other people¡ªthat''s the truth. You''ve been damaged as much if not more than those¡ª"


    "No, Sash, seriously, don''t say that. Don''t think it. They are all prisoners, and some of them are actually caged. They have to live like animals. I only just learned the truth of that¡ªit was the final straw. But I couldn''t find a way to get them out. And I knew¡­ I knew if it was a choice between you and them I was always going to choose you, and that''s wrong! I''m their Alpha. I should do anything I can to save them!"


    "You are," she said fiercely. "I don''t know what they said to you, Zev, or what Lhars said, but you have to stop and see this. You can''t help them if you''re a prisoner too. You have to be free to free them. And once this is all done and Xar is out of the way, that''s what we''ll do. We''ll do it together. We''ll figure it out. We will save the ones we can and bring them back here and¡­ I''ll help you, Zev. No matter what it takes. You did the right thing getting out of there."


    She stroked his hair and stared into his eyes as he continued to tremble. His eyes were distant as if he were remembering, but he looked less pale. No longer turning green.


    Then he blinked and locked eyes with her, shaking his head.


    "I don''t deserve you," he breathed, putting one hand to her face, cupping her jaw.


    "Zev, don''t¡ª"


    "Listen to me, Sash. I''m serious. If there was one thing that being with all those other females showed me, it was the¡­ the sheer beauty of what we had. One time, Sash. We did it one time and you''re branded on my soul. It''s like¡­ it''s like I came alive that day¡ªand I died the day I left. But that afternoon¡­ do you remember?"


    Sasha''s heart trilled because she felt exactly the same way. Fighting tears, she nodded. "Of course I remember."


    "But do you know?" he whispered. "Because I know, Sash. What happened between us¡­ that wasn''t normal. That wasn''t what it''s like all the time. We have¡­ there''s something between us that goes deeper. Sash, I didn''t just love you with my body that day, I loved you with my soul."


    He held her face in both hands, his eyes piercing and suddenly bright¡ªnot with joy, but intensity. He was fierce, determined to make her see.


    She put her hands over his and gripped him. "I know, Zev. I know. I felt it. I loved you that way too."


    "See?! We''re bonded. There was something that happened between us that day and¡­" He didn''t speak, but his words appeared in her head.


    It''s still there, Sash. I can feel it. Can you feel it?


    She nodded and bit her lip, reminding herself that he''d already imed her. That this wasn''t the time for self-protection. "I''ve always felt it," she said honestly. "Even before that day. You''re a part of me, Zev. It''s why¡­ it''s why it was so hard for me when you left. I knew you wouldn''t just leave. I knew it!"


    Fingers curling into her cheeks, he dropped his chin until they were almost nose-to-nose.


    "You''re mine," he whispered fiercely. "And I will take down any male that so much as wags his tail at you."


    She snorted, a release of tension, but he didn''t even crack a smile.


    "Two more days, Sash. Two. More. Days." He leaned his body in so their stomachs brushed and Sasha''s skin prickled, tingled with the closeness of him.


    "Do you feel that?"


    "Yes," he breathed. "It''s always that way when you''re close. That''s what I''m saying, Sash. You''re¡­ you''re the other half of me. The idea of one of them touching you¡­" he winced and shook his head.


    Sasha reached up to take his face in her hands. "Stop torturing yourself," she said tly. "I''m here, with you, and you''re here with me. This is happening, Zev. Finally. Neither of us is walking away."


    He opened his eyes again and took a deep breath. "No, of course not. You''re right. We''re not walking away. We''re walking together from now on. I''m holding you tonight, Sash. I''m holding you for tonight and tomorrow, and then the next day¡­ the next day we walk the ritual and prove to them, all of them, who we are to each other. And when that''s done I''m taking you away from all of them. We''re taking the solitude."


    "What''s the solitude? You guys kept talking about that and I don''t have a clue."


    "You''d call it a honeymoon except¡­ more intense," he said, shing a wicked smile that made Sasha''s heart throb with desire and relief. "We''ll be utterly alone for a few days¡ªit''s a wolf tradition, taken from our animal brothers. When a pair mate they¡­ they disappear together to cement the bond. And try to make pups," he grinned.


    Sasha sucked in. But Zev''s face was alight with so much joy, she didn''t have the heart to tell him she wasn''t sure she was ready for kids yet.. But all thoughts of children flew out of her head when he started speaking into her mind.

 Chapter 133 - Foresight

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Every part of Zev''s body fizzed with conflicting emotions¡ªhis grief and self-loathing over what he''d done warring with his joy at touching Sasha and the hope of what was toe for them. He had to focus there. She was right. He had to be free himself if he was going to free others. And she was incredible to make thatmitment to him¡ªto help these females and the chimera in the grip of the humans!


    She was a true Alpha and that only made his joy in her moreplete.


    He whispered her name, held her face, the physical connection allowing him to share not just his thoughts, the images that filled his head, but the sensations.


    So he showed her everything he waited for. Everything he hoped.


    He showed her how she looked to his eyes¡ªthe way his heart fluttered when she smiled, the way his body jolted when he let his eyes linger on her body.


    The awe he felt when she offered even the simplest touch.


    The heat that boiled in his veins when she kissed him.


    He showed her what he saw for them¡ªwhat it would be like to have her alone, naked, and swallowed by the furs, her skin flushed and rosy, her eyes sparkling.


    She gasped as he took the memory of that glorious afternoon they''d shared and lived it¡ªbut here, now, in the dim light of a cave instead of her sunny childhood bedroom.


    The contrast of his olive skin against her pale cream. The way he''d soften his touch to make sure he never hurt her¡ªthe roughness of his palms on her soft, soft stomach, her breast.


    He showed her the crackle of electricity that jolted him when he imagined kissing his way up her body until he had her nipple in his mouth and¡ª


    Sasha whimpered and clung to him, her breathing faster as he assaulted her with ideas, thoughts, images¡ªall the ways he would worship her body, all the ways he would prove himself to her. Her heart beat faster and faster and she licked her lips, her eyes zing as her eyes stopped seeing him in front of her, and only saw the images he offered to her mind.


    "You''ll be mine," he whispered, fisting her hair and tugging her head gently back so he couldy his mouth at her throat.


    To his delight she arched back easily, offering herself, trusting him even when he let his teeth drag on the column of her throat.


    Her eyes closed, hershes fluttering as she sped her hands behind his neck and gave herself over to him.


    Zev''s stomach ached with unquenched desire for her, but he pushed it away.


    "Two days," he whispered. "Two days, and you''ll be mine forever."


    "Oh, Zev," she whispered back, a single tear sliding from the corner of her eye, back to her temple because she was still arched back, "I''m already yours. I always have been. That''s the entire problem. My life doesn''t work without you."


    With a groan, he pulled her back up, into his chest, cutting off the scenes ying in his mind and wrapping her in his arms, holding her tightly to his chest, wondering if she could hear his heart pounding, too.


    "There is no life without you, Sash," he murmured into her hair as she clung to him. "I was dead inside without you. Being close to you¡­ it''s lighting everything on fire again. Just¡­ just don''t give up, okay?"


    "Never." She squeezed his waist and pressed her face into his chest. "Never."


    Her conviction was in. Whatever had scared her, or angered her was gone. She''d given over to him and wanted nothing more than to be close to him. She stank of desire and love and¡­ And for the first time in five years, Zev''s heart found peace.


    "Two more days," he whispered.


    *****


    They stood together, doing nothing but hold each other, for a long time. But as the fire began to die and the cave cooled, Zev knew they would have a huge day and it was alreadyte. They needed to sleep.


    With a soft sigh he straightened,bing her hair with his fingers as he met her reddened eyes and smiled. "Will you sleep here with me tonight? Just sleep?"


    "I''ve waited to sleep in your arms, Zev. You''d have to fight me off."


    With a smile of delight, he took her hand and led her deeper into the cave, stooping to grab a couple of the furs they''d spread around the fire as they walked.


    When they reached the back he spread the thickest of the furs on the ground, knowing she was going to struggle with the firmness of sleeping on rock, despite the cushioning of the furs.


    With a second thought, and a hushed bid to her to stay there, he returned for the other furs they''d spread around the fire as well, cing four thick furs on the ground, then turning the two widest over them to act as nkets. He threw the small cushions he''d brought out here to use as pillows, then turned to face her.


    Her throat bobbed, but her eyes sparkled when she looked up at him. Holding up one finger, he darted over to his duffel bag and pulled out one of his long t-shirts, shaking it out and smiling as he remembered how she''d loved to wear his shirts and sweatshirts in high school, iming they smelled like him and made him feel closer when they were apart.


    Tension fizzed between them when he handed her the shirt and murmured to her to change, that he wouldn''t look until she told him it was safe.


    The sultry smile she gave him made his breath catch, but he put his hand over hers on the shirt she''d just taken and shook his head. "We have to wait, Sash. I can''t give them any reason to doubt my loyalty, or that I''d break the traditions, even for you. Two days," he said quietly, the promise in his eyes and shing a quick image of what it would be like for them when those two days were done.


    Sasha sucked in, but nodded. "Fine," she pouted, and he loved her for it.


    Then, a few minutester, he turned back to face her, to find her curled under the furs, staring up at him, hope in her eyes. And he sank into them with her, pulling her into his side and kissing her temple, in a fulfillment of a daydream he''d had every day since he left her.


    Just being close, holding her, being together in the quiet of a firelit cave.


    Somewhere in the back of his head that little voice reminded him that he didn''t deserve this. That the Creator was likely only giving him what he wanted to set him up to lose it all. But that just made the experience of her warmth next to him even more precious.


    As long as she was there, it was worth it. It was all worth it. He prayed that she felt the same way.


    And as they turned toy on their sides and she used his arm as a pillow, as they stared at each other without speaking, her hands soft and trailing up and down his chest, Zev sighed with the sincerest pleasure and peace of mind he''d ever experienced.


    Sasha was here. She was back. And she was his.


    In two days they would mate, and begin their lives together. They would make a home, have babies, and¡­


    Zev tensed and so close, Sasha felt it immediately and froze.


    "Zev?" she whispered. "What is it?"

 Chapter 134 - Soulless

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    "Zev?" Sasha pushed up on her elbow, leaning over him, rmed. He''d ced himself closest to the mouth of the cave to make sure hey between her and any danger that might appear during the night. So she looked from him to the fire, to the cave mouth, searching for a threat.


    She didn''t realize the threaty right next to her.


    "Zev! What is¡ª"


    "I''m not¡ªthere''s nothing happening, Sash, I''m just¡­ I just thought of something."


    "What? What is it?" She stopped scanning the cave and stared down at him, her hair falling in a burnished wave around her shoulders.


    He stroked it back, away from her face and sighed. "We will mate," he said. "And we''ll make a home. And we''ll¡­ eventually we might have children."


    Her cheeks pinked, but she nodded. "Yes. So?"


    Zev swallowed. "I don''t know what I''m passing on, Sash. I don''t even know what I am. Our child¡­ they could be damned. They could be malformed. They could¡­ any number of things could go wrong. If I''m right, I''ve never sessfully had offspring. There''s no way to know¡ª"


    "Never?" she asked, shocked. "I thought that was the whole point of all this mating?"


    He nodded sadly. "It was. But there''s been no sess if the records I saw are real. They don''t know if it''s because I haven''t tried enough with the right females, or what. But it seems that whatever switch they flipped in me that allows me to mate with multiple females also reduces my ability to have offspring. At least¡­ that''s the conclusion they''re drawing because after three years, it still hasn''t happened."


    Sasha sat back on her elbow, chewing her lip, her brow furrowed. Hebed her hair back again, watching her, waiting.


    "I don''t know whether to be sad, or ecstatic," she said after a minute. "I mean¡­ selfishly, I want that for us, you know? Only for us. Selfishly I want to fistpump right now," she admitted sheepishly.


    "I''ll admit, there was a part of me that was relieved when I heard," he said dryly. "But it also puts all of my people at risk. If we can''t be more sessful in breeding, we might all be killed out of expediency. It''s why the team is so nervous. It''s why they didn''t want me to connect with you¡ªbecause they knew this would happen. They knew I''d stop the program. I¡­ I don''t know how much time we have until they start¡­ putting Chimera down." He swallowed.


    Sasha looked horrified. "You really think they''d do that?"


    "Nick can''t fake emotion. He can stay calm and lie to me. He can twist words and manipted me. But he can''t fake feelings. He can''t make himself stink of fear when he doesn''t. And yes, I believe him. When he told me that they''d pull the plug on the program, he meant it. He doesn''t want to lose me, or us, or maybe just his lifestyle, I don''t know. All I know is, when he thought it might happen, he was terrified."


    Sasha''s face went very serious. "We could¡­ I mean if we mate¡­ they could¡­"


    "Execute us, yes."


    She blinked and he stroked her hair. "I''ll do everything I can¡ªshort of taking other females to make sure that doesn''t happen," he whispered. "But the threat is real. And now¡­ now I think about what happens if we are sessful, Sash. Our child could be anything from a normal human, to a soulless creature. Can you¡­ can you stomach that?"


    "Literally?" she asked, spluttering with nervousughter. "Like, am I going to grow a spider or something?"


    "No! No, I just meant¡­" Zev swallowed. "I meant that if I''m damned, our kid might be too. Can you forgive me¡ªcould they forgive me if¡ª"


    "Zev, you have to stop with this existential crisis shit," she said fiercely. Shocked by her aggression, he stopped ying with her hair and stared. She shook her head, still leaning over him. "Soulless people don''t lose sleep wondering if they''re causing other people pain. They don''t get traumatized by having sex with multiple women. They don''t shake when they think about losing someone they love. You are not damned!"


    He tried to force a smile. "You''re beautiful when you''re angry."


    "Zev!"


    "I''m serious," he said quietly, but raised his free hand to stop her when she opened her mouth to argue. "I hear what you''re saying, but I''m not sure it''s that simple," he said. "You understand that¡­ that I was made by human hands, Sash? I have no idea what that means. I mean, am I more animal that human? I don''t know. Do I have a soul? I don''t think so¡ªhow could I? I didn''t grow in the womb of a mother. I grew in a chamber in ab. I don''t have a birthday, I had a scheduled transition¡ªthat''s what Nick called it. Can you imagine that? They just decide one day and unwrap you. Like a package from Amazon."


    "Or a Christmas present," Sasha said softly, and he loved her for it. He pulled her down into his chest and kissed her hair and fought the tremors that wanted to shake his body again.


    "This is real, Sasha. It''s a real question. If we''re going to do this¡­ are you sure? Are you absolutely certain?"


    Sasha sighed heavily, then pushed back up to lean on his chest this time, her arms resting on him. The pressure made his ribs twinge, but he loved having her so close, her eyes fixed on his¡­ he held her there.


    "It''s scary, Zev. The not knowing. I''m going to have to think about that part¡ªwith kids, I mean. But am I sure about you? Yes. Absolutely. I''ve been sure since I was seventeen years old. My fear isn''t about being with you. It''s about coping if you leave me. It''s stupid, I know. But that''s what it is. I''m afraid you''ll decide I''m not worth the hassle anymore or¡­ something. I don''t know."


    Zev shook his head and took her face, pulling her down to kiss him deeply, his fingers fisted in her hair. Then he spoke against her lips. "I will never leave you again. Never."


    Sasha blew out a breath, then kissed him again before whispering, "Then whatever we face in this¡­ we''ll face it together."


    Then she settled down into the crook of his arm and yed her fingers across his chest. "You aren''t soulless, Zev," she whispered. "There''s too much beauty in you."


    He had to breathe deeply for a while to stop the ache of tears.

 Chapter 135 - Getting Married, Chimera Style!

    (Added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words) 10 DAYS LEFT! Zev''s Werewolfpetition closes on 5 January. I know it''s an expensive time, but ALLments, votes, Golden Tickets, gifts, chapters/privilege through 5 January help! And I am nning a mass release for January to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha wasn''t sure how long theyy there, but she could tell Zev wasn''t sleeping any more than she was. As the warm flickering light from the fire became a deep orange glow, and it was quiet enough to hear the wind whistling in the trees on the mountain, Sasha justy there, staring at the cave ceiling, feeling warm and safe in Zev''s arm, despite the circumstances.


    When he sighed some timeter and shifted, she waited until he''d settled, then asked, "If we aren''t sleeping, you might as well me about this mating ritual. It sounds weird and wonderful, just like the Chimera," she said dryly.


    Zev huffed, then winced, grabbing at his ribs. She''d forgotten he was injured.


    With a murmuredfort, she leaned up and over him, taking her weight on the other arm, braced on the furs on his other side, and kissed his ribs.


    Zev whined in his throat and pulled her hair back to watch her face. "You have no idea what you do to me, Sash," he rasped. "Putting your mouth on me¡­ it just¡­"


    She didn''t raise her head, but looked at him from the corner of her eye as she opened her mouth over the spot on his ribs and softly, softlyved it with her tongue.


    "Dear Lord in heaven," Zev groaned. "You need to stop that, right now." But he didn''t wrestle her away.


    Sasha, making a mental note about how to get Zev''s engine running if she ever needed to, kissed his ribs again, then rolled back toy in the crook of his arm.


    "Distract me from that mental image please," Zev growled. "You flirt."


    Sasha smirked and traced the lines on his chest with a fingertip, careful to avoid the other side where his ribs were tender.


    "The ritual?" she said. "How does it work?"


    Zev sighed and raked a hand through his hair, hisrge bicep curling in front of her face so her mouth went dry. "Well, it''s a feast, and a gathering," he said, then cleared his throat, adjusting himself sheepishly. "We have to arrive separately. I''ll be presented by a male, and you''ll be presented by a female. And the tradition is that once we''re united, neither of us can leave the other¡ªif we do, it''s an open door for others to try to entice us. So once you have my hand, don''t let go. I don''t want to have to kill Lhars after all. The connection¡ªkeeping it close¡ªis supposed to be a symbol of our devotion to each other and our unwillingness to hide. Anything. Staying under each other''s eyes for the duration is supposed to signify that we''ll never hide anything from each other, or lie."


    "That sounds¡­ really special."


    Zev nodded. "So, at first when we''re presented to each other, I have to make a speech that is my deration of our intention to be a breeding pair. I have to tell them all why I deserve you, and why I believe you chose me, and then I have to¡­ to offer the males a chance to tempt you away before we hold to each other.


    "They''ll all disy for you while we stand there. They''ll tell you my weaknesses and my ws, and try to say that their strengths are better. And if you choose one of them over me, you walk away, to them."


    Sasha snorted. "Like, a naked male tells me you snore and he doesn''t, than ps his peen at me, or something, so I''m just going to leave you?" she giggled.


    But Zev didn''t find it funny. "No, Sash. These are males that know me well. They''ll¡­ they''ll tell you the worst of me. And they''ll offer proof of how much better they are than me."


    "No one''s better than you, Zev," she said softly. "Not for me."


    With a groan, he rolled to face her and kissed her, slow and lingering. When they parted, both breathing faster, he swallowed and continued.


    "If you don''t ept one of their offers, I''lle for you. I''ll fight to get to you¡ªthey''ll fight me, one at a time¡ªit''s really just symbolic, nothing more than bruises. But once I reach you and we take hold of each other, we can''t let go for the rest."


    "The rest of what?"


    "We give vows, then we dance, then we share a meal with them all, and then we leave to take our solitude." He smiled at that. "That''s when things get good."


    Sasha couldn''t help smiling back. "What vows do you use? Like the human ones?"


    "Sort of," he said. "The vows we choose are a little different, depending whatmitment we''re making to each other."


    Sasha frowned. "There''s differentmitments?"


    "Yes. We can either dere ourselves steadfast pair, or an ardent pair," he said. Sasha noticed he was looking down now, not holding her eyes. "I think¡­ I think this part muste from our human roots. Because the truth is, all Chimera are faithful. No one chooses to mate with another once they''ve taken their mate. But the vows¡­ the vows make emotionalmitments."


    "Like what?"


    Zev swallowed. "So¡­ a steadfast pair makes themitment that even in anger, they won''t turn away from each other. They''ll always give their hearts as well as their bodies, while they live. And an ardent pair promises¡­ promises¡­"


    "What?"


    His eyes came up to meet hers, then. "An ardent pair promises to seek each other even in the next life," he said, hushed. "Whatever that might be."


    Sasha smiled. "That''s beautiful!"


    "The idea is beautiful," Zev said cautiously. "But we don''t know what we''ll meet in the next life, Sash. What if¡­ what if one mate goes to heaven and one to hell¡ªwhat happens then? What if¡­ what if one doesn''t have a soul and the other does. Does that mean that the one with the soul has to spend eternity seeking, with no chance to ever find love? I mean, it''s a beautiful idea, but risky, if you ask me."


    Sasha sighed. He really had thought about this, she realized. And in the context of her¡ªit had to be. What other reason would he have to worry about one of them having a soul and the other not? If he really believed he was broken that way, he had to believe all the Chimera were. So mating another Chimera wouldn''t be a problem, right?


    "I told you, Zev, I know you have a soul. I know it to my bones. So¡­ please¡­ be my¡ªwhat did you call it? Ardent pair?"


    Zev blinked. "You can''t just say that," he said.. And he sounded angry.

 Chapter 136 - Shock

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Sasha blinked, rmed. "Why not? What did I do?"


    "You''repletely underselling yourself!" Zev growled. "You''d just give away your soul like that, Sash? Just, without even a thought?"


    "I didn''t say I gave away my soul. I said I was certain you had one. That I wouldn''t spend eternity searching for you like some sad ghost."


    "But you can''t know that!"


    "Neither can you!"


    "No, he growled. "But at least I considered it. I weighed the decision. I didn''t just throw caution to the wind and¡­. and¡­ugh it off!"


    "I''m notughing, Zev. I''m just¡­ wait¡­ considered what? Weighed what decision?"


    "Whether I would offer myself as Ardent," he said, his eyes dragging away from her face again, but he could still see her.


    Sasha''s eyes widened and she pulled her hand slowly back from his chest. "You¡­ don''t want to?" she asked quietly.


    "What? No! That''s not what I meant!"


    Sasha slumped. "Then what are you talking about?"


    "I''m talking about¡ªI know what I''m getting into. I know what decision I''m making. You''re just throwing yourself into this and not even counting the cost. What if we do find out I''m soulless? What then? Will you wish you hadn''t vowed? I don''t think I could handle that, Sasha. Seeing that in your eyes."


    "You wouldn''t!"


    "You can''t know that!"


    "Yes, I can, Zev!" She pushed up on her elbow and met his eyes, her own shing in anger. "I know I can! I''ve sat on my ass alone and depressed for five years because I lost you. I know how that feels. I never want to feel that again¡ªnow, or in eternity. I''ll do whatever it takes¡ªbut I''ll never decide that you''re not worth it!" she snapped the words like a reprimand, then caught herself and put her face in her hands. "I''m sorry. I''m sorry. I''m not mad, I''m just¡ª"


    But Zev was already pulling her in, taking her mouth, burying his fingers in her hair. His heart singing. She was right. She was right. She did know her own heart and he was telling her she didn''t? Sasha had fought for him. She''d fought to keep him when he was far away. Fought to be near him when she didn''t even know how far he was. Fought for the chance just to find him again. And here he was questioning her.


    "I''m sorry," he whispered against her lips, then took her mouth again. "I''m sorry."


    "You don''t have to be sorry! Just stop questioning yourself. Stop questioning whether I want this. I want this, Zev. I want all of it. Everything. With you. Only with you!"


    Something in his chest broke open at those words and a river of emotion tumbled out of his heart and into his bloodstream. Sucking in a breath, he pressed her into his chest, ribs be damned.


    Groaning his heart''s song, pulse thundering in his ears, he drew her into the circle of his arms and rolled her onto her back, looming over her, his kiss deep and frantic.


    Sasha whimpered into his mouth, but gave the kiss back just as desperately, arching her back and pulling him close, their tongues tangling, breaths roaring, her fingers wed into his hair and she whispered his name like a prayer.


    rms shed in Zev''s head¡ªthey couldn''t do this. He couldn''t take her. The others would smell it on them and it would be a vition, but¡­ dear Lord, he wanted her. He needed her. Needed something to show her what she meant to him. Some way to make it clear to her¡­


    He pulled away suddenly, his eyes finding hers, his breath heaving.


    "What? What is it?"


    "Don''t move," he whispered, stealing onest kiss, then throwing the furs back and rolling out of the warm cocoon they''d made.


    "Zev! What are you doing?"


    "Earning you," he said with a growl.


    "What? You don''t have to earn anything¡ª"


    Then he stood and Sasha''s breath sucked in and her eyes went wide, frozen.


    Right on his nakedness.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev was naked. Zev was bare as a baby, standing in front of her, no shame at all.


    And he was fucking beautiful.


    His rippled torsos and the t ins of his chest tapered down to a trim waist and thick thighs, the muscles in his legs leaving lines that only made him look stronger.


    She knew she shouldn''t stare, but he''d taken her so by surprise. She''d known his legs were bare, but she''d assumed.. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish and her cheeks reddened. "I knew you were¡­ but I thought¡­ underwear¡­"


    Zev chuckled and winked. "Oh, right. I sleep naked by the way." Then he turned and, feeling her eyes raking down his back, hurried to the other side of the cave, throwing back the zipper on his big duffel and digging through it.


    "I''m sorry I didn''t think of this sooner, Sash. And I''m sorry that it''s going to happen without all the ceremony. But having you here¡­ I can''t risk anything else being stolen from us."


    "I¡­ I don''t want to either," she said faintly, watching the firm rounds of his buttocks flex as he squatted next to the bag, wishing she put her hands on the hollows of it¡ª


    Then he pulled his hand out of the bag and smiled, standing straight and walking back to the furs¡ªbut to her side this time.


    For a moment she justy there, staring up at him¡ªa very unfortunate angle, really. But his beauty made up for it as he reached down for her hand. "Let me help you up," he said with a wicked grin¡ªyet, she would have sworn he was nervous too. An edge to his tone, a slight tremor in his cheeks.


    Taking his hand, she drew the furs back and let him help her to her feet. At least up there she could stare at his eyes.


    Definitely his eyes.


    Focus Sasha.


    Then he went still and so did she. Could he hear her thoughts the way he could put his thoughts in her head? She was about to ask when his Adam''s apple bobbed.


    "Are you ready?" he whispered.

 Chapter 137 - Say That Again

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha nodded even though she had no clue what he was doing. She wasn''t going to have to get naked too, was she?


    Did she care?


    With Zev, no, she realized.


    She was suddenly very aware of the huge t-shirt she was swimming in¡ªit fell off one of her shoulders, the t-shirt sleeves falling below her elbows, and the hem near her knees. Zev, over a foot taller than her, loomed over her, holding the hand he''d used to help her up, but otherwise not touching her. But his eyes were bright, shining, almost glowing again. He watched her so intently she felt like he could absolutely read her thoughts if he tried.


    "Sash," he said, his voice how and hushed, a gravel that made her want to put her arm to his chest to feel it under her palm.


    "Yes?"


    "I have loved you since I was eighteen years old," he said, then cleared his throat and looked down, before bringing his eyes back up to hers. "For thest five years, I''ve thought about you ever day. Ached for you. Yearned to be close to you, and¡­ and done anything I could to bring us closer. And now you''re here. And you''re mine," he said, with a low growl.


    Sasha''s heart trilled and she nodded. "Yes, I am."


    He swallowed again. "I know none of this is happening the way we hoped. I was too young before, and now¡­ now there are too many things trying to pull us apart. But I want you to know¡­ I want you to be certain that I am here for you. Forever."


    Tears pinched her throat, but she didn''t give in to them. She wanted to see every line of his face, every blink of his eyes. He stared at her like she was water in the desert, and she couldn''t bear the idea of looking away.


    "I love you too, Zev," she croaked. "Forever."


    He nodded. "Our lives might never be simple. And things might¡­ might get weird, or scary, or in dangerous. But all of that is on the outside. Inside, I''m yours and you''re mine. And no one and nothing can take that from us."


    She nodded, swallowing more tears and finally put her hand to his chest. His heart was hammering just as hard as hers, which calmed her somehow.


    "I''m sorry I didn''t think about this sooner. And I''m sorry it''s not what¡­ not what you would have dreamed," he breathed.


    Sasha frowned. "Zev, having you is what I''ve dreamed. Don''t you get that?"


    A dazzling smile broke on his face and he looked like he was going to kiss her again, but he shook his head, then suddenly dropped.


    Sasha put both hands to her mouth. She stopped breathing as Zev got down on one knee in front of her, holding his fists together.


    "When I came to Thana after I had to leave you, I was heartbroken," he said and his eyes dropped from hers to his hands for a moment. He cleared his throat. "My friends knew I was broken up. But I threw myself into fighting up the hierarchy and¡­ I think deep down I thought if I could take control, I could gain enough power to get you back." He swallowed again. "But then I did it and¡­ nothing changed. You still weren''t here. And I still ached for you. I was rudderless.


    "When the winter festival came that year Dunken got me a gift. Trust me, Dunken is the least sentimental Chimera you''ll ever have the pleasure to know. So when he gives something¡­ he means it," Zev said, his lips curling up at the memory. "He gave me this ring and he said¡­ he said it was to remind me that I knew where I was going. And to never give up. No matter what."


    Zev lifted his eyes back to hers and opened his hand. On the t of his palm sat a thick, leather ring, it''s surface sheened with long use. He lifted it up, to hold it close enough for her to see the engraved symbols in it.


    Two feathered arrows circled either side, both pointing at a thick cross in the center.


    "X marks the spot," Sasha blurted stupidly, then pped a hand over her mouth.


    Zev chuckled. "Yes. The spot that I was always hoping toe to. This spot," he said, and lifted sparkling eyes to lock with hers.


    "This is a symbol, because it''s all I have to give," he said hoarsely. "I used it to remind me where I was going, but that was to you. And now you''re here. So¡­ so I found my mark.


    "Sasha, I''m asking you for everything. And I can''t promise more than this cave and these strange people, but... Be my mate. Be my wife. Be the mother of my children. Be my forever¡ªeven in the next life. Be my Ardent. Are you¡­ would you¡­ will you give yourself to me that way?"


    "Are you fucking crazy, Zev?!" she sobbed. "Of course I will!" Wailing happy tears she threw herself at him¡ªeven kneeling he was almost as tall as she was and she was able to circle his neck with her arms, burying her face in his jaw and letting her tears wet his neck. "I love you, Zev. I love you so much."


    "I love you too, Sash," he said gruffly, his voice deep. Stumbling to his feet, he embraced her and pulled her in, off her feet, hugging her so tightly she was afraid he might hurt his ribs. But she couldn''t let go, and instead, held him tighter, kissing his neck, and sobbing his name.


    Minutester, when they could both speak without crying, he set her back down on her feet and took her shaking hand.


    With a frown, he looked at her hands and traced his finger over hers. Then with a small smile, he slid the thick ring onto her thumb.


    "It''s not the same finger as your traditions, but maybe that''s a good thing. Maybe¡­ maybe we make our own traditions now?" he asked quietly.


    Holding her hand high and looking at that simple, but beautiful ring¡ªthat little piece of him, piece of those years they''d been forced to spend apart, and she swore her heart doubled in size.


    "Yes, Zev," she gasped, then threw herself back into his chest. "Yes!"

 Chapter 138 - Don鈥檛 Sniff The Honey

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha wasn''t sure what woke her from the dreamless bliss of sleeping in Zev''s arms, but she didn''t open her eyes right away. It was a special kind of delicious toy there alongside him, cocooned in his warmth as she slowly came awake and aware of her surroundings.


    The cave was quiet and smelled like clean, wet stone. It was cozy under the furs and when she moved her arms it fluffed warm air out that smelled like Zev and her heart sang.


    A shadow passed over her face. Was Zev leaning over her? She she smiled and opened her eyes to¡ª


    HOLY SHIT WHAT THE¡ª


    Sasha shrieked and sat bolt-upright, pulling the furs tight to her chest as she gaped at Yhet. He squatted at the end of the furs, his hairy cheeks pushed into a wide smile and his thick hair flying in every direction like some kind of mad scientist.


    "Well done resisting the urge to mate!" Yhet rumbled, patting Sasha''s hand with a thick paw. "I''ll admit, I gambled with Skhal and lost. I will have to give him one of my furs now."


    "Give him¡­ what?!" Sasha''s heart was pounding her chest heaving with the fright. Adrenalin pulsed in her veins, but Zev didn''t even open his eyes, he just put an arm around her butt and scooted her into his side.


    "Good morning, Yhet," he sighed.


    "Good morning, Zev-dan. And congrattions. You have shown great restraint."


    "C''mon, Yhet, I told you, humans don''t talk about that stuff."


    Sasha spluttered withughter as Yhet pointed at the tent Zev was pitching in the furs. "Surely it isn''t rude to talk about the obvious?"


    Zev rubbed a hand over his hair and sighed, then opened his eyes. He looked at Sasha first, and mouthed, "Hi."


    Her heart squeezed and she put one hand to his shoulder and mouthed it back. But then he sat up too, the furs falling to his waist¡ªstill hiding the, er, obvious as he put a hand behind Sasha on the bed and fixed Yhet with a stern gaze.


    "Yhet, I told you: privacy. It''s very important to humans. You don''t enter the bedchamber without a warning. And you don''t talk about¡­ things like that."


    Yhet''s face went stony. "Well then, if it''s rude, perhaps you shouldn''t unt your arousal¡ªthat''s like pointing to the honeb and expecting me not to taste it!"


    Sasha gaped, but Zev just rolled his eyes.


    "What''s going on, Yhet? Why are you here so early?"


    Yhet''s lower jaw jutted out like he wanted to pout, but then he looked at Sasha and seemed to pull himself together.


    "Kyelle says you need toe talk to her about the owls before she can organize the ceremony, and you need to do that early because you haven''t given her much time. And Dunken said to tell you that he''s working on Gheet."


    Sasha looked at Zev.


    "The goat Alpha," he exined softly.


    Oh, right.


    "Are either of them challenging, do you know?" Zev asked Yhet.


    The massive man shrugged. "They didn''t say. Kyelle seemed quite disturbed, though."


    Sasha and Zev looked at each other.


    "Okay, then," Zev said a secondter, taking her hand under the furs and squeezing it. "Why don''t you go bathe and change, and get ready for the day, Sash? I''ll talk to Kyelle, thene to your house and we can make a n."


    "Bathe?" she said faintly.


    Zev snorted and tipped a finger on her chin. "I meant at home. Give yourself a sponge bath if you have to. Just whatever will make you feel like you can face a busy day. It''s going to be a long one, but it''s thest one before we can be together for real," he said, and his eyes heated as his voice went husky.


    Sasha''s stomach plunged to her toes and she wanted to shiver with the look in his eyes, but she was desperately aware of therge sasquatch standing at the foot of the furs, staring at them, fascinated.


    Then Zev leaned over and kissed her briefly, before pushing out of the furs and walking easily¡ªstill naked!¡ªacross the cave to his bag to dress.


    Sash was eager to do the same, but Yhet remained there, talking to Zev easily and smiling.


    She waited a long minute, but neither of them seemed to notice, then she sighed.


    "I''m sorry to interrupt," she said through her teeth, "but could I get some¡­ privacy?"


    Yhet frowned, but Zev jumped¡ªwith an apology¡ªto usher Yhet out to the mouth of the cave. "Just wait outside there for a second until she''s dressed.


    "But why? I would never desire her! I would never desire you, Sasha. I assure you! You can be certain of that¡ª"


    Zev growled and yanked Yhet out of the cave.


    Sasha snorted withughter, giggling to herself as she got out of the furs and picked up her clothes from the night before, trying to imagine describing this entire situation to a friend back home.


    How was it possible that her life had be centered around resisting sex with the hottest man she knew, while a Sasquatch told her how unattractive she was?


    Still giggling, she was dressed and hurried out of the cave to meet both men, who stood in the cold¡ªZev still shirtless¡ªdiscussing the vige.


    "¡­Xar heard you''ve taken Alpha of the wolves already. The Tigers are in a fury," Yhet said. "Lhars is nowhere to be seen, I think he''s avoiding Xar because he knows Xar will remove him from office."


    "If you find him, tell him that''s a smart n and to stick with it at least until the ritual tomorrow."


    Yhet nodded. "How did it go with the council?"


    "Mostly good," Zev said, pulling Sasha into his side as she approached. "They gave me the vote¡ªboth to lead, and with Sasha. So it''s only time now."


    But then he winced as Sasha squeezed him too hard on his sore side.


    "I''m sorry!" she gasped, but he shook his head.


    "Don''t worry about it. I heal quickly. By the time we''re back from solitude I''ll be good as new."


    The two men talked a while longer, but Zev seemed mainly concerned with keeping Sasha out of the path of the owls and goats.


    "I thought you said we could be together now?" Sasha asked, disappointed if she was going to be asked to hide all day.


    "We can, but until you''re Alpha, I can''t bring you to a meeting with the Alphas. So Yhet will take you home and you can bathe and change, like I said. Then when I''m done, I''lle get you. I don''t want you out in the vige without me. It will make then bolder.


    Sasha sighed, but agreed.


    Zev kissed her softly and leaned into her ear. "Once I''ve dealt with the Alphas I''lle to you and we can have some time¡­ alone."


    Then as he straightened, his raised his eyebrows suggestively.


    But Sasha tipped her head, unimpressed. "Don''t show me the honey unless you''re going to let me taste it," she said primly, stalking past him down the path towards the vige.


    Yhet bellowed augh.

 Chapter 139 - Wounded

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Banishing thoughts of Sasha''s pink skin and shing smile, Zev entered the vige and prowled through, acknowledging no one, but letting them all see and scent him. As Alpha he did not have to speak or invite anyone''s attention.


    Strange how quickly the tables had turned¡ªwolves that had ignored him the day before now gave submission. Males from other ns giving him a wide berth not because they were pretending not to see him, but because they acknowledged his power.


    As he passed through the square and the homes of many males he knew, he kept his chin low and his eyes focused forward. Let them all scent his confidence. Let them feel his strength. Even with his wounds, he was not a wolf to be toyed with, and they''d all known it.


    Now, instead of sneering, they were wary. Instead of dismissive, they measured him as he passed. And that was as it should be.


    He had to take responsibility for his role in the peopleing to this ce that left them so endangered. But he was doing that¡ªstepping forward to fix what was broken, to take back his power. The rest of them had yet to take their responsibility for supporting Xar and allowing all of this.


    He was not alone in shouldering me.


    And so he stalked the vige, feeling his strength and letting them scent his certainty.


    In a few days, after the ritual, after the solitude, after he beat Xar, they would answer to him, and only him. He could wait. But there was no harm in letting them feel the warning.


    As he passed out of the main vige and to the north, towards Kyelle''s home, the forest was thicker until he reached the actual settlement of the owls were many trees had been removed to allow free flight between them.


    Kyelle''s home was familiar to him. She''d been a great friend, a needed support during his years as Alpha. Just a few years older than him, she had led her n for three years before Zev returned and took Alpha. Her advice and insight had saved his ass more than once. And her friendship had kept him sane, especially in those first months.


    He''d slowly be aware of her growing feelings. At first he''d tried to ignore it, to give her her pride. But eventually she''d gained courage, subtly inviting him to disy. He''d ignored all her signals and their friendship, which had always been easy andfortable, became tense. He''d grieved it, too. She was a true sister to him¡ªwise, helpful, trustworthy.


    Among Alphas it could go either way. If ns aligned, their leaders often became friends. But there was always the question of whose power would win if a conflict were needed. A frisson between Alphas that was difficult to ignore.


    With Kyelle, he''d never felt threatened. And he''d never been judged. She''d even seemed eager to let him speak of Sasha and how he missed her. Especially in the first year.


    All this history ran through his head on his way to Kyelle''s home and his stomach fizzed, not with excitement, but with dread.


    Why was Kyelle disturbed? And what was she nning? Or what were the owls discussing? Was she going to warn him, or challenge him?


    And what would he do? Would he use what he knew of Kyelle and her secrets against her? In order to win? To more easily make Sasha his own? Or would he give her the respect she deserved as someone he''d always seen as a sister?


    Could he? Could he risk it?


    Would Kyelle deal with him as a brother? Or would this uneasy darkness always increase between them until he cut ties?


    He hoped it wouldn''te to that, but he was also resolved. He would do whatever was needed to smooth the path to Alpha, and to taking Sasha as his mate.


    He would not relish wounding Kyelle in that process, but if it was what was required, he would do it.


    He couldn''t allow anything to get in his way.


    As he entered the clearing where Kyelle kept her home and saw the light on behind therge window, and her silhouette on the perch in front of hit, Zev took a deep breath to clear his head. As Kyelle caught sight of him and moved towards the door, he shifted to his wolf and leaped to the small tform in front of the door and waited for her to open it, his stomach coiling with distaste.


    The door opened inwardly and Kyelle appeared. Zev was a little surprised at how happy she was to see him, her bright eyes sparkling and her smile broad. "Thank you foring so quickly!" she said quietly. "It''s so good to see you, Zev."


    He nodded and stepped inside without a word.


    She closed the door behind him then there was an awkward moment where she looked like she was going to lean into him wrap him in a hug as they would have done years ago. But Zev didn''t allow himself to smile.


    When she stopped in front of him, her eyes widening with uncertainty, he leaned in to share scents, but didn''t touch her with his hands. With the formal greeting done, he stepped back and folded his arms.


    Kyelle''s pretty forehead furrowed. "Are you angry? What''s wrong, Zev? It''s so good to see you and be able to talk to you alone after so long¡­ why are you acting like¡­ like you''re angry?"


    Zev gave her a pointed look. "Yhet said you were very disturbed this morning. That you were demanding my attention right away before you could prepare the ritual."


    She blinked. "Yes, I was. Disturbed for you. Unhappy that we didn''t have the time to discuss¡ª"


    "Cut the crap, Kyelle. You''re better than that. I really appreciate you helping Sasha. I do. I know how hard that must have been, and I''m grateful that you were willing to put your own feelings aside to help her. She needed it. She''ll be even more grateful the longer she''s here, the more she realizes exactly what you gave to do that. But even with that¡­ I''m not stupid.


    "You don''t have a reason to dy preparing the ritual unless you believe something could stop Sasha and I from iming each other. But you need to know, I have no intention of iming anyone else, ever. So¡­ what''s going on? Are the owls sending a male to challenge me?"


    The question hung in the air as Kyelle''s face went wary.

 Chapter 140 - Challenger

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    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    "Seriously, Kyelle?" he spat a momentter. "After everything we''ve been through, you''d send one of the males after me?"


    Kyelle''s face was guarded, nk. She wasn''t smiling anymore, and she folded her arms defensively. "I didn''t say that. But the n¡­ females are extremely valuable these days, and as a human, she can breed with any of the males¡ª"


    "They will not touch her!" Zev snarled, stepping into her, his teeth bared.


    Kyelle didn''t flinch. Her gaze went cool and calm, a mask she''d built over the years navigating Alpha challenges with the males for so long.


    No one could do "unconcerned" like Kyelle when she wanted to.


    "I did not say they would touch her," she said, her voice even and cold. "I simply acknowledged the draw of having an unmated female¡ª"


    "imed, Kyelle. imed by me and you know it. She is my mate and I will not¡ª"


    "Is she, though?" Kyelle asked quietly, a hint of her vulnerability bleeding into the words in the form of a slight quaver in her voice.


    Zev blew out a breath. "Yes," he said, his voice low and rough. "She is. I told you that years ago."


    "You told me that you were uncertain. That you thought¡­ that there had been something different with her. But you can''t make the matebond, right, Zev? Isn''t that what you''ve said all these years? That you don''t have the capacity. That they made you different. So there was no¡­ no point trying to form it¡ª"


    "I was wrong. I''ve learned a lot in the past three years¡ªas I''m sure you have as well. I''m sorry you were hurt by all this Kyelle, if there''d been a way to warn you, I would have. But it came as a surprise to all of us. So please¡­ speak inly. Are you sending a male challenger for her? Because if you are, I will not go lightly on him just because he''s yours. You know I''ll take down any male you could bring against me."


    "I do know that," she said, nodding.


    Zev frowned. "Then what¡ª"


    "I''m not sending a male against you, Zev. This is¡­ different."


    "Different? What''s different? How?" For a moment, his relief that she wasn''t going to send a challenger that he would have to hurt, broke through his anger. Genuinely confused, Zev didn''t hold the edge in his tone. He spoke as a friend and a brother who wanted real answers.


    And Kyelle''s eyes softened too. Instead of the cold detachment she''d shown seconds earlier, he saw the pinch, the vulnerability, the fear in her¡­ and the desire.


    Zev took a subconscious step back. "Kyelle¡ª"


    "I know your fears, Zev," she said in a breathy voice, her hands clutching the hem of her blouse. "Better yet, as a Chimera and an Alpha I understand them. I can¡­ I understand you."


    Then she gripped the shirt tails and pulled it up, over her head, baring herself and pulling the shirt through her hair until it fluttered to the wooden floor behind her, and her hair settled in waves around her shoulders.


    Zev''s stomach sank as she started on the buttons of her leather pants. "Females don''t disy for males," he growled, frustrated with her for putting him in this position, and aching for her that she had convinced herself she should.


    "You are the most powerful Chimera for generations," she said, her voice low and shaky as she removed her pants and threw them aside as well, cing her hands on her hips and disying her body, turning to watch him over her shoulder, then all the way around to face him again. "You are the most desirable male in the ns. I know your fears, Zev. I know you fear offspring, fear what they might be. I cannot give you young, there is no risk. You will never have to face fathering a soulless creature of the dark.


    "I am Alpha¡ªtried, and proven. Having me at your side would only strengthen your position, not only with the owls, but with all of the ns."


    "Kyelle¡ª"


    "I am your friend, but I am also more," she whispered and stepped up to stroke his chest.


    Zev shook his head and stepped back, but she followed him and continued to disy. Zev set his teeth and red. He didn''t want to turn his back on her, to lower her that way. But she was pushing hard. He might have no choice.


    "No, Kyelle. Don''t do this. This isn''t the way it works. Males disy for females¡ª"


    "Your strength and position among us means you deserve more than any normal Chimera, Zev. I am not too proud to put myself out as an Alpha and a female. I can offer you wisdom and status. I can offer you thefort and knowledge of an old friend. I can offer you greater sway among the secondary ns. What can she offer you? She is weak and needs protection. She does not understand our traditions¡ª"


    "You break our traditions yourself, right now!" Zev growled.


    Kyelle tipped one shoulder. "As a female Alpha the precedent is unclear," she said, dismissing him, but he saw her waver again, her confidence waning.


    "Kyelle, please. Please don''t do this to yourself. Don''t force me to¡­ I don''t want to hurt you."


    She stopped disying her body for him, dropping both arms to her sides, her hands in fists. Her eyes were pinched and her jaw tight. She looked older, suddenly and Zev held her gaze, silently pleading with her to stop. To step back.


    But then she raised her chin in a demonstration of trust, locked eyes with him and stepped up to him, pressing herself into his chest. "Zev, please¡ª"


    With a snarl, Zev turned his back, his breath heaving. He hated hurting her. Hated lowering her this way! Why was she forcing him to do it! "I do not see you, Kyelle," he muttered through his teeth. "I do not receive you."


    A tiny sob broke behind him and his shoulder''s slumped. Fuck, he hated hurting her.


    The warmth of her body, the soft press of her leaned into his back, and she put her forehead between his shoulder des. Zev tensed to step away, but she wrapped her hands around his stomach, her fingers syed, and held him there.


    "I''m sorry," she breathed. "I couldn''t¡­ I had to know for certain. I won''t push again, Zev. I promise."


    Zev raked a hand through his hair, then shook his head, peeled her hands from his stomach, and stepped out of her arms. "Get dressed," he said without looking at her, his voice dead. "We need to discuss the ritual."


    *****


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 Chapter 141 - Planning

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Kyelle didn''t make a sound as she turned away to gather up her clothes and dress, but he could smell the tears on her cheeks and his heart stabbed over and over again.


    He''d never led her on. He''d never given her any reason to believe he returned her regard! And he couldn''t, now of all times, entertain this. She had to know that! Growling in frustration that nothing in this damned world was turning out the way he wanted, he waited until she''d dressed, then turned to face her.


    "I never want to hurt you, Kyelle. You are dear to me. Just¡­ not in that way."


    She nodded. "I knew," she said, wiping her eyes. "But I had to¡­ you have to understand, Zev, if there was any chance, I had to know. I couldn''t¡­ I couldn''t move on until I was certain."


    Zev steeled himself. He couldn''t let this happen again. If Sasha had seen that¡­ he shuddered to think. "Are you certain, now?" he asked quietly, mercilessly. "Do you need any other signals from me, Kyelle? Because I will give them."


    She shook her head and didn''t meet his eye. "I''m sorry."


    Zev sighed. "You don''t have to apologize for¡ª"


    "I''m sorry that things could not have been different for us, Zev. I do not apologize for caring about you. There is no shame in finding regard for someone."


    Zev blinked. Well, that was certainly true. But he was wary. How to move forward with her without reopening the conversation?


    But Kyelle, in the wisdom she usually showed, seemed to brush off the weight that had pressed her shoulders down. She flicked her hair back over her shoulder and walked briskly across the floor to the kitchen. "Do you need a drink? Or some breakfast?"


    "If you have time," he said carefully. "I doubt I''ll have time to go to the trough today."


    She nodded. As she talked, she brought out tes and selected fruit and nuts to offer him. Keeping the kitchen ind between them, she pushed a te to the edge closest to him and nodded at him to take it while she poured milk for them both.


    "Have you heard from Gheet?" she said, as if nothing had happened. Zev struggled to switch gears so quickly, but knew it was likely the best thing for both of them.


    "Not yet. I''m going to see Dunken when I leave here."


    Kyelle nodded. "If he''s on the fence, emphasize our nning for the ritual tomorrow. He will be forced decide quickly¡ªwhich he doesn''t like to do. He''ll be more likely to leave it if he feels pressed. But then¡­ it could also force his hand. There are risks on both sides, I suppose."


    "I''m hopeful Dunken will convince him that Sasha is my heart''s song."


    Kyelle''s hand slipped as she poured the milk and she ced it back on the counter a little more forcefully than necessary.


    "You¡­" she swallowed, looking at the ss she''d just poured. "You called for her?"


    "Yes." Fuck he hated this. Zev folded his arms and watched her. "She''s my mate, Kyelle. No doubt of it in my mind, or hers. And my¡­ my body responds."


    Kyelle''s throat bobbed. "I thought you said you couldn''t¡ª"


    "I didn''t think I could. But the feelings I had the longer I was away from her¡­ I started asking questions when I went back to the human world. And I think¡­ I don''t know for certain, but I think they knew I could. That I can. That I am. I think they were trying to avoid me taking her for that reason. They didn''t tell me. They''ve changed how the bond works for me, I think," he said darkly. "But there''s certainty in my gut. My instincts know. It''s her."


    Kyelle took a deep breath, gripped the jug of milk and continued pouring the rest of the ss. "Then it''s good that we get all barriers out of the way as soon as possible. I will¡­ She''s a good female, Zev. You don''t have to worry. You were right to ask me to do it, I''ll help her prepare."


    Zev''s jaw rolled. Under normal circumstances Kyelle would have been his first choice¡ªa stronger, more trustworthy female he had never met. But now¡­


    "I can''t divide my attentions, Kyelle. I can''t risk it. If you can''t do this without¡­ without trying to¡­ trip her up¡ª"


    Kyelle hissed and her head snapped up, her eyes shing. "You think I would discard my integrity because I do not like what''s happening? You offend me, Zev. You know me better than that."


    He raised his hands, palms towards her. "Sorry. I''m sorry. But I have to ask. This isn''t a normal situation. None of us are walking through it predictably."


    Kyelle snorted. "I''d say you''re being very predictable," she muttered, but before Zev could ask her what she meant, she moved on. She ced the ss of milk in front of him, then began picking at her fruit.


    "Is she aware of what''s involved, or do I need to start from the beginning with her?" she asked a momentter.


    "I''ve described the basic structure," Zev said carefully. "But we haven''t had time to get into the details. Preparing her for call and response and¡­ the correct way to behave. She knows once we''re joined we can''t let go of each other. And I doubt she''d slip on that. But it''s worth a reminder."


    "I''ve seen her with the males¡ªI know she did not wish to, but she invited Lhars more than once. She seems a little¡­ dense about¡ª"


    "Our customs arepletely different to hers!" Zev snapped. "She was horrified when she made mistakes, but they were mistakes. She doesn''t y games."


    Kyelle nodded again. "Okay, then. Tell her toe to me after the midday meal. I''ll have her fitted for a dress and we''ll cover the traditions. Shees with nothing to offer which isn''t going to work in your favor. But your strength is enough for both of you, I think. The ns are desperate for a new Alpha. If you''ve convinced the alphas that you weren''t taking the mates of other males, and didn''t ruin all their females¡­ I believe they will follow you."


    Zev sighed. He''d convinced the pack leaders¡­ would they be able to convince everyone else? There was only one way to find out.


    "I''m going to attend the trough tonight and answer any more questions the pack leaders haven''t cleared up for them. But regardless, we''re walking the ritual tomorrow, Kyelle. I''m not waiting. This is happening."


    She nodded, but didn''t meet his eyes.

 Chapter 142 - Baited Breath

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    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    The day passed almost in a blur¡ªsometimes time passing so slowly, Sasha wanted to growl like she''d heard Zev do it. Other times events seemed to whip past her before she could absorb them and understand.


    Yhet had taken her back to her house and waited patiently while she cleaned and washed her hair, then dressed in fresh clothing. She was going to have to do someundry pretty soon, and she made a mental note to ask Zev about where and how they did that. He would need it too, she was sure.


    She got distracted by lunch at the trough, though most of the males ignored her, or kept their eyes down near her, which was a relief. She still wasn''t sure about how to act around them, and her cheeks kept heating anytime she saw one that had disyed for her.


    But Zev found them after lunch, and after a quick embrace, and some breathless concern for her, he instructed Yhet to take her to Kyelle for a dress fitting.


    A dress? Sasha''s ears had perked.


    "I wear a dress?"


    "For the ritual, yes. It''s supposed to¡­ I mean, it''s tradition." Then Zev snapped his mouth shut like he''d been about to say something wrong.


    Sasha frowned, but Yhet came through for her. "The ritual is all about building a pack, a family, Sasha. The female wears a dress to allow for easy breeding afterwards."


    Sasha''s mouth fell open with a splutter ofughter as Zev pped Yhet''s arm, but he wasn''tughing.


    Not like Sasha was. "You''re¡­ you''re joking right?"


    "It''s just a tradition," Zev growled, not quite meeting her eyes. "You don''t have to think of it like that."


    Then he''d hugged Sasha, given Yhet instructions to make sure she was at her home anytime she wasn''t eating or meeting with Kyelle, then promised to find them before dinner, before leaping into his beast and running off into the forest.


    Sasha was still gaping when he disappeared, his dark coat blending into the forest impossibly quickly. She turned to Yhet who stood over her, waiting patiently.


    When he caught her stunned gaze, his eyes widened. "What?"


    "Nothing," she grumbled, clearing her throat and turning on her heel towards Kyelle''s ce. "Just¡­ you people are weird."


    Yhet shrugged. "It takes one to know one. I have been to your world, Sasha. Humans are very strange and excitable."


    She couldn''t argue with that, so she just shrugged in return as they walked.


    She was nervous about going to Kyelle, knowing the woman''s feelings for Zev. But she was excited, too, because this was all going to change everything. She could feel it in Zev''s anticipation, and in the slight nostalgia that Yhet got on his face whenever he spoke about the ritual.


    It was clear that whatever they were going to do, it was meaningful for Chimera, and if it ended her being close to Zev, and no more of this ridiculous fighting, she was all for it.


    As they walked towards the owl Alpha''s treehouse, Sasha told herself that it was the day before her wedding, and her stomach trilled, flipping over when she thought about the dress, and why the Chimera thought she should wear it, and what that meant for her and Zev and¡ª


    "Uh, Sasha, perhaps we should go for a short walk before we meet Kyelle," Yhet said uncertainly, rubbing his nose.


    "Why?" she asked distractedly, her mind still half-on pictures of Zev the night before, the firelight flicking and warming his skin.


    "Because, you smell like the mating and Kyelle¡ª"


    Oh dear Lord, she''d forgotten they could smell¡ª


    "No worries!" she said, her voice high and thin. "I''ll stop thinking about, I mean¡­ don''t worry about it. I''m¡­ tell me about the challenge of the alphas or whatever. Distract me. It won''t be a problem in a minute," she said, clearing her throat.


    Yhet looked at her kindly. "It''s good that you desire your mate," he said quietly, a soft smile as he turned to look ahead, towards Kyelle''s house. "There is not greater blessing between mates than the love bond. Whether offspringe of it or not."


    His voice was so sure, and so sad at the same time, Sasha reached a hand up to grip his arm.


    "I''m sorry you''ve lost your mate, Yhet," she said quietly. "I only lost mine for a few years and it was horrible. I can''t imagine knowing there''s no more¡­ that'' they''re gone."


    Yhet nodded, the smile gone from his face and his jaw tightening. "It remains the greatest wound of my heart," he said quietly, rolling his great head on his shoulders. "But I am d to be a part of bringing you and Zev back together. He has ached for you without thefort of the bond. It was hard to watch, the uncertainty of it. I am very d that you''re here, Sasha," Yhet said, reaching for her shoulder.


    He meant to pat her, she was sure. To pat her shoulder, then grip it in solidarity or friendship. But when his great palm pped the back of her shoulder, the sheer force of it almost took her off her feet and she stumbled forward, almost losing her feet.


    "Oh dear, I am sorry, Sasha!" Yhet said, horrified.


    But Sasha wasughing. She almost fell on her face in the dirt, almost lost her feet entirely, but she caught herself and straightened, giggling like a school girl. "It''s fine, Yhet. Really."


    "I have always been too affectionate," Yhet grumbled, running a thick hand through his erratic hair and pushing it back. "Zev used to say I reminded him of a Labrador that didn''t know it''s own strength. I have seen one of those in the human world, but they never liked me. I hope I do not appear as aggressive or¡­ or angry as those dogs."


    "You don''t," Sasha said, linking her arm in Yhet''s elbow on a whim. He tightened his elbow against her side to keep her close and smiled. "I''m really d that you''re here, Yhet. I think I would have quite literally lost my mind by now if you weren''t."


    Yhet nodded, but rubbed his stubbled cheeks with his free hand. "That''s curious," he said, his brow pinched into lines.


    "Why?"


    "Because, most people say I''m the one that drives them crazy to begin with," Yhet said, then boomed augh that echoed off the trees.


    Sasha joined him.

 Chapter 143 - The Dress

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Kyelle had heard Yhetughing and met them at the door, her own smile wide. But Sasha didn''t miss the pinch around her eyes and tightness to her smile. It made her chest ache a little, but what could she do? Kyelle was the picture of a kind hostess¡ªmuch warmer than she''d been in their previous interactions. But sadder, too, Sasha thought.


    She had obviously understood what this meant for her and Zev. Sasha tried to be kind and friendly, without patronizing the woman. She tried to imagine how it would feel to know Zev was going to marry someone else¡ªand to be asked to help them get ready.


    She was pretty sure she would have been wing the woman''s eyes out.


    "I really appreciate all your help," she said half an hourter after Yhet had left with promises to return in a couple hours, and they both turned back into Kyelle''s home.


    Kyelle''s eyes dropped to the floor, but she smiled. "You''re wee, Sasha. Now, I have two choices for you, either will work for the ritual. Both will give you enough freedom of movement, while still being suitably formal. With Zev as an Alpha, the ns will expect a show."


    Sasha didn''t know what to expect as Kyelle led her to the area at the side of the front door where no windows looked out on the forest. Then she opened a tall cupboard to pull out a long, white dress on a hanger.


    Sasha''s stomach sank a little. The dress was beautiful, loose and flowing with some kind of embroidery in green and gold around the wide neckline that reminded her of leaves. But the empire waistline, cut just under the bust, was one she knew made her look the size of a heifer and had never seemed ttering to her shoulders.


    As Kyelle stroked the fabric and disyed it for her, Sasha tried to smile. "It''s beautiful," she said carefully.


    Kyelle''s eyes sharpened. "But not for you?"


    Sasha grimaced. "I don''t want to sound ungrateful. It''s just¡ª"


    "Let''s see the other one," Kyelle said, with a small smile. "Just in case. I''m afraid with all the females gone, there''s not a lot of dresses for the taking and we don''t have time to make a new one¡ªbut we can make adjustments."


    She turned back to the closet against the wall, and Sasha swallowed hard. Did the dress really matter? But if this was really her wedding day¡ªtheir mating ritual¡ªshe wanted to look her best! She wanted Zev to take one look at her and want to take her in his arms and never let her go!


    "I''m sorry, Kyelle," she said as the woman put the other dress aside and reached into the closet. "I don''t want to be difficult. I can¡ª"


    She cut off with a gasp as the woman turned, one hand under the skirt of the most beautiful dress Sasha had ever seen.


    She wasn''t sure what it was made out of, but it hung from a halter-neck that would sharpen her shoulders, but keep her corbones bare and it clung through the bust, then red out¡­ and the entire thing was covered in¡­


    "Are those¡­ feathers?" Sasha breathed, stepping forward to run her hand through the downy-soft fabric that, at first nce, almost looked like fur.


    "Yes, The soft, down feathers of the undercoat," Kyelle said with a pleased smile. "This is a specialty of the owls. When we groom, we keep the feathers and¡­ well, you can see."


    Sasha'' mouth wouldn''t close. The dress somehow managed to look tailored and soft at the same time and it felt heavenly against her hands, thick with the plush of the feathers, but no weight to it at all.


    "That is so beautiful," she said, hushed.


    Kyelle smiled, and though the sadness stayed in her eyes she nodded. "They were very popr a few years ago," she said, her eyes flicking away from Sasha, then back. "There haven''t been any mating rituals in quite a while, so I don''t know what would be considered the fashion now. But I think¡­ I think since it''s Zev¡­ I think whatever you wear will be considered exactly the right thing." She cleared her throat and looked down at the dress, but Sasha could feel the waves of grief wafting off of the woman.


    She considered finding a reason to turn away, to give Kyelle a moment. But the woman had been so kind to her, so helpful, despite her own struggles¡­ Sasha didn''t want to leave her to deal with her grief alone. That was the whole point of girlfriends. If they couldn''t be sad with you, who could?


    "Kyelle, I''m¡­. I''m sorry for the way this hurts you."


    Kyelle shook her head and turned to hang the dress off the door of the closet. "You are kind to worry, but I''m¡ª"


    "No, seriously. It''s really big of you to¡­ to be nice to me and to do all this when¡­ when I know if our roles were reversed, I wouldn''t be able to do it. I''d be jealous and angry and hoping you spilled something down the front of that beautiful dress.


    Kyelle gave a little snort, her eyes tripping back to the dress, as if she were envisioning it with a stain.


    She took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling visibly. Then she turned back to Sasha. "I do want to help you," she said. "There aren''t enough females here, and even fewer who will speak with an Alpha as a¡­ a friend," she said, stumbling over the word. "But you are right to think that¡­ that this isn''t easy. I think¡­ I think if we were to have met without Zev between us it might have been different. I like you, Sasha. I can see why Zev loves you. And I care enough about him that I truly want him to be happy."


    Sasha shook her head in disbelief. "You''re amazing," she said.


    But Kyelle''s face went serious. "No. No, I''m not. Because I have to tell you¡­ I was with Zev this morning. And I¡­ I knew time was short, so¡­" she trailed off, and every one of Sasha''s feminine instincts kicked into high gear.


    "So¡­ what?" she asked through her teeth.

 Chapter 144 - Brutal Honesty

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha red at Kyelle as the woman stared at her, her eyes wide pools, but she showed none of the quiet dignity or care she''d been demonstrating since Sasha arrived. They faced each other, Kyelle watching her as if poised for a fight.


    "I think if we are ever to be friends in truth," Kyelle said quietly, "I need to be honest with you."


    "About what?"


    "You understand our traditions of disying? That the males attempt to entice females, draw their attention, and list their¡­ attributes?"


    In another circumstance, Sasha would haveughed. "Yes, I''m familiar," she said, her mind tripping back to the guy who''d stripped off and danced for her under the moonlight in that crowd of wolves.


    Kyelle nodded. "Well, this morning when Zev visited, I knew I had to¡­ I had to find out for certain that you two were intended. The Creator''s match. I know Zev used to say he couldn''t form the bond, but his reaction to you¡ª"


    "We are bonded," Sasha snapped.


    Kyelle nodded again, keeping her chin low. "I''m aware of that now. You should know that Zev honored you. But¡­ but I cannot let you regard me too highly. Because you should also know that had he¡­ had he epted my attentions this morning, I would have fought you for him. I would have¡­ I would have taken him from you if I could."


    Sasha blinked, her hands clenching to fists at her sides. "You tried to¡­ entice him?"


    "Yes," Kyelle said frankly. "And he denied me. Three times. Even turning his back when I didn''t at first ept his answer. It is a¡­ set down in our people. He is utterly certain of you, Sasha. He has no desire for any other female beyond you. You should know that."


    "I do," Sasha said, though she wouldn''t deny that hearing those words from a woman who''d apparently tried to steal him was¡­ satisfying. "Why?" she asked brittley. "Why would you do that when he''d already told you?"


    "Because I can tell you as a female Alpha over males, males often don''t know their feet from their tailfeathers when ites to their own emotions," Kyelle said dryly. "Honestly, I knew my chances were slim. But I had to know. I couldn''t leave any questions. I couldn''t risk¡­ I couldn''t bear to have him take you and then learnter that it wasn''t a true match."


    "It is," Sasha said again.


    "I know. You are his heart''s song. That is¡­ that is significant, Sasha. I don''t think you understand."


    Sasha blinked, trying to remember. "You mean that¡­ that call he did yesterday?"


    Kyelle nodded, and grief painted her face. She looked down, sping her hands at her waist, swallowing hard. "That is the highest connection within our people. A Pair chosen by¡­ by the Creator. Or Fate. Or¡­ perhaps the humans, who knows? All I know is that the mate pairs who have a heart song¡­ they are inevitably happy when they are together."


    Sasha sighed and nodded. "He makes my heart sing, too," she said, awkwardly. Why was she having this conversation with a woman she barely knew?


    But she knew Zev, very closely, if Sasha had understood correctly. "Did you two ever¡­ mate?"


    Kyelle shook her head. "I haven''t deceived you, Sasha. We have never been more than friends, though I know he was aware of my feelings. I just¡­ I believe there is no shame in loving another Chimera. That we give honor when we love. So if I loved, and he didn''t¡­ I had to know. It was better to be turned away, than to not take the risk andter find out things could have been different."


    Wow, Sasha thought.


    She''d often thought herself, when a guy showed her attention when she wasn''t interested, that she appreciated that they liked her. She appreciated the value they offered by pursuing her. But she''d felt badly for them, because her heart was so firmly in Zev''s hands, though he was nowhere to be seen¡­


    "You''re very wise," she said to Kyelle a momentter. "And also very¡­ strategic, aren''t you?"


    Kyelle gave a small smile and shrugged one shoulder. "You can''t nest safely in the barn if you haven''t learned how to avoid the cat."


    Sasha stared at her and Kyelle stared back. "Do I need to worry about you, Kyelle? Do I need to watch you around my mate?"


    "No," the woman said simply. "I hope¡­ I hope the day wille that you and I will¡­ trust each other as Zev and I have in the past. As friends. I hope you will see that though I am vulnerable in this, I offer myself to you. I hope we can be allies, Sasha. It''s why I tell you this. You should know the truth and walk forward from that. You should not be ced in a position to learn that information from someone else. I''m certain Zev will tell you. I wanted to be the one to do it. So you would know that I''m also being honest when I say, I like you.


    "There are so few females left, Sasha. And as a female Alpha, most of the other either see me as an authority figure, or think they cannot rx with me, because I might turn into one at any moment. They treat me as someone in charge, not as a friend. It can be expedient when there are things to get done. But sometimes¡­ sometimes I want someone who will look me in the eye and speak to me as an equal."


    Sasha swallowed. She hadn''t thought about that. If she was going to be an alpha too¡­


    Kyelle nodded. "I can see your thoughts and you''re correct. You will be in the same position soon, as soon as you''ve proven your power to the ns. So, while I have taken a blow today and had to ept that I have lost Zev, that he will never be mine¡­ I hope I have also proven that I can be trusted. And that as a friend I will always be honest with you."


    "A friend?"


    "Yes, Sasha. Because it is not your fault that Zev prefers you to me. So, while I may need to take space for myself to be ustomed after you have mated, I still believe the day wille that you and I can be here and speak as friends. And thoroughly enjoy turning Zev on his head," she said, then shed a grin that faded quickly.


    But Sasha smiled back.. "I hope you''re right," she said.

 Chapter 145 - Pretty Girl

    10 DAYS LEFT! Zev''s Werewolfpetition closes on 5 January. I know it''s an expensive time, but anyments, votes, Golden Tickets, gifts, chapters/privilege through 5 January help! I''m nning a mass release for January to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!


    *****<strong></strong>


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha was standing in front of a tall, if slightly warped mirror that Kyelle had dragged out from behind the closet, staring at herself, with her mouth open in the feather-dress.


    It flowed like water down her sides, hugging every curve, but with a softness to it that made her want to hug herself. The downy feathers drifted in the lightest airflow, making her feel like she floated, while softening every line and curve and hiding the seams, so the dress seemed like a second, very soft, very inviting skin.


    Zev was going to freak.


    "Kyelle," Sasha said, her mouth slightly dry. "This dress is incredible."


    Kyelle smiled sadly. "Thank you. I designed it."


    Sasha turned, snapping her head to look at the woman. "Seriously? You''re so talented!"


    But Kyelle shook her head. "No, it''s very simple. It''s just a fabric that is hard to achieve. It took me some time¡­"


    Sasha shook her head, turning back to the mirror. "Why would you let me wear this?" she asked softly, stroking her hands down the sides.


    Kyelle looked at her hands. "Because I don''t believe I ever will, and I want to see it live. It should be¡­ seen¡­" she said quietly.


    There was a strange, tense moment between them, where Sasha finally understood what this was.


    Kyelle had made this dress for herself, imagined herself wearing it to do this same ritual with Zev¡ªwanted him to see it. She wanted to see him enjoy it.


    But when she met the woman''s eyes, they lit with rm, and Kyelle raised a hand as if she would ask her not to speak.


    Sasha almost choked swallowing the words back, but before she had to find an awkward bridge through the situation, the door swung open and a male voice on its other side said, "Kyelle, I''m sorry, I meant to drop by sooner but¡ª"


    Sasha tensed as Lhars appeared around the thick door, his face and posture rxed until his eyesnded on her and he stopped, blinking, like he''d been smacked with a club and was still trying to figure out what had happened.


    "I¡ªOh. Sasha. I¡­" Then he turned to find Kyelle standing next to her, who was reaching for a pin cushion she''d left on a small table beside them. He frowned. "What''s wrong?"


    "Nothing," Sasha and Kyelle both said at the same time, them looked at each other. Kyelle even smiled slightly.


    Lhars snorted. "Right."


    "What did you need, Lhars?" Kyelle said, circling Sasha and pinching at the dress, testing where she might adjust it.


    "I wanted to see if you were¡­ I knew you were arranging the ritual and I wasn''t sure if you needed¡­ help," he endedmely.


    Sasha watched him warily, still uncertain of Zev''s brother, especially given how he''d left the meeting the night before. But Lhars almost ignored her. If his eyes hadn''t drifted back to her form in the dress a couple of times, she would have thought she wasn''t even there.


    "Thank you," Kyelle said, kneeling in front of Sasha to crouch and y with the hem of the dress. "Can you check with the Fire Master that he will set the bonfire?"


    "Of course."


    Sasha had the impression Lhars almost bowed. But his brow was lined¡ªwith frustration or worry.


    "Are you¡­" he started, then swallowed with a nce at Sasha. "Is there anything I can get for you or to help?"


    Kyelle shook her head without turning looking at him. "No, thank you. It''s just going to be filling Sasha in and making sure she understands how it all works. Then getting the bonfire and feast organized." She continued fiddling with the hem, frowning at is, as if her mind wasn''t really on what she was saying.


    But Lhars watched Kyelle for a beat too long. And his expression was strange. It took her a moment, but then inspiration struck Sasha. Lhars looked like¡­


    Lhars looked like Kyelle looked when she looked at Zev.


    Oh.


    OH.


    Sasha stared at Lhars and, as if she''d spoken his name, his eyes snapped to hers, widening when he saw her expression.


    His face went brittle, a warning shing in his eyes.


    Sasha blinked. Oh, right. Stupid chimera scents and things.


    But how could he smell her thinking it was sweet that he cared about Kyelle? And being sad that Kyelle hadn''t noticed?


    Maybe she was just giving off vibes.


    Kyelle straightened from where she''d crouched to block Sasha''s view of Lhars and her eyes caught on Sasha''s.


    "What?"


    Sasha blinked. "What?"


    "You look as if you''re startled. And you smell¡­ pleased?"


    "Do I?"


    "Yes," Kyelle said, raising one eyebrow. "You should also know, when any of us are scheming, we all smell¡­ sharper. Is there something you''d like to share, Sasha?"


    "There''s no secrets with you people," Sasha grumbled.


    Lhars snorted and muttered something about humans being more perceptive than he gave them credit for, but pped his hand when Kyelle turned to give him a questioning look.


    "You''re thoughtful to stop by, Lhars," Kyelle said, turning back to y with the neckline on the dress. "But it is likely Zev who needs more support today. My tasks are purely practical. His need¡­ better judgment."


    She shot him a look over her shoulder and Lhars'' face lost all sense of the ache, and instead went hard. "He does not like to take advice on judgment from me."


    "Then exin to him¡ªcalmly¡ªhow he''s wrong," Kyelle said simply. "He will need you in theing weeks. He knows that. He already said you remain in Second."


    Lhars rolled his eyes and Sasha caught it. They stared at each other for a moment and she wondered¡­ wondered how much he really was like Zev down deep. And whether standing in Zev''s shadow was part of the cause for his darkness.


    Sasha knew how that felt. She''d just always benefited from standing in Zev''s shadow. To her, it was a safe ce to be. She imagined that likely wasn''t the feeling another man¡ªespecially his brother¡ªwould have, though.


    She didn''t think she could ask that though. And even if it was true, if it had darkened Lhars to the point of being toxic¡­ she didn''t want him around Zev. So she kept her mouth shut and waited for the two of them to discuss a few details, then Lhars bid them both goodbye.


    "I''ll see you at dinner," he said, his eyes on the back of Kyelle''s neck.


    "Probably," she said, sighing. "It''ll depend."


    Sasha pretended not to see the shadow that passed behind his eyes when she said that, and offered an awkward wave to the dark man as he tipped his head and opened the door again.


    "Enjoy your afternoon, Sasha," he said politely.


    "You too."


    A shot of adrenalin raced through her veins for a split-second. But then she remembered, and rxed.


    At least she could be polite now.

 Chapter 146 - Sleep

    There are now 25 extra chapters avable in the privilege system! Privilege works very differently to the way most expect. If you haven''t purchased privilege before, or if you''re thinking of resubscribing, I''ve made a video for you to make sure you understand how the system works AND how to make the most for your money! Search "All privilege aimee" on YouTube to see the FAQ links in thements so you don''t have to watch the whole thing. Or go to linktr.ee/aimeelynn and click "Understanding All Privilege" to see the whole video!


    NOTE: The above note was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    As it was, he didn''t see Sasha until well after dinner, though he''d hoped to join her for the meal. Between meeting with Gheet and attempting to prove that he and Sasha were actually bonded, not just choosing each other for mates, and having to answer questions from every other wolf he encountered about his ns for the pack, he was on his feet and moving every minute of the day.


    He kept hoping to run into Sasha, but Yhet had done a great job of keeping her out of the crowds while they were still waiting for the ritual. And he imagined that Kyelle wasn''t in any mood to put up with the natural ribbing and looks she''d receive from the males.


    He winced just thinking about it and made a note to tell the other Alphas to go easy on her.


    But as day turned to night and his list of tasks got shorter, his heart began to race. He prayed he''d get to Sasha before she fell asleep. He was desperate to hold her and make certain nothing difficult had happened in her day.


    So when he was finally free, he shifted to his wolf to run to her house, shifting back as he reached the base of the tree to find Yhet settled on the ground outside, humming to himself.


    "Ah, Zev, I''m d you''re here," the sasquatch rumbled, unfolding himself to his great height. "She''s been worried about you."


    "I''ve been worried about her too," he said with a nce towards the bright square of the window above. She was in there, hopefully warm. Hopefully happy to see him. He hadn''t intended to leave her alone all day. "Thank you for watching over her, Yhet. I''ll take it from here."


    Yhet snorted, a great st of air from his nostrils and Zev grinned. "You''re wee, brother," Yhet said with a chuckle. "I''m sure she''d much rather be watched over by you."


    Zev raised an eyebrow, then climbed easily up onto the tform, hand over hand, waving goodbye as Yhet disappeared into the dark.


    Heart pounding in anticipation, he opened the door. "Sash?"


    "Oh, you''re here! Thank goodness," she said. Sashay in the bed in the alcove to the right of the door, propped up on pillows and under the thick quilt, reading a book. "I just keep reading the same pages over and over again because I can''t concentrate. Where have you been?!" She pushed out of the bed, her legs bare below the long t-shirt he''d given her the night before.


    That made him smiled.


    Locking the door, he hurried to close the space between them, wrapping her in his arms and burying his nose in her hair.


    "You''re safe," he breathed, unaware of how afraid he''d been that that might not be the case.


    "You''re here!" she said, her voice high and little quavering.


    "Hey, hey. Yes, of course I''m here. I''m sorry, I know it''s been a long day. But I had to meet with Kyelle and Gheet, and there were males to notify¡ª"


    "It''s okay, Zev. I''m just d," she said, her head craned back to smile up at him. "I''ve missed you and it felt¡­ I was worried something might have gone wrong, that''s all. So I''m d."


    "No," he said stroking her hair back from her temples, over her shoulders and down her back. "In fact, I''d say it''s been a more sessful day than I thought. There will be no challenges. Both Kyelle and Gheet have given up their chance to¡ª"


    "Kyelle told me," Sasha said quietly. "She admitted that she tried to entice you. And she said you set her down pretty hard."


    Zev sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "Was she hard on you?"


    "No! No, she was¡­ she was good, actually. Hey, do you know if there''s anything going on between her and Lhars?"


    "My brother?" Zev chuckled, delighted even at the idea. "I can''t see it honestly. He likes his females a lot more¡­ shy. And Kyelle¡­" he trailed off, frowning.


    Sasha snorted. "Yeah, brothers. It''s hot."


    Zev''s mouth dropped open. "Did you just say¡ªdo I need to beat my brother again so you won''t be tempted by his bedroom eyes?"


    "Zev, stop. The only bedroom eyes I need are yours."


    He loved it when she was ying and smiling like that, but he didn''t miss the tremor in her cheeks. And once he''d finally kissed her and they''d both sighed, he pulled away to meet her eyes. "Are you okay? For real?"


    She nodded. "I just¡­ it''s scary when you aren''t here. I keep thinking you won''te back again."


    "I''m sorry, babe," he murmured, pulling her into his chest, aching because he knew it was his own fault that she lived in that fear. "But I''m here now, okay? What do you want to do? Tomorrow''s going to be a busy day. Is it too early to sleep? Would you like to try?"


    She levered up an eyebrow, but didn''t throw the flirt at him, instead she bit her lip and looked a little bit wicked. "What about¡­ a bath?"


    Zev''s heart sang. "Your wish is mymand," he growled, leaning down to kiss her again. "But for the Creator''s sake, this time make sure you bring dry clothes. I''m not walking you back here naked."


    Sasha tipped her head. "You know, we could¡ª"


    Zev growled and pulled her off her feet, into his chest. "No, Sasha. One more night. Just one. Dear Lord, I can''t wait to get you away from everyone tomorrow night."


    "Tomorrow night? Like, we won''t sleep here?"


    He shook his head. "No, the solitude has to be taken out of reach of the people. We''ll be travelling tomorrow evening."


    Sasha groaned. "Do we have to hike again?"


    Zevughed and lifted her off her feet again. "Maybe a little bit," he said, giving her a smacking kiss. "But if it gets tough, I''ll carry you, okay? I promise."


    She buried her face in his neck and sighed heavily, letting her lips trail again his skin as she spoke¡ªsending goosebumps all the way down his back.


    "I love you, Zev. As long as I''m with you, that''s all that matters."


    "I''m really d to hear that," he whispered back, squeezing her.. "Really, really d."

 Chapter 147 - Playtime In Your Mind

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev pushed through the water of the bathing pools towards her, the moonlight shining on his wet skin so he looked like a marble statue¡ªa Greek God, but alive. He grinned wickedly and dove for her when he got close. Giggling, Sasha tried to swim out of his reach, but he caught her ankle in one strong fist and pulled her back through the water effortlessly.


    She was stillughing, but it became breathless when he pulled her upright, his hands syed on her bare stomach and pinning her back to his chest. Her entire skin tingled with thebination of his touch, and the warmth of the water rippling around them.


    Zev went still, his chin next to her ear, his breathing heavier than usual. They stood waist deep in the water and Sasha wanted to weep with the incredible feeling of having him over her and around her again, that perfect fit that she''d missed for so many years as he stood at her back.


    "Sash¡­" he said, but trailed off.


    She didn''t respond, but looked down, her breath going shallow as one of his hands began sliding up her stomach. She watched her own nipple harden, anticipating his touch.


    Her breath whooshed out and Zev groaned when he palmed her breast, dragging his thumb over that rivet-hard peak.


    "Zev," she whispered.


    He growled and dropped his head to kiss her neck as he slid the other hand up too, taking the weight of her breasts in his palms, squeezing gently, murmuring her name against her wet skin.


    Sasha shivered and dropped her head back against his shoulder.


    "Fuck, Sash¡ª"


    "Are you sure we can''t¡ª?"


    "¡ªthis is killing me¡ª"


    "¡ªI mean, are you certain?"


    "¡ªbut it''s just one more day and¡­"


    Zev cursed as she turned in his arms and grabbed his face, pulling him down into a deep kiss, pressing herself into him¡ªagainst his very obvious arousal.


    His fingers wed, dragging up her back, and he shuddered. Sasha''s heart thundered in her ears and desperation spiraled through her stomach, sending fizzing, jagged currents of electricity from between her thighs, out to announce to the rest of her body that Zev was there, finally there, and touching her!


    Still nervous that she really didn''t know what she was doing, while they kissed, she let one hand slide down his chest, those hard abs, and down, to take him in her hand and stroke once¡ª


    With a grunt, Zev threw himself backwards into the water, sinking away from her and sweeping his arms in long strokes to pull him deeper into the bathing pool, shaking his head and grimacing.


    "We have to stop," he growled. "No, Sash, I''m serious."


    She''d taken a step towards him, but when he warned her, his eyes glinting in the darkness, and his tone so serious, she pulled up short.


    She stood in water that wasn''t even up to her ribcage, bare as a baby¡­ and she didn''t care.


    This was Zev. She was safe here. None of the other Chimera woulde at this time, apparently, because they''d assume there was no one here to groom them.


    Sasha hadn''t wanted to know exactly what kind of grooming went on here. All she cared about was that they were here together, alone and she wanted him. Desperately.


    "One more day, Sash. I swear on all that''s holy, tomorrow¡­ tomorrow is going to be¡­ amazing."


    He''d dropped his chin, only his shoulders and arms shining at the top of the water as he gave long strokes through the water to keep himself in ce. But his eyes¡­ his eyes glowed in the darkness, fixed on hers and heated with promise. She hadn''t seen him look so much like a wolf since he''d fought the others and her nerve jangled with warning¡ªher human instincts warning her that something dangerous was close. But her heart¡­


    Her heart sang.


    "Tomorrow," she said, nodding, then folded her arms against the cold air. "Tomorrow."


    Zev groaned andid back in the water, his eyes screwed tightly shut. "Can you please not¡­ do that."


    "Do what?" She looked down.


    "Push your breasts together like that. It''s like¡­ It''s like you''re offering them." He cursed again, and Sashaughed, but it was shaky.


    "Come on, Zev," she said quietly, turning for the bank. "I think we better get out of here before we give in."


    "Because getting in bed together is going to be so much easier," he muttered, but she could hear the water rippling as he followed her.


    They dried quickly, not looking at each other, and Sasha put on the warm robe he''d offered her before they left the house.


    He took her hand and threw both towels over one of his broad shoulders, before leading her back to the house.


    He helped her up thedder, then they went inside.


    Sasha, her skin still hot from the hot water and the arousal, felt deeply rxed because they were alone, but there was tension at the base of her spine because¡­ because she yearned.


    She walked straight to thentern, but Zev stepped up behind her and grabbed her arm to stop her. "Why don''t we just¡­y in the dark?" he said gruffly. "I think too many visuals might be counter-productive right now. If you need help seeing, I can lead you to the bathroom or whatever."


    Sasha sighed, but agreed, dly epting another of his long t-shirts and throwing it over her head, twisting her hair that was still wet into a pile on top of her head.


    Then they fell into the bed together.


    Laying in the crook of his arm, she thought she wouldn''t be able to think of anything except having him.. But as he stroked up and down the forearm she had resting on his chest, she sighed, thest of the day''s tension leaching out of her and her eyes fluttered closed and she fell asleep to thoughts of how precious this moment was.

 Chapter 148 - Nightmare

    ~ ZEV ~


    "Are you okay?" Sasha murmured, nuzzling her face into his neck, her words slow and hushed, drowsy.


    "Yeah, just excited for tomorrow," he said, his voice extra low and rough.


    It was true that he couldn''t wait for the following day¡ªwouldn''t rest until she was his before all the ns. But that wasn''t what was making his neck tense, and his eyes dart around the room.


    "Me too," she breathed and Zev''s heart squeezed.


    It was almost a relief when she fell asleep so quickly. Listening to her low, slow breathing as he stroked his fingers up and down her arm, surrounded in the warm scent of her, it was a moment he''d dreamed of for years.


    But his stupid body wouldn''t rx.


    Hey in the dark of the little house, staring at the ceiling, just feet above the bed, the straight lines of the walls, and the skin between his shoulder des itching. Zev gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. Maybe if he couldn''t see how close the roof was¡­ maybe if he couldn''t see all the t walls and unnatural nes¡­


    But even with his eyes closed his senses prickled¡ªrebreathing the air, no hint of the breeze that always fluttered through the trees of Thana¡ªscreaming at him that he was inside. That this ce was a cage, an unnatural space, that the humans had a hand in it and they were going to drag him back!


    Zev screwed his eyes tightly closed and pinched his nose, reminding himself that he was in Thana, and free, finally, of the team and Nick and¡­ that the door wasn''t locked. There was no guard on it. That the choice was his when and where he moved.


    But even when he turned on his side so Sasha''s weight didn''t press on his constricted chest, as she curled up inside his arms and he finally dozed off, his body was tight, rigid with stress.


    In the dream there was a forceful knock on the door and he knew it was Nick. He kept his eyes shut, refusing to see him, to hear him, convinced that if he could just ignore the man he called father, that nothing bad would happen.


    But of course, that''s not how life works.


    Despite his denial, suddenly Nick was in the house, standing in the light of the open door, shaking his head.


    "Is she worth it?"


    "Yes," Zev snarled at him. "You don''t touch her."


    "I wouldn''t give a shit about her, except for the power she has over you," Nick said with a shrug.


    Because it was a dream and Zev wanted to move, suddenly he couldn''t. He was frozen in that spot, one arm over Sasha''s waist the other under her neck, cradling her.


    He sucked in hard, determined to move, to put himself between her and Nick. But he couldn''t move. He could barely open his mouth to speak. And his eyes didn''t want to open. He needed them open to see the threat andbat it. But instead hisshes barely fluttered.


    "Don''t¡­ touch¡­ her," he snarled again through gritted teeth¡ªhis jaw wouldn''t even move.


    "I''ll touch whatever I want, whenever I want," Nick said, his voice low and determined. "You think you know it all, Zev, and you don''t."


    "I don''t¡­ care about the program. I don''t care¡­ about the people you''ve¡­"


    "Yes, you do."


    "Not more¡­ than I care about her."


    Nick let out a long, low whistle. "That''s a big call, Son."


    Zev''s eyes screwed more tightly shut even though he was trying desperately to open them.


    "What are you¡­ doing here?" he growled.


    "Easy, I came for her. Which is really the same thing asing for you, right?"


    "No."


    But instead of responding, Nick began to move, his footsteps clipping on the wooden floor, and tension ratcheted up Zev''s spine with every step. He curled his arm around Sasha even tighter, pulling her into his chest and snarling that Nick wouldn''t take her.


    But he couldn''t see, and his hearing was echoing. He couldn''t measure the distance from Nick''s steps to the bed and he needed to know. He needed to see! He needed to get her out from under Nick''s eyes.


    "Rx, Zev, I told you: I will never hurt you. You''re my prize, Son. The most important thing I''ve ever done. Stop worrying."


    "Leave her alone!"


    He couldn''t see, but he could feel Sasha sliding from his grip, his grip that he couldn''t move and he howled, snarling, fighting desperately, trying to w at her, to keep her there, but no matter what he did, she kept sliding from his grasp.


    "Sasha! Sasha!" he screamed. "Get out! Don''t let him touch you! Sasha! Wake up!"


    Nick tsked. "I keep telling you, Zev. No matter what, we''re always one step ahead of you."


    "Sasha! Wake up! Run! Run!"


    "Zev?!"


    "Get out!"


    "Zev, I''m right here, I¡ª"


    "Don''t let him get you! Don''t¡ª"


    "Shhhh, it''s okay¡ª"


    "It''s not okay. It''s not fucking okay! He''ll kill you, Sasha! He''ll kill you!"


    "Zev¡ª"


    "Run! You have to run!"


    "Zev, it''s a dream."


    "No, you don''t understand¡ª"


    "Zev, WAKE UP!"


    A sharp crack woke him with a jolt of adrenalin and his heart pounding so hard he wondered if it would actually crack through his ribs. He blinked and realized he was sitting up, hands gripped on Sasha''s arms, his fingers digging into her. He released her immediately with a curse.


    "I''m sorry, I''m sorry, babe. Did I hurt you?"


    "No, Zev¡­ are you awake?"


    Sasha''s eyes were wide pools in the darkness, frantic with worry.


    He stared at her, blinking, his eyes darting over her shoulder to where Nick had stood. But the space was empty.


    "It was a dream," she whispered, stroking his face. "Zev, are you awake now? Can you see that it was just a dream?"


    He nodded, but swallowed hard as she fell into his chest, hugging him. "What did they do to you?" she whispered.


    "I''m fine. I''m fine. I''m sorry I scared you," he said, keeping his voice as low and emotionless as he could. "Don''t worry, Sash. It was just a dream."


    But her eyes said she didn''t believe him.

 Chapter 149 - Haunted

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Sasha knelt between his knees, sitting on her heels, staring at him in the dark, her face worried and tight. "Zev?"


    "I''m awake. For real. Sorry. I didn''t mean to scare you."


    "I''m more worried that you''re scared yourself."


    "It was just a bad dream," he said sheepishly and tried to smile, but she shook her head.


    "That was more than a dream, Zev. You were screaming."


    "Sorry."


    "No," Sasha rolled her eyes. "Don''t apologize. Tell me what it was about. Get it off your chest. You said he was going to kill me. Who? Were you talking about those guys we ran from when you found me?"


    Zev swallowed and reached to push her hair behind her ear. She put a hand to his arm, gripping him, stroking. She was trying tofort him, he realized, and hated himself for scaring her.


    "Zev?" she asked a momentter when he hadn''t responded.


    "I just¡­ I dreamed that they wereing for you again and I couldn''t stop it," he said, raking a hand through his hair, smiling sheepishly. "Don''t worry about me, babe. For real. It''s just a dream. I just need to rx."


    She protested, but he settled her back down on the bed, wrapped her in his arms, shushing her questions and saying they could talk about it in the morning. She sighed, but he stroked her hair until she started to rx.


    "You need to rx too," she murmured as she began to drift off.


    "Shhhhhh, I''m fine, just rest, Sash."


    But he was trembling and he knew¡­ he knew he wasn''t going to sleep again that night.


    "Just rest," he murmured to her. "Don''t worry. I''m here. Just rest."


    It took a long time for her to fall asleep, and even longer for her to stop twitching every time he moved. But finally, an hourter, she was deeply asleep again and Zev was able to slide out of her arms and hurry silently across the floor to open the door.


    Standing in the night air, his chest expanded like he''d broken through iron bands. He could breathe again. He dropped his head back and sucked at the cold, winter air.


    He didn''t want to leave Sasha, but when he turned his head to look over his shoulder back into the house, his heart stuttered.


    He just go be outside. Stay around the tree to make sure she was safe, but be out and breathing the Thana air and look at the stars. That was all. He just needed to give his body a break, and then he''de back up and be there for her when she woke up in the morning.


    Good n. Good, solid n.


    He would settle outside in his wolf for an hour. That was all.


    Then he''d be able to sleep.


    A re of anger lit in his chest as he looked back into the house and realized this moment he''d been waiting for was being ruined¡ªonce again¡ªby fucking Nick. But he shoved the thought down, and the anger with it.


    He just needed to be outside and alone and he would be fine.


    Nodding to himself, he shifted and leaped off the tform to the frozen ground below.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha felt him go, but thought maybe he was going to the bathroom. Or maybe he just needed a minute to himself, so she didn''t move and tried to keep her breathing even as he crept through the house and out the front door.


    Her heart started beating faster. He was leaving? He was leaving her here alone?


    She sat up in bed when she heard the soft thud of feetnding on the ground outside. She almost leaped out of the bed and ran to the door to call him back, but then she realized¡­ Zev was never going to leave her in danger. Sure enough, there was a scrabbling sound, and a high, faint whine. And when Sasha inched back the curtains over the window over the bed, she could see a massive, near-ck wolf digging a hollow in the ground outside the tree.


    As she watched, he finished digging and settled himself inside it, thend now curving up around his sides as he rested that broad, beautiful head on his front paws and curled his tail around his feet.


    Sasha hadn''t had the chance to watch Zev in his wolf before, and she was fascinated.


    He was thick and furry, intimidatinglyrge. If she''d see a wolf like that in the forest she would have been convinced she was going to die.


    But here, curled up like that like the family dog in front of the fire¡­ she wondered whether he went into the wolf because he was scared, or just because the fur would keep him warm?


    She almost got up and ran to the door to ask him, but he turned his head suddenly and looked straight at her, peering through the crack in the curtains.


    Reflexively, she dropped the curtain and sat back with a gasp, frustrated and a little embarrassed to have been caught spying on him.


    But then his voice bloomed in her head.


    Go to sleep, Sash. I''ll keep watch out here. You''re safe. Go to sleep.


    Her heart thrummed. She wanted to go out there with him, hold him, be in whatever pain he was in with him. But she felt him sigh in her head.


    One of us needs to sleep. Don''t worry about me. This is normal.


    Sasha twitched back the curtain again and peered out at him. He turned his head, his wolf ears perked.


    "Can you hear me?" she murmured.


    Yes.


    "What''s wrong?"


    He stared at her for a long moment and she thought he might not answer. But then there was a high whine and his nose tipped up, his nostrils ring.


    Sometimes it''s really hard to be inside walls, he said in her head, finally.


    Sasha''s heart broke. "What did they do to you?"


    Nothing. That''s the thing, Sash. I don''t fear what''s happened. I fear what could happen in the future.


    She was going to ask, but he shook his head until his ears pped against his skull.


    Go to sleep, beautiful. I''m going to be fine.


    And the words came with a strange resonance in her head, thepulsion to listen and do as he said. She didn''t understand it, but she knew that he needed to be alone in this. So she sighed and let the curtain drop.


    "I love you, Zev."


    I love you too, Sash.

 Chapter 150 - Day Of Mating - Part 1

    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev woke Sasha early, his hands and skin freezing from being outside all night. When he touched her face she''d startled from the shock of the cold.


    "Oh gosh," she gasped, grabbing his hand as he leaned over her on the bed. "You''re freezing!"


    "I''m fine. I don''t feel it, honestly," he said, smiling wide. He waited a moment while she sat up and rubbed her eyes, looking around. "Good morning," he said, a momentter, his voice gruff withck of sleep.


    "Good morning."


    Zev sat down on the edge of the bed and she put her arms around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder. He chuckled and pulled her closer, stroking her hair down her back. "It''s going to be a big day," he said quietly. "Are you ready?"


    She pulled back to meet his eyes. "Yes, but, Zev, we need to talk about¡ª"


    "Not now," he said, his smile faltering. He looked down, taking her hand between his and ying with her fingers. "I''ll talk to you about it, but not today, okay? Today is a celebration. And we have to concentrate. Let''s take one thing at a time."


    She frowned at him, scared he was deflecting, unwilling to speak and so using the busy day as a reason not to. But he didn''t hide his eyes from hers when he locked gazes with her again. "Sash, I''ve been waiting for this day since I was eighteen. I want to focus on that today, okay? We''ve got a lifetime to worry about the rest."


    Sasha''s stomach trilled. A lifetime. He''d said it, and her smile grew. And Zev mirrored her joy, pulling her into a gentle kiss, then groaning when he pulled away.


    "Okay, Kyelle''s going to be here soon, so you should get cleaned up. Yhet''s already outside. He''s very eager to y his part."


    Sasha shook her head, grinning. Yhet was ying father of the bride¡ªwhich in Chimera terms was just a male who was chosen to watch over the female until she was united with her mate. Sasha was touched that he''d gotten so excited when she''d asked him.


    "He''s already here?" she giggled.


    Zev nodded. "You have a fan."


    "He''s such a sweetheart."


    "He is," Zev said, eyebrows up, "But for goodness sake, don''t ever piss him off. There''s a whole side to that monster you never want to see."


    She couldn''t tell if he was joking, but she didn''t have time to think about it, because Zev was tugging her out of the bed.


    Kyelle would be there soon with that gorgeous dress that Sasha was still torn between aching to wear, and feeling like it was vition for her to do so. But Kyelle had been insistent the day before, and had even made some minor alterations on it so it fit perfectly.


    She ran to the bathroom, but she rushed, because Zev had to leave and she wanted another moment with him alone before things got busy. Once again, Zev was the one who had to be out and doing things, running all over the vige and Thana getting them ready, while she sat at home getting pretty and¡­ waiting. But, she supposed, at least after today there would be no more concerns of an unannounced challenge, or her saying or doing the wrong thing and identally inticing some male to challenge Zev.


    Because after tonight¡­ after tonight when they would finally be together, everyone would know and that would be the end of any questions in any Chimera minds.


    "It can''te fast enough," she muttered as she rushed back into the living room, spluttering at her own unintentional double-entendre.


    "What''s so funny?" Zev said, turning from the window at the front of the house.


    "Nothing, I was just looking forward to tonight," she said, skipping up to stand between his feet and hug his middle.


    Zev''s eyes red with heat and he cupped her face. "Me either."


    "If you can stay awake that long," she said, shaking her head.


    "I told you, don''t worry about me. We''re going to get there, Sash. Be excited with me."


    "I am. I just want you to be okay."


    "I''ve never been better," he growled, then tipped her chin up with one hand to kiss her. They were still wrapped together when a knock sounded at the door, and Sasha realized she was still in Zev''s t-shirt. She yelped and pulled out of the kiss, but Zev just grinned and walked to the door. "You go get dressed, I''ll let her in."


    Sasha hurriedly grabbed the robe he''d given her the night before, shaking her head as she threw it on and tied the belt at her waist. "I''m not leaving your side minute earlier than I have to," she said firmly.


    Zev smiled and his eyes twinkled. "Damn, I love you, Sash," he murmured.


    Sasha sighed and hugged him again.


    A momentter, still buried in his lips, the knock sounded again. "You guys know we can hear you, right?" Lhars unimpressed voice rose on the other side of it.


    Zev immediately frowned, his head snapping up and towards the door. "What is Lhars¡ª"


    "I forgot to tell you!" Sasha gasped. "But¡­ we''ll talk about itter. Trust me. It''s not what you think."


    Zev gave her an uncertain look, but left her to open the door and usher in Lhars and Kyelle, who smiled at him, but quickly dropped her eyes, then walked into the house and hung the dress in the closet of the bedroom area.


    "Good morning, Sasha, how are you feeling this morning? Did you sleep okay?"


    Sasha nced at Zev. "I''m great," she said. "I''m¡­ it''s all good." But Zev was staring at his brother warily as Lhars walked in with arge basket of what smelled like freshly baked bread, and a bag hooked over his arm that was obviously Kyelle''s.


    "Go ahead and re, brother," Lhars said dryly. "I''m only organizing your mating. Definitely something you should over-analyze and be suspicious about."


    Zev''s lips thinned, but he took the basket from Lhars and walked it to the counter in the kitchen. "Thank you."


    "You''re so very wee," Lhars said. "Now, who''s ready to be a mate?"


    Zev''s eyes snapped to Sasha and her belly coiled with desire.


    She was ready. She was very, very ready.


    *****


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 Chapter 151 - Day Of Mating - Part 2

    ~ ZEV ~


    Eyes stinging withck of sleep, but body humming with anticipation, Zev stalked through the vige, Dunken at his shoulder, ring at every male they passed as if he might challenge Zev on the spot.


    "I really don''t think it''s going to be a problem," he said to his friend with a smile.


    "No harm in being prepared," Dunken said. "Sasha-dan gives them too many reasons to consider her, so let''s bnce it out."


    Zev shook his head, but didn''t interfere when Dunken raised a lip at one of the Tigers, sitting at the foot of the tree in the center of the vige. The tiger snarled, but didn''t get to his feet.


    Zev ignored him. As Alpha, he could ignore most of them if he chose, though it wasn''t his way. But he would do everything he could to avoid conflict today of all days. If someone wanted to show off, or challenge, or bait him, let them do it when he and Sasha were safely mated and back from their solitude.


    The solitude¡­


    Every time he thought of all that time alone with Sasha, the freedom to do whatever they chose, whenever they chose, his entire chest squeezed. Then his ribs would ache and he''d be reminded the other reasons why he wanted to avoid all possible conflict today.


    Laying in the frozen dirt had been helpful in bringing the swelling and pain down overnight. But as soon as he''d started moving, that entire side of his chest screamed. It had taken a good fifteen minutes and several circuits around the tree in his wolf form before he''d felt like it was wise to jump up to the tform and go inside.


    "Zev?"


    He blinked back to the present and looked at Dunken, who was frowning, his knuckles white on the grip of his thick spear.


    "What''s going on with you this morning?"


    "I didn''t sleep great," he said. "But don''t worry, I am more than ready to get this done."


    "Shall we run?" Dunken asked. They were passing through the vige to pick up more supplies to run out to the cave where Zev and Sasha would spend the solitude.


    "Good idea," Zev said, shing a grin, then shifting into the wolf,


    Dunken, who was still undressing and hadn''t shifted yet, looked down at him, shaking his head. "That fucking ck suit is ridiculous. You know your fur sticks out at the neck and paws¡­" He trailed off, rolling his eyes.


    Zev snorted and started to run, biting back a yelp when he pushed into the stride a little too quickly and his rib gave him a jab.


    But Dunken had already stripped and shifted too, and leaped past him, his massive horns curving up and over his head and neck in two long, wicked arches.


    As they ran through the vige and the wood, Zev''s heart felt light for the first time in¡­ well, in five years, he thought. Excpet maybe for the hours he''d spent at the bathing pools with Sasha, he couldn''t remember anytime when he wasn''t weighed down by it all¡ªthings that had to be done, things that should have been done, things that he wished had never been done¡­


    He shook his head and ran on.


    Today was not a day for regretting the past. Today was a day for celebrating the future.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Yhet couldn''t fit into the house, but he''d stood at the tform outside, calling for her.


    "Sasha, I have a mating day gift for you!"


    She and Kyelle had been discussing how to dress her hair. Sasha frowned at Kyelle who shrugged, but smiled.


    Getting up from her chair, Sasha pulled the door open so the morning sunlight spilled in. It was so bright, and the sun so low on the horizon, she had to shade her eyes with her hand to stop from being blinded.


    "What is it, Yhet?" she asked, then realized she was looking too high.


    She tipped her head down, shading the sun more with her hand and found Yhet''s hairy face. He stood with his elbows leaned on the tform that she had to climb to reach, a wide, toothy grin on his face, and eyes sparkling.


    "I found something I wanted to give you for your mating day," he repeated, his voice a low, delighted rumble.


    "You''re very sweet. What is it?"


    "Close your eyes and hold out your hand."


    Sasha narrowed her eyes. Yhet''s smile was getting wider, and he almost seemed to be hopping he was so eager to see her. "What are you up to?"


    "I''m trying to give you a gift!" he said, looking wide-eyed and innocent. "You suspect me of a plot, Sasha? I am wounded!"


    "No, I just¡­"


    Yhet gave her an exaggerated frown, like a child attempting to show their disappointment.


    Sasha sighed. "Okay then." She closed her eyes, tipped her head back, and put out one hand.


    With a deep snigger, Yhet moved. Sasha was tempted to open her eyes a crack, but if her friend wanted to give her a surprise, she thought it was better to let him do that.


    So she frowned, but still didn''t open them when something warm and sticky was ced in her hand.


    Then she was afraid to look.


    Had Yhet brought her some strange Chimera delicacy? Was she going to identally offend him if she couldn''t eat it, or¡­


    She swallowed hard. "What is it?"


    "Open your eyes," he said and she could hear the beaming smile in his voice.


    Tentatively, Sasha opened her eyes and looked down¡­ then she began to giggle.


    In her open, t palm, Yhet had ced a small piece of honeb, already leeching its golden goodness all over her fingers.


    "Honeb? What¡ª" Then she remembered. Halfughing, half-mortified, she looked at Yhet with wide eyes.


    "You get to eat the honey now," Yhet said, snorting withughter. "Enjoy!"


    Kyelle stared at them both, confused. "I don''t get it."


    Sasha suddenly got the giggles and Yhet boomedughter they could probably hear back in the human world.

 Chapter 152 - Day Of Mating - Part 3

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    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha stood in front of a cloudy mirror that Lhars had lugged up to her home at Kyelle''s request and stared at herself in the mirror. Kyelle had swept her hair up to pile on top of her head, then cascade down in loose curls.


    The halter-neck of the dress seemed to draw the eyes up to Sasha''s eyes, which were twinkling thanks to the dush Kyelle had blown onto her skin that made her shimmer and glow.


    But the dress¡­. That beautiful dress.


    It clung to her curves, emphasizing those that needed it, and somehow hiding the ones that didn''t. Then it red over her hips to fall beautifully to her ankles.


    She''d questioned the length¡ªKyelle was a great deal taller than she and had shortened dress to mid-calf, where before it had floated around Sasha''s ankles. But Kyelle hadughed.


    "It''s to keep your legs free if you need to fight. You can''t risk getting your feet hooked in your own skirt. It''s the same reason the skirt is full enough to allow full extension, but not so full that it will create bulk.


    Sasha had nodded like agreed, but her head was spinning. What kind of world was she in that even a wedding dress had to be made with the potential for battle?


    But then she''d turned back to the mirror and smiled. She looked ethereal¡ªnot a word that had ever entered her mind, or others, in rtion to her.


    Sasha was pretty¡ªor striking at best. But too blunt and clumsy for actual elegance. Yet, here she was, swathed in soft white that waved gracefully in the breeze of even a breath. She looked like she should be in a wedding magazine, and she wasn''t even wearing make up!


    "This is amazing, Kyelle. I am¡­ humbled that you''d let me wear it," she said, and for the first time it hit her.


    She was getting married.


    And she didn''t know anyone but the groom. Not really.


    Her rtionship with her parents had been strained for the past two or three years, her mother in particr struggling with her inability to give up her attachment to Zev. Their divorce had been very hard on Sasha¡ªin part because she wondered if stress over her had aided her parents in falling apart.


    For the past few years Sasha had made her life with her friends, spending most holidays and asions with them.


    But that didn''t mean she didn''t care about her parents. She''d never imagined she''d be suddenly ripped out of her own world and into a new one, with no chance to contact them¡ªor her friends, her chosen family.


    They must be beside themselves. Rob would have notified them as soon as she didn''t show up for work. Maybe sooner, since she''d fled through his apartment and¡­


    What if the men with the guns had killed Rob?


    Sasha blinked. She couldn''t believe these things hadn''t urred to her. And here she was, about to vow her life to the man they''d all been telling her didn''t care about her, had only taken what he wanted, then left.


    None of them would see it.


    Likely none of them would recognize it for what it was even if they did. She tried to imagine telling her mother that they weren''t getting married, exactly¡­ but she was walking through a mating ritual that was symbolic¡ªand by the way, they were vowing themselves into the next life beyond¡­


    Her mother would have hermitted.


    A deep, aching sadness clutched at her belly. Her life before was truly gone. And the people that were important to her¡ªand she to them¡ªthey were never going to know what had happened to her. It was going to kill them.


    Unaware of her angst, Kyelle stood from straightening a hem at the back of the skirt and brushed the fabric smooth.


    "When we walk through the vige, you must be looking for Zev," the woman said softly, her own sadness stifled, but in. "You cannot linger on any other males. To see them is fine, even to acknowledge them. But do not pause to converse. Keep looking for Zev and once you find him, give him the best of your focus¡ªit is a symbol of your intention."


    Sasha nodded and put one hand to her throat, nodding. She wanted to do this with Zev so badly. But like this? Without her family? Without her friends? While all of them thought¡ª


    "You have¡­ oh," Kyelle said, taking a tiny breath, a reaction to pain.


    Shaken out of her reverie, Sasha looked at the woman and found her staring at Sasha''s hand.


    The ring on her hand.


    When Kyelle caught her looking, she swallowed and raised her chin higher. "That is Zev''s ring." It wasn''t a question.


    "Yes," Sasha said carefully, turning the worn-but-beautiful leather on her thumb. "It''s a human tradition before you ma¡ªmate that the guy gives the girl a ring."


    Kyelle hadn''t taken her eyes off Sasha''s hand, but her eyes were even sadder than before.


    "That is¡­ very special," Kyelle said, her voice hitching. "It was thoughtful of him, and appropriate."


    "Appropriate?"


    Kyelle nodded. "You know the reason Dunken gave him the ring?"


    "Yes."


    "Then you understand¡ªvery appropriate that it passes to you. A¡­pletion of the circle."


    Sasha smiled down at the ring on her thumb. "Yes, it is," she said, smiling. But when she looked up, Kyelle had tears in her eyes.


    "Oh, Kyelle, I''m sorry. I didn''t realize you knew¡ª"


    "No, it isn''t that," she said. "I was¡­ when he was here before he wore that every day from the moment Dunken gave it to him. But when he arrived this time, he wasn''t wearing it. I thought¡­ I just thought the wrong thing. Don''t mind me."


    The woman turned away, discreetly wiping her eyes, then bustling around looking for the flowers she''d brought to put into Sasha''s hair, and offering her something to eat from the basket.


    But Sasha agreed without really hearing her. Because Kyelle had been right.


    Zev wasn''t wearing the ring when he''de back to her.


    What did that mean?

 Chapter 153 - Ritual - Part 1

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha and Kyelle passed through the vige and into the forest without an issue. They were headed to an area in the forest Sasha had never visited. She pulled the fur wrap Kyelle had given her around her shoulders more tightly and rubbed her hands together, though she was more nervous than cold.


    She''d hadn''t been able to shake off the grief and insecuritypletely, but she knew this was a day she wanted to remember and enjoy. And she wasn''t going to do that if she only focused on what she didn''t have. So when the time finally came to leave the house, Sasha reminded herself that Kyelle was suffering a much greater loss than her that day. After all, Sasha was getting Zev.


    The afternoon was overcast, which made her nervous, but Kyelle lifted her nose to the wind and said no, the snow would not settle in for another day or two. She and Zev would get to their solitude before they had reason to worry.


    Kyelle''s eyes slid away from hers when she mentioned the solitude and Sasha''s heart squeezed in sympathy. But she''d seen the rm in Kyelle''s eyes when she tried to raise it, so instead she turned the conversation back to the ritual.


    "So, except to deny anyone who wants to entice me, I stay silent until Zev''s finished with any challenges, and once we''re touching each other, we don''t let go?"


    Kyelle nodded. "And if there are any true challengers, you let Zev handle them. All you have to do is deny them. Give them no invitation."


    Sasha felt like she better understood what that meant now, but it still made her stomach trill with nerves because she''d gotten it wrong so many times when she wasn''t thinking.


    They didn''t talk much more, though Kyelle held her arm and made kind reassurances about how easy this day would bepared to what they''d been through so far. But as they walked through the thick trees, in half-shadow because the sun was so much dimmer behind the clouds, Sasha began looking ahead. Looking forward. Needing to be near Zev.


    "How long will it take, until we touch each other?" she''d asked carefully.


    "It will depend how many wish to disy for you¡ªand that will depend on how good of a job the Alphas have done with supporting Zev''s im of you."


    Sasha sighed, but didn''t ask anything else. The trees opened suddenly ahead, cold winter light pouring between them, and a warm glow.


    The bonfire, she''d forgotten.


    The air here was crisp and fresh, but the scent of barbeque hung in the air as well, and curls of smoke were visible in the dark branches of the trees.


    She''d forgotten about the feast.


    Kyelle gave a grim smile. "The only thing that is needed to ensure a strong gathering of males is to bring good food," she said, her lips twisting into a half smile. "Or females. Good food, or willing females. Remember that, Sasha. It is wisdom my mother gave me."


    Sasha snorted, but it was true, she realized.


    She was about to ask if Kyelle''s mother was still alive when they broke through thest line of trees and as the entire clearing was revealed¡ªa massive, crackling bonfire, two cook fires either side of it, crowds of athletic men swathed in furs, and there, almost directly opposite where she entered, a cluster of men¡ªmales, she reminded herself. They called them males.


    She thought she saw Zev''s midnight ck hair in the center, but all the males were bent forward, looking at something someone held between them.


    Then the men nearer them, gathered around the bonfire, saw them and began to call.


    As a chorus of howls, roars, and calls filled the cold winter air and echoed through the trees, that shining ck head snapped up like she''d shouted his name. Zev found her with his eyes immediately¡ªand his mouth dropped open.


    He looked so delighted, Sasha almost started crying.


    Zev took a step toward her and a hand pped to his chest¡ªDunken, she thought. But Zev didn''t tear his eyes from her, shaking his head in disbelief.


    You''re stunning, Sasha. Absolutely stunning.


    She mouthed "thank you" and hoped from this distance he could tell what she''d said.


    Then the males around him spread out and Zev''s body was revealed, and it was Sasha''s jaw that dropped.


    Zev was naked from the waist up, his deep olive skin oiled and painted in designs from neck to toes in bright blue paint. Sasha could make out a thick ne of teeth hanging around his corbones that disappeared over his shoulders. The ivory of them setting off the blue all over him¡ªfangs and w marks on his belly and sides, and intricate, jagged patterns that were somehow beautiful and frightening at the same time, swirled all over his arms and chest.


    His eyes locked on hers and the smile fell off his face as he watched her be led to her position in the clearing.


    Sasha¡­ his voice was a bare whisper in her head. You''re so beautiful.


    She wished she could tell him how handsome he was¡ªso big and beautiful, muscr and strong. Everything about him screamed strength and power, and the mes that had lit in his eyes when he saw her¡­


    Sasha''s belly flipped and she wanted to cross her legs.


    She really, really hoped this ritual didn''t take a long time. She wanted to get straight to the solitude.


    Then someone tapped Zev on the shoulder and he jerked to look, wincing andying a hand over his ribs as he turned to answer a question.


    Sasha frowned. She knew he was going to heal before he had to fight anymore, but this vulnerability worried her. He seemed so strong, as if the pain shouldn''t touch him. Which meant the pain had to be significant.


    "Don''t worry for him," Kyelle said quietly. "He has healed from far worse."


    "I know. I know," Sasha replied, but she was trailing her gaze up and down his body, and Zev had taken a stance¡ªhis feet shoulder width apart, hands at his sides, but poised as if to grab something, chin low, and his eyes fixed on her out from under his heavy brows.


    Except for the human cut of his hair, Zev looked like a tribal warrior, sent there to steal her away. And she wanted to be stolen.


    Please, Lord, let her get stolen.


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 Chapter 154 - Ritual - Part 2

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    "Are you ready?" Dunken asked him quietly.


    Zev nodded, his eyes still locked on Sasha, who couldn''t seem to take her gaze from him, either. His heart pounded to beat out of his chest, his pulse throbbing in his skin until his ribs hurt. But he wouldn''t give up that moment for anything.


    She looked like an angel, floating out of the forest to find him with her eyes. And when she started examining his body¡­ Fuck. He felt her eyes like she was touching him.


    Everywhere.


    "Down boy," Dunken said quietly, a smile in his tone. "We''ve got some stuff to get done first."


    "Let them try and take her from me," Zev growled, imagining picking Sasha up and running out of the clearing with her, taking her to the cave and tearing that dress off¡­ with his teeth.


    "If you don''t stop stinking of arousal, you''ll get them going too," Dunken muttered, tipping his head towards the crowds of males clustered around the bonfire.


    Behind them, Yhet snorted. "You''ll have to¡ª"


    "No more honey metaphors, Yhet," Zev groaned. "Please."


    Yhet giggled surprisingly high for such a massive, deep-voiced male. But Zev wasn''t really paying attention to anything but Sasha¡ªthe pretty pink flush in her cheeks, the way her eyes red with heat when she looked at him.


    The others were stepping between them, putting hands to him to stop him moving, and Zev realized they were right to do so. He strained towards her.


    "We better get this moving before my brother mounts her in front of the adolescents," Lhars drawled from Zev''s right.


    Zev snorted. "You might learn a thing or two."


    Lhars'' eyebrows shot up. "I''m certain I will, brother. Not all of us can mate any willing female without consequences."


    Several growls rose from the others¡ªincluding Yhet¡ªbehind Zev''s snarl. But Lhars only put his hands up. "It wasn''t a dig, Zev. I was serious. I would be¡­ intrigued."


    "If you ever so much as look at her¡ª" Zev started, but Dunken stepped in.


    "Okay, let''s get this moving. His instincts are kicking in and the other ns are restless. Zev, Zev look at me." Dunken gripped Zev''s shoulders and Zev forced himself to turn away from challenging his brother to face him. Dunken''s face was serious. "This is the day you have been waiting for since you were an adolescent. Do not let yourself get distracted from your purpose. Stake your im. Deny the challengers. Take her. The rest can be dealt withter."


    Zev nodded, knowing his friend was right.


    Dunken pped him on the shoulder. "Congrattions. I pray to the Creator that you''ll both be very happy and blessed with many offspring."


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Kyelle stood at her shoulder, eyeing the crowds of males around the bonfire warily and warning Sasha to keep her eyes on Zev.


    She didn''t need to. Sasha didn''t want to look anywhere else. Her soon-to-be-husband was the most gorgeous thing she''d ever seen. And her anxiety drove her to make certain that he wasn''t going to disappear again¡ªor be attacked.


    Every time there was a surge of activity around him, the males clustering, or speaking, her adrenalin would surge, waiting to see something go wrong. But even Lhars seemed good-natured, if a little tense. And Yhet, standing feet above the others, was beaming.


    "Are you ready?" Kyelle asked her quietly. "Dunken is giving the signal. If you''re ready, I''ll call for him and we''ll begin."


    Sasha had never been more ready in her life. "Yes, of course," she said breathlessly, "I¡ª" Sasha startled as Kyelle suddenly stepped forward and shouted, her voice pealing across the clearing.


    "Raise your eyes, Chimera! Stand and hear! The mate approaches! The female who seeks a nes! Raise your eyes and see her! Raise your nose and scent her! She seeks her mate. Where is her mate!"


    Then Dunken''s deep voice rang out in response. "Her matees! Raise your eyes, Chimera! Stand and hear! The mate approaches. The male of the wolf nes and knows his mate. He will im her. Challengers, stand ready!"


    Sasha was barely breathing when, without warning, drums began to beat, making the air of the clearing thrum¡ªand the males cheered.


    "Where are the drumsing from?"


    "The drummers are on the other side of the bonfire. They won''t stop now until you are vowed and confirmed," Kyelle said with a shaky smile. "Wee to your mating ritual, Sasha."


    Sasha looked at her, a shade of shame pinching her stomach as she looked down at the beautiful dress she was wearing and tried to imagine if their roles were reversed.


    She took Kyelle''s hand and swallowed. "You''re a better woman than me, Kyelle."


    Kyelle shook her head, but didn''t take her eyes off the cluster of males around Zev. For a moment, a small, petty part of Sasha wanted to grab her face and tell her to take her eyes off Sasha''s man.


    But Kyelle didn''t stare love at Zev, she knew. She was¡­ grieving.


    Sasha kept her hands fisted in the skirts of her beautiful dress and reminded herself how hard it would be for Kyelle to do this¡ªand how kind she had been in it.


    Then, breaking free of the men that looked like they were holding him back, Zev prowled forward, chin down his eyes fixed on her from under heavy brows, glowing with intensity. Dunken stalked on one side of him, Lhars on the other, and Yhet loomed over them from behind.


    For a moment she thought Zev wasing for her, but as he reached halfway across the clearing between them¡ªclose enough that she could see his abdominal muscles clenching and releasing with his breath¡ªhe made a motion to Yhet, who continued towards Sasha, while Zev turned to glower at the men gathered around the bonfire.


    "Stand for the Alpha of the Wolf n," Dunken bellowed and those men that weren''t already on their feet, shifted and straightened. There was a small ripple¡ªsome men who still didn''t approve of Zev''s sudden rise through the ranks. For a moment Sasha feared that they''d revolt, her mind painting the images before her with a horde of angry men rippling into wolves and running to leap straight at Zev''s throat.


    But as her own heart leaped into her own throat, Sasha was relieved to see the men didn''t move, didn''t suddenly descend on him. They just faced him, watching.


    Zev stood, proud and confident, looking poised for a fight, his eyes scanning them left and right.


    And then he began to speak and Sasha fell in love with him all over again.

 Chapter 155 - Ritual - Part 3

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev stood, proud and confident, looking poised for a fight¡ªa fight he was certain he would sin. He scanned the gathering around the bonfire, holding eyes and making certain all of them heard him. With only dim afternoon light overhead, his oiled torso glowed warm in the firelight in a way that made Sasha''s mouth go dry.


    "I stand before you as Alpha of the Wolf n."


    A chorus of grunts, snarls and roars met that deration, but he only stared them down until they quieted.


    "Iy im to Sasha, the human, the female without n. Her beauty, her inner strength¡­ she has captured me. I am caged. dly. And today I will im her and none of you will stand in my way¡ªI will remove you, if necessary.


    "She will be my breeding pair¡ªtouched by no other. She holds my matebond and has leashed my heart."


    A ripple sounded through the crowd and Sasha tensed, but Zev only shook his head. "I was lied to as a youth¡ªand you have been deceived as well. I am not incapable of the bond, only¡­ only form it differently. Like the humans, the act of mating does not automatically produce the matebond for me, but when I found the one¡­ I cannot deny her. Have not been able to since even before I recognized what was happening to us.


    "You all know, you were here, when I returned from the human world to take Alpha of All ns in Thana. You remember my devotion to her, and my grief. I had been deceived. I believed the connection purely emotional, that it would fade with time. Yet here we are, five yearster, and she holds my heart as firmly as if it were in her fangs.


    "You saw me live for two years without her and take no other female. You have heard lies about my contact with females in the past three years after I returned to the human world. The Alphas have filled you in on my story. You can believe it, or not. But you cannot deny to me what is as tangible as the dirt under my feet: Sasha is not just desirable to me. She is my mate. And I defy any of you to take her from me!" His voice was fierce, rolling off into a growl. Some of the men slouched, submitting, Sasha thought. But others¡­


    Others clenched their fists and their eyes began to glint.


    Sasha''s heart climbed to her throat, but she didn''t speak. She couldn''t speak. She had to remember not to speak!


    Zev scanned the men again, locking eyes with any that didn''t look away.


    "You do not know her as I do. You see an unmated female, a prize. But I see the female beneath¡ªthe steel in her spine, the courage with which she faces her fears, the heart that nurtures and lives in gratitude, and her honesty. She is the perfect Alpha mate¡ªwilling to speak even the hard truth and hear it.


    "I see her to her soul¡ªit is the other half of mine. So stand, brothers. If you cannot ept my im, make your stand now, or watch in submission as she bes mine!"


    Howls rose from the wolves, celebrating, heralding their Alpha and his im. Zev had warned Sasha that the wolves wouldn''t challenge his im of her. That the greater risk came from the tigers and goats¡ªthough Gheet was not sending a challenger, he also refused to prohibit his males from making a im to her. Zev had been disappointed, but understood. So, he''d told Sasha to wait and see. Whether the males liked it or not, few were high enough in the rankings to willingly fight him.


    Sasha held her breath, sped her hands, gripping them until her knuckles turned white, waiting as Zev stood, silent and proud, clearly daring any of them to challenge him.


    After a minute thatsted longer than any in Sasha''s life, Zev''s grin shed. "A wise choice, brothers. I prefer not to mar my mating day by kicking your asses first."


    A rumble ofughter rolled around the clearing.


    "So I have told you of her strength and honesty, but you must see for yourselves. Brothers, stand and show yourselves. Disy to my mate, tell her what you would offer. She will yet return to me!"


    The barks and calls rose, buffeting the trees around them as the air in the clearing shifted from tension to anticipation.


    "They''ve been looking forward to this," Kyelle whispered next to her.


    Sasha gaped. "Why?!"


    Kyelle''s lips twitched upwards towards a smile. "Because they are males. Any opportunity to preen and show themselves better, stronger than their brothers¡­ it''s their life''s air," she said dryly. "Surely you know enough of men to see this?"


    Sasha snorted, but didn''t take her eyes off of Zev, her heart pounding as he turned slowly to stand, arms folded¡ªa symbol, he''d told her, that he would not interfere.


    Their eyes locked for a moment and his voice bloomed in her head. "Your turn," he said gently, his lips pulling up on one side. "Have fun."


    She snorted and shook her head as the males scrambled towards her en-masse.


    For a moment she thought they might be going to repeat the crowd of the other night, circle her. Her heart raced faster, but not with anticipation, but fear. She didn''t like being surrounded like that.


    But thankfully the men seemed to seek an order. Some were allowed to step to the front, while others stood back, until those the others were submitting to all spread out in a line in front of her and Kyelle.


    "Don''t worry, Sasha," that deep, deep voice of Yhet rumbled from behind her. Sasha flinched and snapped her head around to find Yhet standing behind her, his face serious and eyes on the males. "I have your back," he said softly. "None of these assholes will circle around without going through me."


    "I¡­ thank you, Yhet," she said, stunned. She''d forgotten what Zev said, that Yhet was his warrior¡ªchosen to protect her during the ritual. She''d thought the position to be purely symbolic.


    But now, looking at this crowd of males, the light of determination in their eyes, she adjusted her expectations.


    "Good luck," Kyelle murmured, stepping to the side so she stood alone.


    Sasha took a deep breath and nodded, praying she wasn''t going to need it.

 Chapter 156 - Ritual - Part 4

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    His heart thumped against his ribs painfully as the males moved as a group to stand between him and Sasha, demanding her attention.


    She gazed at him over the crowd, but soon their view of each other was marred by too many bodies, too many tall males, and Zev''s stomach went sick.


    She didn''t realize it, but Sasha was about to be confronted with the worst of him. He''d tried to tell her, but it had been easy to see that she''d underestimated the challenge these males would present¡ªnot because she didn''t love him enough, but because he knew he''d broken her heart, and the wound hadn''t closed yet.


    These males knew it too, and they were about to hit her while she was down.


    Well, hit Zev, actually. But the result would be the same.


    He knew every male that stood at the front of the crowd¡ªall unmated, all strong, and high on the hierarchy, handsome and capable in their own ways.


    And all of them knew him well enough to fight dirty.


    He wondered which of them would be either brave enough¡ªor perhaps stupid enough¡ªto start.


    He wasn''t surprised when it was Volk. The hares always were quick to run into conflict.


    The male looked back and forth along the line, then strutted forward.


    Shorter than most of the other Chimera, the hares were powerfully built and attractive to their females for their fierce integrity. Their Alpha, Oksa could be a pain in the ass. But there was not a more honorable male in Thana, in Zev''s opinion. When a hare said they would do something, it would get done.


    It was a character trait that would appeal to Sasha¡ªand y into his own weaknesses.


    He couldn''t move without showing weakness, but he leaned slightly, catching sight of her, eyes widening, as the male nted his feet a few feet in front of her and swept a gant bow.


    Zev would have snorted¡ªthe Hares could also be depended upon to be dramatic. About everything¡ªbut he waited for the male''s words, to measure the impact.


    "Your beauty rises like the sun, Sasha!" the male called so the entire clearing could hear him. "My name is Volk and I invite you to join the Hare n. You stand here, ready to be mated, yet the male you choose has fallen to deception and disappeared both from your life and ours."


    The male slowly removed his furs as he spoke, stripping down to nothing as he stood in front of Sasha¡ªher eyes widening with every item of clothing he removed, until he stood before her. Proud and naked, hands on his hips, and inviting her to examine his body.


    Sasha''s eyes had gone so wide he wondered if she''d forgotten his warning about the nakedness.


    He would haveughed if her eyes hadn''t continued to scan the male from head to toe.


    Zev growled and Dunken nudged him, hissing, "You can''t interfere!"


    "I wasn''t going to," he muttered.


    Dunken shot him a re, but Zev continued to watch as Sasha''s throat bobbed and she shook her head. "I''m not¡­ I mean, I don''t¡ª"


    "You have been hurt by the absence of your chosen male. I understand this," Volk struck his own chest with a fist so hard the sound of thunked across the clearing. "I understand the ache of uncertainty. I value the devotion and loyalty of a female who would wait for her male''s return. I am a male of integrity and strength¡ªsingle-minded. Mate me and you will never spend another day alone, Sasha."


    Sasha''s shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath, but she blinked and her eyes weren''t so wide as she fixed them on him and shook her head.


    The males guffawed, pping each other on the arms and shoulders, teasing Volk for hisck of sess. But the male wasn''t so quick to give up. In the true heart of a hare, he ignored the ribbing from his brothers and began to dance, flexing his abdominals and leaping like a gazelle.


    He was graceful and beautiful, and Sasha''s mouth fell open during one leap that took him level with the heads of the other males.


    For a split second after hended and danced back to stand before her, Zev wondered if her head had been turned, the way she gaped at the male. But she shook her head silently, then shot a pleading look at Kyelle.


    Slumped with disappointment, but keeping his shoulders back, Volk nodded his eptance of her decision and melted back into the crowd, epting jabs and reassurance alike.


    His eyes met Zev''s once and the male offered a dry salute. Zev smiled. He was a good male.


    But he was being reced by another in the space in front of Sasha¡ªanother hare, who took a simr approach, to even less attention from Sasha.


    One after another, three hares and an owl each stepped forward, only to be rejected.


    To Zev''s relief, after the first, Sasha seemed to be handling the nudity and body disys with a lot more indifference.


    But then Rowsan, the tallest and strongest of the owls, stepped forward and everyone went silent. The male had always had a presence, and though he didn''t have ambition to climb the hierarchy, he was well respected by all the ns.


    Slightly taller than Zev, his build was finer, but no less strong. He moved with the grace of the owls who seemed to bring the elegance of flight with them to the ground. A stunning male with a shock of white hair and brown eyes so light they were almost yellow, he saluted Sasha, dropping to one knee with his arm sped to his chest, and bowed his head over it.


    "I seek the female who seeks a n," he said quietly, though Zev''s wolf ears heard every word. "I seek the female who has been left without a nest and who would take a male to her breast."


    Sasha''s eyes bulged at the word "breast," and Zev almostughed. Typical bird.


    "You stand alone, Sasha, because your wellbeing was not valued over the male''s¡ªhe abandoned you to your fate, instead watching over his people. I am not Alpha of my n, though I carry power. Should you choose me, I would embrace you in my nest. You would neverpete for my attention or affection. I would groom your feathers even before my own. Stand and watch, Sasha, the dance of a male who would ce you even over his own needs."


    The male''s voice was hypnotic, and Zev snarled when he realized Rowsan had stepped forward, looming over Sasha until they almost touched. He stripped, his arms and hands brushing hers as he moved.


    The asshole was leaving his scent on her.


    Strong hands appeared on his chest and Dunken hissed, "Get it together, Zev!"


    "I''m fine!" he snapped, then blinked when he realized he''d taken hold of Dunken''s wrists and was wrestling his friend away.


    "You can''t move, Zev. You can''t interfere or the Alphas will take over. Stop!"


    "I haven''t moved."


    "But you''re trying to!"


    Zev didn''t see Rowsan''s dance as he stared Dunken down and his friend didn''t give an inch.


    "You knew this wasing. You know she''ll pick you. Stop creating trouble for yourself."


    Zev shuddered, grinding his teeth, but he nodded.


    Until his friend added, "You know this is going to get worse before it gets better, Zev. Stop giving in to your emotions."


    Zev growled, but Dunken shoved him back until he rocked almost off his feet.

 Chapter 157 - Ritual - Part 5

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha was stunned by the strength and beauty of these men¡ªand their boldness in dering both Zev''s issues, and their own strengths by contrast.


    She hadn''t thought their words would impact her feelings for Zev, or made her waver. And they weren''t. Not exactly. She still chose Zev, she still had no interest in these other males.


    But something about hearing those ws¡ªfeeling the tiny needles sliding into bleeding wounds in her mind and heart¡­ the fears¡­ It was more than ufortable. It made her shaky. Not about her goal for the day, but about what the future held.


    She feared, that was the pure truth. She feared losing Zev again¡ªby his choice. Deceived or not, he had left her under his own steam. No one had kidnapped him, or held a gun to his head.


    After she shook her head and Rowsan and denied him twice, she barely saw or heard the males that followed him, her head spinning with images of the morning she''d woken up and been unable to find Zev, or get him to answer his phone.


    The morning he''d disappeared like smoke through her fingers.


    Then the males moved as someone else stepped forward and she caught sight of him. Zev. Standing back, behind the crowd, his eyes pained and face in a mask of determination. Dunken stood next to him, one hand on his chest, shaking his head. Zev''s lips moved. They were talking. But his eyes never left hers.


    Then his voice appeared in her head.


    I love you, Sasha. Never forget it. I will never leave you again. No matter what.


    She sucked in a breath, praying it was true, and then their sight of each other was broken by the tall man that stepped between them. He looked older than the others who''d stepped up so far. Still young, but his face slightly more weathered, his brown hair dark and eyes gray. She guessed he was around thirty and carried the air of a man who was in his prime¡ªbut steady with it.


    "Sasha," he rumbled after his bow, and his voice was like a purr. Sasha swallowed. "My name is Keyden. I wee you to the mountains of Thana¡ªwhere I walk surefooted, and strong, in the Ibex n."


    Oddly, while the others had stripped their clothes with an air of anticipation, Keyden started on his own buttons as if he barely noticed he were doing it. And he spoke of his life as a hunter¡ªdering himself a male able to provide, but one who returned to the vige every night¡ªwho would wee a female to hold and mate, a partner to meet the world.


    He''d given her a little more space than the others and it wasn''t until he was stripped naked, his eyes locked on hers, that he slipped closer.


    "The male you have chosen is a good male. A leader, and one with heart. I do not regret his return to Thana. But you have been the victim¡ªas have I¡ªof his youth and rtive innocence. Falling to deception and leaving the rest of us harmed by it. He had no intention, I am certain. But I am grown. A male¡ªa man, as your n would put it. Savvy to the world, and certain of my priorities."


    Then he dropped his voice to barely above a whisper. "Choose me, Sasha. I will give you a life of peace¡ªnot uncertainty. And I have held myself true to the matebond. I have not taken a female. We will learn the beauties of the mating together. You need never fear I could form the bond with another. You need never worry that my eyes would be turned from you."


    The words dropped like cold des in her heart as she heard what he wasn''t saying.


    Zev has done these things before, with many women.


    Zev knows what he''s doing because he''s done it so much.


    Zev''s shared himself, and taken what they offered.


    Zev will always have memories of others¡ªmight desire others because he wasn''t as restricted as the other Chimera.


    Sasha shook her head against the images that sprang into her mind¡ªZev curled up, stroking another women the way he''d stroked her. Calling another woman''s name, his face open and overwhelmed with pleasure.


    Zev, sharing his body with¡ª


    Sasha whimpered and turned her head away from the male who was leaning in, making his words just for her, his voice tantalizing and sweet, a low, warm rumble of¡­ of toxic questions.


    "Someone of your beauty and strength of heart deserves better, Sasha," the male said earnestly. He didn''t smile as if he was taking a stab at Zev. He didn''t snarl as if he were trying to right a wrong. He stated a simple fact, and she could feel his eyes on her face. "Let me show you how a male should hold himself for his mate. Let me show you how I have held myself for you."


    Sasha blinked then as he drew his finger¡ªoh so gently¡ªalong her jaw, urging her to lift her chin and meet his eyes again.


    And when she did¡ªwide-eyed, and horrified¡ªhe gave her gentle smile. "You deserve better," he whispered, then he began to dance.


    She didn''t know what was different about this man, why his dance moved her in a way the others hadn''t. But he was a beautiful man who poured himself into the expression, and Sasha was stunned by the rippling strength of his body threw himself around the space in front of her, his movements graceful and powerful and¡­ somehow mindful of making love. And all the while, his eyes stroked her and made promises she didn''t want from him.


    Promises she only wanted from Zev.


    Sasha swallowed hard, but couldn''t take her eyes off of him, her belly beginning to tingle. Not because she wanted him, but because the way he moved reminded her of¡­ of that afternoon¡­ with Zev.


    The males behind him became restless and Kyelle cleared her throat.


    Sasha blinked, then realized what she was doing¡ªallowing herself to be aroused¡ªand she immediately found Zev with her eyes.


    He stared at her, his eyes wide and forehead furrowed.


    He looked terrified, and grieved.


    It struck her then, that no matter how much they loved each other¡ªno matter how much he loved her¡ªshe would always be afraid.


    Don''t, Sasha, he pleaded in her head. Don''t let them make you question me. I love you!


    But that was the problem. She didn''t question what he wanted.


    She questioned whether she could ever ovee where they''d already been.

 Chapter 158 - Ritual - Part 6

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    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    It was an act of sheer will to keep his feet nted, to not shove himself into the crowd of males and fight his way through to her, to dance for her, to convince her!


    But this was her time. This was her choice. He couldn''t force her. He didn''t want to. She had to choose him. If she didn''t¡­


    His heart clenched painfully and he grunted.


    Dunken looked at him from the side, but since he didn''t move, his friend didn''t say anything, or try to intervene.


    Please, Sasha, he said into her mind. Don''t forget how I love you. I will make it up to you. I promise. Let me show you.


    Keyden leaped between them, but he moved so quickly it was a mere sh before her eyes were back and he could see her, plead with her to look at him. And she did.


    And he saw love there, still. Right alongside her pain.


    A whine broke in his throat.


    "It''s almost over and she hasn''t wavered," Dunken murmured from beside him. "Don''t get weak now."


    "She''s afraid I''m going to hurt her again."


    "Wouldn''t you be?" Dunken said tly.


    Zev blinked. He hadn''t thought about it that way before. Then he stared at her and she stared back, and his heart leaped like Keyden had been a moment before, because she shook her head¡ªnot at Zev, but at Keyden.


    The male was persistent, he reached for her, murmured his promises, but Sasha recoiled from him, and Zev''s heart sang as she turned from him to wait¡­ and no other males stepped forward.


    "Is that it?" she whispered to Kyelle. His dear friend scanned the crowd, and then nodded tightly. "It looks like it. Dere yourself."


    Sasha took a deep breath, then turned back to lock eyes with Zev and she smiled for the first time he''d seen since she first arrived.


    "I choose Zev!" she called, loud enough for the entire gathering to hear. "I choose my mate and he chooses me!"


    The males roared, howls rising from the wolves who had hung back from the others, and would now help Zev fight to reach her.


    Dunken chuckled as Zev sprang forward like a starter gun had gone off, throwing himself into the crowd.


    At first his passage was easy¡ªthe wolves making way for him, even as they fended off the other ns, the males fighting¡ªsparring, only¡ªto make Zev work for it.


    But he''de alive when she''d said his name and that smile¡­ he didn''t care about his ribs. Didn''t care about the things they''d said about him¡ªor the way her eyes had shadowed when she''d heard them¡ªhe only cared that she stood on the other side of this crowd and her eyes followed him, pleading for him toe. Quickly.


    He barely saw the thrusts and kicks, blocked them without thought. He didn''t feel the blows thatnded¡ªhalf-hearted, and no more than training strength, though strong enough to bruise. He didn''t hear the calls and snarls, the insults, or the teasing.


    His whole world became Sasha¡ªher eyes, her lips, her hair, her body in that stunning dress, and the way she leaned towards him, worried and excited, waiting for him to reach her so they could finally touch and this ridiculous challenge would be over.


    Adrenalin flooded his veins and he tore through the males, not even waiting for the wolves to push everyone back and thin the crowd ahead of him. He plowed through them, snarling and blocking, turning to kick, ducking blows, andughing when he dodged one kickpletely.


    Then finally, the only males between him and Sasha were the ones who''d disyed for her. They stood in two lines, facing him, on the balls of their feet, ready to fight.


    The other males peeled back to give them room and Zev settled his weight low, smiling the smile he usually used for the hunt.


    "Who''s first?" he growled, beckoning them forward. "Who wants to submit first?"


    The males snarled and two of them leaped forward, but Zev wasughing, turning to block the male in front him even as he stretched to kick in the one trying sneak to his back.


    "She''s mine," he growled, and three of the younger ones submitted, ducking their heads and kneeling, which only made himugh again.


    Of course, the others wouldn''t let him through so easily, but he didn''t care. It was happening. It was finally happening. He was going to reach her and the gathered ns would acknowledge their bond and they would be finished with these stupid questions, these ridiculous challenges.


    He would take her to the solitude and they would revel in each other, then he''de back¡ªhealed in both body and heart, with his mate at his side, and he would defeat the tiger.


    A tiny niggle sounded in the back of his mind at that thought and it urred to him then, for the first time, that none of Tigers had tried to entice her.


    He took a quick scan of the crowd as he turned to block another thrust. Sure enough, the Tigers were there, present as a n.


    Strange that they hadn''t put at least one contender forward.


    But it was toote now, he reminded himself with a wave of relief. The challenges were over. Once he reached her, their bond was made.


    And so, Zev fought.


    He heard Sasha gasp more than once and grieved that she worried for him. But these blows truly were half strength and the bruises would heal in hours. The males were making their point, no longer trying to defeat him. But only to make him prove his desire for her.


    And so, finally, he faced on Keyden¡ªthe oldest and strongest of the males that had tried to entice her, and the goat gave him a grim smile.


    "She deserves better than you, Zev," he said quietly.


    "Then I''m grateful that she''s humble enough to take me anyway," he growled back, advancing on the male.


    But after only two, half-hearted blows, Keyden sped his wrist and pulled him in so they were chest to chest.


    It was half-greeting, half-restraint and Zev growled. But Keyden shook his head.


    "Will you give your devotion? Will you keep her heart safe as the Alpha Female should always be?"


    "You know I will, Keyden," Zev snarled.


    They stared at each other, muscles straining as Keyden fought to keep him in the grip.


    But after a moment, the older male nodded once, then dropped his arm and dropped to one knee, submitting.


    Zev should have thanked the male, but he was too exhrated, throwing himself past the goat, to Sasha, who gasped and reached for him, burying her face in his chest as he embraced her, pulling her tightly into his chest.


    Thank God, Sasha. You''re mine. Thank God.


    "Yes," she whispered, squeezing him tighter.


    Then he pulled back just far enough to meet her eyes, using his thumb to wipe away a single tear that was tracking down her cheek.


    "Don''t cry," he whispered. "I love you, Sash."


    "I know, that''s what makes me cry," she choked, smiling through her tears. "I just¡­ I can''t believe this is really happening."


    "I wouldn''t be so certain of that.. Not yet," a dark, husky voice said from the other side of the crowd.

 Chapter 159 - Another Intruder

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    A gasp rippled through the crowd.


    Sasha was only confused as Zev¡ªstill holding her close¡ªwhipped his head around and began to growl a low, rumbling putter in his chest that didn''t ease away.


    "You''re toote!" he spat at whoever had spoken. "She''s imed and dered!"


    "The King is never toote."


    Oh fuck. It had to be Xar. She couldn''t see over the crowd, but Zev could, and his face went rock-hard, the muscles at the back of his jaw flexing like he ground his teeth.


    "The King did not present his challenge," Zev said through his teeth, the words dissolving back into the growl.


    "It is the Alpha''s prerogative when the female has not mated before¡ª"


    "She has. She is mine, in every sense of the word. Scent the bond if you have to. It''s different, fainter than the Chimera¡ªbut it''s there. Even she can feel it. Wepleted it years ago¡ªit''s how I''ve known all this time¡ª"


    "No one cares about that tale you tell yourself, Zev. We care about the survival of our species. We care about upholding the hierarchy. We care about the future. Stop burying yourself in the past."


    Zev''s hands tightened on her, but he began to turn away, pushing her behind him as he did so.


    Don''t let go, he said in her head. We can''t give him any reason to justifying for you.


    "But I''ll only deny him anyway," she whispered.


    You don''t understand, you can''t. If heys im to you¡ªas Alpha of All¡ªhe gets you unless I challenge him for the throne. But it shouldn''t even be a possibility¡ªhe''s mated already. He has no right to im you. The male is insane!


    Sasha''s heart sank, and the boiling crowd around them suddenly made sense.


    Everywhere she looked men stood, staring between Zev and Xar, obviously at a loss.


    "She is not yours to take¡ªKing or not. You are already mated."


    "My mate is dead," Xar spat. "My body grows cold for being alone. I would take her and begin again."


    A roar of protest went up from the crowd. His statement flew in the face of every Chimeran tradition¡ªnot to mention how the matebond worked.


    Zev shook his head and Sasha could feel the frustration andpassion rolling off him equally.


    "Xar, you can''t do this," he said softly, gently, though he still spoke through his teeth. "You cannot im a second mate."


    "I do not," he said, strutting through the crowd towards them, a triangle of men following in his wake¡ªmore tigers, Sasha supposed.


    They were the only n that hadn''t had a male dance for her, she realized.


    Then the crowd opened and he stood there, just feet from them, face flush, and eyes shing with the light of something eerie. His burnished skin looked almost gray in this light. He carried more wrinkles than any other Chimera she''d spoken to. But despite his receding hairline, he moved with strength and grace, in a rolling, catlike stride.


    Zev had one hand back to keep Sasha behind him.


    Whatever you do, don''t let go, he whispered in her head.


    Nodding, Sasha gripped his waist and waited. She wouldn''t let go.


    Xar stood casually, but peeled off the fur around his neck, and then the robes, dropping them to the ground behind him.


    His body was remarkable¡ªa rounded stomach and some slightly sagging skin the only sign of his age. The rest of him seemed just as strong and vital as Zev, his shoulders thick and rounded with muscle.


    He let his eyes linger on Sasha¡ªshe could feel like it an icy breeze fluttering through her hair.


    "Let her go so I can entice her," he growled.


    "No," Zev said, emphatic. "Absolutely not. She is mine."


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Xar''s eyes snapped from Sasha''s face as she peered around his arm, to Zev''s and he gave a great, rolling growl that vibrated the earth under their feet.


    "Do not test me, pup," he spat. "You might be ushered in by your traitorous n, but you are not weed by me. I do not acknowledge your im to her. And as Alpha of All, the matebond can only be affirmed by me.


    It wasn''t entirely true¡ªthe Alpha didn''t have to scent the bond themselves. But unless they acknowledged it, it would remain in question for the ns.


    But Zev had never heard of the Alpha not epting a imed and dered pair¡ªnot when the proper rituals had been met.


    What the fuck was going on in Xar''s head?


    Then the Tiger, as if he''d heard the question, smiled at him. "You left, Zev. You abandoned your people¡ªand your so-called mate. So perhaps you have not yet realized. But things have changed. You are no longer the big brother to the ns. You are no longer the friend of the humans. Your power has been stripped.


    "I, on the other hand, hold all of it. And I am telling you, as Alpha of All, that that female is not yet imed, and you will step aside to allow me to show devotion and provision, and tempt her to my side."


    "She will never be tempted by you," Zev snarled.


    Xar huffed a shortugh. "Then she will be required to attend my side, anyway. She is, after all, under my protection. Unless you''d like me to release her to the humans?"


    Protests and gasps rose around the clearing. Zev went rigid under hands.


    "No, Xar," Zev growled. "You will not put her in any harm. Ever. You will not put anyone in harms way, ever again."


    Dunken appeared suddenly, positioning himself to Zev''s right, and when she turned she found Lhars to his left. Then Yhet stepped up to hover beside Sasha and gave her a nce from the side, but didn''t say anything. But she''d never seen the look on his face before.


    He looked¡­ fierce.


    "You have no power here. I am Alpha!" Xar snarled.


    "Then I will take your power and make it mine," Zev growled back.


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 Chapter 160 - The Hunt

    If you enjoy music while you read, try "Game of Survival" by Ruelle while reading this chapter and the following fight scenes. It''s what I listened to while writing.


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~ </strong>


    Zev reached back and broke Sasha''s grip on him. She made a noise of protest, but he shook his head and spoke into her mind low, quiet, and deadly serious.


    Stay close to Yhet. Do not get involved in the fighting. No matter what you see. This isn''t a fight for you. This is a fight for Thana.


    "Zev¡ª" she breathed. He could scent the sh of fear in her.


    <i>Go. I''ll keep you safe.</i>


    He squeezed her hand, then nudged her towards Yhet, never taking his eyes off of Xar. When Yhet had tugged her back, out of reach, he straightened and let himself feel his strength. Remembered all the fights, all the wins, all the ways he had navigated this life, this world, these males and taken victory.


    All of the ways he was the better male. And all the of the ways Xar had failed.


    There was a whisper in the back of his mind, a niggling insistence that he, too, had failed. But he shook it off.


    He had been mistaken. He had been deceived. He had never intended harm for his people. And he had never offered them into the hands of the humans.


    "You betrayed your people, Xar," he said, his voice low but rock-hard. "You chose loyalty to your own needs, your own family, over the Chimera. You chosefort over the conflict with humans. And now you will chose life in submission, or death."


    He turned to meet eyes with as many of the males as he could, raising his voice to ensure everyone heard. "Choose your sides, Thana. I challenge for Alpha!" Then, as the males all began to move, shifting to stand behind Zev or Xar, Zev lifted his head and gave the howl of the hunt.


    All over the clearing, wolves raised their howls to meet his¡ªall of them dering death walking.


    Then here and there, peppered over Thana, in the hills and mountains beyond, more rose, echoing in recognition of their Alpha and his challenge.


    When Zev dropped his head, he locked eyes with Xar again and the Tiger''s upper lip pulled back from his teeth.


    "Wolves," the old King sneered. "Always so dramatic."


    And then he smiled.


    Zev didn''t hesitate, but began to stalk towards Xar.


    The hunt was on. And this fucking Cat was going to die.


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    As the males sucked in around Xar and Zev, Yhet pulled Sasha backwards away from them. At first she fought. It was futile of course, Yhet could drag her like a child pulling a teddy-bear. But he didn''t want to.


    "Please, Sasha, I''m charged with keeping you safe. You aren''t a part of this fight. Please." Then, as Sasha wavered, still trying to pry Yhet''s fingers from her wrist, but recognizing there was little she could do by staying next to Zev, Kyelle came alongside her and murmured in her ear.


    "If you are close, you will only distract him with worry for your safety. Help him by keeping yourself out of the way."


    "I have to be close to him! We''re supposed to be touching. I can''t just leave him!"


    "This isn''t about the mating, Sasha!"


    "I know, but we can''t¡­ we can''t give anyone any reason¡­ Please, Yhet, this has to be it. I can''t¡­ we can''t be held apart anymore."


    Yhet frowned at her, a low growl puttering in his massive chest, then he looked at Kyelle before turning back to her with a sigh.


    "We have to get out of the circle of the fight. Just a few feet away. You will still see."


    "But what if he needs help!"


    Kyelle snorted. "You think you could fight these males, Sasha?"


    Sasha looked sheepish, but then a terrible snarl rose behind her and she tried to turn, caught by Yhet''s grip on her hand. All she could see was that Zev and Xar had both shifted.


    Now, instead of her handsome husband¡ªhe was her husband now, right?¡ªand the older man, there was a massive, near-ck wolf, and an evenrger tiger, its coat so deeply orange it was almost red, it''s stomach sagging slightly, but otherwise looking powerful and strong.


    It roared and bared its teeth, the fangs inches long.


    "Zev," Sasha whimpered. But Kyelle grabbed her other arm and they ushered her to the side.


    The males had split, some of theming to stand behind Zev, calling for his victory, others moving to stand behind Xar, encouraging the King to "kill the dog."


    "Will they fight too? Will you?" Sasha asked Kyelle in hushed tones as she watched Zev, his hackles raised, making his massive shoulders look evenrger, and his teeth bared, and Xar circle each other.


    Kyelle snorted. "Females don''t fight males."


    "What? Why not?!"


    "Because the males are bigger and stronger than even the strongest among us. And plus, we can¡ªmost of us¡ªreproduce. Injuries sustained in battle might remove that ability from a female. And it''s the only way to sustain our species. For that reason it''s a vition for a male to strike a female who didn''t strike him first¡ªand males of honor wouldn''t strike back even then. They would flee, rather than harm her."


    Sasha''s heart was in her throat, terrible snaps and snarls erupted from both Zev and Xar, but neither of them darted forward yet.


    "How did you be Alpha if you didn''t fight the males?" she asked Kyelle without taking her eyes off of Zev.


    Kyelle huffed. "There are many ways to do battle, Sasha," she said, tapping her own temple. "And most do not require physical domination."


    "Excellent point."


    They watched the two circle each other as most of the males filtered into one group or the other, but one cluster remained in the middle, watching the fighters.


    "What are they doing?" Sasha asked, her voice too high and thin out of fear for Zev.


    "They are undecided," Kyelle said, ring at the males. "Too cowardly to pick a side, they will follow whoever wins. But their ranks in the hierarchy may drop as a consequence.


    Sasha was about to ask how that worked when, without warning or sound, Zev in his wolf form suddenly flowed across the space, snapping at the tiger''s hind leg.


    The crowd held its collective breath and Sasha''s hands flew to her mouth as Xar whipped around, one massive pawful of ws extending and missing Zev''s face by barely an inch.


    <i>Please, Zev,</i> Sasha pleaded in her mind, just in case he could hear her. <i>Please stay safe.</i>


    *****


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 Chapter 161 - Strategy

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev stared Xar down, knowing he had to win this.


    Where Chimera''s animal ancestors roamed the mountains in the wild, Siberian tigers and alpine wolves shared territory¡ªand food sources. The two predators often crossed paths and gave each other a wide berth when there was plenty of food.


    But when resources were short¡­


    It was a known fact that a pack of wolves would, almost always defeat a single tiger. And that a tiger fighting a single wolf, would almost always walk away victorious.


    But Zev also knew there were two elements in his favor.


    Zev had long known that any creature''s level of desperation could go a long way to defeating an enemy. But on top of that, a Chimera''s Alpha authority was bolstered by their support from within the society¡ªand if he didn''t miss his guess, more than two thirds of the males at the gathering were now positioned behind him. It helped that the wolves were the most numerous Chimera.


    Of course, he''d beaten a tiger before¡ªand Xar had witnessed his triumph.


    Before he shifted, Zev smiled. But then, so did Xar.


    The old tiger was tired. He was grieving. And he was under the thumb of the humans. But he had be Alpha of All, and held the position for a reason. He was a cunning opponent, an intelligent strategist, and a fucking tough male.


    When Zev shifted and crossed the space between them, Xar took his Tiger form, baring his fangs and hissing as they began to circle each other.


    Zev raised his hackles to make himself as big¡ªand as difficult to grip¡ªas possible. His blood pumped with adrenalin so he felt no pain and indeed, the power pulsing in his veins, the sheer desire to take his mate and make her safe, im her as his own¡ªand keep her from any other male¡­ it drove the snarl from his lips.


    He would take this motherfucker down, once and for all.


    With no warning or sound, Zev leaped towards Xar''s hind legs¡ªif he could hamstring the big cat, this would be easy.


    But the Tiger immediately sank back on his haunches, opening his front paws and unsheathing his ws. His strike was powerful and whip-quick. Dodging, Zev felt the air from it flutter against his fur.


    He tried one more time, staying low, to reach Xar''s leg, but the cat was too quick, liquid lightening, turning to face and swipe with a snake-strike paw that Zev just barely evaded.


    They both backed off and danced around each other, Xar hissing, his massive fangs bared. Zev growling, his own canines open, teeth open and bared to the gums.


    Let the Tigere at him. Xar''s advantage was in his sheer weight and strength. But Zev was far faster. As long as he could avoid being pinned by the cat, he wasn''t too proud to dance and dart, wearing the old King out before taking his throat.


    And he would take his throat.


    Xar had clearly lost his mind¡ªnot only in submitting to the humans as he had, but nowing for Sasha when he was already mated?


    Thought he wouldn''t have chosen this moment to fight this fight, the Tiger had, in fact, done him a favor, forcing this confrontation in that way. There were several Chimera he knew had been on the fence about his bid for Alpha, who now stood behind Zev, adding their confidence and assurance of his skill to his authority.


    The Tiger needed to be removed. Zev would grieve for the twins in losing both their parents, but he would deal with thatter.


    All of Thana was at risk as long as a madman held the Alpha authority.


    So he darted and danced,nding one good bite on the tiger''s haunch, but getting cuffed on his sore side for the trouble.


    He yelped as he was flipped andnded on the hard dirt on his side, but immediately found his feet, turning to meet the rush of big cating for him. But then he was running, dodging again, too quick for the heavy tiger to follow without risking baring his back.


    Feinting and growling, dodging and dancing, Zev led him in the circle again and again, until the heavier, older Alpha was beginning to conserve movement, turning on the spot rather than circling for the attack, aware of his failing energy.


    Zev dropped his chin and snarled. Had he been fighting another wolf, this was the moment to engage, to rush and take their neck high and bear down, flip the dog on his back and close on his throat if he didn''t submit.


    But a tiger¡­ A tiger''s ws couldy open his side before he could turn it¡ªand his longer body and heavier weight made him much harder to dominate in a typical attack. Not to mention that tigers regrly allowed an opponent to roll them, then used back ws the open the enemy''s guts.


    Zev couldn''t risk going to the ground with Xar, it wouldn''t end well for him.


    So Zev feinted, first to one side, then the other. Made sure the Tiger was twitching to meet his attack and watching his body to anticipate which way he would approach next.


    Obviously anticipating his assault, the wolves barked and called behind him, encouraging him. The cacophony of their support covering everything to Zev but the sound of his own heart pounding in his ears.


    Then, without a sound, he flowed forward, directly for the tiger, anticipating correctly that Xar would sink back and upright, using his tail for bnce and opening his front legs and sying his ws. The ws that normally, Zev would do everything to avoid.


    But he had an idea and if it worked¡­


    Just feet from Xar, Zev leaped, straight at the tiger, using his weight to take the bigger animal off bnce, but instead of focusing his attack on bearing Xar to the ground, Zev opened his jaws over the Tiger''s throat and let his momentum carry his body past¡ªinto the embrace of one of those wicked paws, but at an awkward angle.


    And as he flew, his body twisting to the side in the air, he closed his teeth on Xar''s windpipe, locked his jaw, and shook.

 Chapter 162 - Taming The Tiger

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Time moved very slowly.


    A tiger''s skin around their neck is loose, but their fur thin. Zev had no trouble gripping the cat even as he flew through the air, while his own thick fur made him a bigger¡ªbut less effective target.


    Five, razor-sharp ws raked down his ribs in what felt likeva inching down his side. Zev had to consciously force his jaw to remain locked on the tiger''s throat and leave his tender side exposed.


    They turned a slow somersault in the air, Zev twisting, whining at the pain. But while Xar instinctively rolled onto his back, readying to engage his back paws, Zev kept the pressure on his throat so that the tiger couldn''t breathe, and twisted his body,nding to the side of Xar''s shoulder, and turned more than halfway around¡ªand immediately twisting again, leaping so most of his boday was behind the tiger''s head.


    Unable to get air, Xar couldn''t make a soun, but his mouth opened, his fangs long and glistening as he attempted to grab Zev''s neck and force him to release. But Zev had gotten hold of him high enough that Xar''s mouth simply brushed his thick ruff, on tooth catching on his skin, but doing no real damage. He reached with a thick paw, up and back, trying to catch Zev''s leg and pull him forward, but Zev twisted, again and again, those ws cross-hatching his side in bleeding gashes, but unable to get a grip.


    Xar''s lower body curled up. If he couldn''t use his back legs to disembowel the enemy, he would take advantage of that liquid, feline spine to twist and flip back onto his feet. But the split second Xar was forced to rethink his attack gave Zev the time to brace his weight on all four feet, his jaw still locked on Xar''s windpipe, and pull.


    The tiger''s head was stretched back, and now theck of air began to hurt him.


    Xar had already been panting before they engaged. Now he''d gone seconds without any air at all, and with Zev keeping the pressure to extend his neck, Xar was having trouble heaving his great weight over to get his feet under him.


    The second time the tiger twisted to position himself, Zev hopped back, keeping the cat''s spine extended and allowing him no room to move. But then Xar was onto him and curled, rolling his entire body backwards, towards Zev.


    Zev was forced to either let go, or risk being borne to the dirt by the tiger''s superior weight.


    With a snarl that would have been a curse in the human tongue, Zev didn''t let go, but tore his teeth out of Xar''s throat as he darted back and out of reach as the Tiger flipped back onto his feet.


    Spitting out the chunk of flesh in his teeth, Zev scuttled back, dancing on his paws, ready to evade the next attack¡­ but he blinked as he realized the old King wasn''t really moving.


    He''d rolled and gotten his feet under him, twisted to face Zev, but he was wavering, swaying, and shaking his head, blood pattering to the dirt and flowing down his neck and chest.


    Zev was wary. It was a grievous wound to be sure, but not deadly.


    Was Xar in worse condition than he''d realized?


    The tiger crouched, all four paws t on the ground, but didn''t raise his hind end in preparation to rush.


    Zev, two wolf-lengths away now so that he could see the cating if he jumped, growled.


    Xar''s eyes locked on his, and he coughed. Then shifted back to his human form.


    Stunned, Zev watched as the old tiger¡ªnow a naked man¡ªcrouched in the frozen dirt, one hand to the grass, the other out as if to bnce, despite being so low to the ground.


    Blood ran down his chest and stomach.


    In a blink, Zev shifted back as well¡ªwas Xar submitting already? It couldn''t be that easy, surely?


    They stared at each other, the crowds behind them silent, everyone confused. It was rare for any fight to return to human form after their animals had been taken. But a fight for dominance over all? Zev wasn''t aware of it happening ever.


    "You betrayed your people, and now you would return to bury an old man who kept your people safe in your absence?" Xar rasped, his voice damaged by the wound, but not stolen.


    Zev narrowed his eyes. "An old man? If you are too old to rule, you should be beaten, Xar," he growled. "Why do you return to human form? Do you submit?"


    Xar blinked and his eyes clouded for a moment.


    Be careful, he''s crafty, Lhars'' voice rang in his head. He will try to distract you.


    Zev nodded so his brother would know he had heard and was listening, but he kept his full attention on his enemy, poised for action, braced for attack.


    "Speak, Xar," he snarled when the tiger didn''t respond. "If you do not submit, take your cat, or prepare to die. We fight to the death unless you concede."


    "I¡­ I cannot¡­" Xar rasped, coughing again and stumbling slight to the side. "I can''t breathe¡­"


    His breath bubbled, but whether that was because there was simply blood in his throat, or because Zev had been more sessful than he''d thought in biting something crucial, Zev didn''t know.


    Another caution came from Lhars, and Zev nodded again.


    Was it a ruse? Buying time, just to get his breath back? Zev suspected so. And so he was resolved.


    "Your time is up, Xar," he growled. "Take your cat, or prepare to die."


    Zev shifted back to his wolf and snarled, stalking forward slowly as the man cowered¡ªbut never dropped his eyes. It wasn''t submission then.


    Zev shook his head until his ears pped. It was distasteful to kill a Chimera in their human form when you were an Animal, but they''d all heard him warn the male, twice.


    So he took a deep breath, sank onto his haunches, then leaped forward, prepared for the male to shift back into his Tiger, or to run.


    What he wasn''t prepared for was for Xar to roll suddenly sideways, up against his own pile of clothing he''d remove before the fight, so Zev''s momentum carried him several feet past where the tiger now hunched.


    Zevnded with a snarl, twisting his body around, his paw scrabbling on the dirt and sparse grass as he fought for traction to get turned so the tiger wasn''t in his blind spot.


    As he turned, andunched himself again, Xar shoved something between his teeth, shifted into his tiger and leaped across the space.


    Not towards Zev.


    But directly at Sasha.

 Chapter 163 - Death On Four Legs

    READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you @Cindi_127 for your incredible gift yesterday! You singlehandedly introduced Zev to hundreds of new readers. You''re a gem. Thank you!


    And thank you to YOU for reading and supporting this book. It has stepped so much more quickly into the spotlight than any of my books because YOU keep reading,menting, unlocking chapters, and buying privilege. I am so grateful!


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha''s heart had jumped into her throat when Xar shifted back to his human form. That meant he was losing, right? Zev said when they fought to the death they did it in their animals. So if he was human again.


    She''d looked at Kyelle, hope in her eyes. But the woman was frowning and quiet. As was the entire crowd, Sasha realized.


    Taking her eyes off of Zev just for a second, Sasha nced around to see that, on both sides of this conflict, Chimera appeared to be confused or uncertain.


    "What''s going on?" she breathed.


    "Who knows," Yhet rumbled behind her. "This is¡­ unprecedented."


    Sasha turned back to watch Zev¡ªbleeding, and obviously sore, but so strong. He stood with his feet nted and hands open at his sides, so obviously ready to end this. His shoulders rose and fell with his breath, but his eyes were sharp and intense. But he, too, seemed confused by Xar''s shift back to humanity.


    Then Zev warned Xar. Twice. The second time, she could see he was determined.


    "Your time is up, Xar," he growled. "Take your cat, or prepare to die."


    Sasha sped her hands at her chest and prayed. Zev was hurt, but he seemed to still be strong. If he could finish Xar now¡­ that was the end, right? No more fighting? No more having to worry about someone trying toe between them?


    When Xar didn''t answer, Zev''s eyes narrowed, and he shifted into his wolf again, then jumped, a long, arching leap where he seemed to hang in the air as time slowed and the whole world went crazy.


    The moment Zev was in the air, Xar dropped and rolled. To Sasha''s time-slowed eyes, the dust puffed around him and he left a trail of blood, but he rolled tightly up against the pile of clothing he''d left.


    The older man was crouched, hunching, looking like a hunted animal, his movements quick and precise as he grabbed something from within the folds of his cloak and shoved it into his mouth, then without a pause, twisted towards her.


    Sasha''s mouth fell open as Xar shifted into his tiger, it''s golden eyes fixed right on her and heunched that massive, cat body directly at her.


    She froze in the eyes of death descending. Everything went silent, even her mind as the huge cat flew through the air towards her.


    A roar of fury erupted behind her, and a desperate snarl behind the tiger as Zev slid in the dirt where Xar had been a moment before, and scrabbled tounch towards her, too.


    SASHA! GET DOWN! Zev screamed in her head, and instinctively she did, dropping to the dirt, smacking her elbow on rock, and another digging into her side as she hit the dirt.


    She was too slow, still bringing her smarting arm up to cover her head when feetnded on the dirt in front of her.


    Human feet.


    Sasha froze again, then snapped her head up to find Xar, eyes wide and face beaming as he took a knife from between his teeth and sped it in his fist, raising it high over his own head, as if to drive it into her skull.


    A massive shadow passed over them, along with the whir of something heavy whipping through the air, and a roar unlike any Sasha had ever heard.


    But the tiger man was dropping, that knife gleaming in the dim afternoon light, and the shadows approach from behind him and over Sasha, weren''t going to reach him in time.


    It was reflex to throw her hand up, to block the downward blow of the knife. But he was so strong, he bore her to the ground with a cry, a burning pain ring in her arm.


    She hit the dirt with a thud and screamed¡ªnot even words, just the sound of fear and fury.


    No matter what she did. No matter how hard they worked, the universe was determined to take her from Zev, and Zev from her.


    In the split second Xar snarled in her face and lifted the knife again, she saw it all: The way Zev had tried to save her from this¡ªonly to ruin his own life, and hers, and still they ended up here. It wasn''t fair! It wasn''t fair that she was going to die at the hands of this madman, just when they were to have finally been able to be together without any more threats.


    The sound that broke in her throat was primal¡ªa voice to her pain, her rage, at the injustice of it all.


    She braced against the dirt, scrabbling to push up and away from the death descending on her, and her handnded on that rock. She didn''t even think.


    As Xar roared and brought down the knife again, she swung the rock straight at his temple with a thud that cracked.


    Xar''s eyes shed with surprise, then went dim even as he fell, twitching, the knife ttering to the dirt and his body slumping over hers.


    Sasha screamed again and shoved him off, kicking at his heavy body, even as a massive handnded on her arm and yanked her out from under him with such strength it almost tore her shoulder from the socket.


    And another body thumped to the dirt¡ªZev in his wolf for barely a second before he returned to himself, screaming her name, and yanking Xar back and away from her by both hands on the old tiger''s neck, flipping his entire body to the side and taking Xar''s head in his hands the way he''d done with that¡­ that Avatar in the parking lot of her other life. Then Zev froze.


    Sasha blinked, panting. Her stomach churning.


    The clearing was silent, everyone standing, staring¡ªgaping in disbelief.


    She stood with her back to Yhet''s belly. He held her pinned to his body by one hand, the other extended to stop anyone approaching.


    Sasha blinked again and Zev shook his head and dropped Xar, the old man''s body slumping to the dirt.


    Then he turned to Sasha, his eyes wide and pained, desperate.


    "You did it, Sasha. You killed him."


    There was a silent moment where the drums beat¡ªbut distantly¡ªand she could hear the birds, high in the sky above, calling to each other because there was no other sound in the clearing except the crackle and pop of the bonfire.


    Then suddenly, she was surrounded by the thud and rustle of hundreds of male bodies dropping to one knee in unison.


    "The Alpha! Acknowledge the Alpha!"


    Zev turned to look at them all, confused and shocked, then looked back as Sasha, who was so happy. He''d done it! He''d done it!


    But then¡­ then Zev, his jaw ck, dropped to one knee too and thumped his chest with his fist.


    And he bowed with the others, towards Sasha.


    "The Alpha! Acknowledge the Alpha!" they chanted and Sasha looked around.


    Why was Zev submitting? Why were none of the males staring at him? Why did Yhet suddenly let her go and step back to kneel as well?


    Sasha turned to hiss at him to help her, but he''d mirrored Zev, taking one knee and sping one fist to his chest.


    It was his voice, finally that broke through the haze of confusion for her.


    "The Alpha!" he rumbled, his voice awed.. "Acknowledge the Alpha: Sasha of no n."

 Chapter 164 - Alpha Of All

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    After chanting several times, the males all raised their heads and apuded, raising their cries and barks, howls and hoots.


    Sasha stared dumbly. They couldn''t possibly¡­ this couldn''t be¡­ they couldn''t mean¡­


    As everyone finally went silent and looked at her, her eyes locked with Zev. His face was somehow pale and flushed at the same time, his eyes bright and locked on hers, his expression an impossiblebination of pride and fear.


    My strong, beautiful mate, he murmured in her head. I knew you would prove it to them.


    "Prove what? What are you¡ª?"


    Kyelle tugged at her elbow and Sasha jerked to look at her as the female, eyes wide, whispered, "You have to choose a n. Choose a mate. You have to belong."


    "What do you mean? I''m mating Zev!"


    The wolves raised their howls, faces beaming, pumping their fists and pping each other on the back.


    Sasha stared around the clearing, dumbfounded.


    What the hell was going on? They couldn''t possibly be saying that she¡­ she was the one¡­ in charge?


    Zev got to his feet and the others all followed his example. His gaze had sharpened, his mouth turning up on the sides.


    It''s even more important now that you make me work for it, he said in her mind, his voice a strange mix of anticipation and awe. Do you get it, Sash? You''re Alpha now. I have to deserve you in their eyes.


    "But¡ª"


    Kyelle''s hand tightened on her arm in the same moment Zev''s voice got louder in her head.


    You cannot deny it. You''ll send the packs into chaos again. I can help you, Sash. This is¡­ this is amazing. Just go with it. Lead. We''ll figure the rest outter.


    Her jaw dropped, but she snapped it closed and shook her head, taking a deep breath. She lifted her hands to her hips and the arm she''d used to defend herself screamed at her suddenly. She winced, and Kyelle gasped.


    "Bring a healer for the Alpha! Now!" she snapped.


    Two of the males darted away from the crowd.


    "Bring them to Zev first!" she called after them. "He''s hurt worse!"


    A rumble passed through the crowd and Sasha looked around. What had she done? Why were they all looking at her like she was confusing them.


    "When things aren''t life threatening, the Alpha should always be attended first," Kyelle murmured to her. "In case there''s a need for their leadership."


    But Sasha turned to her and blurted, "That''s stupid. His wounds are far worse than mine. He needs attention first." When the men around them went quiet she turned and looked at them. "Hierarchy doesn''t do you any good if people are unhealthy or overlooked. If I was dying, sure, but I''m not. It''s called triage¡ªyou find out who has the greatest need and you fill that first, that''s all."


    Why was she exining triage to Chimera? She shook her head, but the men seemed morefortable now, murmuring amongst themselves, some of them nodding.


    She looked at Zev and found him smiling, shaking his head.


    <i>You''re amazing, Sash.</i> His voice was a low, approving growl in her head. <i>You are my mate and I am so damned happy I could howl.</i>


    Sasha spluttered withughter, trying to hold herself together. The whole world seemed to be crumbling. But Zev was still in love with her.


    She could hold onto that and hopefully stave off the crazy long enough to get her bearings. She just needed to give Alpha to him, that was all. This was ridiculous. A technicality because she''d hit Xar¡ªwho was already half-dead from Zev''s attack.


    Once they realized that¡­ they would sort it out.


    Sasha sucked in a breath and turned to Kyelle. "We have to finish the ritual. I''m not leaving here without¡ª"


    "The Alpha calls for her mate!" Kyelle pealed. "Stand, Thana! Stand and acknowledge your Alpha as she selects her mate!"


    "As¡­ what?" Sasha looked back and forth between Kyelle and Zev and Yhet. "I thought we did the vows or¡ª"


    "Her mate is selected," Zev snarled. "Let anyonee who would challenge him!"


    Sasha sucked in a breath to scream NO! as Zev turned, once again in a fighting stance, beckoning to the males around him, his eyes sparking a challenge.


    No, this was done! There wasn''t supposed to be any more fighting!


    She opened her mouth to say as much when Kyelle pulled her close and hissed in her ear, "He has to earn you. Let him earn you. You are Alpha now. Everything changes."


    "But¡ª"


    "Just watch! And don''t give in too easily. Make him earn you."


    Zev must have heard the words because even as he turned, waiting for a challenger toe at him, he nodded and whispered in her head, She''s right. I told you. Make me work for it.


    "How?" Sasha groaned.


    Kyelle''s smile was sad. It was Zev who answered her in her head.


    y hard to get.


    Sasha rolled her eyes. He had to be fucking kidding! This was a joke, right? This whole situation waspletely fucked!


    But before she could decide which protest to voice first, Sasha noticed the crowd moving. The men on both sides of where they were gathered at the center began to back away, their heads down and eyes on the ground. And Zev stood, chin low, but the rest of his body¡ªsheened in sweat, oiled, and most of the body paint now smeared or scraped¡ªtaut and poised.


    He scanned the crowds, his eyes daring any of them to step closer.


    And none of them did.


    Kyelle ushered Sasha back, Yheting to stand to her other side, both of them watching Zev through narrowed eyes.


    He began to prowl the edge of the circle, forcing the males to back away further or step into his path, his eyes almost fevered as he locked on each one of them as he passed.


    "Do any challenge me? Any believe themselves the match for the Alpha?" he called. His chest still moved quickly, as if his breathing was rapid. But he looked incredible and Sasha''s mouth went dry when he''d made the full circuit of the crowd¡ªthen she gasped when he turned to face her again, and his wounded side was revealed¡ªpurple with spreading bruises, and gashed, sliced in multiple directions, seeping blood that ran down his side.


    But he moved as if he didn''t even feel it,ing back to the middle of the circle to face her and standing, feet shoulder width apart, and his hands sped to fists, but held in front of him.


    Then he finally met her eyes again and he smiled.


    "Only I stand for you, Sasha-don. Only I stand. I choose you, Sasha-don. Will you have me?"


    Make. Me. Work for it.


    Against her better judgment, Sasha folded her arms and forced herself to frown.

 Chapter 165 - You Are Mine

    <strong>READER SHOUT OUT: To all of you (especially Geri_ir) who have waited to see that scene from the synopsis of the booke to life... I hope you like it! Thank you for sticking me this far! And don''t worry, the Solitude ising. It''s going to be a FUN month!</strong>


    <strong>*****</strong>


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    When she didn''t deny him, Zev prowled towards her, all shining, brutal beauty, his chin low and those incredible, piercing eyes fixed on her. He stalked her, as if he was, indeed, the wolf and she were prey¡ªhis eyes glowing with intensity.


    Had it been anyone else, Sasha would have backed away. But she raised her chin so she was staring at him down her nose and he didn''t stop until they were toe-to-toe and he blocked her view of every other male in the circle.


    His eyes dipped to her mouth as he leaned in, his whisper ying on her skin.


    "You. Are. Mine."


    His deep voice twanged in her belly as the howls of the wolf pack rose from behind him to echo across the mountains of Thana, while the other Chimera protested his im¡ªbut none of them moved. There would be no more fighting today.


    "Speak your choice," he growled. "I dere for you, do you dere for me?"


    She raised one eyebrow, pursing her lips. "Should I?" she asked far more calmly than she felt.


    Zev''s lips twisted up on one side in a that lopsided grin that sent butterflies fluttering through her stomach.


    <i>Ask me who I am,</i> he said in his head. <i>Ask me why you should ept me.</i>


    "Who are you?" she asked, her voice loud enough to carry, though all the Chimera would hear it anyway, she realized. "Why should I ept you?"


    "I am Alpha of the Wolf n," he growled. "I carry the pride of the pack, and the strength of our people. And I bring them to you. Willingly. Because you are mine. My mate. My pair."


    Fighting the urge to stroke his broad, bare chest with her shaking hands, Sasha forced herself to tilt her head and raise an eyebrow. "So bold for a pup who just found his fangs."


    The other males roared withughter.


    Ignoring their taunts, Zev''s eyes sparked and he leaned even closer, the scruff on his jaw tickling her cheek as he smiled. "So bold for a human who already knows the pleasure of gasping my name." She shivered when his teeth grazed her ear.


    Howls of approval echoed around the clearing.


    So¡­ she had to flirt? They had to y that kind of game? In front of this whole crowd?


    Sasha was so unsettled, so unable to absorb all that was happening, for a moment she almost pulled him in, almost buried her head in his chest and just pleaded with him to carry her out of there.


    <i>Sasha, its okay. It''s going to be more than okay. Just keep going.</i>


    She took another deep breath and met his eyes again, then lifted a hand to his jaw, took his chin in her hand and forced him to turn his head, first in one direction, then the other.


    "I suppose you''re pretty enough," she said casually.


    Zev huffed as the males behind him howled withughter, calling out insults and urging him to show her just how pretty he was.


    But even though his smile grew, Zev''s eyes never left hers, and the promise in them never died.


    Sasha''s stomach trilled at the me that had lit in his eyes the moment she touched him.


    He put one hand up to take hers, then much to her consternation, he took one knee again, bowing over her hand.


    "I submit myself to the Alpha," he said, his voice warm and full. "I submit myself to your rule, to your Kingdom. And to your strength. I am a tool in your hands¡ª"


    "I bet you are!" someone crowed and the crowdughed. But Zev hadn''t stopped talking.


    "¡ªan asset at your disposal. Whatever you wish, I will do. Whatever battles you might fight, I am your sword. Whatever you need, I will provide. My time before yours, my sweat before yours, my blood before yours¡­ my life before yours."


    Sasha''s heart squeezed. Zev wasn''t flirting anymore. His eyes didn''t sh, they pleaded. He''d stopped ying.


    He was baring himself.


    She wanted nothing more than to just throw herself into his arms and say yes, but she could see the warning in his gaze.


    "I ept your, um, loyalty," she said, still staring at him. "What else do you have?"


    His smile did take on that glint of heat then and Sasha''s stomach fluttered.


    Zev got back to his feet and stared down at her, her chest just a breath from brushing on his as he leaned in. He slid one palm to her neck, his fingers tickling at her nape, his thumb stroking the line of her jaw, and the world suddenly got very small.


    To Sasha, they were alone¡ªno more Kyelle, no more Yhet, no audience. She stood with Zev and he was touching her and all she wanted was more.


    "I give you my body," he whispered. "I give you my soul. I am ardent, Sasha. I am yours. Keep me, or use me, but do not deny my im."


    He must have seen the question in her eye, sensed her urge to draw closer, because he chuckled in her head.


    <i>Just make it clear that you''re the one in charge,</i> he said, his voice warm and amused. <i>Make sure they know that I serve you.</i>


    She almost blurted, "But you don''t!" but when she opened her mouth, he must have guessed she was going to protest, because he shook his head.


    "Will you take me, Sasha-don? Dere yourself for me? Your mate?" he called, loud enough to echo across the clearing.


    Sasha hung on that word, swallowing, attempting to dampen her throat that was suddenly so dry.


    Then she did take that half step forward to press their bodies together, reached up to fist her hand in his hair, and pull his head back, arching his neck so his Adam''s apple protruded sharply.


    Up on her tiptoes, she stretched toy her mouth at the base of his neck, letting her teeth graze down to the hollow between his corbones.


    Zev whined and one, shaking hand shot up to grip her elbow, but he didn''t move her.


    Then she nuzzled that little hollow and sighed.


    "You are my mate," she said, her voice more pleading thanmand, but she was passed ying this game. She remembered what he''d said the day before and she cleared her throat to make sure they''d all hear it.


    "I am ardent, Zev. I''ll love you in this world, and in the next. No matter what, you are mine."


    The clearing erupted with cheers and apuse as Zev took her face in his hands and kissed her soundly.


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 Chapter 166 - Just A Matter Of Time

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    She and Zev had been ushered to a wide tree trunkid alongside the bonfire.


    It wasn''t until they moved that Sasha remembered the dress¡ªthe beautiful dress, now dirtied from her roll in the dirt, and bloodied by the wound on her arm. But there was nothing she could do about it. Zev was still looking at her like she was a present to unwrap, and that was all that mattered.


    Zev¡­ She was worried about him.


    It was half an hour after the fight with Xar, yet his skin was still sheened in sweat, and he was beginning to look at little pale.


    But as they sat alongside the fire and were brought tters of food¡ªsulent, barbequed meat, dried fruit, and a strange dry cake that crumbled and dissolved on her tongue¡ªthe healers stood behind them. One of them had already cleaned and wrapped Sasha''s arm, while the other still worked on Zev''s side.


    He flinched and grunted, paling further when the male treating his side apparently wasn''t gentle enough. But when she looked at him, worried, he only winked.


    Don''t worry, he said in her head. Nothing''s going to keep me from enjoying you tonight.


    She hadn''t even thought about that¡ªshe was still trying to get her head around the fact that everyone was treating her like some kind of Queen¡ªbowing and submitting, offering her help, taking her suggestions as orders and¡­


    The whole thing was just surreal. How could these people possibly take orders from her? A human? And a weak one, at that.


    She''d hissed that to Kyelle as they were walking to the bonfire, and Kyelle had smiled the first genuine smile she''d seen all day.


    "Female alphas are different. We rule differently, and the males¡­ they will be more peaceful under you, Sasha, if you can keep control."


    "How do you figure that?"


    "Because, they do not see you as an opponent to be dominated¡ªor dominated by¡ªbut as a partner to be followed. You are different enough to be watched and measured, rather than challenged. And as a healthy female, your ability to reproduce is heralded in our people. Trust me, Sasha, I never would have suggested this, but as it''s happened¡­ I can see the Creator''s n in it."


    Sasha had frowned, uncertain of that¡ªthe whole thing seemed like one big clusterfuck of misunderstanding to her¡ªbut she could only fight one battle at a time.


    "They need to be following Zev, not me," she''d whispered. "I don''t know the first thing about how to do this!"


    Kyelle had shrugged. "I would say you are about to find out."


    Then Kyelle had drifted away, iming she would make sure their meals were brought quickly, and the best cuts.


    So Sasha had clung to Zev''s arm until they were both ushered to the log, where the food and the healers hade and now¡­


    Now she just needed to make sure Zev was okay. She didn''t like the way he looked.


    "Don''t worry," he said around a mouthful of food. "They''ll give me some powders that will ease the pain. I''m only shaky because of that."


    Shaky? He was shaking too?


    She looked at his hand, one holding the te t, the other reaching for another strip of the meat¡ªand sure enough, it trembled as he folded the meat around one of the strips of dried fruit.


    "Zev!" she gasped, rmed. "We need to get youying down!"


    He grimaced and took another bite, wincing as the healer began wrapping his ribs. "Not yet," he said. "Your strength as Alpha will, at least in part, rely on mine as your mate. We''re a unit now, Sash. I can''t let them see that I''m weak. We''re going to be gone for a few days. They have to bepletely certain that we''reing back strong and ready to lead."


    "Going away? I mean, I''d love that, Zev, but should you be travelling? Maybe we should just spend a few days at my house and¡ª"


    "No!" he said quickly, snapping his head to face her, his eyes firm and shing.


    Sasha jerked her head back. "Okay, okay¡­ I didn''t mean¡­ what''s wrong, Zev?"


    Zev growled and shook his head. "You don''t understand, Sash. For wolves¡­ the solitude. It''s necessary. It cements the bond and¡­ just, trust me, we aren''t skipping it."


    "You''re right. We won''t. We''ll just take it slow when we travel, that''s all. And they''re going to give you some painkillers?"


    He nodded. "And they''ve poulticed the cuts. It will heal quickly¡ªmust faster than my bones."


    Bones? He''d had broken bones? "You''re ribs are broken?" she asked, aghast.


    "They are now," he muttered. "I''m just grateful we got through that. It could have been far, far worse, Sash. So don''t worry. Things are going well. And pretty soon¡­" he swallowed his mouthful and turned to meet her eyes, his bright blue eyes, so light and glowing, piercing hers. "Soon we''ll be alone. Finally. Fuck, Sash, I''ve waited for this day since I was neen."


    That was right. She couldn''t believe it. He was right.


    Meal forgotten, she put a hand to his thigh and squeezed, still holding his eyes. His twinkled and danced at whatever he saw in hers.


    Zev leaned in then, taking her lips softly, so softly. "Just a few hours," he whispered.


    She nodded when he pulled back. But the truth was, at that point she could have said to hell with this alpha shit and just¡­ left.


    But they sat through speeches, hip to hip, thighs pressing against each other, the nerves in Sasha''s stomach fluttering higher and higher as the sun drifted lower behind the trees and the shadows deepened, and suddenly the fire was a necessary warmth.


    Then, with only one huffed breath against the pain, as the drums¡ªwhich, Sasha suddenly realized, had been pounding the air this entire time¡ªbegan to pick up their pace, and other strange instruments joined them, Zev stood and opened his hand towards her.


    "May I have this dance?" he asked quietly.


    Sasha''s mouth fell open. She looked around. "But¡­ no one else is dancing."


    "Does it matter? I want to dance with you, Sash. This is our wedding day."


    Impossibly, Sasha''s heart soared and dropped at the same time as it all came rushing back.


    He''d remembered. Holy shit, he''d remembered.


    Fighting tears of joy, Sasha slid her hand into his and he pulled her to her feet to lead her to a clear space on the grass. Her heart drummed against her ribs even as the tears threatened to spill over. He pulled her into his chest, wrapping one of her arms around his waist and holding her other hand at his shoulder.


    Then, as they swayed together, he stared down at her and smiled. "You''re so beautiful."


    He''d remembered. She couldn''t believe he''d remembered.


    Sasha wanted to weep with joy.. He really was the Zev she''d always known.

 Chapter 167 - Remember - Part 1

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Just as he''d hoped, when he led Sasha out to a clear spot on the grass and pulled her into his chest, her eyes were sparkling¡ªtears threatening, but her smile beaming.


    They began to sway to beat of the drums, his side aching, but better now that it had been wrapped. The music of the Chimera was very different to the music they''d enjoyed at the school dance they''d attended together. But he''d never forgotten their conversation. He prayed this strange reflection was enough.


    He''d been slightly confused by the human traditions in those days, and had had to ask the other males how to prepare. But Sasha had been in her element, skin flushed prettily when he offered her the corsage at her house beforehand and her parents took photos, her heart racing.


    Then they''d driven to the school and Zev was surprised to find the entire gymnasium transformed into a winter wondend of ice blues, glittering gands, fake, shining snow, and¡­ and a strange sense of home for him.


    The decorations made the air stink of that synthetic tang he hated, but the blue and white colors, the massive mural of snow-capped mountains behind the area for photos, and the faux fur wraps some of the girls wore over their otherwise very revealing dresses all brought a strange, hollow sense of home. It had made him both happy and sad at the same time.


    And she''d noticed.


    She''d been so attentive to him all night, touching his hair, seeking his eyes. Neither of them had spoken much, content to sit on the edge of the circle of their friends, holding hands, or leaning into each other.


    While the other girls had cackled and gotten louder as the night went on¡ªaided by the small sks of alcohol they''d snuck in¡ªSasha seemed to only turn to him more, her eyes following him whenever they weren''t touching, and their bodies swaying together whenever he tugged her away from the crowd and onto the dance floor.


    He''d never danced as humans did¡ªa simple sway and turn in time to slow music, or gyrating to the faster songs¡ªbut he could see the simrities with Chimeran traditions, an easy way to modify what he already knew so he wouldn''t stand out.


    But in the end, all she''d wanted to do was dance to the slow songs, holding him close and swaying to the beat of the music.


    He would have wondered if she was bored, but she looked so happy.


    "What makes you smile like that?" he''d askedter in the night when they were alone on the dance floor again, all of their friends shrieking in a corner on the other side of the gym.


    "It doesn''t matter, it''s silly," she''d said, not meeting his eyes. But her smile grew.


    "No, tell me." He''d tipped her chin up and made her meet his eyes. "You''re happy. I want to know why so I can make sure it happens again."


    She''d rolled her eyes, embarrassed. "You always make me happy, Zev, you don''t have to do anything."


    His grin widened at that. "Seriously, though, Sash. Tell me."


    She sighed. "You have to promise not tough. Or¡­ freak out."


    "I promise."


    She''d chewed her lip which made him want to kiss it, but he held himself in check and waited for her to speak.


    "There''s two big dances in a girl''s life," she said quietly, looking around them. "The first one''s prom. And it''s just¡­ It''s just a romantic thing, you know? Being here with you, getting to see you in a suit, loving you and having this memory¡­. It''s something I''ll remember for the rest of my life."


    "Me too," he''d said honestly. Sasha was beautiful to him, no matter what she wore. But seeing her like this, in a dress that hugged her curves, her hair swept up and her make up done¡­ she''d stunned him when she came into the room, and he was still trying to believe she was his.


    She shook her head. "See. You''re not normal, Zev. Normal high school guys don''t care about this stuff! They just do it to get a girl in bed. And I mean, I''m so d you''re not like that¡­ but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop."


    Zev frowned. "What shoe?"


    She sniggered. "It means, I''m waiting for something to go wrong."


    "What does that have to do with shoes?"


    "Didn''t anyone use that phrase when you were growing up?"


    "No," he said honestly.


    "Well, nevermind," she said, pulling him in closer and leaning her head on his chest. "What I mean is, I keep waiting for something to go wrong, and nothing is. Thank you."


    They''d swayed together for another minute, then he''d pushed. "So, what''s the other dance you were talking about?"


    Sasha lifted her head off his chest and took a deep breath. "It''s not¡­ I don''t want you to think I''m thinking this way, I just¡­ When I was growing up, the two dances I dreamed about were this one, and the dance at my wedding. And it just¡­ it''s just a dream. It doesn''t matter."


    Zev had frowned. "People dance at weddings?"


    "Yes¡­ how can you not know this?"


    "I''ve never been to a wedding before."


    "Well, neither have I, but don''t you like see it in movies and stuff?"


    "I don''t watch a lot of movies."


    Sasha grinned. "Well, it''s like a¡­ like one of those traditions, you know? After the wedding, at the reception, the bride and groom dance together. And sometimes the bride dances with her dad, or the groom dances with his mom, or whatever, as well."


    Zev''s stomach had dropped at that. If he was ever able to mate her, she wasn''t going to get to meet his parents. Not his real ones.


    He hated those reminders, but he pushed the thought away and made himself focus.


    "So you want to dance like this at our wedding?"


    She''d stopped swaying at all for a moment, staring at him her eyes wide with shock and something else.


    Something he didn''t like to see.

 Chapter 168 - Remember - Part 2

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    They were in the half-dark of the dance floor, a soaring love song floating in the air around them, lights dim, but ring when he turned towards the stage.


    She looked beautiful in this light, staring up at him like that. But she wasn''t smiling anymore, and that made his stomach clench.


    "Zev, stop," she''d said, her voice barely more than a whisper.


    "What? I''m serious."


    "You can''t know that now." She looked down and fear entered her scent.


    Zev frowned. "What''s wrong? Why are you tense?"


    "Because you''re being silly about this and¡­ and it''s not silly for me. I''m not trying to make you talk about getting married. I''m just saying, that''s a dream you know? Something I look forward to. Later. Years from now."


    "Right. So all I''m saying is, when we get married, we need to make sure and do that."


    "Zev, you can''t possibly know we''re going to get married. We''re still in high school! Don''t y that game with me."


    "I''m not ying games!"


    She''d rolled her eyes. "Okay, whatever."


    "Sash¡ª"


    "No, Zev, it''s not a big deal right now. I''m talking aboutter. When I''m old. Whenever I get married, or whoever I marry, or whatever¡­ Yeah, I hope that we get to dance together afterwards. Touch each other like this and just¡­ be together. I''d find that romantic. Now, let''s stop talking about it, okay?"


    "Okay," he''d said, uneasy, and a little frustrated. She obviously didn''t believe he was serious about marrying her. And sure, there were some obstacles they were going to have to ovee¡­ but shouldn''t she know he was that certain of her? Wasn''t that what females wanted? A sense of certainty?


    He''d never been more certain of anything in his life. He thought he''dmunicated that to her. He thought she felt the same way. Did she not?


    Zev frowned. "So, when you dance at a wedding¡ª"


    "Zev, please!"


    "I just want to know!"


    She''d sucked in a breath, her body tense, but she didn''t let go of his hand or her remove her arm from around his waist. "Look, it''s just like this. Slow music, everyone watching¡­ it''s just a moment to like, be together. That''s all. Okay? No big deal. I don''t want to talk about it anymore."


    He''d pulled her closer with the hand at her lower back¡ªying his fingers on her skin there and having to fight off the surge of desire. Then he''d dropped his chin to nuzzle at her neck.


    "When we get married," he whispered, "I''m going to remind you of this night and say I told you so."


    She''d finally smiled¡ªhe''d felt her cheek stretch next to his. "Okay," she''d whispered back. "You do that¡­"


    Now he stood on the grass, swaying with her in his arms again, and staring down at her, beaming. He didn''t care about his wounds, or how lightheaded he felt. He cared about the pink in her cheeks, and the sparkle in her eyes when she looked up at him through hershes.


    "You know what I''m going to say, right?" he murmured.


    Sasha''s eyes closed for a second and she sucked in a long breath, pulling him closer. "I don''t know. What are you going to say?"


    "I''m going to say you weren''t confident of me back when we were young. That you thought I was toying with you. But I wasn''t."


    Sasha bit her lip exactly as she had that night, but in an effort to stifle her ownughter now, rather than hope. "I guess I have to admit you''re right," she said, grinning.


    "I told you so."


    "Yes, you did."


    "I love you, Sash," he said quietly. "I did then, and I do now. That''s never going to change."


    She closed her eyes again, like she was savoring the words. "I love you, too, Zev."


    "So, now that you believe me, tell me what I need to do to make this dream of yourse true?" he asked, surprised by the emotion pinching his throat.


    She looked up at him then, shaking her head slightly. "You''ve already done it," she whispered. "I can''t¡­ you''ve already done it, Zev. I can''t believe we''re here. And¡­. And that''s all that I needed. Being here, with you. Never having to let go again."


    "Never again," he growled quietly, but fierce. Then he brought the hand from her back up to trace the line of her hair and trail his fingers down her neck. Her skin washed in goosebumps where he touched, and he smiled. "You''re never dancing like this with anyone else. Only me, from now on."


    "It''s only ever been you anyway, Zev," she said¡ªa little sadly, but then she smiled. "And I''m really, really d that that''s true."


    "Me too," he murmured, then dropped his chin to kiss her softly.


    Sucking in a breath, Sasha reached up to circle his neck and pull him down into the kiss and for a long moment, both of them forgot they were dancing, or that there was an audience. Zev couldn''t think of anything beyond her beautiful scent, the softness of her lips, and the Solitude.


    By the time they broke apart, they were both breathing faster and he was a little lightheaded. But Sasha was beaming, and there was nothing in any world that warmed him or made him happier than seeing her joy.


    So as they circled the grass, Zev made himself forget about the pain in his side, and the males watching¡ªmostlyughing or confused because this wasn''t how the Chimera danced. He made himself forget that their entire world had just been turned upside down, and it was going to be up to him to keep Sasha safe in this new role she''d just been thrown into.


    He didn''t even let himself think about the anger of the tigers over their dead King, or what this would do the next time the human''s visited.


    All he thought about was that smile, that warm body in his hands, and that heart, beating against his chest, that he cherished more than any other in any world.


    No matter what, they were going to get through this. Starting tonight.


    "I love you, Zev," Sasha said suddenly, her eyes beginning to silver again with tears.


    "You''re a part of my soul, Sash," he whispered. "I choose you today, and I''ll choose you every day for the rest of my life¡ªand the next."


    She fell into his chest then, clinging, and he held her as they swayed.

 Chapter 169 - What She Wants To Hear

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    She''d forgotten how wonderful Zev was. Or rather, she''d been convinced in the years that they were apart that she''d somehow fooled herself. That he wasn''t really as sweet and open as she remembered. That she was putting rosy sses on whenever she thought back. That he had to have been less¡­ perfect.


    But here they were and he didn''t even know he was fulfilling every dream she''d had as a little girl.


    Oh, not the dirty dress and dancing on cold, frozen ground. Not the audience of strange, male eyes¡ªsome uninterested, others confused or angry. And not the bonfire and threatening cold. None of those things fit the picture she''d had of her wedding.


    But Zev¡­ Zev looming over her, his eyes soft and twinkling, fixed on hers without shadow or guile. The smile on his handsome face that pressed lines into his cheeks. The gentle vibration of his chest when he spoke. The love in his voice, and in his eyes¡­ that was right out of the fairytale books, and she was stunned.


    She wished he wasn''t still pale and a little mmy. She wished he wasn''t bleeding under the dressing they''d packed on his side. She wished he didn''t wince if she squeezed him wrong. But the truth was, none of that really mattered.


    This was happening. Somehow, impossibly, they were here, together, and alive. And they were about to go on some kind of strange honeymoon. She was finally going to get him alone and without interruption¡­ That glowing heat began lower in her belly.


    Either he smelled how much she wanted him, or she''d given him the eyes, because he kissed her again, suddenly. Sasha''s heart began to race and she arched into him. Zev dropped both hands to her lower back and pulled her in tight and she gasped.


    "How long until we can leave?" she asked breathlessly.


    Zev dropped his chin to kiss under her jaw. "No more than an hour¡­ once the feast is done. And you''ve given them a speech."


    Sasha groaned and tipped her head to give him better ess as he yed his lips down her neck. Then her eyes caught on the males¡ªmost of them no longer eating. "It seems like they''re mostly done. Does it really have to be a whole hour?"


    "Let''s make it half," he rasped, then pulled his head up, his air mussed from her fingers and falling in his eyes.


    Desire jangled through her veins at the look in his eyes and she stopped breathing. They stared at each other for a long moment, neither of them smiling.


    Then Sasha swallowed. "Are you sure we can''t go now?"


    Zev grinned. "You need to talk to them first. Toy down some ground rules."


    "Me?" she squeaked. "Zev, you can''t really think that I''m going to¡ª"


    "Sash, listen to me. This isn''t a choice. You understand? You took Alpha by killing the former Alpha. It isn''t a matter of whether you can. You already have. If you waver. If you show uncertainty¡­ they''ll eat each other alive trying to figure out who''s taking your ce. This isn''t just happening, it''s necessary."


    "But¡­ I''m not even Chimera!"


    "You are when you''re mated to me," he said, and his voice dropped low, that simmer o promise in them.


    Sasha swallowed hard. "What kind of ground rules?" she asked breathlessly.


    Zev smiled. "Who''s in charge. Things for them to do while their Alpha is gone."


    Ugh. How would she know what Chimera should be doing? She didn''t even know how to take care of herself in this world! But before she could get buried in the fear of it, Zev shook his head.


    "We can do this, Sash," he whispered, touching her face with gentle fingertips. "You will lead, and I''ll help you. Together¡­ we''re better together. They''ll see it. This is going to work. It might not be easy, and I know it''s not what you dreamed when you thought about getting married. But we can do this."


    "You don''t get it," she whispered back. "The dreams were always about you, Zev. The rest¡­ the rest is just gravy."


    Zev tilted his head, his smile rising. "Gravy? The food?"


    Sasha giggled. "Yes. The thing you pour over, that makes everything else better. But it''s not the real meal."


    "So¡­ I get to be the meal?" he said, his eyebrows up.


    Sasha snorted and was going to give him some kind of smart-ass response when he turned her in their swaying and started dancing her back to the tree they''d been sitting on.


    Sasha felt more eyesnding on them as they drew closer to the fire, but Zev acted like they weren''t even there.


    He leaned into her ear, his lips teasing her earlobe and sending goosebumps down her back.


    "First piece of advice," he whispered. "An Alpha never asks permission to go anywhere, or do anything. You take whatever seat you want. Whatever food you like. And you move when you choose to move," he whispered. "You don''t do it to be an asshole. You do it because it''s what''s required of your position. It makes them feel safer to see you do it."


    All the warm and fuzzy feelings she''d been wallowing in bled out of her like air from a slow leak in a balloon.


    "Zev, I can''t be an Alpha!"


    "Yes, you can," he said firmly. "And more importantly, you already are. So take what''s yours, Sasha. Tell them what you want them to do while we''re gone. Don''t ask. Don''t apologize. Just tell them who will be in charge while we''re gone, and who to send if they need to find us."


    "But," her heart stuttered in rm, "I don''t know what they need to do!"


    They reached the tree trunk, and Zev drew her to a halt, but his hands were still on her arms and he stared down at her with adoring eyes.


    "You know what you want," he said. "Just tell them."


    Sasha snorted. "Tell them what? Not to fight or tell the humans anything while we''re gone?"


    "Yes," he said simply. "Tell them how you believe they should conduct themselves. Who you leave in charge. And how you want to find them when youe back."


    "But¡ª"


    "Sash," he whispered, leaning into her ear, "if you do this, we can leave," he said, his voice simmering with promise.

 Chapter 170 - Almost Out Of Here

    <strong>~ ZEV ~ </strong>


    Sasha sucked in a breath has he leaned closer to her, willing her to understand his meaning¡ªthen made it very clear by cing images in her head. Images of the two of them entwined on furs, their skins slick and licked by firelight, Zev''s hands on her, following every curve¡ª


    Sasha gulped and hissed at him to stop.


    Zev grinned.


    Sasha took a moment to look away andpose herself, but her cheeks were still flushed when she turned back, a warning in her eyes. "So, I tell them who''s in charge, and what I want them to do. What if it doesn''t work? What if they all start fighting anyway the second we walk out of the vige?"


    "Only one way to find out."


    Sasha eyed him from under hershes, but he knew she knew he was right. They had no control over what urred after their backs were turned. But she didn''t understand, that was what the hierarchy was for¡ªto give the Chimera clear direction when they weren''t under the eyes of authority.


    Sasha''s eyes went distant and she chewed her lower lip again. He wanted to put his thumb up and tease that plump pillow out from under her teeth¡ª


    "Who should be in charge¡­ Lhars? Or Dunken?"


    "You choose," Zev said, shaking his head. "I don''t think I can answer that without bias." The truth was, Lhars made the most sense because he''d already been a mouthpiece for Xar. The tigers were far more likely to listen to him than Dunken¡ªwho, though strong, was technically still prey. But Zev was struggling to put his brother into perspective.


    "Do you trust Lhars? Do the people trust Dunken?"


    "Either is capable. But Lhars is better known to them. And¡­ and I think the Tigers would be less likely to challenge him," Zev admitted.


    Sasha nodded. "Okay then, how do I start?" she whispered, looking at the bonfire and all the men now gathered closely around it, the orange light of the fire making their faces glow warmly in the half-dark of the falling light.


    "Just¡­ tell them," Zev said. "Be who you are, Sash. Lead as you will lead. The rest we''ll figure out when it happens."


    She looked at him like he was making things too simple, but the only way for her to see was to see. Until she took the steps, there was no way to prove to her that they would listen.


    But, his beautiful girl, strong and courageous raised her chin and turned to face the fire, scanning them with her eyes. Zev, his stomach trilling with desire, put a hand to her lower back to demonstrate to any that might be suspicious of her, that he stood with her.


    Yhet rose from his crouch to stand behind her, and Kyelle appeared at her left. Sasha turned when the female moved to next to her, and they smiled at each other. But Zev was sure he wasn''t the only one who noticed that Kyelle''s eyes looked a little bloodshot.


    Sasha reached for her hand and squeezed it once before dropping it and turning back to the crowd.


    "Thank you for being here today, and for feeding us. It''s been a big day, and we still have to travel to our¡­ for our solitude," she said, the strange phrase not quite rolling off her tongue. "While we''re gone Lhars will be in charge," she called, looking back and forth across the crowd of men. "And he''ll have Kyelle''s help if he needs it."


    Kyelle''s eyes widened, but she didn''t say anything. Zev swallowed. It was a strange choice, but appropriate for a female Alpha to name a female second.


    "My greatest concern is that you be at peace while we''re gone. Use this time to rest and¡­ and feast."


    Zev almost spluttered augh. He knew to Sasha this seemed like a simple instruction. But the Chimera would hear it differently¡ªand celebrate it. She was genius, and she didn''t even know it. "When Zev and I get back, we''ll meet with the Alphas and¡­ we''ll figure all of this out. But until then I ask only that you keep all information about what happened today to yourselves. Share nothing with the humans if they show up. We''ll be back in a few days after we''ve had our solitude. Until then¡­ just live your lives. Hunt. Eat. Rest."


    Sasha''s scent¡ªwhich had be stronger as she''d spoken¡ªwas suddenly strangled by insecurity. But, hoping to distract them, Zev lifted his chin and howled. The wolves joined him, and soon the others were cheering as well.


    Sasha was looking a question at him when he dropped his chin.


    He smiled broad and pulled her into his side, covering a wince when his ribs and back screamed. "You just gave them a vacation," he said with a wink. "Good start."


    "I¡­ what?"


    "Telling them to feast. That means they have reason to celebrate, and should give their focus to it. And since you''ve told them to do it while we''re gone, they''ll spend the days¡­ partying," he chuckled. "You probably just became the most popr Alpha of all time."


    "But¡­ will they still do their¡­ whatever it is they need to do?"


    "Oh, they will," Kyelle said dryly from her other side. "Half the problem with these males is that they''re so focused on their tasks, they forget that they have lives to live."


    "But at least you''re here to remind them," Zev quipped.


    Kyelle gave him a small smile¡­ but then her eyes dropped to Sasha and she looked away quickly.


    While he grieved that his friend was being hurt by this, he was so grateful she was epting of his choice and not punishing Sasha for it.


    Sasha was going to need Kyelle''s advice in theing weeks and months.


    Dear Lord, his mate was Alpha. How the hell had that happened?!


    As the males around the bonfire continued to talk andugh, teasing each other, in high spirits because she''d called a feast, Sasha turned him and shrugged. "What now?"


    Zev''s let his smile grow and heat, until Sasha''s throat bobbed.


    "Now we get our things and take our solitude," he said with a growl of promise. "Now you''re mine."


    *****


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 Chapter 171 - Beautiful You

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    It seemed to take forever for Sasha and Zev to make it back to her house where they''d left their bags. They were both almost jogging by the time they reached the tree and he stopped only to lift her to the top of thedder, hissing as the stretch pulled at his wounds. She cursed at him for hurting himself further, but he just grinned and said it was worth it to get her out of there faster. But even in the dim light she could tell he''d paled.


    "Zev¡ª"


    "Sash, I''m fine. Let''s get changed and get out of here." Then he shed her a grin and she groaned, pulling him down into a quick kiss, before turning to dart into the house.


    Which was when she realized she was going to have to get out of that beautiful dress, and into normal, warm clothes for their trip.


    And Zev was there with her.


    She''d pulled to a stop in front of the bed where she''d left her clothes out and just stood there for a second, heart pumping, veins pulsing a little with fear, a little with disappointment. Kyelle had given her a beautiful set of furs to wear for the trip, but the truth was, there was no way to make the bulky, boxy furs look like anything but functional clothing. And this dress¡­ this dress had made her feel pretty for the first time in¡­ well, years.


    As Zev closed the door into the house, Sasha removed the fur wrap, then stood there, stroking the front of the dress, grieving the dirt and blood that marred it now, but still finding it beautiful.


    She sighed and reached up to untie the halter at the back of her neck.


    "No, wait," Zev said quietly behind her. "Let me."


    She was about to tell him not to worry, when his tall, warm presence arrived at her back, and suddenly everything in Sasha turned into electric jelly.


    When his fingers brushed the nape of her neck, her muscles went ck, yet her skin crackled and the pin hairs stood to salute him, goosebumps chasing themselves down the backs of both of her arms.


    With his warmth at her back¡ªhis solid steel strength that emanated heat and made her stomach simmer with desire¡ªshe shivered. Then she felt the bow of theces loosen and his breath fluttered on her neck. Her skin prickled.


    The two sides of the halter fell and the top of the dress sagged. Reflexively, she caught it, but her chest was rising and falling quickly and neither of them moved.


    Without thought, she leaned back into Zev, wallowing again in that perfect fit, as if he''d been made to hold her.


    His fingers touched her shoulders, so lightly, then drew down, across her shoulders, down her upper arms, raising goosebumps in their wake before he trailed them back up.


    "Sash¡­" His voice was husky and gruff, and lower than usual. She heard him swallow. "I want to do this right," he rasped. "I don''t want to rush, and I don''t want to risk being interrupted, and¡ª"


    "Neither do I," she whispered, but tipped her head back against his chest. "I just¡­"


    "I know. Me too."


    They stood that way for a long moment, both of their breaths audible in the chill evening air of the house.


    "How long will it take¡­ the hike?" she asked reluctantly.


    "A couple hours at least."


    Sasha swore.


    "But when we get there, we''ll bepletely alone and¡­ it''s beautiful, Sash. I''ve been waiting to take you there since I was eighteen."


    She groaned and screwed her eyes closed. It''ll be worth it, she reminded herself. Worth it to wait¡­


    She dropped her head forward again and sighed. "Okay. Two hours. I can wait two hours."


    "Maybe three."


    "Maybe three," she growled reluctantly. "But that just means that I need to get changed and you need to put more clothes on and¡­ and we need to get moving. The sooner we move, the sooner we get there and we don''t have to wait anymore."


    Zev made a small whine in his throat, but his fingers dragged down her arms again. "Okay. You''re right. But let me help you." Then he dropped down to kneel¡ªslowly, so his chest brushed her back all the way down¡ªand his wonderful fingers moved to the low back of the dress and the buttons there.


    "I¡ªwhat?"


    But after a small nudge, she felt the material of the dress loosen at her back.


    Swallowing hard, Sasha didn''t move as Zev, his breathing getting deeper, heavier, unbuttoned the handful of buttons that lined the sway of her back, all the way to the top of her buttocks.


    Then his hands ttened on her back and slid around her sides, pulling the dress with them as he palmed her breasts, feeling the weight of them.


    Sasha gasped and let the dress fall, intending to take his hands in hers and hold him there. But as the dress slumped to puddle around her feet, Zev groaned and rested his forehead in the hollow of her back.


    They stood that way for a moment, every nerve in Sasha''s body tuned like a radar, looking for his touch, his warmth. So when his lips opened against her spine, she whimpered and her hands tightened on his arms.


    She heard him swallow again, and his thumbs traced the sides of her breasts, her nipples pressing tightening in anticipation of his touch.


    But when he stood, he didn''t take her in his arms, turn her around as she expected.


    One side of her went cold as Zev leaned over her to reach for the fur jacket on the bed and lift it, shaking it out. She felt his body jerk as he moved to open it, but she forgot about everything else when his nose traced the line from her shoulder, up the side of her neck and he inhaled her.. Yet, just as she was about to sink into him again, the fur settled against her back, and over her shoulders.

 Chapter 172 - Thank God

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Still standing behind her, Zev took one of her hands, and instead of bringing it to her breast and squeezing as he was fantasizing about, he guided it into the sleeve of the jacket¡ªfirst one, then the other. Then he smoothed the two, double-breasted panels across her stomach and chest, his trembling fingers fitting the buttons in the loops so the high, fur neck cradled her jaw.


    His body screamed at him to touch, to taste, to take¡ªhis pulse thumping in his ears faster and faster as he imagined it. But he fought. He could have her now, he knew. If he asked, she''d say yes¡ªhe could smell her arousal. But¡­ but it would be rushed. Hurried. And he''d been waiting too long for this. He wanted to savor her.


    So when he had the buttons secure, he dropped his chin, intending to tell her to put on the leggings, but his breath fluttered in her hair and where it parted over her shoulder, he saw her gooseprickles rise.


    He''d given up trying to hide his arousal. He stood so close behind her she could probably feel his own goosebumps stand up, let alone¡­ that.


    But instead of pushing her forward and taking her, right there, as he ached to do, he indulged in another tease and, reaching for the fur leggings on the bed in front of her, dropped to kneel behind her again, sliding his body down the back of her soft, soft skin, his long arms circling her legs and holding the first leg open for her.


    He felt her tense, imagined that she considered resisting. For a short moment he prayed she would kick the trousers out of his hands and tear the jacket open, turn in the circle of his arms and pull him onto the bed.


    But with a soft, disappointed sigh, bncing herself on his thick bicep, Sasha pointed her toe and pushed it into the leg of the trousers¡ªfirst one, then the other.


    Then, with a tantalizing slide of his chest that began on her thighs and followed her entire form up, he pulled the leggings up until they settled over her hips and he reached around to tie theces at the waist, tugging them into a tight bow.


    Both of them were breathing heavily as he straightened the bottom of the jacket over the leggings, then didn''t move for a time.


    Then, Zev dropped his chin and rested his cheek against her temple, swallowing hard. "Sash?"


    "Yeah?"


    "That was the hottest thing I''ve ever done, and I didn''t even taste you."


    She nodded frantically. "Same."


    "I vote that we leave. Right now."


    She swallowed audibly then, without turning, she huffed a breathlessugh. "I am, apparently, Alpha now. And I''ll go you one better and demand it, Zev."


    She did turn then, craning her head back to meet his eyes¡ªher own sparkling with heat and delight. "Let''s get out of here. Right now."


    It was an offense to resist an Alpha''smand, but he prayed she''d forgive him the few seconds it took to cradle her face and take her mouth¡ªhot and desperate, showing her with his tongue what he longed to do with his body¡ªthen he broke away from her, panting.


    "Let''s go."


    *****


    He became a male on a mission, eyes fixed on the trail ahead, ignoring the pain in his body, his hunger because he hadn''t been able to focus properly on the meal, and even the threat of a storm as the pressure in the air rose through the Thana night. He''d carried Sasha for long stretches, but the pressure of her against the wounds on his back and side weren''t just painful, they threatened to open them again and he wanted nothing to stand in the way of this night.


    So, where they walked in the valley, or the trail was wide, he reluctantly slowed the pace and let Sasha walk, taking her bag for her instead.


    They''d been hiking for well over two hours when they finally rounded the mountain and the valley below them disappeared as the trail snaked back to a ravine between two mountains, the tall, sheer sides climbing dozens of feet over their heads, and thest of the evening light disappearing into the shadows of it.


    Sasha''s breath stopped, but he took her hand and tugged her forward, his wolf-eyes having no trouble making out the trail.


    They were close. So close.


    "Where are we going?" she asked quietly, her voice echoing, bouncing between the rock walls on either side of them.


    "A cave," he said. "But one that has been prepared."


    "Prepared by who?" she asked.


    "Me," he said simply, smiling, hoping she was going to enjoy as much as he thought she could.


    Sasha blew out a breath. "You came all the way out here to get it ready?"


    "Three times," he said. "Dunken helped. And we came in our beast forms, so it didn''t take nearly as long."


    "What were you doing?"


    He looked down at her and even though she looked up, he wasn''t sure she could actually see him.


    "I wanted this to befortable for you. And I didn''t want to have to hunt," he said. "I want us to have these days entirely for ourselves."


    Her eyes closed briefly and she smiled. "That sounds wonderful, Zev. Are we¡­ I mean, we''re mates now, right? There''s no¡­ we aren''t going to have some weird tradition turn up out of nowhere and a herd of elk are going to suddenly appear and demand me as a bride price, or something?"


    Zev chuckled. "No. You belong to me. And after tonight¡­. After tonight, no Chimeran male would ever dare touch you." He squeezed her hand. "I know it''s been a long road, Sash, but we''re here. Don''t worry. It''s just us now. For real."


    She hugged his arm, kissing his bicep through the fur he''d hurriedly donned back at the house.


    "Thank, God," she whispered. And it sounded more like a prayer than a curse.


    He didn''t think God had any time for him and his pleasure, but then they reached the other side of the ravine and the trail curved up, doubling back again to climb the final hill face to the mouth of the cave where they would be staying for the next few days.


    Zev''s heart beat faster, and he picked up the pace.


    They were finally there. This was finally happening.


    Thank God, indeed.


    *****


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 Chapter 173 - Promise

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev led her up a thin trail, barely visible to her eyes beyond an area where the rocks and grasses seemed to get sparser. It doubled back on the ravine they''d just followed, the first few feet so steep she''d almost had to climb them. But then it evened out and nted up the foothill of a mountain. At first, when she began to puff and sweat from the climb, she wanted to curse. If they were almost at their destination, she didn''t want to arrive stinking and sweaty.


    But as she watched Zev, his eyes dancing, and she realized that not only was he not even breathing hard, but he''d slowed his pace to match hers, then she just got embarrassed.


    He was carrying both bags¡ªneither of them light. He was wounded, and his eyes pinched sometimes. Yet he was carefully waiting for her?


    "I''m going to have to¡­ get fitter¡­" she panted as the trail climbed.


    Zev shrugged. "It will happen just by living here. Your world is tter and you move less. Here it''s unavoidable that you have to move your body. Don''t worry, Sash. You''re fierce. You''ll get there."


    She shook her head, but was running out of air to speak.


    A few minutester the trail leveled out to an only mild uphill, and Sasha took a deep breath of relief.


    They climbed a rocky mountainside, the earth rising steeply to their right, and falling away to that ravine on their left and below. At a spot where a t area jutted out and a lone tree¡ªtwisted branches bare of leaves¡ªgrew, overlooking the view, Sasha stopped, just for a moment, to catch her breath and to look out at the breathtakingndscape that spread below and ahead of them.


    "I call this tree the Sentry," Zev said quietly. "It watches the whole valley, and you can always use it to find your way back."


    Sasha nodded, her eyes still on thend. The two mountains, with tall, jagged tops like teeth, were nketed in the white and ice-blue of snow, but here and there, ck and purple rocks poked through. They made a V, plunging from their peaks down to the ravine, framing the valley she and Zev had followed to get here. There were browns and greens in the valley, evergreen trees and patches of grass and dirt where the snow had melted. Then, rising on its other side, another massive peak punctured the night sky, it''s form ck, but outline glowing as thest of the day''s sun disappeared behind it.


    With no other sources of light this deep in the forest, the sky overhead was indigo and scattered with so many stars it looked like God had smeared the sky, sttered it with bright spots of paint on a purple-ck canvas.


    "Beautiful, isn''t it?" Zev asked quietly.


    Sasha nodded. Whenever she stopped to take it in, she was awed by the sheer magnitude of Thana. "I can see why you missed it."


    "You have no idea," Zev muttered, then cleared his throat. "But I missed you more, Sash."


    Blinking away from the stars, she turned to find Zev, ahead of her on the trail, watching her, tall and dark against the dark sky, his form swathed in the thick furs, but his eyes near-glowing with intensity.


    "I missed you more too," she whispered dumbly. More than what?


    More than anything.


    Zev stepped up to her toes, hiking the bag straps up his shoulders so he could reach for her with his hands, cupping her face, his breath making a cloud in the chill night air.


    "The rest of our life starts now, Sash. Are you ready? No matter what, we face it together."


    "Do you promise?" she blurted, her deepest fear hovering, right there, on the edge of her joy.


    Zev nodded, his jaw going tight. "I vow on my own life. I''ll never leave you again, Sash. They''ll have to drag me away, fighting. Or kill me."


    "Don''t say that!" she hissed.


    But Zev just cradled her face, smoothing her cheeks with his thumbs. "Don''t be afraid, please, Sash. I never wanted to leave you to begin with, and now that I have you. Now you''re mine¡ªtruly mine¡ªI''ll never do it again. I can''t."


    She wanted to wallow in the love in his eyes, to just sink it and surrender to it. But her damned head wouldn''t let her.


    "There''s an entire vige of men down there that had their women torn from them. You can''t promise, Zev."


    "I can''t promise no one will ever defeat me, Sash. But I can promise¡ªand mean it¡ªthat no one will ever convince me to leave you again."


    They stared at each other for a long moment, as Sasha''s fear battled with her joy.


    "Okay," she said after a minute. "I believe you."


    "Truly?"


    "Truly." She didn''t have any choice. That was what had urred to her while they stood there. She could let this fear overwhelm her, make her question every step, every moment, every little piece of love he offered and eventually she''d kill him, doing that. She knew it. Had seen it in the way her parents slowly killed each other until they couldn''t stand the sight of each other anymore.


    She didn''t want to do that to him.


    So her choices were to believe him and risk being hurt again¡ªeven worse this time. Or stay in fear, and kill what they had while he was in front of her.


    She didn''t want to do that. She couldn''t do that. She couldn''t reach the end of whatever road they were embarking on and realize that it had been her fault if they lost.


    She had to take the risk. And as long as she was doing that, she was going to enjoy him.


    "I love you, Zev. I''m not saying I''ll never feel insecure, but I''m not going to let myself live in that ce. I''m going to put my heart in your hands again.. Please¡­ be careful with it."

 Chapter 174 - The Solitude - Part 1

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha stared at Zev, silently pleading.


    "I will," he whispered, his expression earnest and delighted. "I will, Sash. You have my heart, too. It''s yours. It always has been."


    She pushed away the protests that wanted to rise. "Then, I guess we''re even," she said, finally smiling.


    Zev beamed and took her mouth in a gentle, soft kiss, but he nipped her lower lip before straightening, his eyes shing with wicked delight.


    "Are you ready for the rest of our lives?" he rumbled.


    Sasha bit her lip and nodded.


    "Good." Then he took one of her hands and pulled her around the corner of the trail to a ce where it disappeared into what, from this angle, looked like a crack in the snow.


    Sasha frowned as Zev beelined for it, but as they approached the space widened and the crack became a crevasse.


    Ice and snow tumbled over the tables of rocks that climbed the sides, icicles that reached from feet over her head, almost to the base of the trail itself, making it appear they were melting away from the rest of the mountain.


    Zev had to turn his broad shoulders to pass between them on both sides, but he didn''t let go of her hand as they passed into the darker depths of the cave until Sasha couldn''t see at all and her steps became hesitant. She clung to Zev''s back as the space around them opened and she had sudden vertigo, her body convinced that she walked a narrow path that fell away on each side so she would tumble to her death.


    Oh, and there were probably spiders. Lots of spiders. Or bats.


    She was just about to freeze when Zev stopped walking and turned to face her. "Stay here," he said quietly, brushing her cheek with the backs of his fingers. "I''m going to light antern."


    "But¡ª"


    She froze as he disappeared. Then she cursed his ability to move silently, because it was as if she were suddenly, utterly alone.


    Fear roared in her chest and had her head screaming, run!


    But just as she turned to look for the tiniest glow of light that indicated the tunnel they''d walked through to get here, there was a snap and a re of warm light behind her.


    Sasha whipped back around to find Zev lighting antern, just as he''d said. But around him¡­


    Her mouth dropped open.


    The light, so warm it was almost orange, made the entire cavern glow. And what a space it was¡ªnot rocks and dirt like she''d expected, but stone under her feet and¡­ ice. Sasha''s eyes widened as she looked up¡­ and up! The light revealed a ceiling so tall she was reminded of a cathedral. And far from the bats she''d feared, where it peaked overhead, it shone like ss except where thick icicles had formed on one side, glistening like beautiful, ice-blue fangs.


    "Do you like it?" Zev asked quietly, his voice echoing slightly. And slightly nervous if she didn''t miss her guess.


    "Oh, Zev¡­" she breathed. "This is¡­ perfect."


    And it was. He straightened from cing thentern he''d lit on a massive chest of drawers off to her right, but Sasha couldn''t take her eyes off the incredible space.


    Far from a narrow pathway over a cavernous sinkhole, she stood just inside a wide, nearly-round room, with that ceiling arching overhead. To her left, there was a hollowed space in the wall and a fire had been set, ready to light within it, a thick fur rug of a type she couldn''t recognizeid on the floor in front of it, one side bracketed by a thick, metal box, the other, a thick, neat stack of wood and kindling that climbed the wall almost a high as Sasha''s chest. It seemed like it wouldst for weeks.


    To her right, Zev stood next to those drawers, watching her, thentern flickering behind him. But in front of her¡­


    A few feet ahead of where she stood, a massive fur rug, inches thick, beckoned to her cold feet. It had to be at least ten or twelve feet wide. She couldn''t imagine what animal had made it. But on its other side thergest bed Sasha had ever seen was set in a in, but glossy wooden box. It dwarfed the rug and was easilyrge enough for three men the size of Zev. It was piled with thick, weing furs and plump pillows and it called to Sasha in a way she couldn''t quite exin.


    Somewhere nearby she could hear running water, but she couldn''t see it. She wasn''t sure if it was the ice melting or something else, but the sound of water trickling gave the entire cave a soft, faraway feel that was so beautiful, she almost wanted to cry.


    "You prepared this?" Sasha squeaked, finally tearing her eyes away from the incredible room.


    Zev chuckled. "No, this is Yhet''s house. He just¡­ doesn''t spend a lot of time here now that his mate is gone. He says it''s too painful. He has other caves all over Thana. He offered. He said his mate always liked it. He thought you might, too."


    No wonder the furniture was so big.


    "I do like it. I love it! Zev, this is beautiful."


    He blew out a breath and smiled that dazzling smile that she''d loved since she was seventeen. "Good."


    Then their eyes locked and Sasha''s stomach trilled.


    Zev had dropped their bags to the floor next to those drawers, and as they stared at each other, his body tensed, as if he might suddenly rush her. She could see the light in his eyes growing and she smiled, butterflies a swarm in her stomach.


    This was happening. This was finally happening.


    "Zev?" she whispered.


    His throat bobbed. "Are you hungry, Sash?"


    "Only for you."


    Both of them froze, poised on the knife-edge of desire.


    Her eyes dared him. But he shook his head, grinning. "We have to get clean first," he said hoarsely. "I''m not taking you to bed dirty."


    "Why not?"


    "Because once we''re in there, I''m not letting you out for days."


    Her eyes widened slightly, her pupils dting.


    "Well," she said breathlessly. "A bath it is. Show me."


    Zev''s breathing went shallow. "First we have to get naked."


    Sasha shed a wicked grin. "I think I''m going to need help."


    He knew she was ying, but he already walked the edge. When she shot him a look of pure heat, a growl puttered in his throat. Instinct drove him across the space towards her, pulling her into his chest and taking her mouth, one fist in her hair, the other at her back.


    She giggled as he lifted her to her toes, but it soon turned to breathless sighs as Zev''s kiss deepened and the low groan of desire rolled in this throat.


    *****


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 Chapter 175 - The Solitude - Part 2

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev had intended to make a speech. He''d nned to tell her how much this meant to him, to check in and make sure she wasn''t nervous. To set the stage so she could rx.


    But when she''d said she was hungry¡ªfor him!¡ªand looked at him like that, light and heat and joy written on every feature¡­ he''d forgotten all his ns. He had to have his hands on her. Had to be close.


    He''d swooped in, pulling her into him and she''de willingly,ughing and holding his face in her little hands, sending jagged bolts of thrill through his entire body.


    He''d made himself ask, made himself check that she was ready, and for an answer she''d pulled him in tighter, her tongue tangling with his.


    "Oh, god, Sash¡­" he rasped, his chest heaving like a bellows as he set her down on her feet so that his hands were free to begin undressing her.


    His hands shook as he reached for loops on the furs, his thick fingers fumbling on the little buttons until he almost gave up in frustration and tore them off. But he forced himself to calm, to focus on the featherlight trail of her lips on his, the shock of her hands pushing under his furs to find his skin, on the way she arched into him and sucked in a breath when he finally popped the first button.


    His mind was a jumble¡ªscreaming at him to take her, to own her, to make her his in a way the others could never deny, and yet cautioning, urging for calm, reminding him to savor her, to make this special, because it was the beginning of the rest of her lives.


    The two sides of him fought¡ªman against beast, heart against heat¡ªuntil he shuddered with stifled desire.


    Finally popping thest button on her fur jacket, Zev forced himself to slow. The double-breasted front sagged now, both sides dragged towards the floor by the weight of the fur, making a V that revealed the dark shadow between her breasts.


    Zev growled and dropped his chin to kiss his way down her jaw, down the column of her neck.


    Sasha sighed and arched back, pressing up and into him, the jacket''s sides falling further apart, but there was too much fur, too little space between them. It gaped, revealing the inner sides of her breasts, but leaving the peaks tantalizingly hidden.


    Somehow she''d already gotten the buttons of his jacket open. He rasped her name again, his entire body shuddering as she ran her hands up from his abdomen, to his chest, then over his shoulders, pushing the jacket back and off, her hands squeezing pressing, exploring as she went.


    Zev reluctantly let her go to drop his arms and let the jacket slide to the floor behind him, but he brought them back immediately, one hand at her lower back, holding her close even as he arched her backwards, the other beginning to unwrap her like a Christmas present.


    He was kissing her neck when he slid his fingers into the gap between the furs, his hand finding her stomach first, but sliding up.


    She sucked in and her head dropped back when he found her breast, cupping it, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, and every nerve in his body jolted to life at the sheer heat that shot through his veins to be finally touching her.


    Sasha groaned his name and wed her fingers into his hair, pulling him harder into the kiss, her breath racing and frantic.


    She was, as she had always been, the light to his fire. He''d forgotten how overwhelming it felt to touch her skin, to inhale her scent. And now, finally, for the first time, there was nothing between them. No parents or guardians to fear. No ns to thwart. No enemies to fight.


    Finally, finally, they were alone and safe and Zev wanted to howl with the pure joy of it when she let her head fall back and bared her throat to him.


    Taking her weight, letting her lean into his hands, the temptation was there to simply tear off her leggings and plunge into her, hold her to him and own her. But he couldn''t. There would be a day for that¡ªa day very soon, he hoped. But this was not that day, this was not that night.


    This was the night to cement the bond and show her what he''d yearned to show her for the past five years.


    Forcing himself to control, he tore his lips from hers and straightened, pulling her up with him, but staring down at her when her eyes opened in surprise, letting her see the heat in his eyes, making promises with his gaze.


    She smiled as he began walking her backwards, towards the bed. Her hands yed over his chest and shoulders and she bit her lower lip again.


    "I thought you wanted to get clean?" she said, her voice hoarse.


    Dammit. She was right. She thought he was joking, but he wasn''t. He was covered in oil and paint and blood. As was she. He wanted nothing to mar this night. Nothing to jar them out of what they would share. So he growled¡ªwith less pleasure this time¡ªand turned her away from the bed and towards the fire.


    Yhet''s ice cavern had been a home for years. It wasfortable and rtively warm, considering its location. But it would take time to heat water.


    "So, we have two choices," he muttered between kisses as he kept walking her, his hands exploring her sides and back, running his fingers under the waistband of her leggings.


    "What are they?" she said breathlessly.


    "I can make the fire and warm the water and we can have a real bath¡ªYhet''s bath is big enough for both of us." Her eyes widened and Zev had to force himself to swallow. "Or we can use cold water, then warm up together in bed."


    Sasha''s breath caught. "How cold is the cold water?"


    Zev grinned.

 Chapter 176 - The Solitude - Part 3

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    It took Zev seconds to get the fire lit, and she stood right over him, unwilling to break contact, her breathing still rapid, but calming¡ªuntil he had the mes roaring. He dragged a massive, metal bath from the wall in the corner to the spot in front of the fire, then he stood, kissing her again, just long enough to get her heart racing, then he groaned and pulled away, grabbing a massive, ck cast iron pot from next to the wall and walking it back towards the entrance of the cave.


    "Where are you g¡ª" she cut off when he plonked it up against the wall of the cave, where it curved away from the opening, and suddenly the sounds in the cave changed as water began to rush into the massive pot.


    That was where the sound of running water came from, she realized. There was a stream of water trickling down the wall from the ceiling, disappearing into some kind of hole at the floor.


    As the pot began to fill, Zev hurried back to her, pulling her against his stomach, andbing her hair back from her temples. She''d let it down loose when they got changed back at the house, and now she shivered with the sheer deliciousness of his fingers sliding through it.


    "How cold is it?" she asked again, her eyes closed so she could more fully focus on the sensations of his touch.


    Chuckling, Zevid one of his hands on her neck and she shrieked and almost pped him away. It felt like a block of ice on her skin.


    "Okay, okay, we''re definitely having that warm bath!" she said, clutching the fur jacket back up to her chin. "Damn that''s cold!"


    Zev''s eyebrows rose suggestively and he prowled towards her, his hands in front of him as if he would grab her.


    "Zev, too cold!" she warned.


    "Sometimes cold is good!"


    "That''s too cold though!" she giggled, struggling as his arms snaked around her back¡ªoutside the fur jacket, thankfully.


    "Ah, but my mouth is warm," he rasped, then kissed her.


    Sasha''s stomach dipped and she forgot about his cold hands, or the water behind him or¡­ anything, except the warm, firm pressure of his lips on hers, the slide of his tongue, and the thunder of his breath.


    She lifted her hands to cling to his neck, pulling him in, heedless of her jacket falling open and baring her skin, just frantic to be close to him.


    Zev''s growl puttered in his throat and his kiss became more desperate. The jacket fell open on her side, baring her right breastpletely, but she just pressed into his chest, rubbing it on the leather of his furs and sighing with pleasure.


    "Oh, god, Sash," Zev croaked.


    He lifted his head and stared down at her, his eyes going near-ck as his pupils dted.


    He had one hand at her lower back, holding her to him as sheid back over his arm, and the other¡­.


    With a groan of desire, he raised a trembling hand¡ªa freezing hand¡ªand touched a single finger to the peak of her breast, circling it, his chest vibrating with the sound of his need.


    Sasha gasped, but the cold only peaked her nipple so it stood, hard and tall.


    Then he lowered his head, opening his mouth on it and Sasha gasped, her hand pping to the back of his neck, holding him close as he sucked, sending electric jolts of pure pleasure, jagged and sharp, straight to her belly.


    "Zev¡­ oh fuck¡­ Zev¡­"


    He growled, both hands at her back now, his mouth wide over her breast and Sasha twitching with the pleasure of it¡ªthen he flicked her nipple with his tongue and she actually shuddered.


    He yed that way for a full minute, Sasha giving herself over to it, forgetting anything but being close to him, until suddenly he swore and pulled her upright, only making sure she had her feet before he disappeared, leaving her in the center of the room, blinking.


    "Zev? What¡ª"


    "I need to get the water on the fire," he growled, grabbing the handle of that massive pot and hauling it up, wincing when the effort of the weight obviously hurt his side.


    "Don''t hurt yourself!" she gasped. But he just stalked across the room, hauling the pot and setting it on a frame in the firece obviously made for the task.


    When he had it settled and had added more wood to the now merrily crackling fire, he turned again, raking a hand through his hair and his eyes locked on hers.


    Something in his gaze was feral and for a moment, her stomach clenched in fear¡ªremembering the wolf inside him, the wolf she''d seen. The death he could bring.


    The death she brought, too, she realized. If in a different way.


    "Sash?" Zev asked, suddenly uncertain. "What''s wrong?"


    She blinked and realized she''d broken eye contact. But when she saw him there, his face earnest and open, looking so much like he had five years ago¡ªheavier, thicker, stronger than those days, but still¡­ still the same Zev. Still the patient, giving man she''d always been in love with, Sasha smiled brilliantly.


    She was letting go of fear, she decided. Letting go of questions and problems. She was walking into this experience with Zev as open and giving as he was.


    She was going to meet him in his own heart, and wallow in it.


    As she started across the floor towards him, her smile grew and she shook her head. "Nothing''s wrong, Zev. Absolutely nothing. I am just head over heels in love with you and¡­ I can''t wait," she whispered as she reached him.


    The mes in Zev''s eyes red, crackling just like the fire behind him.


    "What are you saying, Sash?"


    "I''m saying you''re mine, Zev. All of you. And I''m yours."


    He nodded. She put her hands to his stomach, letting her thumbs trail over the rise and fall of his abs, following the lines there and shaking her head. "You''re pure beauty, Zev. Pure heat. I don''t know what I did to deserve you, but I''m never letting go of you, ever again."


    "The feeling''s mutual," he croaked.


    "Then show me where the wash rags are, because I''m not waiting for that fucking massive pot of water to boil. I need you, Zev.. I need you."

 Chapter 177 - The Solitude - Part 4

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    The air in the cavern changed, zinging with tension, as Zev reached for the little shelf next to the fire and the stack of dry, clean cloths there, and a cake of soap.


    She was right, the pot would take forever to boil. But it wouldn''t take long to warm a little. He knew he was more ustomed than her to the pure winter cold of Thana. So he offered her the cloth on an open palm and raised an eyebrow. "I volunteer to use the cold water¡ªif you''ll help."


    Sasha''s mouth tipped up on one side, and without another word she plucked the cloth out of his hand and stepped around him to the pot over the fire, dropping it in to soak, then turning to scan him from head to toe. "You''re going to have to take your clothes off."


    He didn''t need to be asked twice, untying his furs and shucking them off, then stepping into the wide bath and standing there, hands at his sides.


    Sasha''s eyes went wide and she scanned him from head to toe, her eyes raking every ne and ripple of his muscles, following every line.


    Her throat bobbed and his cock twitched.


    Then, without another word she turned back to the pot over the fire. She was reaching into it for the cloth when she froze, and for a second Zev worried she''d changed her mind, but then with an audible swallow, she pushed the jacket off her shoulders and let it slide down her arms, baring her from the waist up.


    Holy. Fucking. Shit.


    Her leggings had sagged down to her hips, the waistline dropping just far enough to bare just a hint of the crease at the top of her buttocks. He wanted to put his hand there, to fill his palm with the soft curve of her, but then she looked at him over her shoulder, and he followed the gorgeous line of her up¡ªher waist nipped in over those hips, the dip that followed her spine, the softer lines of muscle and bone in her back¡­


    She was tiny and breakable, and strong and beautiful and he groaned with wanting her.


    Then she took a deep breath, grabbed the cloth out of the water and turned to face him where he stood in the bath.


    Her cheeks were hot, and she didn''t quite meet his eyes as she pped the cloth to his shoulder and squeezed it against his skin, watching the water trickled down his chest and abdomen, her eyes widening as she followed the line of it past his hip and¡ª


    Clearing her throat, she turned to get the cloth wet again, then brought it back, pping it to the other shoulder and squeezing it out, watching again as the water followed the lines of his body and trickled all the way to his toes. Moving around him, she was careful to avoid his side where ethe dressing had been stuck to his skin with sap and honey, but patted gently around it, hissing when he flinched.


    Then, she was in front of him again and she dunked the cloth into the water, then turned back to him, licking her lips as she reached for the soap in his hand. They both watched herther the cloth, and begin to scrub.


    The paint all over his skin had been smeared in the fight, but it was still difficult to get it off, with the oil and the time it had had to dye his skin. So Zev was treated to several minutes of her breasts bobbing as, holding his hip in one hand and using the cloth with the other, she scrubbed at his shoulders, chest, and abdomen.


    His breathing got heavier, as did hers. He prayed she wasn''t just panting from the exertion.


    The longer she worked, the warmer the water got, and the longer her eyes would linger on his between tasks, until his fingers were twitching towards her with the urge to take her and pull her in.


    She dropped the soap into the bath, then turned back to the pot, wetting it again and wringing it out over his shoulder on his good side.


    Zev just watched her, his eyessers, piercing, examining every move, his body twitching with every bob and jiggle of her breasts. His heart thundering against his sore ribs and he didn''t even care.


    Cloth by cloth, she returned to the pot and brought it out, dripping to squeeze it over his skin until all of the suds and dirt were gone.


    Then she stepped back and scanned him again, biting that lip until he wanted to put a hand up to tease it out from under her teeth.


    But she grinned. "You''re clean."


    Zev dropped his chin and stared at her, his chest rising and falling far too fast. "Must be your turn then."


    She licked her lips again and Zev almost howled. Then she handed him the cloth and reached for her leggings, pulling the bow he''d tied in them back at the house with quick, sharp tugs, letting them p on the leather as she pulled thempletely loose, then putting her thumbs under the waist band, and her eyes lifting to meet his again.


    Zev''s mouth went dry when she pushed them down so they slid down her legs, wiggling her hips to get them to drop all the way to her feet, then she stepped delicately out of them and finally, finally he could see her again, all of her.


    Her hair, mussed by the wind and his hands, fell in loose, messy waves around her shoulders. She''d crossed her arms against the cold, but that only pressed her breasts up, as if she offered them. And when her eyes slid up to find his, her cheeks reddened.


    "You''re so fucking beautiful, Sash," he croaked.


    Reaching for her, he held her arms as she stepped into the big bath next to him, then pulled her against him to warm her¡ªbut his skin was cold from the water and she giggled, goosebumps peppering her skin all over.


    Reaching for the towels on the shelf, Zev quickly, roughly, toweled himself dry, then pulled her into him again, taking her mouth and groaning when she opened to him, arching back to keep them pressed together.


    "I''m going to make this very, very quick," he croaked. "Then we''re getting in that bed, and we aren''t getting out."


    Sasha smiled, took his face in her hands, and kissed him, long and slow.. "I would love that."

 Chapter 178 - The Solitude - Part 5

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Being bathed by Zev was the most erotic thing she''d ever experienced. Her chest was heaving and her hands trembling as much from desire as cold.


    His massive, burnished body gleamed in the low light of thentern as he stepped out of the bath to plunge a fresh cloth into it, then cupped her jaw in one hand and kissed her even as he stroked her body with the cloth. Again, and again, and again, until she''d lost track of anything but his lips on hers, his tongue tracing the line of her lips, his warmth pressing against her.


    Then with a low growl, he dropped the cloth and picked up the soap,thering his hands.


    Their eyes caught for a moment as he knelt to start at her legs and a jolt of pure pleasure shot from Sasha''s belly, right to the ces on her skin where his hands were stroking, massaging, the pads of his thumbs following the lines around her knee, his fingers trailing up the backs of her thighs as his palms slicked soap over her skin.


    Unable to bepletely free of the embarrassment when he was kneeling in front of her like that, Sasha closed her eyes and focused instead of the feeling of his touch, the slick warmth of his hands, the delicious flutter of the water¡ªwarmer now¡ªwhen he gave up on the cloth and grabbed a small bowl from the shelf and used it to pour water from her chest, down her body.


    He was shaking too, she realized, as he explored every inch of her, his trembling fingers following the lines of her muscles, the dip in at her waist, tracing her nipples¡ªand his eyes got bigger and darker every time she chanced a look.


    Within minutes Sasha was little more than a puddle herself, panting shallow breaths and holding onto his shoulders as he first toweled her dry, then threw it aside to kiss her and trailed fingers up the inside of her thigh.


    She shuddered when he found her and a groaning huff escaped his throat.


    "So ready for me," he whispered.


    Sasha nodded. "So ready, Zev. I''ve waited. It''s been too long. Please!"


    She felt him jolt, felt his fingers close on her, heard his breath catch, and she thought that was it. He was going to finally, finally give in. She clung to his neck, opening her eyes to hold his gaze as he straightened to loom over her. But rather than tearing her out of the bath, he reached up tob back her hair from her face, his eyes searching hers until he lowered his head and kissed her, featherlight, his lips barely tracing hers. But he didn''t pull away either.


    "No more interruptions. No more danger. This is it, Sash," he whispered against her mouth. "Are you ready?"


    For an answer, she took his mouth again. And a momentter, with a snarl of pleasure, Zev snapped his leash.


    He lifted her bodily, one arm behind her shoulders, the other under her knees as he swung her out of the bath. She had her arms around him and her lips on his neck as he carried her to the bed, shivering when he rasped her name. He set her on her feet next to the bed, then reached to throw the furs back and lifted her again, sliding her between their warm softness, groaning as he followed her up onto the bed, crawling after her even as she pulled him closer, grabbed his shoulders and pulled him down.


    Then finally, for the first time in five years, Zevy between her thighs, whispering her name, his lips on her neck, his hands exploring her skin, and Sasha almost cried with pure relief.


    But there was no time for tears. She was too busy shuddering under his touch, groaning his name, exploring his back, following the lines of muscle and that gorgeous dip down his spine, reveling in the warmth of him, pleading with God to make sure they were never interrupted.


    Zev was braced, his elbows either side of her head, his hands cupped over her hair, his lips exploring hers, his tongue making promises she begged him to keep. And his body¡­ his body sought hers.


    When she stroked up his abs, they tightened and he dropped his hips, sliding against her, his hips already beginning to roll, though he hadn''t even taken her yet. And when he passed over her most sensitive skin, Sasha cried out, her senses assaulted with both the pleasure he was building, making her ache, and the memory of when he''d done this before.


    Her whole world tunneled to the warm darkness of the furs, the sound and flutter of his breath on her cheek, and the zinging pleasure he shot through her veins every time he ground against her.


    "Oh, shit, Sash," he gasped when she grabbed his buttocks and pulled in against her, seeking him.


    "Please, Zev. We''ve waited¡­ we''ve waited so long."


    "God, I love you, Sash."


    "I love you too. I need you, Zev. I need to be with you."


    A tormented groan shuddered out of him, and she felt the vibrations of his deep voice in his chest. Careful to avoid his sore side, she reached for his shoulder on that side, and his waist on the other, pulling him closer, lifting her hips, so when he passed over her, he almost took her.


    He cursed, and dropped his head to that spot where her shoulder met her neck, but he did it again, and again, until he was there, poised and ready, and they both froze.


    Her fingers were wed into his hair, and his lips were against her neck when they both went still. Sasha held her breath, pleading with him not to dy again.


    He swore again, his voice shaking. But he nuzzled the corner of her jaw, and lifted his head only far enough to whisper in her ear, "Mine."


    Then he plunged into her in one, long, slow slide that washed her entire body in a wave of pleasure that began right at her core and rushed out to every corner of her skin.

 Chapter 179 - Mine

    AUTHOR NOTE: To make the most of the following chapters, you might want to go back to "Solitude ¨C Part 1" and read all the way through. And if you don''t mind music while you read, try ying "Carry You" by Ruelle + Fleurie while you read these chapters. It''s the song I listened to while I wrote them!


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    "Mine," he whispered, then gritted his teeth as he took her in one, long thrust. Sasha''s head dropped back and she gasped his name, her fingers digging into his shoulders as her body tensed with the onught and she clenched around him so hard he was afraid he woulde on the spot and this would all be over.


    He cursed as he pulled almost all the way out, fisting both hands in her hair and holding her head back so he could suck at her throat as he plunged all the way back into her warm heat, every nerve in his body jangling with pleasure.


    Sasha gave a gorgeous, broken cry of pleasure and rocked to meet him.


    Watching her skin flush, her mouth open and loose, her eyelids flutter, Zev struggled to believe they were really there, that this was really happening. His body screamed for release already, but he refused it, snarling his wolf back and forcing himself to what gentleness he was capable of.


    He shuddered. He groaned. He gasped her name. As they rolled together, it came rushing back¡ªthe perfect way she fit him. The sense ofpletion he found within her. The unwavering rightness of it all.


    There was nothing of the darkness in this. When he was with Sasha, there was only light. She was where he was meant to be, and he''d forgotten the perfect joy of that.


    He let go of her hair when she tried to lift her head, then groaned again, his eyes going wide as he fought not to climax when sheid thick, warm lips on his neck and sucked, her tongue tracing the cord of his neck. Her breath fluttering against his skin.


    The minutes that followed were the most stunning of his life as their bodies first recognized, then remembered each other. Zev was overwhelmed, washed in pleasure and love so stark, it brought tears to his eyes.


    Sasha whimpered and her hands dove into his hair, her elbows on his shoulders as she pulled herself closer, higher, wrapped her legs around his waist and met him stroke for stroke.


    He could barely think beyond the need to find more and more of her, to pull her in and keep her close, to cover her and put himself between her and this brutal world that wanted to steal her from him.


    As they slowly rocked together, again and again, Zev marveled at the way more than his body responded to her. It was as if she had unlocked his soul.


    While his skin prickled and tingled, seeking her, and his heart thumped, racing for her, while the song of his heart broke from his throat, and his hands explored every soft curve, within him a fire was building.


    Right alongside his rising pleasure, something solid, tangible, yet elusive was growing. A piece of the part of him that couldn''t be touched, a corner of his soul, opening and waking.


    He took Sasha''s mouth again, but was too ovee to kiss. So he hovered, his lips brushing hers, her tongue darting to trace his, and with every thrust and roll, every new joining, this piece of him set fire, heat coursing in his veins right alongside the rush of¡­ something he''d never felt before.


    He clung to her, pleading with God to never take her from him as that thing in his veins pulled in on itself as if it gathered breath. Then he cried out, promising to always protect her, to never leave her, to give his life for hers, and that piece exploded, pouring into his veins and rushing through his body, seeking Sasha, finding her, then rushing to return as if his existence had shattered into a thousand tiny pieces that all sucked back in and re-made him.


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    He''d literally stolen her breath. The moment he took her, the world disappeared, tunneling down to nothing except the ces where they touched, where he moved within her, where he touched her to her core.


    She''d yearned for him, ached with the memory of having him, been unable to find desire for any other man. But this was more than that.


    He was a piece of her. And taking him into her body felt likeing home¡ªas if something had been missing, and now was back. As if she hadn''t beenplete for the past five years.


    "Zev!" she gasped when he thrust into her again. Her eyes flew open and she wed her hands into his hair, gripping him, unwilling to lose even his eyes.


    "Sash, I¡ª"


    He groaned, and she took his mouth again, knowing the feeling he couldn''t express, because she felt it too.


    It was overwhelming this desperation, but driven not by fear. Her fear was gone, her nerves forgotten. She ached, and yearned, and sought¡ªbut instead of recoiling in fear of pain, she gave herself, wanted, offered.


    Surrendered.


    Her body no longer belonged to her, it was overwhelmed, little more than a receptor to absorb him, to wallow in what he gave, and to shudder at the pleasure he yed on her skin.


    He was everything¡ªthe only thing¡ªshe needed, and the hole that remained in her gut was only theck of him. A piece shaped just like him.


    Then he rocked into her again, the tendons in his neck standing proud as he fought the wave of pleasure she weed. He cried her name and she echoed him, calling him to her, pleading for him as her pleasure built and something sparkled, glittering on the edge of her awareness.


    Zev stroked a hand down her body, squeezing, relishing, and she pressed into his grip, tiny cries breaking in her throat. But she couldn''t care. She needed. Only him.


    As her body climbed that wave of pleasure, she found it was only in reflection of something else. Something deeper.


    Because something within him was calling her. The cries, the wolf-song he sang to her only spoke of it. It passed below hearing, below sight. Something powerful and strong in him meeting something nurturing and wise in her.


    Then Zev''s hand slid under the arch of her back and as he thrust, he lifted her hips. Pleasure exploded within her and she screamed his name, her body shuddering and twitching¡ªyet, something else was happening.


    As her body tipped over the cliff and her mind was consumed with the fall, something within her spun out to meet him, find him, and pull him back within her.


    A coil of light and heat, a piece of her soul that fit, just right, slotted into his heart¡­ and piece of his returned to slide into hers.


    And when they slumped together, gasping, bodies still jolting with pleasure, Sasha clung to him, whimpering. Because there was a tender, beautiful new piece of him now living inside her.. And she''d do anything to protect it.

 Chapter 180 - The Bond

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev slumped over Sasha, trembling to his toes, breath tearing in and out of his throat.


    What was that? What the fuck was that? Holy shit¡­


    He shifted his weight and braced on his elbows, trying to take his weight off of her, but his head was spinning and he couldn''t catch his breath. His side ached where he''d been cut open by that stupid cat but he didn''t really care.


    Then Sasha blew out a breath and he blinked and lifted his head, stroking her hair off her face. "Are you okay? Sash?"


    "I''m fine¡­ I''m better than fine¡­ Holy shit!" She blinked and spluttered augh. "That was¡­"


    "I know."


    They both stared at each other, panting. Zev stroked her temple with his thumb, shaking his head.


    "Damn, you''re beautiful, Sash. I just¡­ damn."


    She smiled. "I know it sounds stupid, but I was about to say the same to you." She put her hand to his face and shook her head. "I can''t believe we made it."


    He couldn''t believe it either, and he kissed her deeply, slowly, because he didn''t know what to say.


    When he finally pulled back, she was still smiling, but softer now.


    "Seriously, Zev, what was that? Did you feel that?"


    He nodded. "It had to be the mating bond. I mean, I''ve heard brothers talk about it, but I never imagined¡­"


    "It was like¡­ it felt like I got a piece of you."


    "I know. Me too."


    "Like you''re inside me now."


    "Well, I mean¡ª" he chuckled, but she pped his shoulder.


    "I''m being serious, Zev. I had no idea. I thought you said we were already bonded. I thought that''s why we couldn''t let each other go, even after so long."


    "I thought so too," he said softly, his breathing finally starting toe back to him. "But I''m notining."


    "Me either."


    She pulled him down and he buried his face in her neck, still holding some of his weight so he wouldn''t crush her, but wallowing in the warmth between them. He stroked her hair and listened to her breath and just¡­ rested.


    He wasn''t sure how long theyy there like that¡ªcouldn''t remember thest time he''d just been still and felt at peace. He didn''t want the moment to end.


    But soon Sasha was shifting under his weight, and he realized the trickle on his back was likely one of his wounds reopening, so he rolled off of her and hurried back to the fire to check the water that was finally almost boiling.


    Sasha, still in the furs, leaned up on her elbow to watch him, grinning, her hair mussed and rumpled, her cheeks pink. She looked so delectable, he wanted to run back to the furs and jump back in with her and start again. But he couldn''t let her see his wound bleeding. So he told her to rest while he prepared the bath, then took a cloth with him when he carried the dirty water out to pour it down the mountainside, and cleaned himself up a little, praying that the bleeding had stopped.


    He was still a little shaky when he got the big bath back in front of the fire, but given what they''d just done¡­ there was no surprise.


    Sasha must have dozed off, because her head popped up suddenly, eyes bleary, when he dropped the bath to the stone floor.


    He shushed her before she spoke and murmured that he''d let her know when the water was ready, then set about filling the bath with enough water to keep them both warm, but not so much that the wounds on his back would get wet.


    The water was a little too hot for her sensitive skin, which was good. He took a few minutes to grab some dried beef and fruits and put them on a stool next to the bath, then went back to the bed, pulling back the furs to reveal her face, so peaceful in sleep¡ªand still smiling.


    When she blinked awake, her soft smile became a beam.


    "Hi," he said quietly, his heart squeezing with love for her.


    "Hi."


    "How about a real bath now?"


    She pulled him down for a quick kiss first, then pushed the furs back to get up.


    Zev''s entire body tightened watching her get up, naked, and walk across the room. He could tell she was a little ufortable, but when she looked back over her shoulder to make sure he was following her, she grinned.


    "Test the water first, it''s pretty hot," he warned.


    "Like someone else I know," she giggled.


    Zev grinned and hurried after her.


    It took a minute or two of gasping and Wowing before she was sinking into the water at one end of the long tubrge enough for a Yhet, meant big enough for both of them.


    Then Zev lowered himself carefully into the other end, careful to sit upright so his ribs remained out of the water.


    Sasha giggled as his long legs slid along hers. She''d pulled her knees up in front of her, hiding her body, but when he sat forward and reached for her, pulling her towards him, she came willingly. When he slid her up between his legs, she let her knees fall open to rest on his thighs.


    Then they were sitting there, naked, staring at each other.


    He lifted one hand to push her hair behind her shoulder, and water dripped from his fingers to patter onto the top of her breast and trail down, his eyes following it until it joined the rest of the water in the bath.


    He swallowed, hard.


    "Hi," she murmured again.


    "Hi," he rasped, then cleared his throat. "Are you hungry?" He tipped his head towards the stool next to the bath with the tin te of meat and fruit.


    "No, not yet," she said with a grin. "But you help yourself."


    He picked up a strip of the dried beef and tore off a strip, chewing as he stared at her. She stared back, searching his eyes.


    "Isn''t this weird?" she whispered eventually.


    "What? Taking a bath together?"


    "No. Being able to stare like this and not feel¡­ like¡­ exposed."


    Zev frowned and put the rest of the beef down to lean forward until they were almost nose to nose. He held her at the waist, his thumbs stroking her sides under the water.


    "I want to be exposed to you, Sasha. Maybe that''s the weird part. Because I can promise you, Dunken and I aren''t sitting there making goo goo eyes at each other for an hour."


    She snorted at the idea, but brought a hand up to his chest. "That must be it," she said softly. "I want to be exposed to you, too, Zev."


    He nodded. "That''s the way it should be."


    Then shey the t of her palm at the center of his chest and finally tore her eyes away to look at the spot where she touched her, the faintest frown beginning between her brows.


    He waited, but when she didn''t speak, he stroked her arm. "Hey, what''s wrong?"


    "Absolutely nothing," she whispered and leaned in to kiss him. "Nothing at all. And it''s weirding me out."


    Zev snorted, but let himself be distracted by her kisses.


    *****


    DID YOU WANT TO CHAT OUTSIDE OF WEBNOVEL, OR FIND MY OTHER BOOKS? Head over to linktr.ee/aimeelynn to find me on various social media, or get direct links to my other books!

 Chapter 181 - It鈥檚 Getting Hot In Here

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    They took turns soaping each other''s limbs and washing off the bubbles, at first just for the joy of it. But after a few minutes, when they moved from arms and legs to bodies, their eyes began to linger, gazes caressing.


    The top of the water was soon floating with enough bubbles to hide what was below it, which meant Zev could pretend he wasn''t already aching for her, and enjoy her yfulness as she leaned back and sshed him. Then her eyes got hot and she put a foot to his chest, her toes curling into his pec.


    Zev dropped his eyes to her leg, wet and shining, propped against his chest. Stroking her calf, he lifted it, then after pretending to examine the bottom of her soft foot, he licked the arch.


    "Zev! Gross! Don''t do that! Ew!" she giggled.


    "What?" he asked, then did it again.


    Sasha squirmed,ughing and sshing, trying to free herself, but whenever she tried to get traction on the bottom of the bath, he just tugged her foot higher and sent her tumbling backwards again, shrieking withughter.


    The bottom of her hair got wet and began curling on her skin. When he finally let go of her foot and she sat bolt upright, stillughing, he leaned forward too, elbows on his knees. She was still giggling when he cupped her face with one hand and pulled her in for a kiss. But theughter soon died as he trailed his fingers up and down her spine, while his lips danced with hers.


    Sasha sighed and gripped his wrist as if she were afraid he would let go. But she needn''t have feared, there was no way Zev was letting her go again.


    He tilted his head and deepened the kiss, his breath ratcheting up as he drew that free hand across her ribs, then trailed his fingers from her navel, up between her breasts, then cupped the back of her head to hold her there.


    His kiss wasn''t desperate this time¡ªbut hungry. Their lovemaking had only whet his appetite, and as her hands climbed his chest, and her breathing got faster, his appetite only grew.


    But they had time, he reminded himself. They had days, in fact. So he pulled back far enough to see her and waited for her to lock eyes with him. When she did, he let one hand trail down to cup her breast as he spoke in her head.


    I want to know everything you enjoy, he said, his voice in her head husky and deep with his growing desire. I want to know the moment I do anything that you don''t enjoy.


    "I want you to tell me, too," she said. "I don''t know a lot. I haven''t¡­ done this, except with you. So it''s all theory to me."


    Zev''s lips curled up and he brushed his thumbs over her nipples, that stood up under his attentions.


    Sasha''s breath got faster and that curling pit of desire in his belly coiled tighter, hotter.


    Tell me everything, Sash. I want to know it all.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    She swallowed, staring into Zev''s striking blue eyes¡ªso bright, yet rimmed in indigo so that this close the sparks in them looked like stars in the sky.


    His hands wererge enough to hold her at the ribs and pull her closer. As he scooted her in, he urged her to lift her legs and hook them over his thighs, which brought them close.


    Very close.


    Sasha swallowed as her belly began to tingle. But Zev hadn''t taken his eyes off of her.


    Then he traced his thumbs over her nipples again and her breath caught.


    Tell me, he said in her head.


    "I like it," she admitted. She could feel her cheeks heat. She wasn''t used to talking about these things. But with Zev¡­ with Zev it was safe.


    Is it exactly right? Or would you like it softer?


    She blinked and rolled her lips together, her cheeks growing hotter. "Um, a little harder, actually," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Zev''s eyes widened, and he did it again, applying slightly more pressure. Sasha''s eyelids got heavy.


    "Just a little harder," she rasped.


    He did it again, pressing harder, so her nipple popped up behind his thumb after it passed, which sent a jolt right down to the apex of her thighs.


    "Yes, that," she gulped.


    Zev rumbled his approval, then pulled her even closer, but they were already skin to skin. So after a brief frown, he stroked down her sides to cup her butt on both sides and lift her. She gasped and grabbed for his shoulder, but Zev just straightened his legs and settled her on his thighs.


    Sasha''s breath grew shallow as he shifted, until she was seated right in hisp, pushed against him, his erection pressed back against his stomach.


    She was terrified to look down.


    As if he''d read her thoughts, his lips slid up on one side.


    Put your knees down, so you''re kneeling, he whispered in her head.


    Sasha swallowed, but did as he said, shifting her weight until she was straddling him and sitting up. Then Zev sat up, the water rippling as he wrapped his big arms around her and pulled her hard against him.


    Her mouth fell open at the sudden spike of sensation¡ªshe was still a little sensitive. But the heat in her stomach roared higher. If she''d been uncertain about whether they would do this again so soon, now she wanted to hurry him along.


    Then he cupped her neck, his thumb pressed under her jaw to lift her chin and he kissed her, so softly, so slowly, at first she thought perhaps he wasn''t starting anything at all. But then his other hand pulled at her lower back, bringing them hard together, and he ground against her so that she gave a tiny cry of pleasure, their breaths mingling.


    He did it again and in her head, his voice bloomed. Good?


    "W-Wonderful," she gasped, dropping her head back.


    Good.


    Very good.


    Keep going, Sash. Tell me at every step. Until I get it perfect.


    Sasha groaned and gave herself up.

 Chapter 182 - Turning To Trust

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev had begun to tease her. And damn him, she loved it.


    He was sitting almost upright, leaned slightly towards her, forcing her to lean back slightly. She had a grip on his shoulders for bnce, but she wasn''t really thinking about any of that. All she could see was his eyes, and all she could concentrate on were the feelings he was drawing from her skin.


    He''d dropped his hands to cup her thighs, his fingertips teasing up the sides of her legs, raising the hair there and making her shiver with anticipation.


    But his eyes were locked on hers and his face¡­ he''d never looked quite so much like the wolf that lived in his skin, and yet she wasn''t afraid. He was hungry for her¡ªand she wanted to be devoured.


    The water sshed and rippled as he raised a hand, his eyes sliding down her face, her neck, lower. His jaw ckened and he drew two fingers along her corbone, catching the strands of wet hair stuck there and pushing them back over her shoulder, so slowly it almost tickled.


    His throat bobbed and his pupils got even bigger as he gazed down on her.


    "So beautiful," he murmured, letting those fingers trail down to her nipple again, to circle and tease.


    Sasha tried not to embarrass herself, but she knew he''d sense her breathing quicken. He could probably smell how horny he was making her.


    So embarrassing.


    As he yed and teased, Sasha tried to keep her eyes open. But she became so self-conscious, yet she didn''t want him to stop. So she closed her eyes and let her head drift back. Zev''s breath sucked in.


    Every noise he made, every move, made that coil of desire in her belly pull tighter. Without thought, she''d already begun to rock her hips softly against him. He growled and leaned over her, sying his hands at her back to hold her weight, his lips ying on her neck.


    Sasha arched back to give him easier ess, shivering with delight.


    You like it when I kiss your neck.


    "I love it," she breathed, rocking her hips again.


    Zev hummed in his throat. You humble me, he said quietly in her head.


    His lips had reached the spot just under her ear that always gave her goosebumps and she shivered again.


    "Humble you?" she asked faintly.


    For a Chimera, our throats are the most vulnerable parts of our bodies. To offer our necks to each other is the ultimate sign of submission.


    Eyes closed and wallowing in the warmth of the water, and the tingling tease of his touch and his kiss, Sasha smiled.


    "I trust you, Zev."


    And she did. That was the problem. She trusted him so much she didn''t protect herself¡ªwhich meant he could hurt her so, so easily.


    Zev went very still suddenly, his lips loose and full against her neck. "What''s wrong?" he asked hoarsely. "You didn''t like that?"


    "I love that," she sighed, pulling him close so he would stop. "I just had a thought that doesn''t matter. Don''t worry."


    "But¡ª"


    She leaned back, holding his face, and made herself meet his eyes. "I trust you, Zev. I''m scared, but I trust you. Just¡­ don''t give me a reason not to, okay?"


    His eyes were fierce and protective as he slid one hand up her back to spread his fingers under her hair, at the base of her skull.


    Sasha shivered deliciously again.


    "You''re mine," he whispered fiercely. "No Chimera would dare step between us now. And any human who tries to will face my wolf. I''m never letting you go again, Sasha. Never."


    Tears pricked the back of her eyes, but they were tears of joy. And desire for him jangled through her. It was crazy. He was the only man she''d ever met who made her feel this way. She''d tried to escape her feelings for him. Tried to force herself to see someone else. To enjoy another man''s kiss, or touch. But it never worked.


    He was the only man for her and now, here they were. She wasn''t going to let her fears overwhelm the beauty of what was happening to them. So, she pulled him closer, opened her mouth on his, traced his lips, his tongue, her breath sucking in as their bodies began to roll together. She could feel him there, ready, and she wanted him again.


    She wanted him. Only him.


    And he wanted her.


    Was there any more beautiful feeling in the world¡ªin any world¡ªthan two people who both needed each other, and both gave themselves over to it?


    "I love you, Zev," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion on his name.


    "God, Sash."


    Zev pulled her tight against his chest and took her mouth, hard and demanding, his fingers wing in her hair, his breath sucking in. The water rippled around them, beginning to hit in waves against her back and the sides of the tub as they moved together. As she curled a hand into his hair and held him against her, Sasha was beginning to wonder how hard it would be to do it like this when Zev suddenly pulled away, sitting up straighter, his eyes burning with heat and a fierce light.


    "What?" she asked when he didn''t say anything immediately.


    "I''m just trying to figure out whether to take you here, or on that rug," he said, tipping his head towards the thick rug on the floor in front of the fire. The corners of his lips curled up and his voice purred in her head.


    What does my mate want?


    Sasha bit her lip and stifled a nervous giggle. The truth was, she wasn''t super confident about this whole water, sitting thing. She understood it was done, but the rug¡­


    She let her eyes trail to the thick fur and her smile widened. "I vote for the rug."


    The words were barely out of her mouth when Zev lifted her under her arms, making sure she found her feet, before watching her step carefully out of the bath. He followed her quickly, holding both sides of the wide tub and pushing himself up, the muscles of his arms and shoulders going tight as he took his own weight.


    Sasha''s mouth went dry at the view, but a twist of worry underlined it when he winced at the pain from his side. She was reaching to help him, but he was already up, picking up the towels he''d dropped next to the tub and kneeling in front of her to dry her feet and legs.


    "Zev, you don''t have to¡ª"


    As he drew the thick towel up her leg he opened his mouth on her stomach to lick a drop of water from her skin.. Sasha blew out a breath and curled her arms around his head as he began to kiss his way up her body.

 Chapter 183 - Teach Me - Part 1

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev took his time drying Sasha, enjoying watching her skin pebble when he discovered another drop of water to lick or suck. She also flushed a pretty pink wherever he rubbed her with the towel. But eventually there were no more excuses to lick her, so he hurriedly used it to dry himself, careful to pat the dressing on his side, frustrated when he realized he''d gotten it wet. He would have to change it before he slept.


    But as he lifted his arm to dry underneath it he realized Sasha was watching him, and he slowed his movements, grinning, as her eyes widened scanning his chest and arms.


    Like what you see? He asked in her head as he scrubbed his chest with the towel.


    Sasha blinked and met his eyes, but her smile was sultry. "Maybe. I''ll have to taste it to find out."


    His entire body jolted at the tang that entered her scent then, and he growled, tossing the towel aside and reaching for her.


    She giggled, but came willingly into his arms, craning her neck back to kiss him, pressing herself into him, and he kissed her soundly, then growled again. "Vixen, you keep distracting me. Stay here."


    She watched him trot to the bed to grab a pillow. He returned to kiss her again, unwilling to lose the contact a second longer than he had to, dropping the pillow on the rug behind her even as he cupped her jaw and tasted her sweet mouth again.


    Minutester he had her down on the floor, sinking into the thick, soft fur, her skin pink and damp, her eyes wide as he crawled over her until he knelt between her knees and had a hand braced on either side of her head, looking down on her.


    Her eyes roved his chest and shoulders and he smelled her desire rise, which made his belly clench, but he let her look, grinning when her pupils dted.


    Her fingers dragged from his hips, up his abdomen, to his chest and he shuddered, his body twitching in response and he dipped his head, intending to kiss her, just for a moment, then let her go back to her exploration. But she tugged him in, one hand pressing at his back, urging him to settle over her.


    "You''re too far away," she whispered and opened her eyes. "Come closer."


    With a groan he let himself settle between her thighs, resting his weight on his elbows and kissing her deeply.


    Sasha smiled, her kisses soft and sweet as she pulled him in, her breath quickening, her hips rolling against him. The temptation was there to just take her, she was ready and willingly, her legs curling together over his back and pulling him against her in a way that made him want to groan again.


    But he was determined to learn her. To understand her. To evict all memories of any other female from his head and body¡ªto know her. So after a moment of a deep and heated kiss, he pulled back again, dragging himself down her body, then settling back on his knees to look at her,id out for him like a banquet.


    He shook his head. "You''re stunning, Sash."


    "Stop saying that, you''re embarrassing me."


    "It''s the simple truth."


    "Then why are you pulling away?" she said, a tiny hint of concern in her voice.


    Zev put a hand to her stomach and stroked down, following the line of her waist, to her hip, to her soft thigh. "Because I want to learn you," he said, his voice gruff with desire.


    "Learn what?" she giggled. "Pretty sure you know all the parts."


    He raised an eyebrow at her, but then went back to his stroking, letting his fingers slide up the inside of her thigh, watched her stomach clench when he passed over her on the way back up her stomach.


    "I want to learn you, Sash," he rumbled. "I want to know what makes your skin prickle. I want to know what makes your belly clench. I want to know what makes you cry my name."


    Her cheeks reddened, but her eyes were sparkling. "Well, isn''t the best way to learn that to¡­ in practice?"


    Zev chuckled at the way her eyes widened when she said it and he leaned back down to take her mouth, tasting her with his tongue, teasing under her lip before pulling away again. She groaned, but sighed, content to watch him as he stroked down her belly again, down her thigh, to cup a hand under her knee and lift that leg, cing her foot on his chest, and stroking his hands up and down her calf.


    Sasha''s face went beet red¡ªbecause she was bared to him¡ªbut he made himself focus on her less intimate parts first, until she wasfortable.


    "You see," he said a momentter, "now I know that you like the feeling of my hands on the outside of your calf better than the inside."


    "How do you know that?!"


    "Because the goosebumps on your thigh get taller when I trace the line of the muscle here."


    He demonstrated and she bit her lip again.


    "And yet," he said, his voice husky, "it''s the inside of your thigh that makes you breathe faster."


    He proved it by dragging his fingertips down from her knee, down the inside of her thigh, until he brushed the curls that made her breathing stop altogether.


    "Please, Zev. I want to touch you too. I want to kiss you, and be close to you. I like that."


    Leaving her foot on his chest, he leaned forward, bracing on the fur next to her waist, so her knee was bent back and she was bared to his fingers. He didn''t take his eyes from hers, though he yearned to, but used the extra space to explore her, slowly, softly, shuddering when he found her slick with wanting him.


    His eyes snapped to meet hers and they stared at each other as he slowly, carefully touched her there, a small whine breaking in his throat. "Fuck, Sash¡ª"


    He''d intended to go slowly, to touch and taste her all over. But feeling her there, yearning for him, he groaned and began to explore, stroking, rubbing, watching her face and listening to her breathing as her excitement rose.


    "Zev¡­" she breathed, one hand on his shoulder, trying to pull him down. But he kept her knee bent, her leg pinned and he curled a finger within her as he slid his thumb from her core, up to that little bundle of nerves, shuddering when she clenched.


    Sasha''s eyes closed and her head dropped back.

 Chapter 184 - Teach Me - Part 2

    AUTHOR NOTE: If you enjoy music while you''re reading, try "I Get to Love You" by Ruelle while reading this chapter. It''s the song I listened to while writing it.


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev''s voice, breathless and husky, echoed in her head and in the cavern as he explored her, first with fingers and lips, his whispered questions broken by his own breath. She tried to hold his eyes, to watch him, but the feelings he pulled from her, the pleasure he yed on her skin, it was glorious and in the end, she could only let her head sink back, her eyes closed, and the world be very small as his touches made her heart race, her skin prickle, and that tide in her belly begin to build.


    His gentleness was a gift, a balm to her self-consciousness¡ªuntil she didn''t feel self-conscious anymore, but grew frustrated. Desperate.


    When he''d touched and stroked her close to the peak three times, only to ease off, she opened her eyes and grabbed his neck, pulling his face up from watching where he touched her, forcing him to meet her eyes.


    "Please, Zev. Please. Make love to me."


    His eyes shed and even though he grinned, she saw the tension in his shoulders. He was holding himself back and she didn''t want him to.


    "Please." She was shameless, begging for him. And she didn''t even care.


    Finally, with a tormented groan, he let her foot slide under his arm and wrap around his waist as he lowered himself to cover her, his weight a wee nket.


    Sasha clung, pulling him closer, lifting her head to find his mouth before he''d even fully lowered himself over her.


    A low groan vibrated in his throat and chest, sending a spike of jangling desire through her chest. She dug her fingers into the back of his neck, resisting any thought he might have of pulling away from her.


    He chuckled and soothed her with kisses that got deeper and more desperate as she turned her head andid the t of her tongue against his.


    His breath rushed out of him and he curled an arm over her head, taking his weight on that elbow as his other hand began to explore the rest of her.


    But Sasha was already arching, rubbing herself on him, seeking him. Head back and eyes closed, she begged breathlessly for him, and Zev made that gorgeous call again, his wolf-song, a deep, resonant call that twanged something in her chest, right in the ce where she''d felt the bond take, that new, tender spot where a piece of her had been reced by a piece of him.


    Then Zev kissed down her jaw, down her neck, and down¡­ his chest sliding down her body as he cupped her breast and pressed it gently up to open his mouth over the peak.


    He flicked her nipple with his tongue and Sasha jolted. Then he did it again and she cried out, her hips flexing, reaching for him.


    "Sash," he groaned over her breast and the vibration of his voice was an entirely new texture that made her breath catch.


    But she was done ying. She used one hand to pull him up into a kiss, the other reaching down to cup his butt and pull him against her. And she was so ready, when he finally entered her, he slid all the way to the hilt.


    They both groaned.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Gritting his teeth against the urge to simply plow her, Zev pulled out, then thrust back into her, arching his back and huffing, every muscle in his body taut with desire and restraint.


    "Oh, fuck, Sash."


    "Don''t stop, Zev, please."


    He would haveughed¡ªshe was desperate¡ªbut the truth was, he couldn''t have stopped if he''d tried. So instead, he set himself on a short leash, and began loving her as he dreamed of doing since they were kids.


    Every inch of her skin was a fascination. Every tiny sound a clue. As he slowly, slowly took her, over and over, and her breathing began to rasp, he stroked and explored, trailing fingers along her shoulder and down her arm. Sliding the t of his palm into the hollow of her waist and holding her to him as they rocked together. He tasted the skin of her throat more than once, reveling in her trust when she threw her head back and pulled his head closer, refusing to release him.


    She rolled her hips, seeking him, until her breath was catching at the peak of each thrust, and he held there for half a breath before pulling out again.


    Then as their desperation grew, as they both began to shake, he nted both hands on the fur at her shoulders and pushed himself up, to watch her as he thrust, using his own arms to give her resistance.


    Sasha''s eyes flew open and she cried out, curving her hips, pressing into him so hard her lower back lifted from the floor.


    Zev shook with desire for her, breath tearing between his teeth. He''d intended to be gentle this time, slow. But his control was ready to snap.


    Then Sasha called his name and grabbed for him, reaching, stretching, begging him in gasps to please, please¡­


    Her eyelids fluttered and her mouth dropped wide, her cries climbing higher. Her muscles tightened, bearing down on him and he shuddered, groaning.


    "Sash¡­ oh god, Sash¡­"


    She whimpered, her body trembling with need. And Zev realized she wasn''t reaching her peak¡ªshe was desperate for it, could obviously feel it just out of reach.


    Leaning down to take her mouth, he whispered, "rx," against her lips. Then, with a shaking hand, he found where they were joined and used his thumb to stroke from there up to the most sensitive of her soft, warm skin.


    "Zev!"


    "Hold on, baby. Don''t give up."


    A cry broke in her throat as he stroked her again, then again. Still stroking, he dropped his chin to kiss that spot under her ear, then whispered, "You''re mine. Only mine. Forever, Sasha. No other male will have you. You''re¡­ mine."


    On thest word, he pressed harder and slid his thumb up to that bundle of nerves.


    Sasha clenched around him and broke apart, sobbing his name as he thrust again, her body taut and shuddering, twitching, clenching and unclenching, until she tipped him over the edge too, and he fell, headlong over the crest of that wave, thundering and howling, the cavern echoing with both of their cries.


    *****


    WANT TO HELP EVERY AUTHOR YOU SUPPORT WITHOUT SPENDING MORE? I just learned today that if you use Paypal to buy coins/pay for membership, you stop Google/Apple taking 30% of what you spent before All/authors see a dime. GIVE YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS A GIFT FOR 2022: Change your payment method to Paypal (which will work with your credit/debit card!) But don''t worry... I''ll still love you if you don''t!


    (This note was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 185 - Worth It

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    The fire popped, startling her out of the doze she''d fallen into.


    Zev''s weight was a wee nket, his face buried in her neck, the stubble on his jaw rasping against her skin when he turned his head to look at her.


    She turned her head and stared at each other, nose to nose. She lifted a hand to push back the hair that had fallen over his eyes.


    She didn''t have words.


    She''d always loved him¡ªsince she was so young. Always felt like he loved her¡ªuntil recent years, when the voices of others started echoing in her head, arguing with that. But her instincts¡­ the deepest part of her had always known, always believed that she held his heart just as tightly as he held hers.


    But this?


    Holding him there, joined, as close as two people could possibly be, it was as if they''d broken through some kind of barrier. She was drifting, untethered¡ªyet tied to him. Connected. While the rest of her life fell away, he was there, solid and strong, to center her.


    She keptbing his hair back even when it no longer fell over his eyes, just to be touching him. She was afraid to speak, afraid all the love she felt would juste tumbling out. So she stared her love, and stroked her love, and prayed he recognized it for what it was.


    Zev held her eyes and didn''t waver, searching her gaze. Then he kissed her, softly, tenderly, leaving his lips against hers. He had one hand at her back, the other over her head. He covered her with his body and she didn''t want him to leave.


    "Is it like that for everyone?" she whispered eventually, fearing she was feeling something the Chimera thought was normal.


    He shook his head. "I''ve heard that it can be. But¡­ no," he whispered, his fingers ying in her hair. "


    She cupped his face, let her fingernails scrape on the stubble of his cheek. "I feel like there''s this¡­ this ocean of love in my chest and I want to just sink into it and nevere out."


    He nodded. "Me too."


    Sasha blew out a breath. "I don''t want to go back, Zev. I don''t want to go anywhere. I want to just be here with you and never do anything but be with you again."


    Zev sighed. "Sash, we can''t¡ª"


    "I know. I''m not asking. I''m just saying¡­ it''s what I want, Zev. I wish we could leave the rest of the world¡ªany world¡ªbehind and just¡­ be."


    He nodded, then leaned into to kiss her, slow and deep and that ocean in her heart somehow, impossibly, got wider. Deeper.


    They clung to each other and Sasha prayed she wouldn''t cry because it would worry him. But the truth was, she felt like everything she''d been through in the past five years had just be worth it.


    Worth it to be here with him.


    Worth it to have him.


    Worth it to give herself to him, and to take him.


    Zev frowned. "Your scent just changed. What is it?"


    She cupped his jaw and kissed him softly. "I was just thinking that you''re worth it. That''s all. It''s all worth it, Zev, to have gotten here. You''re worth it. To me."


    A tiny noise broke in his throat and he rolled, pulling her onto her side so she used his arm as a pillow, pulling her into his chest, curling his arms around her and holding her tightly.


    "I''m not, Sash," he whispered in her ear. "But you are."


    She shook her head, but she wasn''t going to argue. Words would only ever fail to urately express what she was feeling. So she had to show him.


    He didn''t believe her yet, but she''d show him. She was determined.


    Because he was worth it.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    They dozed on the fur for at least an hour, but eventually as the fire fell and the cavern grew colder, the pain in Zev''s side pushed him to the bed. With hushed words and gentle nudges, he woke Sasha. But she was blinking and bleary eyed, so he picked her up and carried her to the bed.


    "I can walk," she mumbled, frowning even as she rested her head on his shoulder.


    "I''d rather carry you," he said huskily,ying her gently in the rumpled furs, then hurrying around to the other side to get in with her.


    As soon as he slid between the cool furs, she rolled toy her head against his shoulder, her arm over his chest, curling into his side.


    His heart squeezed at the simple gesture that said exactly what he felt: that there was too much room in this world. Too much space. That they needed to be closer, always closer.


    He opened his mouth to tell her that, but her breathing had already evened out, slowed. She was already asleep.


    So Zev rolled slowly to face her. Her hand rested on his neck, her forehead against his shoulder. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her hair and took a deep breath, his head spinning with weariness and everything that had happened.


    A rumble started then, deep in his core, a warning about the storm toe. But he pushed it away.


    They had much to face. Much to navigate. But they''d been given these days, and he was going to make the most of them. He''d found his mate. Impossibly, perfectly, he''d found her and brought her home, and they''d survived.


    No matter what mighte in future, they would face it together. They were no longer two separate people, but a pair. A unit. And he would go to his grave to keep her safe.


    shes of the fight with Xar flickered in his head¡ªthat moment when the Tiger had leaped for her and the ice-cold spear that had entered his chest when that knife had shed in the old man''s hand. But he kissed her hair again, and held her tighter, breathing in her scent and remembering: She was alive, and safe, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªhis.


    No Chimera would ever try to take her again. He could rx. He could finally rx.


    And for the first time in the almost seven years since he''d met her, he finally did.

 Chapter 186 - Good, Good Morning

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha woke slowly and for a long moment she wasn''t aware of where she was or what had happened, only that she was warm and felt like she''d actually slept, deeply, for the first time in years.


    Then she blinked her eyes to see glowing, ice-blue walls and oversized furniture and she almost yelped as the memories of the day before came rushing back.


    The dress.


    The men.


    Xar.


    Zev.


    That was when a strong arm tightened on her stomach and she realized the warmth at her back and the flutter at her neck was Zev, curled around her while they slept.


    Her racing heart began to ease and she slumped back into the pillow as a deep, rough voice rasped, "Good morning."


    "Good morning," she said, smiling, twining her fingers between his on her stomach. "Did you sleep okay?"


    "I slept better than I have in years," he croaked.


    "Me too."


    She started to roll over, but he tightened his grip on her and nuzzled her neck. "Don''t move yet. Let me enjoy you."


    Her heart fluttered. He was so stinking perfect! She did as he said and rxed, pressing her back into his chest as he kissed his way along her shoulder.


    Sasha stretched, reaching back to put her fingers in his hair and hold him against her neck where he''d started to do wonderful things with his tongue. And just like that, her stomach was twirling with desire again. She didn''t know what it was about Zev, but apparently this whole get-to-have-sex-whenever-they-wanted thing was going to be a problem. She couldn''t remember ever waking up wanting. But just then, as he leaned into her and his breath was hot on her neck, she wanted to reach back to find him and stroke that firmness that was already prodding her in the back.


    It was as if by finally sleeping with him she''d flipped a switch and now her libido was in overdrive. She shook her head at herself, but decided she didn''t care. That''s what honeymoons were for, right?


    Then Zev''s hand slid up her stomach to cup her breast and she sucked in.


    "Did I mention it''s a good morning?" she rasped, then cleared her throat.


    "Mmmmm," Zev said, his sucking on the spot where her neck met her shoulder.


    "A very good morning," she breathed, pulling her hair up and twisting it on to of her head so he could reach her more easily.


    For several minutes she bathed in the attention of her mate, his lips on her skin, his warm strength holding her in ce, his body curved around hers.


    Then those clever fingers that already had both her nipples hard and peaked, slid down and Sasha shuddered as they slid to tease and y in ces that she never thought she''d share so freely.


    "God, Sash," he rasped a minuteter in her ear, then nipped her earlobe.


    Goosebumps chased themselves down her side and Sasha giggled, then sighed as his light touches became firm slides, and that tantalizing pleasure rolled over her in waves, matching the rhythm of his touch.


    Holding his head against her neck, she arched back, opening her knees to give him better ess, but his hand ttened inside her thigh and he gently pulled it up as he whispered in her ear, "Hook it over my leg," and he guided her to hook her knee over his long thigh.


    Open to him like that, she should have felt exposed, but with him behind her and the furs over them, it felt like an indulgence. Then he stroked her again and her entire body tensed.


    "Shit. Do that again, Zev."


    He chuckled and did as she asked, his own breathing fluttering faster and heavier on her neck.


    He yed for a minute, until Sasha was beginning to roll her hips, searching for his touch, then he kissed her neck again and, pushing up on one elbow behind her, he held her leg over his as he tilted his hips to find her from behind.


    It was a shock when he slid into her. Sasha made a small, sighing cry, while Zev shuddered, but then he was seated within her, and Sasha''s entire skin came alive at the sensation of him at her back, hands exploring her body, and his lips¡­


    He leaned over her, curling his long body until she turned her head and he was able to find her mouth, but he was already rolling into her and she couldn''t hold the kiss, instead leaving her mouth open to him, their lips hovering, brushing, breaths mingling as they rocked together again.


    It shouldn''t have felt so familiar already. Shouldn''t have seemed so perfect. But her body hummed with pleasure at the feel of him and even though his pace was slower, she could feel her pleasure banking, glittering on the edge of awareness.


    So she gave herself over¡ªrxed into him at her back, tasted him with her lips whenever his was in reach, and rocked with him, marveling at the new sensation from the different angle. And as his breath began to rasp, she began to keen, she prayed this would be every morning for them now. That they''d never stop finding joy in each other, never stop wanting, never stop loving, never stop making love.


    Zev hand tightened on her stomach pulling her back against him as his thrusts picked up pace and Sasha clung, one arm back to cling in his hair, the other fisting the furs in front of her.


    "Sash¡­ oh fuck¡­ Sash¡­"


    "Don''t stop¡­"


    Then, with a shuddering moan, he took her chin and tilted her head up, taking her mouth in a deep, desperate kiss, their tongues tangling as their bodies tensed. He reached down to find where they joined, adding the press of his fingers and Sasha''s pleasure broke in a wave that had her gasping his name, shuddering, then clinging to him as he wrapped himself around her and followed her into the abyss.


    Momentster, blinking, still not fully awake, Sasha spluttered augh.


    Zev lifted a sweaty brow from her shoulder. "That was funny?" he asked, bemused.


    "No, that was spectacr. But¡­ holy shit, Zev."


    "I know. Like I said¡­ good morning."


    Sasha snorted again, stifling hystericalughter.. "The best morning."

 Chapter 187 - Bloodwort

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Half an hourter they stilly in bed together, quietly, Zev''s mind turning over everything that had happened in the past few days, and everything he hoped was toe.


    He wasn''t sure if Sasha was dozing, or justying quietly like him. Shey with her back to him, her breathing quiet. He stroked fingers up and down her arm, but neither of them spoke. And her breathing was even. So, just in case she was sleeping, Zev kept to his own thoughts.


    He''d told her the day before that he would keep her in bed for days, and the temptation to do so was definitely there. If his nose could be trusted, she still hadn''t stopped wanting him. And he''d brought enough food and supplies to keep them going for a week, though they wouldn''t be here that long unless they were snowed in.


    Snowed in.


    Zev sighed and raked a hand through his hair. He''d forgotten. There was a storm expected that evening. Being snowed in was a very real risk for the following day. And they''d both been so busytely, so consumed with¡­ well, everything¡­ Zev rolled his shoulder in the difort of that trapped feeling that came over him at times, ever since he''d learned the truth about Nick and the human team, and everything Zev had been deceived about.


    But he refused to let that color his Solitude. This was the time for he and his mate to bond and rest. And they would. If it was going to storm tonight, they''d go out today. They needed to do something together that didn''t have a deadline. They needed to do something just for fun.


    His mind immediately went to the thing they''d been doing since they reached the cave. But even though his body leaped at the thought, he knew he needed to take a break. His side was aching. The walls of the ice cave glowed blue with the sunlight shining on the other side of it. He needed to get them both out of here while it was still possible. If they did get snowed in for the next couple days, well¡­ he could take advantage of that.


    "What are you grinning about?" Sasha asked, staring at him with narrowed eyes.


    "Me? I wasn''t grinning."


    "You were definitely grinning."


    "Well, it''s just because you''re here and we''re finally mated and¡­ life is looking up, Sash."


    She grinned then, too. He kissed her, rolling her onto her back and almost giving up on his own resolve to get out of this bed, but then she ran a hand down his side and his wounds screamed.


    He needed to stop. So he too her arm and pulled her hand away from his side, pinning it to the furs next to her pillow¡­


    Then his stomach sank.


    Shit.


    "What''s wrong?" Sasha said, her voice hushed and panicked.


    Damn, now he was scaring her.


    "Nothing, I just¡­ My side. It''s bleeding again."


    With a frustrated sigh, he lifted her hand and showed it to her, smeared in his blood. Her eyes went wide with horror, and he had to spend a few minutes talking her down from her panic.


    No, he didn''t need a healer, he''d already been told how to redress it and what herbs to use to stop the bleeding.


    Yes, he was fine. (True.) No, he wasn''t in pain. (Small lie.) No, he wasn''t worried, and she shouldn''t be either. (Mostly true.)


    Then, only half-convinced, Sasha demanded that he show her how to clean and dress the wound, so they spent a very pleasant, unpleasant half hour as he taught her basic first aid for battle wounds, at the end of which his wounds were clean and re-dressed, but he was also aware that he didn''t have enough bloodwort. If they were going to be snowed in tonight, he needed to find some more today to help it heal.


    He suggested a pic. They could walk to the meadow on the other side of the ravine and if he was lucky, there would still be somete season bloodwort growing near the mossy rocks.


    "Shouldn''t we be resting? So you don''t open it back up again?" Sasha asked, her brows pinched together over her nose.


    Zev stroked her face, touched by her concern. "Actually, moving some is good for it. But I do need to be careful. I''ve been a little¡­ distracted," he said with a lopsided grin.


    Sasha''s cheeks went red, and he kissed her again. They both pulled away that time, blowing out breaths and shaking off the heat that simmered between them as soon as they touched.


    "Okay," Sasha pushed to her feet from where they''d settled on the floor for her to dress his back. "What''s the n?"


    "How about a pic?" he suggested. "We can take lunch. I''ll show you some of Thana, and I can look for the bloodwort while you rest or¡­ something."


    Sasha shrugged. "If you''re sure that it''s not going to make it worse, sure. Why not."


    And so, he grieved the loss of her nakedness as she dressed in the furs they''d found for her, but twenty minutester he had a satchel thrown over his shoulder with a rolled fur tired to it, and as much food as they might need safely inside. He filled the pot again, but banked the fire under it. Sasha raised an eyebrow when he turned.


    "It''ll be warm when wee back, at least. We might be cold. It''s a lot colder out here than it is in here."


    Sasha''s expression remained skeptical, but sheughed as he pped a hand at her and started towards the entrance. She hurried after him, taking his hand as soon as they stepped out of the crevasse and into the sunlight¡ªbrilliant and shining on the snow of Thana.


    Zev took a deep breath and sighed happily.


    This was the beginning of the best day of his life so far, and he was going to enjoy it.

 Chapter 188 - The Meadow

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha was half-stunned, half-embarrassed by the fact that even now, walking the trail to a nearby valley, her body thrummed whenever she looked at him.


    He wasn''t naked anymore, of course, but his thick shoulders looked even broader in his fur jacket, and even the furs didn''t hide the trim waist and thick thighs. And nothing could obscure the way he walked with such strength and assurance.


    She''d encouraged him to go first on the trail since he knew where they were going, and she''d spent most of the walk just staring at him, admiring him.


    He''d finally turned and told her dryly that if she didn''t stop stinking of desire he was going to tear her leggings off and take her against the rock wall.


    She might have suffered a whole new surge of desire then, that had Zev raking a hand through his hair and growling. So she''d started talking, hoping that if they discussed it, she could stop thinking about it.


    "Do you think all the Chimera feel that way?" she asked him, after rifying that those incredible feelings the night before had, indeed, been the bond taking hold. That Zev had felt it too¡ªit wasn''t just her. And that apparently, the humans had indeed been wrong about him not being able to form the bond.


    She hadn''t really questioned it. Not really. But there was always the thought¡­


    "I know every Chimera who takes any mate at all has the bond. And they remain loyal¡ªunless they go stark raving mad," Zev growled.


    Sasha thought of Xar the day before and her stomach plunged to her toes.


    Had she really killed a man? With her own hands?


    "Hey, hey, don''t focus on that," Zev murmured, stopping to turn and take her hands. "You were just protecting yourself. Don''t let him steal your joy, Sash. I shouldn''t have brought it up, I''m sorry."


    She shook her head. "I''m fine. I just¡­ remembered."


    The crack of bone under the rock in her fist and the way his eyes emptied before anything else¡ª


    "Sash, babe. Look at me."


    Sasha blinked.


    Zev''s face was serious, and kind. "The first time you kill a man is always going to stick with you. It''s not easy for anyone¡ªno matter why it had to be done. But you are my mate, and I''m yours. It''s instinct to fight to the death in protection of your mate¡ªand yourself. He was going to take you, Sash. He was going to kill me, and take you against your will. The Chimera¡­ we don''t do that. You understand? You were right to stop him."


    She nodded and let herself lean into his chest for a minute.


    "Don''t let him steal this from us, Sash. I''m not going to."


    "We have to talk about it at some point."


    "Sure. But let''s wait until the end. When we''re headed back. Let''s turn our focus then. Until then¡­ let''s just be here together." His voice rumbled in his chest under her ear, and Sasha sighed happily, pushing away the dark thoughts.


    "Okay," she murmured, pulling out of his arms. "So¡­ the mate bond. Chimera have it and you think it feels that way for all of them?"


    "I don''t know if it feels exactly like that. What I know is that once they''re bonded, they can''t ever be separated. It''s why being apart from their mate will slowly kill them. And if their mate dies¡­" he trailed off, watching her carefully.


    Sasha swallowed. If Zev died¡­ Her entire body wanted to shudder at that thought.


    He put a hand to her face and made her look at him. "It''s not going to happen, Sash. Xar is gone. The people are following you. I''m here. Things are¡­ better than they''ve ever been. We''ll figure out how to keep the humans out. How to get the females back. We''ll figure it out. And in the meantime, we''re still here. Together."


    She nodded, but a shadow clouded his bright blue eyes. She needed to stop worrying him.


    Sasha took a deep breath and threw off the thoughts of the future¡ªand of the past. What they needed to focus on just then was right now. Today. The time they had together, uninterrupted. And the bond that she could feel, tied into her gut, pressing her closer to him.


    They started walking again and as the trail widened, he pulled her up next to him and put an arm around her shoulder.


    "What does the bond do¡­ other than¡­ that?" Sasha asked, trying not to blush.


    "It will keep us together," Zev said quietly, looking at the high walls of the ravine over head. "Even when we''re fighting, even when we''re in a pain¡­ there''s always going to be this core of certainty that we have to be in it together. That we can''t leave. It cements us together, Sash."


    "I kind of feel like we''ve already had that part," she admitted.


    Zev smiled down at her. "Me too."


    "It really is beautiful," she said with a soft smile. "I wish humans going to have this too."


    Zev frowned. "I think they do. I mean, I''m half human and I''ve got it. You''re all human, and you do. We can''t be the only ones capable of it. I think it''s there, but humans are just less aware. Like we were when we were apart. We felt the draw, but we didn''t understand what it meant. I think humans do have the bond, they just don''t pay attention. I mean, maybe that''s why getting divorced, or losing a spouse is so hard? Because they weren''t ever supposed to leave?"


    "Or because they weren''t supposed to be together in the first ce," Sasha said dryly, thinking of her own parents and how miserable they''d been in recent years.


    Zev shrugged. "Maybe. I mean, for Chimera, when they form the bond it''s there, regardless. Who knows if they were fated, or just chose each other? I don''t. All I know is, they don''t betray it. This is real, Sash. We''re bonded now. And that''s never going to leave us."


    She smiled up at him, about to celebrate that fact with him, when he turned and looked ahead. The shadows of the ravine suddenly disappeared as they stepped out of the end, and a gorgeous smile broke on his face.


    Sasha turned to follow his gaze, and her entire heart throbbed with the beauty of it.


    "Wee to The Meadow, Sash," Zev said quietly, tugging her forward.. "I can''t wait for you to see it all."

 Chapter 189 - Simple Beauty

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Theyy on a fur in the sparse winter grass of the meadow under a crooked-branched tree. Sasha sat with her back to the tree''s trunk, while Zevy on his side, leaning on one elbow, his head at Sasha''s hip.


    They were eating the fruit and dried meat Zev had brought, but Sasha''s mind was more on the sheer beauty of the ce. She hadn''t been able to see itst night when they came through in the near-dark. But now¡­ now the wide, sloping bowl between three snowcapped mountains that stood over it like guards, called to her.


    This ce was gorgeous even now, with the grasses dry and sparse among banks of snow, thendscape dotted with twisted trees and jumbled boulders that must have been pushed into the wider areas of the valley by floods many years earlier. She couldn''t imagine the beauty of it when the grasses were green and lush, and the trees covered in leaves.


    There was a river on the other side of the valley¡ªtoo fast moving in the spring and harvest seasons to cross, but slow now, though so cold he said she''d likely lose a toe if she tried to cross it. Sasha wasn''t tempted, but she''d already made him promise to bring her back during the summer.


    "This is Yhet''s favorite ce, that''s why he built his home here," Zev said quietly. "But he can''t stand to be here now, so he circles around when he''s travelling. He''s only been in the cave a handful of times¡ªhe says his grieving gets worse when he goes there. So he said he''d love for us to use it. He said¡­ he said it''s a ce full of love so it would make him happy if we filled it that way again."


    Sasha wanted to weep for the dear man who''d given them such a beautiful ce to visit and rest. She made a mental note to figure out something to give him as a thank you when they were back.


    Sasha picked up a handful of berries from the bag Zev and brought, put one in her mouth then turned, holding another out for him.


    Zev looked up at her without raising his chin, his eyes alight with mischief. She raised an eyebrow. "I''m offering to feed it to you, that''s all," she said, smiling.


    He made a face like she''d ruined his fun, but opened his mouth so she could pop the berry in. He caught her finger, though, as she ced it on his tongue, and sucked on it, catching her hand so she couldn''t pull away until he was done.


    She was ashamed of how she shivered, but Zev only opened her hand and kissed her palm, before closing her fingers over the spot and giving it back to her, then reaching for more meat as if he hadn''t done anything sweet at all.


    Sasha''s heart spun in ce.


    Then Zev put a hand on her ankle, his warmth bleeding through the gap between her leggings and her shoes to warm that strip of skin. He curled his fingers between the leather of her leggings and the top of her shoes, running his fingertips back and forth over that chilled skin as they spoke.


    She cleared her throat and made herself focus. But all there was to focus on was the beauty of the scenery, and the beauty of her mate¡­ and her mate was a lot warmer.


    Then Zev pushed up to all fours and straddled her legs to put his face in hers, smiling, his eyes dancing.


    "What are you doing?" she said, eating another berry, then popping one in his mouth as well.


    When he''d finished chewing he tipped his head. "I was just thinking¡­ you know¡­ discovery of new ces¡­ new mate¡­ we have an opportunity right now that we probably shouldn''t miss."


    "Out here?" she squeaked.


    "We''re alone," he said, one eyebrow up.


    Sasha looked around, surprising herself by actually considering it. There were some long grasses over there that would hide them if theyid down¡­


    She eyed Zev, her heart beating faster as much from nerves as excitement. "I don''t know¡­"


    For an answer, he leaned in to kiss her, taking her mouth with his own open and soft, teasing her tongue with gentle strokes of his own, his breath rushing on her cheek.


    For a moment she got lost in him and almost threw caution to the wind¡ªbut just then she grabbed at his jacket to pull him closer and identally brushed his sore side. Zev winced and broke the kiss, then caught himself and turned back to her, but by then Sasha was already ring.


    "We are not doing this out here. You need to be careful and you need to go find some of that bloodwart or whatever it is. That''s why we''re here, right?"


    Zev''s lower jaw jutted out. "But Sash¡ª"


    "No, Zev. I''m not touching you out here. You need to rest and heal. I''m not jumping you out here so you''re bleeding everywhere again. We need to stop."


    He sat back on his heels, on her shins, his face serious. "I will bleed to death before I''ll stop making love to you," he said, his voice low and rough.


    "Well, the way you''re going, you might get that chance!"


    Zev growled and Sasha bared her teeth at him.


    "Go find the bloodwort¡ªthat''ll stop the bleeding, right?"


    "With time."


    "Well, you better find it quickly, I guess," she said, folding her arms to make her point.


    He argued a little more, but she knew he knew she was right, and pretty soon he did stand up and dust off his furs. "Fine," he pouted. "I''ll be in that thicket over there," he said, pointing off to her right and across the grasses. "I need to find mossy rocks, and they''re only going to be near the river, or under the shade of trees."


    "Sounds good. I''m going to stay here and take a nap," she said, winking. "Get some rest so I''ve got energyter."


    Zev snorted and started walking. Sasha held the smile, but now that she watched him closely, she didn''t like the way he was holding himself¡ªas if he couldn''t move as freely on that side. She would keep watch for the bleeding and the pain, and force him to go back to the healers if it got worse.


    She hoped it didn''t get worse.


    She sat there for a long minute just listening to the rush of the river in the distance, and the rustle of the grasses when the breeze blew through. The dead grasses were thin, but still fairly tall, and with so little sleep the night before, the waving of the stalks became hypnotic.


    She folded her arms across her chest and curled the bottom of the fur up over her feet an ankles, then let herself rest, her eyes first blinking slowly, then dragging closed.


    She''d hear something and open them, shift her seat, blink¡ªshe didn''t really want to actually sleep¡ªbut as she sat there, she''d drift again.


    Then, just as she was actually drifting off, there was a soft sound of a foot on a rock¡ªas if one of the rocks had slipped and knocked into another.


    Hoping it was Zev returning with the bloodwort already, she opened her eyes and looked around¡ªto find herself frozen in the gaze of a massive bull thirty feet away, it''s head down so its eyes only just peered over the grasses, but its horns, U-shaped and pointing for the stars, long and wicked and¡­ were they stained in blood?


    Sasha blinked and blinked, but the bull didn''t go away. Her heart began to race, pounding on her ribs and sending jangling rms to the rest of her body. There was a freaking wild bull out here and it was probably dangerous. Fuck!


    She wanted to call for Zev, but was afraid the loud noise might startle the bull and cause it to charge.


    How was she supposed to outrun that kind of animal? She couldn''t possibly. Did she need to climb the tree?


    Unable to think of anything else even resembling a n, she started slowly pushing herself up, to get her feet under her, never taking her eyes off the animal. But as soon as she did, the bull''s head rose¡­ and rose¡­


    Sasha''s mouth fell open as the bull straightened until it had to be at least eight feet tall, that thick ck head and neck rising above the level of the grasses to reveal a massive, heavily muscled, very human looking body.


    The thickest, strongest human body she''d ever seen.


    And then it snorted.

 Chapter 190 - Minos

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    The bull-man thing took a single step in her direction, his eyes angry and nostrils ring. Sasha panicked and scrambled around behind the trunk of the tree to put it between them. In order to climb it from the other side she''d have to turn her back to that thing and she couldn''t¡­ she didn''t know how fast it could run and¡­


    Suddenly, it started towards her, stalking, it''s gait stiff and hands clenched to fists. Sasha swore and grabbed at the tree, the rough bark skinning her palms as she tried to climb while still watching it around the trunk, but as soon as she moved, the thing began to run.


    "Zev!" she screamed. "Zev!"


    "Sash?!" His voice rose in a stifled echo from among the trees off to her right.


    "Zev there''s a¡­ a thing!" She grabbed one of the lower branches of the tree and tried to scramble up onto it, but it snapped and she cursed again as the rapid footsteps of that thing drew close. Panicking, she jumped to grab the rough bark of one of the thick branches, much higher.


    The thing snorted again and its footsteps ttered on the rocks amongst the grass nearby, but even as Sasha scrambled, fighting and wing to get her weight up, over the branch, she realized the tree might not be tall enough to keep her out of the reach of that thing since it could probably grab her ten or twelve feet up.


    Shit. SHIT!


    "Minos, what the fuck!?"


    Sasha had just got her belly up and over the branch and was swinging her legs up to straddle it so she could push up to the next branch without falling off when Zev appeared out of the trees, sprinting across the meadow.


    The bull-thing slid to a halt just a few feet from the tree and swung its head around. "Zev?"


    Sasha just about fell out of the tree. "He can talk?"


    "Minos! What are you doing this far north?" Even running, Zev''s voice was bright and excited.


    "Zev?! You''re back?"


    Zev ran across the rest of the space between them, to throw his arms around the bull-man, both of them pping each other''s backs.


    Sasha winced as she saw the bull man catch his sore side. Zev stepped out of his grip and turned his sore side away, but she noticed he didn''t say anything about it. He clearly didn''t want to reveal the weakness. So was this guy a friend or not?


    Sasha clung to the tree branch, but didn''t climb higher, waiting to see what would happen between the two men.


    "What are you doing here?" Zev asked him.


    "I think I should be asking you the same thing¡ªyou''re back? And with the humans?" The male shifted on his feet which Sasha saw were normal, human feet, but his toes were much broader and thicker than any she''d seen before.


    "She''s not just any human, Minos. That''s my mate."


    "Your what?"


    "I know, it''s a long story."


    They both turned to face her then, Minos gaping, while Zev beckoned for her toe down. "Don''t worry, Sash. Minos is one of the good ones."


    One of the good ones? So, there were bad ones?


    Still cautious, Sasha swung her legs back over the branch and let herself drop, catching her bnce on the uneven ground and watching them both for a second before starting slowly towards them.


    Her heart raced looking at this¡­ man? Bull? What? Minos''s head looked like a huge bull''s,pletely with the wide, wet, ck nose and nostrils that had scented her from some way off, apparently. Those wicked horns rose from either side of his skull. His eyes were so dark, until she was close they looked ck, but when she reached the men, she could make out the sideways-slit pupils in the middle of deep brown eyes.


    His neck was almost as thick as his shoulders and covered in the same near-ck hair as his face. But the rest of him lookedpletely human¡ªif a somewhat hairy, very burly human.


    Minos was alsopletely naked.


    Testicles the size of tennis balls dangled between his legs, right behind¡­ oh dear Lord.


    Sasha yanked her eyes back up to meet the man¡­ bull¡­ thing''s gaze, heart pounding in her ears.


    Was he smiling? It was hard to tell with a muzzle where the mouth should be.


    "Sasha," Zev said easily as she reached them. "This is Minos. He''s a good male."


    Minos extended a stiff hand to shake and reflexively, Sasha looked down to put her hand in his¡ªonly to catch sight of Minos''s¡­ er¡­ manhood.


    "Great to meet you!" she squeaked, averting her eyes. "Sorry for the screaming."


    The male turned to look Zev. "What''s going on, Zev?" he asked seriously. "You mated a human? For real?"


    "She''s not one of them, Min. She''s Sasha. You remember? I told you about her."


    The male turned his thick head back to Sasha and looked her up and down in the exact manner she was avoiding looking at him.


    "You''re Sasha? The Sasha?"


    "I guess so," she said nervously, ncing at Zev.


    But even though Zev looked a little tense, his smile was easy. "We just took the mating ritual yesterday, Minos, you wouldn''t believe it if I told you¡ªXar tried to take her even though he''s already mated and¡­ she killed him."


    The male''s eyes went wider and his lower jaw went ck, though the expression didn''t seem as dramatic in his cow face. "She¡­ what?"


    "I know, she''s amazing. Can you believe Xar would do that? What a betrayal to his mate¡ª"


    But Minos''s entire demeanor seemed to change. His hands, hanging at his sides, clenched to fists again, and his thick, veined chest seemed to push out.


    Sasha watched in horror as the male turned slowly to Zev and spoke in a deep voice that seemed almost hollow, "Your human mate killed a Chimera¡­ and you''re smiling about it?"


    *****


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    (This note was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 191 - Monster

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev stepped smoothly between Sasha and Minos as his friend snorted, his fists tightening at his sides and his scent spiked with anger.


    "Min," Zev said calmly, but readying to fight, "she was attacked. She didn''t go after Xar, he went after her. With a knife."


    Minos snorted again, but he hesitated. "He brought a weapon against her?"


    "Worse, he did it because I was fighting him for Alpha and he was losing. He went for her to hurt me. He''d brought the de to a mating ritual and hidden it in his clothing. She was only saving her own life¡ªand ending his, rightly. He broke every tradition we hold sacred. Did you hear me, Min? He already has a mate and he tried to take mine."


    Minos stared at Zev, obviously considering his words. Zev heaved a sigh of relief, the minotaur was a good male, but he could be hot-headed when he was caught off-guard. Zev should have been a lot more careful with his words.


    "Now," Zev said carefully when his friend seemed to rx a hair, "What are you doing so far north?"


    Minos snorted again, his eyes drifting over Zev''s shoulder, obviously looking for another nce at Sasha, but he didn''t deflect the question again.


    "There''s unease in the winds," he said finally, reluctantly. "I was looking for Yhet, to see what had happened. It sounds like much more than even I thought."


    Zev nodded. "The hierarchy is safe and you''re wee to be a part of it, Minos. I told you that before. Sasha won''t resist you now. Xar is finished. His ridiculous rules are over. The Chimera will live at peace with each other. Our enemyes from across the gateway, not within Thana."


    Even with his bison face, Minos managed to look skeptical. "A human rules in Thana, and you say our enemiese from across the gate?"


    "They tried to kill me, it''s why I''m here," Sasha piped up from behind him, pushing forward. Zev had to fight the urge to pull her back. She was Alpha after all, whether she understood the impacts of her actions or not. He needed to talk to her so she understood how she would be perceived. How her actions spoke to Chimera differently than they would to a human.


    "Who tried the kill you?" Minos asked darkly.


    "The same group of humans that took Zev away from you, and took the females," Sasha said fiercely. "They''ve deceived my hus¡ªmy mate, and they''ve hurt the Chimera. I didn''t know of them and want nothing to do with them."


    Minos regarded her carefully. "The Team. The ones who do the experiments."


    "Yes."


    "You don''t know them, yet they''re trying to kill you?"


    "Because of me," Zev added quietly. "They know she has more power over me than they do now. They''re trying to pin me down, using her."


    "And yet, she is Alpha? Are you certain this isn''t a trick, Zev? That she hasn''t been nted by them?"


    "No!" Zev and Sasha both snapped. But Minos just blew the breath from his wide nostrils again.


    Zev wanted to plow his fist into his friend''s face for casting that doubt over Sasha, but in the back of his mind that little voice niggled.


    If Minos thought this, others would, too. It was a warning. Something they would need to address when they returned to the Vige.


    The vige. His mind sparked with an idea¡ªa detour he and Sasha would take before returning to the vige. He would show her the beauty of Thana, and its former strength.


    Forcing himself to focus on the problem at hand, Zev kept his face nk, but made sure his friend scented his determination, his strength.


    He would not ept any danger around Sasha. If Minos thought he could challenge her the way he would another Chimera¡­


    But his old friend shook his head until his ears pped. "No good everes of being close to the humans," he said darkly. "But if this one will fight the others¡­ perhaps that is an asset we have not had before."


    Zev heaved a sigh of relief. His friend wouldn''t charge.


    "How long are you staying?" he asked him. "We''re in Yhet''s cave for another few days, then headed back. Will you stay here or are you travelling to the gate?"


    "Not to the gate, no," Minos said with a snort and a shudder. "That ce is a death trap. No, I hoped to catch Yhet and just¡­ understand what was happening."


    "What''s happening is that we''re removing the human stain from Thana," Zev said fiercely. "We''re going to strengthen the Chimera in Thana, then find a way to bring our people back here and keep the humans from ever returning. They can shove their assistance up their soft asses," he growled.


    Minos chuckled and Sasha bit her lip.


    Zev looked at her carefully. He hadn''t spoken to her about that part of his n. But she didn''t seem concerned. He prayed they could find a way. His head spun with ideas, none of which were likely to work.


    "So, you two are in your Solitude?" Minos said suddenly, his eyes wide.


    Zev nodded.


    "Forgive me, friend. I didn''t mean to intrude."


    "It''s fine," Zev said. "You weren''t to know. And I''m d to see you."


    The minotaur shrugged. "I will move forward then, travel on. I cannot bring myself to be near the gate, but perhaps the City¡­ perhaps I can stomach that."


    He didn''t sound confident. Zev understood the feeling. The City was nothing like a human City. Ancient and carved mainly from rock and stone, it was very clearly not something from the human team. And yet, their ancestors had understood the use of straight lines and levels¡ªand Zev wondered if, even with therger spaces and cavernous ceilings, he would be able to sleep within the City?


    He guessed he would find out soon.


    "If youe across the twins, don''t tell them," Zev said, leaning in to share scents with Minos as his friend prepared to move on. "I want to tell them myself if I get a chance. The Tigers might find them first. But let them hear from someone they recognize, Minos."


    His friend nodded. "It is not a duty I would relish, they''ll hear nothing from me."


    "Thank you."


    Then Minos turned to face Sasha. "I do not know how you came to be in this ce, and with this male. But I know he has heart. He would not choose a female without it. So I pray you prove true, Sasha of no n. I pray you lead to strength for Chimera, not for the humans."


    Sasha looked stunned, but nodded. Minos and Zev brushed each other once more, then the male turned and started down the valley without looking back.


    **** DON''T BUY PRIVILEGE UNTIL THE MONTH RESETS! ****


    If you purchase expensive privilege tiers now, they will onlyst 2-3 days. If you wait until monthly reset (8am Pacific, 31 January 2022) you will receive MORE chapters for your money because I''m adding chapters to the tiers, AND you''ll continue to read in advance of standard readers for the full month.. So just hold tight for a couple more days! (This added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 192 - So Much For Domestic Bliss

    ALERT! Beginning tomorrow the chapter updates will be happening 1 hourter (so the time this chapter published will be the FIRST chapter of the day, and the second will post an hourter - 4:30pm and 5:30pm Los Angeles time.)


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    She joined Zev for the rest of his foraging just in case there were any other Chimera prowling the valley.


    He''d found a patch of the bloodwort right before she screamed, so after Minos disappeared around the valley corner, Zev had taken her hand and led her back to the trees where he''d been working.


    They were both quiet. Zev, because he was focused. Sasha because something was bothering her. Something about this whole situation that had onlye home to her when she''d listened to that male¡­


    She watched Zev work, quickly and efficiently finding the stalks of the nt that held the best leaves thiste in the season, and put them in the small foraging bag he''d brought. As he worked, he exined.


    "It''s only the leaves that will work. You can grind them into a paste when they''re green that will help blood clot and wounds to seal so they can heal with less scarring. Or you can dry them and make a powder to sprinkle. I''ll do both," he said distractedly.


    She stood behind him while he knelt over the nts, his broad back rippling under his jacket as he reached and cut, focused on his task. And yet, even in that, his eyes kept drifting back to her, and more than once he stroked a hand down her calf.


    Despite her unease, Sasha''s heart swelled with love watching him work like this, his simple, clear understanding of what he was to do and how to do it¡­ it touched her somehow. Made his strength seem deeper. Such a simple task, yet she wouldn''t have known to do it¡ªor how. When he finally stood, sliding his hooked knife back into its sheath, then putting everything into the satchel, he found her staring at him.


    "What?" he asked, going still.


    "You''re just¡­ I love you, Zev. Watching you. I''m just always kind of in awe."


    He frowned. "Why?" It was a genuine question, she realized. He wasn''t invitingpliments, he really didn''t understand her response to him.


    With a surge of emotion, she stepped into him, putting her arms around his waist andying her head against his chest. He hugged her close.


    "Sash, what''s¡ª?"


    "You always know what to do," she said softly. "You always know the right way forward. And you don''t¡­ you don''t make a fuss. You just do it. I wish I could be that way."


    He pulled her head up so he could meet her eyes, his forehead furrowed. "It''s not true that I always know what to do. At all. Look at the clusterfuck of thest five years. I should have moved on this sooner, Sash. I should have seen it. Should have known."


    "But as soon as you did, you changed. I¡­ I''m not sure I could have¡­ it''s hard to admit when I''ve been wrong. I would have been stuck longer than you, I think. Because I wouldn''t have been willing to look at myself and admit I was wrong."


    He stroked her hair and stared at her, his eyes pinched with concern.


    She made herselfugh to break the tension, to cover for the sinking feeling in her gut. "It''s the only reason I''m still here, Zev. Because I refused to admit to my family and friends that I was wrong about you, even when it was all they could see."


    His forehead furrowed and he held her face. "But you weren''t wrong, Sash. That wasn''t stubbornness. That was strength. Because I did love you¡ªI do. I always have. Fighting for the right thing, that''s not a weakness. That''s a strength."


    "But how to do you tell the difference?" she asked honestly. "How do you know when to fight and when to look at yourself?"


    He blinked, frowning thoughtfully. "I guess¡­ I guess I try to always question myself, but I''m honest with myself, too. If I''m certain I''m right, I stick with it, even when others fight. But if I''m wrong¡­ I don''t."


    Sasha sighed and leaned her forehead into his chest. They held each other for a long time, before she pulled away.


    "Let''s get back to the cave," she said, then despite the darkness creeping up on her heart, she almost snorted. That was a sentence she''d never imagined herself saying casually.


    Zev smiled and even in her funk, her blood heated at the suggestion that shed in his eyes.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    He''d almost taken her again as soon as they got back to the cave, but he knew he needed to prepare the bloodwort while it was still fresh. So he made himself keep his hands to himself while he plucked the darkest leaves to dry, and put the lighter ones aside in a mortar and pestle left in the box next to the fire.


    He got busy, consumed with his task and barely noticed when Sasha offered to cook them both dinner. It made sense, after all. He was busy and she wasn''t.


    But an hourter, as he stood next to a tall, thin table near the waterfall, crushing leaves and testing the paste for the correct texture, Sasha cursed and there was an almighty ng as the massive cast iron frying pan tumbled to the floor of the cave, spilling fat sausages to roll around on the stone.


    Zev rushed to help her, dragging her to the waterfall and pressing her hand under it. "Keep it there," he said quickly. She nodded with tears in her eyes, but didn''t move when he stepped away.


    Grabbing the thick towel he used for holding the hot metal, and getting it bnced on the grate over the mes again, he used a fork to pick up the sausages and throw them back into the pan, where they sizzled immediately.


    "You can''t keep cooking them! They''ve been on the floor!" Sasha protested, looking like she might take her hand out from under the cold water ande after him. Zev shot her a warning look not to move and put thest of the sausages back into the pan.


    "This isn''t your world, Sash. We don''t have refrigerators and electricity. We hunt for food, and nothing gets wasted. Cooking them properly will kill any germs. And we can''t afford to throw them away."


    He straightened, brushing his hands off on his leathers and turning to face her.


    Sasha stared at him, looking so miserable he hurried towards her.

 Chapter 193 - Need You

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Her eyes were red and unshed tears shone in her eyes. Zev''s stomach plummeted.


    "Hey, don''t look like that. It''s not a problem, Sash. I just meant you don''t have to worry¡ª"


    "Not worry?! I just dumped your dinner on the floor!"


    "So? It happens to all of us¡ªI remember one time, Dunken was¡ª"


    "Zev, listen to me!" Her voice was high and thin. "I''m human. Not Chimera. I don''t know all the things you guys know. I can''t even cook a meal here! Everything is too big and too heavy. I don''t know how to do things over a fire. I''m not strong enough lift everything. I don''t know how to walk quietly in the forest. I can''t turn into an animal and use that to hunt or¡­ or anything! If I can''t even cook a meal, how am I going to be any kind of leader here? You have to take the Alpha thing. Beat me in a fight, or whatever¡­ Zev you have to!"


    "Sash," he sighed, "We can talk about thister¡ª"


    "No, Zev. I realized talking to that Minos guy¡­ I''m not one of you. I mean, I knew that, but¡­ but he''s right. It was a total fluke that I killed Xar. Everyone''s going to realize that and they either won''t trust me, or they''ll think it was a set-up, just like your friend did. They won''t trust me¡ªand if they did, they shouldn''t. I don''t have a clue what I''m doing! I can''t even walk through the dark without help. It makes absolutely no sense for me to make any decisions for you and your people when I can''t even function in this world!"


    He stood at her side. Sasha stared up at him. She still had her hand under that flow of near-frozen water, her skin turning red with the cold, and her teeth gritted against the pain. But her eyes¡­ her eyes were pleading and miserable, shining with tears. Her brows were high. She was afraid and angry and so, so beautiful.


    With a heavy sigh, he pulled her hand out from under the water and checked the reddened skin with the white prickles of tiny blisters where she''d burned it.


    He lifted it to his mouth and kissed the spot softly.


    Sasha''s face crumpled and she drew her hand out of his, holding it to her chest. "You''re so much better than me, Zev. At¡­ everything. I''m going to end up letting you down and then¡­ and then you won''t¡­ I mean, you might¡­ regret it."


    Zev frowned. "Regret what?"


    "This. Me."


    "What?!"


    She looked back up at him and her jaw tightened. "I''m useless here, Zev. It''s not like in my world where I can take care of myself. I know nothing here. And you''re being so sweet, but you''re under so much pressure. And now you have to watch out for me, too? That''s going to get really old, really fast."


    "Sasha, where is thising from? I''ve been watching out for you since the day we met. You''re my mate! I watch out for you and you watch out for me. That''s what we do."


    "Don''t be ridiculous, Zev. I can''t watch out for you¡ªI can''t even see or the hear the same things you can."


    Zev sighed. "I don''t mean the physical stuff, Sash. I mean¡­ me."


    She frowned. "I don''t understand."


    Drawing her away from the water, he led her to the end of the bed and sat down there. Sasha pulled herself up onto it and sat cross-legged. Her eyes were still red, but she was curious. Zev ran a hand through his hair and told himself not to be a pussy.


    "I know the feeling you''re talking about," he said quietly. "That feeling of being out of your ce. Like¡­ like you don''t fit."


    She nodded.


    Zev grimaced. "That''s been my whole life, Sash. I don''t think you can understand when you''ve had a family and been a part of something but¡­ but I don''t belong to anyone. Do you get that? I was made. As a child I was just¡­ watched. I had to grow and learn and¡­ people helped me. But it''s not the same thing. I''ve seen Chimera with their moms and dads. There''s something special in that¡ªtwo people in the world who watch out for you. Who teach you. Who¡­ they have a sense of possession and protection. I''ve never known that, Sash. And it wasn''t until recently that I even understood that that''s what made this hole in my gut that I''ve carried around for as long as I can remember. Even the rtionships I have are chosen. I don''t belong to anyone." She opened her mouth to protest, but he rushed on. "At least, I didn''t, until I met you."


    Sasha''s eyes were wide, clearing, and full of love. "You belong to me," she whispered.


    He nodded. "I don''t need you to protect my body, Sash. I need you to¡­ to love me. I need you to want me. I need you to know me. I don''t know how to exin it, but my whole life before you felt wrong¡ªlike something was missing. And then after you¡­ after you it felt wrong whenever you were gone. And now with the bond¡­" He had to look away. It felt like he was cracking his own chest open and baring his heart to her. And he needed to, he knew. She needed to know how she was needed. But fuck¡­ he''d never spoken these words out loud. What if sheughed?


    He cleared his throat and took her hand and held it, staring at it because he was too much of a coward to meet her eyes. "The things I''ve done, Sash. The mistakes I''ve made. The ways I''ve betrayed you¡ªand myself. And the lies I fell for¡­" He shook his head. "I need you, Sasha. I need you to forgive me, and see whatever it is you see in me. And not give up on that. Because without you, none of the rest of it matters."


    Sasha''s breath caught.

 Chapter 194 - Need You More

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    "But¡­" Sasha breathed. "But you''re the ten. I''m the seven."


    Zev blinked. Her expression was so tortured he''d expected¡­ well, not that. "Sash¡­ I don''t understand?"


    Sasha rolled her eyes and pushed both hands back through her hair. "Sorry, sorry. It''s a stupid thing from when we were kids."


    "What thing?"


    She put a hand to her face like she was embarrassed. Her cheeks dragged down as if she might cry and Zev reached for her, but she caught his wrist before he got a hold of her and stopped him. "No, I think I need to say this," she said, then cleared her throat and met his eyes. "There''s this stupid thing in my world where people get rated on their looks and their money and¡­ it''s stupid and shallow and it doesn''t really mean anything. But people¡­ rate themselves. And each other. On a measure of ten. And Zev, you''re a ten. You''ve always been a ten. And I''m¡­ not. And everyone knew it from the first day we were together. It''s why they all believed it when you left. Even my parents, Zev. They weren''t surprised when you left. They were surprised it took you so long."


    "What?!"


    Sasha swallowed. "Zev, you married down. Or, mated I supposed. You mated down."


    His head spun. He thought he knew what that meant, but¡­ "How can you say that?"


    "Don''t you remember when we got together in high school and everyone kind ofughed about it?"


    He frowned. "Theyughed?"


    "Yes. Theyughed. A lot. They didn''t stopughing for like, six months."


    "Why?"


    "Because by human standards you''re so far out of my league it''s literallyughable."


    Zev frowned. "That''s ridiculous."


    "No, Zev, it''s not. Like I said, even my parents recognized it. They thought you were great. They just didn''t understand why you were with me."


    His face got fierce, and her heart swelled when his fist clenched. "That''s¡­ that''s just wrong, Sash. I wish I''d known. I would have told them¡ª"


    "C''mon, Zev. You said it yourself¡­ you''re better. At everything. You''re bigger, stronger, handsomer, funnier¡ªyou''re just better. You''re¡­ you''re mythical. And I''m just normal."


    "Sash," he growled. "I remember now, the way you used to talk yourself down back then. I never intended¡ª"


    "No, no, this isn''t that. I''m trying to get you to see: What you''ve just said to me¡­ Zev, that''s the most amazing thing anyone''s ever said to me. And I believe you. And I love you even more for it. I really do. But it makes no sense to anyone in my world, and I''m willing to bet it''s making no sense to anyone in this world either. You''re more than me. More of everything. To say you need my approval or my validation or¡­ or anything. It just doesn''t make sense."


    "You''re the one who''s not making sense, Sash," he muttered. "The Chimera value you already¡ªpurely by virtue of being female, if nothing else. But beyond that. They understand you because I told them about you. They know you''re valuable because you''re valuable to me. That''s the Chimeran way. When we find our mates they are¡­ for us. I don''t know how to say it better than that. Everyone understands that."


    "But I kept making mistakes, and they were all challenging you and¡ª"


    "To win you, do you get that, Sash? They were challenging me because they value you and they wanted you for themselves."


    Sasha blinked. "This isn''t¡­ I don''t think you''re understanding what I''m saying."


    He tipped his head, his jaw twitching. "Oh, I understand now. But I''m disagreeing. You think because I''m physically superior, that that makes me more valuable than you. And I''m trying to get you to understand what the Chimera already know: My physical abilities are worthless unless my heart is strong. And my heart is only made strong by you. When you believe in me, Sash, I can do anything. When you value me, I''m invincible. Without you I''m just¡­ Lhars."


    It was so unexpected, and the look on Zev''s face when he said it¡ªlike he''d eaten something that he couldn''t decide whether he liked the taste of or not¡­ Sasha snorted.


    "Lhars isn''t a bad thing to be in my world," she said dryly, meaning topliment him, but he looked at her sharply and she realized it was the wrong thing to say. "I didn''t mean it like that," she put her hands up. "I just meant you''re both¡­ physically¡­ excellent examples of¡­ maleness," she endedmely.


    Zev examined her for a moment. "Is that all you want, Sash? A specimen?"


    Her stomach plummeted to her toes. It came home to her then that that''s how he''d been treated by the humans in his life. Like a breeding stud. An animal¡ªa valuable, beautiful animal. Valued for what he could do, but never seen for who he was.


    She scooted closer to him on the bed and put a hand on his thigh. "No, Zev. No!" she reached for him when he didn''t soften immediately, stroking his face. "It''s you I want. Who you are. Your heart. Your love. Your smile. Whether you''re physically¡­ what are you now, or not. I just want you. I love you."


    His eyes drifted closed and he put his hand over hers on his face.


    "It''s just you that I want too, Sash. Your strength, your humor, the way you love¡­ I need you."


    "I need you too," she whispered, stunned to learn that he felt as vulnerable as she did in this¡ªperhaps more so.


    She''d always seen him as so strong and confident¡­ she''d never considered that his mind might have been twisted.


    Of course, she hadn''t known he was a science experiment until a few days ago, either.


    Putting both hands up to cup his face, she held his eyes. "I love you, Zev. You''re mine. My mate. And I''m so d that I can say that. I don''t feel like I deserve you. But I love you and I''ll keep loving you¡ªeven in the next life. Remember?"


    His face softened and his lips tipped up. Without another word, he leaned in and took her in a kiss, his mouth hot and desperate, seeking.


    And as he pushed her back, down onto the bed, and crawled over her, Sasha almostughed with the joy of knowing how much she loved him, and how much he loved her back.

 Chapter 195 - Make My Heart Sing

    READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you (yes, YOU) for all your support of Zev & Sasha this month. I''ve been truly blown away. To say thank you, I''ve managed to write some extra content for the next couple weeks: Tomorrow when the month resets there will not only be 5 new chapters in Privilege, there will also be 2 standard release chapters as well (so if you buy top-tier privilege you''ll receive 7 new chapters over the course of the day). And I am working on a mass release for the beginning of Volume 2 in about 12 days, so look forward to another FIVE chapters that day!


    Thank you for everything you''ve given--your votes, gifts,ments, and encouragement have been a true gift to me to kick off 2022! (This was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    It was torture, springing up from the bed when one of the sausages popped in the pan and turning his attention back to the food, and the dressing for his back. He forced himself to it, because his side was aching more than it should because he''d reopened the wound and he didn''t want anything to ruin the rest of the time they had.


    So as they both forced themselves to get back up, it was with zed eyes and hearts beating too fast. Sasha was stunning¡ªhair mussed and lips swollen with kisses, cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling whenever theynded on him.


    It was torment. Delicious torment. He forced himself to go back to the table at the side of the room, but his eyes kept dragging back to her form, he kept inhaling her scent¡ªrich with desire and thrill. Their eyes caught and she smiled. A promise, he knew.


    He ground the leaves faster.


    The sausages were burnt on one side because they''d gotten distracted, but neither of them cared. And after he''d helped her clean up, she turned to face him, that delighted suggestion in her eyes.


    Zev''s wolf growled with approval.


    "I need to wash and redress my back," he said carefully, circling her in his arms.


    "Do you need some help?"


    "Yes, please."


    Getting ready for a wound dressing had never been so¡­ tantalizing.


    Once he had the pot on the fire again, warming, Sasha pushed him back and forced him to sit on the edge of the bed. Then she started on his buttons, biting her lower lip so hard it turned white under her teeth. He wanted to tease it out with his thumb and kiss it to soothe it. But he was too busy keeping his hands on her. Holding her hips, trailing fingers up her sides, just touching her. Keeping contact as she worked on the buttons of his furs.


    When she popped thest one at the bottom of his jacket, her hand brushed his groin and his entire body jolted to attention.


    Sasha, the vixen, smiled up at him through hershes.


    Then she peeled both sides of the fur away from his chest and ran her hands up to his shoulders, pushing the fur off and down his arms.


    He was forced to reach back carefully to peel the first sleeve off his arm and throw it back, but Sasha took the cuff of the other one and pulled it all the way off.


    There was a dark patch on the inside of the furs. He prayed her eyes were too fixed on his face to notice.


    She stepped up between his knees and her hands went straight to his shoulders. She leaned in until they were almost nose to nose, her breath fluttering on his lips when she spoke.


    "Let me wash it for you."


    He nodded, not trusting his voice and turned, pulling one knee up onto the bed to give her better ess to his back and side, praying the bleeding from the dressing wasn''t too bad.


    But she hissed and tsked. "This had to be hurting, Zev. You should have told me!"


    "Minos pped it today, that''s the main problem," he said, conveniently ignoring that he''d actually opened the wounds back up before his friend made it worse.


    But Sasha didn''t. Muttering about Alpha males and their pride, she began peeling the dressing away from his skin. He tensed¡ªit fucking hurt¡ªbut didn''t say anything, distracting himself by squeezing her thigh and kissing her lips when they came within reach.


    "You''re not helping right now," she breathed after the third kiss that forced her to stop working while she gave it her full attention.


    "Sorry," he said, his voice low and husky. He didn''t want to take the time to do this at all¡ªhe was desperate for her. But he couldn''t risk getting an infection.


    So he forced himself to stop kissing her, giving her instructions for softening the dressing where the blood had crusted against his skin, then cleaning and applying the salve he''d made from the leaves of the bloodwort.


    It took almost an hour to get it clean, dry, and redressed, but when she finally stepped back, pleased with herself, fingers sticky with honey, she grinned.


    "Done!"


    Zev took her hips and pulled her close, growling in his throat as he kissed her.


    She returned the kiss enthusiastically, but wouldn''t touch him because she had sticky hands. So he was forced to wait again while she washed and put away the supplies.


    His blood rushed in his veins though, when she finally put the honey and salve on the table and said, "Done!"


    She turned to face him, but didn''t walk towards him immediately, smiling, leaning back on the table behind her.


    Zev raised an eyebrow. "Done?"


    "Done."


    "Thene here."


    Her smile grew. "In a minute."


    He hummed in his throat. "What are you waiting for?"


    "I need to get morefortable," she said with a wicked smile. Then Zev''s throat went dry as she reached up to unbutton the top loop on the chest of her fur jacket.


    He sucked in a deep breath. "It''s only fair, I supposed, since you took mine off an hour ago."


    Her eyebrows waggled mischievously. And she popped the second one. Then the third.


    Zev''s followed her progress, his wolf eyes honed in on the spot where her skin would be revealed when the jacket was finally open. His breath was alreadying faster, heavier. His hands twitched towards her, but it was a delicious torment, he reminded himself. A torment because he hated to wait. But delicious because he knew his appetite would be sated.


    He cleared his throat when she finally slid thest button out of its loop and her hands rxed at her sides. The two panels of the double-breasted fur jacket fell to the sides, the weight of them pulling the tops down so a V of pale skin was bared that revealed from her cor bones all the way down to the inner rounds of her breasts, but nothing more. Then she reached under them to the ties of her leggings and Zev''s breath stopped.


    "Zev?" she said quietly.


    "Mmm?" Her hands weren''t moving. Dammit. Why had she stopped?


    "My eyes are up here." She wasughing.


    Manfully, Zev yanked his gaze back up to her beautiful eyes, dancing with joy.


    Delicious torment, he reminded himself, pushing off the bed as his body pulled towards her.. Nothing tasted better.

 Chapter 196 - Control

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev was off of the bed and prowling towards her, his eyes fixed and intent. A wolf on the hunt¡ªbut with a smile.


    "Now, wait," she giggled. "I haven''t finished gettingfortable."


    "I''ll help," he growled. She opened her mouth to tease him more, but he was there, looming over her, all dark eyes and rumpled hair because he''d wed a hand through it. But instead of kissing her first as she''d expected, he slid his hands between the frontyers of her jacket to find her skin. Then he lifted the sides wide and pushed the jacket off her shoulders just as she''d done for him. Their eyes locked as Sasha let it drop to the table behind her.


    "Better?" he rasped.


    "Better. But I could still get morefortable," she breathed.


    Zev made that gorgeous, groaning huff of a call¡ªhis heart''s song, he called it¡ªand her own heart pattered against her ribs. His hands rested on her waist, this thumbs tracing the bottoms of her breasts, but without taking his eyes off her he let his hands trail down to the tie on her fur leggings and began to unknot it with short, sharp tugs.


    Sasha''s breath came faster and she reached for his leggings too, returning the favor, though he was faster.


    Her leggings sagged to her hips while she was still working on getting his untied. He leaned over her then, kissing her shoulder as he ran his hands up her back, then down, sliding them under the waistband of the leggings and down, over her buttocks until they slumped to her knees.


    Sasha''s breath caught, but she''d finally freed the knot on his furs and tugged thece loose so they''d fall too.


    She wanted tough, both of them standing there naked with their pants around their ankles, but she didn''t have time to think about it, because Zev''s magic fingers kneaded the back of her neck, then fisted in her hair and gently pulled her head back as he descended for an open mouthed kiss.


    Sasha put her hands to his chest and let herself get lost in the warmth of his full lips, the tease of his tongue. Without breaking the kiss, he stepped out of his leggings and kicked them away behind him.


    Sasha shifted her weight, intending to do the same thing, but Zev leaned down, his hands cupping the backs of her thighs, and he lifted her effortlessly, her feet trailing out of the pooled leggings. She gasped and grabbed onto his shoulders, but he only lifted her high enough to rest her butt on the tabletop, inching forward so he stood between her knees.


    Desire bubbled in her stomach as he leaned in, their bodies finally brushing. She hooked one foot behind his thigh and pulled him closer, sinking into his kiss. His breath thundered across her cheek and he buried a hand in her hair again, holding the back of her head to deepen the kiss further.


    Sasha was shaking¡ªa delicious, hum of anticipation that began in her belly, but sang out through her veins, feeding her bones and muscles, pumping her heart until she''d never felt so alive.


    Zev''s hands were everywhere¡ªstroking, palming, warming. Sasha arched into his palms like a cat, as his fingers trailed on her skin like coldets that left her tingling, gasping for more. When he brushed her nipples with the pads of his thumbs she gasped.


    When his fingers dug into her hips as he pulled her closer, a tiny cry broke in her throat when they came together and she could feel him there, ready, wanting her.


    He dropped his head to open his mouth on her throat, a tiny growl puttering in his chest, vibrating against her nipples. Shivering with the pure bliss of it all, Sasha dropped her head back and reached up to w a hand into his hair and hold him against her.


    Then his teeth grazed the cord of her neck and her entire body jangled with the bolt of desire that shot through her.


    "Sash¡­ God¡­" His voice was tortured and rough, so deep. And she clung. But he straightened then, one hand slipping to the hollow of her back, to pull her against him, grinding against her, sending new spasms of pleasure zipping into her limbs.


    "Zev," she gasped and opened her eyes to find him staring down at her, his jaw ck and eyes fixed, shining with sheer want.


    Lifting one hand to her face, he stroked down her neck, traced her corbone, then let his hand cover her breast, palming it, taking the weight of it, then opening his hand to tease her nipple between his thumb and forefinger in the same rhythm he rocked against her.


    Another cry broke in her throat and he groaned, and almost took her, sweat beginning to sheen on his forehead. Sasha leaned back until her shoulders rested on the cave wall, cold and slick, a strange contrast to the demanding heat of Zev.


    She tilted her hips and whispered his name. "Please."


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Body ame and heart pounding, Zev groaned a curse, still watching himself y with her breast, his breath tearing, hot and rough over open lips.


    "Zev¡­ Please!"


    "God, Sash." She was the hottest thing he''d ever seen,pletely open to him, letting him see her, giving herself¡ªand now¡­ holy fuck.


    Sasha arched as he rocked against her, pulling him closer with her heels, trying to take him, pleading with gasped whispers, her body trembling with need. He wasn''t sure she even realized she was still saying please in short gasps.


    He leaned over her, one hand t to the wall and took her mouth in a bruising kiss. He tried to be gentle, but the wolf in him was howling. She''d been touched by another male that afternoon and he could still smell traces of Minos on her hands. It made him shudder with the urge to possess her, to hold her away from the world, to take.


    He forced himself to taste instead, to savor, to roll against her again, and again, until she was writhing beneath him, her legs wrapped around his back.


    Then, as he kissed her again, she reached between them to stroke him and his control shredded.


    **** DON''T BUY PRIVILEGE UNTIL THE MONTH RESETS! ****


    If you purchase expensive privilege tiers now, they will onlyst 2-3 days. If you wait until monthly reset (8am Pacific, 31 January 2022) you will receive MORE chapters for your money because I''m adding chapters to the tiers, AND you''ll continue to read in advance of standard readers for the full month.. So just hold tight for a couple more days! (This added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 197 - Bliss

    READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you (yes, YOU) for all your support of Zev & Sasha this month. I''ve been truly blown away. To say thank you, I''ve managed to write some extra content for the next couple weeks: Tomorrow when the month resets there will not only be 5 new chapters in Privilege, there will also be 2 standard release chapters as well (so if you buy top-tier privilege you''ll receive 7 new chapters over the course of the day). And I am working on a mass release for the beginning of Volume 2 in about 12 days, so look forward to another FIVE chapters that day!


    Thank you for everything you''ve given--your votes, gifts,ments, and encouragement have been a true gift to me to kick off 2022! (This was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev''s kiss became almost overwhelming. He groaned and his breath roared, his body twitching as she stroked him.


    "Hold onto me," he growled, grabbing her hand and pulling it up to his shoulder.


    "But¡ª"


    "I said hold on!" he hissed, then with a tortured groan he buried his face in her neck and with that resonant call, tilted his hips and took her.


    Sasha cried out, the invasion a slide of sheer pleasure that sent fizzing, tingling curls of bliss spiraling out to her extremities. Every nerve ending in her body seemed to press to the topyer of her skin until she could feel every brush, every hair, every sliding invasion in detail.


    She''d been wrong before. This was the most alive she''d ever felt.


    But Zev wasn''t done. Both hands gripped her bottom and lifted. With a tiny shriek, her eyes flew open and she clung to his shoulders.


    "I''ve got you, I got you," he growled, lifting and turning her. Her legs were locked around his waist, but she was leaned back, had been letting the wall take her weight.


    When he lifted her, she was arched back and it brought them closer together. Sasha, overwhelmed and uncertain, but desperate for him to keep going, grabbed for a better grip on his shoulders, her hand pping on his skin.


    "I''ve got you," he groaned again, and then bounced her on his hips as he thrust.


    Sasha cried out, her bodyweight bringing them together hard so her entire body shook with the jolt of pleasure. He took a step and did it again and Sasha gasped. Again. Again. She was leaned back, eyes closed and head back, clinging so hard her nails dug into his skin.


    But he called for her again, and again and she was keening, unable to think or care how she looked, only desperate for him not to stop.


    Then the angle changed suddenly and he pulled her to his chest as he leaned forward. Sasha opened her eyes and realized he''d walked her to the bed and was now crawling them onto it, still carrying her, hisrge hand t, syed at the center of her back, his lips on her neck as he carried her up, onto the bed.


    A momentter he lowered her to the furs, her head on the pillow, but he didn''t follow, sitting back on his heels instead to look down at her again, but still loving her, still rolling his hips, holding hers, pulling her onto him, his eyes hooded and breath tearing between his teeth as he gazed down on her like she was the most precious thing in the world.


    His chest flexed, his shoulders and arms rippling as he pulled her into him. He was the sexiest thing she''d ever seen, but watching him only distracted her from the incredible sensations he was building within her.


    Still gasping, she closed her eyes and let herself sink into the feeling of the pleasure building where they joined, the way his fingers sped her hips, the shocking scratch of his stubble when he dropped to his hands, bracing over her and kissed his way along the underside of her jaw. To soft slickness of his hair between her fingers as she held him there, pleading for him never to leave, never to stop.


    And the gorgeous vibration of his deep voice against her chest when he vowed that he never would.


    She pulled him into a kiss then, desperate and feral, teeth bared and lips open, her tongue invading his mouth the way he invaded her. She writhed against him, frantic noises breaking in her throat that were supposed to be his name, but she couldn''t quite form a word.


    The world became very small then, made up of crackling electricity, heat, and building pressure that tingled and threatened, glittering stars on the edge of her vision. Then she sucked on his tongue and Zev gave a shuddering groan.


    Arching back, he raised his chin to the sky and gave that glorious call, his voice echoing in the cavern as he gripped her shoulder and thrust into her, against his own resistance.


    "Zev!" Sasha''s body shivered once, twice, three times, then her stomach dropped as she tumbled into her climax like falling off a cliff into the sea, rolled and buffeted in every direction by it, as if she''d been pulled under an ocean of pleasure and was being tossed by its waves.


    Zev''s call rolled off into a growl as he dropped both hands, fisting them in the furs on either side of her head and bracing, the veins and tendons in his arms standing proud as he called again and again, pounding into her, then shuddering, his body arching and rigid before he slumped, sweaty and panting over her, his lips against her cheek.


    Sasha took minutes toe back down to earth. When she did, she was still clinging to him, her legs around his waist, her arms around his chest, fingers wed into his hair, pulling him against her as if she was afraid he would leave.


    She blinked and made herself rx, running her fingers up and down his neck and scalp. Zev shivered, then took a deep breath and raised his head to lean his temple on one elbow and gaze down at her.


    "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned, but smiling.


    "I''m better than okay," she breathed, staring at him. "It''s just getting better, Zev."


    "I know." He leaned down to kiss her, then propped himself up again so she could breathe. "I don''t know what I did to deserve you, Sash. But I hope I''ll figure it out so I can keep doing it."


    Sheughed, which made her clench on him and they both groaned a little bit, Zev dropping his head to kiss her again, softly this time, not pulling away, but leaving his lips against hers as he spoke. "Never stop loving me," he whispered.


    "Impossible," she whispered back. "It''s impossible, Zev."


    He curled a hand over her head and slumped again, his lips against her neck. "I love you, Sash."


    "I love you too, Zev."


    "That makes me the luckiest bastard alive."


    *****


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 Chapter 198 - The Jiggle

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    They must have dozed off, because she woke with a start, adrenalin flooding her veins. But Zev was still there, his weight still pinning her to the furs. And she was¡­ she was wonderful.


    She let one hand y across the back of his broad shoulders, following the peaks and valleys of muscle and bone, tracing the gorgeous dip that followed his spine and praising whatever creator had made him. Whatever else these men had done, they''d done something right with him. He was a work of art.


    Zev sucked in a deep breath and raised his head, his eyes bleary. "Oh, gosh, Sash, are you okay?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep as he pushed himself up onto one elbow. "I didn''t mean to crush you."


    "You didn''t," she whispered, running her fingers through his hair and smiling as it fell over his forehead and eyes. "I just woke up too."


    Zev blinked and looked around, then smiled down at her. "You''re beautiful when you''re rumpled," he said, his voice husky and delighted.


    Sasha felt her cheeks heat, but she couldn''t stop smiling. "You''re biased, I think."


    Eventually he rolled off, but neither of them moved, bothying on their sides, facing each other. She kept tracing his chest, while he yed his fingers up and down her upper arm. As they talked.


    She felt closer to him now. As if something that stood between them had been stripped away. As if she were safe. More than safe. As if she was secure. Standing tall, but sheltered from whatever wind would try to blow her over.


    Zev stared into her eyes then huffed a smallugh. "Do you want to know the best part?" he graveled yfully.


    Realizing he was talking about the sex, Sasha''s cheeks got warmer again. "Sure."


    Instead of hearing his voice recount for her what he''d enjoyed, he yed an image in her mind¡ªher, but from his point of view, hovering over her when she was arched back on the table, her eyes closed and eyelids fluttering, writhing, trying to get him to take her.


    "Zev!" she gasped, covering her face, then realizing that did no good because he''d put the images in her mind, not in front of her eyes. "Stop! That''s so embarrassing."


    "It''s not embarrassing. It''s hot," he chuckled.


    "It''s embarrassing for me¡ªstop!" she said, but she was giggling too. "Please. I don''t want to see myself. It''ll just make me self-conscious."


    He took the images out of her head, but leaned in to kiss her, then murmured, "You have nothing to be self-conscious about. You''re amazing. Beautiful. And hot as fuckingva."


    She groaned and buried her face in his neck, hugging him to her, brimming with happiness¡ªand still some embarrassment.


    They held each other for a long time. When Sasha pulled back, it was to eye him with curiosity. "Can I ask you a question?"


    "Of course."


    "Why do you stare?" she whispered. She could understand wanting to see her in general¡ªshe loved looking at his body too. But when they were in the throes of that? That was a time she wanted to feel. Why did he want to look at¡­ everything?


    "I love looking at you," he said hoarsely. "Fuck, Sash, you have no idea what you do to me. I want to drink you in. Seeing you, it''s a drug."


    "Isn''t it gross?"


    He snorted. "Not to me."


    Sasha shuddered. "I think seeing too much would creep me out," she said.


    Zev frowned. "Would you rather I didn''t look?"


    "No, no. I mean, if that''s your jam, you go for it. Just¡­ don''t judge."


    "Judge what?"


    "My body."


    Zev frowned harder and made her look at him again. "What is this now?"


    "Nothing! I just mean, you know, depending what we''re doing, things might¡­ jiggle."


    His eyebrows popped up. "The jiggling is the best part!"


    "Ew, no."


    "Seriously."


    "Zev¡ª"


    "Sash, I''m serious. I want to see your breasts bounce. I want to see your ass jiggle. I want to see your thighs¡ª"


    "Stop! Shit, stop, Zev, or I swear I''m never going to be able to have sex with you again."


    "What?!"


    "I can''t¡­ I can''t imagine all those things. It will just make me embarrassed."


    "Why? It''s beautiful!"


    "Not to me."


    Zev snorted. "Well, not to put too fine a point on it, but you''re not the one who needs to appreciate it. Do you think I should be ashamed of the ways my body jiggles?"


    Sasha rolled her eyes. "You''re such a man."


    "What? It''s a fair question."


    "No, it''s not. You''re a freaking gode to life. If anything you have jiggles, it''s because it''s supposed to."


    "And you''re not supposed to? Jiggle, I mean?"


    "This is a stupid conversation, I''m stopping it now," she said, and was about to roll off the bed when Zev caught her and forced her toe back.


    "No, wait. Stop, Sash. I''m not trying to embarrass you. I''m truly curious. Because I love your body. And I love the way you''re giving it to me. I want you to see it as I see it¡ªbecause it''s beautiful to me. And hot as hell. Isn''t that a good thing?"


    "Yes, of course," she whispered.


    "Then why aren''t you meeting my eyes?"


    She dragged her gaze up to meet his and sighed. "Because I guess I''m still scared that something''s going to go wrong and I''m going to lose you," she said honestly.


    "You think I would leave you for¡­ jiggling?"


    "No, I think you might see something that isn''t beautiful. And then that might turn you off. And then you might lose interest in me. And then you might leave."


    Zev shook his head. "Your head¡­ it''s not a pleasant ce to be much of the time, is it?"


    "Is yours?"


    He frowned thoughtfully. "No, I suppose it''s not," he admitted a momentter. Then his eyes snapped back to hers. "I worry about losing you as well. So maybe what we need to do is¡­ never do that to each other."


    "I already told you I wasn''t going anywhere Zev."


    "And I told you the same," he pointed out. "And yet, here we are. Worried about jiggling."


    It sounded ridiculous, and she wanted tough, but there was also a piece of her that wanted to cry. Because he was right. He had been reassuring her. More than she deserved, honestly. Yet, she was worried, still.


    "Sash, look at me." His voice was a low husk. She looked up to meet his eyes and he smiled. "I think¡­ I know it''s my fault that you''re nervous. And I know there''s nothing you can do about that. But I want you to know¡­ I want you to be certain¡­ I vow to you, if there is ever a jiggle I don''t like¡ªliteral, or metaphorical¡ªI won''t leave you. I''ll¡­ learn to love it."


    She bit her lip to swallow back tears. "Thank you, Zev," she rasped. "Me too. I promise. I''m never leaving. And if there''s a jiggle¡­ I''ll find a way to love it, too."


    Then he pulled her into another kiss, and her heart sang with the same song he''d sung when they were making love.

 Chapter 199 - [Bonus ] Lazy Day

    SURPRISE! Thank you SO MUCH for your support of this book! We''re hitting 200 chapters today! To celebrate, I''m releasing this bonus chapter. Thank you for all your Golden Tickets, votes, and summoning pens. I hope you enjoy it!


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev slept hard and woke with his body aching, tired from the fighting and carrying the supplies out to the cave before the Rite. A wolf''s four-legged body wasn''t ustomed to a backpack and bouncing weight.


    The light in the cave was dim when he opened his eyes, initially giving him the impression it was still early, but his body clock argued. He''d slept in. Slept longer than usual after ate night. Blinking, he examined the ceiling of the ice-cave, and listened carefully.


    There was virtually no sound from outside. Everything seemed dampened and distant. The storm must havee and snowed them in.


    Zev smiled.


    Turning his head slowly he found Sasha curled up on her side, facing him. She''d pulled her hair up high over the pillow, baring her neck and jaw. He knew he shouldn''t wake her, but her creamy skin called his name.


    Pulling her into his chest he buried his nose in her neck and she startled awake, squealing.


    "Your nose is cold!" she gasped, pulling her shoulder up and trying to wriggle away. But Zev opened his mouth on her neck,st night''s fire still burning both in the firece, and within him. To his relief, Sasha sighed and began to cling rather than retreat.


    "Good morning," he murmured against her skin.


    She hummed, her skin prickling with goosebumps as he continued to kiss and suck. But just as Zev prepared to roll her over and make it the very best kind of morning, she sighed and stretched, putting a hand to his chest and pulling back to meet his eyes.


    Zev had to force himself to pull back, to look at her carefully, uncertain of her mood. He didn''t want to push, but he''d hoped¡­ "What''s wrong?"


    "Nothing," she said smiling softly. "I just want to see you. I feel like¡­ I feel like I''ve spent the past five years missing you, then the days ever since you came back either in danger, or frantic, or¡­ or having sex with you," she blushed prettily. "I want to just be with you, Zev."


    He stroked her hair back from her temples and smiled. "Well, then we''ll just be here," he said, swallowing back the part of him that wanted to grit his teeth and insist. "You picked a good day for it. We''re snowed in."


    "Wait, what?!" she pushed up to sit, eyes wide and sparkling. "Seriously?"


    "Yes, seriously¡­ why is that exciting to you?"


    "Because, it''s a Snow Day!" she giggled, throwing the furs back and scooting off the bed. "We could make a snow man and¡ª"


    "No, Sash," Zev chuckled. "Believe me, even if you can get out there, you don''t want to. You''ll be snow blind in half an hour."


    "Snow blind?" she frowned as she pulled her leggings on in quick tugs. "What''s that?"


    "When everything is white and loses its shape. The sky and thend look the same and you get disoriented because all the normalndmarks can''t be seen and¡­ trust me, today''s an inside day."


    She stopped pulling on her furs and stared at him. But then she gave him a wicked grin. "Can I just see it?"


    Zev sighed¡ªpushing aside his arousal right alongside the furs because he wanted to please her, but surprised by how tired and¡­ agitated he felt. How willing he would have been to simply stay in bed. How urgently he wanted to have her.


    Still, he was eager to keep her eyes sparkling like that.


    "Sure." He got out of the massive bed and pulled on his own furs quickly, then took her hand and led her down the tunnel of icicles and blue glow.


    "It''s dark. Is it still early?" Sasha asked as they walked.


    "No. The snow doesn''t let as much light through as the ice," he said, weaving past one of the rock shelves in the tunnel. Then they turned a corner and were met with a snowbank, sloping from the stone floor, almost to the ceiling of the tunnel¡ªwhich wasn''t as high as the cave, but still well over Zev''s head. There was a small hollow where the snow had fallen in and the gray light of the overcast sky could be seen breaking through the blue-white snow.


    Zev lifted a hand. "I mean, I could dig us out if you want, but it will be warmer if we leave the snowbank in ce. And while it''s still gray outside there''s likely going to be more snow which will just cover us up again."


    Sasha blinked. "Are we going to get trapped?"


    "No," Zev chuckled, grabbing a handful of the snow to show her how powdery it was. "It willpact over a day or two, but a lot of it will melt off as soon as the storm passes. The rest I can clear enough to get out. Don''t worry, Yhet chose this location for a reason. The cave mouth gets the afternoon sun. Barring a hundred year storm, we''ll be walking out of here in two or three days."


    Sasha''s forehead wrinkled and Zev sighed. There was only two more full days before they needed to head back¡ªand that was assuming no dramas cropped up that sent messengers to get them sooner. He''d been very clear with Dunken and Lhars¡ªunless the hierarchy was in danger, or the humans showed up, no one was toe for them.


    That agitation tightened in his chest again and he closed his fist over the snow, squeezing it together, letting the water drip from his fingers.


    "I''m scared to go back, Zev. This whole Alpha thing¡­"


    He blinked, remembering Sasha was there. "Don''t worry," he said quietly. "I''ll help you."


    They stared at each other for a moment, then her brows pinched. "Why didn''t you just take Alpha? Why did you let them make me Alpha?"


    "Because if I hadn''t, they would have expected me to dominate you or fight you. I can''t do that. Besides¡­ can''t you see what''s happening, Sash?"


    "No. What?"


    Zev dropped the little chunk of ice to the floor and wiped his wet hand on his furs. "You''re human. The humans are our problem. Who better to help us see through what they''re doing¡­ who better to help us thwart them than someone who knows how they work?"


    "You know these people so much better than I do, Zev¡ª"


    He didn''t want to think about that¡ªabout his time with the humans. About everything he''d seen. So he interrupted her with a casual shrug he didn''t really feel.


    "Yes, but¡­ it''s just different. Humans think differently than I do. I think you''ll understand things I don''t. You''ll definitely understand their world better. We''re going to have to go back at some point, Sash. Once we know how to do it safely, we have to get the females back here¡ªand any others they''ve made. Somehow¡­"


    Sasha raked a hand through her hair so it fell around her shoulders in lovely waves he wanted tob with his fingers. But her expression was a strange mix of angry and disturbed.


    "When you say others¡­ you mean Chimera? They''re still creating you? Not just trying to get you to breed?"


    "The breeding wasn''t working. I know that now. It''s why they''re still making us. But they don''t seem to be having the sess with that that they want either. They were still studying me right up to the day I left, because they say I''m what they''re trying to do every time. But they im they haven''t been able to achieve that again¡­ but then I wonder if that''s all just a lie, too, and maybe I''m missing more than I thought." He stifled a growl and raked his hands through his hair, blowing out a breath to try and release the tension that didn''t seem to want to leave him this morning.


    "The whole thing is crazy, Sash. And every time I think I understand it, I learn something new and then I have to start again. I mean, what were they doing to Xar? Why were they giving him stuff that made him act crazy¡­ or were they trying to stop him acting crazy? But then, why would they help us? I don''t know," he muttered, shaking his head. "That''s my point. I can''t help but think you''re here for a reason."


    "Everything happens for a reason, Zev."


    Zev nodded.. "Just not always the reasons we want."

 Chapter 200 - More Where That Came From

    Good news! There will be 30 chapters in the top tier of privilege from 1 February AND I''m having paperbacks printed that take you all the way through Zev & Sasha''s Solitude. (That''s the wordcount equivalent of 2 normal novels in one volume!) If you''re a Top Tier Privilege reader in February,ment on the most recently published chapter anytime in the month to enter the draw for a FREE paperback! (USA only unless you want to pay horrendous shipping, sorry!)


    See you next month! (This message added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words)


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha looked down at her hands. They were pale in the dim light. Cold. But not as cold as Zev''s when he took her hands after he''d been touching the snow.


    She gasped. "You''re hand is freezing!"


    Zev smiled. "I''ll be fine. But why don''t we go make some breakfast and just¡­ be together."


    Sasha nodded as he took her hand again and led her back. Walking into that beautiful room was like a breath of fresh air. She was d they''d been snowed in. That there would be no more chance encounters with naked bull-men.


    Sasha blinked. "So¡­ Minos¡­"


    "Yes?" Zev asked without looking down at her as they walked back into the bedchamber.


    "Was he made by the humans?"


    "Yes."


    Zev let her go, returning to the fire, stoking it and ce more wood on so the mes crackled and Sasha could feel the heat rising off it.


    "Why?" she asked.


    "Why what?"


    "Why did they make a man with the head of a bull? What were they trying to do?"


    "What are they ever trying to do?" Zev muttered, filling a small kettle with water and cing the huge frying pan on the frame over the mes. "Whatever it was, they obviously didn''t achieve it, because they released him here."


    "Why?" Sasha asked abruptly. "Why would they make him and bring him here, but then they removed half the Chimera? It doesn''t make sense."


    "It''s because he can''t be loose in the human world," Zev said, shrugging. "Any of the creatures they make that don''t look human eventually get released here because if they get loose in the human world the people will figure out what they''re doing. But the humans obviously treat them differently before they bring them here, because those Chimera are never willing to work with them again. They''re¡­ aggressive. It''s why the humans are so nervous about being here. Outside of the vige, anyway.


    "The others avoid the ces we gather because they say we stink too much like humans. It makes them nervous. At least, that''s what Minos told me. I don''t know if he was just teasing though. I do know that the others are just like Minos¡ªnot in the their form. But the fact that they''re all the only ones of their kind. And they hate humans. Don''t just dislike them, hate them."


    Sasha hugged herself. "How many of them are there?"


    "Like Minos?"


    "Like, anything. You said they''re all one of a kind? How many one-of-a-kinds are there?"


    Zev snorted. "I don''t have a clue. Hundreds? They alle here and live as best they can, then die. None of them have mates or families¡­ it''s just¡­ they live their lives. They go kind of feral over time¡ªmany of them can''t speak like we can. And the ones that do, some of them stop talking and give in to their beast sides. They''re wee among us, but they rarely take advantage of that. We leave them alone as much as we can."


    "No wonder they hate humans, then," Sasha said.


    "Because they can''t mate?"


    "Because they''re lonely," she said. Wasn''t it obvious? "They''ve been made, then just¡­ abandoned. They don''t fit with you guys, they don''t fit in the human world. They''re just living empty lives, isted and¡­ gosh, Zev, if you feel like you''re strange, and you have a whole pack of wolves, imagine how people like Minos must feel!"


    Zev added eggs and some bacon to the pan, but then he looked up, blinked at her, a strange expression on his face.


    "What?" she asked.


    "This is what I mean," he said quietly. "You see things I don''t see. I thought¡­ I thought the others avoided us because they didn''t want to be near us. But you''re seeing¡­ they feel lonely. Like I did when I was in your world. That sense of not fitting¡­ And their hate for the humans¡­ you''re right. I thought it was because they''d suffered cruelty or whatever. But you might be right. It might be as much about feeling angry about their lives as anything else."


    "They hate them? More than you do?"


    Zev''s brows popped up. "If a human wandered into the wilderness of Thana and ran into Minos, they wouldn''t live long enough to scream," he said, his face serious.


    Sasha stopped breathing. "And you let me walk around out here? What if you hadn''t been there and Minos found me? What if someone else does?"


    Zev shook his head. "They know the humans that are on the team, make no mistake, Sasha. Their hate is personal. But also, none of the others would breach the vige, or the City. They don''t even want to be close to us¡ªlet alone you. And as long as you''re out in the forest with one of us, you''re fine."


    "But, Zev¡­ you said some of these are more like animals than humans¡ª"


    "Yes, but that doesn''t mean they don''t think, Sash. They just use different senses. And now that we''re mated, you''ll smell of me. And none of them hate me."


    "But, if you''re not around¡ª!" Sasha gripped her throat, imagining what she would have done if Minos hade for her up the tree¡ªor someone, or something else like him. So strong and tall¡­ she wouldn''t stand a chance!"


    An image of Xar, throwing her to the ground, his teeth bared and eyes ring with the light of insanity¡ªof the horrible sound of the rock in her hand cracking his skull, and the way he slumped¡ª


    Sasha sucked in a breath, but Zev was already on his feet, rushing to her. "Hey, hey, it''s okay, babe. Don''t get upset. Nothing''s going to happen to you here, you''re safe! I promise."


    "Zev, don''t be na?ve! Xar almost killed me! Minos wanted to until he found out I was your mate. Who knows what else is out there, or what the Chimera will bite first and ask questionster?"


    "No, no, shhhh, listen." He held her face, his eyes bright. "Listen: If you''re ever away from me or the others and you run into a Chimera in the forest, you stand your ground, okay? You tell them you''re my mate, and you have them smell you. They''ll smell me on you. Everything will be fine."


    "But¡ª"


    "Trust me, Sash. Chimera don''t think like you do. It''s all about hierarchy and who belongs to who. A Chimera in his right mind would never take the mate of another. Never." Then he smiled. "Technically, since you''re Alpha, I belong to you. But even if they don''t know you, they know me. And when they smell me on you¡­ they''ll back off. I promise. And as for the ns¡­" Zev''s smile broadened and he pulled her closer, his fingersbing her hair back from her temples as he beamed down at her.


    "They watched you dere for me, and me for you," he said, his voice deep and husky. "In their eyes now, we''re a pair. No matter what. Whether you''re Alpha or I am. Or neither of us.. it doesn''t matter. In the Chimeran world, you''re mine, Sash. And no one''s going to breach that," he said, his voice tightening with conviction¡ªand with resolve. Then he sighed. "You''re stuck with me now."


    Sasha couldn''t help it, he looked so handsome, despite the clouds in his eyes, they sparkled with joy as he made the statement.


    "Yes, I am," she whispered. "And I''m so, so d that that''s true, Zev. You have no idea."


    He pulled her into his chest and they hugged, Sasha careful to keep her arm lower than his wounds.

 Chapter 201 - Better Idea

    READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you (yes, YOU) for all your support of Zev & Sasha this month. I''ve been truly blown away. To say thank you, I''ve managed to write some extra content for the next couple weeks: Tomorrow when the month resets there will not only be 5 new chapters in Privilege, there will also be 2 standard release chapters as well (so if you buy top-tier privilege you''ll receive 7 new chapters over the course of the day). And I am working on a mass release for the beginning of Volume 2 in about 12 days, so look forward to another FIVE chapters that day!


    Thank you for everything you''ve given--your votes, gifts,ments, and encouragement have been a true gift to me to kick off 2022! (This was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev had intended to make her breakfast, but when she looked up at him, her eyes shining, and not just with love, but with heat¡­


    Between the aggravation he''d been battling since he woke, and then all this talk of the others bringing images to mind of her in the forest, facing some of the more aggressive males¡­ it had woken his wolf. He was suddenly d of the snow barrier to the cave because he suddenly couldn''t shake the feeling that Sasha might be torn from his grasp. He was desperate to reach for her, to love her, to take her, but she''d seemed reluctant.


    He swallowed as Sasha searched his eyes, then as if she saw the plea in his, her expression bing shy.


    "Maybe¡­ maybe part of just being is¡­ enjoying each other as much as we can?" she asked quietly.


    Zev growled and let her go only long enough to take the pan and kettle off the fire and drop them to the stone to cool. Then he was back, sweeping her into his chest and taking her mouth with all the banked passion he''d swallowed when he woke. He was far more hungry for her than the food, feverish with it.


    Sasha giggled¡ªthen sighed when he started on the buttons of her furs.


    His kiss was deep and insistent, and probably overwhelming. But despite a slight gasp when he took her mouth, Sasha returned it in kind. When he descended on her and started stripping her bare, she didn''t fight, arching, pressing into his hands when he got the buttons of her jacket undone, sucking on his lip when he was too slow, stroking her hands under his jacket, up and down his chest, then untying the waist of his leathers.


    Zev shuddered as he pushed her jacket off her shoulders, then filled his hands with her. Sasha whimpered when he leaned her back, his kiss bruising and insistent.


    She struggled with his clothing and he hadn''t gotten her leggings off yet, but Zev refused to give her more space, his instincts suddenly jangling, demanding, rmed¡ªas if another male was close and would try to take her from him again.


    Images of Xar, of that sickening moment when the tiger had taken that de between his teeth and raced for her¡ªZev growled into her mouth and his fingers dug into her waist as he pulled her closer.


    His instincts surged forward, screaming at him to possess her, to make her his and only his, to mark her to her soul so no male would ever challenge their bond. The strength of the urge toy his teeth to her skin was shocking and made him catch himself, break the kiss and drop his forehead to hers as he tried to catch his breath.


    A tiny voice in the back of his head said this was the Solitude¡ªthe instinct to solidify the bond, to ensure it was unmistakable to others. He''d have thought they''d already achieved that, but the curling, snarling pressure in his gut said differently.


    "What is it, Zev?" she whispered, her breath rushing against his lips. "What''s wrong?" She held his face in her hands, stroking his cheeks with her thumbs.


    "I need you, Sash," he rasped. "I need you to be mine. Just mine."


    "I am, Zev," she whispered breathlessly, curling her fingers into his hair and holding him there. So close. "I''m here. I''m yours."


    He groaned and reached up to take her hands, twining their fingers as he took her lips again, open mouthed and panting, his tongue darting and dancing¡ªand nipping her lower lip as they kissed.


    Sliding one hand up her spine until he cradled the back of her skull, Zev let a growl of possession putter in his throat.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    She could feel Zev trembling and rms rang in her head. What was wrong?


    His grip on her tightened and he croaked her name, sending a jolt of desire through her as she clung to his neck and arched into him.


    "Zev, I¡ª"


    "Mine," he rasped, fisting the back of her leggings in a tense hand, pulling her against him. "Mine."


    "Yes. Only yours," she whispered urgently. "I don''t want anyone else."


    He pulled his head back just far enough to meet her eyes, his dark and shining in the low light. But his jaw was tense, the muscles twitching as if he ground his teeth.


    What was wrong? What had happened?


    "Fuck¡­ Sash¡­ the Solitude¡­ it''s instinct, I''m¡­ I''m trying to fight¡ª" He growled and wed at her back, his breath rasping in and out of his throat.


    "I''m here. What do you need? I''m here."


    "I need you."


    "You have me. Anything."


    "I need you, Sash. Just you."


    She took his face in her hands again and forced him to meet her gaze, his own feverish and shing.


    "Whatever you want, Zev. Whatever you need. I''m here. I''m yours. I trust you."


    His head dropped back and he howled, a long, keening cry that raised the hair on her arms. Then he broke off, the howl dissolving into another growl as he took her mouth, desperate.


    And far from being afraid, Sasha''s heart raced in anticipation, something within her¡ªthat small piece of him that she''d felt slip into ce the first time they made love¡ªthrobbing, pulling for him.


    She wanted him, desperately, suddenly. Trembled with it.


    But before she could think beyond that, he started walking her backwards, towards the bed, and Sasha''s breathing got faster, more shallow, every nerve ending in her body quivering with want, her hands shaking as she reached for him.


    "Zev, what''s happening?" she gasped, grabbing at him, pulling him closer.


    "Mine," he growled into her mouth in the same moment she bumped against the end of the bed and they stopped moving. Zev tore out of the kiss, his shoulders heaving, eyes dark and intense, staring out at her from under his hair.


    Their eyes locked. Desire quivered in Sasha''s belly. Sucking in a breath, she grabbed for his neck to pull him back down, but after one scorching kiss he fisted his hands in her hair and tugged her head back, baring her throat to him.


    "Mine," he rasped, then descended on her.


    **** DON''T BUY PRIVILEGE UNTIL THE MONTH RESETS! ****


    If you purchase expensive privilege tiers now, they will onlyst 2-3 days. If you wait until monthly reset (8am Pacific, 31 January 2022) you will receive MORE chapters for your money because I''m adding chapters to the tiers, AND you''ll continue to read in advance of standard readers for the full month.. So just hold tight for a couple more days! (This added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 202 - Forever Mine

    If you enjoy music while reading, try "Lonely" by Nathan Wagner while reading this and the next two chapters. It''s what I listened to while writing them!


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Desire hummed in Zev''s bones.


    When Sasha pulled him back into the kiss it was a frantic fight with himself not to tear her leggings off and take her like the beast within him that yearned for release.


    He gave in to the temptation to pull her head back, to taste her throat, to graze his teeth along the arch of it, thentch onto her skin and suck until she gasped and clung to his shoulders.


    Sasha was bent backwards, fingers digging into his shoulders to press herself against him, her legs hard against the bed. He longed to pick her up and throw her onto the furs, to cover her and take her, to give his wolf''s voice to his love and possession.


    But something coiled within him that wanted¡ªneeded¡ªmore than a simple joining. It made his hands tremble, and his breath shallow. It made his skin hum.


    Dropping his chin so his lips brushed her ear, he rasped, "Don''t be afraid. I won''t hurt you."


    "I''m not," she gasped. "I''m here, Zev."


    Whining in his throat, he opened his mouth on her neck,ving the skin with his tongue until goosebumps rose on her shoulder.


    "Turn around," he whispered harshly.


    Sasha''s breath rushed out of her, but she turned in his arms to face the bed and Zev whined again.


    She was still wearing her leggings.


    Reaching around her, he took the ends of theces in both hands and snapped them with a short growl. Sasha sucked in, but Zev was careful to be gentle as he slid his hands down her sides, under the waistband, and pushed them down until they puddled at her ankles.


    "Get onto the bed. Don''t turn around."


    He smelled the spike of her desireced with the tiniest touch of unease. Swallowing back the Alpha within him that was snarling for release, he put both hands to the hollow of her waist as she crawled up onto the bed, helping lift her onto the bed that was higher than her hip.


    Once she had her knees on the furs, she started to turn, but he caught her. "No, stay there," he croaked.


    Sasha, on all fours, looked over her shoulder at him, her eyes wide¡ªbut dancing.


    Humming his approval, Zev tore off his own jacket and followed her up onto the bed, touching, stroking from her hip, up her stomach to cup her breast as he crawled over her, his chest against her back.


    Combing her hair aside with his fingers so he could find her neck, hetched onto that spot under her ear again, the one that made her shiver. His hands never stopped moving, never stopped seeking her, stroking. And her skin pebbled under his touch as her desire for him rose. Then he kissed his way down the center of her back, slowly, following that soft hollow, his lips soft and open, his tongue finding the grooves of her spine.


    Sasha seemed to be trying to speak his name, but no words came through the rush of her breath.


    Conversely, Zev''s breath thundered through the room, tearing in and out of his throat, though he''d barely touched her yet. But his guts twisted, tingling with desire, his body yearning, every inch of his skin burning.


    Then, as he reached the tiny hollow of her back, just above her buttocks, Sasha sighed and leaned back into him, and Zev moaned her name as her soft ass¡ªand even softer skin¡ªrubbed the length of him.


    He shuddered and straightened, gripping her hips and pulling her hard against him as he leaned back and gave voice to his heart''s song. Then he rxed and Sasha dropped her head, before pressing back towards him again, seeking him.


    Groaning, pleading, Zev stroked her back and shoulders, painting her contours with his hands as they rocked together, letting his body y over hers until she was slick and twitching with each pass, her hands fisted in the furs.


    He shuddered again when she said his name in a tiny, high voice, her head tipped back as she leaned back on her hands and knees, seeking him. "Zev. Please!"


    "Oh god, Sash."


    They rocked again, but he couldn''t wait and, gripping her shoulder in one hand, and guiding himself with the other, he took her in a single, hard thrust.


    There was a sharp intake of breath and Sasha cried out. "Zev! That''s¡­ holy shit."


    But he was shaking with the fight for control, his senses heightened until he was overwhelmed with the soft smoothness of her skin, the rasping cries in her throat, the waft of her scent when she flipped her hair over one shoulder, and the intoxicating sensations of the joining that he could feel to the soles of his feet.


    He fought a war within himself¡ªpart of him yearning to plow and plunder, to take her as quickly and hard as she could enjoy, to burn this desire out of his guts with sheer heat. The other part seeking and soft, aching to show her, to cover her, to draw her into himself and keep her apart from the harsh world.


    As he drew almost all the way out of her, then thrust back in, she clenched around him, calling his name, and he felt his body crackle for the shift, but he snarled it back.


    He had mated countless women in his wolf¡ªusing the instinctive form to separate his heart from every single one of them. He would not devalue Sasha that way. She was his mate. His love. His heart''s song. She would have all of him, every time their bodies met.


    She would have the real Zev.


    Aching with love, thrumming with desire, he leaned forward, sliding the t of his palm up her spine as he plunged into her. Then his fingers found her hair and twisted into the soft waves.


    With a groan of pleasure, he slowly twisted his hand into her hair, curling the mahogany strands around his wrist and palm until she felt the tug and dropped her head back with a moan.


    Then, still thrusting into her, his breath jagged and demanding, he leaned over her, curling around to find her lips, their breaths mingling as he plundered her mouth.

 Chapter 203 - Taken

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev''s body was an invasion of pleasure. She''d never had him behind her before and the new position brought with it unique and exciting sensations that rippled through her in waves with every thrust, tearing cries from her mouth¡ªwhen she could breathe.


    He''d taken her by surprise with the change at first, but as he found his rhythm and she writhed against him, discovering this new kind of bliss, he made that call that echoed through the cave, and Sasha found herself less and less aware of anything but him.


    Something was happening within him. She could feel it building. She''d felt his tension from the moment she''d woken, but he''d seemed determined to push it aside, and she''d wanted to help him do that if it was what he needed. But when their eyes had locked and once he''d started touching her¡­ it was as if the heat within them both flooded to the surface, and he was consumed. And consuming her in turn.


    She wanted to be consumed by Zev. But she worried about what might have been the catalyst for it. At first uncertain about his apparently urgency, now she only wondered if she would survive the onught without actually losing her mind.


    Zev''s urgency tranted to her own and she was beginning to shake as he squeezed pleasure from every stroke and thrust, every touch, every kiss.


    She tried to say his name, but it came out on a rush of breath, hoarse and broken. Goosebumps rose in a wave down Sasha''s back as Zev leaned over her and his chest brushed her with every thrust, his breath rasping as he took her, over and over.


    And just when she thought she couldn''t imagine a better feeling than this , he slid his palm up her stomach to find her breast, pinching and rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger in time with his thrusts.


    Sasha''s voice broke on the cry he pulled from her throat.


    She gasped and shook under the barrage of his love, feeling him over her, within her, his lips on her shoulder, his breath in her hair.


    Then, with a gasped, "Oh god, Sash!" he braced, his fingers entwining with hers, fisting the soft furs under them.


    He thrust again and Sasha shuddered, her entire body vibrating with need.


    "So beautiful¡­ my mate. My only¡­ holy¡­ Sash¡­. Sasha!"


    Zev cried her beauty and his love as he used his other hand tob her hair forward, off her neck. Then he sang into her skin, kissing her there, the t of his tongueving the pebbled nape of her neck. Sasha arched, pressing back into him with every thrust, sobbing his name, her body quaking, unable to contain the sensations he wrung from her.


    "Yes, Zev! I love you¡­"


    At the sound of her voice, croaking and broken, his fingers tightened, his teeth grazed the back of her neck and he leaned into her, his breath hot and frantic in her hair.


    "Sash¡­ please¡­" he rasped.


    "Anything," she choked. "I''m here, Zev."


    "I want¡­ I need¡­ I need to mark you mine." The words descended into a growl. Then he thrust again, harder this time, his breath hissing between his teeth, and Sasha cried out.


    "Yes!"


    "I''m ardent, Sash. You''re my forever!"


    "Yes! Yes, me too!" She trembled, her arms threatening to give. But then Zev groaned and opened his mouth on the back of her neck,tched on, and sucked.


    Hard.


    Harder than he ever had. As if he truly did wish to devour her. Sucking, groaning against her skin, and still taking her with his body, over and over. Harder and harder.


    He was going to leave a mark on her neck, but she didn''t care. She couldn''t care. Her initial sh of fear was immediately overwhelmed. Something was happening. Something incredible. Something beautiful. She weed it. Surrendered to it.


    Still fisting the furs with her with one hand, Zev explored every curve of her body with the other, the pace of his thrusts increasing until Sasha could only hold on and press back into him, to find him, seeking, wringing every ounce of pleasure he gave, her own cries increasing, rising to echo in the cave alongside his.


    Her body shook, her neck ached where he sucked, but soon he growled and let go, hissing his love and possession.


    "Mine," he rasped. "No one else, ever, Sash. No male but me."


    "No one!" she gasped. "Only you."


    The desperation in his voice should have frightened her, but it only ratcheted up her pleasure, half of her wishing he''d flip her over so she could touch him, the other half pleading for more, only more.


    His fingers tightened on hers almost to the point of pain, his knuckles standing white and his groans became rhythmic cries. Sasha sobbed, lights shing on the edge of her vision as the entire world began to suck in and disappear, until she was aware of nothing but him, nothing but their joining, nothing but his touch and his voice.


    Then, without warning, Zev sat back, pulling her with him, gasping in shock as the angle changed and suddenly her back was at his chest, and she straddled his thighs, riding him, his strong hands cupping her breasts, but taking her weight as if she were a toy.


    "Please, Sash¡­. Oh god, please."


    "I''m here, Zev!"


    He growled, a near snarl, and pulled her into his chest, her name on his lips like a prayer. Then, sying one hand at her sternum to take her weight, he slid the other down, between her legs, to touch her where they joined.


    Sasha gasped as an entirely new chorus of sensations joined the choir. She clenched and her body shuddered.


    "Oh Zev! I love you! I love you! Don''t stop! Please!"


    With a tortured snarl, hetched onto her neck again and as her body climbed that final wave, as she was consumed by the trembling heat coiling in her belly and fizzing through her veins, she felt the sharp pierce of his teeth on her skin, right where he''d marked her.

 Chapter 204 - Ardent

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    He couldn''t let go. The taste of Sasha on his tongue sent his blood up in mes¡ªand the fire roared straight to that spot, that piece in his heart where the bond had taken, flipping and whirling, spinning like a top and expanding, reaching for the piece of Sasha that had been reced by him.


    It was as if their souls turned¡ªrecognized, greeted, and weed each other. As if their hearts danced, holding each other, turning together, twisting and whirling within them, faster and faster. But together. Always together.


    Howls and calls broke from his throat with such abandon, he couldn''t make words. But his mouth was full of her anyway. And Sasha, incoherent with pleasure, sobbed, crying out, keening, their voices curling around each other in the air around them, just as their hearts were within them.


    Faster. Faster.


    Unable to remove his mouth from her, Zev spoke into her head.


    Will you take me, Sasha? To your soul? Even to eternity?


    "Yes!" she gasped, bringing her hands up to w into his hair and hold him to her. "Yes!"


    I''m ardent, Sasha. Yours. Utterly yours.


    "Please, Zev! Please!"


    Their hearts twisted, whirled, whirred within them, and Zev wanted to weep with joy as she came alive in his head.


    Surrender to me, Sash. Give me everything.


    I am! You have me!


    They writhed together, unaware of anything but where they joined, the pleasure lighting in their veins, the love in their cries.


    His teeth still piercing her skin, he could feel her within him¡ªthe dance continuing. And something more¡­ something that beckoned.


    Zev groaned as Sasha rode him, frantic, calling for him, giving herself. He pleaded again for her surrender, and again she released her grip on herself, begging for him with abandon.


    Grasping her hips, her neck in his teeth, Zev thrust, harder and harder.


    Sasha could only keen¡ªher voice broken and rasping with pleasure. Then he reached down to find her, right where they were joined and she twitched, gasping, when he stroked her there.


    The moments that followed were the most profound of his life, as if he was within her, around her, and she within him.


    As if words were no longer needed.


    As he yed her body for pleasure, and she held him close, their hearts and souls spinning together so quickly they blurred. He stroked her again and Sasha clenched around him, then came apart, screaming his name.


    He howled hers into her skin and the pieces of them turned, flipped, so quickly they began to meld into one.


    As Sasha finally crested the wave of her climax and shuddered in his arms, Zev''s orgasm mmed through his body and he finally opened his mouth, dropping his head back, overwhelmed with awe as his mate came alive in his head.


    Their bodies writhed, stiffened, arched, as one¡ªSasha''s heartbeat echoing within his.


    And then, as quickly as it happened, they both slumped, their bodies wrung out like wet rags.


    Sasha''s breath wheezed in and out of her throat, her body ck and trembling, a ragdoll in his arms. He held her there, one hand syed on her chest, kissing the reddened skin on her neck to soothe it, but not yet ready to let her go.


    Not yet ready to open his eyes and return to the real world when he could be here, alone, alive with her.


    His breath thundered, tearing out of him, fluttering in her hair, against her skin.


    Sasha sucked in, but left her weight in his hand, boneless and breathless.


    He nuzzled the back of her neck, leaning his forehead into her hair and holding her tightly to him, trembling.


    <i>What was that?</i>


    Zev''s every sense tingled. Had she just¡­?


    <i>I don''t know,</i> he said in her head.


    <i>I can feel you, Zev. I can feel you¡­ inside me.</i>


    He shifted his weight and chuckled, still panting, but Sasha didn''tugh.


    <i>That''s not what I mean.</i> Her voice was awed. She took one, weak, shaking hand and put it to her chest, right over his.


    Their heartbeats thundered in time, echoing each other.


    <i>You''re in here,</i> she whispered in his head, awed and shocked.


    Zev blinked, stunned. She was speaking to him. In his head? How was that even possible¡­?


    "Ardent¡­" he breathed, wide eyed.


    <i>But we already vowed,</i> she murmured in his head.


    <i>No, it''s the bond. We''re linked now¡­ Sasha¡­ I can hear you. I can hear you in my head.</i>


    <i>What?!</i>


    Softly, gently, with shaking limbs, they extricated themselves and Zevid her down on the furs,ying on her side, theny down to face her, stroking her hair back from her face and marveling at her beautiful eyestched on his and wide with shock.


    <i>You can hear me?</i>


    He nodded.


    <i>How is that possible?</i>


    <i>We''re ardent</i>, he said and if it had been out loud, it would have been barely more than a breath. <i>We''re in this together. For real. I''m sorry, Sash, I didn''t warn you because I didn''t know. It was instinct¡­ I thought¡­ I don''t know what I thought.</i>


    <i>What happened?</i>


    Zev swallowed and held her gaze. <i>I think¡­ I think our souls aren''t just connected anymore¡­ they''re entwined.</i>


    <i>That''s beautiful.</i>


    <i>That''s terrifying,</i> he corrected her, his breath heavy with fear.


    <i>What, why?</i>


    <i>Because if¡­ it means that if¡­ if I die, you die. If you die, I die.</i>


    Sasha blinked. <i>But isn''t that how it is with the Chimera?</i>


    "No, Sash," Zev said, floored and trying to ground himself. "I mean¡­ I mean if I were die right now, you would too. Immediately. We''re¡­ one. Youe with me, no matter what."


    Sasha blinked in shock, her eyes searching his. "But¡­ that''s beautiful, Zev."


    "Beautiful?!"


    "I never want to live without you. You''re telling me I won''t have to. Right?"


    "I''m telling you you won''t be able to live without me," he growled. What the fuck had he been thinking? He hadn''t been. He hadn''t known. He''d heard of this, but he''d never imagined¡­


    <i>Thank God, Zev,</i> she said in his head, her voice a breathless echo of his own awe.. <i>Thank God.</i>

 Chapter 205 - Real Life

    Good news! There will be 30 chapters in the top tier of privilege from 1 February AND I''m having paperbacks printed that take you all the way through Zev & Sasha''s Solitude. (That''s the wordcount equivalent of 2 normal novels in one volume!) If you''re a Top Tier Privilege reader in February,ment on the most recently published chapter anytime in the month to enter the draw for a FREE paperback! (USA only unless you want to pay horrendous shipping, sorry!)


    See you next month! (This message added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words)


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev didn''t stop trembling, and Sasha couldn''t breathe¡ªin the most beautiful way.


    Theyy together, watching each other, barely speaking for the longest time. As their breathing slowly returned to normal and heartrates eased, as the sheen of sweat dried on his forehead, they stared.


    Sasha stroked his chest, but her hand kept returning to the center, pressed t, feeling his great heart thump against her palm¡ªin perfect time with her own. As if he was an echo of her. As if their very bloodstream was linked.


    She swallowed, so many questions bubbling to the surface, but she was reluctant to break the perfect silence.


    Then she blinked.


    You can hear me? she asked tentatively in her head.


    He nodded.


    Sasha had to bite back tears of joy. What does this mean? For us, I mean? What will this do to us?


    I don''t know, he replied honestly. Except that it means¡ªI hope it means¡ªI''ll never lose you again.


    There was real pain, real torment in his tone at those words and Sasha cupped his stubbled cheek.


    I hope it means that, too.


    At some point they dozed, and when Sasha woke first, it was a joy to just watch him¡ªfully rxed, though his strength still evident even in sleep. The way his shoulders rounded with muscle, and the cord in his neck¡­


    She had expected that incredible time together to sate her appetite for him, but looking at his naked torso, following the lines of his beautiful body, desire began to pool within her again.


    Then Zev blinked awake to find her watching and offered a slow,zy smile. "Somebody''s hungry," he rasped, reaching out for her.


    Sasha snuggled into his warm chest and sighed with happiness. She could feel him still, in her mind, in her heart. As if something between them had been removed and there were no more barriers. Holy shit.


    She wasn''t particrly hungry¡ªnot for food, anyway¡ªand she hoped his body wouldn''t drive him out of the furs too quickly. She just wanted to be close to him.


    Thankfully, Zev seemed more than content toy with his chin on her head, one hand stroking her back and hair.


    Eventually Sasha sighed again. "I wish I could always be like this," she murmured into his chest, kissing it at the center where his heart thumped. Then turning her head so her ear was against it when he spoke and she could listen to his deep voice rumble under his ribs.


    "So do I," he said earnestly.


    "What will it be like, Zev? I mean, now that there''s no, like, fighting or whatever. What''s it like to live here? How will it work."


    Zev sighed and rolled onto his back, one hand under his head. Sasha followed,ying her head on his shoulder and stroking his chest as he spoke.


    "Alpha''s always busy, but there''s a lot of perks to it, too. You''ll have a lot of meetings and sometimes be called to judge conflicts between the ns, or asionally individuals if their Alphas couldn''t sort it out. And anytime there''s a Rite, or¡ª"


    "No, Zev. I mean¡­ I do want to hear that. But¡­ first¡­ what''s it like for us? Where will we live? In the tree house?"


    It took him a beat to answer, and she felt him tense under her hand, but he cleared his throat and nodded. "Yeah, probably. That''s probably the wisest choice," he said, his voice a little distracted as if he were deep in thought. "You need to be close so they can reach you in an emergency. And I think for you being in one of the treehouses will probably be the mostfortable. Until we move to the City¡ªwhich I''d rmend you do as soon as we know the hierarchy''s settled."


    "Just to be further away from the humans?" she asked.


    "Mostly. But also¡­ we need space to bring the females back to. And¡­ I don''t know how Xar convinced them all to move out, but even though the City will be a little big for the numbers we have now, it''s also a lot better set up. And that will help with keeping everyonefortable and in line¡­"


    They continued chatting for a long time, Zev describing a life Sasha could barely fathom¡ªbeing up with the sun, making decisions, gathering for every meal, meeting with Alphas and groups who needed help or would want her approval.


    "That''s the thing," she said finally. "I won''t have a clue, Zev. It just doesn''t seem right for me to be making decisions for these people! Why can''t I just give Alpha to you?"


    Zev ran his hand through his hair. "You can eventually. But I don''t know, Sash. I can''t kick the feeling that there''s a reason for this. I know it''s scary for you, but I''ll be there. I''ll be your second, and your advisor. Skhal will help. Probably Lhars too. And I think you can count on Kyelle to support you¡ªshe''s always said we need more female Alphas so we can move past the alpha male peacocking and into sanity. At least, that''s how she says it. I''m not sure I agree," Zev said dryly.


    Sasha giggled. "I kinda liked the peacocking," she said, pushing up on an elbow to lean over him.


    Zev met her eyes and smiledzily. "Oh? Do tell. Let me make sure and offer my Alpha any peacocking she might want or need," he said, pulling her down over him for a kiss.


    Sasha hummed into his mouth, but kept the kiss soft. He was tired, she could tell. And it seemed like he was finally hitting vacation mode. She''d always found whenever she took a break it took a day or two for her to really unwind. Zev''s slower,zier pace today struck her as someone who was finally taking a rest after a stressful time and she didn''t want to snap him out of it.


    So while she might have buried her fingers in his hair and teased him with her tongue, she didn''t push for more, but slowed the kiss, then broke it to pull back far enough to meet his eyes.


    "I''ll make you a deal," she said softly.


    "What''s that?" Zev traced a strand of hair behind her ear with one finger.


    "I won''t whine about being Alpha if you promise not to leave my side. And we do this together. There''s things I won''t understand and might get wrong. I can''t learn all that in couple days, Zev. And I don''t want to screw these people up. I want to help you get the females back, and kick the humans out. But I don''t think I have to be Alpha to do that."


    "We''ll see," he dismissed her easily. When she frowned and opened her mouth to protest, he shook his head and rushed in to speak. "No, Sash, I''m not saying you''re not right. I''m saying, we''ll see. We haven''t had a minute to breathe since we arrived¡ªand neither has anyone else. There''s so much to this picture even I don''t know yet. I''m not making any more big changes until we''re certain we know how we''re heading into this. So just¡­ rx, okay? You have to just be you. Be certain of what you''re aiming for, and why. The rest we can figure out as we go. And I''ll help you. I promise. I won''t leave your side. We''ll do it together."


    Sasha smiled down at him. "As long as you promise. Beside me. Always."


    "There''s nowhere else I want to be," he rumbled, then pulled her down into another kiss.


    *****


    If you''re a King of Beasts fan, it''s Reth''s Birthday (Anniversary?) this Sunday! If you''d like to join me for the LIVE voicechat with Reth Merch giveaways, and some fun surprises, visit linktr.ee/aimeelynn and join my discord chat.. The event will be there at 1pm PST, Sunday, 6 February (Los Angeles date and time!) See you there! (This message added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 206 - On The Go Slow

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    At some point he''d gotten up to cook them an early lunch, but somehow they gravitated back to the furs as soon as they''d finished eating.


    The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Zev was surprised how happy he was to simplyy in the furs with her. Sasha evenmented about how nice it was to watch him rest, that he was usually always moving.


    "I hadn''t really thought about it," he said, frowning at the ceiling. "But life is pretty hectic. It''s nice to just be with you. I guess I''m feelingzy. And more than a little hungry," he said, raising one eyebrow suggestively.


    Sasha giggled and kissed him, but drew back before it got heated. They napped again. Later he heated the water properly and bathed her again, then made love to her¡ªslowly, savoring her this time.


    And as he drifted to sleep¡ªeasily, despite the nap he''d had just a few hours earlier¡ªit was with a smile on his face because his mind was full of visions of his beautiful mate, her head thrown back in ecstasy, and her body rolling with his. And because he could hear her, in his head, telling him that she loved him, her voice fading into nothing as she drifted off to sleep.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha woke to a strange sound. Reaching out for Zev she found the furs warm, but cooling, and no steel body, or hard warmth where he should be.


    She sat up quickly, bleary-eyed, her hair falling over her face so she was forced to push it back. But all she found was the fire, glowing, but not yet crackling into mes, nonterns lit, and some dishes on the side table that neither of them had washed the night before.


    "Zev?"


    The strange noise¡ªa scraping, punctuated by swearing¡ªwasing from the tunnel. But it stopped when she spoke.


    "I''m down here."


    Sasha pushed out of the furs and dressed quickly¡ªthe cave was always colder in the morning because the fire was low. But it seemed like it was even colder this morning than it had been the day before. A chill breeze curled around her ankles as she hurried up the tunnel, dodging the icicles, until she rounded the corner to find Zev, working the snow, face flushed and forehead sheened in sweat as he physically worked to make a way through the snow that he was using his bare hands to shovel through and spread along the sides of the tunnel as he worked his way through the massive bank.


    "You''re going to hurt yourself!" she said as he reached high on the bank, dug his hands into the snow and pulled down with his entire body.


    "It''s fine," he said, panting. "I wanted to get it done so we''re free to go out today if you want to, or there''s less to do in the morning if we have to clear it out again. We''ll have to go early."


    Sasha froze, her stomach sinking like a stone. She''d known it wasing, but it seemed far too fast. "We have to go already?"


    "Tomorrow," Zev said, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. His hands were beet red¡ªas was his face, though with heat, instead of cold.


    "Zev, are you okay?" Sasha asked. He hadn''t met her eyes properly.


    He nodded and turned back to the snowbank. "Yeah, I got a lot of sleep yesterday, so I woke up early. Sorry I woke you."


    "It''s fine¡­" she trailed off as he went back to working on the snowbank. "Are you okay, though, I mean, even apart from sleeping?"


    "Yes, why?" he turned, seeming surprised and finally looked at her.


    Sasha took a deep breath. "You didn''t say good morning. Or smile. Are you¡­. feeling bad?"


    "No! No, I''m fine. Sorry. Just distracted." He rushed forward to take her in his arms, cupping her face with one of his hands.


    Sasha shrieked and pped it away, while Zev chuckled.


    "Your hands are like blocks of ice!" she gasped.


    Zev shrugged and turned back to the snowbank. "I don''t mind. They''ll warm up as soon as I''m done."


    "But¡ª"


    "Seriously, Sash. Go getfortable. Make some breakfast, or warm some water. I''ll be done in half an hour and we can figure out what we''re going to do for ourst day." He turned his head to look at her over his shoulder, his eyes shing with promise.


    Sasha grinned. "Well, I suppose I cane up with some ideas," she said, waggling her eyebrows at him.


    Zevughed again and Sasha did as he''d suggested and walked back into the cave, shaking off her uneasiness. Zev was just focused on a task, that was all. Nothing to worry about. And he still wanted her. And they still had today.


    But she couldn''t quite stop the echo in her mind that wanted to bounce around over and over again¡­


    Just one more day.


    Just one more day.


    *****


    By lunchtime Sasha wasn''t smiling anymore. Something was definitely up with Zev. He kept drifting off in his thoughts, frowning. And because of that, it was taking him far longer than usual to eat.


    Zev was many things, but a careful eater wasn''t one of them. As long as she''d known him, he never seemed more male than when he ate¡ªwhich he usually did with as much gusto as he did everything else. But here he was, sitting, his jerky and fruit barely touched, staring at the cave wall, his forehead pinched into lines.


    "Zev," she said carefully. "What''s wrong?"


    "Nothing," he said by rote, looking down at his te and blinking as if he wasing alive again. "I was just thinking about tomorrow. We''ll get up early. I think I should take you to the City on the way back home. So you can get a feel for it, and see how far it is from the gateway. You''ll have to be the one to decide when we move back there. If we do."


    "If you think it''s a good idea, I''m going to aim for that," she said, still watching him. But Zev was chewing, and moving the rest of the food around on his te. "But I think you''ll know better than me when it''s the right time."


    Zev nodded, but she wasn''t sure he''d actually heard her. Nerves spun in her stomach.


    Had he woken this morning upset about being ardent? About the bond they''d formed the day before? Did he regret it? Was that what was bothering him?


    She looked at the massive bed, covered in furs, behind him and to his right. She''d thought the day before was incredible. Mind-blowing. And she was so d he could hear her now.


    Couldn''t he?


    Had they lost it?


    Zev? She asked in her head, nervously.


    He blinked and turned to look at her again, his mouth pulling up on one side to leave those gorgeous creases in his cheeks.


    Fuck, I love that you can do that now, he replied, then took another bite of his lunch.


    Me too, she replied, grateful that he seemed more alert, and she could still speak to him this way.


    It wasn''t until their eyes locked that her nerves returned.


    There was a shadow in his gaze. Something was definitely bothering him.. And she was going to find out what it was.

 Chapter 207 - Tell Me Your Secrets

    READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you (yes, YOU) for all your support of Zev & Sasha this month. I''ve been truly blown away. To say thank you, I am working on a mass release for the beginning of Volume 2 (about 10 days), so look forward to another FIVE chapters that day!


    Thank you for everything you''ve given--your votes, gifts,ments, and encouragement have been a true gift to me to kick off 2022! (This was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~ </strong>


    Zev had woken restless and feeling caged. It shocked him. He didn''t normally have those feelings in a natural cave¡ªonly in buildings that felt human-made, with straight lines and low ceilings. He hadn''t understood it, but he''d known he had to do something about it so he didn''t ruin theirst day.


    The air wasn''t stale, but it was close, unmoving. The snow must have blocked the opening to the cavepletely overnight. Sure enough, after he''d slipped silently out of bed to dress, leaving Sasha sleeping, rolling his shoulders to relieve the residual tension and soreness in them, he''d trotted down the tunnel to find itpletely blocked by snow. He''d intended not to make too much noise until Sasha was awake. But the sight of that wall had lit panic in his chest, and he''d had no choice. He had to clear it¡ªmake a way through. Find the fresh air.


    He''d tried to be quiet, but he couldn''t make the snow silent. When she showed up, he''d just broken through a small space at the top of the bank where air could get through, and he was a little less tense. But he needed to get through this. He needed to have an escape, free and clear, from the cave. He''d been so grateful when she didn''t ask him to stop.


    But even though he''d felt better once he''d cleared a route through the snow, the itching tension at the back of his neck didn''t dissipatepletely.


    He''d done his best to be cute and sweet as they talked through the morning. He''d waited patiently for the lunch that she insisted on preparing. But the tension was coiling within him like a snake, ready to strike. He needed to get outside.


    "Do you want to go for a walk?" he asked her suddenly, when he caught her staring at him, worry in her eyes, during their meal. "It''s not snowing right now, and we can stay close enough to get back quickly if it starts."


    "Sure," she said uncertainly. "If you''re feeling like it."


    He nodded. "I think it would be good."


    So they did. But, inevitably, her thoughts and questions turned back to their lives once they returned to the Vige. And Zev found himself having to bite back curses. He didn''t want to think about being surrounded by males, all watching his mate. He didn''t want to think about having to tell the twins she''d killed their father. He didn''t want to think about the danger they were walking into when the humans returned and found Xar dead.


    The fact that no one hade to get them was good. It meant the humans hadn''t returned yet. But that just made it even more likely they''d show up soon after he and Sasha got back. They had to make a n. But his head hurt, and his body was tired, and all he wanted to do was touch Sasha and be with her.


    He squeezed her hand as they walked¡ªslowly by his standards¡ªalong the trail at the bottom of the ravine. The shadows over their heads seemed deeper and more ominous than usual because the sky was still a solid gray,


    As the ravine opened in front of them and the valley was revealed, Zev sucked in a long, deep breath. And it helped. Some of the tightness in his chest that had stayed even after he stepped into the open air, eased. They stopped walking and scanned the meadow¡ªlittle more than a massive, white nket now, with trees and some of the taller bushes poking out to smatter the perfect glistening white with ck or brown.


    Blemishes on an otherwise perfectndscape.


    Something about that thought made Zev''s skin itch.


    "Zev?"


    He realized that Sasha had been talking, and he cursed himself for his distraction. "I''m sorry, Sash. I''m just distracted, what did you say?"


    She stepped in front of him, frowning and put her arms around his waist. "What''s going on? What are you upset about?"


    "Nothing!" It was true. He couldn''t think of anything that he was upset about. Nothing that would make him feel this tense. Circling her in his arms he forced himself to smile. "I''m sorry, I know I keep drifting off. I''m just thinking. I wish we didn''t have to go back tomorrow, that''s all."


    She nodded. "Me too. Do we have to?"


    "Unfortunately, yes. Dunken and Lhars will keep the others busy and distracted, but a new Alpha doesn''t usually disappear like that. It was necessary," he said as she opened her mouth, no doubt to say that they should go back early. "But it also means that we can''t just¡­ stay out here. Even as much as I wish we could."


    He leaned down and kissed her then. She hugged him close, careful to keep her arms at his waist, though it still made the wound on his ribs zing with pain. At least there''d been no more bleeding. He would have to get her to change the dressing again tonight before they travelled tomorrow.


    "Zev, are you worried about not being Alpha? I mean, about ranking second? To me?"


    "What? No!" he said, shoving away a niggling voice that wanted him to take a closer look at that question. "I don''t trust anyone''s judgment as much as I trust yours, Sash. You know that."


    She frowned. "But¡­ for the Chimera? I mean, if we were in my world, maybe. But here? Seriously, it''s not worth it to me, Zev. I want you to have it. I can follow¡ª"


    "Sash, listen to me really carefully," he said firmly, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs. "I meant it when I said that another change right now will only throw everything into chaos. We''ll get you through this. Stop worrying."


    "But they''re going to ask me one question and I''m not going to know what to do, and then they''re not going to respect me¡ªthat will be worse than having a bad Alpha, right? If they don''t have some kind of respect for me? That could end up¡­ that could end really bad."


    And her eyes were wide, pleading with him, fear spearing through her. After all¡­ if it went badly for one of them, it would go badly for both.


    *****


    If you''re a King of Beasts fan, it''s Reth''s Birthday (Anniversary?) this Sunday! If you''d like to join me for the LIVE voicechat with Reth Merch giveaways, and some fun surprises, visit linktr.ee/aimeelynn and join my discord chat.. The event will be there at 1pm PST, Sunday, 6 February (Los Angeles date and time!) See you there! (This message added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 208 - Genie In A Bottle

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    "You underestimate us, Sash," Zev said quietly. "We Chimera are very physical, yes, and we fight a lot. At least, to get a hierarchy established. But most of being Alpha has nothing to do with fighting¡ªlook at Kyelle. You think she''s held that position as a female because she packs a punch? No, it''s because she''s smart and resourceful, and the Chimera respect her. For her mind, and her heart. And when they see you, they''ll be even more impressed, I promise."


    Sasha snorted. "I think you''re a little biased."


    He shrugged. "Even if I am, the thing you need to realize is that the males aren''t immediately going to try and beat you up. They''re going to respect you for the position you hold, for freeing them from Xar, and for being my mate. They''ll respect you for being a female, and for the strength of character you''ve shown already. And perhaps the most important thing is, when the humans show up¡ªbecause they will, soon¡ªthe Chimera will respect you because the humans will see you."


    Sasha blinked. "See me? What do you mean? I''m not going to hide anymore?"


    Zev shook his head. "No, more than that. Of course you''re not hiding anymore. You''re Alpha, and you''ll have to negotiate everything with them. But that isn''t what I mean. You''re human, Sasha. You''re one of them. You''re not a creation they made¡ªor bred. They don''t have that perspective on you, of a¡­ a tool. Whether they like that you''re here or not, they''ll see you, they''ll listen to you, they''ll know that you''re a real person, because you''re one of them."


    "But¡­ all they need to do is bring a gun and I''m powerless, just like you would be."


    "Not with all the Chimera on your side," Zev said with a sly smile.


    "Wait, what?"


    "I told you, you''ll be protected. If you''re an Alpha that denies the humans ess to Thana, the Chimera will follow you to protect ournd, and stand as a barrier to you so the humans can''t get to you."


    "But¡­ but the Chimera have been here for decades, you said. And in bigger numbers than you are now. They could have stood up to the humans any time they wanted, and they didn''t. Why would they do that for me?"


    "Because you''re Alpha, and you aren''t going to be manipted by the humans," he said. "All the Alphas so far havee from theb. We arrive already aligned with the humans. Even I was at the beginning¡ªand they still removed me. Xar was ckmailed, and they used him up.


    "We''ve all been manipted and deceived from the beginning, I can see it now. But I couldn''t back then. So I worked with the humans to keep theming with their medicines, and their extra resources when it was a tough season.


    "Of course, I can see now that it wasn''t worth it. And I think I would have figured that out pretty soon if they''d left me alone. Maybe they knew that. Maybe that''s why they moved when they did. The point is, I never called for rebellion¡ªand Xar rolled onto his back so they could scratch his tummy¡­" he trailed off, his mind racing. He''d been about to say she would be the first Alpha to instruct her people to resist¡­ but he was seeing something.


    "Zev? What''s wrong?"


    "Nothing," he breathed. "I''m just¡­ I just got a glimpse¡­" he brought his eyes back down to meet hers. "I can see what we need, I think."


    "What?"


    "You''re human, Sasha. You''re one of them. And they''re ountable to that. So, you need to set some boundaries, but keep lines ofmunication open with them until we can figure out how to get the females out. You can go into their world and move freely. You have a supportwork entirely separate from the team¡­ that''s an asset I can''t even¡­ Sasha, that''s huge. Once we figure out how to get the females out, we find a way to block the gateway to stop the team evering back. And then we can just¡­ live." He took a deep breath. "Can you see it?"


    Sasha''s eyes were wide, but she nodded. "You''re right. I can¡­ So... I''ll deal with the humans, you deal with the Chimera. Between us we can make this happen."


    "Once we figure out how to get the females back," he reminded her.


    She nodded. "I know. I know. That''s¡­ I don''t even know where to start with that. But yeah¡­ I see it, Zev. It''ll be a whole new world here. But¡­ how will we do it?"


    "I don''t know," he said honestly. "But I know you''re here and I trust you and¡­ the rest we''ll figure out. It''s what Alphas do."


    Sasha, whose heart had begun to race¡ªmaking Zev''s follow quickly, an interesting side-effect of their bond¡ªrolled her eyes. "The thing you''re forgetting is that I''m not actually an Alpha," she groaned, dropping her forehead against his chest. "You''re the Alpha here, Zev. I''m just a¡­ a hanger on."


    "No, Sash," he said, tipping her chin up. "I''m not Alpha anymore. I''m second. A very, very submissive second," he said and shed her a smile.


    She caught his mood and grinned. "Submissive? You?"


    He tilted his head. "What''s the saying from the fairytales? Your wish is mymand?"


    "Oh, really? You''re granting wishes now?"


    "Definitely," he growled, sidling closer and pulling her tighter against him so she could feel how his body responded even to the little flirty smile she was beaming at him. "What wish can I help you with now?"


    Starting at her temples, he wed his fingers into her scalp and followed her hair down the back of her neck. Sasha shivered, and he almost took her mouth.


    The tension he''d been feeling was quickly easing to be reced with an entirely different kind of bubbling tension. One that wanted¡ªno, needed¡ªto be fed.


    Alpha indeed.


    No longer distracted, no longer drifting, Zev stared down at her, his hands fisted in her hair. "What''s your wish?" he asked her, his voice low and throaty.


    "You, Zev," she murmured. "It''s always you."


    Then she reached up to his neck, pulling him down into a kiss that blew away thest of the haze from his mind. And as he sank into her kiss, the warmth of her body against his, and the happy sigh she gave when he leaned down to kiss her neck¡­ Zev thanked whatever Creator was responsible for this moment.. Because no matter what else was happening, he knew the day would never dawn that he didn''t want her.

 Chapter 209 - Trust Me

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    The sudden intensity in Zev''s gaze was a shock¡ªand a thrill. He''d been so distracted and distant, she''d begun to question him. Stupidly. She knew Zev loved her. But five years of insecurity were hard to escape and when he''d been so vague¡­


    But he wasn''t vague now.


    They stood in the valley, the snow only a smattering over the ground here because they were in the lee of the ravine. Not far away, the glistening white banked and piled feet deep on every side. But they were also twenty minutes walk from the cave. More if they walked as slowly as they hading down.


    She was about to open her mouth to suggest they hurry back when Zev''s hand slid to cup her ear, his fingers curling over the tender spot at the back of her neck where he''d sucked and bitten her the night before and that incredible bond had deepened.


    She''d been so consumed by the new connections between them, she''d almost forgotten the wound. But when he stroked it lightly with the tips of his fingers her entire skin shivered as if there were more nerve endings there than anywhere else in her body.


    The hair on her arms stood up, her mouth dropped open, and mes burst to life, low in her belly.


    "W-what is that?!" she gasped.


    "My mark," Zev growled, his eyes shining. Before she could respond, he took her mouth in a soul-searing kiss.


    Sasha struggled to find her breath as tingling desire bloomed in her gut and she reached for him instinctively, pressed into his kiss, tangled her tongue with his.


    But then her mind went to war with her body. They were outside. In broad daylight¡ªthough it was a deeply overcast afternoon, more like twilight than the mid-afternoon sun. But still¡­ and snow covered everything.


    Her head said they needed to go back to the cave, but her body was having none of it¡ªand neither was Zev''s.


    He had both his hands in her hair, tugging her head back and his lips on her throat, a growl puttering in his own. Sasha gripped his shoulders, trying to force back the haze of lust that was washing over her while she considered the practicalities of this.


    "Zev," she gasped as his lips dragged down her neck and he nuzzled into her corbones, deep in the cor of her jacket. His fingers were already feverishly working at her buttons, and even as she arched, aching to be in his hands, she feared that this could all go desperately wrong in this cold.


    What if they froze something off?


    "Zev," she repeated, grabbing his face and forcing him to look at her, both of their chests already heaving. What the hell was wrong with her? "How are we going to do this out here?" she panted. "The snow¡ª"


    Zev shed a grin. "I''ll show you."


    Then he looked around and, spying a small crevice in the rock to their right, tugged her toward it. She followed, stumbling, as he stepped into the shadow of it, turning to ce his back to the rockface and turning back to stare at her, grinning wickedly.


    "But¡ª"


    "Trust me." There was a breathless pause between them as he held out his hand, beckoning her forward, and it was such a perfect echo of every time he''d asked her to trust, of his heart so pure and true for her, she almost wept.


    But swallowing back the tears, she put her hand in his. "I do," she whispered.


    And with a whine of sheer pleasure, he pulled her into his chest, taking her lips again, his tongue tracing along hers, then under her lip as he trailed his fingers over that spot on the back of her neck again.


    Sasha shivered deliciously and let her head drop back and for the next minute she forgot about everything but Zev''s mouth, his breath, the way his body reached for hers.


    He had her jacket buttons undone and had whined his approval, before he started on his own. Sasha wasn''t sure how this was going to work, but she could barely wait to get her hands on his chest¡ªuntil he finished unbuttoning it and yanked it off his armspletely, then tossed it to the snowy ground and, sliding his back down the rockface, sat on it, pulling her with him.


    "Zev!" she squawked as shended in hisp.


    "I said, trust me," he rasped.


    "But you can''t be naked in this! You''re going to freeze! You''ll get sick, or¡ª"


    "I can handle a lot colder temperatures than you," he reassured her. "Especially for only twenty minutes."


    "Twenty?!"


    "Well, I can probably swing half an hour, but I''m worried about you getting cold too¡ª"


    "Zev! I meant that twenty minutes is too long!"


    "No, Sash," his voice was rasping, throaty, and his eyes feverish on hers. "Please. I need you."


    That pool of heat in her belly did somersaults at the sheer lust in his eyes. And her body responded.


    No more protests. She didn''t know how this was going to go, but she didn''t want to wait. So she let Zev open her buttons, untie her leggings, and she groaned his name, gripping his neck and shoulders when he dropped his head, nuzzling the jacket aside to take the peak of her breast in his mouth.


    He sucked, and Sasha arched, hissing, pulling him against her, whimpering. Suddenly frantic to get her leggings off and take him.


    But Zev wasn''t rushing, ttening his hand against her belly and sliding down into her leggings, teasing her with touches as he tasted first one breast, then the others. And under her hands that had been out in the cold, his skin that had been beneath the furs was hot to the touch. She feared her fingers would feel frozen byparison. But he didn''t yelp when she stroked his chest and gripped the back of his neck.


    He moaned her name and began to push her leggings down.


    "I can¡­ take you from behind again¡­ or you can take them off and kneel¡­ over me," he rasped.


    "I want to touch you. I want to see you," she whispered¡ªa statement that would have made her blush usually, but the twist at her core was sparking, frantic for him. And she didn''t have to wait, because the words sparked Zev too, who growled his approval, then lifted her, whipping her boots and leggings off with lightening quick tugs, then turning her, guiding her leg so she straddled him and they were pressed together.


    She gasped at the contact, but Zev took a moment to pull the sides of his jacket up, over her feet and calves so they wouldn''t get cold, then took her face in his hands and kissed her as if she were about to leave him.


    Sasha whimpered again, arching, rubbing herself against him, marveling at her own desperation. Where had this endless pool of wante from? Why was she naked in a winter valley? But all thoughts were blown away by the wind of his searing kiss.


    Zev leaned forward, arching her back, his mouth open over hers, his tongue probing and insistent, and Sasha pulled him in, leaning back.


    Then his hands dragged down her scalp to that spot at the back of her neck, his fingers tracing over it in a way that sent butterflies fluttering, cascading deliciously down her back and sides. Thebined sensation of the friction between them, along with that incredible sensitivity almost sent her over the edge into her climax.


    Stunned and shuddering, she gasped his name. "Please, Zev!"


    With another growl, he took her hips in his hand, tilted them, and entered her in a single thrust that had Sasha crying out, and Zev groaning, his face buried in her neck.

 Chapter 210 - Beating As One

    Good news! There will be 30 chapters in the top tier of privilege from 1 February AND I''m having paperbacks printed that take you all the way through Zev & Sasha''s Solitude. (That''s the wordcount equivalent of 2 normal novels in one volume!) If you''re a Top Tier Privilege reader in February,ment on the most recently published chapter anytime in the month to enter the draw for a FREE paperback! (USA only unless you want to pay horrendous shipping, sorry!)


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    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~ </strong>


    The feeling of her shuddered through him, as if every inch of his skin had be a Sasha receptor. His senses were saturated in her¡ªher touch, her scent, her voice. He literally shook with wanting her, his breath hitching and catching as they moved together. He clung to her mercilessly, unable to be close enough, overwhelmed.


    What was happening to him?


    He leaned into her kiss, rolling his hips, breath hot, skin hot, hands full of her and all he could do was yearn for more.


    And she was the same¡ªfrantic for him, her kiss deep and urgent, open mouthed and teeth shing, writhing to meet him.


    Eyes open to devour the sight of her, Zev groaned as she let her head fall back and the light of the day painted her neck, chest and stomach for him in a soft glow, the soft, cloudy afternoon silhouetting her between the rocks so she seemed to glow.


    Then her fingers fisted in his hair and she pulled him down and he went, dly, into her arms, their bodies rolling in time.


    For long minutes, Zev was lost in her, his body climbing, always climbing, his heart mming against his ribs¡ªand hers echoing.


    The cold didn''t touch him, his blood racing in his veins, hot and crackling for her.


    Then, careful with his wound, he pulled her up, shifted his seat so he had more room, and leaning back so just his shoulders rested against the rocks, he took her hips in his hands and began to move her, lifting her, then pulling her down into his thrust until his call was breaking in his throat.


    Sasha''s eyes flew wide and she stopped breathing, her heartrate skyrocketing¡ªtaking his with it.


    He''d left her jacket on so she wouldn''t get cold, but it was unbuttoned, the two sides loose and pping.


    Shifting one hand back to cup her ass and keep her close, he slide the other up her side, under the jacket, brushing the fur aside and cupping her breast, then tweaking her nipple.


    Sasha made a tiny, high keen in her throat and ground into him.


    Shuddering with joy, Zev drank her in¡ªher mouth open, jaw ck, her throat exposed, her breast bouncing in his hand. Then he let himself watch where they joined, where they were made one and a guttural groan roared out of him as he almost came.


    Seeing her so abandoned, watching her ride him, everything within him came alight, driving him deeper, closer. His heart ran, thudding in time with hers, mming against his ribs so quickly his skin thrummed. Eyes wide he watched as, for every jolt of desire that coursed through him, Sasha responded with her own her body clenching, bearing down on him, her voice growing higher, more strangled.


    And as her desire grew, it fed his


    This bond¡­ this incredible bond¡­ he hadn''t known. He felt as if his skin would explode, unable to contain everything he was feeling¡ªheat, shivering desire, love, fear¡­ it was an overwhelming wave of emotion that carried with it the glittering, physical sensations that threatened to¡­


    Fuck.


    He realized then, the way they were connected. His heart echoed hers, and hers answered. His body sought hers, and hers absorbed him, then fed her desire back.


    As if they fueled each other.


    His mate, his beautiful mate¡­ her want for him made his greater, and the volcanic heat he held inside for her was overflowing in her own body.


    In this endless, upward spiral of desire, his desperation only climbed. He wasn''t going tost much longer. Zev realized.


    "Sash," he groaned.


    "Oh, Zev," she gasped, tipping her head back again. When he pulled her up, her eyes were wide, as if she were in shock¡ªbut they zed as she took his mouth, sucking his tongue and whimpering.


    With a growl, he returned her kiss, and she was there¡ªopen, abandoned,pletely surrendered to him.


    His chest swelled as his heart expanded, driving him forward with need.


    "Sash, I''m¡­ fuck¡­ this is going to be fast," he groaned.


    "I don''t care! Please just¡­ don''t stop, Zev!"


    Shuddering, he pulled her over him into his kiss, both of them barely able to keep contact as they struggled to breathe.


    But Zev''s control was shredded. One hand at her back, the other cupping her neck, he pressed back against the rock until his hips began to arch off the ground with every thrust. And Sasha, crying his name, rode him, gasping.


    "I''ming, Zev. Oh god¡­ I''m¡­" Her voice was high and faint and Zev fisted her jacket, driving into her as was caught up in the relentless drive of her climax and together they both fell over the cliff in an avnche of brilliant light and heat that left Zev speechless and gasping.


    Blinking, panting, stunned, still twitching, Zev''s body rxed and he clutched her to his chest, unable to catch his breath.


    "What the hell?" Sasha panted. "What the hell?"


    It took him several heaving breaths to be able to speak. "It''s the bond," he wheezed. "We''re¡­ our bodies are feeling each other¡­ I could feel what you were feeling¡­ could you?"


    Sasha blinked, then nodded, pulling back to meet his eyes. "That wanting¡­" she breathed. "That''s what it''s like for you all the time?"


    He snorted. "Only at the beginning. That was¡­ that was next level."


    "It was like something within me was growing and¡­ bursting out!"


    He nodded. "Me too." He slid his hand into her hair, ovee with the need to be close to her. "God, you''re so beautiful, Sash. So fucking hot. I''m just¡­ I can''t believe you''re mine."


    She shook her head, her eyes wide. "I feel the same way."


    Zev was suddenly swallowing a lump in his throat, his eyes stinging. Overwhelmed, he pulled her into another kiss and held her so tightly he worried he might cut off her air. But she only clung back, whispering his name against his lips and pressing into his chest.


    Desperation didn''t even cover it.


    *****


    If you''re a King of Beasts fan, it''s Reth''s Birthday (Anniversary?) this Sunday! If you''d like to join me for the LIVE voicechat with Reth Merch giveaways, and some fun surprises, visit linktr.ee/aimeelynn and join my discord chat.. The event will be there at 1pm PST, Sunday, 6 February (Los Angeles date and time!) See you there! (This message added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 211 - Heat

    <strong>~ ZEV ~ </strong>


    Zev wasn''t sure how long they sat there, wrapped in each other, thrumming with love and the effects of their orgasms. But eventually they stopped kissing and Sasha rested her head in the hollow where his jaw met his neck. Neither of them spoke.


    Zev felt sated, and happy, and utterly exhausted.


    But eventually the cold began to seep through his skin. And even though he felt like he was fine, he worried Sasha would be chilled. So he pulled her head up and kissed her gently. "I think we should go back to the cave and take a nap, or something."


    She tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. "Already?"


    He snorted. "I meant an actual nap. That''s the post-nap festivities. You''re getting ahead of yourself."


    Sasha sighed but sat back, pulling the jacket back around her legs, then blinking. "Omigosh, you''re half naked, you must be freezing!"


    She worried, and scrambled off of him, dressing herself and urging him to his feet and to put the jacket back on.


    "I''m fine, really, Sash. I can deal with the cold a lot better than you." And their activities had left him flushed and heated. If she hadn''t been worried, he wouldn''t even have put the jacket back on, but he could see the concern in the lines on her forehead, so after kissing her again, he dutifully put the jacket back on, but left it open and loose, because the cool air felt good on his skin.


    As they walked, hand in hand, back up the ravine, he realized he was still sweating a little, which was unusual for him. But that bond¡­ he was going to have to ask around and see if any of the older males had ever spoken with an ardent pair. He hadn''t expected his entire body to¡­ reflect hers.


    That was going to be fun. And possibly inconvenient at times. He looked at Sasha, who walked, hugging his arm, a small smile on her face.


    Her cheeks were pink, but she didn''t seem to be feeling the cold either.


    Were they somehow heating each other?


    Sasha had left her jacket unbuttoned as well, and when they reached the switchback on the trail that would lead them back atop the ravine and into the cave, he stopped, blocking her way.


    She looked up, about to ask what he was doing, but he only pushed the fur aside on one side, baring one breast to his eyes, and stroking the side of it with gentle fingers.


    Her nipple, already hard, peaked immediately and Zev growled.


    "This is¡­ incredible," she breathed.


    Tearing his eyes off her beautiful body, he met her gaze and locked in.


    Silver lines of tears lined her lids, but she was smiling.


    "What¡ª"


    "I''m fine," she rasped. "Better than fine. I never thought¡­ I never imagined there''d be a day when I''d feel like I could just let you look at me like that. Naked. In broad daylight!" she marveled. "But I do. I just feel¡­ safe."


    A tiny whine broke in his throat at the love and gratitude zing in her eyes.


    "Thank you, Zev," she whispered.


    "For what?"


    "For making me safe," she said, holding his arms and beaming up at him. "That''s a gift. Knowing that you''ll never mock me or¡­ I don''t know. I can just feel the love inside you and it¡­ it makes me want to cry, it''s so beautiful."


    Zev swallowed. "You''ve always been safe with me, Sash."


    "I know. And I believed that before you left. I believed it a long time after you left, too. I really did. But¡­ thesest couple years were really hard, Zev. Everyone told me I was a fool. I questioned everything."


    He looked down at her, eyes locked, willing her to see¡ªto feel his honesty. He was so angry with himself that he fell for such deception at the hands of Nick and the others, that he''d hurt her so badly.


    "I can''t control what''sing for us in the future, Sash," he said, his voice gruff with emotion. "I can''t control what others will do¡ªthough I''ll try like hell. I''ll do anything to keep you safe. But no matter what¡­ no matter what our lives look like, or sounds like¡­ you have to know that I love you. Feel me."


    He took her hand and put it to his chest, over his heart, so she could feel it, beating in time with hers.


    "We''re one. You''re literally the other part of me, Sash. I don''t care if I get mad, or sad, or busy¡­ I will never stop loving you. They can kill me, but they can''t stop my heart beating for you."


    She''s got tears in her eyes, but she''s smiling. "Me too. It''s all true, Zev. I feel exactly the same way. Even if I''m wrong. Even if I''m mad, or gone or¡­ it doesn''t matter. I''ll still love you. I''ll only love you."


    For a moment he shed, remembering that they would have to leave the next day. That this cherished alone time, this space to be just with each other and to say these precious things, was about to end. But even as his stomach sank, he shook it off. He still had her for today, all to himself. And he wouldn''t let anything steal this time from them.


    Dropping his lips to hers, he took her in another kiss¡ªfeatherlight and slow, a long, gentle trace of his lips on hers, their tongues barely flickering.


    Emotion welled in his chest when she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him there. He could feel her emotions swelling too, that reflection spiraling¡ªthis time with soft love, rather than demanding heat.


    She gave him everything he gave her. And more.


    Zev was awed.


    With one more gentle kiss, he straightened,bed his fingers through her hair, then said, "Come on." And without another word, he took her hand and led her back to the cave.


    **** DON''T BUY PRIVILEGE UNTIL THE MONTH RESETS! ****


    If you purchase expensive privilege tiers now, they will onlyst 2-3 days. If you wait until monthly reset (8am Pacific, 31 January 2022) you will receive MORE chapters for your money because I''m adding chapters to the tiers, AND you''ll continue to read in advance of standard readers for the full month.. So just hold tight for a couple more days! (This added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 212 - Like An Animal

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    That night, Sasha slept deeply. So deeply. She was sucked down into the void, her body heavy and weighted, unable to move.


    For a while, as if she was aware of being asleep, she tried to push up and out, out from under this cloud of darkness. But her mind tumbled further and further¡­ and soon she was back¡­ back in that clearing.


    The bonfire crackled off to her right. There were Chimeran males everywhere. Yhet stood a few feet behind her, whispering with Kyelle. And Zev, vibrant and strong, stood at the center of the near-circle made by the crowd.


    He was straight and proud, naked from the waist up, his body oiled and painted in a garish blue. Images of a wolf and stars.


    Sasha frowned. Why did she feel like that was wrong? Like she''d seen this before, but his skin should be painted differently?


    She shook her head, her belly tingling because Zev looked so delicious, and he was prowling towards her now, his eyes dark and intent, fixed on her. He wasing for her, and soon they would leave together, and have endless days ahead of them to be alone, to enjoy each other.


    Desire red in her belly and she smiled.


    Zev returned the grin, his eyes locked on hers. He opened his mouth like he''d speak to her, but suddenly a bellow from her right caught Sasha''s attention and she snapped her head to look¡ªonly to find a massive tiger arched in the air, a de clenched in its teeth, paws outstretched and ws unsheathed.


    Sasha screamed as itnded on her, bearing her to the ground, and suddenly it was Xar, hissing that if he couldn''t have her, no one could.


    But she knew¡­ she knew there was a rock, just under her hand.


    When he tried to stab her, she raised her arm, but it was as if the de didn''t even touch her. She braced against the blow, then brought the rock up, cracking it against his temple¡ªand her stomach flipped in disgust as she felt the bone give under its hard surface. Heard the crack.


    Watched the light die in Xar''s eyes.


    "You killed me," he whispered, blood flowing suddenly from his mouth, spattering over her face. "You killed me like an animal. Is that all I am to you?"


    Then he fell over her and Sasha screamed, trying desperately to push him off.


    "Sash¡­ Sash!" Zev voice, warm and urgent, called to her. But she couldn''t get the weight off, couldn''t stop the blood falling on her skin, into her eyes, blinding her. And Xar, even though he was dead now, whispering in her ear.


    "Like an animal. Is that all I am to you?"


    "SASHA, WAKE UP!"


    Sasha jolted awake in the pure ck of night, her breath heaving, lungs sucking at the air, and Zev propped on one arm over her, his eyes wide and glowing in the dark, the only part of him that she could see clearly.


    "Babe, are you awake? It was a dream. Sasha, look at me."


    "I''m awake," she murmured, pushing up to sit, her heart pounding.


    Zev put a hand to her arm, holding her, not as if he was trying to stop her, but as if he needed to touch her. Needed the connection.


    "What happened? What did you dream?" he asked her.


    Sasha, sitting up, trying to get her breathing back under control, swallowed hard. "I¡­ it was Xar," she said, her stomach twisting and sick. "I just¡­ I saw him again and he¡­ he was questioning me."


    Zev cursed and tried to pull her into his chest, but she shook her head. "No, no, I just¡­ I need a minute."


    Zev grunted but didn''t argue, just took her hand in his and sat there, watching her while she breathed.


    A few minutester, when she felt like she could breathe without iron bands tightening on her chest, she turned to look at him.


    "What is it?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Sasha swallowed. "He said¡­ he said I killed him like an animal. And he¡­ he asked if that''s all he was to me."


    Zev pushed a strand of hair back from her face, curling it behind her ear, then cupped her face. "That''s not you, Sash. That''s just the devil trying to mess with your mind. You had to kill him. If you hadn''t he would have killed you."


    "I know. I know¡­" she said, but there was no strength in her voice. "I just¡­"


    "I get it," he said simply, nodding.


    Sasha looked back at him again. "You have nightmares?"


    "About a lot of stuff. It''s why I can''t sleep half the time."


    "You''ve been sleeping here¡­ haven''t you?"


    He nodded. "Being close to you and in a cave helps."


    Sasha''s heart was still thumping faster and harder than usual, but she was beginning to calm. And she blinked. That night back at the tree house, when he''d taken wolf form and stayed outside, guarding her.


    "What happened to you, Zev?"


    He shook his head. "It''s not what happened, it''s what I did," he said, his voice choked. "But you don''t have to worry about that, Sash. It''s gone. It''s behind me."


    Sasha sucked in a breath and ran her hands through her hair. "It doesn''t feel like it," she said, her voice trembling. "It feels like¡­ like we''re haunted. Like no matter what we do, somethinges for us."


    She''d never given voice to the thought, but it had been floating in her head ever since that first night he''d shown back up.


    It didn''t seem to matter what they did, something¡ªsomeone always came for them.


    She wanted Zev to say it was just the dream. Just a bad feeling after a bad night. But instead he nodded.


    "But I don''t care what they do, Sash. I''m still going to love you. If all I get with you is this life, then¡­ then I''m going to make the most of it."


    Sasha''s throat closed and she swallowed convulsively. Talk of death had taken on a whole newyer of doom for her since their bond. Even now, she could feel his heart fluttering, right alongside hers.


    "It''s okay, Sash," he whispered. "I''m here. I''m not going anywhere."


    But did he have a choice? Did either of them?


    She let him convince her toy back down though. And to close her eyes.


    They held hands under the furs because she suddenly felt trapped. Like she couldn''t breathe. She needed to have space.


    And he understood.


    As her mind slowed again, and her heart began to ease, that was the thought Sasha clung to.


    Zev understood.

 Chapter 213 - The Morning After

    READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you (yes, YOU) for all your support of Zev & Sasha this month. I''ve been truly blown away. To say thank you, I''ve managed to write some extra content for the next couple weeks: Tomorrow when the month resets there will not only be 5 new chapters in Privilege, there will also be 2 standard release chapters as well (so if you buy top-tier privilege you''ll receive 7 new chapters over the course of the day). And I am working on a mass release for the beginning of Volume 2 in about 12 days, so look forward to another FIVE chapters that day!


    Thank you for everything you''ve given--your votes, gifts,ments, and encouragement have been a true gift to me to kick off 2022! (This was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha rolled over in the furs the next morning feeling like a weight pressed on her chest. It took a moment of thinking to remember¡­ the dream¡­ and they had to leave today. She sighed and opened her eyes, looking for Zev. But she was distracted.


    Despite the broken sleep, she''d been woken early because there was more light.


    Zev had been right. The storm had passed and the sun hade out for a couple hours before dark the night before, melting off some of the snow.


    She felt hot, she realized, throwing the top fur back and breathing more easily without the oppressive heat. The temperature must have really risen from the previous cold.


    She turned to look for Zev and found him,ying on his side, facing her, looking very young. The way he''d looked five years ago, when he was neen.


    He''d been so tired the night before, she didn''t want to wake him. But he said they needed to leave early that morning so they''d have time to go to the City. She bit her lip. Should she let him sleep longer or¡ª


    But as if he''d felt her thoughts, his eyelids fluttered and his eyes focused right on hers.


    Zev smiled. "Hey," he croaked. His voice horribly gruff. How long had they slept?


    "Hey," she said softly, scooting closer to him to reach for his body¡ªonly to gasp when she touched his skin. "Zev! You''re burning up!"


    As Zev groaned and rolled onto his back, she sat bolt-upright, heedless of her nakedness and put a hand to his face.


    "You''re seriously hot!"


    "Well, if it took you this long to notice¡­" he croaked, with a smile.


    "Zev! I''m not joking! This is serious. You must have an infection!"


    She''d redressed his wound the night before and been d that the wounds were closed and seemed to be healing. The skin had been red and puffy, but he''d reassured her that was normal for healing.


    He''d clearly been wrong.


    "Turn over. Now," she snapped.


    To her surprise, Zev rolled immediately onto his stomach, leaning his head on his arms and watching her as if he was awaiting new instructions.


    When she blinked at him, he grinned. "You used your Alpha voice," he said. "I''m not going to argue with that."


    Shaking her head in embarrassed frustration, she pushed the furs down to his waist and started on the dressing, peeling the edge carefully, wincing when it caught on his skin and his breath stopped.


    Sure enough, under the dressing the wound was still closed, the lines purple and red where they were closing. But the skin around and under them was even more red and inmed than it had been the night before.


    "You''re healing, but you''ve got something in the wound, or something. It''s swollen. Does it hurt when I¡ª"


    Zev flinched when she barely brushed it with her fingers, and Sasha''s stress shot through the roof, her heart hammering. "We need to get you back."


    "Sash, calm down. It''s not a big deal. We''ll get back tonight and the healers will give me a tonic and I''ll rest for a couple days. It''ll be fine."


    "That''s what you said abouting here!" she snapped, angry with herself for not paying more attention to the way he''d been slowing down for the past couple days. For the way he''d slept so much and his skin had felt hot even out in the snow yesterday. She was so na?ve! "You said you''d heal while we were here so you''d be good as new when we got back!"


    "Well, that was before Xar left me with a calling card," Zev muttered. "But yeah, it should have healed better. I guess I was a bit distracted."


    With a curse, Sasha pushed the furs back and scooted out of the bed. "We''re getting out of here now. And we''re going straight to the vige¡ª"


    "No, Sash. I''m taking you past the City. It''ll add an hour at the most. Don''t stress, okay? I''m still strong. I''m fine."


    They argued¡ªZev trying hard to reassure her, Sasha on edge because of her dream, but in the end, they packed before they made breakfast¡ªZev moving much more slowly than usual, she noticed with gritted teeth. She couldn''t believe she hadn''t been paying attention!


    Well, if he was Alpha and he was going to listen to her, she was going to make sure they didn''t dy their return at all.


    As they finished getting all their clothing back in their bags, she pulled thest of the fruit and jerky out of his. "We''re eating, then we''re leaving," she said fiercely¡ªring at him when he looked like he might argue.


    But Zev just smiled and took the jerky she was holding out. "Thank you," he said quietly.


    Sasha raised a brow at him.


    "What?" he asked, with a snigger. "I told you I was submissive to my Alpha."


    Sasha groaned.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    He was exhausted. He''d woken because her thoughts were racing. He could feel her stress. He''d thought they would need to talk about the dream again¡ªshe needed to talk about it. Because it was going to keeping back until she faced it. He knew.


    But before he''d had a chance to raise it, she''d realized he was hot¡ªand he''d realized why he felt so achy and tired.


    Infection. Fuck.


    He rolled his shoulders and felt the twinge in his bones. At least it wasn''t too bad yet. He''d talk to the healers that night. They''d have stuff to help him. They''d reopen the wound if they had to. But he suspected it wouldn''t be that serious.


    He''d probably gotten something in it during their bath the first night.


    Pity, he''d hoped to squeeze in time for one more bath before they left, but when he stood next to the big pot and raised his brows to Sasha, she just red.


    He raised his hands as if to fend her off, and went back to organizing everything, so the home was clean and ready for whoever visited next.


    The thought sent a spear through his gut.


    He prayed that the next visitors would be them. Alone again. Living in peace.


    Then he snorted.


    God didn''t hear his prayers.


    Zev shook his head and went back to packing thest of his things.

 Chapter 214 - In Your Head

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev hoped they''d get toe back to the ice cave together before too long. He wished they could just stay now, live there, forget about everyone else. The humans would never dare venture this far without Chimeran guards.


    But it didn''t matter. He knew those were the thoughts of a child, wishing away responsibility. They had to get back. Sasha especially. He sighed.


    So as he tidied the items they''d left out, he finished chewing on the jerky that tasted like sawdust in his mouth, slipped the little apple Sasha had given him into his pocket because his stomach didn''t want anymore food, and turned back to find her.


    Sasha was bending over her bag, checking through it to make sure she''d gotten all her furs. As he watched, she straightened, dropped her face into her hands and sighed heavily. His heart pinched and he started towards her, to pull her into a hug and reassure her. But before he reached her, she dropped her hands and picked up the bag.


    "Let''s go." Her voice was dead and t.


    Reluctantly, Zev turned back to pick up his own bag and reached for it¡ªthoughtlessly¡ªwith the arm on his bad side.


    Stretched out as he was, the lifting caused a jolt of pain that started over his ribs and shot through his shoulder. He gasped and dropped the bag, then growled, reaching for it with the other hand.


    "Zev, what¡ª"


    Her voice was breathless, afraid. Zev shrugged the straps of the bag over his good shoulder. "I''m fine," he growled. "It''ll heal, Sash. Don''t worry."


    But an image suddenly shed in his head¡ªhimself,ying in a bed, his body twisted in pain¡ªand his eyes wide and unseeing. His skin gray.


    A nket of utter grief and fear apanied the image and for a moment, Zev was breathless. Where had thate from? He hadn''t been thinking¡ª


    He sucked in a breath and turned, quickly, to find Sasha. She stood side-on to him, her forehead lined and mouth turned down.


    "Sash," he gasped. "Was that you?"


    "Was¡­ what?" She frowned at him.


    "Did you just think of me¡­ dead?!"


    Sasha blinked and her head jerked back. "You could see that?"


    Zev''s heart raced with excitement this time. He''d thought with the deeper bond he was only hearing her thoughts because he could get into her head, because he was a wolf. But this? She could show him images? Feelings?


    "Do it again," he said excitedly, ignoring the pain in his body as he slid the bag off his shoulder and dropped it to the ground again and walked to her. "You must have sent it. Sasha¡­ send me something. Show me what you''re thinking."


    Sasha stared at him for a moment, the first sh of light and joy in her gaze that he''d seen since she woke. Then she swallowed and blinked.


    An image bloomed in his head¡ªhimself, at neen. His face finer, smoother than it was now. He stood over her in the morning light, green on the edges of his vision¡ªher front yard. He was picking her up for school, but he''d been so eager to see her, he hadn''t waited for her toe out, he''d hurried towards the door¡ªonly to find her rushing out to him. They met on the little path from her front door to her driveway, and he took her in his arms.


    "Good morning," he said, smiling with joy.


    "Good morning," she''d whispered back, embarrassed. Her cheeks pink. She was giddy¡ªwith love and desire for him. Her stomach churning with the thrill of finally being back in his arms.


    The memory faded and Zev blinked, then focused, eyes locking with hers. Sasha gave a hesitant smile.


    "It''s one of my best memories," she said simply.


    He was speechless. The raft of love she''d had for him, even then¡­


    "I still feel that way," she rasped. Then her smile faltered and her eyes went sad. "It scares me that you''re hurt. And sick."


    Zev flowed across the space between them, pulling her into his chest, his hands shaking with emotion. "It''s a little fever, Sash. We''ll get back there and the healers will treat me. I''ll be better in no time."


    "That''s what you said about healing while we were here! You said you''d be better by the time we were going back!"


    "Well, obviously when I opened the wound again I picked something up. Look, it doesn''t matter. It''s not a big deal my body''s good at this. I''m just¡­ Sasha, you can give me your thoughts. Your feelings. This is incredible. I''ve never heard of a wolf doing this with someone who wasn''t in the pack. This is¡­ it''s a gift. We can talk this way, even when we''re apart. Send each other information and¡­ pictures."


    Sasha sighed and dropped her forehead to his chest. "I just want to get you back to the healers and make sure¡­ can we do that?"


    He held her tightly, rubbing her back. "Yes. We''ll do that," he said softly. "And just so you know¡­"


    He closed his eyes and brought up the memory¡ªhis version of that same morning. He''d dreamed about her, yearned for her. Been impatient to see her. And when she''de flying out of the house like that, his heart had leaped in his chest.


    He sent her the feeling, the way he''d wanted to howl. The sheer joy of finally touching her, even though it had only been twelve hours.


    "It''s one of my favorite memories, too," he whispered.


    Sasha clung to his waist, her face buried in his chest. He could feel her tension, and he stroked her back.


    "Can wee back here?" she asked quietly, her voice muffled in his furs. "When things are calmer and the females are back¡­. Can wee back here together? Do you think Yhet will mind?"


    I''m certain he wont, he said in her head.


    Sasha lifted her head, her eyes shining and red.


    Zev leaned down to kiss her, his entire being humming with love for her. But when Sasha reached up to take his face in her hands, she hissed and pulled back instead of kissing him.


    "You''re burning up, Zev. We need to leave, now."


    He groaned, but let her take his hand and lead him into the tunnel.


    The truth was, he didn''t have the energy to argue.

 Chapter 215 - It鈥檚 All A Dream

    FUN ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS! If you haven''t already, click my profile image from one of myment replies, or search "Aimeelynn" on All, and make sure that little red heart is filled in solid. If it is, you''ll be the VERY FIRST to receive exciting new content on All this year!


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha struggled to shake off the dread from the dream. Even when they discovered that she could give Zev her thoughts¡ªand her feelings, something she wasn''t quite as sure about¡ªthe little lift soon deted when she touched his face again.


    He was hot. Very hot. And not in the good way.


    His skin was flushed, and his eyes bright with fever. Part of her wished for a thermometer from home. But then she thought, she didn''t know what the normal temperature for a Chimeran was. And what if his temperature was horribly high? What if he was sicker than he was letting on?


    As they walked out of the ravine and back into the valley meadow, following the line of thend, back towards the vige, she didn''t know whether to rush him, or keep the pace slow and save his energy.


    Neither of them talked much. Sasha was deep in thought and assumed he was the same, but half an hourter when they were climbing out of the valley to the trail¡ªgoing more east this time, because he insisted that they pass through the City so she could see it.


    "You can''t make an educated decision without it, and we don''t know how long it will be before we can travel again," he insisted.


    She didn''t know if was alluding to his own illness stopping them from traveling. Or just that they would be too busy.


    Neither sounded great, but she worried more about him. Especially when he pulled himself up over a rock, then reached down for her, and groaned when he took her weight.


    "Zev," she said worriedly.


    He shook his head. "It''s painful, Sasha. That''s all. I''m plenty strong and it''s only going to be a few more hours. Stop worrying. Please. I wouldn''t go on if I wasn''t sure I could do it safely. I promise. I don''t want to leave you in any position of vulnerability. This is more important than getting back to the vige an hour or two earlier, I promise."


    She wanted to resist, but the truth was, his conviction and determination helped her feel more confident that maybe the fever really wasn''t as bad as she thought.


    She swung back and forth, but the truth was, she wouldn''t have known how to get back to the vige directly without him anyway. So she didn''t have a lot of choice.


    Another hour in and she was beginning to tire. She was about to suggest they stop for a rest, when Zev paused, dropping his bag to the side of the trail and unbuttoning his jacket.


    "What are you doing?!" she hissed, reaching for him.


    "I feel hot," he said casually. "Being in the cold air will help take my temperature down."


    Sasha fussed and protested, but he stopped moving and held her gaze. "Sash, I''m doing this to help myself. Seriously. This isn''t something you need to worry about. I''ve had way worse injuries. This is a little hup, that''s all. Okay? I''m strong, and I''m doing the best to help my body. In a few hours, we''ll be home and I''ll go straight to the healers, and then it''ll get better from there. Just rx."


    She frowned, but nodded and didn''t protest when he shoved the jacket into his bag, then continued.


    And he did seem to perk up a little after that, his skin making steam in the air, which was half-terrifying, and half-thrill-inducing.


    By the time they reached an intersection of trails and he smiled, pointing her off to the right¡ªdeeper into a thick forest, rather than the more open air and rockyndscape they''d follow back to the vige.


    "We''re almost there," he said, the words a touch breathless. But his eyes were sharp and focused, and he was smiling. "I''ve missed the City a lot."


    "Really? Why?"


    He shrugged. "It''s home."


    Sasha could understand that, she supposed. She''d have given her left leg to walk into her own apartment just then, tuck Zev into her bed, and feed him soup, call a doctor, then turn on a movie andy in bed with him for days.


    Zev made a little hum of pleasure. "I''d like that too," he said, his tongue curling around the words.


    Sasha groaned. "How is it that I''m sending that to you? I don''t mean to."


    Zev chuckled and stopped at the side of the trail to offer his hand while she navigated a series ofrge tree-roots. He didn''t answer until she was through, then he smiled. "When you think about a person, or something for them, you''re automatically more likely to connect. As wolves, we learn to guard our minds from each other, so we only send what we choose.


    "In those moments you''re more open to me emotionally, so you''re offering yourself without realizing it."


    "So I need to be more guarded with you?"


    He stopped walking and turned to look at her, his cheeks flushed. "No, Sash," he said quietly. "Please don''t do that. I just meant¡­ if you''re thinking something you don''t want me to see or know, be careful in your thoughts. Hold them to yourself. Don''t¡­ reach for me inside."


    What did that even mean? Sasha wasn''t sure, but before she could ask, Zev turned and started walking again. "We''re almost there," he said, and she could hear the smile in his voice.


    She hurried to keep up with him, shifting the weight of the bag on her shoulders as he pushed between bushes and through vines crawling from the tops of the trees, all the way down.


    How he knew where they were going when there was no defined trail that she could see, she didn''t know.


    But soon his eyes sparkled and he nodded to a shaft of light punching through a gap between some trees ahead. "That''s the clearing, the Square," he said, then smiled down at her. "Are you ready?"


    "Um, sure." She wasn''t sure what was so great about this ce, why he was anticipating it so excitedly¡­. Until he pushed a thick branch from a low tree back, and ushered her through and she stepped out from the forest to find thick stones¡ªcobbles, or bricks? She wasn''t sure. The grass grew up between them in such uneven lines, she didn''t know if it was cobbles that were just overgrown, or if it was natural stone ced to pave the road.


    But as soon as she raised her eyes, all those questions fell out of her head.


    Her mouth dropped open.


    "Oh, Zev," she breathed.. "It''s beautiful."

 Chapter 216 - The City Of Thana - Part 1

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    The forest stopped abruptly directly behind her. Zev kept walking, but Sasha stopped for a moment to take it in.


    The City was¡­ beautiful.


    Looming stone buildings, mostly single-story, but far taller than any single-story in the human world. Many were open to the air, pirs and walls holding heavy, arched ceilings and all of it, even the doorways, carved in patterns of leaves and branches. And all... growing. Sasha blinked to make sure her eyes didn''t deceive her. But no¡­


    Every surface¡ªespecially the rooves and window frames¡ªwere gray and brown weathered stone, but creeping with real vines, mosses, and small nts that covered so much of the thick stone that fooled the eye so the entire structure began to blend with the forest behind.


    Structures, she corrected herself. Yet, it didn''t feel that way. The stone walls were so broad and thick, the towering ceilings so majestic, each room and structure blending into the next through natural gaps that allowed sunlight and air¡­ it was impossible to tell where one building ended and another began¡ªor whether it had merely opened itself to the forest there, for a moment.


    "Do you like it?" Zev''s voice was oddly vulnerable. He''d stopped ten feet from the edge of the forest and looked back at her, waiting for her verdict.


    "Zev, this is¡­ incredible."


    She walked forward to join him, turning aplete circle slowly to find buildings spreading at every side¡ªtwo with massive trees growing atop them, the root structures so huge and ancient, they had grown over the sides of the building to be like pirs, each a trunk all its own, over a foot thick and blending seamlessly into the dirt like streams of water into ake.


    Then Sasha turned again and her jaw dropped further.


    In the gap between two buildings she could see further light and air as the earth fell away on their other side into what, at first look appeared to be a huge bowl carved out of the earth. But when Zev saw her catch sight of it, he smiled and led her forward.


    The buildings were evenrger close up and as they passed between the two she could see that the roofs of the single-story structures were easily twenty feet tall, if not more. But before she could examine how these huge buildings had been created with such intricacy and beauty, despite their huge size, they passed through the two and to the edge of the bowl.


    The stone walkway they''d been following spilled over the edge into a rolling, circr area that was, indeed, bowl shaped. But the smooth ramps down its sides were only to navigate it. The bowl was an amphitheater, each level ten feet deep, at least, the lip rounded and falling into the next¡ªlike a waterfall of earth and grass, bubbling over they of thend.


    All the way around the top of the bowl more of those massive trees grew, shielding the sight of further buildings, spreading through the forest.


    She''d thought they''d done a good job of camouging the vige, making it look like a piece of thendscape. But she could see that had been a poor cousin to the job done here. This city had been built with love¡ªnot only for the inhabitants, but for the nature surrounding it¡ªby master hands. And here it stood, who knew how many centuriester, even more magnificent than the day it was built.


    Sasha covered her mouth, strangely moved by the arresting beauty of this obviously ancient ce.


    She blinked and blinked.


    It seemed unreal.


    "This is the square," Zev said wryly, given the shape of the space. "It''s where we used to meet in the evenings and¡­ entertain each other."


    "Zev, this is breathtaking. It''s so huge!"


    "It was originally built by Sasquatch, for Sasquatch," he said softly. "They''re all gone now, except for Yhet. But¡­ they were here."


    "For a really long time, I guess?" Sasha said, swallowing hard. She felt very small here¡ªnot just in stature, but in the span of life. This ce had so obviously seen the world turn so many times¡­ perhaps much longer than anywhere in her world.


    "Yes. There are ces that need repairs, and buildings we haven''t used because we aren''t certain how much longer they''ll stand. But most of this ce is exactly as you see it here.


    There was a strange beauty even to the ces where the stone was bare. Huge hands had obviously carved and molded it with the intention of creating the very effect she''d noticed the moment she arrived¡ªas if it had grown there, rather than being built.


    Sasha nodded to herself. That was it, the reason she found it so appealing. The carvers and stonemasons had clearly understood how the world grew, and fashioned their work after the trees, water, and earth around them.


    It was stunning. And humbling.


    She turned to Zev. "Why would they have left this ce?" she asked bluntly. "I mean, even forgetting how lovely it is¡­ there''s so much more to it than the vige. Surely it must keep the Chimera safer and dryer and¡­ just better?"


    Zev sucked in a deep breath and looked around, his eyes pinched and distant. "That''s exactly what I asked them. No one seems to have a good answer. Xar called for it. There was a need for ess to the humans. And a temporary move became¡­ home."


    Then he turned back to her. "This is why I wanted to bring you here, so you could see why I think we shoulde back. You''re right that there''s more here. More we can use, and more safety. But even aside from that, the humans are far more reluctant toe here because of how long they have to travel from the gateway. It will give us more time. More warning when they do show up. And more¡­ I don''t even know how to say it. But the vige feels¡­"


    "Belitttling," Sasha ended for him.


    "Yes!" he looked at her surprised.


    "I noticed it when the humans came and we were watching from the foxhole," she said, walking to his side. "It felt like they were so much more¡­. capable. As if the Chimera were more¡­"


    "Savage," he said darkly.


    "Yes. As if you all were simpler than you actually are.. I don''t know how to exin it, but I could feel it."

 Chapter 217 - The City Of Thana - Part 2

    FUN ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS! If you haven''t already, click my profile image from one of myment replies, or search "Aimeelynn" on All, and make sure that little red heart is filled in solid. If it is, you''ll be the VERY FIRST to receive exciting new content on All this year!


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Sasha turned to stand next to him and look around again. "I''m willing to bet all this stone makes their technology less effective too," she said.


    Zev frowned. What could she mean? "How can that be? The tech we used always worked best in the cities, and they were farrger than this¡ªfar more stone, bigger structures."


    "Yes, but they had the technology in ce¡ªthe wires and signals¡ªto make them work through those huge buildings. The structures and cabling under the streets¡­ You have to figure everything they bring here is working on battery or sr power. Those little devices won''t have the same reach something in my world would have because they don''t have therger, powered devices and towers to connect to."


    Zev shook his head. "See, I would never have thought of that. I always experienced technology problems out in the remote areas in your world. It wouldn''t have urred to me that they might struggle here."


    Sasha muttered something under her breath and shook her head. "There''s also just the demoralization of living so primitively," she said, "especially if you all were ustomed to this." She shook her head again. "They y mind games with you, on every level."


    Zev let a growl putter in his throat. "You have no idea."


    She turned to face him again, standing close enough to put her arms around his waist¡ªvery carefully, he noticed, she was doing her best not to aggravate his wound¡ªshe looked up at him earnestly. "We have to bring them back here, Zev. Like, now."


    Zev chuckled. "Let''s wait until we''ve got a little more information and know which way we''re going¡ª"


    "No, Zev, I''m serious. Those men have been depowered for so long, they don''t even realize it anymore. They''re obedient and fearful and¡­ they need to feel strong. Not just strong to hunt and protect themselves, they need to feel strong as a people. As if they belong. As if they''re¡­ as valuable as they are. This ce," she opened her hand to gesture to the buildings and trees around them, "this is the home of a valuable people with history and¡­ guts. We have to get them out of that vige."


    Zev smiled down at her, rubbing her upper arms. "You''re beautiful when you''re being Alpha," he said happily.


    Sasha snorted. "That''s not being Alpha, that''s knowing about the psychology of people and why they do things they do. And how it affects their targets. We have to get them here, Zev. As quickly as we can."


    "I''m in," he said softly, staring at her while she stared at the buildings. "Let''s have some lunch, then I''ll show you around a little before we leave. You need to understand what''s here, and what''s not."


    "Yes, please," she said, but her eyes were still on the City and the forest surrounding them. "I can''t believe this has just been sitting her all this time. How did they get the females out of here? Even if they had guns or tasers¡­ there are so many ces to hide. So much protection."


    Zev frowned. "I know, it bothers me, too. The story that the females went by choice has to be real. The question is, were they drugged, or coerced, or both? I can''t imagine the females I know just walking out¡ªespecially those with mates."


    "We''ll find out," she said,ying her temple against his chest as she continued looking around. "But for now, let''s rest and get some food in you. I know having your jacket off has been good for you, but I''m worried. It''s not natural. We need to get out of here."


    "Soon," Zev said. The truth was, he was tired already¡ªand he loved the City. He didn''t want to leave. But he''d promised her he''d go straight to the healers. So he would. But she was right, it would be good for him to get a rest first.


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev led her back into the city proper, through one of the grand, mostly-open buildings she''d noticed as soon as they walked in, to a smallish courtyard on its other side.


    The Courtyard¡ªgarden, whatever it was¡ªwas almost square shaped, and hemmed by four, two story buildings, each with a wide open level at the ground, then stairs leading to closed in rooms and areas on the second level.


    But there, in the courtyard, what little snow had reached between the buildings and past the trees was mostly already melted off. There was a massive stone table at its center, and several smaller stone tables scattered around it. From the stonework in the ground that kept their feet from getting muddy on the wet ground, to the masterwork of the stonemasons, the tables each looked as if they''d grown into those positions.


    There were benches and round stones near most, but everything was toorge even for Zev, let alone Sasha. So he led her to a small, raised garden on the side, where broad, smooth stone rails, fat and squatting at knee height for Zev, encircled the base of what must once have been carefully selected trees and bushes, but had be massive root and branch structures as many nts over many years,peted for the sunlight and rain, growing into and around each other, until it was impossible to tell where one nt ended and another began.


    Zev pulled more dried meat out of his bag and handed her a strip.


    She watched him, growing more worried as her fears were realized.


    He wasn''t eating.


    He tried to cover it by looking for flint in his pack, and clearing a spot on the ground to light a fire, locating dry branches underneath the taller trees, and carrying them to the spot he''d cleared, all while carrying a piece of meat in his hand.


    But he put the meat down to light the fire, and he didn''t pick it back up again.


    He needed his strength. But he also needed his hydration, and if he was feeling sick, might throw up if he ate¡­


    She was scared to ask him. Especially after heid down on his side next to the fire, urging her to sit with her back to his stomach, and rested his head on his fist.


    And when she stopped making nervous chatter, he didn''t pick up the conversation.


    Within minutes he was asleep.


    Sasha sat there, curled into his stomach, his arm around her waist, and she prayed.. She prayed and prayed that letting him rest was the right thing to do.

 Chapter 218 - The City Of Thana - Part 3

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    He woke with a start when the fire popped, pushing himself up to sit, wincing as his side sent a lightening jolt of heat through his side and ribs.


    His heart was thumping. Sasha was gone. Where was she?


    "Sasha? SASH?" he called, pushing to his feet, frantic.


    But then the most beautiful sound in the world bloomed in his mind.


    Just rx. I''ming. I just needed to find a ce to pee.


    Zev winced again¡ªnot because he cared about her peeing, but because she had no idea how that scent would be a red g to any Chimera who came through the City. He would have to tell her to make sure and show her the bathing pools and toilets¡­ well, they weren''t toilets. He prayed shee be ustomed to straddling a water stream when they moved here. The city wasn''t equipped with the more-human amenities that her tree house had.


    Where are you? he asked carefully in her head, trying not tomunicate his fear about how far away she was. He heard her as clearly as if she stood beside him.


    Just a few buildings away, she replied. I didn''t want to get out of sight. How are you feeling?


    Better now that I''ve had a rest, he said quickly, and mostly honestly. He did feel better in the sense that he didn''t feel as exhausted as he had. Not quite.


    But the pain¡­ the pain was getting worse. His side felt like his bones burned. And his heart rate was up, his blood pressure high. He could tell. His head throbbed slightly in time with his pulse¡ªwhich he heard as a rushing in his ears.


    They were going to have to make this a quick tour so that he could see a healer before dinner. The idea of eating made his stomach turn. That wasn''t a good sign¡ªespecially when he still had an hour''s hike ahead of him.


    Listening carefully he could hear Sasha approaching from the north, and he turned, looking for her, waiting for her to emerge from the shadows of the building or out from behind a tree.


    Sure enough, her foot scraped on the stone of the open building in that direction, and then he could see her, smiling and waving, though she looked a little pale.


    "You know," she said as she crossed the grassy stones toward him, "the more I see of this ce, the more I wonder how Xar convinced everyone to leave."


    "Maybe he didn''t," Zev said as she stepped up close to him and hugged his waist. "Maybe the humans¡ª"


    "They left because they were lonely and afraid, and false promises were made. They all wanted to be closer to the ce where their mates and mothers and sisters would appear."


    Zev whirled, shoving Sasha behind him, Zev cursing himself for not paying closer attention beyond the thudding in his ears, as a young male appeared from the direction they''d entered, his chin low and eyes intent on Zev.


    He had blond hair and golden eyes, his skin where it poked out of the furs, tanned and weathered. But his face was still fine. He hadn''t found his fullness as a male yet, though he could look Zev in the eye if they stood toe-to-toe.


    He was handsome, and graceful as he approached cautiously. But his finer bones and nearly-smooth cheeks gave away that he hadn''t yet celebrated twenty summers.


    That didn''t mean he wasn''t deadly.


    Zev''s heart throbbed and Sasha''s too. He could feel hers pattering away at his chest¡ªfeel it echo in his chest.


    Zev stood, wary. As Sasha peered carefully around him.


    Who is that? She asked in his head.


    Xar''s son.


    "Where''s your sister, Axe?" he asked as the male stopped fifteen or twenty feet from them, his hands at his sides.


    "She''s not far away," he said carefully, examining Zev.


    Zev''s jaw tightened and he raised his voice so it could be heard in all the surrounding buildings. "You tell her if she touches a hair on my mate''s head I will take her throat."


    Axe''s expression didn''t change. For good or ill. "Your mate killed our father," he said bluntly.


    Well, he was obviously toote to take the sting out of that news.


    Zev nodded slowly. "Your father tried to take her from me when he already had a mate. During our fight for Alpha, he attacked her with a knife."


    "Your fight for Alpha?" Axe asked, the first expression finally passing his handsome features¡ªanger, but hesitation as well.


    Zev nodded. "When he tried to take my mate by his im as Alpha, I challenged him for Alpha."


    Axe frowned and looked at Sasha, then back at Zev. "But¡­ she''s Alpha."


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Her heart pounded in her ears. She could feel her pulse throbbing in her skin. This male had appeared from nowhere in that silent way the Chimera had. She was having trouble reading Zev, and she didn''t want to distract him by talking in his head if this guy was dangerous.


    But fear bubbled in her chest and she kept her eyes on this kid who was, apparently, Xar''s son.


    The question was, where was his twin sister?


    The skin on the back of Sasha''s neck crawled, feeling eyes on her that she couldn''t see. She whirled, still gripping Zev''s shirt, but trying desperately to see anything that might help identify the woman.


    But Zev kept his focus on the guy. He nodded again, one hand sliding back to hold Sasha''s waist, to push her behind him, she was sure, if this guy decided to attack with the knife hanging in a sheath at his belt.


    "Sasha''s Alpha because Xar ran from me to attack her. She defended herself and killed him. I''m sorry, Axe. I take no pleasure in it, but your father was¡­ there was something wrong. He had lost his mind. Everything he''d done¡­ it broke every tradition of our people."


    Sasha''s heart went out to the young man when his shoulders slumped and his chin dropped further, as if grief had suddenly weighed his shoulders. But his eyes snapped right back up. Sasha thought he was looking at her, but his gaze shifted, past her, higher than her shoulder.


    "I knew it," a soft, female voice hissed from behind them.


    Sasha whirled as a female appeared on the second story of the building behind them, holding a long bow, with an arrow nocked and ready to fire. She stared down it at Sasha.


    Zev turned quickly, trying to put Sasha behind him while positioning both of them so there was a twin on either side of them. She didn''t think he could protect her from both that arrow, and the knife though. Her heart hammered mercilessly.


    But they''d barely backed up before the woman''s voice rang out.


    "One more step and I''ll take her heart!"


    Zev stopped dead, his hands still back, boxing Sasha in behind him.


    "You really, really shouldn''t have killed him," the young man said from their right.. "She''s been waiting for you."

 Chapter 219 - The City Of Thana - Part 4

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Head throbbing, Sasha looked at the woman in the building, on the inside of a massive, open window, the frame of which was as tall as her thighs. She looked small inside such a huge structured, yet, with impossible grace, keeping the arrow knocked and her head tilted to aim it, she stepped up onto the window frame, then dropped into the courtyard.


    Sasha gasped¡ªit had to be a thirty foot drop¡ªbut before she could do more than tense, the womannded easily on the balls of her feet, her legs taking the impact smoothly.


    She didn''t even lose the knock on the arrow.


    Sasha stared at her, one hand still fisted in Zev''s waistband.


    The woman had beautiful, amber-colored, eyes, catlike in their shape, though as human as Sasha''s¡ªand filled with tears.


    "Let him go," she said through her teeth, and Sasha dropped her grip on Zev, putting her hands up, palms towards the woman. "I''m sor¡ª"


    Zev screamed in her mind, DON''T APOLOGIZE FOR TAKING ALPHA! Listen, Sasha! im it. OWN IT. She''ll kill you if she senses any weakness.


    His breath was panting in short, heavy puffs.


    Sasha froze, swallowing hard as the woman came to a stop twenty feet away, the arrow aimed directly for Sasha''s chest.


    She could feel Zev quivering next to her.


    "What''s your name?" she said as clearly and boldly as she could.


    The woman didn''t answer, but the point of the arrow shivered.


    "Her name is Aurelia," Zev said softly, one hand raised towards the woman, as if he could stop the arrow''s path. "She''s Xar''s daughter."


    Sasha nodded, licking her lips. She''d heard Zev and the others talk about the twins. They had been rebelling the night the females were taken, so Aurelia wasn''t taken with the other females. The two had been hiding from the humans ever since.


    "You''ve been living here with your brother for three years?" Sasha said to her. "Must be lonely."


    "Don''t speak to me, murderer."


    "Murderer? I''m still getting to understand Chimeran tradition, but¡­ is killing a male to take Alpha murder?"


    No, it''s not, Zev said in her head. Keep going.


    The girl didn''t answer. Her knuckles were turning white on the bow.


    She was clearly younger than Sasha,te teens, Sasha guessed. She was tall¡ªmuch taller than she''d looked standing in that massive window above. Her hair was a rosy blond and fell in waves to her shoulders. Her eyes were striking, and her body clearly strong.


    And she was emotional. A daughter who loved her father and had lost him.


    Sasha swallowed. How did youfort a child without apologizing for what happened?


    "I took no joy in removing him," Sasha said honestly. "I didn''t want to kill him. But he attacked me. I have no reason to fight with you."


    "I have reason to fight you. You killed my father."


    "''Lia, we talked about this," her brother said, his voice heavy with grief. "If I had challenged her mate and killed him, would you expect her toe for you?"


    "I am not a human! I am not the one who betrayed all of us and deceived my father! I am not to me for the death of our race!" she shrieked suddenly. Sasha startled, but managed not to make a sound.


    "No," Sasha said carefully. "You''re not. And neither am I. The same men who are killing the Chimera tried to kill me. I don''t work with them, I want to defeat them."


    "Bullshit! Another human lie for human purposes, and I am DONE WITH YOUR LIES!" She jerked the arrow back farther, until the string was vibrating.


    Zev snarled, his hands twitching towards her, and Sasha¡ªstunned, but finding impossible calm¡ªput her hand up to stop him moving.


    "I''m not lying," she said to Aurelia. "Ask me anything. I''ll tell you the truth."


    The woman''s eyes narrowed over that arrow. "Was my father crazy?"


    "I don''t know. But from what I gather, he wasn''t crazy when he took Alpha. It sounds like the grief of losing his mate and¡­ I heard that he was being given medication by the human team. If that''s true, I suspect they were giving him something that made him¡­ see the world differently."


    The girl blinked. Then bared her teeth. "They said it would help him."


    Sasha frowned. "Maybe it helped in some ways. But I think it also¡­ also made him suggestible, or something. There were decisions he made that made no sense."


    The girl tensed and adrenalin shot through Sasha''s system when she tugged on that arrow. "He was a good king! He was trying to keep everyone safe!"


    Sasha kept her hands up and nodded tightly. "I''m sure in his mind, that''s what he wanted. But he couldn''t see that he was ushering in his enemy. I''m sure he was desperate and well-intended. But he was wrong."


    Aurelia snorted. "But you have the right of it? You? The human? You expect me to believe you''re the one who can see everything clearly?"


    "Yes, because I''m one of them. I know how they think, and I understand the way they''re motivated. I disagree with what they''re doing, and I''m going to do everything I can to stop them."


    "Why should we believe you?"


    "Because your people are dying and if something doesn''t change, you can''t stop that."


    Aurelia lifted her head from the arrow, slowly, both eyes now fixed on Sasha. "I don''t trust you."


    "I don''t trust you either, but there''s a saying in my world¡­ the enemy of my enemy is my friend. If you want to see the humans taken out of Thana, we''re on the same side, because we''re both opposing them."


    Aurelia kept staring, her fingers shaking on the arrow so that Sasha was afraid she might loose it by ident.


    When no one spoke or moved, Zev growled.


    Axe, behind them, sighed. "Please, Aurelia, she''s Zev''s mate. We can''t afford to lose more females."


    Everyone held their breaths except Aurelia as she shifted her feet and tightened her grip and pulled the arrow back until the string creaked.

 Chapter 220 - The City Of Thana - Part 5

    FUN ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS! If you haven''t already, click my profile image from one of myment replies, or search "Aimeelynn" on All, and make sure that little red heart is filled in solid. If it is, you''ll be the VERY FIRST to receive exciting new content on All this year!


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    No one moved or breathed. Sasha knew without Zev telling her that her response here was critical. She could give this woman no reason to snap¡ªand no reason to see her as weak.


    Dear Lord, how was she supposed to walk that line?


    Sasha swallowed her fear. "The humans came looking for me, Aurelia. They wanted to take me out of here because they understand that I''m dangerous to them."


    "How are you dangerous to them?"


    "Because I can walk in their world, and reveal their secrets without being a secret myself, because I''m just a in human."


    Zev sucked in hard like he''d been sucker-punched and Sasha froze again. She wondered what he saw that she didn''t, but she was too scared to take her eyes off the young woman to find out.


    "in is right," Aurelia sneered.


    Sasha raised her eyebrows. "I''m guessing if you''re taking the time to be mean¡­ maybe you want to drop that arrow so we can talk?"


    "Lia¡­ please," Axe said softly. "No more death."


    The woman''s lips pulled back from her teeth and Sasha braced, certain there would be a twang and she''d feel the slide of that stone arrowhead in her skin.


    "I don''t want to talk to you," Aurelia growled. But then, without warning, she sighed and slumped her shoulders. The arrow wavered, then swung down to point at the ground, and she loosened the tension on the string. "But I also don''t want to kill another female."


    Sasha blew out a breath as the calm she''d felt whooshed out of her. She began to tremble. Zev was at her side immediately, babbling in her mind, demanding to know if she was safe. But Sasha couldn''t focus.


    She could feel the heat of him through his furs.


    "Zev," she whispered, rmed.


    Are you okay? Fuck, Sash, I was ready to shift and tear out her throat¡­


    He didn''t stop babbling in her head, checking her, running his hands over her hair, her body, checking her for injury or¡­ she wasn''t sure what he thought he''d find. All she knew was that he was sick, and they were wasting time.


    Still trembling, she made herself turn to him. "Zev, we need to go. You need to get to a¡ª"


    Zev grabbed her face and forced her to look at him. KEEP THAT QUIET! He hissed in her head. Then he looked at the twins over her shoulder, then back to her.


    They can''t be trusted. Not yet. Don''t tell them I''m weak. They''ll smell the infection, but if they can''t see my weakness, they''ll think I''m fighting it off.


    Okay. Okay. Sasha reached up with a shaking hand to kiss him, then every rm in her head began to scream. His skin was hot¡ªhot!


    But his eyes shed with the warning and he didn''t let go of her face until she nodded, then he turned back to the twins¡ªAxe wasforting Aurelia, who still looked very angry. Sasha was d they''d been distracted too.


    Zev worked hard to stand casually, but she could see the pinch of weariness and pain around his eyes. And she could feel the heating off him in waves.


    She was no longer concerned that he might be seriously ill. She was convinced. They had to get away from there and get him to the healers. But Zev turned back to the twins like they were there on a visit. Being social!


    "Sasha''s never seen the City before. I was showing her¡ªbut you two would know better what kind of shape everything''s in now. We''re talking about bringing everyone back. Can you see any issues with that?"


    Axe''s eyes widened. "No. That would be¡­ great."


    "Have you two really been here alone for three years?" Sasha asked. "And the humans didn''te for you?"


    "They came a couple of times, but always with Dad and Lhars and¡­ they never found us," Axe shrugged.


    "Xar and Lhars would have made sure of that," Zev said, just loud enough for her to hear.


    Sasha shook her head. "Why would they trust him to find his own children for them? Why wouldn''t they keep him out of the search?"


    "I don''t think they really cared about the twins," Zev said. "When they''re determined, they don''t give up. I think it was just¡­ just to keep Xar on his toes. Keep him working to keep them happy."


    Sasha needed to move this along, to get them out there. She sighed and turned to face Aurelia personally. "It has to have been hard, being alone that long. I''m sorry it''s¡­ I''m sorry it ended this way."


    Aurelia blinked several times, but nodded once, tightly, her jaw twitching.


    "I want to bring everyone back here. Immediately. Or, as immediately as we can. Before the humans return. Is there enough food and resources here? Anything we''ll need to make sure and bring or be prepared to deal with when theye?"


    Axe looked at Aurelia, who was still blinking, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Then he answered for her.


    "There''s plenty of space. A couple of the buildings are caving in, but even without them there''s more than enough space for the current poption. And food. There''s more now, actually, since there''s fewer hunters this far out."


    Sasha asked a few more questions¡ªthings they needed to know, but her mind was only half on the answers. Now that the tension of the danger from Aurelia had passed, Zev seemed to be sagging and she worried that the twins would notice. They needed to get moving.


    "Well, thank you, that''s all really helpful. If there''s nothing else that you think we need to know¡ª"


    "What about the humans?" Aurelia asked sullenly.


    Sasha blinked. "The whole point ofing here is to avoid them."


    The woman snorted. "You think they won''t follow you? They dealt with us here for generations before¡­"


    The specter of Xar and his death made everyone tense. Zev''s eyes went wolf, zeroing in on Aurelia as he shifted his weight so he half-blocked Sasha from her line of sight.


    The woman gave him a t look. "I''m talking about when everyone''s here," she snarled. "We don''t want everyoneing back if they''re bringing the humans with them. We want to keep our freedom!"


    "You think you have a right to tell the Alpha what she can and can''t do with the City?" Zev asked, his voice low and threatening.


    Sasha put a hand to his arm and almost sobbed. Even his forearm was burning.


    "We want you to keep your freedom too, Aurelia," she said quietly. "So help me. Help me understand how we make it hard for them. And how we keep everyone else safe. The only human that will be here, if I have anything to do with it, is me."


    Zev snapped his head to look at her, and his voice bloomed in her head.


    How exactly do you propose to do that when the gateway''s still open?


    I don''t know yet, she admitted. But we''re going to figure it out.


    *****


    If you''re a King of Beasts fan, it''s Reth''s Birthday (Anniversary?) this Sunday! If you''d like to join me for the LIVE voicechat with Reth Merch giveaways, and some fun surprises, visit linktr.ee/aimeelynn and join my discord chat.. The event will be there at 1pm PST, Sunday, 6 February (Los Angeles date and time!) See you there! (This message added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 221 - The City Of Thana - Part 6

    READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you (yes, YOU) for all your support of Zev & Sasha this month. I''ve been truly blown away. To say thank you, I''ve managed to write some extra content for the next couple weeks: Tomorrow when the month resets there will not only be 5 new chapters in Privilege, there will also be 2 standard release chapters as well (so if you buy top-tier privilege you''ll receive 7 new chapters over the course of the day). And I am working on a mass release for the beginning of Volume 2 in about 12 days, so look forward to another FIVE chapters that day!


    Thank you for everything you''ve given--your votes, gifts,ments, and encouragement have been a true gift to me to kick off 2022!


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    They started towards the trail out of the city, and Zev bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from groaning. His entire body hurt. As soon as the adrenaline of Aurelia''s appearance and threat had passed and he''d rxed, he started to feel weak. He was carrying both bags on one shoulder to keep his sore side free, but that entire side of his ribs and back burned now.


    Sasha hovered, but did a good job of keeping the twins focused on her and her questions, and not drawing their attention to him. But he was beginning to weaken. His knees felt a little shaky as they walked. He needed a drink¡ªhad nned to get one from the spring at the center of the city, but he wasn''t going back now that they were finally moving towards the vige.


    He needed help.


    Cursing to himself on the terrible timing, he barely caught it when Axe led them a little off the trail, to show Sasha a building that had a wall caving in so she could see the risks of certain spots in the city.


    Normally, Zev would have stayed at the ground, guarded the entrance, and allowed them to move together. But he still didn''t trust Aurelia with Sasha¡ªand it was a single story structure, open on two sides. So he dropped the bags at the door and followed the others in.


    It wasn''t a lot discussion, maybe ten minutes, Sasha''s eyes flicking to Zev''s face more than once. But they''d expect her to be checking with him under the circumstances.


    He struggled, wanting to stay far enough away from the twins that they wouldn''t sense the heating off him, but close enough that he could help Sasha if there was threat.


    By the time they turned to leave the building, his head was beginning to spin.


    "You two should select the ce you want to settle," Sasha said quietly as they moved out. "When we bring everyone back, if you''re already established it will be a lot less likely that you''ll lose your space. I''ll do what I can to keep you wherever you choose¡ª"


    "Not the Alpha''s home," Zev said through his teeth with a warning look at Aurelia. "You''ll have to give that up. I''m sorry."


    The female didn''t meet his eyes, but Axe shrugged. "We moved out of there months ago. It''s actually not thatfortable when there''s only two of you."


    "Well, just make sure you find the space that does make youfortable," Sasha said. "I''ll tell the males to leave you wherever it is."


    Aurelia blinked, then finally met and held Sasha''s gaze. "Thank you," she said quietly. "That''s¡­ thoughtful."


    Sasha gave her a grim smile. "I''m not your enemy, Aurelia," she said. "I promise."


    Everyone was still tense, but Zev could feel Aurelia thawing at that. Thankfully, the twins were as eager to be alone as he and Sasha were to leave, so the farewells, though stilted, were quick, the twins sinking into the forest as soon as they got out of the building, before Zev even had the bags back on his shoulder.


    As soon as they disappeared, Sasha eyed Zev sharply, but he warned her in her head not to say anything until he told her they were free. Axe was an excellent tracker. He''d likely follow them to make sure they were truly headed back to the vige.


    So it they walked in silence for ten minutes until the hair on the back of Zev''s neck stopped standing up and he heaved a sigh of relief. "I think we''re alone now," he said quietly, hoisting the bags on his shoulder, wincing at the pain in his joints.


    Sasha stopped walking immediately and held out her hand. "Give me my bag," she demanded, every ounce of her new Alpha authority pressed into those words.


    "Sash, I''m¡ª"


    "Zev, you look like you''re about to topple. Give me my bag!"


    He sighed, but did as she said, embarrassed by the relief he felt.


    She shook her head and pulled the one waterskin she''d packed out of her bag and handed it to him. "Drink. Right now. The whole thing."


    "If I drink all of that now it''ll juste right back up," he said, taking it from her. "I need to sip it while we walk."


    Sasha''s lips thinned. "Fine. Then¡­ keep drinking. You go whatever pace you can stand and I''ll follow."


    He nodded and started walking again, sighing against the pain in his body, and the weakness of his knees.


    Twenty minutester he stepped over a root in the path they were now following and his head swam suddenly. He wavered sideways, caught himself on the trunk of the tree, then kept walking, but Sasha gasped and pulled him to a stop.


    "How much longer will it take us to get to the vige?" she asked worriedly, holding his arms.


    "At this pace? Probably an hour, hour and a half." They were going to be the longest minutes of his life. He prayed he could sustain even this snail''s pace that long. His vision was beginning to tunnel.


    "Let''s just leave our bags here," Sasha said firmly. "It''ll make the walk easier, and maybe a little quicker. I''m sure Yhet cane get our bags for us."


    "Sash, I''m¡ª"


    "You''re not fine and would you please stop pretending so I won''t get scared? I''m already scared, Zev. You''re getting worse by the minute and you''re too big and heavy for me to carry. I''m¡­ you''re scaring me already, okay? Please. Put the bag down. I''ll leave mine too. And we''ll just go as quickly as we can. Together."


    He sighed, but knew she was right. Dropping the bag was a relief and it was easier to walk for the next half hour. But his vision continued to sh and re, the edges darkening. He had to focus to keep his ears on the forest around them and make sure they wouldn''t be surprised.


    At some point he became aware of breath heaving¡­ then realized it was his. Sasha wasn''t talking, just holding his arm, leading him forward.


    Then she turned to look up at him, and he looked down at her and he missed a hollow in the trail and when his foot jolted, his knee didn''t brace, and he was going down.

 Chapter 222 - Too Big To Fail

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha realized over two-hundred pounds of muscr male was tumbling for the forest floor just a split second before he whispered her name and his shouldernded on hers.


    Sasha cried out, bracing, trying to catch him, but only seeding in slowing his progress to the dirt.


    He grunted when hended on his sore side, his breath stoppingpletely and eyes going wide.


    Zev immediately rolled onto all fours, and started to push himself up, but Sasha caught his shoulder. "NO! No, Zev, if you fall again¡­ You need to stay down. I might not catch you. You might get hurt more. Please¡­ please¡­"


    He groaned, but didn''t answer her, except to drop his shoulder and roll onto his good side, eyes screwed tightly closed and lips tight and white.


    His breathing was tight and shallow, and that worried her even more than the heat rippling off his skin. While hey there, she tore his fur jacket open, exposing his body to the cold air.


    He hissed and began to shiver. "Too cold!"


    "We have to bring your temperature down, Zev," she growled, praying she was right. "If we don''t the rest won''t matter."


    He winced and sighed as sheid his fur jacket behind his back, folding the hood and sleeves into something like a pillow, then urging him to shift back.


    He grunted, moving like that, but soon heid alongside the trail on his good side, his eyes closed, skin dry and hot as the desert, and his breathing rapid.


    She didn''t even think, just dug into his bag for a shirt and scrambled back up the trail to a snowbank under a patch where the trees had dumped snow, then kept it in shadows. Packing as much as she could into the center of the shirt, she tied it around the pile and ran it back to Zev toy it on the back of his neck and head.


    "I''m going to the vige. It''s about half an hour, right? Up this trail?"


    "Sasha, just give me a minute to rest, and I''ll go¡ª"


    "No, Zev. You need help and I''ll be faster this way. Just¡­ are there any turns off this trail, or spots where I need to navigate?"


    Zev''s brow furrowed, but he shook his head. "There''s a few ces it will open into clearings. Just keep going straight¡ªand if you get turned around, look for the hooked peak of the mountain. Head straight for that and you''ll run into the vige."


    Sasha took a deep breath,id the waterskin down in front of him, along with another piece of jerky and some fruit, though she knew he wouldn''t eat it.


    "Okay, okay. I can do this," she said, her voice shaking. "Please, Zev. Just rest. Please don''t¡­ don''t do anything stupid. I''ll send them back¡ªthey cane a lot faster than me. And I''ll get Yhet to get the bags, okay?"


    He nodded. "I''m sorry, Sash."


    "Don''t apologize!" She dropped to the dirt in front of him, stroking his face, though he squinted when he opened his eyes to find her, gripping her arm. "An hour, Zev. That''s all. Just hold on for an hour, okay?"


    He nodded.


    I love you, he said into her head.


    I love you, too. Please¡­ just rest. Be safe.


    He nodded again, then she kissed his hot cheek and darted to her feet and began to run.


    "Yhet!" she screamed into the forest, just in case their dear friend was somewhere near.


    Don''t, Sash, Zev said in her head. It''s too risky someone else might hear.


    I don''t care she sent back, panting with relief when he growled.


    She hadn''t thought about being able to talk to him when she was distant. She wouldn''t stop, she told herself, until she reached the vige.


    You don''t move! She said firmly in his head. I''m going to find help as quickly as I can.


    She yelled for Yhet again and resolved that she would every few minutes until she found him, or someone else who could help.


    Can you reach anyone else this way? She asked him suddenly.


    I''ll try, he said. It depends how close they are.


    So we''ll lose this connection?


    Honestly, I don''t know, he said, and his voice sounded weaker. But she couldn''t tell if it was because she was running away, or because he was fading in his mind. Her heart thumped ufortably.


    Well, you listen to me, Zev. I love you. And you''re not dying. You''re sick. I''m going to get help and you''re going to be fine. So you don''t do anything stupid, okay? And if I disappear from your mind its just because I got a long way away.


    I love you, too, he said wearily. Just¡­ when you find them, you have to be confident, okay? Give orders, not suggestions¡­. They''ll expect that. It won''t throw them. This isn''t time for manners. You can''t be asking and polite¡­ You have to tell them what you need and expect them to get it for you.


    Okay. Yes. Okay.


    And¡­ if anyone questions you, just hold their gaze, no matter what. Don''t back down. Ever. Find Kyelle¡­ she''ll help¡­


    She continued reassuring him as much as she could while she ran, her breath tearing in and out of her throat, muscles burning, throat aching because she''d left all the water with Zev. But soon he was nodding off to sleep, telling her he''d be fine.


    Then he didn''t talk anymore.


    Sasha sobbed and pushed harder, breaking through branches of the trees that had overgrown the path and screaming Yhet''s name.


    Where was he?


    Where were all of them? Why weren''t any of them on the trail?


    Please, she prayed, tears in her eyes that she blinked away. She couldn''t afford to have her vision blurred. If she tripped and hurt herself, Zev would be in real danger. Please keep him safe, she prayed. Show him that you do care about him. He thinks you don''t. Please!


    She choked out another sob, her throat on fire. But she forced herself to keep running.


    Please.

 Chapter 223 - Stupid Pup

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    He must have fallen asleep. He''d been dreaming that Sasha was running, crying, running away from him, but trying to help him. It made no sense.


    But then he tried to roll over, to tell her about the dream, and his entire body lit up in fire and pain.


    "Stupid fucking puppy¡­ convinced he''s a big dog." The low, muttered voice was familiar, but jolted him awake properly, and he tried to sit up, but his body wouldn''t let him.


    Zev grunted and caught himself, shivering and alight with pain.


    When he blinked a few times, only able to keep his eyes open in a squint because the light hurt them, it was to find Skhal kneeling over him, shaking his head.


    "Can you see me?" the older wolf asked quietly.


    "Yes. I have a fever. I''m not blind."


    "Yet," Skhal said ominously.


    Zev opened his eyes again, wincing at the pain and sighed. "You have to keep Sasha safe. She''s running. Really slowly."


    Skhal snorted. "She''s crashing through the forest like an angry boar, screaming for Yhet. If he isn''t close, the entire vige will find her pretty soon."


    "You didn''t meet her? Tell her you were here?"


    "I came from behind you. I thought you''d being backter in the day. I was hunting, but caught your scent¡ªand could smell that you were sick. What the fuck were you thinking, Zev? Staying away when you had an infection?"


    "I didn''t realize until yesterday. And I thought¡­ I thought I''d be fine. But we got dyed."


    Skhal growled and dug into a foraging pouch at his belt. "Chew on this," he said, holding out a couple dark green leaves.


    Zev recoiled. "I can''t eat¡­ even the idea¡ª"


    "Don''t eat. Chew. Let the nectar work through your mouth. You''ll swallow enough to help. It''ll bring the fever down until they get a healer here."


    Zev nodded and opened his mouth, let Skhal put the leaves on his tongue.


    "Now don''t choke or do anything else stupid. I''m going to beat her back to the vige and get the healers. She''s going to get herself killed running like that. She sounds like panicked prey."


    Zev huffed. "I''ll teach her."


    "You better. We can''t have an Alpha that our enemies can hearing from a mile."


    He sighed as Skhal straightened. "Thank you, friend," he said quietly. "I''m grateful."


    "You''re wee. Just remember this next time I tell you you''re being stupid. Because it means you are."


    Zev nodded and smiled, chewing the leaves carefully as Skhal stepped back, shifted, and darted silently down the trail.


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    She didn''t know how long she''d been running¡ªshe thought it was only fifteen minutes or so¡ªwhen the trail wove around arge tree and as she rounded its trunk, she found a man standing there, staring.


    Sasha slid to a halt, blinking and panting. She didn''t recognize this one, hadn''t met him before. But the male, his eyes wide, scanned her face, then dropped his chin and eyes to the dirt at his feet and nodded a bow.


    Sasha wasn''t sure what the greeting was from an Alpha to an unknown male, but Zev''s instructions echoed in her head and as she leaned on her elbows, her entire body heaving with her breath as she shoved the words out.


    "Zev is¡­ infection¡­ he''s back on the trail¡­ need the healers¡­ NOW!"


    The male''s eyes went wide, then he nodded once and turned back towards the vige, leaping into an Ibex, like Dunken except his horns were half the length, and galloped back down the trail.


    Sasha hoped he was going to notify the healers. But realized she had to keep running. She couldn''t risk.


    "YHET!" she screamed as loud as she able, then swallowed, desperate to wet her throat, before pushing herself back into a run. "Yhet, where are you?!"


    Just a handful of minutester she saw shadows moving further up the trail, and soon they materialized into several bodies¡ªincluding a owl, flying over the backs of the others. Then, just as she could make them out they all shifted back into their human forms¡ªmost with faces she didn''t recognize, but Skhal and Kyelle jogging on either side of those at the front.


    Sasha almost cried with relief, but reminded herself that she had to be Alpha. She stumbled to a halt in the middle of the trail and let theme to her as she caught her breath again.


    "Zev!" she gasped, "he''s¡ª"


    "We know," Kyelle said quickly. "Skhal found him and came in his wolf, running as the crow flies. You''ve done well to get this far, Sasha-don. You can rest now."


    She waved the woman off. "Don''t worry about me. Get to Zev. Now. He''s got an infection and he''s going down fast. His fever is¡­ really bad."


    They all bowed their heads, then started past her on the trail, which was when she noticed Lhars directly behind Kyelle, his face solemn. He nodded to her as he passed, but Kyelle reached the trail behind her and shifted again, Sasha caught his elbow.


    His lips peeled back as if he would growl, but he caught himself and turned to face her, shifting so the followers had room to pass on the trail, his eyes bright and jaw tight. "Yes¡­ Sasha-don?" he added as an afterthought.


    She thought of what Zev would do, and gave him a warning look, never breaking the eye-contact. "Aware of the others still shuffling past before they shifted, one by one, to run down the trail, she kept her voice calm and determined. "Do you want the humans out of Thana? For real?"


    Lhars'' throat bobbed, and he nodded once, the edge going out of his gaze. "Yes. What do you need?"


    "I need you to bring together the Alphas¡­ or, or whatever council thates together to lead the ns."


    "I can make that happen. How quickly do you need them?"


    "How quickly will Zev heal from a serious infection?"


    Lhars'' brows pinched over his forehead. "If it''s bad, he''ll need two days to be functional. Another one or two before he''s not weary anymore."


    Sasha nodded, she prayed Lhars wasn''t exaggerating. Zev had assured her he would heal the wounds while they were gone¡ªjust four days. It seemed like this had t be worse. But he''d have help too¡­


    "Okay, set it for three days from now. In the meantime, can you get the Wolf Council together for me tonight? I have an idea and I need their input to refine it."


    Lhars'' eyebrows shot up. "Yes. Do you want to meet them at the cave again?"


    Sasha blinked. She hadn''t thought of that. "I''m not sure¡­ I want to be close to Zev. Is there somewhere more central we can meet privately?"


    Lhars nodded. "Yes. I''ll sort it out. After the evening meal?"


    "Sure."


    He nodded once and turned as if he would leave, then hesitated. Looking back up the trail, over her shoulder, he frowned. Then met her eyes again.


    "My brother is a good male," he said, as if the words hurt him to say. "And I would have followed him. But¡­ but I see there might have been unique challenges to having him in control again. Hearts that might have struggled to trust, you understand?"


    Sasha nodded. Yes, she did.


    Lhars raked a hand through his hair. "Perhaps¡­ perhaps you being here is a provision we didn''t foresee, but I don''t question it." Sasha raised a skeptical eyebrow at that, but Lhars just grinned. "Well, no more than I would for anyone who wasn''t me," he said with a dry chuckle.


    Sasha wasn''t sure how to respond to that, but in the end she didn''t have to.. Lhars ducked his chin once, muttering, "Sasha-don," then shifted into his wolf between one stride and the next, and took off down the trail towards the vige.

 Chapter 224 - Waiting

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Yhet found her on the trail before she reached the vige, his big, broad face wide with concern.


    "Sasha-don, what happened?"


    He looked so worried, Sasha almost cried in relief that she wasn''t the only one who was scared. But she swallowed it back.


    "His wound opened up and it''s gotten infected."


    "Oh no! How did he do that!"


    Sasha''s cheeks colored at the memory and she pped a hand. "It''s not important. But Yhet, I need to thank you. Thank you so much! Your home¡­ it''s beautiful!"


    He dropped his shaggy head then, nodding. She couldn''t tell if he was smiling or grimacing. "You''re wee, Sasha."


    "It was such a haven, Yhet. I''m¡­ I''m sorry that you can''t enjoy it anymore. It''s truly beautiful and it made our time very special."


    Yhet lifted his head and looked around them on all sides before turning back to her and lower his voice so it sounded like a whispering bear. "Did the mating go smoothly? I know it can be a little¡­ frantic to begin with. But the bond has clearly taken. You stink of him! So that''s good!"


    Sasha blinked and spluttered augh before pping a hand over her mouth.


    Zev was seriously ill. She was exhausted. There was a homicidal twin in the city, and she wasn''t going to have Zev''s supporting presence as she returned to this people who thought she was leading them¡­ And Yhet wanted to know if the mating went well.


    "It went¡­ very smoothly," she said, blinking too much because she struggled to hold his eyes.


    "That''s good news," he said, beaming, patting her hair so hard she stumbled forward. "I pray you''ll have offspring very soon!"


    "I¡­ I mean that won''t¡­ thank you, Yhet, but¡ª"


    "It''s okay!" he whispered hoarsely. "There''s no one else here. We''re in private. You don''t have to be careful with your words."


    She thanked him and, afraid that he might ask more questions, asked him if he would run to get their bags.


    "The others will bring them," he said confidently, turning to walk with her on the trail. "And I wanted to speak to you, so perhaps this is a good time?"


    "Oh?" she asked nervously.


    "Yes, I¡­ I owe you my submission," he said sadly, his great shoulders slumping suddenly.


    Sasha frowned. "Whatever for?"


    "I didn''t do my job. When Xar came for you. I was taken so off guard. I wasn''t prepared. I watched the crowds in case someone working with him came for you. By the time I''d realized, he already had you in his hands. I failed you, Sasha. I''m very sorry."


    Sasha opened her mouth and closed it again. "I¡­ it''s okay, Yhet."


    "No, it''s not. And Zev will have reason to stand over me. I want to assure you, I will not challenge him when he does."


    "Zev isn''t going to¡­ what? Stand over you? What''s that?"


    "It''s a form of discipline," Yhet said. "Something you''ll need to be familiar with now if you''re Alpha, Sasha-don," he said earnestly. "When we fail someone higher in the hierarchy, we have to acknowledge it, publicly."


    Sasha frowned. "Publicly? Why?"


    "So that others know the higher ranks aren''t weak," Yhet said, ushering her past a bristling thorn bush that was growing over the trail. "If Zev doesn''t address it, the others will think it''s okay to step around his instructions. We can''t let that happen. I just want you to know not to worry. When he steps up, I will submit. Regardless of the cost."


    "I¡­ okay¡­ well, I trust you, Yhet. But I want you to know I''m not upset, okay? I''m grateful to you. I wouldn''t have gotten through those days without you. I''ll ask Zev not to be too hard on you."


    "Oh, no, don''t do that!" he rushed, shaking his head vigorously. "He can''t be easy on me, that will cause problems also."


    Sasha gave up. She didn''t understand this hierarchy. How was she ever going to lead these people? But the talk with the twins had given her an idea, and perhaps that was the answer.


    Yhet kept pace with her as she walked¡ªvery slowly¡ªback to the vige. It was embarrassing out how of shape she was. Twenty minutes running and she was drenched in sweat, her throat parched, and her body weary.


    At one point Yhet offered to carry her the rest of the way to the vige. She wanted to crawl into a hole and die.


    Reassuring him, she forced herself to pick up her head and push her shoulders back. As the trail widened and the gaps between the trees becamerger and longer, she knew they would meet more and more people. She needed to appear in control and expecting¡­ what? Control?


    Sasha groaned to herself and Yhet looked at her with concern, but she just waved him off, grateful that they were almost home.


    Except, of course, she couldn''t go home. Yhet led her to the healers hut¡ªa building that wasrge by vige standards, though Yhet couldn''t fit through the door. There a bed was being prepared and several males hurried around picking out bottle and bandages, setting up a table at the foot of the bed.


    They all submitted to her when she walked in, dropping their heads and crossing an arm over their chests in salute. But she told them to continue as they had been, and they did.


    She was given a chair and assured Zev would be there soon. Then they went about their business. Then Lhars arrived, scanning the room and seeing the empty bed with her in a chair next to it, and he took a deep breath.


    "The wolves will meet you this evening," he said quietly,ing to stand at her shoulder, watching the healers as they hurried around the room. "And the Alphas have been informed that there will be a strategy meeting on the third day."


    "Thank you," Sasha said, sighing. Now that some of her adrenaline had worn off, she was exhausted. Struggling even to sit up straight.


    Lhars watched everything with sharp eyes, posting himself next to her, hands at his sides, arms tense.


    It took her a moment to realize what he was doing. But then he red at a new healer who stepped into the building and Sasha shook her head.


    "You can be here¡ªI''d be grateful if you''d stay to see Zev and help me. But you''re here as his brother, as his second, not as a sentry."


    "I am here as Zev''s brother," he said darkly. "As a brother of the n. You''re my sister now, Sasha. And any one of the Chimera could defeat you. If I let one of them harm you, Zev would have my throat."


    "These are healers, they''re here to help! I can''t look so uncertain of my ce that I need guarding here. You heard me, Lhars. Back down. Take a seat. Give me advice. But don''t do this."


    Their eyes met and locked. Lhars tensed, but he didn''t argue. Instead he nodded once, then looked behind her, found another chair and pulled it over so he could sit next to her.


    And together, they waited.

 Chapter 225 - Sleep Sweet

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Fucking Skhal tricked him. The leaves his advisor had given him to chew didn''t just lower fever, they made him sleep. By the time he realized what was happening, it was toote. He spat the leaves out, but could feel himself being sucked under the nket of sleep.


    What the fuck had the male been thinking? Zev needed to be aware and awake, able to help Sasha after he got to the vige and they treated his wound.


    He railed against the deceit and tried to roll over, to keep himself awake. But the pain was a hot poker in his side and when he shifted back onto his side to breathe it out, everything faded¡­


    The pain was intense, but even though he was aware of it, he was also separated from it. Deep the dark of sleep he fluttered in and out, aware of voices, hands moving his body, curses, and that pain. He wanted to ask whether Sasha was safe, why she wasn''t there. But he couldn''t make his lips move. And the pain¡­ the pain threatened if he came too close to the surface.


    Then the pain took on a rhythm, his body rolling, jolted, hissed voices¡­


    ¡­ A stabbing poker, white-hot from the Smith''s fire dug under his ribs and he screamed.


    He could smell his mate and tried to warn her¡ªsomeone was trying to kill him! But then the pain eased and he heard her voice¡­ she was close. But so was his brother, and Zev growled a warning. Too many males. Too many close to her¡­


    ¡­The world was quiet and still dark. His side still burned hot enough that he wanted to retreat from it. But he couldn''t move.


    Then a cool hand brushed his brow and soft lips touched his cheek.


    Sasha.


    He tried to reach for her, but his limbs refused to move. He inhaled deeply, taking her scent. Not so many bodies nearby now, but that didn''t mean she was safe. He needed to wake.


    Then her fingers slid into his palm and she whispered his name.


    Sleep, she said. Just sleep.


    And even though he didn''t want to¡ªfought to swim to the surface despite the pain¡ªhe was pulled down again.


    Down.


    Down.


    Down¡­


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    It had been terrifying to see them carry him in unconscious. But Kyelle had immediately reassured her that Skhal had given him something to make him sleep so they could transport him without pain.


    Then, while he still slept, healers had treated the wound¡ªan abscess under the skin. The healers said it happened at times that the Chimera''s superior healing locked in germs. They''d had to cut him open again to clear it, and he''d fought, growling and snarling, his entire body rigid.


    It had taken five males to keep him on the bed.


    Sasha had wept.


    But he''d rested so much better when they were done. And now¡­ it was past evening. The vige was quiet, only the pathlights on. One healer in a chair next to the firece behind her, another in the next room, sleeping. The two would take turns, they said, just to make sure there was always someone there could who respond quickly.


    But he would be well, they insisted. He''d heal now, and quickly.


    Sasha hoped so.


    Sasha sat in a chair next to Zev''s bed, bent over him. Slumped on him, if she was honest with herself. She''d meant to just rest, to be close when he stirred¡ªhe kept squirming, his voice rough and angry, but barely more than a whisper. She wanted to calm him.


    She''d ced her hand in his, her cheek on his shoulder and whispered to him to rest, that things would get better now.


    But she''d barely had time to think about the fact that she hadn''t shown up for the meeting with the wolves before she''d drifted off herself, his hand still in hers.


    She woke to the healer putting a nket over her shoulders. She startled and sat up quickly, sucking in a breath, opening her mouth to apologize. But Zev''s voice echoed in her head.


    Never apologize for being Alpha. They''ll see it as weakness.


    So she swallowed those words and put a hand to Zev''s forehead instead.


    "He''s doing well. The fever is almost gone now that we''ve removed the infection."


    Sasha nched, her relief that Zev was improving already tempered by the shuddering memory of that swollen, putrid wound. That had been¡­ ugly.


    "That''s a relief," she whispered. "Thank you for your help."


    The healer shrugged. "Is there anything I can get you?"


    Sasha blinked. What time was it? "I¡­ I need to get a message to Lhars. Where is he?" she asked, still bleary-eyed,pletely unaware if it was ten or two, only that the night was dark ck beyond the windows outside.


    "He''s right outside," the healer said. "Guarding the door to keep Zev safe."


    Sasha looked at the man sharply. Was Lhars pretending to protect Zev? Would he make her appear weak?


    "Would you like me to get him?" the healer asked carefully.


    Sasha frowned. Did she want to see Lhars? She definitely wanted to make sure he wasn''t sabotaging her. "No, no, it''s fine," she said carefully.


    Then, as the healer retreated to his chair next to the fire, she looked down at Zev. He was sleeping peacefully, his face rxed, his finger ck in hers.


    Sliding her hand out of his, she stood and watched. Zev didn''t move. His chest rising and falling. When she took one step back, he still didn''t stir. She nodded. He would be fine. He wouldn''t even know she was gone. And she''d only be right outside the door.


    She turned to the healer. "I''m going to talk to Lhars. If he wakes, get me immediately."


    The healer ducked his chin once, eyes down in submission.


    Sasha still felt ufortable whenever they did that, but she couldn''t deny that she was getting a lot of things done by not having to argue about them.


    Then, pulling the nket up around her neck and wrapping it around her arms like a shawl, she walked quickly to the door and opened it to find Lhars seated on the steps outside, his head in his hands.


    He looked up as she walked out, his eyes dark and tormented.

 Chapter 226 - [Bonus ] Questions In The Dark

    Did you jump into privilege right away at reset this month? There was an error in my uploads and the top tier didn''t show up for purchase untilter in the day. If you want to be in the draw for a paperback of the whole first volume up to the Solitude, you''ll need to upgrade one more time (andment on a post.) But don''t worry, even if you don''t, there will be a mass release next week for EVERYONE to say THANK YOU for your amazing support! (This message added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha closed the door softly behind her and turned to walk over to the steps and stand next to where Lhars sat, pulling the nket around herself.


    She didn''t know how he sat out here in his furs without freezing, but he didn''t seem concerned.


    "What are you doing?" she asked calmly.


    Lhars looked at her then away. "Guarding my brother while he''s weak."


    "Your brother, or me?"


    Lhars snorted. "You made your position clear. But Zev is a target, as the wolf Alpha. I won''t allow him to be harmed. If we have anyone who''s still working with the humans, or who has some crazy idea to avenge Xar in some way¡­ I won''t allow it."


    "So, you do care about Zev?" she asked bluntly.


    Lhars tipped his head and looked at her thoughtfully, and his face, his eyes, his expression was so simr to Zev''s for a moment Sasha''s heart squeezed with love for her mate. She looked over her shoulder, back towards the building, but she couldn''t go to him. Not yet.


    "I care about what Zev represents to our people," Lhars said carefully. "And¡­ I don''t want to see him dead."


    "He cares about you, too, Lhars. He''s just¡­ he struggles to trust."


    Lhars shook his head. "My brother thinks he''s the only male who''s grown up in the past few years."


    Sasha didn''t know if that was true, but she also thought it wasn''t her argument to have. So she stepped down onto the top stair and sat a couple feet from Lhars, hunched over her knees and frowned out at the night.


    The moon was out, the sky clear tonight after the storm, which was why it was so cold, Sasha realized.


    She hadn''t spent much time on this side of the vige. There was a wide open space in front of her, but there was a cold cookfire in the middle of the clearing, and the treeline was peppered with other, smaller buildings.


    Moonlight turned the ground silver-gray, with the deepest ck shadows under even the tiniest rock.


    Sasha wished she could have enjoyed it with Zev. She swallowed the pinch in her throat. He was going to be fine in a couple days. They all said so.


    "Is there something I can help you with?" Lhars asked quietly.


    Sasha sighed. "I missed the meeting I called with the Wolf Council. How much trouble will that cause?"


    Lhars snorted. "It wouldn''t have been a problem regardless. Alphas often get torn away from responsibilities in emergencies. But I warned them. I knew you wouldn''t want to leave him when he was so vulnerable. They''re nning on seeing you tomorrow evening instead."


    "Well¡­ thank you," Sasha said, a little stunned. "That was very thoughtful."


    Lhars shrugged. "Honestly, I''m used to cleaning up Xar''s messes. You''re going to be a piece of cake."


    Sasha took a deep breath. "Yes, about that¡­ I believe you''re someone who will tell me what you really think. Not sugar-coat it. Am I right?"


    "Yes."


    She waited for the joke, but Lhars just stared at her.


    Well then.


    She swallowed. "I have a vision for¡­ for the future. But it would be different, I think, than what the Chimera are ustomed to, and if I present this I think¡­ I think Zev won''t be honest with me. He''ll either tell it''s great because he believes in me, or he''ll tell me it''s terrible because it puts me in danger. I need to know how a¡­ a normal Chimera, someone who didn''t know me, would feel."


    Lhars nodded. "I can do that."


    "Good. So¡­ I''m thinking when I speak to the Council and to the Alphas, I''d like to propose a... dual Alpha."


    Lhars frowned. "A what?"


    "I think I can help with the humans," Sasha said carefully. "I can''t quite see exactly how to begin yet, but I know I can help. Because I can move around both worlds freely. I don''t have to hide from humans¡ªor Chimera. And I understand their technology, how they think. How it differs from¡­ here. I think I might be able to see ways forward the Chimera might note up with."


    Lhars nodded for her to continue.


    "I''m not Chimera, though. I''m not strong enough to take a physical challenge¡ªand that leaves the hierarchy vulnerable if I''m Alpha. Plus, it''s entirely possible that I will offend people by ident. Sometimes the way I think or the things I do, they''re different."


    Lhars shrugged. "None of us are the same."


    "I mean in ways that could create problems, though," she said. "What if¡­ how would I go about getting Zev appointed as Male Alpha, and keep myself as Female Alpha? We could rule together¡ªI would handle things with the humans, and he could handle everything with you all."


    Lhars brows rose. Sasha was grateful that he didn''t immediately respond, but turned to look out over the clearing and consider what she''d said.


    "That''s definitely something new," Lhars said. "Though I suspect the wolves, at least, wouldn''t struggle too much with it. Our ancestors share the authority. But the others? The tigers? The goats? They''re all ustomed to a lonely throne."


    "Really, Zev would be it," Sasha said quietly. "But I know he won''t let me just give him the Alpha. He''s afraid more change is only to make everything more fragile¡ªwhat do you think? About this change, I mean? Will it make us as a people stronger or weaker?"


    Lhars turned his head quickly, examining her.


    "What?" Sasha asked, taken off guard.


    "You said, ''us.''"


    Sasha shrugged. "Yes."


    "You see yourself as Chimera?"


    Sashaughed. "I''m no Chimera. But I am here. I want¡­ I want the Chimera to win. I''m Zev''s mate. And he''s mine. This is¡­ I want this to be my home."


    Lhars hesitated a moment, then one side of his mouth curled up into a smile. "You will do well, Sasha-don," he said quietly, looking back out on the clearing. "You and Zev will do well."


    She didn''t miss the ring of sadness in his tone.


    And she thought she knew where it came from, too.


    "Thank you," she said carefully. Then with a deep breath, "You know, if anyone had told me a month ago that today I''d be here, with Zev, mated and connected¡­ I would haveughed in their faces."


    Lhars shrugged. "I''m happy for you."


    "No, Lhars, look at me."


    He turned, warily. Sasha tried to just lookpassionate. She''d hated it when she was heart-broken and people spoke to her like she was a child.


    "What I''m saying is¡­ don''t give up hope."


    He waited a beat too long before asking, "I don''t know what you mean."


    Sasha had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Bloody men and their egos.


    "I mean, Kyelle," she said softly.


    Lhars tensed, but she plowed on.


    "Don''t give up ho¡ª"


    "Don''t," he spat in a dead, cold voice. "Just¡­ don''t."


    Sasha shut her mouth and waited, thinking, trying to anticipate what would help him. But Lhars'' knee began to jiggle, then he shoved to his feet.


    "You don''t have to leave, Lhars. If you don''t want to talk about it, I won''t push you. I didn''t mean to make you leave. I''m grateful that you''re here for him."


    Then Lhars whirled, and Sasha stiffened.


    Even in the moonlight she could see the rage burning in his eyes.

 Chapter 227 - Bound By Blood

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    "I am not here for him," Lhars spat, stabbing a finger back towards the building where Zevy sleeping. "I am here for the people who believe in him and need him to be strong and¡­ and need a leader that won''t walk them into the den of the lion!"


    Sasha swallowed hard. "Well, regardless, I''m thankful¡ª"


    "Oh, stop with your fucking human manners and etiquette. You''re Alpha. Your mate is Alpha of the wolves. You hold what opinions you hold. Stop inviting admiration with your words, earn it with your actions!"


    Sasha bristled. "Why do you think I''m even talking to you about all of this? Because I want to make sure I''m measuring HOW to do this that''s best for everyone!"


    "Then talk to your mate! No one is admired more than my brother," Lhars sneered bitterly. "I''m only the second, remember?"


    "Second to an insane tiger who was leading these people straight into that lion''s den you were talking about! You can''t expect him to forget that!"


    Lhars stalked up to her. Sasha stood on the top step so even though he was on the dirt below, they were eye to eye. The rage burning in him, fists at his sides, Sasha had a sh of fear, realizing he could kill her with a blow.


    But he stopped at the base of the stair, eyes narrowed, and didn''t reach for her. His voice was low, snarling, but coldly controlled.


    "No matter what my brother has decided is true about me, the reality is that I kept this people together and alive while our Alpha slowly lost his mind, and the humans yed games with our lives. Zev can sneer at me all he wishes, but when I stand before the Creator, I know what was in my heart and what I achieved when he wasn''t even fucking here."


    Sasha took a deep breath. "I know that can''t have been easy¡ª"


    "Stop fucking submitting, Sasha!" Lhars snarled. "Fight for what you know! Own it! If you are wrong, admit that you''re wrong and change it. But cease with this endless¡­ needling for approval!"


    Sasha''s head snapped back like she''d been pped. "Needling¡­ for approval?"


    "Yes," he snapped. "I may not admire my brother as others do, but one thing I will always give him, he has owned his choices and his positions since he was a cub. He is a true Alpha in that way¡ªhe does not pretend to be cowed, or seek approval. He ces the truth before others as he sees it and stands by his word. You could learn something from him. Admiration is worthless if it is founded in maniption."


    "Maniption? Because I''m being polite? Thoughtful?"


    "No! Because you have something to say and a n to determine, and instead you speak in ways that are designed to make me offer to agree with you, rather than presenting your n and pursuing it, and asking me toe with you¡ªor the others."


    "I¡­ I did not¡­"


    "You do not need my opinion, Sasha. You do not need my approval. You need me on your side, to lead in your favor. I will do that if your intentions are right, and your n is good. I will follow my fucking brother if it gets us free of the humans. But I will not follow you because I LIKE you."


    "Is that right?"


    "Yes, it is."


    "You think I should own my opinions and not care what you think?"


    "Yes."


    "Great," Sasha said, leaning closer so they were almost nose to nose. "Then stop resenting Zev because Kyelle is in love with him. Either she''ll get over it and finally value your love for her, or she won''t. But either way, it''s not Zev''s fault. You''re being petty and childish. You KNOW he didn''t encourage her feelings. You feel inadequate next to him because YOU care about what others think, so you can think twice about criticizing me for it."


    Lhars blinked. Then blinked again. A shudder rocked through him and his eyes red with the heat of that anger. But Sasha was impressed by his self-control.


    He straightened, slowly folding his arms, and regarding her with narrowed eyes.


    Sasha wanted to hide her head and apologize¡ªit was true, but harsh, and harshly said. She licked her lips, but Zev''s words¡ªand Lhars''¡ªechoed in her head. Instead she raised her chin and let him see in her eyes that she dared him to contradict her.


    "What my Alpha says might have merit," he seethed. "I''ll give that some thought."


    "Good!" Sasha said, a little too forcefully because she''d expected him to refute her, and there she was, braced for a fight that wasn''ting.


    She didn''t know what to say after that. There was an awkward pause where neither of them spoke, then Sasha cleared her throat and tried to rx, rocking back on her heels and watching Lhars as his jaw twitched, but he didn''t storm away.


    "You''re right about one thing," she conceded. "Zev doesn''t trust you to have grown. At least, not as much as he should. I''ll encourage him to¡­ reevaluate."


    Lhars'' lips pressed thin. "Thank you," he said quietly.


    "You''re wrong about why I asked you, though. I really can see that you''re honest, and I knew you wouldn''t tell me what I wanted to hear. So¡­ I meant it when I said I needed to hear your thoughts about my proposal. About how to do it. Because¡­ Zev will always swing to extremes with me. He means well, but he doesn''t see me clearly. He''s too¡­"


    She had been about to say "in love," but under the circumstances that felt like a blow she didn''t mean tond. So she trailed off, frowning.


    "A Chimera never sees their mate clearly," Lhars growled, turning his head away finally. Sasha sighed with relief being out from under his eyes. "The bond¡­ from what I understand it¡­ softens the heart and makes the eyes smile."


    "That is¡­ a wonderful way to put it," Sasha said, slightly stunned. Then it dawned on her. "Oh¡­ you''re¡­ you have the bond with Kyelle?" she asked, hushed. "Is that possible? That she wouldn''t feel it, I mean?"


    Lhars gave a tiny growl and turned away, shaking his head. "Not every story is so¡­ simple as yours and Zev''s," he said.


    Sasha gaped.


    *****


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 Chapter 228 - Get A Clue

    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha snorted. "Simple? Are you fucking kidding me?"


    "I meant your love is simple, Sasha. You two love each other, admit it, and live it. That is¡­ something to be envied. It doesn''t happen for all of us that way¡ªeven with the bond."


    "But¡­ the bond¡­ I thought that was like God putting you together or something? How can she have it with you and want him instead?"


    "Because the Chimeran bond is¡­ not simple. Some are born with it, others develop it over time. In either case it has to be epted," Lhars said through his teeth, looking away to the trees. "I don''t wish to discuss it further."


    "And you say I''m not being up front with my words."


    Lhars red. "I''m being very upfront. But if you are unclear, let me state it for you: I do not wish to talk about this. At all."


    Sasha sighed and pulled the nket tighter around her. She was torn about Lhars, convinced that he was a good man and probably did deserve more recognition from Zev. But he clearly wasn''t wless, and hadn''t been in the past. She couldn''t step between the brothers when she didn''t know the whole story.


    She would talk to Zev, though. Get him to take a second look at Lhars. And maybe stop¡­ needling him.


    Sasha snorted, even though the thought stung.


    Culture shock was a bitch.


    "Okay¡­ does that mean you won''t talk about my other ideas or questions, or you just don''t want to talk about this?"


    Lhars sighed, his breath making a puff in the cold night. "If I can help the Alpha, I will, of course," he said through his teeth. "I just want to avoid¡­ this subject."


    "Fair enough, Sasha said. "So, to put it inly like you''ve asked me to, I believe the ns are better served if they have both Zev and I in leadership¡ªin different roles. And I understand that that''s not how things are done here. So¡­ Zev worries that too many changes too fast will create more problems than they''ll solve. It''s why he doesn''t want me to just give him the Alpha role. He thinks¡­ I don''t know what he thinks.


    "I think we''re better off if he''s in charge, but I''ve got the chance to do something¡­ about the humans."


    Lhars stared at the ground near their feet and chewed it over. "I see the idea and apud it in concept," he said finally. "And I think in many ways having a Pair as Alpha could give more stability¡ªespecially if one or the other does have to travel. The question is whether the Alphas will ept it. In order for one of them to take the throne, would they have to beat both of you?"


    "They''d hardly have trouble getting past me," Sasha said dryly.


    "Xar did."


    The words hit her in the sr plexus, stealing her breath as an image of Xar, his eyes turning dead, zing over as he slumped¡ª


    Sasha turned her head away from the image. "That''s a good note," she said firmly. "I''ll think on how to address that. Can you think of any other issues the people might raise?"


    "Only that you''ll need to establish how it works¡ªif the two of you do not agree, who do the people listen to? How would you establish Zev?"


    "I don''t see it as us having to agree. I see it as us haven''t different areas of responsibility."


    Lhars scratched the back of his neck. "The idea has merit," he said carefully.


    "But?"


    "But¡­ I''m just not sure how you''d do it¡ªbring him alongside you without appearing as if he has defeated you and simply taken Alpha. That needs more thought."


    Sasha nodded. He was right.


    But at least he hadn''tughed at her. Perhaps there was hope for this idea after all.


    They discussed it for a long time, but in the end, there were no real answers, only spection. And Sasha knew she needed to step carefully and not rush this. Even Lhars thought there needed to be time for the Thana males to understand her and how the hierarchy would now work with Xar.


    Sasha sighed, but understood.


    By the end, they were both sitting on the steps again, just a few inches between them. When they went quiet, Sasha yawned.


    "You should try to sleep. He will need you tomorrow," Lhars said. She didn''t detect the bitterness in him.


    "I''m not sleepy, just¡­ exhausted."


    "You''ll be even more so tomorrow."


    She knew he was right, but she felt¡­ afraid to go to sleep. Afraid of what might happen while she was unaware. She looked back towards the building, then sighed again. "You''re right."


    Lhars blinked. "That''s¡­ not a statement I hear often."


    Sasha snorted. "Wee to my world."


    Lhars smiled then, a slow, easy grin, and Sasha was struck again by how simr the brothers looked. And she wondered how much like Zev Lhars might have been without carrying such resentment.


    She almost reached for him, just tofort him as she would anyone else she knew was hurting. But she hesitated.


    Then she remembered what he''d said about owning herself.


    She snorted again.


    "What''s funny?" Lhars asked, sounding genuinely curious.


    Then she turned to him and twisted a smile. "I was just thinking that you want me to be up front and own the way I think, but there are certain things that you wouldn''t want, if I were to do that."


    Lhars turned his chin slightly. "Give me an example."


    Chuckling to herself, Sasha stood up, and beckoned for Lhars to do the same thing. When he did, she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around him.


    Lhars went stiff under her embrace, but she just tightened her hold and leaned her temple against his chest.


    "I''m d you''re here, Lhars. I''m d that the ns had you when Zev was gone, and I''m d that you weren''t too proud to stick around now that he''s back. I''m d that I can trust you to be honest with me even when it''s hard. And I feel for you. I hope you can be happy."


    Then she let him go and stood back.


    Lhars stared at her, his face nk, but eyes wide.


    "Good night," Sasha said, then turned and went back inside.

 Chapter 229 - Morning After

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev was aware of the pain first. He tried to roll into the warm scent of Sasha at his shoulder, but his body gripped him and he had toy still and breathe for a moment.


    He settled for turning his head.


    Her dark hair was scattered across his shoulder and chest, a sticky patch on his shoulder under her cheek. Her cheeks were pink, but the rest of her looked a little pale.


    Zev winced when he realized she was seated in a chair at the side of his bed, leaning onto him, her hand in his. Her back was going to regret that when she woke up.


    He sighed, testing the pain in his side.


    It was bad, but not as hot as the day before. He felt weak, but as if he wasing more alive, not less.


    Healing. Thank God.


    His bad side ached when he didn''t move, but was only sharp when he tried to shift his weight.


    Sasha sucked in and sat up, her hair falling over her face as she blinked, bleary-eyed, then rubbed her mouth.


    "Gross," she whispered, her voice husky withck of sleep. "Zev! You''re awake!"


    He smiled and reached for her with his good arm. "Good morning. You should have gone home and slept. You''re going to be tired today."


    "Oh, Zev. You''re okay. Thank God. Thank you, God!" She reached for his face and leaned forward to kiss him, her shoulders slumping with relief. "You scared me so bad," she said, her voice tight with unshed tears.


    "Hey, hey, I''m fine. I''ll¡ª"


    "You are not fine, Zev-dan," a voice said from the doorway next to his bed. They both turned to find the young healer who had treated him at the Ritual, now looking down at him sternly. "You will heal, but you should havee back to us two days ago. You took a great risk."


    Zev grimaced. "I honestly didn''t think it was going to be as bad as it was."


    The healer shook his head. "I''m d that you''re back, and grateful for Sasha-don. But you must care for yourself first, to lead. If you fall, your n will be thrown into chaos."


    "I know, I know."


    As the healer circled the narrow bed to check his side, Sasha stared at him, half-angry, half-pleading.


    "I''ll be fine," he murmured. "I''m sorry I scared you."


    She clicked her tongue, but just watched the healer as he raised Zev''s arm¡ªan exercise that hurt far worse that Zev wanted to admit¡ªthen peeled back the bandage to check the wound.


    The healer worked in quick, efficient movements, asking Sasha to hold the bandage back while he took some powders from the table next to the bed and blew them onto the wound.


    Even that tiny pressure¡ªthe male''s breath, the pattering of the herbs¡ªsent jolts through Zev''s side. But by the time the healer had reced the bandage and was pouring something into a small cup, Zev could breathe again.


    "You will stay here today and tonight¡ªonly standing to relieve yourself. Tomorrow, if your pain is manageable, you may go home. But no shifting. And no work. If there are meetings to be had, you will have theme to you. We''ll rece your dressing and powders daily. But you do not return to shifting and running until you''re cleared by one of us," he said with quiet authority.


    Zev rolled his eyes, but when he caught Sasha''s stern look, he nodded. "Yes, yes. Of course," he said, taking her hand.


    She really did look afraid.


    When the healer left them alone, Zev turned back to her, squeezing her hand. "I''m sorry I scared you," he said again. "I¡­ misjudged."


    She nodded. "You can''t do that again, Zev. Seriously. It was¡­ it was terrifying. I can''t do this without you."


    She wouldn''t do anything without him, he thought grimly. But that thought just made his stomach sick, and one of the helpers was bringing bowls of thick gruel for them both. Sasha helped him sit up, which made him want to pass out. But once he was propped on pillows, Zev found the arm on his sore side didn''t want to move. He used it only to keep the bowl in hisp, eating quickly with the other, surprised by how weak he felt.


    The infection must have been worse than he thought.


    But he got through the meal, thenid t again, with some relief, holding Sasha''s hand as she stroked the hair back off his forehead.


    "I''m fine, Sash. Seriously. You don''t need to worry. This will heal."


    "I know," she said quietly. "They keep saying that. But they also keep saying that you were in real danger. That if they hadn''t gotten you here when they did, it could have killed you. Zev¡­ why didn''t you tell me?"


    "I didn''t realize how bad it was," he said. "I didn''t even suspect until the day before, and I thought I''d get home, take some herbs and be done. It¡­ it got worse quickly."


    Sasha sucked in a breath and sat back, but didn''t loose his hand. "You know, when I was struggling¡ªreally struggling¡ªwith you being gone, I went and talked to a woman for a while who was a specialist¡­ and she told me that my tendency to ignore my own needs was a form of self-destruction. That it revealed how I really thought of myself."


    Zev frowned. "What are you trying to say?"


    "I''m saying, I need you to take as good a care of yourself as you do of me," she said simply. "I have big ns for us, Zev. And I can''t do them without you."


    "I''m not going anywhere."


    "You might not n to, but if you don''t take care of yourself, if you don''t value your own wellbeing¡­ it won''t matter what you give to help me, Zev. Nick, the team, they''re going to take advantage of that with you. They already have. We have to be strong."


    "I''m not giving in anything to them, ever again," he growled. "You need to believe me on that Sash."


    "I know you wouldn''t on purpose. But¡­ Zev, I had a lot of timest night to think and try and figure out this whole picture. We can''t get the females back without dealing with the Team¡ªand that means Nick, too, right? It''s obvious he knows you really well and knows how to motivate you. He''ll use me against you, Zev. He already has. And I don''t know about you, but now that we''re¡­ connected this way, I feel more frantic about keeping you close, not less."


    She reached a hand back to the back of her neck, and her cheeks flushed.


    Zev smiled and said in her head, I love seeing you blush for me. Everywhere.


    Sasha''s cheeks went beet red, but the look she gave him was a caution.


    Then get better, she sent firmly. I''m not doing anything with you until they tell me that it''s safe for you to¡­ move.


    The color in her cheeks deepened and Zev chuckled.


    Then I''ll will my body to heal even faster, he sent, making sure his voice was low and husky in her head. Because I need you.


    She leaned forward and kissed him and Zev hummed into her mouth, cupping her face with his good hand.


    But his nose twitched and he went still as she pulled away.


    Catching his expression, Sasha looked rmed. "What is it? What''s wrong?"


    Zev''s jaw rolled. "Sasha¡­ why do you stink of my brother?"

 Chapter 230 - Green-Eyed Monster

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    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha was shocked to silence for a moment. It was the first time Zev had spoken to her sharply.


    She sat back and held his gaze. "I was talking with Lhars overnight. While you slept. It was a difficult time, and he was kind enough to stand guard for you, outside. All night," she said pointedly.


    Zev''s jaw just twitched. "Talking?"


    "Yes, talking," she said firmly. "I asked him to arrange some meetings for me, and I was getting his input on my own¡­ ideas. The way I''m hoping to move forward. He knows the councils and the people. He''s been here while we''ve been gone¡ªand from a position of leadership. He''s a great resource, Zev. And he wants to see us seed."


    "Us? Or you?"


    "Zev, seriously? Since when are you this kind of jealous?"


    He red at her, his eyes dark, brows heavy. Sasha wasn''t sure whether tough, or snap at him. "Zev," she sighed. "Seriously, what''s going on?"


    "You''re mine," he said quietly, his good hand fisted in the furs. "You can''t¡­ I won''t let him¡ªor anyone¡ªtry to take you¡ª"


    "Trust me, that wasn''t what was going on," she said dryly. "C''mon, Zev, you know you can trust me."


    "It''s not you I don''t trust," he growled. "Do I need to remind you what we just went through with Xar?"


    A sh in her head, gripping that rock, mming it into the older man''s skull, the bone caving under her hand¡ª


    "Xar was¡­ losing his mind. You told me that yourself."


    Zev nodded. "Yet he had his supporters¡ªmy brother was his second!"


    "And nning to defect with the wolves. You told me that yourself. Lhars helped me, Zev. He helped you! Trust me, he has no interest in me for a mate."


    "He disyed for you¡ªchallenged me for you!"


    "He was challenging you to make a show, to give you a chance to step up the hierarchy, Zev. You told me yourself, he was helping you!"


    Zev closed his mouth, his lips tight and thin. "You''re right," he mumbled a secondter. "But¡­ but you have to see, Sasha¡­ this connection we have. It drives me. Literally drives me. Even the idea of another male''s hands on you¡­ it makes my skin itch!"


    Sasha sighed, holding his gaze. "Zev," she said carefully, "I really think Lhars has a good heart."


    Zev grimaced. "Maybe. Probably. But that''s not the point. You''re a desirable female, Sasha, you need to understand that."


    "You told me the Chimera would touch me now that we''d had the public deration!"


    "That''s exactly my point¡ªI said no male in his right mind would touch you. And yet, here we are! My brother should have been keeping his distance!"


    "He did," Sasha said simply. "I didn''t."


    Zev froze, gaping at her.


    Sasha groaned and put a hand on his arm. It was tense. A steel bar under her palm. She stroked it with her thumb.


    "Not that way," she said quietly. "We talked a great day. Your brother is hurting on a lot of levels, Zev. And he''s trying to help you, even though he hurts. Iforted hi as a friend."


    "Why the hell would you do that? Since when is Lhars your friend?"


    "Since he told me what I needed to hear, not what was easy. And since he helped you."


    "And that meant you needed to touch him?"


    "Yes!"


    "Why?!"


    "Because that''s who I am, Zev. And your brother was the one who snapped his fingers in front of my face and said if I''m going to be sessful here, among the Chimera, that I have to stop apologizing and own who I am. Be who I am, even if it''s different. I have to make my decisions, then walk them out, regardless of what others think."


    "I told you that, too! I believe that!"


    "Good. Then this is me, doing that, Zev," she said firmly, folding her arms.


    "But¡ª"


    "No buts. I''m someone who cares about people, Zev. I reach out and I want to help. And if they''re helping me, I''m even more invested in making sure they''re taken care of. But no one is ever going to touch my heart¡ªor my body¡ªlike you do. So rx. Your brother needed a hug, even though he didn''t know it. So I gave him one."


    "YOU HUGGED HIM?" Zev tried to sit up, and grunted, his hands fisting in the furs as he closed his eyes and breathed through the pain.


    Sasha was not impressed. "Seriously, Zev? You think because we bonded I''m suddenly, what, a possession you can just withhold from other people?"


    "No!" he growled through his teeth, eyes still closed against the pain. "Of course not."


    "Then grow up."


    "This isn''t an issue of being juvenile," he spat, then took a breath and opened his eyes to find hers. "The new bond is¡­ it makes me hyper-aware of you, Sash. Drives me to keep you safe."


    "You can''t expect me not to meet with and talk to men. Apparently, I''m alpha! And that''s virtually all that''s here! I am going to have to talk to males, Zev. Meet with them. Eat with them. Be around them, and¡ª"


    "There is no need for you to beforting them," he growled. Then his entire body shuddered, and despite the heat of anger in his gaze, a pleading fear was there as well.


    Sasha took a deep breath as she watched him fight for control.


    This whole time had been hard for both of them. And she could feel him through the bond, feel his tension and his fear¡­ Was it fair to criticize him for feelings?


    Sasha unfolded her arms and leaned forward onto the bed, one hand to the center of his chest, the other in his hair. "No one has me like you do, Zev," she sad quietly.


    Zev brought up his good hand pulled her down into a searing kiss. She returned it deeply. And deep within her, she felt that light, that heat, fizzing in her veins, and driving her heart forward, towards him.


    She broke the kiss, but pressed her forehead against his, her fingers tight in his hair.


    I can''t do this with anyone but you, Zev, she said in his head. You have my heart. Feel it. Feel me.


    Zev sighed. I can, he sent back, ttening his hand over hers on his chest, their hearts beating in time. And you have mine.


    Sasha sighed, rxing into him.


    But that doesn''t mean I want you touching my brother, he rumbled in her head.

 Chapter 231 - See And Be Seen

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Sasha tensed in his arm, but he didn''t back down. When she straightened to look him in the eyes, she was measuring him.


    She''d never liked his jealous side¡ªnever understood the need for it. She had no clue the thoughts males had, the ways they might take advantage of her. She thought he only wanted to keep her from other "men," as she called them. She didn''t understand that he had watched some of the darkest and most brutal things men did to each other. He knew what could happen to the human body when a malicious man got his hands on it¡­ and he refused to see that happen to her.


    Though he was fairly confident that his brother wasn''t a threat to Sasha, her attitude towards males¡ªespecially when she would need to work so closely with them¡ªcould put her in a position of danger. Especially in her world, but in other ways here in Thana.


    "Zev," she said, her voice brimming with determination.


    "No, listen to me, Sash. I might not like Lhars, or trust him. But I know he won''t hurt you. But there are other males here we don''t know. Males who were close to Xar. If you make a habit of hugging males, of sharing your scent¡­ if you don''t keep some level of separation between you and the males now that we''re bonded, it will give those that might want to do you more harm an opportunity to get closer to you than is safe.


    "Your humanness is an opportunity for us to use your differences as way to keep you apart¡ªand we should do that until we''re certain the hierarchy is stabilized, and no one is targeting you¡ªor me, for that matter." He could admit to himself that it would also keep her away from Lhars who, for some reason was the only male he felt threatened by when it came to Sasha, but he knew she wasn''t going to ept that his concerns were for his brother''s trustworthiness, not hers.


    "Zev¡ª"


    "Sash, I''m serious. You can do this. I want you to do this. I want to help you seed. And yes, you should own who you are. But does that really have to include you sharing scents with hundreds of other males?" He pinned her hand against his chest again. "What we have¡­ we have to protect it. We have to cherish it. I can''t¡­ Right now, while this is new, the idea of you touching another male¡ª"


    "I''m not touching them in that way!"


    "I know, but they might not understand that!"


    Sasha''s brow furrowed, and her fingers under his bent, digging into his chest as if she wanted to take hold of the heart beating under her palm.


    "Zev, you can trust me."


    "I know I can. I told you, it''s not you I''m worried about."


    That connection between them glowed, pulsed with their heartbeats, and for a moment they both just listened to it. Zev tookfort that her face softened as she did. He tightened his grip on her hand.


    "Please, Sash. I''m not asking you to not to be here, not to talk to them. I''m asking you to keep yourself out of their arms."


    Sasha took a deep breath and opened her mouth¡ªto agree, he hoped¡ªbut at that moment the door from outside swung open and the man of the hour stalked inside, his eyes falling on their little clutch. He raised a single eyebrow and locked eyes with Zev.


    "Down boy," he smirked. "I''m d you''re awake. I need to take Sasha-don."


    "Take her where, Lhars?" Zev growled. He was weary and in pain, and every instinct screamed at him to get this male away from his mate, but he could barely move.


    Lhars rolled his eyes. "To be seen. She needs to be seen and understood before she starts making changes. Oh, don''t growl at me, brother. She stinks of you too much. I wouldn''t disy for her if she was thest female in Thana."


    Sasha turned to Lhars, her lips twisted like she knew something Zev didn''t. "No, I''m sure you wouldn''t. Don''t try to make him believe you''re sacrificing for him though, Lhars¡­"


    Lhars cut her a re, and Sasha grinned. Zev didn''t know whether to kiss her for setting his brother down, or snarl about whatever they both knew she was talking about that was flying right over Zev''s head.


    He opened his mouth to ask what he was missing, but Lhars got in first. "The wolves are set for after dinner. Yhet''s outside to take you to for a meal when you''re ready¡ªand maybe a walk around the vige afterwards? If you''re serious about moving back to the City, we need to start organizing a shift. I thought I''de and bring some of the Alphas to your table to break the ice before you have to start negotiating with them."


    Sasha nodded. "Good idea."


    "Negotiating what?" Zev growled, wishing his eyes didn''t want to drag closed.


    "The way forward," Sasha said briskly. "I have ideas. I''ll fill you in today so you can help me refine them before the wolf council."


    "Okay, but¡ª"


    "She needs to be seen, Zev. She was acknowledged, then left a couple hourster. Everyone''s curious, and the relief of losing Xar is wearing off. They need to see her in control and moving."


    "I wasn''t arguing with that," Zev growled, bracing against the pain that crackled through his side with every new breath. "I just want to understand¡ª"


    The door flew open again, and all three of them startled. Zev groaned and his breath stopped, Sasha reaching for him in concern as one of the Sentries slid to a halt on her other side, throwing a salute, then pleading with his eyes.


    Sasha felt all their eyes on her and turned back to find the male, quivering, eyes wide.


    He''s awaiting your instruction to speak, Zev said in her head. He probably would have just told me or Lhars, but he doesn''t know how you''re going to lead. Xar held the reins tightly.


    Sasha gave a tiny nod, then turned to the male. "Any time you have important information, just tell me. Don''t wait," she said quickly.


    The male nodded, his breath rushing out.. "A human came through the Gateway fifteen minutes ago and he''s on his way here."

 Chapter 232 - No "I" In Team

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    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Zev went rigid under her hand and Lhars immediately stopped smirking.


    Sasha kept her hand firm on Zev''s chest. It was a measure of how weak he still was that she was confident she didn''t need help keeping him down.


    "Who''s on the team?" Zev asked, his hand tightening on hers.


    "No team," the Sentry said. "Just a single male. I don''t know this one."


    Lhars and Zev looked at each other.


    Who would it be? Sasha asked Zev in his head.


    I don''t know. I''ve never seen any of theme alone before.


    Sasha frowned. It couldn''t be a coincidence that they were looking for her and Zev and this was the first time they did something different.


    "What''s our risks, with just one of them?" she asked them all quickly.


    Lhars frowned. "My guess is that someone hase through ahead of the others and is just waiting for them to arrive. They don''t brave the walk alone."


    The Sentry shook his head again. "Dunken sent me running," the male said, and Sasha realized his shoulders and chest were heaving. He spoke quickly and calmly, but his body was clearly still recovering from something. "The male arrived and immediately started towards the vige. He''s moving slowly, clearly afraid. But he''sing. The Captain''s moved to intercept if he reaches the branch of trails before you''ve made a decision. But he''s not waiting for anyone else."


    Zev growled and Lhars cursed.


    Sasha looked at Lhars. "You said Yhet''s outside?"


    "Yes."


    "Okay, let''s move. We''ll go see who it is and make sure they''re alone. If they are, I''ll talk to them."


    "What? No!" Zev growled, bracing on the bed.


    She shot him a look. "This is exactly what we talked about. The strength I can bring is in dealing with the humans. What better way to start than with a single one?"


    "They can''t be trusted¡ªthey know who you are to me, Sash!"


    "I know. It''s why I said we''ll make sure he''s alone." She turned to Lhars again. "We need two or three of your most silent, most reliable fighter types. I want them to get him without warning and remove his weapons, then free him. Just make sure he''spletely disarmed¡ªthey''ll need to smell him and search him for hidden des."


    Lhars nodded. "I know exactly who to ask."


    "Good. Who''s the best organizer and¡­ who can get most of the people moving quickly and keep them moving?"


    "To what end?"


    Sasha looked at Zev, who was ring, but not interrupting. "We''re moving back to the City. Temporarily, under this circumstance. But get the males out of the vige and heading for the City with just enough to keep them going for two or three days."


    "Sash," Zev growled.


    "Keep thirty or forty of the best fighters here¡ªdoing normal things. Not like they''re ready for a fight. Just¡­ living. If this guy makes it to the vige, I want to hide that we''ve had everyone else move. So we need males that can look casual and do¡­ whatever normal daily things are for you guys."


    Zev sighed. "Use the hunters. They''re strong, but most of them have other trades and responsibilities as well, for the months when there''s plenty."


    Sasha looked at Lhars, who nodded again. "I can pass the word."


    "Okay. Tell them that anyone who can move is take what they can carry and head for the City." Then she had a sh of inspiration. "Yhet?" she called, pulling her hand out from under Zev''s and stalking for the door.


    "Yes?" his deep rumble answered from outside before she got the door open. He beamed when he saw her, and Sasha smiled back, forcing herself not to hug him. She didn''t want to create more tension with Zev just then. "It''s good to see you, Yhet. Can you get a message to Oksa, or¡­ whoever heads up the messengers? We need to get some information moving quickly."


    "I just saw Oska near the trough. I can find him again."


    "Great. Tell him we need a couple to head to the City¡ªahead of everyone else arriving¡ªand let the twins know that things are moving faster than we anticipated. That the people will start arriving today."


    Yhet looked surprised but nodded. "I''ll go now."


    "Thank you, then find us¡ªif we aren''t here we''ll be moving towards the trail to meet the human."


    He nodded again. "I''ll see you there, Sasah-don," he said quietly and saluted once before turning on his heel and pounding off across the clearing, his running steps shaking the entire building.


    When she got back inside, the three males were gaping at her.


    "What?" she asked. Had they been talking? What had she missed.


    "You," Zev said, his shock giving way to a smile. "Being all¡­ Alpha."


    Sasha snorted, but inside her chest fizzed. He was right. She was.


    Holy shit.


    "I have a question," Lhars said, rolling his eyes.


    "What is it?"


    "Why are you making everyone leave now? If more humans are here, travelling is more dangerous. We can''t know who they''ll head off or get their hands on. We won''t know until we have everyone together again and they''re missing. The team alwayses in threes or fours. Just one is¡­ an anomaly."


    Sasha nodded. "Good point. Have the ns use the buddy contact system. We''ll keep track of everyone who leaves and make sure they all arrive."


    "But why now?"


    "If we can fool them into thinking nothing has changed, we will," Sasha said shortly. "If it''s me they want to talk to, that''ll happen without interfering with anyone else. But if they figure out I''ve sent everyone else to the City, then they know it''s going to be harder and harder toe back here. I''m not closing downmunications with them, but I''m making it clear that they don''t get to just walk in and run the ce. And the easiest way to do that is to limit their ess until we know how they''ve been controlling Xar. Just in case¡­ in case they can do it to me."


    Zev growled, but Sasha didn''t waver.


    "I want all of you to bepletely clear with everyone you speak with: If anything happens to me, Zev is Alpha and Lhars, you''re second. Dunken remains Captain. I don''t know how you''ve done it in the past, but we don''t have time for rituals or¡ª"


    "It''s fine, Sasha," Zev said quietly. In her head he said, nothing''s going to happen. You''re going to be fine.


    Sasha took a deep breath.. She hoped he was right.

 Chapter 233 - Into The Unknown

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    <strong>*****</strong>


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev watched as his mate got shit done, and if he hadn''t been so weak, he would have grabbed her up and stolen her away to the house to worship her before she left.


    If he wasn''t so weak.


    If he didn''t have toy here like a fucking puppy, watching her engage, eyes sparkling and mind whirring, with his brother and other males.


    Fuck.


    He''d had his hands resting on top of the furs and realized they were clenched to fists. He rxed them, forced himself to take a deep breath.


    But she smelled like Lhars already and it was making his hackles rise.


    It was just the bond, he reminded himself. It kicked his instincts into high gear even without his own vulnerability and weakness.


    She could be trusted. And his friends could be, too. They would protect her. But none of them would watch over her the way he would.


    He tried to push up to sit while they were all distracted and making ns, but his entire side lit up in fiery pain and he slumped back down onto the pillows.


    Zev whined in his throat and Sasha''s head snapped towards him. She was immediately scanning him, her brows pinched together. "Are you hurting?"


    "No," he lied. "I''m frustrated."


    She stalked back to the side of his bed and leaned over him. "If you move from this bed, so help me Zev, I''ll¡­ I''ll do whatever Alphas do to punish their seconds. I swear to God."


    He gave her a t look. "I can''t even sit up. I''m not getting out of this bed. That''s why I''m frustrated."


    Sasha face smoothed a little bit then. "Good," she said. When he frowned she hurried to reassure him. "Not good that you''re weak, just good that you''re epting that you need to let us handle this. But I want you to rest, because once we know what''s going on, I''ming back here and we''ll meet with the Alphas and I need you in on that conversation. We''ll meet here so you don''t have to move."


    Zev nodded, doing his best not to pout. And not to panic. She was really going to go out there and find a human. He cast a re at Lhars and spoke into his brother''s head.


    You let nothing touch her. Nothing. If shees back with a hair missing¡ª


    Rx, Zev. No one wants her to get hurt¡ªespecially not by the humans, Lhars grumbled in his head.


    Zev wasn''t as sure about that. He knew the males wanted free of the humans¡ªbut not at the loss of all their females. And Sasha was still an unknown quantity to them. It was Zev they''d gathered behind. And although the Chimera would view them as a pair now¡ªessentially a single unit¡ªhe also knew that stress levels were high even without his injury. He needed to heal, and quickly.


    "You''re staying here, Zev. We can''t move you to the city yet," Sasha said quietly.


    Zev nodded. He didn''t want to be shuffled away into hiding anyway.


    They discussed the different possibilities¡ªthat the human would leave withouting into the vige, that they''d insist, or that the rest of a team might show up.


    Sasha sent the Sentry back to Dunken to double check that there hadn''t been new arrivals, then she turned back to Zev and Lhars again.


    A healer hovered over Zev''s right shoulder, listening to all that was passing, and frowning, looking at Zev. He growled. He wasn''t going to do anything to jeopardize his healing, but he didn''t need to be babied either.


    Lhars was about to leave to make sure the orders were carried out while they were gone to find the human, when Sasha hesitated.


    Zev tensed and Lhars paused, watching her. Both of their ears pricked.


    "What is it?" Zev asked her.


    Sasha bit her lip, then looked at Lhars. "Do any of the wolves have good rtionships with the¡­ the creatures? The Chimera that live in the forest? Any that you can talk to¡­ in your head?"


    Lhars'' eyebrows popped up. "I do. And some of the hunters."


    Sasha nodded. "Good. Is there any way to get word to some of them? Ask them toe find us with the human¡ªmake themselves¡­ present? I don''t want them to hurt anyone or themselves. But¡­ can they show up and look scary? We need to make this guy feel like there''s more of us here than there is¡ªand preferably that he''d under threat."


    Lhars grinned. "I know just the Chimera for the job."


    "Are they easy to get to?"


    "I know wolves that can find them, quickly. I can send to them. I don''t even need to find them directly."


    "Okay. Okay, that''s good," Sasha said breathlessly. "Let''s make it happen. If they beat us there, have them hang back until we''re there. I mean¡­ if he''s still alone, maybe they can spook him. But tell them to stay back and not actually engage until we''re all there."


    Lhars nodded. Zev looked between them both and wanted to bite something. He needed to be there! To help her!


    But Sasha''s cheeks were pink and her eyes bright. "That''s too many things for one person. Zev, can you talk to the wolves in your mind without wearing yourself out?"


    "Of course," he said, scoffing, though Lhars looked at him sharply.


    "Great. You can spread the word with the wolves for me, and get them moving the others." She blew out a breath and ran a hand through her hair. So, this is where we''re at: Zev, you''re going to have the wolves send out the word that everyone who can is to move to the City, at least for the next two days. Lhars, you''ll get a couple trackers who can sneak up on the human without being heard so they can disarm him. Then you''ll talk to Oska about sending rab¡ªI mean, hares to the twins to warn them that everyone''sing. And you''re going to get some hunters ced around the vige to keep things looking normal, as well as gather some of the creatures to join us out on the trail. I''ll wait here until either Yhet or Lharses back, then I''m headed out to meet this guy."


    Lhars and Zev both nodded.


    Sasha looked back and forth between them. "Have I forgotten anything?"


    Zev shook his head, his chest swelling with pride for her. "I don''t think so."


    "Good. Then let''s make this happen."


    Lhars ducked his head once, then darted for the door.

 Chapter 234 - Get It Done

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    While Zev reached out to as many wolves as he could find, Sasha paced the floor of the room.


    He hated having his attention elsewhere. He wanted to hold her, to reassure himself that she was safe. He didn''t want to think about what she was about to walk into. But there was no time. She was right to be agitated. He would have been pacing too, just waiting. There was nothing worse as a leader than the moment when you had sent everyone else off to do, while you had nothing to do but wait.


    But as he touched minds with the wolves and sent images and thoughts, instructions from Sasha, the scent of her determination and the caution¡­ one by one the wolves submitted, leaping to their respective tasks, and Zev''s heart raised.


    They were going to do this. They were going to make it happen. And Sasha was going to see that she did have a purpose here. That the males would follow.


    While Zev concentrated on a discussion with one of the wolves who was at the furthest reaches of their link, the healer approached Sasha and murmured with her.


    Zev could hear him easily, but his attention was on the wolf in his head, asking for instructions about getting word to the hunters¡ªwas it safe to use the calls when the human might hear them? So it wasn''t until he''d finished the conversation that he could focus on Sasha, the stern look on her face, and hear her snap, "Absolutely not. And if he tries to, I don''t care what you have to do to stop him. We aren''t risking further injury."


    Zev growled, knowing she had to be talking about him. The healer flinched.


    "What?" Zev said gruffly. "What are you talking about?"


    "You," Sasha said baldly. "How I don''t trust you to be honest about your condition anymore. So the healers are going to make the call about what you can and can''t do, until they''re certain you can''t hurt yourself by insisting that you''re fine."


    "What are you talking about? I''mying here like fruit on the vine."


    "And we''re making sure it will stay that way. No matter what, Zev. One more day, they''re saying. Your body needs a day to cleanse and heal before you should start moving. So you stay in that bed until tomorrow when a healer tells you otherwise."


    Zev frowned. "I won''t argue, but why are we even having this conversation? It''s one human and they''re going to disarm him. You''re going to be back here in a couple of hours."


    Sasha nodded and walked back to the side of his bed to take his hand. "Yes, I am," she said. "But you and I both know things keep happening that we don''t anticipate. So¡­ I need you to promise me that if something does happen, you''ll let Yhet take care of me. And Lhars. And whoever else you want to send. You can''t be a help to me if you''re hurt, Zev. I''d be more worried about you than myself. And I can''t afford the distraction. Not if I''m going to be watching out to avoid them manipting me."


    "If it''s just one, you''ll be fine," Zev said. "The others will be there. He''s not going to be able to deceive all of you at once. But you get your ass out of there and back here if there''s a team, Sash. They work together and they''ll have you distracted and turning on your heels before you even realize it. Don''t let them outnumber you. Get back here."


    Sasha tipped his head. "Now who''s being Alpha?" she said. But she broke the first smile he''d seen since the Sentry showed up.


    "Sash," he began, a warning in his voice.


    But she just pped her hand. "Don''t worry, don''t worry. I agree with you. I don''t think I''m up to managing a whole team, yet. If we can''t turn them back, I''ll have Yhet run me back here while the others travel. I''m not bringing them to you, though. I''m not risking them finding out how weak you are. Who knows what they''ll do."


    Zev had to reluctantly agree that she was right. "You keep talking to me, though," he murmured, looking around, praying the healer wasn''t hiding on the other side of the wall to listen. "Don''t tell the others about the bond yet. Keep that between us."


    Sasha blinked. "Why? Is that¡ª"


    "If the humans find out about that, they''ll be fascinated. I''m not aware of any wolf mind-linking with anything other than other wolves. We can''t afford to motivate them even more to take you!"


    Sasha patted his arm at the growl, trying to soothe him. "It''s okay, it''s okay. I agree with you. We''ll keep it to ourselves for now. Don''t worry."


    She leaned over him, a small smile on her face and Zev''s heart pattered faster as she leaned into kiss him gently.


    Taking her lips was like sipping honey, and he didn''t want it to end. But he knew he had to.


    When she broke the kiss, she had a hand on his chest and she slid it up to cup his neck and stare down at him intently. "This is going to work, Zev. This is just the beginning. We''re going to make some serious changes here, and things are going to change. For the better. I need you to believe that, and to rest when I walk out so that when I get back, you can help."


    He nodded. "I''ll try. That was a stroke of genius about the creatures, by the way. I''d never thought of asking them to help. I imagine they''ll be more than happy to put the fear of God into this guy."


    Sasha smiled. "I hope so. I just pray I can stand my ground when they''re there. It doesn''t do a lot of good if I look like I''m afraid of them, too."


    "You''ll be fine," he growled, raising his good arm to her face. "Just channel that inner alpha like you were twenty minutes ago."


    She snorted. "I was just mimicking you."


    Zev shrugged, though his side crackled with pain.. "Whatever works."

 Chapter 235 - Just An Hour

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Surprisingly, Lhars was the first to return, and with two wolves in tow that he imed would be able to remove the weapons from a single male before the guy would even know they''d touched him.


    Sasha was itching to get out there and find out who hade through and why, but she was worried about Zev, too. His eyes were bright, and his body tense. But she could see the pinch of pain in the corners of his eyes, and she worried that out of concern for her, he wouldn''t rest.


    While Lhars asked him to list who he''d spoken to in the mind-link so far, she tugged on the healer''s elbow and asked the male to give Zev something to help him rest after she left. The healer sighed, but said he would give him something for a nap.


    Then Zev and Lhars were clear and it was time to go.


    With the three other males watching, Sasha leaned over Zev, kissing him, though she felt awkward doing it with an audience. The Chimera didn''t seem to mind, however, and waited patiently.


    "Please, Sash¡­ don''t take any stupid risks."


    "I won''t," she assured him. Then she said into his head, I''ll send you images so you can tell me who they are if Lhars isn''t sure.


    Do that whether Lhars is sure or not, Zev growled.


    Sasha nodded, then kissed him one more time, squeezing his hand and urging him to rest before she turned and started for the door, Lhars and the other two males at her heels.


    She''d forgotten how much slower she travelled than the Chimera. As soon as they entered the trail out of the vige, Sasha spoke to the two wolves, making certain they understood that she had no desire for them to harm the human, only that they disarm him.


    "And check him for weapons that aren''t metal or stic. Do you all know what frisking is?" she asked, with a look at Lhars.


    All three males looked confused. Sasha sighed. "It''s running your hands up and down someone''s body to feel if there''s anything under their clothes. To make sure they haven''t hidden something."


    "The humans don''t hide their weapons from us," Lhars growled. "They want us to be reminded of their strength."


    Sasha wasn''t so sure. "Can you just humor me and run your hands up and down his legs and back and under his sleeves? Just to make sure."


    The two wolves agreed. Lhars gave a few more orders since the two would reach the human before they did, then he sent them ahead. With grim smiles the two wolves saluted Sasha, then shifted and ran, darting out of sight and into the trees in seconds.


    Sasha shook her head. "I''m sorry you have to wait for me and my slow legs," she sighed.


    Lhars shrugged, but didn''t respond. They walked on.


    "How do I stop them¡ªall the Chimera¡ªgiving that salute? I don''t need that. I know Xar was making everyone cower. But that''s not my style. And Zev said he never needed it, either."


    "I think there''s more important things to focus on right now," Lhars said dryly. "But maybe once everything is settled down, just make an announcement at a gathering. Let the people know what they can do to show you respect. They will adjust."


    Sasha sighed and tried to press herself to walk faster. But the snow was over her ankles on the path and she was already breathing heavily. She didn''t want to arrive at the human looking flustered.


    "Are there any wolves where the human is? Do we know where we''ll meet him yet?"


    Lhars'' eyes zed for a moment, the same way Zev''s had when he wasmunicating with others at distances. Then he grinned. "He''s going even slower than we are. He hasn''t reached the intersection of trails. If we hurry, we might beat him there."


    Sasha gritted her teeth and pushed forward. If she got there enough ahead of him she''d have time to rest and catch her breath before he showed up. But as they walked she had an idea.


    "What we need¡­" she panted, "Is to get there before he does. Hide the guys in the surroundings to sneak up on him. And I''ll sit in the trees, hidden, when he first arrives. Just until we''re certain they''ve got his weapons. I want to ask him some questions." Then she added, "Any news on the creatures?"


    Lhars grinned. "I think you''ll be very happy. I was able to contact one of my¡­ acquaintances. And he could hardly wait to do his part to serve the new Alpha. He was spreading the word with other as he travelled.


    Sasha was about to ask why Lhars was smiling when the ground beneath their feet shuddered, and Lhars turned, looking over his shoulder as Yhet bounded up behind them.


    "Sasha-don," he rumbled. Sasha rolled her eyes. "Please don''t call me that unless it''s like a formal asion, Yhet. Just Sasha is fine."


    Yhet smiled, his hair flying in every direction as he slowed to walk alongside her, just off the trail. "Whatever you say, Sasha."


    She squeezed the sweet man''s broad arm and smiled, surprised by how encouraged she felt just because he was there.


    They were going to do this. As long as they weren''t surprised by an army of humans, they were going to do this.


    Niggles of nerves bubbled in her belly, but she pushed them away and reached out to Zev in her mind.


    Can you hear me?


    Yes, he replied immediately, sounding relieved. Are you okay?


    We''re fine. We''re going to hit the intersection soon. Apparently the guy hadn''t reached it yet, so I''m hurrying to try and beat him. I want to be there when he arrives.


    Show him to me as soon as you see him.


    I''ll try, Sasha said, sending the rush of love and concern she felt for him with the words.


    An image shed in her mind, then, of them back in the ice cave, clinched together when Zev had her sitting on the table and Sasha''s stomach flipped.


    Come back to me soon, Sash, he said, his voice quiet and wistful in her head.


    Clearing her throat, Sasha blinked and made herself concentrate, as Lhars murmured that they were almost there.


    Sasha took the cue and slipped into the trees, being as quiet as she could, praying the guy''s senses weren''t much stronger than hers, so he wouldn''t hear her tip toeing through the pine needles, trying to find a spot where she could see everyone who was gathering where the two trails met, all looking off to her right which was the direction of the gateway.


    She forced herself to rx, breathing as deeply as she could as the shape of a person¡ªwalking slowly, steps jerky and uncertain, turning his head back and forth as if searching the trees for an attack.


    Sasha smiled. She wondered if the creatures had already found him and been moving nearby to freak him out, or if he was just this scared being in Thana by himself.


    What had brought him alone if this was what he felt?


    She waited, peering through the trees, to get a closer look at him. But he was still fifty feet away when a low snarl from Lhars echoed through the trees, and right on the heels of it, Zev''s voice bloomed in Sasha''s head.


    GET OUT, SASHA, RUN! THAT''S FUCKING NICK!


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 Chapter 236 - F*cking Nick

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev had been feeling drowsy and considering sleep. But when Sasha spoke in his head, it was a balm to know he could still hear her at that distance.


    That made him think of Lhars and reach out for his brother.


    Sasha''s hiding, Lhars told him briefly. We''ve got the wind in our faces. I can smell the guy. He''s almost here. The Sentries are saying no one else has tried to enter yet.


    Zev wasforted by that.


    Send me an image, he replied to Lhars. I want to see if I know them so I can offer advice.


    He felt rather than saw Lhars nod. There was a lull then. Sasha wasn''t sending, and Lhars was distracted with someone else. So Zev waited, turning over in his mind who might have had the balls toe into Thana alone.


    But suddenly Lhars said I don''t know this one, do you? and an image bloomed in Zev''s head that made his blood run cold.


    A tall, strong, older man, sandy-blond hair that was threatening to dull into gray, but hadn''t yet. He was dressed in thick snow gear that swathed his body and made him move oddly, so it took a second for Zev to believe what he was seeing. And when he did, almost leaped out of the bed.


    THAT''S NICK, he screamed in his brother''s head. Then without a pause he screamed at Sasha to get moving, to get out of there.


    GET OUT, SASHA, RUN! THAT''S FUCKING NICK!


    He felt Sasha''s shock and confusion.


    But¡­ you said Nick didn''te into Thana?!


    HE DOESN''T. THIS CAN''T BE GOOD. GET OUT. GET OUT OF THERE NOW.


    But everyone went quiet in their heads, and no more images showed up, and suddenly he was alone in his head and frantic.


    He pushed the furs back and tried to sit up, but the pain was so intense, he groaned and the healer came running.


    "No, Zev," the male said apologetically. "It''s not safe for you to move yet."


    "The human, it''s¡ª"


    "I don''t care. Don''t make me force you to rest."


    "You''re not understanding me!"


    "I am, Zev. You''ve sent people with her to handle it, and the Alpha gave her instructions. If you don''t cooperate, we''ll knock you out to force you to rest."


    "Don''t even think about it!" he snarled. But the male only looked at him sternly.


    "Even Alphas need to heal, Zev," he said, determined.


    "And this Alpha needs to keep his mate alive, so you don''t fucking touch me with drugs right now, or I''ll take your throat."


    The male paled, but took a deep breath. "Please, Zev. She''ll be really upset if¡ª" the healer reached for his good arm and Zev snapped his wrist, twisting it to pin the male''s hand down on the bed and lean up into the male''s face, though it made his side scream.


    "She might not live to get back here and get upset with you unless I help her, so you do nothing to interfere with me right now."


    The male frowned. "Why are you suddenly afraid. She has guardians with her to keep her safe¡ª"


    "Lhars just sent an image of the male, it''s fucking Nick!"


    The healer blinked. All of the Chimera had heard about Nick by now. Those that were old enough to remember Zev''s rule knew him as their Alpha''s father-figure. But the stories of his deception had reached all corners of Thana now. They knew that Nick had been involved in convincing Zev to leave the Chimera, andter using him to breed with the females.


    The healer looked uncertain, but a growl puttered in his throat.


    "Yes, that''s right. That Nick," Zev snarled back. "Now, I need help. I need to be able to move. And quickly. I don''t care what you give me, but it needs to cover the pain without making me drowsy. I need to get out there. She has no clue what she''s dealing with!"


    The healer stared at him, frowning.


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha''s heart was pounding. Lhars and Yhet had both taken defensive stances, but Nick was still making his way close to them.


    Sasha wasn''t sure what she''d expected in Nick, but while he seemed familiar physically, his cowering, stumbling gait and clear fear of the forest felt all wrong for this figure that Zev had described¡ªcold and calcting. Deceptive. Manipted. Strong.


    The man who had beaten Zev.


    It was a temptation to just leap out of the trees and order the others to take him down, to confront him, and make him hurt for what he''d done to Zev and the Chimera. But Sasha knew Nick was armed¡ªhe had a gun his hand, though he hadn''t brought it up when he''d seen the Chimera blocking the trail. As he stumbled towards them, he still seemed more concerned about the shadows under the trees, than the huge men standing in the winter sun.


    Sasha waited until he made it to just a few feet ahead of where Dunken, Lhars, and Yhet stood, blocking the trail¡ªeven Yhet looked fierce.


    Nick''s throat bobbed but his knuckles were white, gripping the gun.


    "Thank goodness," he panted, his eyes still sliding warily to the trees around them. "I need you to take me to Zev."


    Lhars was the one who stepped forward of the others, his arms folded across his chest. "What for?"


    "Look, you don''t have to fear me. I know he challenged for Alpha and Xar''s dead. They all know that, okay? And that''s great. That''s what I wanted for him. But Zev has to know what''s going on from our side. If he doesn''t handle this right, they''ll kill him! I''m here to warn him. They need apliant Alpha, or everyone''s dead. Not just Zev!"


    Lhars opened his mouth and Sasha knew he was about to tell Nick about her taking Alpha, but she hissed quietly and he caught himself. He didn''t take his eyes off of Nick, but he had clearly understood that she didn''t want him to speak of her position. So he took a deep breath and his fingers flickered in a strange little movement that drew Sasha''s eye just enough that she missed the moment the two wolves slipped out of the trees behind him.


    In a split second, one had the hand with the gun gripped and pointed away from the others. And even though Nick struggled, the two Chimera were quickly and efficiently able to remove the weapons from his hand, his belt, and two from pockets and a sheath on his ck suit.


    They tossed all the weapons to Lhars, who caught them easily, passing the guns to Yhet and keeping the des himself.


    "Just here to warn Zev, you said?" Lhars said, his voice low and menacing.


    The two had Nick''s arms pinned behind his back. The man struggled, but couldn''t get free. "I have to protect myself as well! I''vee here with no team. No backup! To save you all, you fucking idiot!"


    All three males tensed and leaned in, baring their teeth.


    Sasha''s heart mmed against her ribs and she trotted quickly out of the trees to stand between Nick and her friends.


    The moment Nick saw her his eyes widened and he stopped struggling. "Sasha? Holy shit, is Zev here too?"

 Chapter 237 - Nick - Part 1

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    "Let him go," she said, ignoring Nick and giving all her attention to the two wolves that were holding him.


    Lhars hissed something behind her, but she didn''t look away from the two males until they both dropped their chins and released Nick''s arms.


    He stepped forward, closer to Sasha, but stopped abruptly and put his hands up when Yhet pressed in behind her, growling a low, shuddering snarl that made the hair on Sasha''s neck stand up.


    "I''m not¡­ I''m not going to touch her. I''m just surprised," Nick said, his eyes darting back and forth from Sasha to Yhet and Lhars behind her.


    "I find that hard to believe. You knew I was here with him," Sasha said coldly.


    Nick nodded. "I didn''t know you''d be here, here," he said pointedly, gesturing towards the Chimera around her. "I thought they''d hide you."


    "We''d never hide our¡ª" Yhet began, but Sasha snapped her head around red at him to stop. He snapped his mouth shut, but his expression was surprised.


    "Your what?" Nick asked carefully.


    Sasha sighed. "I suppose you''re going to find out anyway. I''m Zev''s mate. We''re bonded. You won''t be using him for the breeding program anymore."


    Nick''s brows popped high and his face lit up. "Already? That''s wonderful!"


    Sasha narrowed her eyes. "You''ll forgive me if I''m not ready to believe you''re celebrating with us," she muttered.


    "No, seriously, that''s¡­ that''s part of what I was¡­ where''s Zev? Is he here? He''ll understand, he''ll tell you I''m telling the truth¡ª"


    "My mate has no desire to see you, Nick," Sasha snapped. "You''d done enough damage to his life and his position here in Thana."


    "Sasha, I''m not here to hurt him. For goodness sake, do you think I would havee alone if I was trying to do harm? I could have led an entire team in here and taken you all the moment you showed your faces¡ªI didn''t even need toe if that''s what we were doing. I''m not trying to hurt Zev, I''m trying to help him! So they won''t hurt him! And if we don''t get moving the team really will show up and then we''ll have a clusterfuck of proportions none of you prepared for. So please¡­ take me to Zev. Or bring him here. I need to talk to him, to exin¡ª"


    "Zev would be the first one to kick your ass out of Thana, Nick," she said curtly.


    "Only because he thinks I''ll hurt you¡ªwhich I won''t. That''s why I''m here. He needs to know what they''re nning so he can work around it. So you stay safe!"


    "Well, then, why don''t you tell me what they''re nning and I''ll pass it on to him."


    Nick gave her a patronizing look, like she was a teenager speaking about things she didn''t understand. "Sasha, I understand that you care about him. I really do. But I do too¡ªthere''s no way you understand enough of his life to uratelymunicate this to him. I need to do it."


    Sasha huffed a humorlessugh. "I''m not giving you another chance to manipte him."


    "Manipte him? Now, you wait just one fucking second, Sasha, you weren''t even there¡ª" Nick stepped forward, apparently forgetting where he was for a moment, because one of the two wolves who had stepped back when Sasha gave them the look, stepped forward and stopped him cold. Then the other slid between him and Sasha.


    Nick shuddered and raised his hands. "I''m not¡­ okay, okay, I won''t go any closer to her. Dear Lord you people are so fucking twitchy."


    "No, Nick, They''re sick of being deceived and used and stolen from. It''s not happening anymore. Period."


    Nick snapped his head to look at her, his eyes alight with anger and although the wolf man stood between them, he raised a hand to point at her.


    "You''ve been here what, a week? You be careful deciding you understand any of this." Sasha was about to put him in his ce, but he kept talking. "Zev is my son. I don''t care about anyone as much as I care about him. If it weren''t for me he wouldn''t even be here¡ªand neither would you. I''ve saved his life more than once¡ªyou ask him! For that matter I''ve saved both your lives."


    Sasha folded her arms. "When it suited you. You also threatened my life in a dozen ways to control him."


    "For his own good. It got you here, didn''t it?"


    Sasha narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"


    "C''mon Sasha, you really think you''re here by ident? You think I just lost track of Zev? He''s the most valuable asset we own. We don''t lose him, ever."


    Something about the ring of truth in those words turned her stomach. Remembering all their technology, she made a mental note to find out if he''d had any shots, might have a microchip or some kind of tracker on his body.


    But if that was the case, why would Nick be asking where he was?


    "Nick, no one here is going to trust you. And I won''t be bringing you to Zev. I might not know everything that''s happened, but I know you''re in his head. I''m not going to let you keep using him."


    "I''m not using him! I''m helping him!"


    "If you really want me to believe that, tell me the message, and I''ll take it to him."


    Nick shook his head, his jaw tight and twitching. "It doesn''t work that way. They''re too used to seeing Xar in the flesh. They aren''t going to settle for a message or¡ª"


    "They? Who is ''they''?"


    "The team. Xar''s been visiting with them and working with them for years. If Zev''s taking over as Alpha he''ll need to do the same, or they''ll exterminate him. It''s that simple. The moment they think they''ve lost control here, they''ll kill you all. And none of us wants that. But they''re already nervous, they don''t trust him. He needs toe back with me and negotiate how we''re going to do this. They''ll leave you all alone if they''re sure they have the Alpha under their control. But if they aren''t sure, it''s the death knell of every single Chimera that looks human.. Period."

 Chapter 238 - Nick - Part 2

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    "Just the human looking ones?" an eerie voice said from her left. Sasha took one look and her heart stopped.


    Everything happened in slow motion.


    Nick''s head whipped to the side and his eyes went wide. Then, he was scrambling backwards, a strange noise erupting from his throat, as the two wolves stepped in, grabbing his arms, struggled to keep in him ce.


    They didn''t care about the Chimera that had appeared, but Sasha stood, gaping, her body trembling so hard she might have actually wet herself if Zev hadn''t warned her about the creatures.


    Fighting not to react, not to recoil in horror or scream, she let the wolves struggle with Nick while she forced herself to stare at this¡­ thing.


    They all stood at the intersection of trails, the trees a good ten feet away from its edge so they were all bathed in sunlight¡ªthe filtered sunlight of a cloudy winter day. But it was plenty bright enough for Sasha to see the creature that must have crept out of the trees when she was paying attention to Zev.


    She supposed walking on those eight long, long legs that ended in little more than points must have made being quiet easy.


    Eight legs. Sasha wanted to scream.


    The first thing her brain cobbled together when she saw this thing was a bear with spider legs, but it wasn''t right. The head was too human, the neck too long, the body not thick enough, and yet those legs¡­


    Yhet had told her there were no insect Chimera! And yet what stood in front of her¡­


    Behind her, Lhars cleared his throat as if he were trying not tough, and if things hadn''t been so serious she would have turned around and whacked him. He must have known. That must be why he''d smiled when she asked for creatures that would scare a human.


    He could have fucking warned her.


    Sasha forced herself not to move as the thing stepped forward, towards Nick and lifted one of those long, thin legs¡ªcovered in very fine hair. "Do you have a warning for me, Nick?" it said, biting off his name like it wanted to eat him.


    Nick was jittering with terror, his eyes wide, trying desperately to scramble away, but the wolves held him in ce.


    Sasha was just d she''d met Minos and learned that these people could speak, though the voice from this one was higher and more childlike than she ever would have guessed by looking at it.


    It was a walking nightmare, and Sasha prayed she''d still be able to sleep when this was all over.


    "Come on, Nick, we''re old friends. Aren''t you d to see me?"


    "S-stay away from me! I never did anything to hurt you!"


    The chimera''s face went dark and its eyes¡ªutterly ck in a face covered in the same fine hair as its legs¡ªnarrowed. "You want to try and say you never¡ª"


    "I''m very sorry, uh¡­ friend," Sasha said faintly. "Do you know Nick personally?"


    "Forgive me for not greeting you, Sasha-don," the thing said without looking away from Nick. "But my business with Nick is as personal as ites."


    Sasha swallowed the lump of fear that didn''t want to go down.


    "Of course, I''m not the only one. Right, Nick?" it hissed.


    Nick tried again, pulling away from the thing, his boots scraping in the snow on the trail, but he wasn''t strong enough.


    "Stay away from me!" he wheezed. "I''m here to help you all! Help you!"


    "I don''t think I''m the only one who finds that hard to believe," Sasha said as dryly as she could. There were shadows moving among the trees behind their visitor that made her skin crawl. "But please, do your best to exin. Our friends here came to stand between whatever humans were attempting to enter the vige, and Zev. So, they''re really the ones you need to convince."


    "I came to warn you. They''re starting to give up! If theye in here and they don''t leavepletely confident that they have the Alpha in their pocket they''re stopping the experiment and killing you all¡ªall of you!" Nick bellowed at the Spider-thing, that raised its front legs and hissed, sending Nick bowling back into the wolves that were still holding him. "Zev needs toe with me¡ªjust for a day or two at the most. They just need to talk to him and believe he''s going to work with them. That''s all! But I know he won''t believe me¡ªI need to exin it all. What''s been said. What''s nned. He''ll understand that. No one else will!"


    Sasha was very aware of Yhet and Lhars'' eyes on her back. But she didn''t react.


    "Zev''s not going anywhere with you," she muttered.


    "He doesn''t have any choice¡ªnot if he wants to keep you and his people safe." Nick eyed the Spider-thing and his face paled. "All of the people," he said faintly. "If hees with me, I can convince them to soften their requirements¡ªuse him as an example of what can be done if we work with you. All of you. If they realize he came willingly, they''ll work with him instead of freaking out."


    "Zev is never returning to the human world. It''s done him too much damage."


    "Zev is leading his people and this is the only way he can continue to do so!" Nick snarled. "I''m not lying. Let me talk to him¡ªtell him the names, and their ns. He''s been there. He''ll understand!"


    Sasha swallowed as an idea urred to her that¡­ could she do it? Could she bring herself to? "So this isn''t about Zev personally, it''s about being Alpha?"


    "Exactly. If he weren''t Alpha, I''de for the new Alpha to exin¡ªto save him! He''s my son!"


    Sasha''s stomach turned hearing thate out of this man''s mouth, despite Zev having echoed the sentiment. She still believed this man was the one who had messed with Zev''s head and made him so sick and unsure about himself.


    "You want to take the Alpha back to the team, to¡­ negotiatemunications?"


    As Nickughed a weird, hysterical giggle, his eyes still locked on the Spider Chimera, Sasha''s stomach sank, and she knew. She knew what she was going to have to do.


    She knew, then and there, before Nick even spoke the words.


    Though Nick didn''t know it, he had actuallye to Thana for Sasha, not for Zev.

 Chapter 239 - Nick - Part 3

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    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha. Sasha please¡­ please tell me you''re okay.


    Zev''s voice in her head spread wee warmth through her chest and made some of the creeping terror of their Spider friend ease.


    I''mpletely safe, she sent back. But tell me, does Nick know about the ardent bond? Does he know it''s possible for us to speak with our minds?


    No, of course not. I didn''t even know¡ªSasha, you have to get away from him! Completely! Let Lhars and Dunken take care of him, tell them I said the time hase. You have to get out of there. Now!


    Sasha shook her head, but made herself show him what she could see, sending the picture of Nick in the arms of the wolves, the Spider Chimera to his right, and showing his terror.


    I don''t think he''s the risk just now.


    Zev muttered a curse in her head. Lhars should never have brought Ernie in on this! He''s really unpredictable¡ªespecially when ites to the humans.


    Ernie? That things name is Ernie? Sasha almostughed out loud.


    But then Ernie moved suddenly, his entire body sinking down on those legs and his eyes locked on Sasha. She tried to ignore it, to pretend every inch of her skin wasn''t crawling at being so close to him, tried to remember there was something of a human head and heart inside that nightmare of a body.


    But Nick startled at the movement and let out a tortured wail and twisted in the hands of the wolves.


    "Look, look! Please! I''m not lying. I''m not trying to kill anyone¡ªI''m trying to keep you all alive. I mean it! Please, god, believe me. I mean it!"


    Fucking coward, Zev growled in her head. He is terrified of the creatures. Even avoided working with them when they were tiny babies.


    Sasha cut off the images. She couldn''t afford for Nick to say something that would let Zev know what she was thinking. Considering.


    Was she actually considering this?


    She licked her lips nervously, praying she didn''t look as terrified as Nick. "Zev doesn''t want to talk to you. And I know he sure as hell doesn''t want me around you," she said.


    Nick groaned. "You don''t have to be around me. You have to listen to me¡ªhe does! Look, we''re all smart people. I know you know this is about more thanmunications. But if Zev wants to live through it and be in a position to keep you safe, he needs toe with me. Right now. If we''re lucky, they won''t cross for another few hours. But if they realized I left¡­ they could be here anytime."


    Nick was a liar and a maniptor, Sasha reminded herself. "Well, I guess we better pray you''re better at sneaking out of your world than you are at sneaking into this one. Why are you really here, Nick?"


    "I told you! I have to take Zev back so they won''t just show up and kill him¡ªand the rest of you!" He cut Ernie a nce that made Sasha certain Nick wouldn''t mind if they got rid of that particr Chimera.


    "They''d have to find him first."


    "Sure, but they''ve got the time and the¡­ look, it doesn''t matter what you think Sasha. I get that you''re protective of him. I am too. That''s why I''m here." Sweat dripped down his brow. "Everyone''s under threat until the powers that be feel certain the Alpha is working with them. Talk to Zev, he''ll tell you that he knows this already."


    Sasha tilted her head. "Zev was shocked by how closely Xar was working with the team."


    Nick grimaced. "The tiger went too far. But even Zev had meetings with us when he was leading. He can do it again. I''ll personally guarantee his safety. He''lle back to you, Sash. I won''t let them keep him."


    "I don''t believe you."


    "Tough shit. It''s the truth. If I told you anything else it would be a lie."


    SASHA WHAT IS GOING ON?


    Sasha shivered with the force of his voice in her head, as if she werepelled to answer him.


    That''s what he meant about using an Alpha voice, she thought wonderingly.


    She quickly sent him back an image of the wolves still holding Nick.


    Negotiations, she said in his head. Don''t worry. I''m not bringing him back to you¡ªwhich is what he wants. We''re just trying to get information from him before they return him to the gateway.


    Step carefully, Sasha. He''s a powerful man on the other side of the gateway. Don''t give him any information you can avoid. Knowledge is power.


    She nodded again.


    Then she blinked.


    Nick was still stammering, trying to convince them all that he''de with noble intentions for Zev while Ernie watched him, his ck eyes and brown-and-ck body incredibly still.


    Then the shadows in the trees moved again, and Nick looked past Ernie and made a strangled noise. "No, please¡­ please¡­ I can''t¡­ please¡ªyou have to believe me!"


    Three more forms stepped out of the trees, and Sasha forced herself to keep her eyes on Nick, not allowing her body to tremble as her eyes strained to turn and see what wasing. But Nick looked like he was falling apart¡ªhis face pale and sheened in sweat.


    Where was the hardass that had spoken to Zev on the phone and been so cocky?


    Where was the brutal man who''d threatened her life?


    "Is he faking?" she asked Lhars and Yhet, suddenly.


    "Faking what?"


    "His fear. Can''t you smell it, or something?"


    "He''s not faking," Yhet said, his voice low and ominous. "He fears to the point of wetting himself."


    Nick''s face was pained and terrified. He rolled his eyes to meet Sasha''s, but those Chimera were approaching and his eyes snapped back to them, unable to watch anything but his apparent doom. "Please, don''t let them¡ªdammit!" His voice broke as arge, head with a long snout, bristled like a boar''s shoved between Ernie and one of the wolves.


    Sasha flinched, but caught herself as a voice thick¡ªlike its owner had adenoid issues¡ªsaid suddenly, "He isn''t just afraid as if he will wet himself¡­ he already has."


    The Chimeransughed.. But Sasha''s blood ran cold.

 Chapter 240 - Don鈥檛 Want To Be Right

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    While the others all chuckled and sniggered at Nick''s fear, Sasha had a very, very bad feeling that she understood something they didn''t.


    "Stop crowding him," she said quietly.


    She knew they heard, but she wasn''t sure how much authority she carried with the Chimera who didn''t live in the ns. But she gave a pointed look right in Ernie''s eyes¡ªthough it made her shudder, and the pig-snouted man, too. They both took their time backing away, but they did it as the others quieted.


    Nick''s chest was heaving, but she stepped between him and the creatures and forced him to look at her. Turning her back on Ernie was perhaps the bravest thing she''d ever done, but she was reassured by the fact that he''d backed off when she asked him to.


    Swallowing hard, she forced Nick to meet her eyes and spoke quietly for him.


    "If they release you and you run, our friends here won''t be able to¡­ curb their instincts. So my advice is that, no matter how wet your pants might be, that you stay here and finish our conversation."


    Nick nodded quickly, his shoulders rising and falling with his heaving breaths.


    Then she looked at the wolves and though they rolled their eyes, they released him.


    He stumbled back a step, but caught himself, then stood there, facing her, hands fisted at his sides, his eyes darting around at the Chimera.


    She didn''t have any sympathy for him, if her suspicions about why he was so terrified of the creatures were right, she hoped he actually shit himself.


    "I don''t get it," Sasha said bluntly. "Why put yourself through this? What is it you think you''re gaining by being here yourself?"


    "I told you!" Nick snarled. "He''s my son and his life is in danger¡ªand if he''s in danger, you''re all in danger. And if you''re in danger, Sasha, I know he won''t leave you or do anything except try to keep you close and safe. So if I save him, I save all of you."


    One of the wolves growled, but she turned to Lhars and Yhet. "Can you tell if he''s telling the truth?"


    Lhars shrugged, but his eyes were sharp and bitter. He didn''t like Nick. At all. "It''s impossible to know with a snake like him. He can mean what he says, but his motives? Who knows?"


    "Does he mean it?" she persisted.


    Yhet was the one who answered. "He doesn''t smell of nerves or suspicion. Usually if a human deceives there is something of fear or tension in them. But he''s already so afraid, it''s hard to decipher."


    Sasha turned back to the man whose body trembled, but he stood there, facing her.


    "Look," he spat. "We can stand here and you can question me until the others get themselves organized and turn up as a team and all hell breaks loose. Or Lhars can call Zev and he cane with me and we can get this under some control before everyone starts dying!"


    Ignoring him, Sasha asked, "If I bring you the Alpha, what are you going do? Specifically."


    Nick''s jaw twitched, but he kept his voice low. "I''m going to exin to him what the response to Xar''s death has been within the organization. Their fears, and their hopes. I''m going to coach him on what to say, and when, and to whom. And then I''m going to take him back with me and present him to them¡ªwillingly. So they''ll believe it. And pray that he can convince them. Because if he does, things continue as normal and no one gets hurt."


    "Why would they believe him if he fled?"


    "Because if you''re here, they know you''re where he wants to be. He''ll do anything to keep you safe."


    Not anymore, she hoped.


    "How long will all of this take?"


    "I told you, a day. Maybe two. Then I''ll personally bring him back to the gateway and let hime back on his own. I won''t evene back here myself," he said, flinching when someone behind Sasha moved.


    "If it''s just a meeting, whye yourself? Why not just send a messenger and call for him? You''re clearly terrified. If you really thought Zev would juste because you called, why did you need to brave this?"


    Nick gave her a t look. "We are not stupid people, so let''s not pretend, Sasha. You and I both know he''s going to be very reluctant to leave you. I had toe. It''s the only way he''ll know how serious I am." When she didn''t respond immediately he kept going. "They''re convinced he''s gone rogue. They think they''reing back here to take over. Even if he surrenders, they''re shooting first. They think they''re putting down a rebellion. Chimera are going to die! This is my life''s work. I''m not giving them an excuse to kill my son and my people because they''ve lost patience!"


    "They aren''t your people."


    Nick snorted. "That just shows how little you know."


    Sasha''s stomach turned over.


    Then Nick''s hands went white-knuckled, and forcing himself, trembling, he stepped forward, towards Sasha¡ªand towards the Creatures behind her. He was close enough then that even Sasha could smell his stress sweat.


    "Look, believe me or don''t. But even if I was exaggerating the danger¡ªand I''m not!¡ªyou have to have seen enough to realize they won''t just let Zev take Alpha without talking to them about it. And how happy do you think they''re going to be about having their submissive Tiger reced with a rogue wolf? They''ve already lost the use of him in operations. I''m not making this up. They''re headed here with a full team and enough weapons to bring down the mountain. You won''t even know they''ve stepped through before they''ll be taking control. You guys aren''t worth the work to them anymore. They''ll take the ones they want and kill everyone else."


    "Take¡­ why would they take any if they aren''t concerned about the experiment anymore?"


    "Because these people are sick and the Chimera are their toys. Wake up, Sasha. You''ve walked into a man-madeb. These people are not animals. They''re far more valuable. Far more fascinating." He leaned in again, his eyes fixed on hers. "Those people aren''t ustomed to losing anything. To anyone. Let alone one of their own creations."


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 Chapter 241 - Alpha

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    "Zev said the same thing to me," Sasha breathed, more for the Chimera than Nick, but he leaped on the statement.


    "That''s what I''m telling you! Zev knows¡ªand he knows I''m not lying about this! Let me ask him. Let him tell you that I''m telling the truth!" Nick stabbed his thumb at his own chest. But Ernie shuffled on his feet behind Sasha, and Nick flinched and took a step back before he caught himself.


    He had to stop, to catch his breath, to catch himself. But he did it. Then he looked at her again. "I''m not lying."


    Sasha looked around at all gathered.


    Even if he''s not lying about this, he''s a liar and a maniptor in general, she reminded herself.


    But Lhars and Yhet, even the creatures looked nervous.


    Nick didn''t sound like he was lying. And Zev had told her that Nick was his father. And that he took a personal interest in the survival of the Chimera¡­


    Even if it was for his personal pride, that didn''t mean he was lying now.


    But did that mean she should listen? She and Zev had agreed it was too early to try to cut off the humans. They wanted to bring the females back first. And they couldn''t do that if they were blocking the gateway and fighting a war for survival.


    But they''d never save the females if they kept getting sucked back into these plots.


    Sasha''s idea was crazy¡­ and it just might work. And it also just might kill Zev.


    So¡­ which was the greater risk?


    The pressure of it all, the impossible decision, weighed on her. There was no way she could let Nick see Zev, know that Zev was injured. It made him too vulnerable¡ªit made all of them vulnerable.


    No. She had to fix this.


    "I need a minute," she said. All the males around her blinked¡ªmost of all Nick, who''s eyes widened and he looked like she''d just said she was feeding him to Ernie. But she couldn''t¡­ she couldn''t do this without talking to Zev, and she couldn''t risk any of them realizing¡­ If her eyes went nk the way Lhars'' did when he was sending over a distance, it was going to give this whole thing away.


    So she took a step away. Yhet tried to catch her arm.


    "Sasha," he rumbled. But she shook her head.


    "I''m not going anywhere. I just need a moment to think. Just¡­ just give me a minute."


    She walked off the trail and into the trees, feeling all their eyes on her back, but as soon as she was on the other side of the trees, she knelt and covered her face.


    Zev. Zev, I need you.


    I''ming¡ª


    No, Zev, I need your advice and I need you to be calm and think this through.


    What is it? What''s going on?


    Sasha bit her lip and prayed he wouldn''t injure himself.


    Nick doesn''t know that you''re not Alpha. He''s asking for you. He says the team¡ªthe organization¡ªneeds to be convinced that you''re on board, that the Alpha is on board. Otherwise they''re going to steal the ones they want and kill everyone else. He''s¡­ I don''t think he''s lying Zev.


    There was a hesitation. She could feel him thinking, his heart racing, put a hand to her own heart that was beating too quickly too.


    I don''t think he''s lying either, Zev said quietly, his voice brimming with tension. I''ll get some help, and I''lle¡ª


    No, Zev¡­ listen to me.


    He went deathly still and with her eyes closed, Sasha could feel him¡­ as if he were right beside her. In her head she imagined putting her hand to his chest and felt him ce his over hers.


    Sasha¡­ his voice was so stilted, so afraid.


    I have to go, Zev, she whispered in his head. I''m Alpha. And I''m human. They can''t ignore me. You said so yourself. I have to go.


    SASHA, NO!


    Zev, be calm. You''re going to be needed here.


    SASHA, NO, NOT WITH NICK. YOU CAN''T!


    I have to, Zev. I know this is scary. And I don''t want to leave you. But I think he''s telling the truth. And I think he''s right that we''re not ready to face the hell they can bring in a few hours. I have to go, Zev.


    SASHA¡ª


    Listen to me¡ªhe said it will only be a day or two, okay? If it''s more than that, you all figure something out and get over there and get me. In the meantime, we can talk like this okay?


    NO SASHA, THE LINK WONT WORK ACROSS THE GATEWAY, YOU HAVE TO¡ª


    I can''t, Zev. And I think¡­ I think in a little while when things have calmed down, you''re going to realize you would have done exactly the same thing. I''m just¡­ I''m just mimicking you.


    SASHA, PLEASE¡ª


    I love you, Zev. You know that. You know that. Don''t panic. Lead.


    SASHA, STOP, YOU CAN''T¡ª


    Be calm and lead. I''ll see you in a couple days, okay?


    Then she sent him a picture of them the way they''d always been, with her standing and him behind her, curled around her¡­ that perfect fit.


    Then, when he screamed her name again, she cut off the link and stood up, wiping the tears from her cheeks.


    She had to get Nick out of there before Zev figured out a way to get to them.


    When she strode back to the Chimera, they were all watching. She prayed her eyes weren''t too red.


    She ignored Nick, stalking straight to Lhars. "You need to go back and calm your brother. When he finds this out, he''s going to lose his mind, and I need him here and safe."


    Lhars frowned. "Finds what out, exactly?"


    For an answer, she turned to Nick. "If the Alphaes with you, negotiates willingly with the organization, the rest of us will be safe?"


    Nick nodded once.


    "So if the Alphaes with you¡­ no one else has to leave?"


    Lhars startled, and Yhet rumbled a growl. But she ignored them both.


    Nick says "Exactly."


    She nods. "Okay, then. Our friends here are all going to apany you and stay at the gateway and make sure no one elsees through when you leave."


    Nick nodded quickly. "Sure. As long as I have Zev over there, everyone else will be fine."


    Sasha smiled. "Well, then, let''s go."


    Nick frowned. "We need Zev¡­ is he here? Did he¡ª" He started to turn to where she''d gone into the trees, but Sasha shook her head.


    "No, you don''t need Zev. You said you need the Alpha."


    Nick''s eyes went wide and he turned quickly to Lhars. "You took Alpha?"


    Lhars shook his head.


    "I did, Nick," Sasha said quietly. "I''m the one you want. Everyone else is following my orders¡ªincluding Zev. So if you''ve got negotiating to do, it''s me you want."


    She said the words with such conviction, every Chimera present bowed or saluted.


    Nick stared at her, stunned.


    But Sasha could barely hold his gaze, because despite her attempts to shut Zev off so he couldn''t interrupt her, he was fighting, scratching at her resolve. And as the Chimera around her submitted, giving truth to her statement, it was Zev''s voice, cracking with desperation, frantic with emotion, echoing in her head.


    No¡­ Sasha¡­ Please¡­ YOU CAN''T DO THIS!

 Chapter 242 - Verdict

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev roared her name so the ceiling shook. He rolled, desperate to get out of this bed, but the healer hadn''t brought him the pain medication yet and he was gasping and trembling before he''d even pushed himself up to sit.


    Shit.


    <i>SHIT.</i>


    Breath heaving, bracing himself on the bed he scrabbled at Sasha''s mind, but she was holding him out, so in desperation he reached for Lhars.


    GET HER OUT OF THERE. NOW!


    But Lhars was holding him off as well and Zev''s stomach went cold and he cursed under his breath. What was Lhars doing? Why would he shut Zev out at such a crucial time¡ªwas he setting Sasha up? Was this his work?


    The healer walked in, saw Zev rolled onto his side and rushed to the bed. "Zev, no, you can''t¡ª"


    "She''s going to leave with him! She''s going to get herself killed!"


    "You can''t help. You''d never make it and if the wound opens again and gets infected again¡ªyou need help, Zev! You can''t move!"


    Then Zev blinked. Of course. Of course. He needed help. Yes. The male was right.


    As the male rolled him onto his back and muttered to himself, Zev closed his eyes, tipped his head back and howled, and on the resonant call of his howl he sent as far and wide as he was able.


    He shook with the effort of reaching¡ªas many minds and hearts as he was capable of touching, every wolf within hearing. He howled, and they heard it in their minds, and in the air.


    Their Alpha called for them. Their Alpha needed them. The Alpha''s mate was in danger.


    Howls rose across Thana¡ªdiscernable to Zev''s ears, as well as his head and heart. He choked on the emotion of their response, wolves dropping the things they were packing and turning on their heels, howling, then leaping into their beasts and beginning to run to their Alpha.


    The healer listened to Zev howl, then heard the responses outside and took a deep breath. "Well, that''s one way to do it, I suppose."


    "I need everyone¡ªI can''t know how far away they are."


    "You need to conserve your energy. Reaching that many at the same time¡ª"


    "There''s no choice."


    The door flew open and three wolves galloped in, shifting to their human forms mid-step and trotting to Zev''s side, naked. They''d obviously shifted in a hurry not removed their clothing¡ªor just thrown it aside. Zev didn''t care that they were naked. But if they had to shift back in front of Sasha¡­


    Right at the front was Jhon and Zev sighed with relief to see his friend. But Jhon''s face was a mask of worry and fear.


    The three thumped to Zev''s side and stood, poised, ready for instruction. Outside, Zev could feel the othersing, gathering, all of them ready to serve.


    "Nick is here," Zev said hoarsely, his eyes locked with Jhon''s, pleading for his friend to take this seriously. "He''s convinced Sasha that she needs to go with him¡ªthat as Alpha she has to meet with the humans. She''s not remembering his maniption. You have to get her out of there. I don''t care what it takes. Try and beat them to the gateway, cut them off. Take Nick out."


    Jhon nodded once, but his throat bobbed. "Take him out¡­ you mean¡­?"


    "Kill him," Zev said on a growl. "I''m done letting him y with our minds¡ªand I won''t risk her to them. If she goes down to the human plots, we all do."


    Jhon paled. "That will be¡­ that will be war, Zev."


    "We don''t have any choice!" Zev snarled. "I''d do it myself, but he''d beat me right now. If you can''t stomach it, I''ll find someone else¡ª"


    "No, no. I''ll do it. I just wanted to make sure you understand what you''re doing."


    "Of course I do! No one understands this better than me!"


    Jhon nodded again. "Okay. We''ll do it. Does he have weapons?"


    "No. I think they''ve been removed from him. But Lhars and Dunken and Yhet are with her, a few of the creatures too¡ªErnie''s there. He''ll help you, no doubt. I''m surprised he''s kept his ws off Nick this long. Lhars must have really dominated him."


    "Lhars is with him? Why not have him¡ª"


    "Because I don''t trust my brother''s intentions. And if I rely on him in this of all things¡­ just trust me. Nick will have the right words to stop you''ll. He''ll have the reasons you can''t. You can''t listen to him, do you understand?"


    "I do," Jhon said solemnly. "Don''t worry, Zev. We''ll bring her back."


    "Thank you, thank you." He was near tears and embarrassed about it, but Jhon just pped his good arm and tipped his head at the others, towards the door.


    Zev''s nerves spiked as they ran out the door and walked into the crowd gathering outside, sharing scents and letting them all know what was to happen.


    Zev, still linked with the wolf minds, could see them¡ªsome vering, and ready, others fearful and reluctant. He grimaced, wishing he could have just done this himself.


    But a little voice in the back of his head asked the question¡­ was he really strong enough? He loved Nick. Always had. Nick had saved his life more than once.


    But he''d also stolen it away.


    And it was past time that Zev broke free of him. Maybe it was God''s mercy that he couldn''t physically fight on this day. Maybe it was the devil ying with his life. Zev didn''t know. All he knew was, he refused to let Sasha be taken into their hands the way he was.


    That would destroy everything.


    Choking on his anger and fear, Zev dropped his link with the wolves and turned back to Sasha, scrabbling at her mind, whining when the door didn''t open.


    He knew she could hear him and he screamed at her to stop. That she couldn''t do this. Please!


    But he could feel her pulling away¡ªkeeping him at arm''s length. And moving.


    She was moving.


    Dear God, she was going with him.


    They had to get to her, now! With a snarl, he reached for Jhon''s mind again, growling his instructions to hurry, hurry!


    And hurry they did. But would they reach them in time? Sasha was slow, but they were far closer to the cave than to the vige.


    <i>Please¡­ he prayed.. Please don''t let her cross.</i>

 Chapter 243 - No Diversions

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    They''d started walking immediately¡ªas quickly as Sasha was able. Sasha used the time to make sure there was no chance of the hierarchy imploding while she was gone.


    "Zev is dominant. He''s to be listened to and protected¡ªhe can''t fight or run right now. Lhars, you have to help him."


    Lhars nodded, his face tight and pale. Sasha tried to give him an encouraging smile.


    "Lhars is second¡ªhe can take Alpha of the wolves. Zev''s going to be busy healing and freaking out about me being gone. He''ll need even more support. Share the wolves if you need to, Lhars, but don''t let them feel like there''s no leadership.


    "Dunken, you stay exactly where you are. Listen to Zev and follow his orders. But remember, he needs to be protected, even from himself. Don''t let him be reckless. If you have to¡­ remind him that if he harms himself, he harms me. Force him to consider his actions. He''ll kill himself trying to help me, but remind him that will only kill me."


    Dunken nodded.


    Sasha sighed. "Is there anything else you all had trouble with when Zev left?" she asked, terrified. She was really going to do this¡ªand potentially send the Chimera into chaos at the same time that she broke Zev''s mind because she disappeared. "I need you all to exin to me how to make this official¡­ or whatever. What I can do so it will be upheld by the ns. We can''t afford a battle right now!"


    Lhars shook his head. "You''ve set it in ce. Your choices are correct. There won''t be any problems, at least not in the short term. I''ll send the word to all the wolves, and they can spread the word¡­" He trailed off, his eyes widening.


    "What is it?" Sasha asked, stopping to watch him.


    "I''d been paying attention to you and¡­ keeping everyone out of my head, but¡­" Lhars'' eyes sharpened and snapped to her face. "Zev''s called the wolves toe get you and bring you back. To¡­ get rid of Nick," he said in a low growl.


    Nick stumbled back a step, eyes wide with horror. "You have to give me back my weapons. It''s not fair. I''m here to help!"


    Sasha started walking, as fast as she could in the snow. "I am Alpha right now¡ªhe doesn''t take the mantle until I leave, correct?"


    Lhars nodded.


    "Will the wolves listen? For real? I mean, I''m me and he''s¡­ Zev. Will they listen to me?"


    "If they get from you directly¡ªthat you give a different order¡­ yes, they will."


    "Can you show them? Me, I mean? Can you send them¡­ me giving an order?"


    "Yes."


    They stopped walking and Sasha stared at him. "Are you ready?"


    Lhars nodded, swallowing as she locked eyes with him and fisted her hands, giving every ounce of conviction and certainty she had that she was doing the right thing, and that they all needed this.


    "Stand down. Your concern for me is¡­ wonderful. But do not fear.


    "I am going to the human world for a short visit to negotiate with the humans and determine their movements in Thana going forward.


    "You will not attack. You will not stop me from leaving. And you will not harm the human with me. When I leave through the gateway, Zev will be Alpha. Lhars will be second. And Dunken will retain Captain. You are safe in our hands."


    Lhars sucked in a deep breath as she turned away and started walking¡ªpushing herself as fast as she could in the snow. When Zev realized she''d stopped, or attempted to stop, his n, he would be furious.


    "You need to go to him," she said to Lhars who walked at her side, frowning at the ground. She wondered what the other wolves were saying to him. "He''s going to lose his mind."


    Lhars nodded. "Are you certain? About this, I mean?"


    Sasha nodded. "It''s¡­ we actually discussed it. What my role was to be. We agreed. He''s forgotten because he''s afraid, but when he calms down, remind him. He agreed¡ªI am here to deal with the humans and make things better."


    Lhars looked at Dunken, whose face was hard as marble and just as expressionless. Yhet was the one who looked agitated, his eyes sliding back and forth between Sasha and Lhars and Nick.


    "Sasha," the massive man rumbled. "Zev has reason to be concerned."


    "I know he does," she panted, embarrassed, knowing all of them¡ªeven Nick¡ªwere slowing to keep her pace. "And if our roles were reversed I''d be terrified too. But he''s not here. He doesn''t understand. Lhars needs to show him."


    Lhars frowned harder. "How did he know to send them, though? He knew we wereing to meet Nick. I didn''t tell him you were leaving with him, I¡ª"


    Sasha blinked and caught his eyes as his brows pinched down hard and he looked up at her.


    She held his gaze, willing him not to speak the words he was thinking, the question he had.


    Lhars'' eyes widened and she shook her head slightly. "He''s fearful. He''s afraid I''ll be manipted. Let him know that I''m not. Let him know I''m going in with my eyes wide open. Go, Lhars. He needs to know. He needs to see it from someone who was here. Please?"


    Lhars closed his mouth and nodded. He gave her the salute, then stopped walking. "I''ll do as you ask, Sasha-don," he said quietly. "Go well, and be safe."


    "You too," she returned, swallowing the pinch in her throat as he turned on his heel and she knew he was running straight to Zev.


    Her Zev.


    Suddenly every conviction she''d had fled.


    How could she do this to him? How could she leave him¡ªand with Nick? Even if it was just for a few days, that would send him over the edge. It would have if she''d been in his shoes¡­


    Lhars paused to take his clothing off and tie it around his waist before he shifted and ran. Watching him go over her shoulder, Sasha''s eyes ran into the Spider¡ªErnie, she reminded herself.


    What a ridiculous name.


    This whole thing was just crazy. How could it be real?


    But then that little piece of her heart throbbed, recognizing Zev''s call as he tried desperately to get through to her. She almost opened her mind. But she knew if she did, he''d convince her. And she was already convinced.


    So she shook her head and kept walking, praying that God would be merciful on her mate.

 Chapter 244 - Alpha Authority

    If you like music while you read, try "Shouldn''t be a Good in Goodbye" by Jason Walker. It''s what I listened to while writing this chapter and the next!


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev was in the middle of snarling at Jhon, who''d found Sasha''s trail and was leading a handful of wolves on the trail when Lhars'' sending came through and every wolf within reach shuddered.


    Sasha''s eyes, her voice, resonant with conviction and the Alpha''s authority.


    Stand down.


    She was going to the human world for a good purpose.


    Zev was to lead only after she''d walked the gateway.


    Zev screamed "NO!" as he felt Jhon and the others slide to a halt, snarling, licking their lips, their heads dropping.


    Lhars. Fucking Lhars coaching her¡ªit had be to. The images had the texture and color of a moment sent¡ªhe''d been a witness and showing them what he saw. But Sasha hadn''t shown that kind of control before. She hadn''t had that¡­ power.


    Zev began to tremble as he realized he was stuck. Utterly stuck. He couldn''t save her.


    He couldn''t physically do it. And she was leaving. She was determined. She was leaving him and she''d be taken.


    Panic made his heart m against his ribs. His wound throbbed.


    The healer who''d heard him scream, rushed back into the room, but found only Zevying in the bed, his hands on his face, fighting tears and rage in equal measure.


    "I''ll get you something for the pain," he said.


    Zev didn''t answer him, but his body shuddered.


    She was leaving him. How the hell was she able to do that? Even the thought made him panic, how could she just calmly¡­ leave him?


    His mind spun¡ªhad they drugged her? Had Lhars lied to her? Had Nick done something to make her lose her will?


    But¡­ no. That was his Sasha. Determined and in control. She didn''t have a bit in her mouth. There were no reins pulling her.


    She really thought she had to do this.


    Fuck!


    The healer trotted to his side. "Open your mouth, Zev. I have a powder for you, and a drink of water. It will take some time to work, but when it does, your pain will ease. You just have to promise me you won''t harm yourself by walking and¡­ you have to promise me you''ll rest."


    "I will," he croaked, lying through his teeth.


    As the healer tipped a small paper cone over his tongue and the bitter powder became grit between his teeth¡­ as the water washed his mouth, swirling the powder down his throat, Zev could barely breathe.


    All he could see was her¡ªher neck snapped. A bullet wound in her temple. A knife in her back.


    They were going to kill her, to get back at him. And then he was going to die.


    And all he cared about was that he wasn''t going to be with her. He had to be with her!


    He swallowed convulsively, pushing aside the rest of the water now that his mouth was clear. He fisted the furs and stared, dry-eyed at the ceiling as he felt Jhon and the others shake themselves, and he sent an order.


    An order that didn''t contradict hers, but would leave the wolves in a position to help her should she encounter problems before she left the gate.


    Left.


    She was leaving. And they wouldn''t stop her.


    Zev whined in his throat. He couldn''t make them resist her. Not while she was still in Thana. But the minute she was gone? He would do whatever it took.


    Zev was never resting again until his mate was safe, or they were both dead.


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha''s nerve peaked as they reached the wider, almost road-like trail that she knew would take them through the valley floor, and then up to the cave where the gateway was. It was so strange to be back here, to remember how stunned and unaware she''d been when Zev brought her through¡­ could that really only have been a little over a week ago?


    Nick made a strange noise, and she realized as the trail had opened out, Ernie had scuttled up alongside him.


    She shot a re at the spider-man, but he only snorted. "We usher the Alpha to her gateway¡ªmake sure the human doesn''t take liberties." Then he turned his head to look straight at Nick. "Because the human knows if he ever shows his face here again and the Alpha isn''t safe, or has been harmed¡­ we won''t be so disciplined. Doesn''t he?"


    Nick nodded, his face pale and sweaty.


    Sasha shook her head. How was it that this had be her world? Her reality.


    She was doing everything she could to ignore the fact that she was walking away from Zev. Even letting her mind brush up on that fact made her entire body shake and her stomach churn.


    Two days, she reminded herself. It was just two days. Nick was invested in seeing Zev live. And the Chimera. She''d make sure Nick understood that harming her would harm Zev. And that harming Zev would harm her.


    Sasha stumbled at the thought of what he must be going through. And she was weak. She couldn''t let herself walk away without reassuring him again. She knew it was a mistake. But she was weak.


    Zev¡­. Her voice was intive and weak, even to her own mind.


    Sasha! Dear lord. Please tell me you''reing back.


    No, I just¡­ I needed to tell you that I love you, okay? I''m not leaving you. I''m going to try and keep everyone safe¡ª


    Sash, that''s exactly how he convinced mest time. Do you realize that?


    I know. I''m not saying he''s not making ns. I''m just¡­ I just have to follow my instincts, Zev, and I can tell. I''m here for a reason. And this is it. So you focus on healing. If I''m not back in a week, youe get me, okay?


    Sasha, please! You can''t do this! His voice was hoarse and tormented in her head, and she wanted to cry. But she shook it off and reached out to him across the bond.


    I love you, Zev. Don''t give up. I love you so much.


    **** ARE YOU ON FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM? ****


    Let''s be friends! You can find my profiles on linktr.ee/aimeelynn

 Chapter 245 - Never Say Never

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    When they started up the trail to the cave mouth, Sasha could barely breathe. She had to force herself to focus on the others. Inside she wanted to scream. Fear of what was happening. Fear of leaving Zev. Leaving Thana. Fear of... she didn''t even know this man. All that fear underlined by Zev, the echoes of his pleading and demands. He was still scratching at her mind, pleading with her. The piece of him inside her pulling back, threatening to suck out of her heart and through her spine, to flee back to him. She was beginning to tremble.


    With Yhet on one side and Dunken on the other¡ªboth silent, though Yhet''s face made his opinion on this whole situation very clear¡ªSasha decided to let the creatures torture Nick because she didn''t have energy to do anything else. Ernie scuttled along, just inside the tree line, just in their peripheral vision. Every time he moved, Nick twitched.


    When she spoke to Dunken and Yhet, it was the quietest breath of a whisper she could manage so Nick wouldn''t hear it. "You both need to go straight back to Zev once I leave. He''s¡­ he''s going to be falling apart. He doesn''t trust Lhars yet. He''ll need you."


    "Sasha," Yhet sighed, casting a dark look at Nick. "Are you certain?"


    "Utterly," she said, shaking her head and rubbing Yhet''s broad arm. "This is our only chance. I can convince them to let the females go, or learn how we''ll steal them back. I''m certain of it."


    Dunken''s face didn''t move, but she could sense his skepticism. She was grateful that the man didn''t give voice to his thoughts. She didn''t want to worry Yhet any more than he already was.


    "You two need to make sure Zev doesn''t hurt himself. He''s going to want toe after me. Don''t let him do it until he''s healed¡ªby which time I''ll hopefully be back. But just¡­ you know. Don''t let him travel until it''s safe."


    They both nodded.


    Sasha was going to thank them, but just then, a pattering of feet and paws sounded behind them, and they all stopped and turned.


    A swathe of dark gray and brown wolves was running up the trail behind them, silently, their eyes fixed on Sasha. She''d told them not toe! Not to interfere! What were they doing there?


    She stopped walking, head spinning, asking herself how she was going to handle this when they all reached just a few feet down the trail and slowed, shifting back to their human forms.


    And they were all naked.


    Sasha felt her cheeks heat, but she didn''t let herself think about it. Just locked eyes with Jhon, who was at the front, and told herself not to look down.


    "I told you," she said through her teeth, "Stand down."


    Jhon nodded, dropping his chin and shoulders in submission. "We don''te to interfere, but to¡­ guard. Make sure you travel safely."


    Sasha pressed her lips thin. She was skeptical. But at least they weren''t trying to stop her.


    "Okay," she said carefully. Then she lit on an inspiration. "It''s good that you''re here. When I''m gone, you all stay guarding the cave. Make sure the team doesn''te through. We''ve been told that all that''s needed is for the Alpha to speak with them. That there''s no need for them toe through if I go. Isn''t that right, Nick?"


    Nick, swallowed hard, but nodded. "If we catch them before they cross¡ªwhich we will if we hurry¡ªno one else wille through."


    "We''ll make sure you''re telling the truth," Jhon said, his voice hard. Then he turned back to Sasha. "Do you have any further instructions?"


    She didn''t, of course. Could barely think straight. But she didn''t miss the look of stunned disbelief on Nick''s face.


    When he turned to her, she just raised an eyebrow. "You''re really Alpha?" he croaked. "How the hell?"


    "I''ll exinter," she muttered.


    They reached the mouth of the cave, and Sasha almost cried¡ªher mind full of that moment when Zev had led her out of here, so proud and excited to bring her to his home. And she''d been so uncertain, but so ready to be close to him¡­


    She''d watched him step out into the snow while she tried to take in the vista in front of her, and the look on his face¡ªthe sheer joy¡ªhad sucked her back into that day when she''d given herself to him. She''dst seen that expression when theyy curled up in her tiny bed and he was holding her.


    She''d blinked away the memory and made herself focus on the present, and this incredible winter wondend.


    "Thana?" she asked stupidly.


    Zev nodded, his eyes sparkling. Then he looked away from her to scan the gorgeous purple-blue, snowcapped mountain across the valley, the forest sprinkled in snow that reminded her of a Christmas scene, and that rushing river on the valley floor.


    "I''ve wanted to bring you here for so long, Sasha. I can''t believe it''s finally happening."


    "Where is here, exactly?" she asked hesitantly.


    He tensed then and it took a minute for him bring his gaze back to hers. "It''s¡­ nowhere you''re familiar with," he said. "And I can''t tell you how to get here because you won''t be safe if you know. Just¡­ just trust me, being here makes you as safe as it''s possible to be in my world¡­"


    His world. He''d meant that so much more literally than she''d taken it at the time.


    And she''d been so grateful to be back in his arms. To have him again. To be close. Thest few days of their solitude had been a dreame true.


    So, how was it possible she was the one walking away now?


    She cleared her throat and stopped before they entered the cave, turning to talk to the Chimera that all pressed in, their eyes dark and sharp on Nick, but attentive when they turned to her.


    She almostughed hysterically, but she swallowed it back.


    "Okay, so we''re going to go now," she said to the gathered Chimera. Yhet made a low, puttering growl in his throat, but she turned and put her hand on his arm. "I''m going to be safe. Zev is the one who needs you, okay? I''m going to my home¡ªI know how it works. I have support there. I''m not as¡­ helpless as I am here."


    Many of the Chimera shifted on their feet.


    "I''m far more confident over there than I am here, so don''t worry about me. But worry about Zev. Keep him resting and healing until I get back, okay?"


    Dunken bowed low, one fist on his chest. "We''ll do as you say," he said, his voice rough and tight. "Do you have any other tasks for us while you''re gone?"


    "Just that one," she said sadly. "Don''t let him hurt himself."


    Dunken thumped his chest. "I vow it."


    Sasha sucked in a breath as Yhet edged forward his eyes cutting to Nick with a t re, but when he put his arms around her and patted her hair. Sasha almost squawked when he pulled her into his stomach and his fur went up her nose, but she just patted his sides¡ªwhich were all she could reach¡ªwhile Yhet rumbled at Nick.


    "If she does not return safely. If she does not return quickly¡­ I will hunt you down," the huge man said, his voice a low, rumbling growl "If you hurt her, if you cause her pain, if you do not return her¡­ I will snap your neck¡ªbut only after I have feasted on your guts."


    Sasha was so startled, the hair on the back of her neck standing at the sight of Yhet, his teeth bared and that low growl that seemed to make the very dirt vibrate.


    Nick raised his hands in surrender. "I don''t¡­ I won''t hurt her. I want her safe too."


    Yhet''s upper lip curled away form his teeth and for a moment she saw the creature that humans would see if they ran into Yhet in her world¡ªa humongous, feral man with teeth wider than her fingers and an unpredictable light in his eyes¡­


    If she didn''t do something quickly, this wasn''t going to go well. So she stepped out of Yhet''s arms and urged him to step back from Nick.


    "Thank you," she said, then turned to look at Dunken and the wolves. "Thank you, all of you. Please don''t worry. Just keep things calm while I''m gone. And hopefully I''ll return with good news. Are you ready, Nick?" she said, sping her hands together to stop them shaking as the man backed away from Ernie, who''d scuttled right up behind him again.


    "Yes, yes. Let''s do this. I''ll go first if you aren''t prepared yet."


    "Prepared?"


    "To cross the Gateway. You remember when you came through? The certainty? The¡­" he trailed off frowning at her look of confusion.


    "I have no idea what you''re talking about?" Sasha said. "Certainty of what?"


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 Chapter 246 - Conviction To Your Toes

    FUN ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS! If you haven''t already, click my profile image from one of myment replies, or search "Aimeelynn" on All, and make sure that little red heart is filled in solid. If it is, you''ll be the VERY FIRST to receive exciting new content on All this year!


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Nick looked at her oddly. "How did you cross when you arrived?"


    "I was asleep. Zev gave me something to help me stay unconscious and he carried me through. He said it was important I didn''t know where the gateway was so I couldn''t betray it."


    Something about that seemed to disturb Nick, but he shook it off quickly. "Okay, well¡­ let''s go. I''ll exin as we walk through the cave."


    Yhet growled again and moved to follow, but Sasha waved him off and gave a quick smile to all of them watching. "Thank you again. Please take care of Zev for me, okay?"


    Several nodded, but most of them just kept ring at Nick as Sasha stepped into the darkness of the cave mouth and followed the man into the curving tunnel.


    "So, the gateway is¡­ unique," Nick said, looking ahead and stepping carefully through the cave. "It crosses worlds. Multiple worlds. Countless worlds, from what we can tell. It was discovered¡­ well, that''s not important now. The thing that''s important to understand is that if you remember where you want to go and fix it in your mind, you''ll have no trouble seeing the path¡ªthe light will show you the way. Easily. But we''re not quite sure what it is, because it seems to be able to read your thoughts. The Gateway seems¡­ almost sentient."


    "What?!" Sasha snapped.


    "It knows how to¡­ tempt you."


    Sasha''s brows flew up, but Nick just raised his hands to soothe her. "Not like that. What it wants to do is take you somewhere. Anywhere. So you have to fix your mind on where you want to go. The world you want to step into. As long as you''re focused on that, fully convinced of your destination, it will guide you through. No trouble. But if you waver¡­ it will try to show you other ces that might fulfill what you want. It¡­ wants to please you."


    Sasha was confused. "This ce is going to try to tempt me to go into some random world?"


    "A world that it measures would fulfill the things you want. That''s why you have to be focused. Just¡­ give yourself over to going home, okay? Focus on that. Remind yourself why you want to go and you''ll be fine."


    They''d reached the back of the cave. There was a discarded fur here¡ªthe one she''d beenying on when she woke up. She wasn''t sure whether Zev had left it, or it had already been here. But it was dusty now and something inside Sasha quavered at the memory of waking up with Zev leaning over her¡­.


    "Just make sure you don''t start thinking of another ce, another world, or something else that you want more. It might spit you out in a world where the gateway isn''t easily essed. Or worse. Don''t step into it until your conviction is certain. You know where you want to go. You have no question of your destination. And you know nothing will sway you from it. If you do that, you''ll pass through quickly and safely."


    Now that they were out from under the eyes of the Chimera, Sasha saw the strength in Nick again. It was true that being here in Thana made him afraid. She suspected she knew why. She couldn''t decide if she wasforted by his growing confidence now, or more afraid. But she nodded.


    "I don''t step in until I''m certain I want to go back to our world."


    Nick nodded and patted her arm, which made her skin crawl, but he didn''t hold onto her. "Do you have any other questions?"


    "I have nothing but questions, but I guess I''m about to find out the answer to all of them."


    "Yes, you are," Nick smiled and he looked almost pleasant. Which made Sasha want to frown. "For what it''s worth, Sasha, I could always see why he chose you. I don''t want you to worry. I''m not lying to you. Your visit to our world is going to be brief. Just long enough to establish how this will work. I think my colleagues are going to be quite excited to learn what you''ve achieved in such a short time."


    He smiled as if he expected her to be pleased about that. But Sasha just shook her head at him. "I''m going to keep everyone safe. But let''s be utterly clear about this: You''re taking me from the ce I now call home, and out of the arms of my mate. There is nothing about this trip that¡­ pleases me. Except that it will make things better for everyone in Thana. So please don''t talk to me like I''m a child who needs a cheerleader."


    Nick''s brows popped up. "Well, then. Okay. I guess I''ll go first so you can see how it''s done. We won''t see each other inside. We don''t know why. It''s like everyone takes their own route. But I''ll see you on the other side. If you''re ready?"


    Sasha stared at him, stunned. "You''re¡­ going to let me go after you? What if I don''te? What if I just stay here?"


    Nick''s face got very serious. "I wasn''t lying to you, Sasha. And I''m praying you weren''t lying to me. I need you toe and be seen and negotiate, and generally convince my colleagues not to abandon this project. If you stay here¡­ I won''t be able to stop theming through. And that band of merry men you have out there will be killed the moment they do. They won''t have a chance to attack and protect like they think they can. Our weapons are¡­ unique. And deadly. If that team shows up here with the decision made to take the Chimera out¡­ Thana will be razed to the ground. So I pray you won''t do that, Sasha. Because you won''t live for many more hours or days after you do."


    Sasha swallowed, then nodded. "I won''t," she said. "I''ming with you. Then it''s your chance to prove you aren''t lying and to let mee back here quickly so Zev doesn''t have a cardiac arrest."


    Sadness flickered on Nick''s face, which surprised her. "I''m sorry I didn''t get to see him," He said quietly. "I know he thinks I¡­ he expects me to work against you. It''s a sad fact that at times I have. But I''m not now, Sasha. If you''re ready. I''ll go in. You stand here until you know that you know that you know where you want to go. Then you step in after me and I''ll see you on the other side. Between us, we''ll get this fixed, okay?"


    "Okay."


    Nick blew out a breath, turned to face the wall at the back of the cave, took a deep breath in, then stepped forward.


    Sasha braced¡ªhe looked like he would face nt right into but. But then her mouth dropped open as the wall seemed to simply absorb him.


    Two secondster, it was as if he''d never been there.

 Chapter 247 - No Good In Goodbye

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev had beenying rigid in the bed for the past fifteen minutes, ever since she''dst opened to him, pleading with God to give him one more chance to speak to her, to convince her. He cursed the bed hey in, the body that had failed him. He cursed himself for not seeing ahead enough to realize this might happen.


    Then the wolves reached the cave and he''d watched through their eyes as she farewelled Yhet and Dunken. He''d found grim pleasure in the fear on Nick''s face, and his tension when Ernie came close.


    But he had eyes only for Sasha. And when she walked¡ªof her own free will¡ªinto the dark cave at Nick''s side, his stomach turned over. He thought he might be sick.


    The pain powder he''d been given began to creep up on him then. The burning in his side eased just a hair, but with that tiny relief came a measure of drowsiness as well. Zev set his teeth and gripped the furs, scratching at Sasha''s mind again and again, muttering under his breath, pleading for her to give.


    And then with no warning, suddenly she was there again, turned to him in her mind, her nerves at a peak.


    <i>Zev?</i>


    He didn''t even wait. He could feel her shaking, her shock.


    <i>Sasha! Stop. You don''t have to do this. You can''t do this.</i>


    <i>I have to, Zev. You know I do. This is exactly what we talked about. I''m just¡­ I''m scared. I''m weak. I''m afraid of losing you. That''s all. I know I''m doing the right thing. Please¡­ stop trying to stop me. Just¡­ be here with me for a second before I step in, okay?</i>


    <i>You''re at the gateway? What''s Nick doing?</i>


    <i>He''s¡­ he''s already gone.</i>


    Zev blinked in shock. <i>He''s gone¡­ and he left you there? Alone?</i>


    <i>Yes.</i>


    Everything in chest swelled and he sucked in a breath. <i>THEN GET OUT. Leave, Sasha! Run back now, to me! We''ll send someone¡ª</i>


    <i>No, Zev. He''s going to stop the team. They''re on their way. And they aren''ting to make friends. They need to know that they still have some power here. Even Yhet and Dunken didn''t think he was lying about that. I have to show up so they won''te through. But¡­ I''m leaving the wolves here¡ªJhon''s in the lead¡ªto stop them, just in case. Just in case he''s tricking us.</i>


    Zev snarled, gnashing his teeth. If he''d been in full health he would have shifted and run, heedless of her warnings.


    Nick was fooling them all this time!


    <i>I have to go, Zev. Please¡­ hug me for a second. Please.</i>


    Her voice was tiny and breathless in his head and he almost broke. Teeth gritted and body a nk of tension, he had enough rity to realize this was hisst chance. He could fight her until the moment she stepped through. Or he could be with her now. Hold her¡­


    With a whine of grief, he sent her an image of himself, and her. She stood as she always had, facing the world boldly. And he ced himself at her back. But he wanted her to know¡­ needed her to see.


    As Sasha sighed his name, he showed himself wrapping around her, his head dropping to her hair, his arms around her, curling himself around her until she almost couldn''t be seen and he stood between her and the world.


    <i>You''re mine, Sash. Only mine,</i> he panted.


    <i>Yes. I know. You''re¡­ you''ve always wanted to protect me, Zev. I''m so grateful. I get it now, what you were doing all that time. Now it''s my turn. If I do this, we can protect the rest of them. Together. We''re going to do this, Zev. If he lies to me, if I''m not back in two days, you get healed, then youe get me, okay?</i>


    <i>I love you, Sasha. Please be safe. I can''t do this without you.</i>


    <i>You won''t have to</i>, she sobbed. <i>I love you, too. So much. We''re going to do this, Zev. We''re going to free them. And ourselves. Forever.</i>


    He reached for her with his heart, preparing to take one more shot at convincing her, but then the image in his mind¡­ shifted.


    Sasha took the image he''d given her and she changed it¡ªturning in his arms, her arms snaking around his waist. She lifted her chin andid her lips on his neck, kissing him¡ªand she let him feel how she ached for him.


    Zev''s body responded immediately and he cried out, gripping his hair in his fists. <i>Sasha, please! Don''t¡­ don''t cut me off again. If you''re going, take me with you as long as you can.</i>


    He felt her try to swallow her nerves. <i>Okay.</i>


    There was a pregnant pause, then he felt her stroke his mind as if she cupped his face. <i>I love you Zev. I''m going now.</i>


    <i>Did Nick exin about the gateway?</i> He asked desperately.


    <i>Yes. Don''t worry. I know I have to be focused and determined. That''s the only part of this I''m sure about. I know where I need to go, Zev. I''m certain of that part. I just¡­ pray that I can do what we need to get done when I''m there.</i>


    He shuddered in fear. But knew there was no point trying to talk her out of it. He needed to stay with her as long as he could.


    <i>The back of the cave,</i> he whispered. <i>It looks solid, but it''s the gateway.</i>


    <i>I know. I watched Nick go through.</i>


    She showed him what she could see then. The dusty, dark back wall of the cave that looked normal and dirty¡­ but that would shimmer into nothing when she stepped through it. He saw her thoughts¡ªthe hopes she had that Nick''s story waspletely true and she''d be back in a couple days. The fears she had that she''d be met with police and weapons when she got to the other side.


    <i>I wille for you,</i> Zev vowed, growling.<i> If he takes you¡ª</i>


    <i>Don''t think about that, Zev. Just think about¡­ think about healing, and about the day we''re back together. All the ways we''ll be together.</i>


    His breath caught as she sent him an image of herself, in hisp on that snowy afternoon¡ªwas that really only two days ago?


    <i>Okay, I''m just stalling now,</i> she admitted before he could say anything. <i>I''m going to step in. I''m going to convince them that I''m still working with them¡­ and while I''m there, I have to figure out how we can get the females out. This is the only way.</i>


    <i>But they''re going to keep you!</i>


    <i>Then you need to heal fast ande get me. I''m going now, okay?</i>


    Zev shaking, couldn''t even make words. He sent her a deluge of images¡ªhis love, his body, his want for her, his fear¡ªshes of their lovemaking, of his memories of her sleeping¡­ that bath.


    And as she stepped forward, Sasha sent it all back. She took every image he sent and turned it, showed the memory to him from her perspective, full of love and adoration for him, heat, and hope.


    As they held each others hearts and yearned, Sasha stepped into the wall and as Zev watched, the rock and vines of the cave gave way to the deep blue, shimmering ss that looked like rippled water, but felt like diamonds, the gateway rolling in a wave over her head and the tunnel lighted as if from within, drawing her forward.


    Fear crackled through his veins and he sat up, gasping, sending with a force and desperation he''d never had before. <i>I love you, Sa¡ª!</i>


    But she was gone.


    Zev slumped back into the bed and howled.


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 Chapter 248 - The Gateway

    If you''d like to see images that remind me of the characters in this book, Thana, and the gateway, friend me on Facebook! Got to linktr.ee/aimeelynn to find me. I have a Character & World Aesthetics album in my photos!


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    "I want to go back to my world," Sasha breathed to herself as she stepped into the wall of the cave. She could still feel Zev with her as her footnded in the Gateway and her jaw dropped open.


    She stood in a tunnel that swirled over her head like water, it''s surface rippled and faceted. Yet beneath her feet it was hard as stone and slick as ss. As she turned her head and looked around, trying to take in the beautiful, impossible ce. The gateway seemed to ripple like moving water in the corners of her vision, but wherever she looked at it directly, it remained still.


    The ss¡ªor whatever it was¡ªglowed as if light shone from behind it, urging her deeper. Ahead, the tunnel rolled into other shafts and gateways, turning off in other directions. But those tunnels remained dark.


    Fascinated, Sasha took a step forward¡ªand immediately stumbled, sucking in air against the tearing pain in her chest.


    She cried out, clutching at her chest and trying desperately to breathe as the piece of Zev that had nestled within her since the bonding was torn away, leaving a gaping wound in its ce.


    "Zev!" she screamed, falling to all fours, gagging and heaving as she almost lost her stomach. The tunnel around her seemed to swirl and cascade, the walls moving far closer to the center of her vision.


    Even as the pain began to ease, Sasha''s entire body trembled, half-from the tearing loss that stung and ached, half because she was terrified she''d just broken the bond¡ªand what did that mean?


    Shaking, tears running down her cheeks, Sasha pushed to her feet. She looked over her shoulder to find a darkened tunnel leading back to the cave¡ªshe assumed. The light from under her feet, the light that had glowed within the walls, seemed to flicker and crackle now, rolling, shooting back into the dark, then forward again, like lightening under her feet and over her head.


    What if she''d broken the bond. Would ite back when she returned to Thana? Did this mean they couldn''t leave each other, or use the gateway without losing each other?


    She took a hesitant step back, her resolve wavering. She could go back, make sure that the bond would return when they were in the same world. Make sure that he was okay. Then leave again¡­


    But would she?


    She turned again, facing back up the tunnel in the direction the light was leading. Had led. It had changed now. It was still there, but not as brightly, those crackling shafts of light zipping around over her head and down the shaft behind her.


    What was it Nick had said? She couldn''t question. She couldn''t waver. She had to know where she was going or the Gateway would take her somewhere else.


    She had to do this.


    With a sob of pain and fear, pleading with Zev to forgive her, Sasha closed her eyes and focused her mind on her destination.


    She had to return to her world. She had to find the females. She had to understand what the humans were doing so she could make a n and bring it back to Thana, and save their people. She had to. She had to¡­ even if it put the bond at risk. Because without the safety of the Chimera there would be no Zev. No chance for a bond.


    There would be no Sasha, for that matter.


    Swallowing the tears that threatened to overwhelm her, Sasha took a step forward, away from Thana. Away from Zev. The tunnel seemed to throb around her, the light within its walls beginning to grow and seep back towards the ceiling.


    She took another step and it became brighter still.


    So, with one final prayer for forgiveness, Sasha started forward, holding the emptiness in her chest. Praying that it wasn''t permanent.


    Praying that she''d find the answers they needed to make all of this worth the price.


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~ </strong>


    Sasha disappeared from his mind first. He felt the connection close and knew she couldn''t hear him anymore.


    After the howl, Zev had slumped back into his pillows, cursing and pleading with the Creator to keep her safe. For Nick to be on one of his saving missions, not a sinister plot.


    But before he could even finish the thought, pain¡ªglittering and cold, like a de¡ªsliced into his chest, right over his heart, that was beating so hard it threatened to explode.


    "Wha¡ªSASHA!" he cried, gasping, groaning, pping both hands to his chest, sucking at the air as something dug between his ribs and tore out a piece of his flesh. He tried to fight it, to wrestle the thing that was stealing from him, but then cried out as something was ripped from the center of his soul.


    "What''s wrong? Zev? What''s happened?" The healer darted in from the next room.


    "I¡­ my chest¡­ I¡­" Zev rasped. He looked down at one trembling hand, expecting to see ite away with blood. But though his fingers trembled and his chest screamed as if someone had plunged a hand in and snapped off a bone, tearing it out through his skin, there was nothing there.


    Nothing.


    Absolutely nothing.


    The ce in his chest that had been inhabited by Sasha was¡­ a hollow, whistling gap.


    <i>What the hell? What the ACTUAL FUCK?</i>


    He sat bolt upright, his side and ribs lighting up in pain, but it was nothingpared to the jarring emptiness in his heart.


    "Sasha!" his voice tore from his throat in a guttural scream as the healer leaped on him, trying to push him back by the shoulders. But the pain powder he''d been given was beginning to work, and he was blind with terror.


    He was losing the bond. He was losing Sasha!


    NO!


    He fought with the healer, wrestling to get off the bed and to his feet. He had to go after her. He had to¡ª


    The door flew open and Zev caught a bare glimpse of dark hair and sharp eyes flowing across the room, before a second set of hands and a much heavier body pressed in, helping the healer.


    Zev snarled. "Let me up! I have to go her! We''re losing the bond!"


    "Zev, no! You have to stop! You''re going to hurt yourself and then you won''t be able to help her at all!"


    "Zev, stop. You''re Alpha now, you can''t leave!"


    "LET ME GO!" he snarled with every ounce of the Alpha authority he possessed.


    Both males shuddered and released him, the healer dropping to a knee, though Lhars managed to keep his feet, his eyes not meeting Zev''s, but his lip curled back as Zev pushed himself off the bed.


    The moment his feet hit the floor, the entire world tipped sideways and he had to grab the bed to keep himself from pitching forward, straight into Lhars'' arms.


    "You can''t go anywhere, Zev. You''re too weak!" Lhars growled.


    Zev chest heaved and he put a hand to it, still leaning on the bed, gripping it with his other hand to keep himself upright. He shook like a new spring leaf, panic screaming in his head.


    She was gone. She was gone.


    She''d been inside him, a part of him. And she was gone.


    Zev groaned and pushed to his feet, stumbling forward towards the door, his body screaming at him in pain.


    "Where are you going?!" Lhars barked.


    "The Gateway," Zev growled. "I''m going to kill Nick, and bring Sasha back. Or die trying."


    <strong>***** END OF VOLUME ONE *****</strong>


    Thank you so much for you support of Zev and Sasha.. This book was a real risk for me, and it''s been such a joy to have youe along for this crazy ride. To say thank you there will still be another FOUR chapters released today¡ªone every 30 minutes starting NOW!

 Chapter 249 - Close Your Mind

    During Volume 2 it will be necessary to show you some events from characters that aren''t Zev or Sasha, so pay attention to the name at the beginning of the chapter. I hope you enjoy meeting a couple more characters more deeply!


    *****


    <strong>~ LHARS ( A Few Minutes Earlier ) ~</strong>


    Lhars, in his wolf, tore through the forest, ignoring the trails, leaping logs and twisting between trees so quickly his tail flicked the leaves off underbrush. He was doing everything in his power to get back to the vige, to catch Zev before he lost his mind.


    His brother was so desperate, so frantic for Sasha, he''d opened himself utterly as he sought to reach her mind. The other wolves didn''t know that was even possible, so to them it was simply their Alpha, howling, screaming, ws scrabbling¡ªand his love, his adoration, his terror, his painid bare.


    Lhars didn''t know how it had happened that Sasha could mind-link with Zev. Clearly it was a result of the bond. But regardless of how it had happened, his Alpha had made it clear she didn''t want others to know. He had to get back to Zev before he revealed something¡ªor killed someone¡ªin his desperation.


    Every wolf who hadn''t shut their minds was seeing, just as Lhars was, the jittering panic in their Wolf-Alpha''s mind. His longing and desperation, his rage and fear. As he rounded the final tree and broke into the clearing of the vige square, Lhars heart pattered and his breathing heaved, but he would make it. He was only a moment from reaching the healing center and¡ª


    A howl exploded in Lhars'' mind in the same moment it sang through the trees. And in the next step, it was as if Lhars'' heart physically tore in two.


    With a yelp and a snarl, he tumbled to the dirt, flipping head over tail until his nose was in the dirt and his body shivering.


    He could barely breathe, the pain¡­ where¡­


    Lhars blinked. The pain wasn''t within him¡ªit was Zev''s. His chest torn, a gaping wound. Someone was trying to murder his brother!


    Lhars leapt to his feet, but his body still shook¡ªZev had no guards up. No restraint. The entire wolf-pack howled, crying for the grief, crying for the pain, crying with their Alpha.


    Lhars lifted his chin and sang his own song of grief to echo his brothers, but he cut off quickly and stumbled forward in human form¡ªit would give him a fraction more protection from the jangling terror and pain singing through his mind.


    Throwing the door into the healing center open, he found a healer wrestling with Zev, who was trying to push himself off the bed.


    Fucking idiot.


    Lhars leaped into the fray, leaning his weight and strength to the fight, keeping Zev down. His brother growled, his teeth snapping.


    "Let me up!" Zev snarled. "I have to go her! We''re losing the bond!"


    The healer, frantic and pleading, tried to get him to stop. But Lhars knew there was little point trying to talk him down. Zev was so desperate, he was losing his control.


    "Zev, stop," Lhars snapped. "You''re Alpha now, you can''t leave!"


    "LET ME GO!" Zev snarled, putting all his Alpha authority behind themand.


    Lhars'' hands leaped off of Zev as if they weren''t under his control, his body shuddering with the desire to submit, but he didn''t give in. He was fulfilling the instructions of the Alpha before she''d left. He had the authority to defy Zev if he could find it in himself.


    The healer didn''t even try to resist, just submitted, though he grimaced, clearly distraught.


    As soon as their hands were off him, Zev pushed himself off the bed¡ªand promptly almost lost his feet, gripping the bed with one hand to keep himself from falling, and his own chest with the other.


    Zev was going to make himself worse. Hurt himself. Make his injury worse.


    Fucking, fucking idiot.


    "You can''t go anywhere, Zev. You''re too weak!" Lhars growled.


    But rather than respond, Zev sucked in on himself and everything in his mind flew out to m every wolf within reach.


    Love.


    Fear.


    Adoration.


    Teeth-cracking terror.


    Andva-hot rage.


    His mate, his mate was gone. He would not give up his mate!


    Lhars groaned, Kyelle''s face shing in his head, his body responding¡ªurging him to find her, to hold her, to make sure she was safe.


    But then Zev groaned and stumbled forward.


    Filled with his own rage, and still blinking back Zev''s gut-wrenching desperation, Lhars moved after him. "Where are you going?!"


    "The Gateway," Zev growled. "I''m going to kill Nick, and bring Sasha back. Or die trying."


    "I can''t let you do that," Lhars growled. "She made it very clear¡ª"


    "I''m Alpha now," Zev snarled. "You''ll do whatever I¡ª"


    But it was toote. Lhars had already thrown the blow to his brother''s protected skull.


    Zev dropped to the hard floor like a sack of potatoes, and healer sighed. But as they both stood over him on the floor, Lhars sighed with relief for his empty head, pulling himself away from the link and guarding his mind.


    His hands shook as he helped the healer lift Zev from the floor into the bed.


    "That really isn''t smart," the healer sighed. "If you misjudged, you could do him real damage."


    "If he didn''t stop screaming in the heads of the pack, they would have started tearing each other apart. He was kicking everyone''s instincts into gear, but without mates or families to protect, they''d end up turning on each other. We need to get him bound and sedated before he wakes up, or he''s going to try and cross. We can''t have both of them over there."


    "Agreed. I just¡­ it''s an unorthodox method of restraint," the healer said dryly.


    They worked together to get Zev back into the bed, his arms and ankles tied down, then Lhars made sure the healer could keep him quiet for half an hour while he gathered the Alphas and the wolf council.


    "He''ll need the steadying presence of the stronger males," he said.


    "Go," the healer replied. "I''ll make sure he''s still here when you get back."


    With a growl of frustration, Lhars turned and ran out the door, shifting into his wolf as he hit the porch of the building.


    Everything in him still sang with the need to be close to Kyelle, to make utterly certain that she was safe, and to pull her close and stand between her and danger. But she wouldn''t appreciate the sentiment from him, he knew.


    So he would find Geet, first. The Goat Alpha. He would find all the Alphas, then Kyellest of all. So if there was any time, any space, they could have just a moment. A short moment for him to reassure himself that she was okay.


    Because the truth was, once she saw Zev, she''d only care that he was okay.


    Lhars knew the feeling of that hollow space in your chest.


    He didn''t envy Zev that much, at least.


    As he tore through the vige, following the Goat Alpha''s scent trail, Lhars shook his head so hard his ears snapped.


    He didn''t care what it took to keep Zev safe and in Thana, he would do it. No one was going to stop them all through this¡ªnot Nick, not Sasha, and definitely not Zev.


    No matter what, Lhars would make sure the Chimera were freed from the humans once and for all.


    No matter who he had to defeat to make it happen.


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 Chapter 250 - [Bonus ] Surreal

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha took thest step through what appeared to be a pulsing, ss window, rippled and shifting to obscure what was behind it. The ground on its other side was uneven dirt and she stumbled, catching herself on a stone wall, then blinking so her eyes would adjust.


    She stood in an old tunnel¡ªbrick and stone sides curved together over her head, though the floor was dirt and lead seamlessly out into the bright sunlight at the end. As she blinked and squinted, she could make out a rough staircase climbing to the right, while the ground plunged over the lip of earth and down into a forest ahead. The ce looked ancient and handmade. Perhaps left over from the war?


    Where the hell was she?


    Then a shadow shifted, right where the sunlight was cut and the tunnel turned dark. Sasha startled as Nick materialized, his voice heavy with relief.


    "Good, you made it. I was starting to get worried. I didn''t want to have to tell the team to go after you."


    He turned and started out of the tunnel, Sasha stumbling after him, looking around, awed and terrified, and deeply sad.


    It smelled like home.


    Well, like the parts of her home she''d never really spent a lot of time in. Yet, here she was in a set of furs with her hair unwashed, padding down a dirt trail through ancient pine trees and Cedars.


    "I¡­ I thought you said the team would go across regardless?" she asked, her jaw feeling too tight to properly speak.


    "Not now. I told them I got you."


    "Got me? I came with you¡ª"


    "Yes, you did. And I''m really grateful, Sasha," he said quietly, still walking ahead of her, leading her down a narrow trail. "A human Alpha. That''s incredible. If we''d known it would even be epted¡­ how did you do it?"


    "I told you, I killed Xar."


    Nick nced at her over his shoulder, his eyes unreadable. "But¡­ I mean, why did they ept it as an Alpha fight? We thought Zev was the one who challenged for Alpha."


    "He was. I was standing at the side, watching. But Xar came for me¡ªand he had a knife. He''d dodged Zev, and the only weapon I had was a rock. I just grabbed it and clocked him with it and¡­ he just fell.


    "When I stood up, Zev was there, and everyone was kind of quiet and¡­ they all just started calling me Alpha," she said ufortably. "Zev said that technically he should have challenged me to take Alpha, because I''d beaten the Alpha. But he didn''t want to do that, obviously, so he submitted, and then everyone else did too."


    Nick shook his head again.


    But Sasha was finally making sense of the niggling feeling she''d had when this came up the first time. "How did you know?"


    "Know what?"


    "That Zev challenged Xar for Alpha? And how could you not know that I won? Everyone was there. They all knew. They called me Alpha to my face."


    Nick''s lips twitched. "We have sources."


    Sasha huffed. "Apparently your sources aren''t super reliable." Which made her feel better.


    Nick gave a one-shouldered shrug that made her ufortable, but he didn''t borate. How was hefortable with being given false information?


    A few minutester they reached a massive, cross-wire fence, hung with NO TRESPASSING signs at each section, and a massive gate signposted as private property.


    "Don''t touch the wires," Nick said quietly, working thetch of the eight-foot gate free. "They''re electrified."


    Sasha shrank away from the sides of the gate as she followed him through. But Nick seemed to have the answers he''d wanted, because they walked silently for another twenty minutes or so before she started to hear road noise.


    A few minuteter they emerged from the woods into a gravel carpark. The road noise came from further away, a highway that couldn''t be seen because the parking lot waspletely surrounded by the forest. And there was only one vehicle in it¡ªa thick, white suburban that looked like it had more than a few years of wear on it.


    Nick picked up his pace, trotting across the gravel to the car and reaching into the space under the car''s fenders, his hand emerging with a small, metal box. He flipped it open to pull out an electronic key that he tapped.


    The suburban blooped and the door locks thunked open.


    Nick looked into the passenger seat at the front and winced. "I''ve got a ton of equipment in here. Do you mind riding in the back seat for now?"


    "No," Sasha said, relieved that she might have a little more space. She was feeling suddenly woozy, as if everything was surreal.


    How could her normal world suddenly feel surreal. But staring at the little metal guard rails around the parking lot, and the almost-perfectly circr gravel area¡­ it was as if it all threw her off bnce.


    Nick opened the back door of the car and Sasha climbed in, sitting back in the seat as he reached up to pull her seatbelt forward of her shoulder.


    "Thank you," she said awkwardly.


    "You''re wee," Nick replied, then closed the door and trotted around the car to the driver''s seat.


    The big car rocked when he got in. He immediately leaned over the open the glove box and pull out a cellphone, tapped the screen a couple of times. Then when a voice answered he simply said, "Yep, we''re on our way."


    He tapped the screen again, dropped the phone into a cup holder between the front seats, and turned the car on.


    As the car began to roll out of the parking lot, Sasha could see a couple small buildings further up the gravel road. She felt relief. "How long is the drive to¡­ wherever you guys do your thing?"


    "Less than an hour," Nick said, his eyes finding hers in the rearview mirror.


    "Can you stop here so I can use the restroom before we get on the road, then?" she asked.


    "Sure." Nick slowed the car and pulled up on the emergency brake, then started to get out.


    "It''s fine, I''ll get myself out," Sasha said, pulling up on the door handle¡ªonly to find it loose and useless in her hand.


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 Chapter 251 - Delicate Balance

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Confused, she pulled it again, then again, snapping it open again and again, then pounding on the window.


    "Let me out of here," she snarled. "You said this was voluntary! You said¡ª"


    "Rx, Sasha. The back doors are on child locks. I''ll let you out," Nick said, then trotted around the car again and pulled her door open again.


    Sasha leaped out of the car, scrambling away from Nick, turning to face him and backing towards the restrooms. "Why would you put me in the locked seats?"


    "They''re the only seats in the car, Sasha. You''ll notice I also let you out as soon as you asked."


    "Yes, but¡ª"


    "No buts. This isn''t a vacation, Sasha. I work for some very powerful people, and they don''t mess around. Now, I told you I''d get you back safely, and I will. But you y by the same rules everyone else does. Which is that you do whatever they say, or whatever they need. Because if you don''t, they''ll just kill you. It''s that simple."


    He stood, facing her, still holding the open door, nothing in his bodynguage indicating a threat.


    But Sasha''s heart¡ªalready aching from losing Zev¡ªwas racing. "And one of their rules is that passengers be imprisoned?!"


    "No," he said patiently. "Their rules are that staff be put under no threat while driving delicate equipment¡ªor persons¡ªaround. No one sits in the front with the driver because that gives you a chance to take control of the car. You sit in the back and when we get there, I''ll open the door and you''ll walk out a free woman."


    "You say that like I should be grateful. I don''t make a habit of driving around with people who consider freedom a gift."


    "Then you better adjust your thinking, because that''s exactly the kind of people you''re dealing with now."


    Sasha stared at him, her heart pounding and head screaming. She needed to leave. Just run. All the way back to Thana and Zev, and¡ª


    "Sasha, I''m not ying. I wasn''t lying. You get in the car. I take you to them. You answer questions. You reassure them. And when they let you, you go back. This is a win-win for everybody. Don''t make transport a hill to die on."


    "I''m more concerned with freedom, than transport."


    "Then get a different job," Nick growled. "Because this one requires transport in this vehicle. And if you''re wanting to prove to my bosses that you''re here to y by their rules, this is the way we go."


    Sasha raked a hand through her hair, then folded her arms. She looked at the little bathroom building and asked herself if this was all worth it.


    "I¡­ need a minute."


    "That''s fine," Nick muttered. "But don''t get any ideas about running back to the gateway. I might be aplete coward when ites to Chimera, but I''m sure Zev told you that I can hold my own against any man. You do not intimidate me, Sasha. And I have no qualms about tackling a woman."


    Sasha shook her head, tears pinching the backs of her eyes. "I''ll be back in a minute."


    It was closer to five in the end, but by the time she returned from the bathroom she felt fresher from sshing the ice-cold water from the faucets on her face.


    She''d leaned on the edges of the sink and stared at herself in the mirror.


    She was back in the human world, with a hole in her heart.


    She had an entire people back in Thana that couldn''t stand in their defense right now. And a group of men and women here that threatened their lives.


    Literally her only choices were to follow her instincts and go with Nick and try to beat these people at their own game. Or to run now and probably get dragged back to them¡ªbut with their defenses up even farther.


    It was no choice.


    So she prayed, fingerbed wisps of her hair back from her face, and then walked quickly back out to Nick, who still stood next to the open back door of the Suburban, but had the phone back in his hand.


    When he saw her, his eyes followed her progress until she stood in front of him.


    "I''m trusting you, when I don''t actually trust you," she said bluntly.


    "Good, then we''re even."


    Sasha frowned. "What are you trusting me with?"


    "The life of my son. It''s him they wanted. But I can''t stand putting him back in their hands, so you''ll do. I can leverage your position and your rtionship with Zev. But don''t fool yourself, Sasha. If ites down to a choice between you and him, I''m choosing him every time."


    Sasha tipped her head and made herself smile. "Well, then, like you said, I guess we''re even."


    Nick snorted and opened a hand towards the door. "Shall we get moving?"


    Sasha blew out a breath and raked her hand through her hair again. "I guess we will."


    She climbed up into the Suburban, closing her eyes as Nick closed the door, locking her in.


    As the vehicle jiggled when Nick released the break and the engine roared to life, the tires crunching on the gravel outside, she kept praying.


    Twenty minutester, she finally broke and started a conversation. At first Nick only gave one word answers, but once she made it clear she wanted to understand how to make this work with the people behind this whole world, he opened up.


    "You''re certain this will only take two days, tops?"


    "If my information about your cycle is correct, yes."


    "My¡­ what?"


    They''d reached a major intersection and were about to roll onto the highway. Nick looked up at the light, waiting for it to turn green so they could enter the on-ramp.


    "They''ll just want to make sure you''re not pregnant."


    Sasha''s mouth dropped open. "Pregnant? What does pregnant have to do with being alpha?


    Nick sighed. "You really don''t get it, do you? This entire program, everything we do, is about Zev and making more Chimera like him. If you''re carrying his baby, you''re the first. No way we''re letting that one out of our sight."


    Sasha blew out a breath with relief. "Well, if you guys are that creepy and know my cycle, then you know it was toote for me to get pregnant. There''s no way I was still fertile when¡­ when me and Zev¡­" Images shed of Zev, his chest bare and head thrown back, his strong jaw shadowing his neck¡ª


    She blinked and cleared her throat. "I can''t be pregnant."


    Nick sighed. "You really don''t know who you''re dealing with, do you?"


    "Zev," she snapped. "Until now I''ve been dealing with Zev, who loves me and would never do anything to hurt me."


    "Sure," Nick said, shrugging. "But guess who hovers around Zev at every turn? Guess who knew he wasing for you, even before he did?"


    Something about that made her spine go cold, but she pushed on. "Who cares what they knew? They weren''t there!"


    Nick shook his head as the car elerated onto the highway and Sasha felt herself pressed back into the thick seat.


    "Sasha," he said over the roar of the engine, "these people literally created an entirely new race of humans, and learned to ess a supernatural gateway that takes them between alternate universes¡­ you think people like that don''t have a way to manipte your hormones?"

 Chapter 252 - Not This Time

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    The first thing Zev thought when he gained consciousness, even before he opened his eyes, was that Sasha had to be alive, because if she wasn''t, Zev wouldn''t have woken.


    He sighed with relief. But it didn''tst long.


    Because as his body and mind sought her, naturally, thoughtlessly, like she was breath, reaching out and searching for her presence, her warmth, the echo of her heart, there was¡­ nothing. Nothing but a gaping hole in his chest where awareness of her should have been. An aching, burning wound where he should have felt full and warm.


    Zev sucked in a painful breath.


    When he opened his eyes it was to find his brother sitting in a chair next to his bed, head in his hands, fingers syed through his ck hair so it fell in chunks, like fat spiders over the backs of his hands.


    Rage. Red, hot rage.


    "You motherfucking judas," Zev growled. He tried to sit up, to reach for Lhars¡ªto take his throat!¡ªbut he was jerked back, painfully, by bonds on his wrists and ankles.


    Zev''s eyes widened and he scanned down his own body, jerking at the leather straps. "Are you fucking kidding me?"


    Lhars'' head snapped up, his eyes bloodshot and weary, relief crossing his features first, then his face went hard when he saw Zev''s bared teeth.


    "You opened your wound again, fighting against us. You idiot."


    "Don''t even talk to me, you fucking betrayer!"


    "Shut. Your mouth," Lhars snarled, pushing to his feet and taking the step to stand at Zev''s side. "I''m going to talk and you''re going to listen, because you need to see the things I know, and I can''t¡­ you have to¡­ just do it."


    "I don''t need anything from you," Zev spat. "I know what you''re doing¡ªworking all of this for yourself. Sending my mate¡ªshe''s mind, Lhars, no matter how much you want her¡ªsending her into the jaws of the fucking lion because it suited you."


    "Suited me? SUITED ME?! You think anything that''s happened in the past three years has suited me, Zev?" Lhars shook his head. "You and your fucking arrogance!"


    But Zev wasn''t listening. "You want her out because you know if she goes, I go too. But it''s not happening, Lhars. I''m not going to let it happen. I''m not going to let you use this to serve your own status and power!"


    "Oh for¡ªget your head out of your fucking ass, Zev," Lhars growled. "She drove this all herself¡ªif you don''t believe me, let me show you." He stared at Zev, a challenge in his gaze. And Zev hesitated. Then he blinked.


    His brother was offering to open his mind?


    A tiny coil of satisfaction started in his chest. He could use this. Get Lhars to show him whatever he''d intended to use to manipte, but then he''d take more.


    "If you want me to believe anything, you let me choose. Show me your truth and let me bet the measure of it."


    Lhars'' eyes went wide and he rocked back on his heels. It was an invasion that Zev was proposing. A way for wolves to measure each other¡ªfor more than one set of eyes to evaluate a memory. But it required intense vulnerability. The wolf opening themselves was baring their throat. A skilled wolf allowed to rifle around in another wolf''s mind could take far more than they were offered.


    Lhars didn''t respond immediately, and Zev gritted his teeth. If Lhars wouldn''t let him into his mind, it was just proof¡ª


    "Fine," Lhars hissed. "But you take memories from today, or you ask first. You don''t just¡­ steal from me."


    Zev blinked, surprised. But he agreed. Then his brother took a deep breath and closed his eyes, opening himself.


    In a reversal of the usual link, instead of inserting thoughts or images into his brother''s head, Lhars'' mind was opened to him, like a cupboard. Zev could select what he saw. And at first, he did as he was bid, choosing to see what Lhars had seen at the intersection of trails¡ªincluding Sasha taking control, ordering the hierarchy with all the certainty and conviction he would have done it.


    He swelled with pride for her, his chest aching in the spot that should have been full of her.


    Zev watched everything, right through to the conversation she had with Lhars¡ªwhere he realized that they had the mind-link, and she was able to keep him quiet. Zev was grateful¡ªand a little humbled.


    His brother had respected his mate. But that didn''t mean he wanted good things for her, Zev reminded himself. Lhars was a strategist. He''d worked with Xar for three years. Nothing he said or did could be taken at face value.


    As he considered how to attack, what to strike for to find the truth of his brother''s motives, he allowed Lhars'' memories to continue to y as if he were watching them.


    And as he considered, in his mind, Lhars¡ªas a wolf¡ªsprinted through the forest, desperate to get back to Zev, to stop him from revealing too much.


    Zev swallowed and his stomach went heavy as he watched his brother, pleading with the Creator to get him there fast enough¡ªand saw his own pain and desperation, and the way he''d dragged the entire wolf pack into his fear without realizing.


    Then, the moment when Sasha disappeared from his conscious, and Zev hit true panic.


    He was going to shut down the link, retreat from his brother''s head¡ªhe couldn''t relive that¡ªbut as he sang for his mate, panicked at losing her, he saw the thoughts that shed instinctively through his brother''s head.


    Mate.


    Kyelle.


    Mate.


    Kyelle.


    Zev''s mouth dropped open.


    This was what Sasha had been talking about? This was why Lhars hated him?


    Zev yanked himself out of Lhars'' head like he was drowning, gaping at his brother for a long moment, while Lhars wed his hands through this hair, then meet his eyes, Lhars darker eyes sparking.


    "You don''t say a fucking word to her¡ª" he growled. "Not a fucking word."


    "Why didn''t you tell me?"


    "¡ªI''m not bringing this into everything else. It''s not the time."


    Zev shook his head. "I''d never¡­" he swallowed hard. "That''s not my story to tell. But¡­ why didn''t you tell me? You have to know I don''t¡ªdidn''t¡ªreturn her feelings?"


    "It doesn''t matter what you return, it matters the hearts you hold¡ªno matter what you do, no matter how far you go, everyone forgives. Everyone seeks you. Everyone needs you¡ªand they''ll dismiss those of us standing in your stead when you would throw everything else away on one of your¡­ noble missions."


    "Lhars¡ª"


    "Don''t talk to me about loyalty and trust¡ªdon''t talk to me about betrayal. You left, Zev! You left and left us to pick up the pieces. And I did. I fucking did it. And then I handed it back to you when you decided to show up again, and they all ran like puppies in your shadow and nobody gave a thought to me and Dunken, who held this ce together while you were gone!"


    Zev stared at him, his jaw ck, as his brother''s words pped him full in the face, and he realized just how wrong he''d been.

 Chapter 253 - Soul Connected

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev pulled out of Lhars'' mindpletely. He wished his hands were free to w through his hair, or scratch his neck. His skin felt too tight. So tight, it thrummed, because the weight of everything he''d thought¡­ everything he''d assumed¡­


    He''d been wrong. So wrong.


    "You know," he said softly, "I haven''t made any attempt to hold her heart¡ª"


    "She doesn''t want me, you fucker. Leave it alone. She''s just like every other blind idiot here who takes one look at you and decides the sun shines out of your ass. Even the humans¡­ I don''t know what magic they put on you, Zev, but one of these days I hope you start appreciating it. Because the rest of us have to fight for the kind of loyalty and devotion that you shit all over, every day of your fucking life."


    Zev stared at the ceiling and sighed heavily. "I''m sorry," he said. "I really didn''t know."


    "You should be," Lhars grumbled, but his voicecked the heat he''d had a moment before.


    Zev grimaced. His head ached. His chest ached. His whole body ached. He''d been wrong about his brother. His mate was in human hands. And he was tied to a bed.


    If it hadn''t been so fucking tragic, he would haveughed.


    "What the hell are you smiling about?" Lhars growled.


    Zev snorted. "I''m tied to a bed. I''m fucking Alpha. I have an infection. My mate is in the human world and I think¡­ I think our bond is broken. And I''m tied to a fucking bed." He coughed to cover an actualugh, though he felt more grieved than amused.


    "You didn''t give us any choice, Zev. You would have run out of here and copsed in the forest. We''re trying to keep you away from infection."


    "I know. I know. I''m calmer now, if it helps. I know I can''t¡­ not yet."


    "Yet? You can''t, period, Zev," Lhars snarled. "She left of her own ord, and she left the hierarchy in ce. If you leave, all hell breaks loose. Everyone remembers. This doesn''t pass."


    Zev bristles. No way was he just leaving Sasha in Nick''s hands indefinitely. No fucking way. Hierarchy be damned. But he knew he couldn''t say that to Lhars. Not right now. Not when he''d been so wrong and Lhars had been the one to fix his mistakes.


    So hey there for a long moment, silently reconsidering his brother. Turning memories over in his mind, until they took on a new texture, and new light.


    He had misjudged his brother, and it had caused pain.


    "I''m sorry," he said finally. "I was wrong."


    Lhars swallowed audibly, but didn''t respond.


    "But I do still have one question," Zev said quietly.


    "What is it?"


    "Xar. You helped him for three years when he was clearly losing his mind. If this is what you wanted all along, why didn''t you work against him?"


    "I was. But I was doing it quietly and slowly. I hadn''t been at the beginning. At first I was just being second and trying to find purpose for everyone so they wouldn''t die after the females disappeared. But once Xar started going off the deep end¡­ there was a lot of fixing his problems, or adjusting things he was trying to do. And for the rest of the time I was¡­ working in the shadows. Keeping my ear to the ground of what the humans were doing, but slowly¡­ preparing."


    "But you could have been Alpha. You could have beat him¡ªespecially after he started going south."


    "I thought about it," Lhars said, folding his arms, staring into the middle distance, his brows pinched in over his nose. "But it became really clear to me, as long as the Team thought Xar was in charge and working with them, they were less guarded. If I''d taken Alpha they would have realized I was ambitious. I couldn''t afford it. At least, not early on. Towards the end¡­ before you came back¡­ I was getting to the point where I was either going to have to take Alpha, or leave with anyone who woulde. Leave the rest behind for the humans. I''d decided on spring¡­" he trailed off. Then cleared his throat. "But, then you showed up. And the world was puppies and rainbows again."


    "That''s why Hedin told me the wolves were preparing to defect?"


    "Yes."


    They both sat quietly, thinking. It was Lhars who spoke first.


    "Sasha''s going in with her eyes wide open, Zev. I could see it in her. She knew Nick probably had a n he wasn''t share. But she wanted to beat them."


    Zev nodded. "She told me as much. She wants¡­ if she''s not back in a few days, when I''m healed, she wants me toe for her."


    Lhars sighed heavily. "We better start preparing. I really don''t think they''re letting her go in two days."


    "I know. She knew. We just¡­ she didn''t want to say it."


    "So you two really can mind-link?"


    "Yes."


    "Wild."


    "You have no idea."


    Lhars stared at his own hand, picking at a nail. "How did it happen?"


    Zev cleared his throat. "We''re ardent."


    "Yeah, so?"


    "So¡­ something happened. There was a day¡­ it was like my whole body needed her. Not just¡­ you know. And she was desperate too. And when we¡­ came together it¡­ something happened."


    "The bond."


    Zev shook his head. "No. We''d already formed the bond the first night. This was¡­ this was different. It''s like the bond went deeper and we became¡­ it''s like a piece of me flowed into her, and a piece of her into me. It''s crazy, Lhars. But remember that legend about the Arden Pair? The ones who had magic?"


    "That''s a kids story," Lhars scoffed. "A romance for little cubs."


    Zev shook his head. "No. It''s not."


    "Seriously?"


    "Seriously."


    Lhars whistled. "So you two are soul-connected?"


    "Yes, but you can''t tell anyone." Zev let his tone get dark, a warning for his brother. "We can''t risk the fact that we can mind link getting back to the humans. Especially not now."


    **** GET A PAPERBACK! (USA ONLY) ****


    Hold Zev in your hands! March ONLY, rather than paperbacks-for-supergifts where you earn nothing, I''m offering a 4000 coin privilege tier (1000 less than a supergift) with 40 advance chapters and a 99% discount so EVERY chapter for the month unlocks for only 1 coin!


    Other good news: If you can''t afford that tier, all other privilege tiers will be discounted in price, so you can sustain your progress for less cost. In April all tiers will return to normal, but include the 40 chapters! Watch for monthly reset in just 4 days!!!


    (This message added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words)

 Chapter 254 - Plans

    <strong>~ LHARS ~</strong>


    Holy shit. The soul connection was real? His mind spun.


    And he couldn''t¡­ he couldn''t stop wondering¡­ if his brother could soul connect with a human¡­ could he, a wolf, connect that deeply with an owl?


    He forced himself not to think the words. To wrap them up and put them away on the highest shelf, in the darkest corner of his mind. But the question would keep asking itself.


    Zev was asking about Sasha, making sure he''d understood all of Lhars'' memories. That Sasha had been safe. And free. And she''d walked into the cave willingly.


    "Nick was about to piss himself," Lhars said, shaking his head. "I don''t know what he did in the other world, but here he was a quivering foal, barely able to stand on his own two feet."


    Zev shook his head. "I can''t believe he came¡ªand alone. It''s a measure of how desperate he was. He''s deathly afraid of the likes of Ernie. I just worry¡­ worry that he''ll get in her head like he did in mine."


    "I''m not saying he''s not good what he does," Lhars said carefully. "But she was smart. She remembered what we''d said about the hierarchy before, and she made sure it was taken care of. And when I guessed that you two could talk in your heads, she made me understand. She didn''t even say anything. I just knew. I couldn''t tell.


    "If she wasn''t telling us, she''s not going to tell them. And she knew to hide without any of us telling her. Don''t worry, I''ll keep it a secret. You''re going to have to be more careful though. You almost revealed that to the entire pack with that stunt this afternoon."


    Zev grimaced. "I''m truly sorry about all that. But¡­ You don''t understand, Lhars¡­ she''s gone. She was a part of me. And as soon as she stepped into that gateway, she was suddenly gone. It''s like someone''s cut off a limb."


    Lhars looked up then, met his eyes and they held gazes, both their nostrils ring for each other''s scents.


    "I''m sorry, brother," Lhars said eventually. "I thought¡­ I always thought you had the easy road."


    Zev huffed. "No. But then¡­ yours isn''t easy either, is it?"


    Lhars shook his head.


    They were both silent with their thoughts for a time again, but eventually Lhars straightened and put his hands to his knees. "If I take your bonds off, do you promise not to try to run."


    Zev sighed. "I can''t promise I won''t leave before they tell me it''s safe. But¡­ I won''t run now."


    Lhars stood and moved to Zev''s side, unbuckling first his ankles, then both wrists. He watched as Zev, suddenly looking even more exhausted, raised his hands and rubbed his wrists.


    "So¡­" Zev said when he was morefortable.


    Lhars raised an eyebrow.


    Zev tried to smile. "I guess you''re Second again."


    Lhars let one side of his mouth slid up in a smug smile. "Only barely."


    Zev huffed augh and Lhars chuckled too.


    Zev held out his good hand and held Lhars'' gaze. "Brothers?"


    The gesture twanged a string in Lhars'' heart. He''d always been the younger brother. The irritation. The less-than wolf. To have Zev offer his hand, as if they were equals¡­ it made his throat pinch.


    "Brothers," Lhars said, though he hadn''t quite kicked the dark underline out of his tone.


    But when Zev met his eyes and smiled, for the first time he could remember, Lhars didn''t feel that pinched heat of envy, right at the center of his chest.


    His brother had finally realized that he, Lhars, had in fact been crucial to the Chimeraing this far.


    "Thank you for helping her this morning," Zev said quietly.


    "I will always help her, Zev," Lhars said seriously. "And you too. As long as you''re both working towards freeing our people, I will do anything I can. I vow it to you."


    Both of them had to clear their throats then.


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Lhars went out then to call the Alphas, who he''d asked to congregate nearby, until Zev was ready. While he was gone, Zev talked to the healers again, exined what he needed¡ªand made himself listen to the answer.


    "I need to be safe to cross the gateway, bring Sasha back¡ªpossibly carrying her¡ªand likely others as well. I may need to fight. And I''ll definitely be running low on sleep¡­ how long? How long until my body can take it without failing?"


    The healer shook his head, "I''d say two weeks, Zev. But I know you won''t ept that. It''s possible you''d be ready in a week. But not resting? It''s going to send your body backwards."


    Zev growled. There was no way he was waiting two weeks. Who knew what they''d do to Sasha in that time?


    "It''s possible it will take longer," the healer warned him. Zev only growled again. "You can''t expect to function as usual until you''re body''s gotten rid of the infection, and recovered any lost muscle or ¡­ Zev, this isn''t a little thing you''re asking. You lost blood. You have an infection. Even if that passes in a day or so, healing is going to take time."


    "So what can you do to help me? Help my body?"


    "There''s herbs we can give you for healing. Good, rich food that will replenish your blood. And plenty of sleep."


    Zev wasn''t sure how he''d go with thatst one, but he nodded along. "Let''s do it. Anything you can think of. I''ll take anything, do anything. You just tell me. Whatever will help me. I need to get over there, and I need to do it strong."


    The healer looked skeptical, but he went into the next room to bring back some mushrooms and herbs that he began mixing on the small table next to Zev''s bed.


    Soon, Lhars returned, and chairs were brought out for the Alphas who filed in, one by one, while Zev was being treated.


    The sense of vulnerability he felt as all the strongest, fastest, smartest Chimera filed into the room, one after another. Including Kyelle. But Zev knew if he was going to get over there, he had to give his body the best chance to do it. And that meant they''d been right to tackle him, to tie him down.


    He would do everything in his power to aid his own healing. And then he would go. He would find Sasha, and get her away from Nick. And together¡­ together they''d win this. He was certain. He just needed enough time to get to her. That was all. Just a little bit of time.


    *****


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 Chapter 255 - Abraham

    READER SHOUT OUT: This chapter is dedicated to DespinyaNY (again!) for being the most mind-bogglingly supportive reader and friend. I am truly lost for words (and that is saying something!) Your generosity of spirit, and sharing is an example to me. Thank you for offering so much love in this world.


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Stunned into silence by what Nick was implying, Sasha sat in the back seat of the Suburban and looked out the window, though she barely saw the passing trees that turned into pastures, and then scattered homesteads.


    "I don''t believe you," she said finally. "I wasn''t in contact with any of your people before Zev came to get me. You''re ying with my mind. Making me question¡ª"


    "Sasha, I''m a maniptive bastard, I''ll admit it. I know how to y people like musical instruments, and I won''t apologize for it. It''s served me well. Especially with Zev. You might have noticed our favorite young man has a little tendency to run straight into danger without thinking about how it will affect him. Especially when something¡ªor someone¡ªhe loves is threatened."


    "What''s that got to do with¡ª"


    "I could see iting," Nick said. "I knew he was going to break. He was fooling himself, but I could see it as inly as I can see my own hand in front of my face. He was falling apart. Which meant he wasing for you. And that meant we had to be prepared. We''d had eyes on you since high school, he told you that, right?"


    "Yes," she said through her teeth. "And he told me how you manipted him back then, made him believe you''d kill me if he didn''te back¡ª"


    "That wasn''t maniption. I wasn''t lying."


    Sasha blinked. Nick was staring at her in the rear-view mirror of the car, his eyes clear and focused, right on her. He would nce down to check the road, but he wasn''t avoiding her.


    "That''s sick," she said, finally.


    Nick snorted. "That''s a very polite way to describe the men I work for, Sasha. See, you and Zev suffer the same affliction: You''re so busy caring about other people, you forget to remember there are people in this world who not only don''t give a flying fuck about you¡ªor anyone else. Who''ll actively use others, just for kicks."


    "I''m not so na?ve¡ª"


    "Hold that thought," Nick interrupted rudely. "Because you need to understand: We had eyes on you all this time, because we always nned to use you. We sent Zev into the human poption specifically to find his match¡ªwhich we were pretty confident was you, right from the start. But we left him too long. Your bond grew too strong. We couldn''t afford to have him cement the bond that early. So I had to yank his chain. And I wasn''t lying when I did. We were confident Zev could bond with more than one person¡ªjust like a human. That he needed time for intimacy to grow, and trust. But that when he found the right kind of woman, he''d find the bond too.


    "But it happened to soon. Too quickly. We thought you were both too young to make the Chimeran bond. But after you had sex¡­ well, let''s just say my bosses almost pulled you in then. I was the one who had to convince them that you both needed to grow up. You can thank meter."


    Sasha gaped. "Thank you? For stealing Zev from me?"


    "For letting you both grow up a little before you had to face this!"


    "Face what?" Sasha snarled. "That you sick people are trying to use humans for your experiments like¡­b rats?!"


    "Almost. You haven''t gone far enough, Sasha. You need to face the fact that your entire life already has been controlled and manipted, and that you already are just one moreb rat whether you want to be, or not."


    "I am not ab rat! I haven''t had anything to do with you people until now."


    "That you know of."


    Sasha scoffed. "Watching me is not the same as¡ª"


    "Having teachers in ce that you confide in, who can point you in the direction we want you to go? Or what about a private investigator, who''s just affordable¡ªand who stumbles on some very crucial information no one else ever found?"


    Sasha''s mouth fell open. That had happened. After Zev''s disappearance her parents had met a private investigator at dinner one evening, and he''d been so helpful¡­ At least, Sasha had thought¡­


    "What about people in the sandwich ce where you buy lunch for work? Or having thendlord in your building on the payroll so our people could y with the water supply without getting caught?"


    He locked eyes with her in the mirror.


    "You wouldn''t. You didn''t!"


    "That''s child''s y for these people, Sasha. This is what I''m trying to tell you. You have to set your mind loose. There''s no boundaries here except whether or not something will bring them to the ce they''re aiming to go. No boundaries at all. Not lying, not violence, not even death. I work for men that would shoot your father just for asking the wrong question, if it caused fewer problems than it solved. These people are ruthless, and Zev is their number one asset. They will do anything to bring him to his fullest potential. They''ve spent billions on this project in the past fifty years, and they won''t stop¡ªas long as they''re certain the endgame is still in sight.


    "But if you take away their endgame¡­ if you make it impossible for them to reach where they want to go, they will wipe the board clean and start again. No apologies. No ountability. You will be done, and the only person who will grieve you is me. And Zev. If he lives through it."


    Sasha opened her mouth to tell him that Zev wouldn''t, then closed it again. Knowledge is power. That''s what Zev had said.


    She swallowed the words back and shifted in her seat. The picture Nick was painting¡­


    "Wh-what endgame?" she asked hoarsely.


    Nick took a deep breath. "A whole new race of humans who are bigger, smarter, faster, that can heal themselves¡­ and who are fighting machines, capable of withstanding higher and lower temperatures and still functioning at ny percent, self-sufficient, and resilient. A people who mature faster, grow faster, and live longer, you name it, they do it. In short¡­ Zev."


    "So, they made Zev. What does that have to do with me?"


    "I said a race, Sasha. Didn''t Zev tell you what he''s been doing for the past three years? Didn''t he tell you what they tried?"


    "Yes," she snapped. "I don''t need to hear about that."


    "You do if it will snap you out of this dream world and into reality. Because if you don''t talk to them in anguage they understand, this is going to go really, really badly for you, really fast."


    He kept staring at her and it made her skin itch. What was it he wanted her to say? To do? She understood that these people were ruthless, that they saw Zev as some kind of animal. But her?


    "What? What?!" she asked angrily. "Whatnguage do I need to speak?"


    "Thenguage where your offspring are the answer to their prayers," Nick growled. "Wake up, Sasha. Every step they take, every penny they spend, it''s all to make sure that Zev will father a nation of people that is their future." Nick caught the shock and dismay in her face and sighed again. "They call this Project Abraham, Sasha. Do you get it yet? Offspring as numerous as the stars, that''s the goal. And you? You''re their meal ticket. Because the only female on earth Zev can have children with, is you."


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 Chapter 256 - Doing It Dirty

    If you enjoy music while reading, try "Empires" by Rue. It''s what I listened to while I was writing!


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Sasha''s heart pounded so hard, the thudding in her ears overpowered the roar of the engine. "You can''t know that."


    "Actually, I can. We all can. Think it through, Sasha. We had to keep him away from you until you were both matured. We didn''t waste that time. Zev''s been training¡ªand he''s been mating. And yet¡­ do you see any little Zev''s running around?"


    Sasha swallowed, her stomach beginning to churn with nausea. "He said¡­ he said he didn''t think it worked. That maybe he can''t¡ª"


    "Oh, he can. Just not with anyone but his mate. See, it turns out, if you remove that connection, that Chimeran bondpletely, you get a mule¡ªyou know about mules, right, Sasha?"


    Mules were half-horse, half-donkey¡­ and they were always sterile. They couldn''t reproduce.


    Sasha nodded. "I know."


    "Good. So that''s what we were dealing with."


    "But the Chimera can have babies."


    "Only with their mates. Only with the sole individual they are chemically and gically hardwired to want. Most of the Chimera can''t even have sex with anyone else. But the ones we freed from that gave up their fertility in exchange. In Zev, we hit the jackpot. Finally."


    "If you''re so focused on reproduction, why not just let them mate and have their babies? Why do you have to control it?"


    "Haven''t you been listening, Sasha? These are not men who are inclined to leave anything to chance. They have the money and the power, they get what they want. And what they want is Zev. And lots of him. The other species allck what we need."


    "Which is what?"


    Nick shook his head. "I can''t tell you that. Just¡­ trust me. Zev''s special."


    "I know Zev is special. But what is it you''re making him do, or you think he can do, that someone else can''t? Like¡­ like Lhars? Or¡ª"


    "I''m afraid I''m not cleared to tell you that. And frankly, I doubt you''d want to know. It doesn''t make any difference to your story."


    Sasha gave him a t look. "Now you WANT me to be na?ve?"


    Nick smirked and turned back to the road. "Touche."


    They drove on, Sasha''s stomach flipping and bubbling with nerves and dread, her mind spinning. What could they possibly n for Zev? Or his babies. Their babies, she reminded herself.


    These men wanted her to have children, and then what? There was no way, if they were sessful, that they were giving those kids up, right? A bolt of fear snapped through her. She turned her head to stare out of the window, keeping her expression as nk as she could as her mind washed her in a tidal wave of images¡ªher pregnant, Zev so loving and attentive, a baby, and then these men¡­ her child¡­


    Rage and abject terror fought for dominance in her chest.


    They would take her baby. The baby she didn''t even have yet. And yet already, somehow¡­


    She knew she could never let that happen. And Zev would never, either.


    She swallowed back everything she was feeling and forced her throat to rx. "So, what you''re saying is, you''re going to keep me here¡ªa prisoner¡ªuntil they know I''m not pregnant. Then what?"


    "Not a prisoner, Sasha. A very important visitor."


    Sasha forced herself to snort. "You have a great career in marketing ahead of you."


    Nick chuckled, and it was a surprisingly appealing sound, low and throaty, and his smile¡­ she couldn''t see his whole face in the mirror. But the smile changed his entire countenance.


    No wonder he could manipte people.


    "So?" she asked a momentter. "What happens when I''m not pregnant?"


    "Then they send you back to get pregnant."


    Sasha shook her head. "I''m not your broodmare."


    "No, you''re not. But you are Zev''s mate. And Zev belongs to us. Which means any offspring of his is half-Chimera¡ªand under our patent. So¡­"


    "So! I''m human! And our baby would be half-human. We have rights!"


    "Sure, you do," Nick nodded. "But¡­ well, not to put too fine a point on it, Sasha¡­ your rights aren''t worth shit unless you''ve got someone in power who will listen to you. Who will care that your rights are being vited. So, tell me, who exactly do you think you''re going to tell?"


    Sasha could barely breathe, but she forced herself to hold the anger on her face, not her fear. "Seriously? You''re taking me prisoner, then you''re going to what.. farm me?"


    "No, we''re farming Zev. You just happen to be in love with him."


    "Why?" she cried out, leaning forward against her seatbelt. "Why are you all so obsessed with him?"


    Nick didn''t even look at her in the mirror. "I thought you of all people would have seen that by now."


    "I know why he''s special to me¡ªbecause of who he is. Not what he was made to be."


    Nick shook his head like he couldn''t believe how stupid she was. "Haven''t you got it yet, Sasha? Who he is, is exactly what we made him to be. Get it through your head, he was designed from the ground up¡ªhis looks, his personality, his strength¡­ everything about him was the bullseye and we finally hit it. He wouldn''t be who he is without us." Nick hesitated, then did meet her eyes in the mirror. "He''s special to you because he was made for you, Sasha."


    She hesitates. "What?"


    "You¡ªhis rtionship with you¡ªhas been the endgame all along. And now it''s finally time for the payoff. The finish line is in sight." He didn''t seem very happy about it. And when he spoke again, it was on a resigned sigh. "If you try to steal this from them Sasha, they will not hesitate to grind you into the dust from which you came. If you want Zev, if you want to live, then you need to give them their win. That''s why I was willing to bring you instead of him. Especially since the Chimera are listening to you. But make no mistake: Your job for the next two days is to convince them you''re on board. Because if you don''t¡­ it''ll be genocide."


    *****


    WANT A MASS RELEASE? If this book stays in the Top 10 for Golden Tickets for the month of March, I''ll do a big mass release for ALL readers to start the new month. So, whether you buy privilege in April or not, you''ll receive extra chapters! Thank you for ALL your support.. You''ve been amazing! (Added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 257 - Queen鈥檚 Gambit

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    As he sat there, surrounded by the Alphas, his body hidden mostly under the furs, trying to rx, trying to give his body every opportunity and help to heal, Zev wanted to scream. It felt like the ceiling of the building was pressing down on him.


    He''d been needed little for the first half hour while the Lhars and the wolves who''d been at the intersection of trails, and those who''d attended the meeting with Zev when he took Alpha, filled all the others in. Made sure everyone was on the same page.


    Zev was grateful that they testified to everything the wolves had seen and shared between themselves. Because he was having real trouble staying focused.


    He had to get out of there, to be in a natural space so he could breathe and rest. But he also needed to heal. And natural caves weren''t known for their clean environments, convenient for health care.


    Zev, pay attention!


    The words bloomed in his mind and Zev snapped his head from staring out the window to find his brother sitting to his left. If Lhars'' expression was any indicator, he''d missed something important again. He cleared his throat and rubbed his face.


    "I''m sorry, I''m still struggling to focus," he said honestly. "Say that again."


    "I said," Gheet, the goat Alpha said through his teeth, "None of us has an issue following you into this, Zev. We''ve been waiting years to get active about getting the females back. But that means following orders. That means doing what''s needed to get the job done. It doesn''t mean following you into the human world."


    Zev frowned. "Why not?"


    Skhal, there as his advisor, spoke up from his right. "You said you''d never leave again," he muttered darkly.


    Zev turned to gape at him. "I meant I''d never leave the Chimera. Never abandon the Alpha position. How can any of you think I''d get the females back without entering the human world?"


    "This isn''t about all the females, this is about yours. You said you''d never leave, that we could rely on you now. And yet, you''re nning to get out of here in days."


    "Only to bring her back¡ªjust as I would for any of you!"


    "No, you''d send a team to help any of us. You''re leaving yourself. Our Alpha is leaving us again and this time, even if you are doing it by choice, even if you mean toe back immediately, there''s no guarantee you''ll be able to. You''re choosing her over the safety of your people."


    "I never¡ª"


    Lhars, looking distinctly ufortable, spoke up for the wolves. "When we asked you to answer for the past, you shared it all with us. Told us the story that it was n of the humans using the temptation of Sasha, that removed you from usst time. And we understood. Any of us might have made the same mistake under those circumstances. But we all watched Xar for the past three years¡ªthree years ced on us by your decision. And now you''re nning to do the same thing. That''s not a mistake, or a deception¡­ that''s your choice."


    It hit him then. These men were saying that they feared he cared more for Sasha, than for the rest of them. And in many ways he did. But for the loyalty of his people? For the decisions about who would live and who would die¡­?


    All eyes were fixed on him. His head felt thick, foggy from the painkillers, theck of sleep, and the effects of the infection. But he could feel his strength already beginning to return. He was confident if he stood then, he''d be able to do so without leaning on the bed.


    He''d be exhausted afterwards, but he could do it.


    You have to bring them with you, Lhars said quietly in his head. Everyone feels so uncertain, things are changing so fast.


    Zev nodded, as if to himself. But then he forced himself to scan the circle of males, and Kyelle, all the way around his bed.


    "When we were in the solitude," he said carefully, "Sasha and I discussed our goals for the people. We discussed the Alpha position and what it meant, and what she and I would both do to help Thana and our people. Sasha and I were agreed: The most important focus has to be cutting our ties with the humans, but that we couldn''t do that until we got the females back to Thana, then we''d need a way to keep the humans out forever.


    "We didn''t know how we were going to do it, how it might happen. But I''m confident Sasha left today for two reasons. The first was to keep me safely here with you, so that I could lead while she was gone. And the second was to go gather information that might help us get the females out.


    "My mate is brave and smart. She saw an opportunity, and she took it," he said tightly. "If any of you want to tell me that attempting to aid her when she is in grave danger¡ªdanger that she ced herself in knowingly to help the rest of us¡ªthen you are not the males I thought you were," he growled.


    "No one denies the value of returning the Alpha¡ªunless she has gone willingly. We cannot ignore that possibility."


    "Willingly?!" Zev growled. "I am her mate¡ªsoul bonded!" That gap in his chest ached. He prayed it was still true. "She has no desire to be anywhere except at my side, and me at hers!"


    "We do not deny that!" Skhal repeated sharply. "But you can''t know what her n was when the human showed up. You weren''t there. She might have gone willingly. She may not wish to be here, but wish to tempt you into her world and keep you there with her. She is human after all¡ªif she prefers to be in her own environment, it would be natural that she''d wish for you to join her there."


    Zev''s upper lip curled from his teeth, and he felt the jolt of adrenalin as the Alpha power coursed through him. He felt as if he could leap from the bed, shift, and tear out the throat of anyone who used Sasha of deception. His hands fisted in the furs.


    "Are you saying," he snarled, "that my mate, the Alpha, is a betrayer? A liar? That she would steal me from Thana just like Nick did?"


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 Chapter 258 - Not Your Judas

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Skhal submitted, dropping his head and putting his eyes down. But his shoulders were tense, and his tone impatient. "She may be only following her instincts, just as any of us would," he said reluctantly. "We cannot escape the possibility. You aren''t in her head. You can''t know."


    Lhars looked at Zev then who tried to hide the fact that he was breathing too deeply, too quickly.


    To tell them? Would they believe him, though? If he was forced to it like this? And he still wasn''t certain they didn''t have actual spies and betrayers among the Alpha Council, who were reporting to the humans. If he told them this, the humans might hear about it and that would remove the power from them.


    He gave his head a small shake to Lhars, then turned back to Skhal. "I may not have been present for the exchange with Nick, but I can tell you, Sasha trusts him even less than I do. If she went with him, it was for the reasons she told them all¡ªbecause she believed as Alpha she was keeping me and you safe by going with them.


    "She understands them in ways we don''t," he said reluctantly. "We discussed that during our Solitude as well. She sees things both in the way they use words, and in their ns. She understands aspects of their world that even I do not. She is equipped to deal with them in ways I cannot¡ªand, as she pointed out, she can walk freely in their world, with no concerns for being discovered. There are ways she can work, rights that she holds, that Chimera can''t. She has supports and¡­ I''m certain she went to fulfill the duty. She told me that she sees her role as one who can work with the humans¡ªsee through their maniptions¡ªand bring back the females. That she would focus her time and energy on them, while I should focus on you.


    "We didn''t have a chance to discuss that, to actually put it into action when this happened. But I have no doubt her motivations and goals haven''t changed. She''s gone to try and get the females back. Or figure out how to do it. Because we both know we couldn''t cut ties with the humans until we had.


    "We agreed that we wouldn''t stop working with thempletely until we''d figured this out. So I believe those who were there and gave testimony. She went willingly, because she sees the opportunity to both protect me, and to draw out the females that are still in the human''s care. And once she''s figured out how to get them out, or found the information that will let them do it, she''lle back."


    "How can shee back if she''s trapped, like you were?"


    Zev''s stomach plummeted at the mental images that swam through his head when the male said those words.


    A low, quiet growl puttered in his throat as he considered the wisest way to answer the question. "She won''t be trapped because she''s smarter than me, and because she has something they want¡ªour loyalty. Power as our Alpha¡­" he trailed off, then looked around the circle again. "Doesn''t she?"


    The Alphas all stared at each other, turning and looking, thinking about the question.


    Zev wanted to snap his teeth that they answer him immediately. He was both immensely grateful, and somewhat nervous, when Kyelle was the first to speak.


    "I believe him. I believe in Sasha," she said quietly. "It''s been clear from the moment she arrived that her heart is entirely Zev''s. She will not want to be away from him¡ªbut additionally," she added quickly, as one of the males opened his mouth to add to what she was saying, "she doesn''t wish to take Zev out of Thana. She finds our home fascinating. She wants to be here. I stand for our Alpha," Kyelle said, meeting Zev''s eyes, both determination and grief in her own. "I stand for her, and I believe in her. Yes, the Owl n offer her the power of the Alpha."


    "Thank you, Kyelle," Zev said quietly, then looked at the other males.


    Lhars was next. "I was there when she met the human. I saw her stand, and I saw her lead. I carry the wolves in her wake and while Zev is weakened. She has both my loyalty, and my certainty. We are only biting off our own legs if we don''t trust her to find a way through this. She may need our assistance¡ªwe should discuss who and when we send through to help her when the timees. But I have no questions about her ns or loyalties.


    "When they returned from the solitude, and while Zevy, unable to help, she sat as his side, and spoke with me¡ªshe revealed her goals for our people, her fears, and her confidences." A sh appeared in his mind of Sasha, determined and facing Lhars without fear¡ªone eyebrow of skepticism raised as she challenged him. His heart squeezed, and he sent a pulse of gratitude towards his brother, who continued to speak with the others.


    "Her every thought, even when Zev was very ill, was for the people. How to strengthen all of us¡ªnot just him. And I watched her measure the human, and ensure that we were left with no questions in the hierarchy, no weaknesses. I am certain she stands as Alpha of all the ns, not just the wolves, and I''m certain that she has not left to tempt Zev away, but to bring the females back to all of us. The stand with her. The wolf n offers her the power of the Alpha."


    Zev heaved a sigh of relief as, one after another, the rest of the Alphas answered his call for loyalty¡ªextending their submission not only to Sasha, but to Zev himself. Though reluctantly, at times.


    And so, when all the ns had made theirmitments, then Zev nodded, thanked them, and took a deep breath.


    "My mate is in danger. But she also believes, I''m sure, that she''ll get back to us. In the event that she doesn''t. If they hold her longer than Nick imed they would, we need a n to return her here. I will lead that team¡ªI must. I''m the one who knows the way. Other than Yhet, who is too easily identified in the human world as something different, no one else could lead a team straight to her. And no one else will have the skill to speak with the humans without drawing attention.


    "What I need from all of you is both your loyalty, and your expertise. I will not wait longer than a week. If she hasn''t returned on the morning of the seventh day, I will cross the gateway before night falls that evening. The question is, who wille with me, and how will we work to bring her¡ªand the other females¡ªback?"


    Lhars sucked in a breath and his eyes went wide when Kyelle raised her hand and nodded. "I''ll stand by you. And I believe it might be a good idea to have a female on a mission like this," she said quietly. "If your stories are true, they''ve been held and harmed by males for the past three years. The more females they can see who trust you and the males we send, the more likely the other females are to work with you."


    Zev nodded his thanks again, but didn''t miss the sudden tension in his brother at the thought of Kyelle crossing the gateway and possibly falling into human hands. He hated that he was going to have to ask him to sacrifice more.


    As Lhars opened his mouth¡ªno doubt to also volunteer for the pack to enter the human world, Zev spoke before he could.


    "That means we''ll need you here, Lhars, to watch over the ns while we''re gone. Dunken can help you. But who is best toe with us? Skhal''s expertise would be beneficial¡­"


    He continued, silently pleading with his brother to forgive him for the fear and anger that now painted itself all over Lhars'' face.

 Chapter 259 - Unknown Territory

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha chewed her lip and looked at the passing highway and surrounding forests and grass. She had to keep forcing herself to make her hands rx because they kept clenching into fists in herp the moment she stopped focusing on them.


    "I know this is a lot, Sasha, but we don''t have a ton of time. They''re going to expect to see you pretty soon after we arrive."


    She nodded, keeping her face as nk as she could. "Okay, so tell me. What do I need to do to make sure they''ll send me back."


    "They need to be certain you aren''t working against them."


    Sasha snorted. "How can I know if I''m working against someone when they don''t even tell me what they''re doing?" she said, keeping her tone as dry as she could make it. "I stumbled into this. I had no idea what was going on. All I hear is you saying you intended me for Zev right after you tell me you would have killed me if he hadn''t left. And you want me to be loyal to that?"


    "No, no that''s not what I said," Nick said, his lips twisting in frustration. "I said we made Zev exactly the way he is."


    "And that I was the endgame!"


    "I said your rtionship was the endgame. We couldn''t know which human is would be that would inspire the bond. But once he''d focused on you, we paid attention and started preparing."


    "And manipting my life, apparently."


    "It doesn''t make you special, Sasha. The men I work for manipte entire poptions. You''re just a pawn in their game."


    "Comforting. Thank you," Sasha said sarcastically.


    Nick chuckled again. "I know I wasn''t at my best when we met, Sasha, but I have to say it''s refreshing to speak with someone who isn''t terrified of me."


    "Oh, I''m terrified, don''t you worry," she said quietly, still looking out the windows. "This whole situation, this whole threat just feels so extreme, it''s surreal. I mean, a couple weeks ago I was walking through my day feeling sorry for myself and calling myself pathetic for missing Zev. Now he''s my mate¡ªnot my husband, my mate¡ªand I have an entire poption of shape-shifting men I can give orders to. It¡­ doesn''t quitepute."


    Nick tipped his head. "I find it interesting that they were so fast to ept you."


    "It''s because of Zev," she said, without hesitation. "I know it. They already see him as their leader. They just embraced me as part of him."


    "And yet, you outrank him right now."


    Sasha shrugged. "I don''t understand how it all works yet, but yes¡­ that''s what I gather. Though I hope to change that soon. Assuming I can get back there to talk to them all." Then she finally turned and met Nick''s eyes in the rear-view mirror. "So if we get there and you throw me in a prison cell, just know that I''ll never believe another word thates out of your mouth."


    She didn''t believe most of them already. But she did sense, as Zev had told her, that there was something in Nick still capable of caring about others. Specifically, Zev. Because of the asset he was, or because of who he was, Sasha still wasn''t sure. But if Nick valued her mate, that meant she could use that as leverage.


    "So you didn''t know me when Zev went to my high school? But you all decided I was the one after we started dating?"


    "We watched," Nick said carefully. "It was always the ultimate goal to have Zev find a human mate, or mates if he was capable of it. But he was so young and there were still so many pieces of him that still hadn''t reached the fullness of what he''d been made to be. We didn''t know what was going to change for him when he did find his mate. And while he was here, we had to make sure he wasn''t going to identally start popping out Chimera babies and freaking the human race out.


    "But yes, it became clear pretty early that you were the one for him. That we had seeded. Finally with Zev we have a male who can walk among humans without being noticed for anything other than being a superior male. We finally have a leader who can fulfill normal mating rituals, and yet still bond. And that means that he can produce offspring."


    "So, you''re certain he wasn''t fertile for Chimera?"


    "Absolutely. He told you what he''s been doing the past three years. We''re now certain he isn''t fertile for anyone he hasn''t bonded with. But you¡­ you''re his mate. He''ll make babies with you."


    "Not this month he won''t. And we can''t make babies if we aren''t together. So if you''re serious about this, you better be motivated to get me back there."


    "I am. I''m motivated to have left you there in the first ce. You really think I went there for shits and giggles, Sasha?"


    "I think you do whatever you have to do to get what you want, Nick. And I think Zev trusted you and your judgment far too much. I won''t be making the same mistake."


    He met her eyes in the mirror again, no smile this time. "I can''t decide if that''s apliment to your strength, or your stupidity," he said calmly. "No one understands the shitstorm you''re standing in better than me, Sasha. If you really want to navigate this, you need me on your side."


    "You just told me you weren''t bluffing when you told Zev you''d kill me."


    "I wasn''t. Because if the order hade down, I would have done it. I would have regretted it. But I would have done it."


    "Then perhaps you can understand why I don''t trust you."


    "And yet, you know Zev does. And, no offence, but he''s spent a helluva lot more time with me than you have."


    "Zev trusted you to a point. But he''ll lose thest crumb of it when he finds out you always wanted him with me, but kept him from it."


    Nick shook his head.. "Not once he learns why," he said firmly.

 Chapter 260 - Listen Carefully

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Nick''s tone ran a chill down Sasha''s spine. She swallowed and forced herself to answer him calmly. "The why of a thing doesn''t matter if it''s evil."


    Nick huffed his skepticism. "What makes something good or evil, Sasha?"


    "The oue."


    "Bullshit."


    "Oh, really?"


    "Really," Nick growled. "I work for men who do some of the most extensive charity work the world has ever seen. They throw more money at poor kids, broken women, and medical miracles than any other group of human beings alive. They do what appears to be more "good" for the human race than anyone else you can point at. And they''re doing all of this¡ªmaking the Chimera, learning how to breed them¡ªto find a way to make humans less susceptible to death and disease. How''s that for a good oue? If they can figure this out, they''ll make you, me, and everyone else on earth healthier. Does that make them good? No. They''re evil bastards, and they know it. And they don''t care."


    Sasha folded her arms. "And yet, you work for them. Give your life to them. ording to Zev, your loyalty to them is rock solid."


    "It is. But not because they''re good, or because they''re evil. It''s because if I don''t protect them, they won''t protect me. And I''d like to keep my head attached to my spine. So, yes, I''ll do what they say, every time. But that doesn''t make me evil."


    Sasha snorted. "You''re so full of fucking bullshit, Nick."


    Nick''s eyes narrowed. "No, Sasha. I''m the most honest man you''ll meet. Because I don''t take my selfish motives and pretend they''re something else. I don''t tell you I''m your friend, then stab you in the back. I do what I say I''ll do. Every time. And this time I''m telling you, I came to Thana to help you and Zev¡ªand ultimately all the Chimera. Because if you don''t get this right, they''re all dead right alongside the two of you."


    Sasha had an argument for that, but kept it to herself. She needed Nick to believe he was convincing her. So, instead, she sighed. "We keeping back to this."


    "Yeah, we do. Because that''s why we''re here."


    "Then tell me what I need to say that will keep them happy and make them let me go back."


    "It''s not that simple. You''re going to have to work with them, Sasha. They just lost an Alpha who was literally in their grasp. They could tell him to do anything and he''d do it, no matter how insane it was. And even when he thought they weren''t watching over his shoulder, he was smart enough not to step out of line. Do you think you can give them that kind of assurance?"


    "That I''ll never step out of line? No, of course not."


    "Then you''re going to get all the Chimera killed¡ªincluding your mate, and yourself."


    "Then, I''ll lie."


    Nick shook his head. "You think they don''t have ways to figure out that''s what you''re doing? You''re being na?ve again."


    Sasha groaned and threw up her hands. "Then what are you telling me, Nick? Stop beating around the bush. What are you trying to get me to agree to? If there''s no hope, why am I even here?"


    "Of course there''s hope. You''re here because I brought you, because I can show you how to make this work: You have to find yourmon goal with these people and aim for that. Talk to them about that. Promise them that. You have to find the thing where your goals align, and keep them focused on that. They''re greedy and impatient and they know they''re the smartest people in the room. You can''t fool them. You have to be telling the truth. That''s the only thing that will convince them."


    "What possible goal could I share with these people?"


    Nick lifted a hand off the steering wheel like it should be obvious. "Staying alive? Being with Zev? Zev, himself! His safety, his health, and your family."


    "I am not giving¡ª"


    Sasha startled as the car suddenly jerked out of thene. Nick swung it back into the right position, leaning on the car horn, long and loud, cursing about someone walking alongside the highway and how the idiot was going to get themselves killed. But the whole time he was muttering, he held her gaze through the rearview mirror, shaking his head slowly, his eyes fixed on her and his face tense.


    "Sorry, about that. What were you saying?" he said in a normal tone, but his eyes got really intense and he continued shaking his head.


    Sasha blinked and it came home to her then. She had been na?ve after all. Thoughtless, at least. These people he worked for were all about technology. All about fixing problems in covert ways. And he was telling her they were listening. Or would be. If they weren''t hearing every word right now, whatever she said was going to be heard. She tore her eyes from Nick''s and scanned the cab of the vehicle.


    Of course they were recording. Or listening. Or spying.


    How could she have been such an idiot?


    If she was going to convince these people that she was the person they needed in Thana, she didn''t need to wait to arrive at the headquarters. Her subterfuge needed to start now.


    She''d been about to say she was never going to give her children up to these men, to this program, under any terms. But clearly, that was the line too far.


    So Sasha sighed and, holding Nick''s gaze through the mirror, cleared her throat, then spoke a touch more carefully. "I was saying that I''m not giving anyone any chance to take Zev from me," she said, trying to keep her voice from shaking. "Whatever I have to do to stay at his side, whatever''s needed so that we aren''t apart anymore, I''ll do that. But I''m not going to be some¡­ experiment. He''s my mate. I''m not going to lie to him or¡­ betray him," she finishedmely. "And if we have kids, it''s because we chose to. Not because someone mixed up a cocktail in a Petrie dish."


    Nick nodded and the corners of his eyes were less pinched. "That''s okay, that''s okay. We can find our way through. Draw the line under things we both want, and make those happen. You and Zev will have kids, Sasha. Chimera always do when the matebond exists. It might take some time, but it will happen."


    "What? How can that be? Yhet doesn''t have kids and he''s still devoted to his mate."


    "Yhet only reached full sexual maturity a few months before his mate was killed," Nick said, and she wondered if the regret she heard in his voice was real or not. "He''s not a good example. But look at Xar¡ªhe had twins. Without our interference, Chimera are just like humans in that way. Sometimes the mating works, sometimes it doesn''t. But with unaltered Chimera, the end result will always, eventually, be offspring."


    Then he met her eyes again. "You are going to be a mother, Sasha. You can bank on it. If that''s something you want, it''s just one more goal we share."


    And his eyes said, <i>use it.</i><i></i>

 Chapter 261 - Are We There Yet?

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Sasha swallowed hard. "Okay, fine," she said when she could trust her voice. "I want to stay alive. I want to be with Zev. I want to have his babies¡ªeventually. I want to help the Chimera. I want to get the other females back to Thana so me and Kyelle have more than a handful of girls to hang out with. You tell me how we make those things happen, and I''ll do whatever you want. But I won''t lie to Zev. And I won''t betray them. I didn''t see much of Xar, but what I did see was¡­ fucked up. I''m not taking steroids or whatever they were handing to him. That man was losing his mind."


    "That man was deep in the loss of his mate, terrified of losing his kids, and living with a near-constant sense of inadequacy. We had to juice him just to keep him from falling apart."


    "Why not let him fall apart? Why not let Zev go back¡ªthe people love him! All you''ve done by keeping him away was create more conflict for them. Do you just not care?"


    "Of course we care¡ªhappy people are healthy people. You think we want the Chimera dying after everything we''ve invested in them? No, we don''t. But there''s logistics at y that you won''t understand yet. We had to be utterly certain about Zev. We had to be certain he was truly bonded to you. And that he couldn''t mate with others. That sort of testing takes time, Sasha."


    "Three years?"


    "It should have been five."


    Sasha shook her head in disgust. "You people are sick."


    "Exactly. That''s what I''m saying, Sasha. Own your life. Own your choices. Own your goals. If you do, we''re all going to get along fine."


    Sasha was stunned by his seemingpleteck of concern. He was a sick individual and¡­ okay with that? Then why try to pretend he cared about Zev? And what was that bullshit about never lying¡ªhadn''t Nick been the one to tell him he''d go back to Thana? Then that he had to stay away for the safety of the others?


    She stared at the back of his head wondering if she was going to walk out of this alive. She prayed she would. She needed Zev to keep walking this earth. Or the other earth. Whatever.


    "Fine, then tell me. How do I get them to listen to me? How do I reach my goals?"


    "You tell them exactly what you just told me: What you want, and where your lines are."


    Sasha huffed. "I have a feeling setting boundaries with these people doesn''t do a helluva lot of good."


    "It will if you can prove to them that by sticking to your boundaries they''re going to gain something. These are smart people, Sasha. You think they haven''t had to work with others who have integrity before?"


    Sasha doubted it, but she wasn''t about to say that.


    Nick continued to provide advice for how she should handle herself as they drove. When they finally turned off the highway on what appeared to be a rural exit her heart began to pound. The exit had no named location, only a "WARNING, NO THOROUGHFARE" sign before they rolled off the highway. The connecting road was singlene and hugged first by fenced pastures, then by thick forest. In the distance beyond, foothills and mountains rose out of the trees. But except for the roads and the fences that had been on the pastures when they first turned off the highway, Sasha couldn''t see any sign of any kind of habitation.


    "How long until we get there?" Sasha asked quietly when they''d been driving for a couple minutes.


    "Just a few more minutes, so listen up." Nick continued, his voice seeming almost to drone as he listed all the ways she needed to watch herself. Then he gave her more caution against lying¡ªshe was better to admit where she resisted than try to hide it. "They have behavioral scientists and every kind of technology you can imagine, Sasha. You aren''t a pro. You aren''t going to deceive these guys. Not for the long term. Be up front and name your goals. Name your boundaries. If you do have wiggle room, still fight for your ideal. Don''t let them sway you quickly or you''ll start sliding down the slope before you know it¡­" One and on he went. By the time he slowed the vehicle and turned onto a muddy, rutted dirt road with trees thick and branches making a tunnel overhead, his words were echoing in her head in loops.


    She expected to see buildings, or something. She wasn''t sure. Just some kind of indication of the lives and people that Nick was driving her into. But there was nothing. Just dirt road, and trees. If she hadn''t been crammed into the back seat of a vehicle filled with equipment, the roar of its engine making everything shake, she would have felt like she was in the middle of nowhere.


    A nowhere that just kept going. Sasha was surprised when the big suburban continued to rock and jolt over ruts and bumps for several more minutes, until finally the road took a sharp turn around a thicket of trees that stopped suddenly so the afternoon light zed through the windscreen of the car.


    Sasha had to blink until her eyes adjusted to sudden shift in lighting. Then, as the vehicle rolled to a stop in front of a massive wire fence and Nick opened his window to touch what Sasha first thought was a mailbox, but she realized there was only space underneath the ck metal hood, and a screen.


    Out here, in the middle of nowhere, Nick ced his hand on the screen and something beeped, and lit up underneath it.


    A momentter there was a ng, and the massive, functional gate in front of them began to slowly roll back to reveal the space beyond.. Sasha''s mouth fell open as the space was revealed and she realized that this forest was nothing more than a screen to keep eyes away from this ce.

 Chapter 262 - Do Not Disclose

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    It was as if the forest had been simply removed¡ªas if it had never existed in this space. There was no trees, no stumps, nothing. Just grass and weeds and flowers for what appeared to be miles. The space slowly being revealed in front of the car and stretching off to her right reached almost to the foothills of the mountains¡ªso far away her eyes couldn''t make out the detail beyond more thick trees at ground level.


    Nick''s voice intruded on her nervous assessment. He''d turned in his seat to look at her over his shoulder. "Are you certain about this, Sasha? We can still go back to Thana and bring Zev through instead."


    "No. Absolutely not."


    Nick nodded. "Okay, then this is yourst chance. Once we roll through these gates, you''re one of us, Sasha. Whether you want to be or not. The number of human beings that have been through these gates, that even know this ce exists, is only numbered in the dozens. Once you''ve walked inside theplex, you''ll be tied to us forever. We already have signed non-disclosure agreements with you. Even if you managed to escape and try to bring charges, we''ll simply take you to court. This is ce is technically in that strange, gray area¡ªnot technically owned by the government, but protected by its oversight. You walk in here, you''re ying with the big boys, and they don''t let you go until they''re done with you," he said frankly.


    Sasha almost choked. "You forged my signature?"


    "We didn''t have to. You signed the forms as part of your financial aid in college, then a further set within your employment contract."


    "I¡­ what? You¡ªhow?!"


    "Your financial aid forms, signed digitally in the office of the University, included some additional pages. As the woman who helped you outlined what you were signing, you didn''t read. You just signed. You likely don''t remember, but she told you that you were agreeing not to reveal any information about the institution, its processes, or those affiliated with it without express permission. You nodded and signed."


    "I¡­ but¡­"


    "And you''ll remember your employer required a physical contract. You were given a digital copy to review, but when you came to the office, they had it printed and ready, with those little tags for where you sign. A couple of those sheets pertained to our operations, and your requirement to remain publicly mute about any engagement with us, or our operatives¡ªwhich includes Zev, and the rest of the Chimera, by the way. If you say a word about any of them to anyone, you can be executed for treason against the state."


    "What?!"


    Nick sighed. "I told you, Sasha, the people I work for are the most powerful people on earth. Their fingers extend everywhere."


    "But you just said only a few dozen people know¡ª"


    "People don''t know about this ce, but I assure you, the web of power that spreads across the world is extremely organized. My bosses have many, many people in their grip. And the power and money they receive allows them to hold others, who in turn have leashes on others¡­ Trust me, Sasha, you can''t get around these people when they have a need for you."


    Sasha gaped at him. "Then what choice is there?"


    Nick tipped his head. "You know, you''re right. If you aren''t letting us take Zev instead¡­ yeah, there really isn''t one. Well then¡­" he turned back, put the car in gear, and rolled through the huge gate that immediately began to close behind them. "Wee to The Team, Sasha. We''ve been waiting for you."


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    By the time the Alphas were ready to leave, Zev was sitting up in the bed, tension making him jittery. His body was healing, he could feel it. Finally some of his strength returning. He was hungry, and despite the meal they''d all shared together in tradition, he had asked for a second helping. Now he was tempted to try a third.


    While the Alphas milled around, discussing details and which Chimera from their own ns they believed would fulfill roles that would be needed for the intrusion¡ªthat''s what they were calling the n to cross the gateway in the following week¡ªZev rolled his head on his shoulders, then called for the healer.


    It was a different male this time, bigger, gruffer than the first. But he only nodded when Zev asked for more food and trotted off with reassurances that they would add certain herbs and nuts to the te that would further assist his body in healing.


    As Zev watched Lhars, his head lowered to speak quietly with one of the other wolves, Dunken approach and he and Zev sped forearms. Dunken leaned in to share scents in farewell¡ªand murmured in his ear, "Don''t even think about it."


    Zev pulled his head back to look at his friend. "What?"


    "I can almost hear your thoughts, Zev. You have to be strong. You cannot do this sooner. If she''s not returned to us, we can''t lose both of you. It will be the end of the ns, and you know it. The battle for Alpha would consume us¡ªyou have to see that Zev!"


    "I do," Zev growled. "I didn''t even say anything about¡ª"


    "I know you and I know your scent. You''re agitated and impatient. I know what you''re thinking. The answer is no, Zev. For the good of everyone¡ªincluding Sasha¡ªyou can''t do this. If you don''t wait until you''repletely strong, you will lose, and she''ll remain in their hands. None of us know enough of them and there ways to navigate this without your leadership. You have to wait."


    "I know!"


    "Do you?" Dunken said, his voice low, his eyes fierce and protective. "Because I cannot imagine if I had mated and my mate was torn from me like this. It was hard enough losing the females when I cared only for their wellbeing as sisters and friends. I''m asking you to be smart, Zev. And not to give in to the selfish urge to run to her. She''s strong. Stronger than even these pricks realize. You know that. Let her handle her people while you handle yours."


    "I am," Zev said through his teeth, though the niggle in the back of his mind wanted to scream something different.


    "Good. That''s all we ask, brother," Dunken said, then patted his shoulder. "I''ll see you for dinner."


    Zev gaped as his friend winked, then walked quickly out of the building without looking back.


    Why did he feel like he''d just been cornered? The word triggered a rush of anxiety and he looked up the low ceiling, taking a deep breath.


    He could do this. He would do this. Whatever it took.. As long as it got Sasha back.

 Chapter 263 - The Spring

    <strong>~ LHARS ~ </strong>


    When Lhars turned from speaking with Skhal about gathering a dozen of the best trackers and hunters, it was to find Kyelle just farewelling her own second and started for the door. He excused himself quickly, nodding to Zev with a hurried agreement in their minds to return in a couple hours, and followed.


    Outside, she was already beyond the building and into the clearing, heading towards her own home.


    "Kyelle!" he called, "wait!"


    She turned, surprised, but smiled when she saw him trotting up to fall in step with her. "What''s going on, Lhars?" she asked easily.


    She''d always been easy with him¡ªeven at the worst of his conflicts with Zev, Kyelle had always remained a friend. Though she had an ufortable habit of trying to get them both to see each other differently.


    And he''d had to avoid her whenever her scent began to drench in her desire for his brother. It was just too painful.


    But there was none of that now. Kyelle''s eyes were on the forest at the other side of the clearing.


    "Can I talk to you? It might take a few minutes," he said, his voice too tight. She was going to notice. But he hoped he could y it off as tension for Sasha and Zev.


    Kyelle''s brows popped up and she nced over her shoulder, back towards the building where Zevy, making it very clear she understood that whatever he wanted to say wasn''t to be overheard by the others.


    "I''ll make time for whatever''s needed, Lhars. If it''s urgent¡­ I''m about to go bathe. I have a meeting with my n Council in an hour and I''d like to preen before then, but if you need¡ª"


    "No, no. I need to bathe as well. But why don''t we visit the spring? There''s less likely to be others around."


    Kyelle shrugged. "Sure. I don''t mind."


    Lhars'' heart beat faster. They''d bathed together countless times¡ªhe''d bathed with every Chimera in Thana at some point, except Sasha. But in recent years, seeing Kyelle naked had be a tantalizing pleasure¡ªand torment. He hated himself for not being able to separate his feelings from this simple function. But every day his body ached for her more. He feared she might never ept the bond. Seeing her might be the only pleasure he ever enjoyed.


    They gathered towels and soap from Kyelle''s house, then walked quickly through the forest, beyond the usual bathing pools that would be so busy at this time of day, and further towards the Spring that was left for Alphas and officers, though few used it at this time of year because it was much cooler than the mineral pools.


    Chimera lived in Thana sharing bathing and sleeping quarters as family groups and ns. There was no shame associated with nakedness in their culture¡ªand it was the job of any Chimera who felt sexual attraction to another to keep themselves in check when the object of their interest was vulnerable. The Chimera sought the bond instinctively, but would not join their bodies until an agreement had been reached.


    As they reached the bank of the Spring and Kyelle began to remove her clothing¡ªquickly, efficiently, with no guile¡ªLhars knew she thought nothing of him seeing her naked. He knew it hadn''t crossed her mind that his body might burn for her. But if he allowed himself to think about her skin revealed, his desire would spike and she would smell it on him.


    It wasn''t umon for males to be aroused during bathing, but among their people it was viewed as simple function of their bodies. As long as the male made no unwanted advances¡ªor if he disyed first, if he was requesting the female¡ªno one would think twice about it. Including Kyelle, even though she was the only female present for him.


    Perhaps because she was on the only female present.


    Unable to resist looking just a little, he turned in time to find her folding her leggings. His eyes followed the line from her shoulder¡ªthe skin paler there where it had been covered by her furs all winter, than on her face which still saw the sun. As always, she stole his breath with her simple elegance¡ªher movements soft and feminine in a way that he couldn''t describe or identify, only¡­ feel the difference.


    Watching her folding her clothing, put him in mind of his own den, and if she were there. He tried to imagine the simple, stylish touch she would add to his home. To him. His heart ached again.


    Then Kyelle turned to ce her clothing on a tree stump and he noticed her holding them carefully over the scars on her lower abdomen. Saw her hesitate before she put them down. It was a moment for her, every time. To reveal those scars to the light.


    His stomach clenched in grief andpassion.


    Kyelle knew she was a beautiful female. But she also knew most males would choose a fertile female as their mate. It hurt her every time she thought of it.


    But she was also strong. So it was only a moment before she ced the clothing on the stump and turned for the water, her skin already pebbling with goosebumps in the cool air. Lhars rushed to get his own leggings off and tossed them onto a bush along with his jacket, following her quickly as his body began to twitch and reveal itself, praying he''d get under the water before she noticed.


    The water was much colder here. The spring fed on one end by a small waterfall, and on the other by mineral springs boiling up from under the earth. The mix of fresh and mineral water was a touch too cold for winter, and a touch too warm for summer. But Lhars didn''t care. As Kyelle waded into the deeper water and her body responded to the warm-but-not-hot water, her nipples prickling to fierce peaks, he knew he needed a moment, so dived into the waterpletely, hearing Kyelle shriek at the ssh. But he stayed under, stroking along under the surface several times before popping up almost on the opposite bank.


    Kyelle had sunk down to her shoulders in the water, but there was drops of water sparkling in her hair where he''d sshed her. She smiled, her cheeks pink with the cold.


    "What are you up to?" sheughed. But when Lhars didn''t smile, just stared, her face suddenly became very serious. "Lhars? What''s wrong?"


    Lhars swallowed.. Hard.

 Chapter 264 - Moving On

    <strong>~ LHARS ~ </strong>


    Everything in Lhars'' head said to step carefully. Not to push. To find every reason to discuss with Kyelle that had nothing to do with him¡­ but he couldn''t think clearly. His entire body vibrated with barely concealed panic.


    "Lhars, what¡ª?" she started swimming towards him and he did panic then. He couldn''t let her touch him or she''d discover exactly how his body responded to her!


    "I talked to Zev," he blurted, then his heart sank as her eyes lit for a moment before the re in them faded.


    Stupid, stupid, stupid male. When was he ever going to learn to believe that her face would never light that way for him?


    "Oh?" she asked carefully. "About what?"


    "We¡­ reconciled, I suppose you could say," Lhars said. "I think¡­ I think we''ve made peace. I think he''ll let me help him now."


    Kyelle beamed. "Lhars, that''s wonderful! Why did you look so serious?"


    He shrugged ufortably.


    Kyelle gave a smallugh. "Well, I think that''s wonderful news. And as you know, we had our own reconciliation, you could say. So I know how hard it is. You did well, Lhars. Thank you for not giving up."


    Lhars'' heart wanted to crack in two. Kyelle had briefly cried in front of him after herst attempt at taking Zev. And she didn''t cry in front of anyone. It had torn his heart from his chest. He''d admired her courage and strength in the same moment he wanted to weep¡ªand he''d yearned to m Zev into the dirt for turning his back on her, though Lhars understood she hadn''t given him much choice.


    How could his brother not see the beauty in the gem he''d been offered?


    But then, Zev felt for Sasha the way Lhars felt for Kyelle, so perhaps he could forgive some single-mindedness.


    "Look at us all, growing up and taking control of our lives," Lhars said quietly.


    Kyelle smiled and nodded. She''d brought a cake of soap with her into the water and began tother her hands and skin.


    Watching her made his chest tight. "Do you think," he asked uncertainly, "I mean was Zev¡­ do you think he was your One? Or do you¡ª"


    Kyelle''s eyes dropped to the water and her hands stopped moving as she frowned. "I don''t think¡­ I have to pray he wasn''t my One. I don''t know. It''s possible he can bond with more than one female, after all. But¡­ I pray he isn''t. Because he said no. That must mean I was wrong." Her voice had trailed off to a whisper by the end. The raw pain on her face made Lhars want to hold her. And to punch something. "I hope I was wrong. I hope he wasn''t the only male who¡­ who isn''t hung up on my¡­ my state."


    Lhars brows popped up. "What state?" he asked tightly.


    She pressed her lips together. "The fact that I can''t have offspring," she said tly. "Zev always understood because the humans interfered with his life as well. But I can''t see how any normal Chimera could see me in that light when I''m so broken."


    "Broke¡ªwhat?" Lhars stammered.


    "You know what I mean," she muttered, unhappy that he wanted her to talk about it. But Lhars wasn''t having it.


    "Is that why you''re so focused on him, Kyelle?" he barked, far too aggressively. But Kyelle knew him well by now. She raised an eyebrow.


    "You want me to sing of your brother''s praises, Lhars?" she asked dryly, trying to break the tension. But Lhars was having none of it.


    "No, I want you to stop referring to yourself as if you''re a tool to be used or discarded. Answer the question, Kyelle, is that why you were so focused on Zev? Because you think he''s the only one who''ll look past that?"


    Kyelle rolled her eyes and turned away. "See, you don''t get it at all."


    "No, I don''t. You''re a strong female¡ªthe Alpha of your n for the Creator''s sake. Exin to me how you are broken? Or why any male wouldn''t¡ª"


    "Look past it?" she seethed.


    Lhars snapped his head back. "Yes. Why do you say that with such anger?"


    "Because a female doesn''t want to be looked over, Lhars. She wants to be seen and valued for exactly who and what she is. I don''t want males convincing themselves that I''m still "worth it" when their hearts yearn for fledglings."


    "Still worth it? Kyelle, you are more than enough¡ªwhy do you speak about yourself like this?"


    "For exactly the reason you just raised. This¡­ thing is out of my control. And not my fault. And yet for most, they would have to look past it. To wrestle with it and determine that my lowered value was still high enough. Zev was the only male who never even considered¡ª"


    "Bullshit! That''s bullshit!"


    Kyelle''s mouth dropped open. "Why are you yelling at me?"


    "Because what you''re saying is stupid and wrong and¡ª"


    "I am not stupid, Lhars!"


    "No, you aren''t, that''s my point. Don''t devalue yourself this way, as if this is the only thing you offer¡ª"


    "Since the females left, do you know how many males have approached me to disy?"


    Lhars froze. Did he want to know? He swallowed. "No."


    "None. Zero. There is literally nopetition, Lhars. Apart from Aurelia, I am the only unmated female left in Thana, and not a single male has ever disyed for me. It is¡­ humiliating!"


    Her face crumpled and she turned away from him quickly, the water rippling out from her beautiful skin. Lhars was immediately apologetic. He''d handled that poorly. But how to tell her without proving it to her?


    "I''m sorry," he said quietly. "I shouldn''t have made you exin that¡­ I''m sorry. I didn''t intend¡ª"


    "No. I know," she said softly, but her back was still to him. "But I also know that males seek females for two things, love, and offspring. I can only offer one of those. And that¡­ I''m not even sure about that¡­" her voice trailed off.


    Lhars took a slow step towards her. "What do you mean?"


    She lifted her hands to her face and he feared she was wiping away tears, but he couldn''t see and she was swallowing, breathing deeply, calming herself so he wouldn''t see her upset.


    "Kyelle," he breathed. "I''m sorry, I¡ª"


    "Don''t be. That''s why we reconcile, or¡­ whatever, right? So we can face the truth and move on. And that''s all I''m doing, Lhars. My truth is that the only male I''ve ever felt truly saw me was Zev, but his heart was already taken. No other males have shown any interest in me, and I can understand why. So I need to learn to live with that. My work is fulfilling, and my life is¡­ almostplete. I shouldn''tin. I''m sorry that I gave that to you. I should have plucked the feathers of it already, but clearly I haven''t. So please, forgive me, and let''s move on."


    "But¡ª"


    "Please, Lhars. Please." she turned around to face him, her eyes bright but clear. And so beautiful, he wanted to pull her into his chest and never let her go. "Let''s change the subject," she said quickly. "Was that the only thing you wanted to talk to me about? Or was there something else?"


    Lhars went very still.


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 Chapter 265 - Team Headquarters - Part 1

    WANT A MASS RELEASE? If this book stays in the Top 10 for Golden Tickets for the month of March, I''ll do a big mass release for ALL readers to start the new month. So, whether you buy privilege in April or not, you''ll receive extra chapters! Thank you for ALL your support. You''ve been amazing! (Added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Sasha was silent as Nick drove the Suburban across the wide expanse ofnd. It seemed to stretch endlessly off to their right, the north from there, wide clearnd, grassy with a few stands of rocks here and there that felt like it followed the foothills of the mountains for miles. But straight ahead, a little over a mile away if Sasha guessed correctly, the trees encroached back into the clearednd. A thick, dense bunch of forest that ended in the clearing a little too perfectly to be natural.


    The closer they got, the easier it was to see a handful of tall buildings under the cover of the trees, but from the distance she hadn''t been able to see them and Sasha was again reminded how strategic these people were.


    As they got close enough to see the buildings in detail she could see that the trees here were extremely tall, and their branches had been shaved low on their trunks¡ªto two or three stories on the building, so the peaked rooves of the buildings remained under the branches. Searchers looking from above would likely only see trees.


    The buildings themselves looked like massive lodges¡ªnot unattractive, but very utilitarian. And the entire building was natural wood, or painted a dark brown that seemed to sink into the shadows of the trees.


    Camouged. The buildings were camouged.


    "Yes. You''re sharp to pick that," Nick said as they finally rolled into a space just in front of the first building where a ss door was the only nod to anything contemporary. The rest of the building looked like it had been erected as a barn, or some other kind of functional space.


    As the Suburban rocked to a stop and Nick pushed out of his door, Sasha stared at the building in front of her.


    She was here. She was in the headquarters¡ªor whatever these people called this ce. She was here. She was going to see what they had, what they did, and how she might get the females out.


    The door clunked, then opened with a creak and Nick stepped back to give her space to get out. Sasha tried to move quickly, but she couldn''t stop staring. There were at least three buildings here. She could see one directly behind the building they parked in front of, and another across the gravel, leaf-strewn driveway that continued past the parking area and deeper under the trees.


    "I''ll show you thoseter. Right now we need to get you inside," Nick said pleasantly, like she was an employee who was being shown around.


    Sasha nodded and made herself concentrate as they walked from the vehicle to the building¡ªhow many stories was it? Two. Though there might be a third, attic level up under that roof, she realized. There was little metal and ss on the exterior, as she''d observed, it was mainly wood. Whatever hadn''t been left bare was painted in brown or gray.


    Nick trotted ahead of her to get the door, then turned as he opened it. "Are you ready?"


    "Not even close," Sasha said honestly as she stepped inside, praying frantically that she could figure out how to get herself¡ªand the other females¡ªout of this ce. Nickughed, but followed her through the door, then darted around her again to lead her towards a very normal looking reception desk.


    Apart from the very tall, double-height ceiling, to Sasha, the reception area looked a lot like a doctor''s office¡ªlight brown carpet, a tall desk directly ahead from the door. Pastel colored paintings on the walls. For arge space it was, however, almost shockingly empty. Not even a rug on the floor. And it smelled almost new. As if it was barely used.


    But Nick strode up to the reception desk and the heavyset woman who sat behind it, with brown hair and a gray stripe only on one side, clearly knew him. She smiled brightly.


    "Hey, Nick!"


    "Hi Alice. This is Sasha."


    "Sasha¡­? Oh! Sasha! The Sasha?!" the woman said, her voice shocked and hushed, as if she were meeting a celebrity.


    "Yes, that Sasha," Nick said with a wink.


    Sasha''s stomach twisted as the woman stood up from behind the desk and reached over to shake her hand. "It''s really wonderful to meet you, Sasha. Is Zev here?" the woman leaned around and over the desk to look behind them.


    "N-no," Sasha said, suddenly filled with the urge to grab the woman''s hair and m her face into the desk.


    She''d been spending too much time with Chimeran males.


    "We''ve had a change of ns, Alice. Can you please contact the Board and tell them that Sasha is now Alpha and is here to speak with them? Make sure they''re here noter than dinner. And Sasha''s going to need a couple changes of clothes¡ªsomethingfortable. No need for formality."


    "Will do, Nick."


    "Thank you. Sasha, if you could just sign in here, we''ll head out to the back and I''ll show you around some."


    Sasha had a small book ced in front of her on the desk where she was asked to enter her name and phone number, the time of day, and to sign.


    She balked for a moment¡ªuntil she remembered that these people had been following her, and interfering in her life for years. It was a littlete to be holding back personal details.


    After she signed, Alice handed her a small envelope with a chip card slid into a little pocket, like the room keys at a fancy hotel. She looked at it, and frowned, but Nick just told her not to worry, that he''d exin.


    A momentter she was following Nick up a narrow staircase on the side of the room to a door that stood just below the ceiling. Through the door and down the hall¡ªanother in, functional space¡ªand then there was a little alcove on the side with two doors on the sides. Nick urged her to open the one on the left and when she did, Sasha discovered that her thoughts about the hotel hadn''t been too far off.


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 Chapter 266 - Team Headquarters - Part 2

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    It was a small suite. The main room included a couch, coffee table, and television, the sitting area separated from the small kitchen by a long, thin ind. Beyond both was another wall with two doors.


    "Bathroom on the left, bedroom on the right," Nick said, walking deeper into the little suite. "There should be enough in the pantry to throw together a snack if you need one, but we have a restaurant for staff here, and that''s where you can eat unless you just don''t feel like it. That key will get you into the building, into that hallway at the top of the stairs, and into this suite, but it won''t open anything else. So don''t go exploring. Security are armed," he said casually, as if it waspletely natural to warn a person that they might get shot if they stepped into the wrong room. "We''ve got a couple hours until dinner. Did you want to have a shower and then I''ll show you around?"


    She looked at him, startled. "How¡­ how did you know?"


    Nick grinned. "Everyone reacts to Thana differently, but one thing is always the same. Anyone who''s been there more than a day is dying for a shower when they get back."


    "That¡­ that would be good."


    "Good! Okay, well I have an office downstairs. Why don''t you clean up. By the time you get out we''ll have some clean clothes up here for you, and then I take you around for a bit of a tour before dinner. How does that sound?"


    He was acting like an Air BnB host, and it was creeping Sasha out, but she agreed just to get him to stop talking, then walked into the bathroom.


    As she pulled her furs off¡ªshe hadn''t even noticed she was still wearing them. She must have looked so strange to Alice¡ªthe conversation in the car came back to her in a sh. The way Nick had made sure she didn''t say certain things.


    Sasha looked around the room as she pushed her leggings down and kicked them off. She couldn''t see any cameras, but she''d heard the stories.


    She kept her jacket on until the water in the shower heated up, then flipped it off quickly and darted into the shower, pulling the shower door closed quickly.


    Of course, there was no guarantee that there wasn''t a camera inside the shower, she realized. But she also knew there was nothing she could do about it.


    So she put her head under the spray and sighed, rubbing the spot on her chest where the bond had taken, that was still aching.


    Letting the water spill over her hair and face, down her body, Sasha prayed and prayed that Zev was safe and healthy, and not doing anything stupid.


    And she prayed she''d be able to figure out these people and this ce so she could get herself back to Thana before Zev snapped.


    If a couple tears trailed down her cheeks amongst the shower water, she ignored them. Now wasn''t the time to give in. There was a strange man downstairs who might be helping, or might be deceiving her. And other mening who would definitely deceive her if they could.


    She had to be smart.


    And she had to get back to Zev. She had to.


    *****


    Twenty minutester Sasha stepped out of the shower to find a pile of clothing waiting around the corner, on the little sink counter. A handwritten note sat on top.


    <i>We have other sizes. If you need</i>


    <i>them, just let me know!</i>


    <i>- Alice</i>


    How had she gotten the clothing in there without Sasha hearing her? Sasha kept the towel pulled around her body until she had the hoodie pulled all the way over her body, covering her to the thighs.


    A few minutester with her wet hair twisted into a bun, she walked back into the living room to find Nick sitting on the couch.


    "Ready?" he said, walking back out into the hall without waiting for her to answer.


    Sasha followed him down the hall in the opposite direction from the reception area, all the way to the other end of the building and a door marked FIRE EXIT.


    "Ignore that," Nick said, pulling a little card from his pocket that he held in front of the ck square on the wall next to the door. It beeped and the door clicked, then he pushed the bar on it and they walked out.


    Just like that they were in the forest again¡ªsome kind of metal grate under their feet that had thin lines cut in it, big enough to see light and colors through, but not thick enough to catch a shoe or a toe. Their footsteps plinked on the grate as Nick led her across the suspended tform with thick, wooden railings on each side, to another, identical door on the other end. It led into another building, just asrge. Sasha''s head was beginning to spin.


    "Okay," Nick said as he used the card on the little sensor next to the door until it clicked too. He pulled it open in the effortless way men had when something was heavy, but not a struggle for them, and held it open, gesturing for Sasha to go first.


    Sasha stopped dead when she caught a whiff of the disinfectant, medicinal smell that came out of the building and caught sight of the linoleum floor and light gray walls.


    Like a hospital.


    "What is this?" she asked, her stomach twirling.


    "This is one of thebs," Nick said, apparently not rmed that Sasha wasn''t going inside.


    "Why are we here?"


    "I''m going to introduce you to some of our residents," Nick said with a little nod when her eyes widened. "We''ve got an hour or two before the Board are here and ready to¡­ chat.. So I thought you''d like to see some of the females and be able to tell Zev and the others that they''re okay."

 Chapter 267 - What You Really Think

    <strong>~ LHARS ~ </strong>


    "Was that what you wanted to tell me?" Kyelle asked quietly. "Or was there more?" Her eyes were a little too wide, shining, but with a hint of grief, not the heat he wanted to see there. Even so, Lhars had to swallow the sudden urge to take her chin in his hand and pull her into a kiss.


    Blinking away from the mental images, he shook his head. "I¡­ no. I just¡­" He trailed off, frustrated with himself. She''d just told him she was giving up on finding a mate! She''d just told him she was letting go of Zev and didn''t believe another male would ever take her.


    "Lhars?" Kyelle said, more gently this time, as if she''d gathered that she wasn''t the only one struggling.


    Lhars'' breath whooshed out of him like he''d been punched. He clenched his hands to fists beneath the surface of the water, met her eyes, and forced himself not to tuck his tail between his legs.


    "I want to ask you not to go through the gateway. Not to join the pack going to the human world."


    Whatever she''d expected, it wasn''t that. Her head jerked back and her brow furrowed.


    "Why not?"


    Lhars'' courage failed him at her clear disapproval and he looked down at the water. "I just feel like it''s not really safe for you," he murmured. "If the males have to run, if there''s an attack¡­ you won''t be able to keep up."


    She tilted her head. "I''ll just shift and fly instead," she said carefully. "I know it''s not ideal, but even though I''mrge as a bird, humans still just see a really fucking big bird. Zev said¡ª"


    "It doesn''t matter," Lhars growled, not wanting to turn her mind back to Zev. "The point is, it''s dangerous. The humans are interested in our females. If there''s any kind of conflict or face off, you''ll be their first target after Zev himself, because you''re female."


    Kyelle''s frown lines deepened. "Lhars, where is thising from? They know I can''t have offspring. They''re not interested in me, that''s why I''m still here! I''m the perfect person to go because we already know they don''t care about me!"


    Lhars gritted his teeth in frustration. She wasn''t thinking. She wasn''t listening! "You''re Alpha of a n," he said gruffly. "You should stay here and be here for your people. Send someone from your flock so that if anything happens we don''t lose more leaders in the hierarchy. I mean who knows what might¡ª"


    "Weren''t you about to volunteer before Zev told you he needed you to stay here?" she asked suspiciously.


    Lhars bristled. "That''s not the point!"


    Kyelle shook her head, and folded her arms, pressing the top of her breasts up out of the water. Lhars had to force himself to hold her gaze and not look down at those beautiful, soft mounds. But before he coulde up with another argument, Kyelle sighed.


    "What''s this really about Lhars?" she asked gently, her knowing eyes locked on his. Lhars'' stomach twisted with nerves. Was he going to be honest with her? After that conversation, he wasn''t sure if she''d beforted to learn of his feelings, or think he was just trying to prove a point.


    "Lhars?"


    His stomach fluttered like a butterfly on the wing, but he was so, so tired of hiding himself from her. And she was right there, her body soft and warm under the water¡­ Lhars raked a hand through his hair and growled. Then he looked up and locked eyes with her, letting himself feel¡­ everything.


    Kyelle''s nostrils red and her eyes widened.


    "I don''t want you to go," he said slowly, "Because I don''t want anything to happen to you."


    Kyelle blinked, then her startled gaze ttened. "Fucking Alpha Males, are we not past this yet, Lhars? Are you for fucking real? It''s okay for the males to walk into danger, but not me?"


    "No, that''s not¡ª"


    "Then what is it? I can''t provide anyone with young, so what possible difference is there between me and any other Alpha? If I could have babies I''d understand. I''d need to protect that. But this is something I can actually do¡ªand I wasn''t lying about why. The females need to see other females. If they''ve been harmed by males and they''re going to be surprised by a sudden rush of Chimeran Alphase to free them, there''s every chance that they''ll shut down and refuse to leave with a male. And what if Sasha''s not there or something? We need to have females on the team."


    "I just think that you''re¡­ there must be other females who can¡ª"


    "Bullshit, Lhars. Did Gheet put you up to this? Or Dunken? Who thinks I can''t do this?"


    "No one! My concern was for your safety¡ª"


    "Don''t lie to me! You''ve never tried to hold me back from anything dangerous. You''ve never shown even the slightest concern about me handling myself before. What happened? What do you think I''m not strong enough to do?"


    "It''s not that, I said," Lhars growled.


    "Then what is it? I mean, it just doesn''t make sense, why wouldn''t¡ª" Then she sucked in hard and her eyes went wide. Lhars'' stomach jangled with fear. Had she realized, and she was horrified by the idea of him?


    "You think I''m going to try and approach Zev again?!" she whisper-screamed. "Is that it?"


    "What?! No! Kyelle¡ª"


    "All this talk about Zev first, were you just trying to feel me out and see if I was going to try for him? For the Creator''s sake, Lhars, I told you once he was mated, that was it for me. I would never¡ª"


    "Kyelle, that''s not what''s going on here!"


    "Then why would you¡ª"


    "I''m afraid you''ll get hurt and I''ll lose you!" he bellowed. Then he pped both hands down into the water in frustration as Kyelle froze, gaping at him. Shit. That was all wrong. He sighed. "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean¡­" he said, then buried his face in both hands. "I''m terrified, Kyelle. So scared that something will happen to you before your heart''s healed. And I can''t stand the idea¡­ the idea of never getting my chance to show you."


    "Sh-show me what?" she breathed.


    He lifted his head and locked eyes with her so she''d see he was telling the truth. "Show you that everything you said before was so utterly wrong.. Don''t you get it, Kyelle? I''ve wanted you for years."

 Chapter 268 - Confessions

    <strong>~ LHARS ~ </strong>


    Kyelle stared at him silently, her jaw ck. She kept blinking and closing her mouth as if she was going to say something, then it would drop open again. If he wasn''t so terrified it would have beenical.


    Instead, Lhars stood in the water in front of her, stomach churning, his chest heaving fast enough to make the water ripple as he waited to see what she would say. But when she spoke, it was to question him.


    "Lhars¡­ What are you saying?"


    He swallowed hard, but didn''t drop her gaze. "I''m saying¡­ I''m saying that everything you said a few minutes ago is absolute bullshit, because if you cross the gateway without me and something happened to you over there it would¡­ eviscerate me."


    She blinked, then blinked again. Shook her head in disbelief. "Is this¡­ some kind of joke? A ploy? Are you just trying to be right¡ªtrying to be the good guy and to prove to me¡ª"


    "No." Heid the word before her like an offering¡ªand amand. Conviction was heavy in his tone. The weight of it underlined with every ounce of alpha authority that Lhars possessed. Which matched as hers. And yet¡­ she wavered and almost submitted.


    There was a heavy, pregnant pause then as they stared at each other.


    Then Kyelle''s mouth closed and she shook her head again, her jaw going tight. "I don''t believe you," she said, her voice shaking. "This makes no sense. We''ve been friends for years. Together all the time¡­ You''ve never spoken to me about this. Never even¡ª"


    "Because your heart was already spoken for," he said sadly.


    "What?"


    The water rippled as Lhars pulled another hand up to w it through his hair, leaving water droplets trickling down his face and shoulders. "Don''t you get it, Kyelle? You''re my Zev."


    She blinked several times as if he''d flicked water in her eyes.


    He inhaled her scent to read her because she was so still he couldn''t figure out if she was shocked, or angry, or sad.


    Then her throat bobbed. "You''re serious."


    "Yes, I am."


    He knew he was being intense, staring down at her, his brows pinched and jaw tight because he was so afraid she''d reject him. But her expression was still open, stunned. Her eyes grew even wider, and for the first time, she looked at him.


    Really looked at him.


    He saw it in her, in the way her pupils dted. In the way she dragged them down from his eyes to his jaw, to his neck, then his chest and shoulders.


    Her throat bobbed again and hope bounced in his heart.


    He took a step closer and she didn''t move. He waited, but she was still staring at his chest, her eyes so beautiful.


    He took another step, and now they were almost chest to chest. She looked up to his face again and her head was craned back. Their eyes locked, and a tiny whine crawled out of his throat.


    Slowly, so slowly, he lifted his hand out of the water. A strand of hair had fallen forward and stuck to her cheek and neck. With a silent prayer that she wouldn''t recoil, he trailed one, shaking finger from her temple, down the side of her cheek, to her jaw, thenbed the hair back over her shoulder.


    Tension drained out of his body as his fingers trailed over her skin, warm beneath the cooler water.


    "Kyelle?" he rasped.


    "Yes?"


    "I''ve waited so long¡­ so long. And¡­ and I''ll keep waiting. As long as it takes for you to¡­ to be free. But the idea of you going over there and facing those people, walking into danger¡­ the fact that you believe you''re unwanted¡ªit''s just a pure lie. And I can''t¡­ I can''t let you do that. I don''t want you to do that. I don''t want to lose my chance."


    Her jaw dropped again.


    Lhars rushed in before she could say what he feared wasing. "Kyelle, do you hear me? If something happens to you, or to me, I need you to know. It''s not true that you aren''t desired. It''s not true that you''re unseen. I''ve always seen you. Always wanted you. You''re my mate.


    There was a tiny, sharp intake of breath and her shoulders rose. But her eyes never left his.


    "Lhars, I¡­ I never realized¡­"


    "I know."


    They stared at each other and Lhars'' hope bloomed. She wasn''t pulling away. She wasn''t staring at him like he was repulsive.


    Barely breathing, he began to lean in, his eyes searching hers as he entered her space. He hesitated, his mouth just an inch from hers.


    Kyelle didn''t move to close the space, but she didn''t recoil either.


    Praying for strength, Lhars lifted a hand to cradle the back of her head and closed the space, his lips brushing hers as he whispered, "Kyelle, I lo¡ª"


    Kyelle burst to life, one hand shoving on his chest, the other stroking backwards in the water to pull her back, away from him, her entire body twisting, the water around them churning as she struggled to move because of the weight of the water.


    "Too soon," she whispered. "I can''t, Lhars. I''m sorry, I can''t!" she twisted out of his hands and turned, scrambling out of the water, pulling at it like a lifeline to take her away from him.


    Lhars breathed her name, his voice breaking as she did everything in her power to run from him¡ªshe tripped as she hit the shallow water, but caught herself and was back on her feet, running, then bursting into her owl and pping hard, her wings snapping the air with the force she used to pull herself through the air.


    Away from him.


    Then she disappeared over the trees, and Lhars slumped his hands falling back into the water, his shoulders rounded, carrying the weight of every disappointment, every pain he''d always feared for this moment as he slowly, slowly dragged himself out of the water, got dressed, and left.


    Alone.

 Chapter 269 - Finding Females - Part 1

    If you enjoy music while you read, try "Live Like Legends" by Ruelle. It''s what I listened to while writing!


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha stepped inside the sterile hallway that smelled like a hospital and even though the ce was perfectly pleasant with bright lighting and clean walls, her skin began to crawl. The hallway was long, broader than the hallway in the office and housing building they''d juste from. Broad enough for hospital beds and wheelchairs to pass each other, Sasha realized. She had to stifle a shudder.


    Then on her left the wall gave way to a long window, the length of arge room and Sasha caught sight of people inside it inb coats and safety goggles, working at different machines that circled the work benches all the way around the room.


    At its center was a long table with many, many test tubes, microscopes, tools that Sasha had never seen before, papers, and folders, and various jars and containers holding differently colored liquids. A woman stood at the center of the table, a long syringe in her hand that reminded Sasha of a turkey baster. She was counting drops of liquids into a tray of test tubes on the table in front of her.


    She didn''t know a lot about medicine, but she knew that all those machines and pieces of equipment added up to a helluva lot of money. And that the four staff she could see would be expensive, too.


    "This is just one of the severalb buildings we have here," Nick said, pausing next to her with Sasha stopped to look at the room.


    "Severalbs?" she asked quietly, horrified.


    Nick nodded. "Plus, the actual project headquarters, staff quarters, the stables, and the sanctuary. This is a massive project, Sasha, and our work with the Chimera is all undertaken here, out from under the eyes of the public. The inte and cellphones only work through secure connections in the buildings. Thisnd is secure and even the airspace is monitored. You''re safe here."


    Safe? That didn''t make her safe. That made her utterly alone. That made them utterly without ountability for the atrocities they weremitting here.


    But she knew she couldn''t say that. So she nodded and followed Nick further down the hall, only ncing at the door into the room they''d just passed with it''s fire red WARNING: SECURE LAB. STERILE ENVIRONMENT. DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT PERMISSION.


    This ce made her skin crawl, but she kept her chin up and made listening noises as Nick rattled off stats about the things they''d achieved here¡ªincluding identally discovering a vine that was currently in human trials.


    "No matter what you might think, Sasha, the Chimera we have here are genuinely helping the human race. We aren''t here to find ways to make better make up or keep aging heiresses looking young. We''re solving problems. We''re making people. Bigger, faster, stronger, healthier people. And once we nail this, the things we learn from them will make everyone else stronger and healthier, too."


    They passed two morebs, one on each side of the hall before they hit a wall blocking their path and a set of double doors marked, SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIRED.


    Nick thumbed a button on the wall that buzzed, and the doors clicked, then one opened and a massive man in a gray uniform stepped through. When he saw Nick, his face rxed and he stepped back without a word, opening the door to let them in.


    Sasha followed Nick through the door to find a guard station on its other side. Blinkingputer monitors showed a dozen different rooms in ck and white, including thebs they''d just passed. But before Sasha could look at all the images, Nick tugged at her elbow and led her forward as the Guard checked behind them before closing the door and locking it. Nick didn''t even greet the guy beyond a nod, just led Sasha deeper into the building, letting go of her elbow after a few steps.


    Sasha forced herself to rx, but she felt like she was walking into the belly of the beast. Seeing the guard there, noticing the security cameras high on the walls with their blinking lights, it all added together to a ce where she had no control, and her every move was being watched. Nick, too, though he didn''t seem to care, just walked casually down the long hallway.


    The lighting here wasn''t as bright, and the walls looked more worn. As if the first half of the building had been renovated in recent years, while this one was allowed to weather.


    It felt more¡­ lived in. And yet, it raised the little hairs on the back of Sasha''s neck. The hospital-like smell was less pronounced here, but still present. But something else prickled her skin as well. Sasha would have sworn she smelled the tang of fear. Telling herself that she was just letting her mind run away with her, she forced herself to focus on what Nick was saying.


    "¡­might not be excited to see you until they''ve checked you out. But don''t worry, they''re not violent."


    Sasha blinked. "I''m sorry, who are you talking about?"


    Nick stopped at a door on her left. This hallway was darker, she realized, because there were no windows here. Just walls and doors, also without windows.


    "Thedies," he said, with a smirk, as if the word made him want tough, but he was trying to be professional. "These were made here and haven''t ever left, so they won''t be familiar with Thana. Just be aware of that."


    Stunned, Sasha opened her mouth to ask, but Nick held his card in front of the sensor and the door beeped, then clicked, then he was walking through, beckoning Sasha to follow. She hurried in behind him, her head spinning, as they walked into what looked like a long dorm room.


    At its center was massive, L-shaped sectional couch,rge enough to seat eight or ten normal sized people. There was a kitchte on one end, and severalrge, single beds around the rest of the space, each with its head to the wall and its foot sticking into the room.


    But Sasha couldn''t do more than vaguely register the surroundings, because as they stepped into the room, several women that had to be Chimera turned and looked at them.

 Chapter 270 - Finding Females - Part 2

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha swallowed convulsively as two of the tallest of the women stood without speaking or even gesturing to each other. As if there''d been some silent signal, they briskly stepped around the furniture to ce themselves between Nick and Sasha and the rest of the women. Both of them watched Nick warily, but their eyes slid back and forth to Sasha as well. Sasha recognized the stance. Zev often adopted it when he felt like she was in danger. He''d done the same thing when they got to the City and the twins appeared.


    It was a casual stance with arms at their sides, that said I mean no threat. But the tension and poise they held in the body made it clear they were ready to take action if it was needed.


    Sasha prayed they never felt like it was needed.


    The two women that had moved in front of the others had to be six feet tall, and those on the couch and beds behind them didn''t seem like they were much smaller. Sasha felt like a child next to them. Kyelle was tall too, but hadn''t seemed like it next to all the males who were massive. This was the first time she''d stood near several Chimeran females at the same time.


    No wonder Zev joked about her being light as a feather despite her jiggling ass. These women were Amazonians.


    Each of them wore simple, normal clothing¡ªsweat pants, hoodies, one was in a soft cotton dress that went to her ankles. Their skin was pale¡ªas if they hadn''t seen the sun in years. But their eyes were bright, their hair shiny. They were wiry, but in the way that appeared fit, not gaunt.


    They stood with their hands at their sides, seeming rxed, but Sasha had spent enough time with the Chimera now to see the tension in them, the suspicion lighting behind their eyes.


    "Bayley, Penny, it''s good to see you," Nick said softly. The two women nodded, but didn''t say anything. As if it were just a meeting of friends, Nick scanned the room. "You all shoulde closer, you''ll want to scent her. Don''t be shy Nicole, Adrien, she won''t bite, ha ha. Harriet, it''s okay. You''re safe. We just want to talk. You too, Dani and Victoria. Come on. Come greet her."


    The women got up, one by one, as Nick named them. As if they wouldn''t have moved until he called for them. The entire exchange felt very strange to Sasha, but they women didn''t don''t afraid as much as wary, and each got up from their seat to walk over and stand behind the two that had approached as soon as they walked in.


    Sasha could see the hierarchy at work very tantly in this group, in the way they positioned themselves, and the way they looked at each other.


    And in the way they looked at her. As if they didn''t know where she fit.


    "Ladies, this is Sasha. She''s Alpha of those in Thana now."


    There was a sharp snort from one of the women. "You said Zev had taken Alpha."


    Nick nodded. "It turned out our information was only partially correct. Zev is the Alpha of the wolves, and Sasha''s second. But the males all submit to her, I saw it for myself."


    The female Nick had referred to as Bayley tilted her head and scanned Sasha. "You''re very small to be Alpha. Perhaps what they said about female alphas is true after all. But I think I could eat your throat."


    Sasha blinked. "I have no doubt that you could," she said, trying not to let her voice shake. "I hope you won''t, though. I want to work with you, not against you."


    The woman''s brow furrowed as the one named Penny spoke up. "You are Zev''s chosen mate?"


    Sasha nodded and turned to smile at the woman whose expression was much friendlier. "Yes," she said.


    "And you took Alpha from him?"


    "No," Sasha almostughed. "I killed Xar. He attacked me during a fight for Alpha with Zev, and when I killed him instead¡­ everyone submitted."


    Sasha was hit then, for just a moment, with how entirely odd this conversation was. If someone had told her weeks earlier that she''d be in a secretb, talking to half-human women about taking Alpha of their n¡­


    Was it possible she really was out of her mind and none of this was real?


    "Wee, Sasha-don," Bayley said suddenly. "You are human¡­ do you share scents?"


    Sasha swallowed. "I mean, I''m happy to. I''ve seen it done. But I''ve never¡­ the males were giving me a lot of space. It was kind of weird¡­ there was a lot going on."


    Bayley looked surprised, but stepped forward, offering an arm to sp. "We lean into each other''s hair and rub our faces."


    "Oh. Okay," Sasha said, sping forearms with her and leaning in to meet the woman as if they would give a European kiss. But as Bayley rubbed her face in Sasha''s hair, and Sasha did her best to return the gesture, she found her cheeks heating.


    What the hell had be of her life?


    When they parted, Bayley looked more rxed. "She scents of Zev."


    The others all murmured, then wanted toe forward and share scents as well. Sasha felt like she was getting a crash course in bing Chimera, and yet, at the same time, there was a strange sense of stiffness about the women and their movements as well. As if they, too, didn''t do this naturally.


    When she''d been rubbed by each of the women in turn, Sasha had to step back and find some space. Her heart was beating too loudly, and Nick''s eagle-eyed gaze on her wasn''t helping.


    But apparently, she wasn''t done after all. Because Bayley stepped forward again, offering her arm once more. "Wee, Sasha-don," she said, dropping her chin and eyes to the floor, then leaning in again. And as they rubbed cheeks once more, Sasha froze, because the woman whispered, "You have to help us. They''re killing us."


    **** WANT TO BE A MODERATOR? ****


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 Chapter 271 - Finding Females - Part 3

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    It had been such a battle not to respond to the woman''s word. To give no reaction, to not allow Nick to see her stiffen, or her expression change.


    She rubbed her face on the woman''s hair again, then stepped back and sped her hands together, as if she was happy¡ªbut in truth, it was to stop Nick from seeing her hands shake.


    Nick suggested they all sit down, so as a group they moved around to therge, sectional couch. Sasha sat on the end, Nick standing behind her, leaning on the couch back, while all the others took various ces alongside. Bayley sat where she could see Sasha clearly, and the others gathered around her.


    Feeling Nick behind her shoulder gave Sasha an eerie feeling that soon turned to nausea. But she wanted to know these women, so she did her best to stay rxed.


    "If you don''t mind," she said carefully, "I don''t share your senses¡­ can you tell me which ns you''re from?"


    Bayley grimaced. "I am a Tiger," she said, then looked at Penny¡ªa wolf. Then the others one by one, until Sasha knew there were three each of the tigers and wolves, and two goats.


    No fliers, Sasha noted mentally, and no hares.


    Interesting.


    "How did you alle to be here?" Sasha asked, innocently, wondering if the women''s stories would gel with Nick''s.


    "This is our home," Bayley said quickly, watching her intently. "We have all been here since our making."


    That exined the odd stiffness to their rituals, Sasha thought. These Chimera were¡­ domesticated. Trying to fulfill their instincts, but not being given opportunity to do it. It turned her stomach. She thought about the Chimera in Thana and how¡­ free they were byparison. Then she realized that the females here had been taken from that freedom and ced in tiny spaces like this, and she wanted to shudder.


    But before she could find out any more about the women¡ªfemales, she reminded herself¡ªNick pped his hands and everyone startled. "I still have a lot to show Sasha, but I wanted you all to have a chance to meet her. I''ll bring her backter, or tomorrow, so you can get to know each other better."


    Sasha wanted to protest¡ªshe wanted to know these women better, to try to find some way to help them! But she knew she couldn''t be resistant on Nick so soon. So she stood reluctantly, catching Bayley''s eye. Under her breath¡ªfar too quiet for Nick to ever hear it¡ªshe breathed, "I heard you. I''ll help."


    Bayley didn''t respond so Sasha had to hope that she''d heard as she followed Nick from the room, promising to be back soon.


    When they stepped back into the hallway and the door clicked behind them, Nick smiled. "That went well."


    "Did it?"


    "Yes. They''re a much harder audience, I think. So you''ll find the others easier. They''re from Thana. And they know Zev."


    Sasha''s stomach went cold. They knew Zev? How did they know him? As Alpha? Or as¡­ she was about to ask, but Nick was already pushing the door across the hall open. They were already there?


    He walked in, calling much more casually this time for the women toe meet her, holding the door open for her. As Sasha stepped in she was once again greeted by a group of females¡ªonly five this time¡ªall tall, but this group was very obviously less healthy. Their eyes were slightly sunken and they all had dark circles under them, as if they hadn''t slept. Their faces were gaunt, and their skin sallow. Their hair¡ªblond, brte, straight, curly¡ªwas dull and limp.


    Sasha wanted to gather each of them in for a hug, then feed them a burger, but they reminded her of the friend she''d had in college who had suffered through chemotherapy. They looked like if she squeezed too hard, they might break under her hands.


    Sasha looked uneasily at Nick¡ªdid he see how unhealthy these females were?¡ªbut he didn''t meet her gaze, only gave the others a small smile.


    "This is Sasha," he said significantly.


    All five sets of eyes snapped to Sasha''s face¡ªnone of them with smiles. Sasha''s adrenalin jangled at the spike of tension in the room, but before she could think of what to say, one of the females stepped forward and offered her hand¡ªas a human would, to shake.


    "I''m Shayn," she said stiffly. "I am pack alpha here."


    Sasha blinked. "Would you¡­ like to share scents?" she asked carefully, uncertain of the etiquette.


    The female stared at her for a moment, then nodded and stepped in, brushing her face against Sasha''s hair briefly, as Sasha did the same.


    "You''ve met the others already," she said quietly, her tone giving no indication whether that was a good thing or not.


    "Yes, I¡ª"


    "You''re Zev''s?" a small, quavering voice asked from behind the alpha. Sasha looked past her to the smallest of the four, blond and very pretty, but also very frail.


    "I¡­ yes," Sasha confirmed.


    The female''s brow furrowed. "His chosen mate?"


    "Yes."


    "You walked the ritual?" Her voice got higher with each question, and Sasha felt terrible. Clearly this female either had feelings for Zev, or found something horrifying in Sasha''s being human, because terror seemed to coat her thicker with each confirmation from Sasha.


    "Yes, and we had the Solitude," she said quietly before the woman could ask.


    The females all went very still, staring at her. She looked back and forth between them. "Are you all¡­ wolves?" she asked, her voice hushed, as the reality of this situation came home to her.


    "Yes¡ª" Shayn began, but she was cut off by an ear-piercing shriek from the smaller blonde.


    "You cannot take my mate! You cannot! I will not survive it!"


    She was the smallest of the females, but sheunched forward, the sound of fabric snapping and tearing the only warning as she shifted into her wolf in a blink.. Sasha screamed as the animal pounced, bearing her to the ground.

 Chapter 272 - Finding Females - Part 4

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Before she had any chance to react, or even scream, Sasha hit the floor with a bang, her tailbone shuddering with pain. But she was pinned, the weight of the massive wolf ensuring she couldn''t move. A guttural snarl and snapping teeth became all she could see and hear.


    She''d barely sucked in a breath, her brain screaming, waiting for the pierce of teeth on skin, when Nick bellowed, "She might be carrying his pups!"


    The wolf, standing over her, paws on her shoulders, teeth just an inch from her face, froze. But her growl continued to putter through the room, her lips peeled back from her teeth, and the hair on the back of her neck and shoulders standing inches off the rest of her body.


    Sasha found herself frozen in that pure blue gaze, so reminiscent of Zev''s, and despite the fear jangling through her, she could see the pain and fear in those eyes. Compassion swelled her chest.


    Holy shit. What had they done to these women?


    "Faryn, get off her. I don''t want to have to hurt you," Nick said, his voice t and dark, one hand behind his back, as if he had a weapon there.


    The wolf''s eyes snapped up to look at him and her ears, which had been pinned against her head, went limp.


    With a whine, she slunk off of Sasha, her head and tail low, darting through the room to darkened door at the other end.


    Sasha waited, but the others were all watching Nick, their eyes wide and wary as he waited for Faryn to return¡ªin human form again, and dressed in new clothes since she''d torn the others.


    "Take a seat and we''ll exin," Nick said, his voice short, with anger or fear, Sasha wasn''t sure.


    Faryn walked straight to the couch¡ªanother sectional, though this room was smaller, so the couch was as well¡ªand sat down, her arms folded, and eyes wide and red-rimmed. Sasha thought she looked even paler than she had a moment ago, if that was possible.


    The others carefully stepped over to the sofa to join her, while Nick offered a hand to help Sasha to her feet.


    She wanted to scream. She wanted to run. But she remembered what Zev had taught her about being strong, being Alpha, in the eyes of Chimera.


    Never let them see weakness.


    Give orders not suggestions.


    Take the space you want and expect others to make way.


    So instead of recoiling as she wanted to do, she strode past the women who were finding their seats and plopped down on the coffee table in front of it, invading their space, her knees almost brushing Shayn''s.


    The female stared at her and Sasha held her gaze, forced herself not to look away.


    "He was mine since I was seventeen years old," she said firmly. "He was forced to remove himself from me, but when we were reunited, there was no question. He fought back from banishment to Alpha of the wolves just to take me before another male could. It took him less than a week.


    "You can kill me if you want to, but you will only kill him¡ªhis heart," she corrected herself quickly, not wanting to give Nick that crucial information yet. "He is mine, heart and soul. And I am his. I grieve what was done to you. I grieve that your hearts and souls have been damaged by all of this. But he is mine, and that fact will not change whether I live or die."


    Shayn paled, but nodded, her hands clenched to fists in herp.


    A tiny sob sounded from her left, but Sasha didn''t drop the alpha female''s gaze. She was relieved when Shayn turned to look at the other female, to reach across the woman between them and touch her arm.


    "He''s stolen from us," the smaller female sobbed. "Stolen from me. He is mine!"


    "No, he''s not," Sasha said firmly, but her throat pinched. She couldn''t believe what they''d done to these people. Couldn''t Nick see that he was breaking their minds and hearts?


    "Please, forgive her, Sasha-don," Shayn said quietly, her eyes flickering to the side to meet Sasha''s as she gave her the honorific. "She knew Zev before and harbored feelings. She''s deeper in the grief than the rest of us."


    "The grief?" Sasha asked, knowing the answer, but praying that somehow, impossibly, the answer would be different than she expected.


    "All of these females bonded with Zev when they were mated," Nick said tightly. "But he didn''t bond with them. They all suffer as if the mating bond had been identified, but notpleted."


    "We suffer the loss of our mate!" Shayn spat, her voice hushed, pinched in unshed tears. "We have the bond, but it is empty. We are¡­ hollowed by it."


    Sasha was horrified and pressed her hand to that spot on her chest where that piece of Zev had been torn from her. For a moment she almost cried herself. Was she destined to be like these females? Had their bond been broken?


    "I''m¡­ so sorry to hear that," Sasha said, swallowing the tears that wanted toe. "How long have you all been here?"


    "Three years," Shayn said quietly with a dark nce at Nick. "But we were mated to him at different times. It''s why Faryn suffers more. She was mated to him early."


    Sasha swallowed back a wave of nausea as it hit her, like a gut punch¡­ these women had all had sex with Zev.


    Dear Lord.


    Every single one of these woman had had her hands on Zev. Worse, he''d had his hands on them. She wanted to puke. She was thankful they were all looking somewhere else as she closed her eyes against the shame and fear and jealousy that bubbled up.


    "It is difficult for all of us, at first," Shayn said quietly. "I imagine perhaps even worse for you, if he has chosen you. I cannot imagine¡­ Chimera were never intended to have more than one mate, never intended to join with another. And as wolves¡­ all of us resist the disconnection," Shayn said, nodding at her.


    Sasha tried to pull herself together. "I''m not a wolf," she said hoarsely.


    "You smell of Zev. You are of the pack," Shayn said as if there were no point even discussing it further. "You are¡­ Alpha," she added reluctantly a secondter.


    All the females went still, watching her. Then, each of them slowly submitted, murmuring "Sasha-don."


    Sasha wanted to weep¡ªfor them, and for her. Especially when Faryn very obviously forced herself to give Sasha the title.


    "I''m so sorry," Sasha blurted, shoving her hands under her thighs so she wouldn''t wring her fingers.. "I''m so, so sorry for your pain."

 Chapter 273 - Alpha Of All

    If you like music while you''re reading, try listening to "Revolution" by UNSECRET while reading this chapter and the next two or three. It''s what I listened to while writing them!


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Sasha sat through a very ufortable conversation then where Nick pretended to be concerned about how the females were doing¡ªtheir health, their sleep, the food they''d been supplied. But they all provided rote answers, very clearly the answers they believed they were supposed to give, rather than what was actually happening in their lives.


    Sasha examined them, one by one, and her stomach only dropped further. These women were dying. Their skins dry and blotchy under the paleness. They needed sunlight, good food, exercise, and¡­ Zev.


    Sasha''s heart spasmed at the thought. What would these females do, she wondered, when faced with him? She was determined to free them, though she had no idea how she was going to achieve that, with them behind these secure walls and guarded hallways. But they would find a way, she was determined.


    But what then? If these females really had formed the bond with Zev, even if he didn''t return it, would being close to him save their lives?


    And if it would, what would he and Sasha do about it?


    Her mind swam for a moment with visions of sharing Zev, of having to share him in order to keep these females alive. She pushed the thoughts away as that wave of nausea crashed over her again. She¡­ wouldn''t be able to do that. But it was a problem for another day. She had other things to consider before they had to face that.


    "¡­going to take Sasha to the sanctuary. Do any of you have any mail you''d like me to deliver?"


    The eyes of the females brightened for a moment at Nick''s word. They all got up from the couch and disappeared into the doorways that lined the walls. Where the other apartment had beds in position around the outside, this smaller room had six doorways, each only a few feet from the other. So these women had individual rooms?


    Before Sasha could ask Nick discreetly, the women were already returning, pieces of paper and envelopes clutched in their fists. They each handed the little piles and handfuls to him, and Nick nodded, taking each one like a reassuring father, promising them that he would deliver them.


    Sasha was stunned again. These notes and letters, they were for other Chimera? And Nick was going to deliver them?


    "Thank you for your patience,dies," Nick said, his mouth twisting on that word again. "I''ll take Sasha to meet the others now. You all rest and I''ll make sure the doctors visit tomorrow."


    Most of the females nodded, murmuring their thanks, but the smallest one, Faryn, only dropped her head into her hands.


    Shayn moved to put an arm around her and they all watched awkwardly as a trembling Sasha followed Nick out the door.


    Anger, fear, and grief bubbled in her stomach, roiling and churning as she walked into the hallway and Nick turned to make sure the door locked behind them, before he started down the hall again¡ªstill heading away from the office and residential building.


    Aware of the Chimera''s sharp hearing, Sasha waited until they were further down the hallway, before she hissed, "What the hell were you doing to them, taking me in there?"


    Nick didn''t even turn to look at her. "They needed to know. They''ve been unable to ept their fates. It''s why they were removed from the others."


    "Removed? They''re grieving and struggling so you punish them?!"


    "No," Nick said through his teeth as they reached the door at the end of the hallway and he held his card to the sensor. He pushed it open and they stepped back outside, but this time to anding that fed a wide staircase down to the forest floor.


    There was arge trash can sitting just outside the door, and Nick threw the letters into it, before starting down the stairs.


    He did it so nonchntly, as if it were nothing, it took Sasha a moment to realize what had happened. When she did, her mouth dropped open and she yanked the lid off the thing and started digging into it to find them again.


    "How dare you! You promised them! I bet this is their only contact with others and you''d steal it from them?"


    "Sasha, you don''t understand¡ª"


    "Yes, I do! I understand that you''re holding these women against their will, you''ve forced them into a bond with a man they can''t have, and now you''re lying to their faces and destroying any hope they had for contact with others that they love! No wonder they''re so unhealthy¡ªyou''re killing them!"


    "Sasha," Nick had started back up the stairs and took her elbow gently as she leaned into the deep can, digging low to find where the paper had fallen. "We can''t deliver those notes."


    "Yes, we can. And I will!" she snapped. "Get your hand off me."


    "Sasha¡­" He pulled her back upright by her arm, but Sasha just yanked out of his grip and turned back to lean over the deep can.


    "You''re cruel. I can''t believe you''d¡ª"


    "Read one of them, Sasha. Any one of them. Read it." Nick was frustrated and tore one of the little notes out of her hand that was leaned on the edge of therge can.


    "I''m not breaching their privacy like that¡ª"


    "You won''t be, trust me." He unfolded the note himself, his eyes sparking with anger, and held it in front of her. "Read it!"


    Sasha pursed her lips, but did as he asked, taking the note and scanning it quickly, her heart dropping.


    The notes were written in crayon on nk sheets of paper, each little more than squiggles and lines, loops and the asional symbol or shape. Not a legible word to be found.


    Sasha frowned. "What¡­?"


    "They can''t read or write, Sasha.. They don''t know how."

 Chapter 274 - Chimera Vs. Human

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Nick stared down at her like he felt sorry for her. She almost punched him in the nose. He took the rest of the papers she''d retrieved and threw them back into the trash can, then started back down the stairs, obviously expecting her to follow.


    Sasha did, but to stand in defense of Zev and his people. "So, they can''t read. Big deal. That doesn''t mean they''re stupid."


    "No, of course not. You''re right. There''s many, many ways they outsmart us. But that''s not my point. They don''t read or write because they''ve had no need to. But also, we''ve found that many of them can''t. Their brains just don''t work that way. They''re tactile people¡ªlike animals. They learn through trial and error, by observation, cause and effect. There are many things they can do better than us. But there are also many things they can''t."


    Sasha blinked. "But, Zev¡ª"


    "One of these days you''re going realize just how special Zev is, Sasha." Nick said, and it was the first time she''d heard something like passion in his voice. "We don''t know why, but Zev turned out different. The same process, the same kinds of DNA blended in the same ways. Yet he''s every bit as human as you or I¡ªhonestly, he''s a better human than me in some ways. Yet, he has retained the Chimeran senses, strength, and healing."


    "But don''t they all¡ª"


    "No, Sasha they don''t. The Chimera are not human. They do not live, think, or act like humans. Their bodies work differently, as well as their minds. It''s one of the reasons Zev is so admired by his people¡ªbecause they can sense that there''s something different in him. Something better. Something that makes them all stronger, because no matter what you want to think, they aren''t necessarily capable of caring for themselves."


    "That''s bullshit. They''re so much more capable¡ª"


    "Give it a fucking rest, Sasha," Nick growled leading her deeper down the gravel road, into the trees. "You''re like so many humans who think that if we just leave nature to nature, it will take care of itself. Well, guess what? That''s not always true. Have you ever seen what happens to wildlife that''s been raised by humans after being rescued¡ªusually from something that would have killed it¡ªthen returned to the wild?"


    "That''s not the same," Sasha spluttered. "Those animals are animals. They don''t think rationally¡ªand theyck the skills because we never taught them."


    "Precisely."


    Sasha frowned. Confused. "But you''re saying that the Chimera didn''t have the capability for these skills which isn''t true. And besides, you made the Chimera in the first ce! They wouldn''t have urred naturally."


    "Actually, Chimera have been around for thousands of years¡ªand they were dying off. We resurrected the race."


    "Wait, what?"


    Nick sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Did Zev ever talk to you about the ancients?"


    The term rang a bell. Sasha bit her lip. "I think he said Yhet was?"


    "Yes, that''s right. We''ve actually never identified the correct DNA mix to create a Sasquatch, so we just left them to themselves. You can see where that got us," he said dryly. "They''re a sweet people, and incredibly strong, but they''re like children. Curious, active, and self-destructive without even realizing it."


    "Yhet is not self-destructive!"


    "Because he''s been locked in Thana. Did Zev tell you why?"


    "Because he got caught wandering here and some people followed him and ended uping into Thana."


    "Precisely. Before we got involved, the Sasquatch were being hunted out of existence by the richest of the rich around the world. They''d be the new, impossible trophies."


    Sasha wanted to gag. She tried to imagine humans hunting¡ªactually hunting¡ªYhet. Her huge, blustery, adorable friend, running through the dark, panting and calling, desperate for a rest¡ªSasha shook her head and swallowed hard. She wanted to punch Nick just for putting the image in her mind. To know there was a measure of truth in it¡­ Ugh.


    "Well, I don''t know what happened before," Sasha said as they rounded a corner in the trail and another, massive building, this one looking much like a barn, came into view under the trees ahead. "But I do know that Yhet is an amazing man. And now he''spletely alone. And from what I hear, that''s because of you and your intervention."


    "Yhet wouldn''t even have been born if it weren''t for our intervention. His mother was pregnant with him when Thana was a hunting ground." Nick sighed. "See, this is the problem with half-knowing the truth. You get all idealist and convince yourself that we''re the viins in every story. Without us, Yhet wouldn''t even be alive today. The predecessors of my bosses bought the hunting ground and left the Sasquatch with the goal of repopting so they could be studied safely. But they''re so slow growing and maturing¡­ there just weren''t enough of them left. Add to that the germs humans brought into Thana, and the natural conflicts that arise between Chimera and end in death¡­ now we just have Yhet. His race will die with him, and that''s a tragedy. Yet, what can we do? We''ve tried to replicate him and had no luck at all."


    Sasha scowled. "What does that have to do with Zev, and the females, and us not taking their letters?"


    They were only fifty feet from therge door into the barn, but Nick stopped in the middle of the trail and turned to face her. Sasha stopped too, folding her arms against the piercing gaze of the man Zev called father, but that she was growing to hate for his smug, self-satisfied attitude alone.


    "I''m trying to get you to see that you don''t understand everything that''s going on here. You don''t understand every sess we''ve had, every life we''ve saved. And you sure as hell don''t understand our failures."


    "So you admit you''ve failed them, then?"


    "Of course!"


    "Then¡­" Sasha trailed off, hands on her head. "I''m so confused. What are we arguing about?"


    Nick''s face went very serious. "I''m about to take you into a ce that is going to¡­ disturb you. And I''m asking you to consider that just because something doesn''t work for you as a human being, that just because it doesn''t appeal to your or your sense of right, doesn''t mean it''s bad for everyone, or everything."


    Sasha stared at him. "What are we doing, Nick?"


    He dropped his chin, but held her eyes. "I''m going to take you into the breeding arena, and you''re going to see that this isn''t what you think. And then¡­ then we''re going to go see the sanctuary. If you''re going to be Alpha, Sasha, if you''re going to make this work, you have to understand everything we''re doing. And you have to be on board. Because the men I work for aren''t going to entertain your sensibilities. We''re here to do a job, and we''re going to do it, with or without you."


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 Chapter 275 - Agitation

    WANT A MASS RELEASE? If this book stays in the Top 10 for Golden Tickets for the month of March, I''ll do a big mass release for ALL readers to start the new month. So, whether you buy privilege in April or not, you''ll receive extra chapters! Thank you for ALL your support. You''ve been amazing! (Added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~ </strong>


    As dinnertime approached the healer''s building slowly emptied around Zev.


    The Alphas had all left two hours earlier. Some of the others had hung around, but Zev had grown drowsy. Thest thing he knew, he was having an easy chat with Jhon¡ªwho was very clearly trying to keep his mind upied so he wouldn''t think about Sasha¡ªbut then he startled and suddenly the light in the room had changed, his heart was pounding, and he was alone.


    Zev sat up quickly, only barely wincing at the pain in his side. It was improving, he thought with relief. But his heart was beating so hard and his adrenaline was up. He fought the urge to shift¡ªthe healers were convinced it might reopen his wound.


    What had frightened him? Where was the threat?


    He looked around, keeping his breathing as low as he could so he could listen, but with his pulse thrumming in his ears, he was struggling.


    He couldn''t hear or scent anything bad. So why did his body want him to scream?


    Then he looked up, saw the low ceiling and his breath stopped.


    It was happening again.


    Zev sighed and dropped his face in his hands. But breathing his own breath only made the feeling worse, so he raised his head again, then slowly, carefully got out of the bed and walked across the floor to open the door. There was a window he could see from his bed, but he needed the fresh air.


    The air outside was bracing, but not too cold, even when he wasn''t wearing a shirt. And he could breathe so much easier.


    "Fuck it," he muttered and went back to the bed, pulled off a fur to throw carefully around his shoulders, then stepped back outside, onto the porch, to lower himself to the top step and look out at the clearing beyond the building.


    He could breathe. Sitting here, with trees and open space, he could breathe.


    He watched the sun dip below the trees to the east, watched the shadows slowly engulf the clearing, and he was still sitting there thirty minutester when the healer came rushing to the door, then blew out a breath when he found Zev sitting there.


    "You scared me," the big male said.


    "I needed air," Zev replied without looking up at him. "But I''m d you''re here. I have a request."


    The male''s scent became wary. "What is it?"


    "I want to sleep in my cave tonight. I''ll rest better¡ªand I need the rest, right? That''s the best aid for my healing?"


    "Yes, but only when you''re resting in a healthy environment¡ªand you don''t have to hurt yourself to get there."


    "I can''t sleep in these walls," Zev growled. "I wake in a panic and¡­ I just can''t. I''m asking for permission, please, to let me sleep where I can truly rest. I''ll return here in the morning."


    "I don''t know, Zev¡­"


    Zev finally turned his head away from thete afternoon light and met the male''s eyes. He stood in the doorway, a thick-bodied Owl, his eyes such a light brown they were almost gold. He was probably the same age as Zev, but like most owls there was something about him that made him seem older.


    "It''s Allory, right?" Zev asked quietly.


    The male nodded.


    "Allory¡­ I can''t sleep here. It''s going to make me crazy. I''m not trying to hurt myself. Believe me, I want to heal. But I promised my mate¡ªthe Alpha¡ªthat I would follow healers'' orders. So I''m asking you, please, to have somepassion. Let me sleep in my cave, then return here during the day. I''m already feeling better, stronger. So much stronger than I was this morning. Tomorrow I''ll be even better¡ª"


    "That''s exactly when things be dangerous," Allory said. "When your body feels better, but you don''t understand the limits that you have. You will tire extremely quickly, and even if your wound has closed, it isn''t as strong as your flesh. You risk opening it again¡ª"


    "I''m not asking to be active, but to rest somewhere else than this hellhole!" Zev snapped, then caught himself. Raking a hand through his hair, he shook his head. "I''m sorry, I''m sorry. I just¡­ I need to get out of here."


    Allory stared at him for a long moment, then sighed. "Stay here for a minute."


    Then the male disappeared inside. He was gone for several minutes, so long that Zev nearly went back in to see what the male was doing. But when he did reemerge a minuteter, he threw Zev''s fur jacket at him and waited for him to put it on. Allory held a thick roll on a string, and a canvas bag in his other hand. "Show me where your cave is," he said quietly. "I''ll see."


    Half an hourter, though normally it would only take Zev a little more than half that to make the trip on human legs, they made the final climb up the trail to his cave.


    Zev was doing his best not to pant, but the truth was, his body was desperate for rest already and his side was beginning to ache. But he pushed on, relieved when they finally rounded the t to the cave opening and walked inside.


    Someone¡ªprobably Yhet, or Kyelle¡ªhad been in there to clean up while they''d been on solitude. Zev''s heart pinched with gratitude when he found fresh flowers, only just beginning to droop on a small table next to the furs. The furs had been shaken and beaten clean, and there was a locked box of dried meats and fruit.


    Someone had thought they''d return here after the solitude and had done their best to make it weing for Sasha. Zev made a mental note to find out who and to thank them.


    The furs called his name, but he forced himself to stay on his feet as he scanned the cave, then looked to Allory.


    "I will eat. I will sleep. And tomorrow, I''ll return to the healer''s center."


    Allory walked to the circle of rocks that sat around the bowl they used for a fire pit, let the heavy roll slide from his shoulder, and ced the canvas bag on the stone floor.


    "One condition," he said. "You have to let me change your dressing, watch you eat dinner, and stay until you should be sleeping. And I''m going to post a guard at the cave mouth to stop othersing to disturb you when you''re resting."


    Zev''s lips twisted against a smile. "Who does the guard have to be?"


    "Which of your friends is the most obnoxiously protective?"


    Zev snorted. "Skhal, hands down."


    Allory grinned. "Then Skhal it is."


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 Chapter 276 - Missing You

    <strong>~ ZEV ~ </strong>


    The walk had taken more out of him than he expected. Not wanting Allory to change his mind, Zev stayed on his feet, ate some of the dried beef, and made small talk with the male. But soon he became light-headed and to make an excuse toy down, suggested he build the fire early. Allory watched him closely, but encouraged him to go ahead.


    Sighing with relief, and only wincing when he had his back to the healer, Zev got down on the stone next to the fire pit and took his time building and lighting the fire, pleased when it was crackling merrily.


    He hadn''t realized he was feeling chilled, until the warmth of the mes washed over him. But then all he wanted to do was sink into the furs, pull them over his head, and sleep.


    He battled through the urge for another half hour, but when his head began to ache, he gave up. "I need toy down," he muttered, crawling the few feet to the furs, stripping off, keeping his teeth clenched against chattering as the cold seemed to invade his bones.


    Allory shook his head. "I wondered when you''d stop being stubborn."


    Zev froze in the act of pulling back the furs. "You knew?"


    The male grinned. "I wanted to see whether you''d actually pass out, or be smart enough to admit how tired you were. I''m d you admitted it. If you''d passed out first, I would have had to insist that you not stay here for another couple of days until I could be certain you wouldn''t hurt yourself."


    Zev opened his mouth, but Allory pped a hand at him. "Just rest. I''ll stay until moonlight, then leave some broth warming next to the fire. If you wake hungry, drink that before eating anything solid. You may still have issues with your stomach for a day or two."


    Zev sank into the furs gratefully. "Thank you," he said, his eyes already half closed. "I''ll do that."


    He thought he''d fall asleep immediately, as soon as his head hit the furs, but as he snuggled in to find warmth, he caught a faint trace of Sasha''s scent still on the furs from night here when he''d first been acknowledged.


    The smell cut him like a de, slicing his skin open and baring his chest. His breath caught like the stab of pain was real.


    With a groan that he prayed Allory would think was just relief, he buried his face in that side of the furs, inhaling deeply to catch any trace of her on the fur. His mind danced with images of Sasha during the solitude¡ªsmiling, sleepy, sensual¡­ Zev swallowed hard and reached for her instinctively through the bond, only to find the ce where she should be in his chest and in his mind, hollow and aching.


    The pain of it stole his breath again.


    Where was she? At the headquarters. He would have gambled his life on it. It''s the only ce Nick would have felt certain she couldn''t contact anyone they didn''t want her in touch with. And the only ce the Board would have feltfortable gathering to meet her.


    He didn''t doubt that Nick''s summary of what was needed was real. He didn''t doubt that they wanted the Alpha there, to pin them down and make sure they''d work in alignment with the Board¡ªor force them to.


    But they wouldn''t have reckoned on his resourceful, intelligent mate.


    You''ve got this, Sash, he breathed down the bond, though it blew away from him and echoed into nothing.


    His pride in her, his certainty was short lived. Just because he knew where she would be didn''t mean he knew what state she was in.


    Nick''s treatment of her would be directly influenced by what she said and how she behaved. As long as he believed he could convince her¡ªby whatever means¡ªto work with them, he''d be amodating and open. But the moment it became clear that she was resisting¡­


    A tiny whine rolled out of his throat.


    She was probably in one of the apartments. As long as she hadn''t done anything crazy, they''d let her sleep in a bed. But what if she''d tried to free the females immediately? What if they''d caged her? Or worse?


    Was shefortable? Warm enough? Was she in pain?


    Zev didn''t know, and it was going to kill him. Now that he was in a ce he could rx, and there were no distractions, suddenly the beckoning abyss of sleep didn''t seem quite so appealing.


    What if Sasha returned and he didn''t hear her?


    What if she returned and the bond didn''t reconnect?


    What if she was dead and he didn''t even know it?


    No, she couldn''t be, he reminded himself as his heart began to pound painfully again. If she''d died, he would have died too.


    He found an oddfort in that. It was something he could know with certainty, at least. But also¡­ also it meant that if she left this ne of existence, he would go with her.


    Assuming they even went to the same ce.


    Tormented by a sudden image of himself, lifted out of this life, but torn from her, Zev whine again.


    "Are you in pain?" Allory asked quietly,passionately.


    "Not the kind you can do anything about," Zev rumbled. He didn''t raise his head from the furs. Didn''t want the male to see the vulnerability in his eyes.


    There was silence for a long moment, then Allory sighed. "My mate was taken three years ago," he said quietly.


    Zev''s heart sank. "I''m so sorry, Allory," he said hoarsely, rolling over in the furs to face the man. "If I''d had any idea¡ª"


    "I''m not telling you that because I''m angry or ming you, Zev. I''m telling you because¡­ because I know how it feels to have your mate torn from you. I know how that feels."


    Zev blew out a breath. "Does it ever ease? This¡­ ache?"


    Allory shook his head. "No. Honestly. But you get better at amodating it."


    Zev sighed. "I wouldn''t wish this on any male."


    Allory shrugged. "So many of us share it, Zev. Let us help you. We''re walking the same path. I pray yours proves different to ours. That your mate is returned quickly."


    The generosity of the man, when Zev had been an active part of his mate being stolen, made Zev want to weep. "Thank you," he rasped.


    It took minutes before he could inhale without pain, but when he finally did, as his body began to rx, pulling him towards sleep, Zev lifted this new friend to the Creator and begged for the man to be blessed.


    <i>Bring his mate back.</i>


    <i>Bring my mate back.</i>


    <i>Please?</i>


    <i>Because even if you don''t love me, I know you love her.</i>


    <i>Take care of her now, please, while I can''t. Keep her safe¡­</i>

 Chapter 277 - The Stables

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Walking into the building, Sasha was reminded more and more of barn. The floors were cement where they entered and continued forward in a long, very wide corridor. But both sides were lined not by walls and doors, but by what Nick referred to as stables. Which was just a pretty name for cages, Sasha realized, her stomach dropping.


    The bottom half of the wall was solid, a t, slick material that Sasha couldn''t identify. The top half were bars made of the same, slick material¡ªits surface looked almost oily. The bars ran a good fifteen feet into the air where they met with a ceiling, too high to reach for anyone other than Yhet. There was a weight to it, though, as if the space above was a loft or some kind of room. Looking up from in front of the cages, Sasha couldn''t see anything above it.


    Nick led her straight to the nearest stable and leaned on the half-door. Sasha was wary, afraid of what she might see. But as she peered over the door it was with horror at what this all meant, but relief that there was no living thing within it.


    The stable was a cell. Some kind of spongy pad lined the floor. There was a bed, a sink, and a toilet. The interior walls and bars were still the same material she''d observed from the outside.


    Nick caught her examining it and smiled. "You won''t have seen that before. It''s an alloy we developed¡ªhalf metal, half stic. Zero friction. It literally sheds¡­ everything. Dust won''t stick to it. Insects can''tnd on it. If you grab it, you won''t be able to get any purchase. Helps us keep everything clean and¡­ contained.


    Sasha''s stomach twisted.


    She put a hand up to one of the bars to feel it and wanted to shudder. It was so slick under her palm it felt wet¡ªyet when she took her hand away, there was nothing. She tried grabbing the bar and pulling on it, but her hand just slid down its surface as if she''d yanked on air.


    "See?" Nick said, sounding pleased with himself. "It''s still in patent, so we haven''t made it avable to the public yet. But trust me, it''s going to make us a fortune when we do."


    "To what purpose?" Sasha asked faintly, certain she didn''t want to hear the answer.


    "Anything you want to keep sure. Fencing, doors, cages¡ªyou name it. The prison system alone¡­" he trailed off, leaving the thought unfinished. But Sasha could see it in her mind.


    She''d never feltfortable with the imprisonment of human beings for anything less than violent behavior. Looking at this cell, she found herself in the strange, dual position of findingfort in the idea that certain people would never free themselves. And utter terror that it would be used against the innocent.


    Correction, was being used against the innocent.


    Sasha turned away suddenly. "I don''t want to be here."


    "None of us want to be here, Sasha," Nick said darkly, but he stepped away from the cell and started back down the wide corridor. "Sometimes we have to do things we don''t like to achieve ends that are worth the hassle."


    Sasha didn''t answer. Inside she wanted to scream at this man that no ends were worth imprisoning innocent people against their wills! But she remembered the cameras and the listening devices, and the purpose she had and stayed silent as if she were considering what he said.


    They continued walking, Nick describing when and how the stables were used. "When there''s a medical need, obviously. Or reason for observation. We can separate a Chimeran out and bring them here. And when we''re mating. We iste the females here in the days prior to their ovus, so there''s no chance of them being mated by the wrong male, or at the wrong time."


    Sasha''s stomach rolled over and for a moment she thought she might be sick. "You''re¡­ you''re housing the females with males?"


    Nick shook his head. "We have only a small male poption here in our world, Sasha. And mostly children. There''s only a few adult males we''ve made who exhibit attributes we want to exploit in the bloodlines. There''s a very small number that we brought out of Thana more recently. But the sexually mature males are all housedpletely separately from the females. There''s no mixing between them."


    "Then¡­ what would you be keep females away from, to stop them having sex?" She couldn''t believe those words were evening out of her mouth.


    Nick gave her a look like she was being na?ve again. "I told you, Sasha, the men I work for are ruthless. If they want something, they take it. And they have a habit of hiring others who think simrly. But these men are also very practical. The females are incredibly valuable. All I had to demonstrate to them was that if we didn''t keep the females under surveince, when their breeding instincts kicked in, they would allow human males to disy for them. Chimera can''t bond with humans, so the females who''d sought this union were dying left and right, their instincts seeking the bond, but their bodies incapable of it¡ªyet they''d desire no one beyond the male who''d taken them. It was a shit show. I got it stopped. I thought you''d approve."


    Sasha''s head spun. "I don''t understand¡ªChimera can bond with humans. Zev and I¡ª"


    "Wake up, Sasha! Zev is different! Why aren''t you listening?" He turned on her and Sasha braced, standing to face him, her hands clenched to fists. "With the exception of Zev, Chimera have sex with only one male or female their entire lives. When they begin a sexual rtionship, they''re bonded. For life. We were able to¡­ adjust that gene in Zev, so his brain and body didn''t respond the way the others did."


    "Adjust it? Remove it, you mean. You changed him. He''s¡­ unnatural!" it was justing home to her that Zev was always supposed to be hers, but they''d almost stolen this. From both of them.


    But Nick just huffed as if he was losing his patience. "Zev is nothing but unnatural, Sasha. I know you love him¡ªand believe me, he adores you. But no matter which way you slice it, he''s only here because of me, because of this team of people. And without us, the two of you would never have met.. So whether you like the choices we made or not doesn''t even factor in."

 Chapter 278 - Choices

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    "Your choices might be out of my control," Sasha snarled. "But you call Zev your son. You try to make out as if you care about you. But you also told him he couldn''t form the bond at all, and that''s clearly been a lie! He wasn''t looking for me, Nick. We found each other. But he wasn''t looking."


    "No, when we told Zev that, we believed it was true. He was given to have sex with a handful of females when he reached sexual maturity, and he didn''t bond with any of them. We thought we''d finally struck gold. But none of them got pregnant. So the next step was to see if he could reproduce with human females. But it started to be clear that he wasn''t just sexually attracted to you, that he was bonding¡ªeven before you two slept together. We tried to hold him off, we were scrambling. Trying to decide whether to let that happen and bring you into this, or to stop the rtionship altogether and see if he''d develop it with someone else in a different environment. But then you both surprised us. We had to remove him to figure out what we were going to do. We didn''t intend, at that point, to keep him away from you for so long, but we needed time and space to figure out exactly what we were doing."


    "But you said¡ª"


    "Sasha, our ns change constantly. Every new piece of information, every new event, the goalposts shift. We started on this road to make super-soldiers. Right now we''re trying to improve the entire human race. Who knows where we''ll be next year? But I can tell you where we won''t be: If we don''t figure out how to make more like Zev, we won''t be anywhere. They''ll scrap this entire project and start again because¡ª"


    "Stop, just stop! You''re talking in circles! Stop trying to deflect!" Sasha snapped. Nick eyed her carefully, folding his arms, waiting while she wed her hands into her hair. "I''m not going to let you turn this conversation away from my real questions, Nick," she said a momentter, slightly calmer, but her heart still pounding. "Tell me why the females have to be kept isted."


    Nick''s lips thinned. "You haven''t been around a fertile Chimeran female. And when I tell you this, you''re going to think I don''t see their humanity, and I do."


    "Just answer the fucking question!"


    Nick sighed. "Right now, you''re feeling agitated, right? Your heart''s pounding, your mind is running faster than usual, your adrenalin is pumping¡ª"


    "Nick! Answer the question!"


    "I am!" he snapped. "But I have to put it into parameters you can understand. Am I right? Are you feeling like your body wants to¡­ do something?"


    "Yes!"


    "That''s because you''re starting to feel threatened and when that happens your entire physiology changes. The part of your brain that drives you when youre under extreme stress is called the Amygd¡ªit''s¡­ it''s ironically what is often referred to as your animal brain. Your instincts. Fight, flight, or freeze. It''s your survival instinct, okay?"


    "Whatever."


    Nick rolled his eyes. "So for you, when you''re afraid or stressed, your decisions and instincts are driven by that part of your brain. It will take over when it perceives that you''re under threat, and it will do whatever it takes to get you back to safety. It''s your biological safety valve." He tapped her temple and Sasha jerked away, but he didn''t press forward. "The thing is, for the Chimera, that piece of their brain is different. They ess it a lot more, and not only under stress. It gets kicked into gear by different things. Not just fear. Not just danger. But by any process of their natural existence that requires their instincts. Hunting. Protection of their young. Reproduction," he said, emphasizing thest word.


    Sasha set her jaw, waiting. She wouldn''t let him turn her head away from this again.


    Nick held her gaze and his jaw tightened too. "When a Chimeran female enters the part of their cycle where they''re fertile, it''s instinct to mate," he said tightly. "And when you add that to an environment where they feel under stress, the instinct enters¡­ hyperdrive."


    Sasha had a feeling she was starting to see where this was going.


    Nick took another deep breath and when he continued his tone was softer. "We observed early on that, especially in the younger females, they sought to breed. And if they didn''t have a choice, their instinct became to¡­ entice whatever male they had ess to."


    Sasha gritted her teeth. "If you''re going to try and make me believe that Chimeran females are promiscuous and you''re just saving them from themselves¡ª"


    "No! No. Hear me out," Nick said, raising his hands to soothe her. "What I''m saying it, it''s instinct for them to seek a mate and reproduce. And something about being isted from males gives some kind of boost to that instinct. So females who might have been taking the time to consider their options when they were on Thana, suddenly became¡­ desperate to be mothers. I mean truly desperate, Sasha. Everything in their bodies drove them towards males. It was something they couldn''t control any more than you could control the reflex to scream when you''re startled, or duck when something flies towards your head. Do you understand me? Their brains and bodies drove them to find a mate. And that meant that if there weren''t good choices around, they''d choose someone¡­ insufficient."


    The picture he painted was so sad¡­ but Sasha shook her head. She had no clue whether to believe him or not. Normally she was good at picking liars, but with every word that came out of his mouth she became more confused about whether he was just a sick guy telling her the truth, or an even sicker guy making this shit up.


    Her head spun. "Tell me," she demanded. "Tell me what this has to do with me."


    Nick''s expression suddenly turnedpassionate. Sasha wanted to p his face.


    *** TRIGGER WARNING! ***


    The chapter following this one, titled "Don''t Lie to Me" depicts a pair of wolves entering a "natural" mating ritual, but Sasha''s thoughts and narration on what is happening between them, and the human minds inside the wolves could be disturbing or triggering for some. If you''ve read Zev''s ount of the breeding arena and don''t wish to see Sasha''s, you can skip the following chapter without losing any important twists in the plot. Simply swipe right to bring up the chapter list and select the following chapter "Don''t Lie to Me" manually and read forward from there! (This notice was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 279 - Reality Check

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    "I''m going to do better than tell you," Nick said, his voice low and gruff. "I''m going to show you." Then he turned on his heel and started walking again. "Come on," he called back to her without turning to make sure she was following. "The Arena''s just up here."


    Sasha looked around, at the cages, and the unknown materials they were made of. It was all so surreal. And with each step they took, the picture just got darker.


    She wanted to cry, and throw up her hands and run away. She wanted to make someone else deal with this. Put it on someone else''s shoulders to figure out how to get around such an insurmountable enemy. But she knew she couldn''t.


    So, feet heavy with dread, she trotted after Nick, catching up with him before he reached the end of the wide stable corridor.


    When they reached what she''d initially thought was a wall at the end, with some signs on it, Nick still didn''t turn to look at her, but he started exining as he lifted his card to the sensor at the end of thest cell, and suddenly the wall began to softly rumble.


    "When the females are almost ready to mate, they''re brought here to the stables, then when their dayes, we bring them in here," he said, watching the massive wall slide back. Sasha swallowed convulsively as the doorway widened to reveal an almost circr area right behind it. It really did look like an arena: Thick sawdust covered the wide circle which was bordered by high walls made of that terrible material again. But behind those walls, rows of seats rose almost to the high, arched ceiling on three sides. As they stepped inside, Sasha craned her neck to look around. There was nothing but seating¡ªbleachers¡ªaround the arena to her sides and behind her. But straight ahead arge box, like something she''d seen at sports stadiums¡ªwith walls, and massive window at the front, and its own lighting. Probably other things inside it, too, but she couldn''t see anything except that it existed.


    This was a¡­ viewing room?


    Nausea pushed at Sashas throat. She had to swallow again and again.


    "Why do you need all these seats?"


    Nick looked around. "Oh, that''s not for the breeding," he said casually. "We keep as few people involved in that as possible, so we don''t interrupt the process. We have other kinds of gatherings and events here. It''s a functional space."


    Sasha wanted to ask, but before she could find the courage, Nick ushered her to the right where a sensor was installed flush in the circr wall. He held his card to it until the beeped, then clicked, and a portion of the wall swung out a few inches. He led her through to a stairwell on the other side, pulling it closed behind them until it clicked.


    Soon they were seated in front of therge room that was walled in at the top. Sasha could see a couple people moving within it, but they hadn''t turned on the lights, and it was shadowed.


    "Stay as quiet as you can," Nick said, his voice lowered as Sasha became aware of sounds underneath the floor of where they sat. "These two areing from the other barn. They''re a little more sensitive. We don''t want to disturb them."


    Sasha just nodded, but found herself biting the inside of her cheek as another section of wall directly below where they sat, swung out wide and a momentter a massive wolf padded out, swinging its head left and right, then trotting a circle, sniffing the walls, ears forward and tail low.


    "That''s the male," Nick whispered. "He''s looking for her. But they bring him in first so she won''t get distracted by the handlers."


    Sasha felt the frown pulling her face down. She didn''t know what to say, because the wolf, though not as dark or asrge as Zev, still reminded her of when he''d shifted in front of her. The thick, shaggy shoulders, the markings on the face. The eyes¡ªthis wolf''s eyes were gold, though¡ªthat seemed to catch everything, and dismiss it, and move on.


    This had been Zev. For three years. This was what they''d put him through.


    There was another sound, a high whine from under the bleachers, then another wolf emerged from the wall. Far more cautious¡ªshe walked, rather than trotted. She was smaller, and a strange blonde-brown. But her tail and ears were high and although she crept in, looking back and forth, obviously searching for enemies, when she caught sight of the male, she stopped dead.


    Then, with a small huff, she darted forward.


    Sasha stayed there, stomach churning with nausea, mind trying desperately to absorb what was happening as they watched the two dance and flirt. The male following her, brushing against her body, attempting to mount her more than once. She would dance forward, even growl or snap at him. But always return as soon as he stopped.


    She was flirting.


    Sasha didn''t know what to make of it. To her eyes, she watched a wildlife documentary. Two animals acting on instinct, drawing closer to each other, until finally¡­


    Sasha turned away when the femaley didn''t run from him, when she lifted her tail and stayed her ground.


    This wasn''t just animals. She knew that. There were human minds inside those bodies. Hearts with feelings and fears and¡­


    And Zev had been here. Done this. With countless females.


    Suddenly the soaring ceiling and echoing space didn''t matter. She felt it all closing in on her. The small yips and growls from the arena spiked her nausea until she gagged.


    "I''m going to be sick," she whispered, covering her mouth and swallowing hard. "I have to get out of here."


    Nick looked at her, watched her almost lose her stomach when the male yipped again, then muttered something and got to his feet, leading her along the aisle, hurrying as she pleaded with him. But it was toote. Much toote.


    She was years toote.


    And her body rebelled against the thought.

 Chapter 280 - Don鈥檛 Lie To Me

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    As they passed the walled in room, Sasha caught sight of another of those trash cans and she knew she wasn''t going to make it out of this ce.


    Throwing the lid back, she bent over it, her body purging and heaving. She tried to be quiet, though she couldn''t have said why. She wanted nothing more than to interrupt those two in the arena. To stop them from having to go through with this.


    But then Nick''s words came back to her.


    <i>Desperate. The females were desperate. For mates and families.</i>


    <i>They wanted this.</i>


    She shook her head and heaved again.


    This was wrong. This was all just so wrong.


    How was she ever going to stop this from happening? These people made the Chimera!


    As her body finally emptied itself and she sagged over the trash can, panting, swallowing, waiting to see if there was anything left, despair washed over her.


    This was impossible. These people¡­ what they did¡­


    How was she ever going to defeat them?


    When she finally trusted her stomach to stay in one ce, she stood up and, without meeting eyes with Nick, followed him past the boxed in room, to another stairwell behind it that descended into the dark.


    Her body shed a warning¡ªshe was walking into the unknown, the dark, in this ce where these men did these horrible things and had no ountability¡­


    But she just shook her head at herself. What did it matter?


    It hit her then that no matter what she did or said, the moment these people recognized that she was trying to deceive them, or work around them, they would simply kill her.


    She would have no choice in it. Probably not even time to respond.


    So she followed Nick, down into the dark. He flipped on a light at the bottom of the stairs, then led her down another, very narrow hallway, muttering to himself. She ignored him. Her entire body trembled. Her knees felt like they wanted to give out on every step.


    And her head spun.


    I''m so sorry, Zev, she whispered in her mind, wishing so desperately that he could hear her. She put a hand to her chest, to that spot where he had been a part of her, cradled it with the t of her palm. I''m so sorry. I didn''t realize.


    *****


    An hour and another showerter¡ªa shower in which she''d sobbed for twenty minutes straight¡ªSasha sat on the thick sofa in the small apartment Nick had assigned her. He''d ducked out to get her something sweet to drink. She wondered if the door would open if she used her card or if he''d locked her in.


    She decided she didn''t want to know, and stayed in her seat, staring at the door.


    She was weak. She was scared, and tired, and missing Zev, and terrified that she''dpletely misjudged her own ability to handle this¡­ ce.


    But she was also here, and had no choice. She''d started down this path, and there were only two ways out of it¡ªthrough these men, or killed by them. She was certain of that now.


    Nick had watched those two wolves breed like it was a boring ss assignment. If he, who imed to care about Zev, who imed to be invested in the safety of the Chimera and fighting to keep them alive¡ªif that man waspletely calloused about the things that were being done to them here, imagine what the others must be like? The men who threatened to just wipe the te clean?


    When Nick returned with a bottle of the cranberry juice she''d requested, and a six pack of ginger beer that she hadn''t, she didn''t say anything. She watched him put the ginger beer in the fridge, then pour her a ss of the shiny red juice.


    Then he walked over to stand in front of her and offer it to her.


    She took it gratefully. She needed something pte cleansing. But she didn''t know what to say. She had so many questions, and was so terrified of the answers.


    Nick just stood in front of her while she sipped the juice and waited. She wasn''t sure whether to be grateful for his thoughtfulness, or creeped out.


    "I need to know," she said faintly, finally.


    "Know what?"


    She raised her head and met his eyes. "Do you realize that those women are being raped?"


    Nick gaze didn''t even waver. "No, they aren''t. I''ll admit, we''re exploiting their instincts, but they only enter the arena if¡ª"


    Rage red in Sasha''s chest, and she was grateful for it. It made her feel stronger. "Cut the bullshit maniption, Nick. You said you were an honest man."


    Nick''s eyes red with anger and he raised an eyebrow, but started talking. "Those females you met? When we were trying to breed Zev, they were in the pool. They were desperate to make babies. Desperate, Sasha. Begging for it. Literally. They willingly came to the stables. They willingly entered the breeding arena with Zev. Because everything in them was driving them to it. Don''t me them, Sasha. But don''t me us, either. We did the right thing, keeping them out of the hands of other men. They would have bonded with whoever took them. And they would have offered themselves because their instincts told them that was the only way to build a family¡­ We learned that the hard way."


    When Sasha just stared at him, Nick shook his head. "Don''t judge me, Sasha. We could have used that against them. You get that, right? What men will do when women offer themselves? We protected them from that. This is a piece of themselves that even they don''t understand. When they were taken out of their natural environment, it changed how they reacted to the world. So we brought them here to keep them from putting themselves in a worse position."


    Sasha stood up, toe-to-toe with him and didn''t give him space. "I''m d you''re protecting your assets," she hissed. "But don''t expect me to congratte you on treating them "better" when you''re the one who put them in that position in the first ce."


    They stared at each other for a long, cold second, then Nick''s eyes narrowed and he tilted his head. "I thought I understood why it was you, for Zev," he said quietly. "But I think I was wrong."


    Sasha snorted. "If I''m certain of anything, Nick, it''s that you''re wrong. Very, very wrong."


    She wasn''t sure how she''d expected him to respond to that, but it wasn''t with a loud, heartyugh.


    **** WANT TO BE A MODERATOR? ****


    If you''re an active reader who likes toment and you''d be interested in having a moderator role here on All for this book, please email me on or private message me on any social media you follow me on.


    The role likely won''t create any work for you, but there will be responsibilities in the event that I get sick, thements go crazy, or when I go on vacationter this year.. (Added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 281 - Get It Together

    If you enjoy music while you''re reading, try "Heart of the Darkness" by Tommee Profitt and Sam Tinnesz. It''s what I listened to while writing this and the next chapter.


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    "You can''t meet them like this," Nick said a minuteter after he''d finishedughing, his voice quiet, but firm.


    "Meet who?"


    "The decision makers."


    Shit. She''d forgotten about that. She grimaced and took another drink from the ss. Nick stared down at her but did step back so she had more space. She was grateful. It gave her a moment to think.


    "Actually," she said after a moment, "if anything this has just convinced me I need to talk to them more."


    Nick''s eyes narrowed. "How so?"


    "Because they''re the only ones who can let me get the females out of this hellhole," she said, meeting his eyes with a lot more courage than she felt.


    Nick sighed like he was disappointed. "You''re not seeing this clearly at all."


    "Yes, I am."


    "No," he said pointedly, "You''re not. You need to understand that having them here, using them for experimentation is what''s keeping them alive."


    "How can you say that? Did you not see those females in that second apartment? They are falling apart at the seams, Nick. You''re killing them! And I''m guessing your domesticated Chimera might be a little healthier because they aren''t being haunted by a missing bond, but there''s something desperately wrong there too. You''re killing these women!"


    "They aren''t women, they''re females."


    "Who cares what word we use¡ªyou''re killing these people!"


    "They aren''t pe¡ª"


    "Nick, for fuck''s sake. They are intelligent beings with feeling and hearts and emotions, and they''re going to die if they stay here!"


    "They''re going to die if they don''t stay here. So how long do you want to keep them alive?"


    Sasha''s head jerked back. "What?"


    "I''m trying to tell you, Sasha, those females are only alive at all because they''re needed. You can''t forget the goal here: The goal is to improve the entire human race. Project Abraham is Zev, but Zev is only the beginning. Once we figure out how to make babies that have that blend, once we can get humans reproducing, the entire world changes. You realize that, right? Right now the men I work for believe those females are the link between what Zev is, and what we are. If you steal them away, or convince my bosses that they aren''t needed¡­ they''ll be killed. It''s that simple. They are expensive and time consuming. And as long as they''re providing hope that we''ll get where we''re going, they''re safe. But the minute you remove them from the equation, there''s no more reason to keep them alive."


    Sasha''s jaw went ck.


    Then Nick moved to checkmate. "The same is true for you, you know?"


    Sasha blinked. "What?"


    Nick folded his arms. "The reason you''re here, the reason you''re alive, is because you provide hope. The project is now in phase two. You''ve bonded with Zev. It''s time to see if you''re the doorway we need into phase three."


    She recoiled in horror. "If you think you''re going to put me in the breeding arena¡ª"


    "No, Sasha. Geez. Zev being in the breeding arena was a test¡ªnot just to see if he could get them pregnant, but to see if he could form the bond. But now he''s formed the bond with you. So the next step is to see if you''re two for two. But that''s where things get tricky for you."


    "How?"


    He leaned in. "Because if you can. If you do? And your baby is everything they think it''s going to be¡­ we don''t need the Chimeran females. At all. The game n shifts. Now we need the males. It all circles back, Sasha. As soon as we know the foolproof way forward, any other yers that aren''t necessary to that process¡­ they be an unnecessary drain on resources and time."


    "How can you talk that way about living beings?" Sasha whispered. "You can walk down that hallway and have a conversation with those females! You can connect with them! Make friends with them! They can have lives and mates and families. How can you act like they''re nothing but¡­ but¡­ broodmares?"


    "Because if I don''t, this ce will kill me in a week," Nick snarled, then snapped his mouth closed as if he hadn''t meant to say the words. He shook his head.


    Sasha was stunned. Was it true? Did he have a conscience he was ignoring? Or was it all a ploy to get her to trust him.


    "This is what I meant about findingmon goals, Sasha. It''s not as simple as you think. Because if yourmon goals don''t include another piece of the puzzle, that piece goes in the trash. So¡­ don''t be so quick to decide you''re getting the females out of here. My advice is to focus on you and Zev, and your safety as a couple. The rest¡­ you can work that outter."


    "No," she spat. "No. I am not going to sit here, knowing what these people are going through and just¡­ sit here!"


    "Then you''re going to die, and Zev''s going to be heartbroken, and they''re going to decide he''s useless, and he''ll die too, and you''ve defeated the program, but saved no one, because without him, the rest are done. We start over.


    "You want out of here? You want to be with Zev? Great, then you''re the key. It''s all in your hands, Sasha."


    "How can you even say that?"


    "Because if you''re pregnant, you hold all the cards. If you''re pregnant that''s the most preciousmodity these men have ever encountered. You get a lot of power, then. You get a lot of sway. Maybe¡­ maybe even enough to save some other lives. Who knows?"


    Sasha swallowed. "You think if I get pregnant they''ll let me demand the other females? Back in Thana?"


    Nick shrugged. "Who knows? I know that''s more likely to be sessful than any two-bit n you''re trying to hash up to get into this ce and steal them. So¡­ maybe?"


    "No, Nick. No maybe. If I''m meeting these men, I need to know exactly what will work and how to get them on my side. Tell me: If I''m pregnant, what will it take? What would tempt them to free the females back into Thana?"


    Nick regarded her thoughtfully for a long moment. Sasha held her breath. Then he raised his hands as if he was surrendering. "A straight exchange," he said.


    "Of what?"


    He held her gaze, and his went sharp. "Your baby for their lives. That''s the only thing I can see that would tempt them."


    <i>Absolutely. Fucking.. Not. </i>

 Chapter 282 - Decisions

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha had been allowed to shower again, then change into something a little more refined¡ªNick provided a zer and dark jeans because, he said, the bosses would take her more seriously if she looked a little more put together.


    Sasha had snorted with the ridiculousness of it all, but even as she''d quailed, a steady resolve began a drumbeat in her chest. She had an idea. Vague and uncertain as it was, it was an idea and she held her breath as she and Nick were driven to another area deeper into the forest, then let out of the vehicle in front of the first building that had the refinement Sasha would have expected from men of the sort Nick described.


    She was d he''d given her the zer. She already felt like she was on the back foot with these people. If she''d shown up in a hoodie it would have sucked her powerpletely.


    Now she sat at the table chewing at a breadstick to try and keep her stomach settled, while Nick made small talk with two of the four men they were expecting.


    "¡­and you''re looking well, Sasha. It looks like Thana agreed with you!" She turned to meet eyes with the man who spoke. She''d been introduced but couldn''t remember his name. But he was surprisingly jovial¡ªlike a knock-off Santa us with no hair. He had a shiny dome, but a thick white beard, bright blue eyes that made her stomach clench because they reminded her of Zev, and a round, protruding stomach that was slightly slimmed by his double-breasted suit jacket.


    She wanted to spit in his face, but instead she smiled.


    "Yes, I love Thana," she said carefully, examining every word for potentialndmines. "But I''ve also been learning about your projects here. It''s all very¡­ impressive."


    Santa us smiled and nudged the dark, brooding man next to him. "You see, I told you she was a smart girl."


    The sour puss was much younger, probably barely out of his forties. His ck hair slicked back and barely peppered at the temples with gray¡ªthe kind of gray that made a man look distinguished, rather than old. He was fit, athletic, naturally tan, and he wore dark cks and a trim sweater that hugged his body.


    His eyes were deep-set and he stared out at her as if from twin caves of suspicion. "That''s good to hear, Sasha," he said, his voice a deep drawl. "What, exactly, exceeded your expectations?"


    The level of sheer malice you all bestow on the world, Sasha thought, but didn''t say. "The most surprising thing to me was the technology, I think," she said. "That material that you used in the stables. I didn''t even know that existed. I can see many ways it would be useful in the real world."


    The man put his tumbler of some brown liquor down on the table and tilted his head. "I assure you, Sasha, this world you''re in now is far more real than the one you left."


    Sasha mirrored his head tilt. "Oh? How so?" She''d never sounded more like a Bond Viin in her life. What had these people done to her?


    "Because this is the world where you can see the whole picture," the man said darkly. "From here, you see thefortable fa?ade that you were raised in¡ªthe world that will allow people to live and let live, as long as they don''t interfere. But also, you can see those who are actually important. Most of the yers in your former daily drama were just puppets. Here you walk with people who have actual power."


    He moved to pick up his ss again, but hadn''t dropped her gaze. There was a warning in his eyes, and in his tone.


    Sasha nodded slowly, acknowledging it. "That''s exactly why I describe all this as impressive," she said, waving a hand around at their surroundings. "You people, what you''re doing, the fact that you''ve achieved all of this without the world finding out. It''s mind boggling."


    Sour puss looked like he would question her further, but just then a formal waiter arrived at the side of the table, ushering two more men with him. He pulled out their chairs, took their drink orders, and bowed.


    Sasha was introduced the moment the staff member left, yet she couldn''t retain the names of these two either. But she did study their faces.


    Once everyone had ordered and their food had arrived, conversation turned back to Sasha¡ªwho was slowly sipping soup and chewing more bread. She was worried her stomach might revolt again.


    She could feel their eyes on her, even when she looked down at her bowl. Her skin prickled and she wondered if this was what it was like to be in a zoo. Just sitting there, under eyes. People discussing you as if you didn''t exist, or couldn''t understand.


    It was creepy.


    "So, Sasha, we hear that you''ve been acknowledged as Alpha on Thana. I must say, that was a surprise," Santa us said, waggling his bushy eyebrows. "Your own form of impressive."


    Sasha forced a smile at his reference. "I promise you no one was more surprised than me," she said honestly. "But because they trust Zev, they trust me too, so I''ll do the best job that I can."


    "What about Zev?" Santa us asked casually. "What''s he doing if you''re Alpha?"


    "He''s the Alpha of the wolf n, and my second." She almost spoke about her proposal for a shared leadership, but she didn''t want to give them ideas they didn''t have. She kept her mouth closed.


    "I''ll admit, I have reservations. We''ve never seen any propensity among the Chimera to follow easily, or offer leadership quickly. I struggle to believe that your title of Alpha is genuine," Sour Puss said frankly.


    "You can question it all you like. I can''t deny that I didn''t believe it myself at first. But Nick can tell you¡ªthey submit to me. For them, this is real. I''m not going to let them down. I came because Nick said the Alpha needed toe here, to work with you, for everyone''s safety. So here I am. And I suspect you wouldn''t be here if you didn''t have evidence beyond my word that it was true, so let''s not y games."


    Then she put her spoon down and met eyes with every man at the table, waiting for them to respond.

 Chapter 283 - Expectations

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    There were no other diners in eyeshot, they''d been given a private dining alcove. But suddenly the sounds of the dining room nearby¡ªthe clink of silverware and hum of hushed voices¡ªbecame very loud to Sasha''s ears, because none of the men were speaking.


    Next to her, Nick had gone very still in his seat, but when Sasha turned to meet his eyes, he was scanning the other men. She followed suit and examined each of them in turn.


    From what she could see, none of them were obviously impressed by her little show of backbone. But they weren''t dismissive of it either.


    Santa us was the first to speak. "So you admit that you are an unlikely leader for people like the Chimera?"


    Sasha nodded. "Especially in that environment. I resisted the idea at first¡ªI didn''t feel equipped. But Zev was very clear that keeping some kind of stability, showing a fa?ade of confidence even if I didn''t feel it, was very important. I still have a lot to learn about surviving in Thana. But I have to say, I''m beginning to think holding the reins of power might be morefortable than I thought."


    Nick shot her a warning look, but she wasn''t lying. She just didn''t mean it the way she hoped they''d hear it.


    "Oh, please," Sour Puss muttered. "You''re the least ambitious over-achiever I''ve ever had the tedium to surveil."


    Sasha forced a brittle smile. "I do apologize if your invasion of my privacy was an inconvenient boredom for you," she said through her teeth. "But that wasn''t what I meant."


    Sour Puss''s eyes shed at the anger in her tone. He sat forward, elbows on the table and gestured to her. "Great, then please exin. If it were up to me we wouldn''t even be here. You''d be in the stable and we''d sit back and wait for Zev to show up¡ªbecause all of us know the only true power you hold is over our boy Zev, and if you''re here, he won''t be far behind. Both of you fool yourselves into believing you have any influence that we haven''t handed to you. So let''s be done with the charade shall we? You hold no power¡ªno freedom¡ªthat we didn''t give you. Do you understand that?"


    "Of course," Sasha snapped back. "Nick''s been very clear. That''s why I''m here."


    "Good. Then we have a list of expectations for you. If you agree to abide by them, and give us assurances of exactly how you will do that, we may choose to let you return to Thana under certain restrictions. But that is by no means a given. You will be watched and evaluated for deceit. You are not negotiating from a position of power here, Sasha."


    "Then it sounds like you should let me know what your expectations are, so I can start making ns about how to fulfill them right away," Sasha countered sarcastically.


    Nick rolled his eyes and shook his head, but he didn''t interrupt.


    Sour Puss gave her azy smile. "I see through your bravado."


    "I see through your pretend dis-interest," she shot back.


    Sour Puss''s eyebrows popped up and his smile disappeared. "Well then," he said quietly. "Let''s get to the real reason that we''re all here."


    Sasha''s mouth was dry and her stomach quivering, but she faced this man down. She hadn''t expected him to be the one who would speak for all the others, but none of them¡ªnot even Santa us¡ªseemed inclined to interrupt him, so she assumed he was the final decision maker among them, and gave him her attention.


    As he revealed his list which sounded so broad and predictable on the outside, images popped into her mind time and again of how this had looked for Xar, and where his cooperation had gotten them all.


    Sour Puss sat back in his chair and began his list, toneless and firm, without any question that she would agree.


    Sasha, as Alpha, would take orders. Whenever, and however they chose to deliver them.


    She would be told who to trust, and she would trust only those individuals to bring word from this group of men. She nodded, looking down, making a mental note to be certain whoever these men trusted, no one else could. But Sour Puss went on.


    She would support every decision they made, whether she agreed or not. She would not undermine them with the Chimera.


    She''d visit this facility as often and for as long as they required. She''d also receive their workers in Thana whenever they chose¡ªand she would ensure that the people followed their orders.


    She wouldn''t only answer any questions these men had at any time, she would offer information she learned that could benefit them, even if they didn''t ask.


    And she would, at all times, support their endeavors within Thana, and in her own world. She would not share their secrets, or attempt to thwart any of their actions within Thana, or her own world.


    "¡­In short," Sour Puss said bluntly, "We own you."


    It was a work of sheer will not to swallow. All five men including Nick, were staring at her, measuring her. Even Santa us''s eyes were sharp and assessing.


    "Is that all?" she said lightly.


    "If you''re going to pretend not to take this seriously, this conversation is over," Sour Puss said starkly.


    Sasha dropped her head and let her nervousness show through. He was right that they could see through her bluster. She had to keep them believing that she was frightened, but determined. Which was true. But she also needed them to underestimate her.


    "I believe, as long as you let me keep Zev, and you don''t ask me to actually harm anyone else, I can do those things for you," she said. "But I do have some questions, and some expectations of my own."


    Sour Puss snorted. "You''re not in a position to enforce expectations. Your job here is to listen, and to act¡ªas we tell you to. Then you stay alive. Then you get to live your life. Otherwise, if you can''t, we''ll just bring you here and add you to the breeding pool."


    Sasha visibly shuddered at the idea, and her stomach turned over.


    None of the men reacted.


    "I have some suggestions that I believe would be mutually beneficial," she said faintly. "If you''d humor me."


    Sour Puss looked at the others, then nodded to her. "Go ahead." But just as Sasha was about to open her mouth, he added, "Just don''t waste our time.. Or you''ll have a chance to ask the other females here what exactly happens when we get impatient."

 Chapter 284 - Goals

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    "Please, share your ideas, Sasha." Sour Puss smiled at her. Sasha just stared at him for a moment, before turning to the others and praying that she''d be able to persuade them.


    "Nick has shared your goal with me¡ªfor the¡­ the betterment of humanity in general. That is a goal anyone can get behind, I think. But because I''ve been in Thana, not as a team member, and not as Chimera, but as human they''reing to see as one of them, I think I can add insight into what drives them and how to motivate them. And also¡­ what you''re doing that isn''t working. And I think I can tell you why."


    "And yet, somehow we''ve gotten this far without you," Sour Puss purred.


    Sasha nodded. "But I''d say that you might have had more sess if you''d approached some of these things in different ways. If I''m going to work with you, I''d like to see the Chimeran''s morale grow. I understand the worst of this began with a health crisis, and given what I''ve seen recently, I fear you might be headed for another. But I know how to improve things for everyone. And¡­ and I think I can help you reach your goals faster and easier in the process."


    "So, what are your goals, Sasha?" Santa us asked.


    "Safety for me and Zev, first and foremost," she said without hesitation. "And I do mean true safety: If the Chimera are led by a Pair who are solid and not anxious, they will feel stronger and more certain themselves. Everyone, all the ns will benefit."


    "Trust me, none of us want to see Zev harmed."


    "I think you underestimate the impact of threatening me, in Zev''s world," she said through her teeth. "You''ve used me to manipte and drive him so often, I think you''ve forgotten how willing he was to work with you when you allowed him ess to me.


    "Instead of threatening and stealing me away, what if we were to¡­ meet at the table? Zev could be given some assurance that his bonded Pair is under your protection, rather than at threat of her life. And the same for me¡ªif you agree not to remove Zev again. If you give your word that he won''t be manipted, kidnapped, or coerced into leaving, it would relieve a great deal of stress for me."


    "Perhaps you''ll forgive us if your stress levels aren''t our primary concern."


    "But don''t you see?" she shot back. "They should be¡ªand not just mine, but any female that you''re trying to breed. You would think with all of your research and knowledge you''d understand the impacts that stress can have on the female hormones and physiology. I am honestly stunned to find that you believe keeping females locked up and imprisoned here is or was ever going to lead to healthy offspring. Human beings don''t do well under those circumstances, Chimera are like caged lions. They don''t understand our way of life, and they can''t rx in our environments¡ªjust like we can''t rx in theirs." Her mind tripped back to that night Zev had to leave the tree house because he was feeling too closed in. How much trauma were these females carrying? And no way to escape it, even for a minute? She wanted to growl.


    "You have so much space here. If you''d let the females be free, make their own homes, build their own societies¡­ even engage with the males when they aren''t¡­ in heat," she said, her cheeks pinking. "I think you''d be pleasantly surprised by how much more sessful you''d be over time.


    "But even better, if you could bring them back to Thana¡ªeven Zev noted that the Chimera used to breed and have offspring. That there haven''t been any new babies since the females were taken. You have to see that you''re creating barriers for them, surely? And if you remove my mate from me, or keep us under threat, you''ll do the same for me.


    "I want to have a family too! I may not be physically driven to it like the Chimera. But there''s no more beautiful idea to me than bearing Zev''s babies. Yet, the idea of doing that while staring down the barrel of a gun, or at the tip of a de? You''re insane if you think that''s going to end in fertile, strong women. It simply won''t.


    "You have to let me go back and maintain at least some kind of facade of independence. They had lost their faith in Xar because they saw just how weak he was in your hands. I can feed you information, I can action your goals. But if you don''t let me make them think I''m keeping some kind of distance from you, they won''t trust me, and this whole thing will fall apart."


    She took a deep breath and they all waited. "That''s it," she said eventually. "That''s my goals: Safety for me and Zev, and freedom for the females. Let me make them think we''re independent. That''s it."


    Three of the men chuckled. It was Sour Puss who just stared.


    "That''s a very bold request, Sasha," Santa us said. "I admire your spunk youngdy, but you''re being incredibly na?ve if you believe that we would simple¡­ cast caution to the wind. This project has cost us billions so far. We cannot risk losing all our assets just so that they''re more¡­ happy."


    "Why is it a risk? The females were in Thana until three years ago¡ªeven Nick said that you''ve proven Zev can''t reproduce with any of them. What harm is there in returning them to a ce where they can live happily? And form bonds? You''ll likely gain a lot more Chimera with a lot less work."


    "But not the Chimera we need," Sour Puss snapped. "This isn''t a game. We are attempting to breed to specific gics, specific traits. We can''t leave the results up to the whims of stressed out half-wolves."


    "What Chimera do you need if Zev and I are sessful?" she asked inly. "That''s the goal, correct? Zev? And more like him? Our offspring¡ªand others like ours? Why not allow the Chimera to grow and develop as a people while we¡­ try? Everyone involved¡ªincluding Zev and I¡ªwill be happier and more fertile if you do! Why not give us a couple of years¡ªyou can watch Zev and I, then apply what you learnter to¡ª"


    "What we do is a little bit more than watch," Sour Puss said patronizingly.


    But Sasha wasn''t going to be diverted. "Great. Then tell me how we work through this together. Because the reason I''m here is to work with you. The only thing I won''t do is be a tool for death or harm. You keep the rest of them safe, and I''ll work with you."


    Eyebrows around the table rose.


    "You''re giving your assurance? Your... promise?" Nick asked carefully.


    "If you keep us all safe and I can show some strength to the ns, yes. I already told you I would do it. I want to have a family with Zev. What I don''t want is for our children to be raised in this hellhole. Let us build a life. Build a healthy society. Bring the females back. And if you do¡­. if you do, I will be yourb rat. I''ll do whatever you ask. As long as I don''t have to kill or harm anyone else, you can do whatever you want with me."


    Until the day they''re all in Thana, she added silently to herself. Then I''ll find a way to keep you all out of Chimeran lives forever.

 Chapter 285 - Supplements

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    There was a pregnant pause¡ªSasha almost snorted at her own pun¡ªafter she''d finished speaking, where the four Board members all stared at her. Then one of them nodded.


    She''d expected conversation. Some kind of¡­ she didn''t know, negotiation? But instead, the two men who''d sat there barely speaking both rose from their seats and began their farewells to Santa us and Sour Puss.


    Sasha frowned at them, then looked at Nick.


    "They''re only here to cast votes in the event of a conflict," he said quietly. "But since you agree to be a part of this, they''ll leave the logistics to me, Horace and Nathan."


    Nathan. That was Sour Puss''s name. She tried to make it stick this time. And Santa us was named Horace?


    She cleared her throat. "So they just¡­ believe me?"


    "I told you, Sasha, we can tell when you''re telling the truth. All your indicators are that you mean what you say. I''ll admit, I didn''t think you were thatmitted."


    Committed to what? She''d told them she''d have Zev''s babies and work with them. She''d tried to get them to send the females over to Thana. No one had actually assured her¡ª


    "Is she pregnant?" Nathan said tly, to Nick.


    Nick shrugged. "We''ll take the test in the morning, it''s the most likely time of day to show an urate result."


    Sasha stared at him. "They" wouldn''t be doing anything. She would be taking a test it sounded like.


    "When is her cycle due?"


    Sasha was horrified that the question was directed not at her, but at Nick.


    She was almost sick when Nick responded, "Tomorrow. It''s another reason to wait until then." She gaped at him.


    "I''m not pregnant," she said, then repeated it when the three men still at the table just stared. "I''m not trying to be difficult, I''m just telling you. I think I''d know. And there''s nothing. I''m not pregnant. So you''re going to have to let me go back to Zev to make that happen."


    "We don''t have to do anything," Nathan said darkly.


    Nick pped a hand. "Once we''re certain and we have the details ironed out, we''ll get you back to him, Sasha. Nathan and Horace just need some reassurance and we need to figure out the agreements."


    "I just made an agreement. What else is there to figure out?"


    "What medications you''ll be taking if you aren''t pregnant, and which ones you''ll take if you are," Horace said gently.


    "Medications? I can''t take medications if I''m pregnant! It will hurt the baby!"


    "Not the ones we give you," Nathan snapped.


    Sasha bristled. "I told you I will have his babies¡ªbut do no harm, remember?"


    Nick put a hand to her arm as she leaned over the table towards Nathan. "Sasha, just listen for a moment. If you''re pregnant, your baby is half-Chimeran. And Chimeran offspring have nutritional and hormonal needs that human babies don''t. We won''t be giving you drugs. We will be¡­ supplementing your body. A Chimeran baby is an even higher drain on the mother''s body than a human baby. Chimeran female bodies are designed to fulfill those needs. But yours will need assistance unless you want to get really sick."


    Getting sick seemed unavoidable around these people.


    Sasha was incredibly uneasy. "I don''t know¡­"


    "We''ll go through it when it''s relevant," Nick said.


    "But if you aren''t pregnant, you''ll be taking¡­ supplements that will aide your body in reaching fertility frequently. And with ideal physiological support," Nathan added.


    "I am not taking¡ª"


    "You will take what we prescribe or you will be held, bound to a bed, kept in a cell, and forced to take it. We''ll bring Zev to the breeding arena for you, is that what you want?" Nathan barked.


    Sasha blinked, her heart thrumming in her ears. "No, of course not."


    "Then listen and learn, Sasha. This is not a negotiation. We will listen to you when we believe there is something to gain, but we will not waiver from our chosen course. You have proposed changes to our project that we may decide to adopt under certain circumstances. But if you want any hope of seeing other females alive and healthy in Thana, take your fucking supplements."


    "How will I know they won''t hurt the baby?"


    Nathan rolled his eyes as if she were a frustrating child. "Do you really think that as we walk towards the culmination of decades of work, we wish to harm that baby?"


    "Maybe not intentionally," she spat. "But I''ve seen what you''re doing to the females, keeping them caged and out of their natural environment. Somehow you''ve determined that that''s good for them? How do I know your judgment isn''t equally off on what would be best for my child¡ªin the event that I be pregnant?" she added, intentionally to spite him.


    But Nathan''s eyes snapped to Nick and he pointed across the table. "You haven''t taken her to the Sanctuary yet. You were supposed to do that this afternoon."


    "We had a little¡­ dy after the breeding arena. I''ll take her in the morning."


    "See that you do, I''m sick of listening to this whining about how we treat our females." Nathan turned back to Sasha. "You show strength and intelligence, but you are ying in waters so far over your head, you can''t even see the surface. If you want my advice¡ªand trust me, you do¡ªyour only chance for surviving this with any kind of pleasant oue is to stop making assumptions, and start listening and observing. This Board will hear you when your thoughts are relevant, but we will not sit here to be chastised by a woman who has been in Thana for a week and is in the throes of mating hormones. You have demonstrated your ignorance today. I will forgive it this time because it isn''t your fault that our helpers ran behind schedule. But you will not bring me this bullshit again after you''ve seen what we do here, do you understand me?"


    Sasha''s throat closed. She nodded, but didn''t drop his gaze. "If you don''t make me harm my baby or anyone else, you''ll find me a very hard worker."


    "Good. We''ll eagerly await news of your tests tomorrow. In the event that you are not pregnant, we will discuss the schedule for your supplements, and the provision of them by the team, and then you''ll be allowed to return to Thana. But if you are already carrying Zev''s child, we have many tests and levels we need to establish before we can let you return. So prepare yourself for a dy."


    "Do you want her tested for human hormones, or Chimeran?" Nick asked quietly, as Sasha''s heart rose and fell in a single movement.


    Nathan stared at her for a moment, then answered, "Both. Take no risks. We don''t know how this is going to go. Do both."


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 Chapter 286 - Swerve

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Sasha''s head spun as she and Nick rode in the car back to the building that housed her apartment. She felt like she''d heard things that should make her ecstatic¡ªNathan saying she could return to Thana if she wasn''t pregnant? But for some reason, she couldn''t allow herself to believe it. Even though she was certain she wasn''t pregnant, that Nick''s bluster, while probably true about the people they''d ced in her life and their ess to her, she didn''t see how they could have messed with her hormones without her noticing the changes in her body.


    She prayed, literally prayed, the entire way back, that she was right, and that she wasn''t pregnant.


    Nick was on a small device that looked a lot like a cellphone, or small tablet, but thicker and didn''t seem to be receiving calls as much as messages.


    "That went better than I expected," he said casually, still tapping on the device as they rolled and bounced together in the back of the SUV that was navigating potholes and tree-roots on its way back to the main building.


    "How?" Sasha asked, swallowing against the nausea that still wanted to return, despite her light dinner.


    "Nathan was pissed off, but he was listening. That means he thinks you have a brain in your head. Trust me, it could have gone a lot worse. And he said you could go back to Thana. That was a surprise. I thought he''d leave you hanging on that one, to keep you motivated."


    "I promise you, nothing motivates me more than getting back to Zev."


    "I''m guessing he figured that out, which is why he dangled the carrot. But don''t get too certain about it yet. We still have the test to take in the morning. Two of them."


    "Why two?"


    "Because Chimeran pregnancies are different. We aren''t sure how a half-Chimeran baby will affect your body, so we''re going to test for both markers, just in case."


    "Test, how?"


    "Blood tests, and¡­ just some scrapes and swabs. Don''t worry about it."


    "Scrapes and swabs of what?"


    "Nothing that''s going to harm you or the baby, don''t worry."


    Sasha looked at him, but they were just pulling up to the main building. The headlights of the SUV panning over the face of it. The downstairs office was dark, but there was light showing in the windows upstairs. Apparently Sasha wasn''t the only one using an apartment up there. Nick thanked the driver and got out, opening the door for her so she could let herself down to the gravel, then they entered together.


    As they walked up the stairs and into the hallway at the top, Sasha was rocked with a wave of tiredness. It had been the most overwhelming day, and right on the back of a night of virtually no sleep. Now that she felt like they were done with responsibilities, suddenly, other than to be in Zev''s arms, she wanted nothing more than to sleep.


    Nick ushered her upstairs and into the apartment, then walked through, checking that everything she needed was there. Sasha stood dumbly in the center of the floor, asking herself how she''d gotten there, and what she was going to do.


    Suddenly, the night loomed ahead of her, dark and lonely.


    She wanted Zev. So badly. Just to curl into his arms. To feel the warmth of his skin.


    What if he was sicker? What if her leaving had triggered some kind of attack or¡­ or he''d hurt himself trying toe after her?


    What if he was over there dying and she didn''t even know it.


    She dropped her face into her hands, breathing deeply. She couldn''t give in to this while Nick was still there.


    But he''d already seen her distress.


    "It''s going to be fine, Sasha. I promise. You''re doing well. They liked you. I know it probably didn''t seem that way, but I promise you, Nathan doesn''t suffer fools. Most people wouldn''t have held his attention for five minutes. Let alone over an hour."


    "I just¡­ I just want to get out of here," she sighed, swallowing back tears.


    "Well, I guess we''ll find out tomorrow if that''s going to happen quickly. But I''d say your chances are good. Keep doing what you''re doing¡ªdon''t pretend everything''s fine, but do show that you''re willing to work with them. It''s going to work in your favor."


    Sasha nodded, but she feltpletely deted.


    Then Nick came to stand in front of her and put one hand to her upper arm, rubbing up and down just like her father used to do. "Hey, don''t cry. You did so well! I was impressed, Sasha. Really. I expected that to be a lot worse."


    "Thank you," she mumbled, creeped out, but needing him on her side. "I''m just tired. I need to have a drink then go to bed."


    Nick helped her find the sses and showed her where a set of pajamas and another set of fresh clothes had been left out for her.


    Sasha thanked him, but her skin was beginning to crawl at his attentiveness, so she told him he could go, that she was just going to sleep.


    Taking the hint, Nick agreed. As he opened the door, he turned, and thatpassion she''d seen earlier was back in his eyes.


    "I told you that I could see why Zev chose you," he said quietly. "And I meant it. You''re perfect for him, Sash. And¡­ everything else aside, I''m really, really grateful that you love him, and you''re fighting so hard to be back with him. It¡­ it makes me happy."


    Sasha blinked and forced herself to focus. "You''re, uh, wee, I guess?"


    Nick gave a dry smile. "I know, I know. I''m hardly the natural father figure, but it''s true, Sash. I really do care about him. And I''m d he''s got you to lean on."


    And leaving that strange turn of tone hanging in the air, he stepped out into the hallway and pulled the door closed behind him, leaving Sasha staring at it, trying to figure out what just happened.


    She was still uncertain a few minutester when she finally snapped out of her haze and stumbled to the bed, changed, and fell into the nkets with a brokenhearted sigh.

 Chapter 287 - Healing

    SINCERE APOLOGIES: Last weekend my son and husband both came down with covid (they''re fine, getting better now) but now I''ming down with it. This happened at the one time of the month when my stockpile of chapters was almost dry, and because I haven''t been able to write much this week, I''m behind. Unfortunately, ALPHA will drop to 1 chapter per day for the rest of March, but then return to 2 per day in April. I appreciate your patience and I''m sorry!


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    The first instinct he had as he was rolling out of sleep was to reach for Sasha. But when his arm found only cold, empty furs, he grunted and rolled onto his back.


    Before he''d even opened his eyes, he knew he was healing. The sharp burn in his side was gone. His body felt¡­ moderate. And the overall pain was far less. He''d been so tiredst night after the walk, he''d been afraid he''d done himself harm. But instead, as he opened his eyes and sat up, taking a deep breath of the forest air, only slightly damp from the cave, he felt like himself again. Almost.


    The ache for Sasha was more painful than the ache in his side.


    "Good morning," a deep voice growled from behind him. Zev turned, twisting his body to see. Even though his ribsined, it was a little ache, not the grabbing pain he''d had the past few days.


    Skhal sat on a folded fur, his back against the wall of the cave, head tipped forward so his hair fell into his eyes, but he stared out between the strands, measuring Zev with an intensity only the older wolf was capable of.


    "Good morning to you, too," Zev said, his voice still hoarse with sleep. "You don''t need to re at me, I slept."


    "I''m not ring at you for sleeping, I''m ring at you because I can already see your puppy mind deciding that it''s safe to venture out of the den even though your mother said not to."


    Zev snorted, but was d for the excuse to turn away from Skhal and get himself unwound from the furs. "I''m not going anywhere today except the Healer''s center. I promised Alloryst night. If I don''t uphold my end he won''t let me sleep here tonight. And when I''m not drugged I can''t sleep inside those fucking walls."


    There was a beat before Skhal responded. When he did, his voice was quiet, inviting confidence. "What did they do to you?"


    Zev hesitated in the act of crawling out of the furs to dress, but then forced himself to keep moving. As he shook out his furs, he shrugged. "It''s not even what they did, it''s more¡­ I don''t know how to exin it. There''s a feeling I had when I was there, working with them. A darkness. And when I''m inside straight walls, that feelinges back."


    "Like a scent on the wind that creeps in and makes your body feel as if you''re in another ce," Skhal said, nodding.


    Zev straightened and looked him. "Yes. How did you know?"


    Skhal huffed. "You think you''re the only male to experience trauma, Zev? Honestly, I''m surprised you''ve functioned as well as you have."


    Zev frowned. "I''ve never been unable to function. I just have nightmares, that''s all."


    "And panic attacks."


    Zev pped a hand at him. "I don''t panic, I just¡ª"


    "Stop breathing. Feel like you have to escape. Need to be outside?" Skhal stared at him, brows high, and Zev wanted to growl.


    "All of us feel those ways at times."


    "True. But not when we''re otherwise safe. Your instincts kick in because your mind feels unsafe."


    "I know," he said, and let it roll into a growl.


    "Don''t be angry with me for speaking the truth. It''s what you told me you wanted from me, remember?"


    Zev took a deep breath. It was true. He had told Skhal not to hold back. The older wolf was notorious for creating conflict, or raising issues among the wolves that others felt were unnecessary. But Zev had always seen the value in having someone around who questioned everything.


    A leader knew they weren''t sight-blind when Skhal was at their shoulder, muttering all his cynicism.


    It was fucking annoying, though.


    Zev finished dressing and stamped his feet. His legs felt a little shaky, but nothing like the day before. He turned to face the wolf who hadn''t moved from his spot where he''d kept guard all night. Zev felt a rush of gratitude. He''d been so exhausted he likely wouldn''t have heard if a boar hade rootling into the cave.


    "Thank you foring to watch out for me."


    "It''s fine. It''s what I''m here for."


    Zev snorted. "Babysitting the Alpha?"


    Skhal chuckled. "Yes, exactly."


    They grinned at each other for a moment, then Zev looked to the cave mouth to measure the light. "Did you want to get some breakfast before I go to the Healers? Or do you need to sleep?"


    "I''ll sleep. I find my patience with the vige growing thin. I''m avoiding it as much as possible. I''ll rest today so I can watch again tonight."


    Zev turned back to him, hoping the truth of his gratitude showed in his face. "Thank you, friend. This is¡­ You treat me well."


    Skhal shrugged. "Like I said, it''s why I''m here. I''m apprehensive about Sasha, but oddly optimistic about what you''re going to achieve this time, Zev. You''ve grown¡ªin your mind, as well as your body. I can see the strength in you that youcked when you left. Whatever happened to bring those years about, the Creator has¡­ refined you in them."


    Zev''s smile fell off his face. He wed a hand through his hair, shaking his head. "Nothing that was right has been happening in our lives. If I can get Sasha back¡­ together I think we can make a change."


    "Why is she needed?"


    "I don''t know. She just¡­ sees things I don''t see. And I see things she can''t. We are stronger together," he said, absently rubbing that ce at the center of his chest. Then his eyes snapped back up to Skhal. "She isn''t a traitor, or a selfish person. She didn''t go to the humans out of some plot, or¡ª"


    "I know," Skhal said softly.


    Zev blinked. "Then why did you raise that idea in front of the others? You only nt seeds when you say things like that. I want your challenges, Skhal. I want your wisdom. But sometimes there''s a time and ce¡ª"


    "I wasn''t nting seeds. I''d heard whispers. I spoke what others feared to speak to you directly, so they could all see you address it. If you''re going to win them to trust, you have to meet these things head-on, Zev. Your heart is soft and trusting. Most of theirs aren''t. Don''t shy from answering the unspoken question, or the teeth of it will close on your neck in the dark."


    Zev considered that carefully. "Okay, then, I''ll make you a deal: You keep raising difficult things like that only when you''ve heard others speak about them. Otherwise, youe to me in private."


    Skhal''s lips twisted, but he nodded. "Okay."


    Zev crossed the space between them and leaned down to share scents. "I''m grateful for you, brother."


    Skhal snorted.. "Tell me that next time I grab you by the scruff in front of the Alphas."

 Chapter 288 - Caution, Brother

    <strong>~ ZEV ~ </strong>


    Zev chuckled, but his amusement didn''tst long. His mind swam suddenly with images of Sasha, trapped in the human world while a group of Chimeran Alphas fought here amongst themselves. He couldn''t let them forget her.


    "Rx, Zev, I was joking," Skhal said quietly.


    "I know. I''m not worried about that. I was just thinking about Sasha."


    Skhal sighed. "What do you need?"


    "I need a strategy¡ªan actual n, not just a vague idea¡ªabout how to get her back if they don''t return her quickly."


    "Do you really think there''s any chance that they will?"


    Zev took a deep breath. "It''s hard to say. If there''s any reason they think it benefits them, they will. But it won''te without cost. Now that they have her, they''ll be squeezing her, manipting her. Pushing her¡­"


    Zev swallowed. There was one aspect to all of this that he hadn''t raised in the meetingst night, because he hadn''t wanted to create fear for the others, but if someone else had the idea or Skhal heard murmurings¡­


    He cleared his throat. "There''s one risk that I''d ask for your help with. Yours, and no other wolves," he said pointedly.


    The man tipped his head. "What is it?"


    Zev shifted his weight and put his hands to his hips, trying to feel strong enough for this. Speaking it would make it real and he didn''t want it to be real. But he also didn''t trust himself¡­ He swallowed hard. "If she doese back we have to watch her for¡­ odd changes. They may have interfered with her mind."


    Skhal nodded. "Like Xar, with the medications."


    "Possibly, though knowing Nick, he''s not going to use exactly the same approach, because he knows I''ll be on to it. He''ll have taken a different route with her, I think. Possibly more subtle. No one is likely to notice the difference except me. And I¡­ you have to keep me honest, Skhal. Make me answer the question. Don''t let me ignore my instincts. I will want to, I know it. I''ll be so relieved to have her back¡­ the temptation will be just to trust that she''s okay if she says she is. But I know them. I know how they work. They find the ce inside you that you''re desperate to keep safe and they use that against you."


    "What''s hers?" Skhal asked.


    "Me," Zev said without hesitation. "Which is why I''m probably the only who will see it, at least early on. So¡­ ask me. If she shows back up¡ªor if we''re sessful in bringing her back, you have to get in my face and make me look. Force me to answer the hard questions."


    "About?"


    "About whether she''s be a tool in their hands. Whether she''s set up to betray me. Us. All of us."


    Skhal''s face went dark. "What would be the signs?"


    Zev shrugged. "I can only guess. But I''d be watching for sudden changes in her motives, or¡­ if she''s dismissive of things that she used to be concerned about. If she''s less focused on the things we discussed before, and more focused on making the humans happy¡ªor putting off doing things we have to do to guard against them. Things like that."


    Skhal nodded. "I''ll watch."


    "I''m telling you, you probably won''t see it. Their way of shifting people''s minds, it''s very subtle. I was surprised they were so open with Xar. Obviously they got him under their thumbs very quickly. Because the didn''t even seem to be trying to hide that. I think they''ll be smarter with Sasha. If they''re able to break her. It wouldn''t surprise me if she turned them on their own heads. She''s capable of it."


    "One person, one mind against their entire team? That seems too much to ask of anyone, Zev."


    He shrugged again. "I don''t know. She''s stunning, Skhal. So smart. And so¡­ right. I don''t know how to put it. There''s something deep inside here that is resolute. When she knows what''s right, she goes for it. She doesn''t waver. She''s far stronger than me in that way. But if they can convince her¡ªeither through deception, or by altering her mind¡ªthat something she believes is wrong, or won''t help, she''ll be just a resolute for whatever new goal or new idea she has set. That''s the danger. They''ll struggle to crack her, but if they do¡­"


    Skhal took a deep breath. "Are you certain, utterly certain that she''s on our side? She spent so little time here."


    Zev locked eyes with him and let the male see his conviction. "Utterly."


    Skhal nodded slowly.


    "No, Skhal, hear me: Not only is shemitted to getting the females back here for all of us, she''s¡­ she''s certain about me."


    Skhal snorted. "You might me mistaking desire for¡ª"


    "Don''t patronize me," Zev snapped. "That''s not what I meant and you know it. I mean that she''s¡­ she believes in me. And when I told her that we need to be free of the humans, that she''s got a role to y in that¡ªshe''s all in, Skhal. If she''s been altered while she''s there, it''s against her will. I would bet my life on it."


    Skhal watched him for a moment, then one side of his mouth tipped up, pressing lines into his weathered cheeks. "If that is all true, Zev, your mate is truly to be cherished. By all of us. I pray for your sake that she lives true to this strength you see in her. I''ll admit, I saw her courage, but I wasn''t as convinced it was based in anything quite so¡­ admirable."


    "You just didn''t have the chance," Zev said quietly. "Ask Yhet. He''s got to see her. She''s amazing."


    Skhal finally pushed to his feet and came to stand in front of Zev, putting one hand to his shoulder and leaning in. "Then you fight for her, Zev. Every day. You fight to get her back here. You fight for the others to keep following her. And you fight for the future with her in it. Because I don''t care what world you''re in, we need leaders like that¡ªmale or female. If she can lead us against the humans with that kind of strength, and that''s coupled with your goodness and capability, the Chimera will thrive."


    Zev ttened his lips. "If we can get free of the humans."


    Skhal nodded. "Yes. If we can."


    They both got lost in their thoughts, then.

 Chapter 289 - Plans And Preparations

    SINCERE APOLOGIES: Last weekend my son and husband both came down with covid (they''re fine, getting better now) but now I''ming down with it. This happened at the one time of the month when my stockpile of chapters was almost dry, and because I haven''t been able to write much this week, I''m behind. Unfortunately, ALPHA will drop to 1 chapter per day for the rest of March, but then return to 2 per day in April. I appreciate your patience and I''m sorry!


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev had promised the healers he wouldn''t shift until they''d cleared his wound, that the tissue was strong enough to withstand the process. So he walked in human form, all the way back to the Vige, teeth set against the dy, but knowing if he didn''t do as he''d promised they''d hobble him further.


    He did go to the Trough first, to eat before he had to submit to being prodded and tucked into a bed again.


    Despite the early hour, normally the Trough would have been half full of hunters and others with long days ahead. Yet only a handful of tables had bodies at them when he walked in. Zev frowned, but didn''t have time to consider it as Dunken caught him just as he sat down with a te, then Yhet''s booming greeting made the trees shake as he entered the Trough and had to slide the bench halfway out to fit his long legs under the tabletop.


    "It''s good to see you on your feet, brother," Yhet beamed at Zev.


    Zev grinned back. "It''s better to be on my feet, I can promise you."


    "But you won''t do too much, right?" Yhet said worriedly. "I don''t want to have to fight the Alphas to get out you out of here and back to Sasha."


    Zev''s jerked with surprise. "You''d do that for me, Yhet?"


    "I''d do that for Sasha," the man rumbled. "I promised her I would care for you, but I also promised her I would watch over her. I failed her once, during the ritual, I won''t do it again. I don''t trust the humans, Zev. We need to get her out of there as quickly as we can."


    Zev nodded, swallowing a sudden pinch in his throat. He couldn''t agree more, but he understood the caution too. Even the walk this morning had made his limbs feel weary. While it was just agging tiredness, he knew if he had to fight¡­


    He pped a hand to Yhet''s back. "Thank you, brother. I''m going to be wise¡ªI promised her that I would. But the first moment I''m certain the time is right, I''ll ask for your help."


    Yhet nodded as if that only made sense.


    "If you two are finished growling at the trees, perhaps we can discuss the actual n? I''ve set more guards along the path between the gateway and the vige. To ensure both that Sasha doesn''t enter without us there to help her, but also in case the humans have gotten clever with their weapons.


    "All ounts are that Nick believed the humans could enter and take down any force we leave in the cave. We needed to have a greater presence¡ªnot to fight, but to raise the rm in case the humans do actually attack. But that means our forces in the vige are strained¡ªespecially now that half of them have already moved to the City."


    Zev stopped eating. How had he forgotten that? He''d been so surrounded by the healers and the Alphas, he''d forgotten she''d given the order. "Has anyone spoken with the twins?" he blurted?


    "They''re uneasy, but engaging," Dunken said. "They didn''t cause problems for anyone showing up, and they''re helping the leaders identify centers for each n."


    "Centers?"


    Dunken sighed. "I wasn''tfortable with everyone just moving en-masse when we don''t know how or if the humans will step through again. So we''ve set up an rm system. But it requires central notification for each n¡ªa buddy system of sorts. If the rm is raised by the guards, the City will know from our sentries within an hour, and everyone within the city will be notified in less time than that."


    "Thank you," Zev said, feeling disappointed in himself. "I was so focused¡­ I hadn''t thought about¡­ thank you."


    Dunken''s face was nk, expressionless as he nodded. "There''s a lot going on, and you''re not at your best, Zev." But he never met Zev''s eyes.


    A sick pit opened in Zev''s stomach. He couldn''t let himself be so focused on Sasha''s safety that he forgot everything else. Clearly Sasha hadn''t done that when she''d decided to leave.


    Zev muttered a curse under his breath and turned his mind to the rest of the Chimera. It was good if most of them were out of the Vige already. That would make it easier to guard, and harder for the humans to interfere if they did show up. But there would be stresses and conflicts urring in the City, too. They couldn''t let the hierarchy there fall over while they fought the humans. That would only harm the ns in a different way.


    He needed someone to show strength in the City, but runmunication with him as well.


    Lhars arrived then, face drawn and eyes shadowed. He barely greeted the others, but took a seat across from Zev and began shoveling food into his mouth.


    "Lhars," Zev said quietly.


    His brother nodded a greeting, but barely took his eyes from his food.


    Zev sighed. "I''m afraid I have another request for you."


    Lhars stopped eating and his eyes rose to find Zev''s nerves and an edge of anger in his scent. Why? But he was waiting to hear what Zev had to say. At least he wasn''t giving in to it.


    "Can you visit the City this morning and¡­ curb any conflicts that might be arising as everyone finds their ce? Thene back and tell me what you think is needed there?"


    Lhars nodded, but his nk expression didn''t change.


    Zev watched him as Dunken and Yhet began to discuss what would be needed to infiltrate the Team Headquarters. Then he reached out to scratch at his brother''s mind. Lhars opened to him immediately, but didn''t look up from his food.


    <i>Are you okay?</i> He asked Lhars hesitantly.


    <i>Nope.</i>


    <i>What''s going on?</i>


    Lhars was chewing a mouthful, but he just met Zev''s eyes with a t look. <i>Seriously?</i>


    Zev rolled his eyes. <i>I mean, what''s going on with you personally?</i>


    Lhars dropped his gaze again and took another bite before he answered.

 Chapter 290 - Unspoken

    ~ ZEV ~


    <i>Have you seen Kyelle this morning?</i>


    The words seemed to seep into Zev''s head, as if Lhars wasn''t entirely sure he wanted to share them. Or perhaps was frightened of the answer? What had happened to Kyelle? Zev stiffened.


    <i>No. Is she okay?</i> Zev asked, trying not to put his Alpha authority behind it. He didn''t want to break the uneasy peace they''d found. But he was worried.


    <i>I''m sure she''s fine</i>, Lhars replied. <i>But she''s pissed off with me. Avoiding me, I think.</i>


    <i>Well good luck when she''s got her hackles up. What did you do this time?</i>


    Lhars'' chewing slowed for a moment. It was the only warning Zev had that this wasn''t a moment to tease his brother.


    <i>I told her about my feelings for her. Tried to kiss her.</i>


    Zev had to drop his own head so the others wouldn''t see the shock painted all over his face. Lhars had actually approached her?


    <i>Did you disy for her?</i> He asked, his voice hushed in Lhars'' head.


    Lhars shook his head. <i>I didn''t think I needed to. When I first stated my feelings she didn''t back away. I thought perhaps we were beyond that.</i>


    <i>No wonder she''s pissed off.</i>


    Zev regretted letting his brother hear the words the moment he thought them.


    Lhars'' grip on his knife tightened until his knuckles were white. He didn''t lift his head from the te.


    <i>Sorry,</i> Zev sent apologetically. <i>I didn''t mean that. I just meant¡­ I know she¡­ she''s kind of sensitive about always being treated like a male. She thinks we don''t see her as a female because she can''t have young.</i>


    Lhars nodded. <i>She told me. It''s ridiculous. Can''t she see¡ª</i>


    <i>It''s how she feels, Lhars. Do you want her to tell you your feelings are ridiculous?</i>


    His brother went very still. Then he looked up to meet Zev''s eyes.


    <i>No, I don''t,</i> he sent quietly.


    <i>I wish you luck, brother,</i> Zev sent genuinely. <i>I hope she can see you better than I did.</i>


    <i>Kyelle has always seen me more clearly than you did,</i> Lhars replied dryly.


    Zev huffed and took another bite of his own breakfast. He thought that would be the end of the conversation and was turning his attention back to the discussion between Yhet and Dunken about the Team Headquarters in the human world, when Lhars'' voice appeared in his head again.


    <i>What did you do to convince Kyelle that you didn''t care she was an owl? How did you get her to trust that you didn''t judge her for not being able to have offspring?</i>


    Zev blinked. <i>I¡­ uh¡­ I mean, I just didn''t care. I treated her as I would anyone else.</i>


    Lhars rolled his eyes. <i>Remarkable. Earth shattering wisdom.</i>


    Zev raised an eyebrow at him. <i>And yet, apparently I convinced her where you haven''t?</i>


    Lhars growled and heads turned at the table, but Lhars had always been better at subterfuge than Zev. And apparently better at listening to multiple conversations at the same time than Zev was, too. Because Lhars met eyes with the other males like he''d been listening all along.


    "When the call is made to go, go at night. Early evening. Make the crossing so you arrive in the human world in the hours of darkness. Then you can travel all night and sleep through the day before approaching the following night. It will give the scouts a chance to make sure you haven''t been followed or detected, too. Also, to make sure Sasha''s actually there."


    "She''ll be there," Zev muttered. "It''s the only secureb in the area of the gateway. And they won''t risk taking her too far away in case they want toe back here. The question is whether they''ll bring her back with them."


    "You don''t think they''ll just free her to return?" Lhars asked.


    "No, of course not."


    "They did with Xar."


    "Xar was clearly interfered with. They''d gotten in his head. Sasha won''t let them. She''ll resist. She''ll either be kept there, or brought back under their control," Zev said through his teeth, his grip on his own knife tightening. He wanted to stab it right into Nick''s throat at the idea of what Sasha might be enduring¡ªthings he knew that the others didn''t. And he couldn''t tell them because it might affect their willingness to believe in Sasha.


    He wouldn''t undermine her while she was gone, not when she''d sacrificed her own safety to help all of them. If the humans did anything to her, he''d figure it out when they got her back. Somehow.


    Shaking off the uneasy feeling, he turned his mind back to the conversation at the table, but Lhars was staring at him, and looking frustrated.


    <i>What?</i> he asked his brother, trying to keep impatience out of his tone.


    Lhars shook his head. <i>It''s not important,</i> he sent. <i>What''s important is that you''re healing and we need to get Sasha back and keep the humans out.</i>


    Zev sucked in a breath, nodding.


    <i>It''s good that you''re certain of your path,</i> Lhars sent, a tinge of sadness in his voice. <i>Good that you know exactly what you want and which way to aim.</i>


    Zev looked at his brother carefully. <i>Don''t you know that, also?</i>


    <i>Knowing and being able to pursue are two different things. Your goals align with all of our needs. We can all get behind that. And your certainty makes you a decisive leader. It''s what we''ve been missing for these years, Zev. So don''t waver. Step carefully, avoid any kind of revolt from the males. Don''t give them a reason to mistrust you. But lead. Step in. Do what you know is needed. The rest¡­ the rest we can figure out as we go.</i>


    Zev nodded. <i>The problem is, everything''s pulling me to her. Out of Thana, back to the human world where she is. She''s under my skin. My existence is tied to her. But I know I have to be so careful¡ªnot just for my own sake, but for hers. But¡­ I can''t leave her there, Lhars. I start to sweat every time I so much as think of what they could do to her.</i>


    He shivered and Lhars nodded. But there was no further discussion.


    They both turned their minds back to the discussion between Yhet and Dunken about theyout of the Headquarters, and while Zev was able to give more detail, he spoke only rarely.


    Because the truth was, his resolve didn''t matter when he couldn''t think of a single, likely way to break through the security and technology of the team.


    He didn''t want to think that they were at the mercy of Nick, but¡­ what choice did he have?


    He had to get her out of there! Had to! But what would it do her if he only got himself captured in the process.


    If there was one thing he was certain of, it was that if the humans got hands on both of them at the same time, that would be the end.


    It was, he realized, why Sasha had gone. Because she seen that instinctively. She''d kept them away from the vige. Away from him.


    God, he loved her so much.


    She had to be safe. And smart. She had to get out of there.. She just had to.

 Chapter 291 - Creepy-Ass Man

    If you like music while you''re reading, try "Burn it Down" by Warren Zeiders. It summarizes Sasha''s perspective for the next couple chapters pretty perfectly, lol.


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Trembling, Sasha sat in the front seat of a Jeep, holding onto the Oh Shit handle above the door as the vehicle rocked and rolled across the clearednd behind theplex, toward a thick forest that stood sentry over thend to the north.


    She''d barely spoken to Nick that morning, and beyond making sure that she was okay, he''d stayed quiet too. She was still trying to figure out what to say, whether the events of that morning had actually been real.


    She''d woken to a soft knock on the bedroom door, and Nick''s voice, apologizing for waking her. He kept saying that the tests had to be done before she''d eaten or had anything to drink.


    Sasha had still been bleary-eyed and disoriented when she sat up, then quickly became horrified at finding him in the apartment, though he was careful to keep his eyes averted and his head turned away from the gap in the door.


    She was still reeling, still trying to find her bearings when he disappeared and the door opened wider to allow two medics in white coats and gloves to enter. They were both female, but somehow that just made the whole thing more surreal.


    They were quiet, professional, and gentle¡­ but Sasha found herself near tears as one provided her with a stick to pee on and ushered her to the bathroom where they checked every inch and corner before stepping her through the instructions again, then finally allowed her privacy.


    She''d just stared at the door for a long moment when it closed behind the woman.


    Was this really happening?


    She wasn''t sure why she felt so vited by the process of peeing on a stick, but for some reason, leaving it on the paper towel the woman had left next to the basin made her want to cry.


    Then, the moment she''d stepped out of the bathroom¡ªshe hadn''t even been allowed to brush her teeth¡ªthe other woman took her arm and led her to one of the chairs in the living room. They took her temperature, took blood, swabbed the inside of her cheek, and asked her to spit into a test tube, before the woman rubbed her arm and thanked her, then quietly packed her things. The second woman who''d stayed in the bathroom that entire time, emerged and had a whispered conversation with Nick in the corner, before leaving with her little bag, Nick holding the door for her.


    Sasha knew she should be shouting at these people¡ªthey couldn''t just treat her like another experiment. She was a person! She had rights! But the words lodged in her throat.


    The woman in front of her met her eyes and there was sympathy in them before she patted Sasha''s knee, then gathered her things and left.


    Nick held the door for her, too.


    He''d turned then, an apology on his face. "I know that was strange. If you want to take a shower and have some breakfast, I''ll wait downstairs until you''re ready. Juste down to the office when you''re ready.


    She frowned at him. He waited, but when she didn''t speak, he turned away, opening the door to leave himself.


    "Nick," she blurted.


    He hesitated, turning. "Yes?"


    "What did the test say?" Her heart pounded in her ears. She knew. At least, she thought she did. But the question of whether these people had interfered with her body left her suddenly terrified. Could they really do that?


    Nick hesitated. He looked out the door as if he was checking that no one else was there. When he looked at her, there was a caution in his eyes. "The human test was negative," he said. "We''ll have to wait on the others. They''ll take a few hours."


    That had been an hour earlier. Except for a hushed greeting to the Receptionist, and a couple single-syble responses to Nick''s questions about herfort, Sasha hadn''t really spoken since.


    She was still shaking, and she didn''t know why.


    Negative. It had been negative, she reminded herself. If she wasn''t pregnant, they''d said she could go back to Zev.


    She closed her eyes then and for a moment let herself just imagine seeing him¡ªhis bright blue eyes fierce and scanning her from head to toe. His strong arms wrapping around her body. His chin on her hair. His deep voice murmuring love in her ear.


    Her skin prickled, she felt it all so keenly. She wanted him so badly. Wanted away from this ce and these horrible people so ferociously, the urge to just throw the door of the Jeep open and start running was visceral.


    Her little daydream was interrupted by Nick speaking in a normal voice, as if nothing was wrong.


    "We''ll have to stay out of the trees until they invite us in. They''ll have heard the caring, so they know we''re here. But we try to give them a sense of independence. So we won''t approach until we''re invited.


    "The Alpha here is female, too, obviously. She''ll probably be quite curious about you," he said with a half-smile.


    Sasha blinked, then turned to gape at him. "Nick?"


    "Yeah?" he was still peering at the approaching trees in front of the vehicle.


    "You''re a creepy-ass man and I don''t trust you. Please don''t smile at me like we''re sharing a joke."


    His brows rose, but he didn''t look angry. If anything he seemed a little amused, which pissed Sasha off.


    When they were about twenty feet from the line of trees and underbrush, Nick slowed the vehicle to a stop, then turned off the engine.


    Sasha''s heart thumped and for a moment she didn''t want to get out of the car. But then she remembered all the advice Zev had given her about being Alpha, about what the Chimera needed to feel safe. And about what they thought of the humans and those who worked with them willingly.


    Then she took one look at Nick, then shoved her car door open and stepped out. Nick got out too, and leaned against the side of the car, staring at the trees. But Sasha mmed her door and started for the trees.


    "Sasha," Nick said, warning in his tone. "Stay back. Give them some space to¡ª"


    "Kiss my ass, Nick," she called back and set her eyes on the treeline where shadows were moving, praying that these females weren''t the type to shift and kill her before they''d heard what she had to say.

 Chapter 292 - Alpha To Alpha

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha didn''t let herself hesitate. Not when Nick''s calls became more urgent. Not when the shadows under the trees became discernible human forms. Not when Nick swore and started after her.


    When she got within a few feet of the trees and she could finally make out detail of those in the shadows, she found a crowd of females, all dressed in some strange hybrid of Chimeran and human clothing¡ªsome wearing leather or fur leggings, with nnel shirts or thick fleeces. Others in clearly authentic fur jackets paired with jeans or motorcycle pants.


    Sasha didn''t let herself think too deeply about what it meant that these Chimerans looked like they were dressed as an afterthought, she rolled her shoulders back and headed straight for the female who stood a couple feet ahead of the others who spread out behind her like she was the head of the arrow.


    The female, the only one in a full set of furs, had long, dirty-blond hair that had twisted into clumps and half-dreads. She stood with her chin down to protect her throat. Her eyes were locked on Sasha, and she stood the way Zev stood when he wasn''t threatening, but was ready to fight.


    "I''m not going to hurt you," Sasha said, her voice as loud and clear as she could make it when it was still rough fromck of use. "I''m Alpha in Thana and I''m here to help."


    Not letting herself think about what these women could do to her if they chose, she strode straight up to the Alpha and stood in front of her, arms at her sides, and hands loose.


    "Scent me," she said. "Zev is my mate. And I''ve been¡­ I''ve been acknowledged. I killed Xar."


    The Alpha''s eyes widened, but her expression didn''t change.


    "I''ll share scents," Sasha said, a tinge of desperation in her tone. "I mean no threat to you. I want to help." She needed to find a way to bridge the gap before Nick got the courage toe closer.


    "I do not wish to share my scent with any human," the female said, her voice low and hard, but it shook.


    Sasha took a deep breath. "I understand. I''ll¡­ you can smell me. Zev is with me." She prayed the bond was still a strong enough part of her scent that they''d catch it, even if she wasn''t close. She didn''t know how these things worked, or whether her showers the day before would have removed him from her skin.


    The female scanned her from toe to crown, suspiciously. Sasha raised her hands slowly. "Scent me," she repeated. "I''m telling you the truth. I''m only here because if I didn''te they were going to take Zev again, and he couldn''t¡­ it would have broken him toe back here."


    Without taking her eyes off of Sasha, the female motioned for one of the others toe closer. One of the three females directly behind her stepped forward. A young brte, short for a Chimera, but still close to a foot taller than Sasha. She stepped up to Sasha like she was ready to fight, but when Sasha didn''t move, she leaned into her hair and inhaled deeply, then walked a circle around her.


    "It''s true," she said in a husky voice. "She''s his mate."


    "Unless they have found a way to counterfeit this as well," the Alpha said, her eyes cutting to Nick behind Sasha. Sasha turned to look back quickly. Nick hovered halfway between the Jeep and the trees, still hissing at her to be careful and let them get a look at her.


    His tight bravado that had returned the moment they''d left Thana was shredded. He was shaking, unwilling toe any closer.


    Sasha frowned as she turned back to the females. Nick seemed almost as frightened of them as he had been of the creatures in Thana. She wasn''t sure whether to be worried or amused. What had happened to him with the Chimera that broke through his fa?ade of arrogance sopletely.


    "Show us your skin," the Alpha said to her in a stern whisper.


    "I¡­ what?"


    "These men use tools, they record our voices and¡­ if you are not a tool for them, you will prove it. Let us search your clothing and hair. Be certain you aren''t bugged."


    It was a winter morning. She stood in the shadows of trees wearing a beanie, a thick fleece, a turtleneck, and jeans over a pair of thick hiking boots Nick had provided. Her breath wasn''t quite making a cloud, but there was a haze when any of them spoke.


    They wanted her to get naked?


    Oh, and also, NAKED?


    Sasha sucked in a deep breath. "I will," she said through her teeth. "Just give me a moment. I''m human. Our traditions are different. I find being naked¡­ difficult."


    The woman smirked and Sasha''s anger red. She was doing everything she could to prove herself! But she tamped it down. If she''d been imprisoned and held for three years away from her family and home, she''d be suspicious, too.


    Sasha closed her eyes. She already felt so vited by those tests that morning, but she knew these women had probably fared far worse. She could embarrass herself for a few minutes for their sakes. Swallowing hard she turned to face Nick raising her voice so he''d hear her clearly.


    "They need me to prove myself. Turn around, close your eyes, and don''t turn back until I tell you that you can. They''ll be watching you, Nick. If they see you peeking, they''ll eat you."


    She cut a look back at the Alpha, worried the woman might contradict her. But she only smiled wickedly.


    With a shudder, Sasha turned back to Nick who''d raised his hands and put them over his eyes. "I won''t look," he said. She wondered how much of hispliance was an act, but did it matter? She had to do this.


    So, with a sigh, she started by ucing her boots. A minuteter, shivering in the cold, she was down to her underwear.


    "All of it," the woman said. "We have been deceived before. We will not fall for it again."


    Sasha quivered.

 Chapter 293 - Naked And Afraid

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Bracing herself, Sasha nodded, her breathing bing rapid and shallow, her hands shaking as she removed thest of her clothing and stood before the women, utterly vulnerable. She had to close her eyes when three of them approached and began running their hands up and down her body, into cracks and under lumps, then through her hair, fingers wing to her scalp, parting the strands, as if they were grooming her.


    Sasha trembled with cold and fear, and sheer disgust. But she made herself stand for the examination until all three women stepped back. When she opened her eyes the Alpha stared at her, considering.


    Sasha opened her mouth to ask, but then remembered Zev''s caution about manners. About expecting the treatment you deserved as Alpha, and she gritted her teeth. "You''ve seen that I''m not deceiving you. I''m going to dress now."


    The Alpha didn''t respond, but Sasha leaned down to pick up her carefully folded clothing and dressed as quickly and discreetly as she could. Zipping the fleece up the front felt like putting on armor. She swallowed back thest of her humiliation and met the female''s eyes.


    "I am the Alpha of those in Thana. All the ns," she said. "Your loss is grieved. They ache to have you back. We all do."


    The female''s expression didn''t change. "Your mate has been here many times. He torments our wolf-sisters."


    "No," Sasha growled. "He was forced, deceived, just like you were."


    The female huffed. "We have lost dozens of wolf-sisters. Yet your mate still walks¡ªand now bonds with you, apparently. Despite all those given to him before. He is capable of the bond. Just not with those who bonded to him. He is Chimeran, and yet not. He walks alongside the humans¡ª"


    "He does not!" Sasha hissed. "He freed me from their influence when I didn''t even know they were in my life. He returned to Thana, was banished by Xar, and still fought to w his way back to Wolf Alpha¡ªand then challenged Xar when Xar tried to take me before we were bonded! His only thought beyond my safety is yours. That''s why I''m here. He sent me."


    The woman''s upper lip curled. "An Alpha who can be sent by her mate?"


    Sasha stepped right up into her space, ignoring the foot of difference in their heights to re at the woman down her nose. "No! An Alpha who understands what she doesn''t know, and works to learn it! I am here to try to free you, or at least, to learn how we can," she whisper-screamed. "I know humans. I know this world. But I''m still learning Thana. Zev is my advisor and my second, and yes I listen to him."


    The female regarded her suspiciously, but she didn''t challenge Sasha by pushing forward. They stared at each other, everyone else holding their breaths, waiting to see what woulde of the confrontation.


    "You might be Alpha," the female conceded eventually. "But if you believe you can free us from this ce when you cannot even free yourself, you''re stupid."


    Sasha gave her a t look. "I''m not suggesting they''re going to hand me the keys to walk you out of here. I''m¡­ I''m saying that I''m trying to negotiate for you."


    "What could you possibly have to negotiate with these monsters?" she hissed.


    "Zev. And our offspring."


    The female drew back, her face twisting into a snarl. "You would give up your own firstborn to these¡­ these animals?! You are no better than¡ª"


    "No!" Sasha growled back, lowering her voice. "I can use the¡­ the promise of our family¡ªthe Chimera they''ve wanted this entire time¡ªto move them to¡­ to¡­ Look, I''m still figuring it out, okay? But trust me. I''m not talking out of my ass here."


    The Alpha female stared at her hard. Sasha felt like she was naked again, but she held the challenging gaze. They had to listen to her. Had to believe her! She needed their help to know any weaknesses in their security, or¡ª


    "Can I turn around yet?" Nick called, his voice slightly muffled by his own hands.


    Sasha''s stomach sank. "Yes, you can," she called back without turning away from the female Alpha.


    They regarded each other and the woman began to draw back, shifting her weight. Sasha realized none of this would matter if she didn''t get this woman on side, so she put a hand on her arm and hissed, "What''s your name?"


    The female froze, her expression hardening. She looked down at where Sasha touched her.


    Sasha removed her hand, but didn''t give her more space. "My name is Sasha," she said, determined, touching her own chest. "Zev is my mate." She ttened her hand over the spot where her body felt hollow with the loss of him. "Our goals are good. Not to harm you. But when we have a chance to make a difference, you can''t back away from it. You have to believe that we''re really working for your good."


    The woman snorted air from her nose, but Sasha shook her head.


    "I get why you don''t want to believe me," she whispered urgently. "I understand that you''ve been tricked and lied to and coerced and¡­ and everything else. But this isn''t that. I''m not here to help them! I''m here to help Chimera. If something changes, if something is different, if freedom is offered, take it. Don''t keep yourselves locked up out of fear!"


    "We do not live in fear," she snarled. "We live under threat, and we live at the mercy of these¡­ these creatures."


    "And we want to free you from them," Sasha hissed back. "But until I know exactly how this ce works, and exactly what they''re doing with you, I can''t be sure that my n will work. Please! Help me to help you!"


    The three females who''d stepped forward to examine Sasha inched closer, their bodies hugging against the Alpha, putting their strength behind her. Sasha met eyes with each of them. "I have been nothing but honest with you," she whispered. "You have to listen. We''re in this together."


    There was a tiny murmur then, little more than a breath. As if the wind rustled through the leaves overhead. But the air was still. Sasha couldn''t make out any words, but she saw the lips of the women moving, all of them whispering to each other below the level of her hearing. They''d clearly spent enough time around humans to have learned their limits, and now they couldmunicate without sharing what they didn''t want known.


    There was a back and forth as different women spoke and the Alpha listened. Sasha wanted to groan with frustration, but finally, the Alpha female nodded slowly and the others went still.


    Sasha watched her warily.


    Finally the woman pressed her lips to thin lines, looked at Nick over Sasha''s shoulder, then back to Sasha, offering her hand as a human would, to be shaken.


    "My name is Vayl," she said tightly. "I am the Alpha of this female n. I acknowledge the Alpha of Thana."


    Sasha heaved a sigh of relief, but Vayl''s face went hard.


    "But I do not submit my power to her.. The n does not offer her authority."

 Chapter 294 - Walking A Tightrope

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    "I will not submit my people," Vayl added more softly, "But I will share a meal with you. You will not take power here, but we can live in peace."


    One of the three females behind her huffed in obvious disapproval, but Sasha and Vayl both ignored her.


    Sasha blew out the breath she''d been holding, d she wasn''t going to be expected to fight this woman. Because she would lose, she knew. And in that case, she''d also lose all hope at gaining their respect.


    "Thank you," Sasha said quickly. "I''m grateful. I don''t expect you to¡­ to shift the hierarchy for me. You have to sustain what you have here. I don''t know how long you''ll have to remain here after I leave. I just want to understand. To gain your insight if you have any."


    Vayl looked at her with sympathy. "Sasha, you won''t be leaving this ce. No one whoes here leaves, except in death. I pray for Zev''s sake that that isn''t the end for you. But I hold little hope. There was one or two females very early on sent back. But they didn''t survive, so now we are all to remain."


    Sasha thanked her faintly, praying that her instincts weren''t wrong, that she wasn''t a fool to believe that the men hadn''t been lying to her outright. That this really was a different situation than they''d seen before. But there was no way to know until she walked it out.


    "I have¡­ a different rtionship with them, because I''m human," she said slowly. "I can''t be certain, of course¡­ but I pray that won''t be my fate too. Or yours," she added, then scanned the rest of the females, including the crowd in the trees behind them. "I''ll keep working towards gaining you your freedom, no matter what it takes."


    Vayl sighed, her shoulders rising and falling slowly, as if she were sad for Sasha, but she didn''t respond.


    "If you''ll share a meal with us, we''ll take you to our¡­ vige."


    Sasha nodded eagerly. But then Vayl looked at Nick over her shoulder. "He is not invited. We have no males among us. No reason for him to be there, except to do harm."


    Sasha turned to find Nick standing with his hands in his pockets, watching them, his brow furrowed.


    "They''re going to show me the vige," she said. "You have to stay here."


    Nick sighed, but nodded. "I''ll wait here."


    Surprised by how easily he agreed, Sasha just turned back to the other females. Nick''s response made her fear there were close watches kept on these ces that perhaps even the Chimera didn''t know about. But she didn''t want to create further stress for them, so she didn''t say anything.


    "He trusts his technology to warn him if we step out of line," Vayl said quietly as they all turned and began to walk, Sasha hurrying to keep up with their long strides. "But he won''t reach you in time if we should choose to kill you. You walk in on your own feet, Sasha. It''s up to you if you walk back out."


    Sashaughed nervously, but didn''t break stride. Zev''s words about power and strength echoing in her head.


    The truth was, she felt like she didn''t have any choice but to simply walk this journey out. Killed by Chimera seemed preferable to bing a ve in a scienceb, which was the other most likely oue of being here. So as the females parted ahead of them, sinking deeper between the trees and underbrush to leave room for the Alphas to pass, all their eyes flicking between Sasha and Vayl, Sasha just prayed.


    What else could she do?


    *****


    Sasha understood why Vayl had hesitated when she referred to the vige. In truth, the space where the females lived was more of an encampment. They passed a dozen different fires, each surrounded by tables and stools¡ªusually made from tree stumps, or stones¡ªand a few tents, or tarps thrown over tree branches. But it was clear that these were work spaces. Not where the women lived.


    As the darkness under the trees deepened and the ground rose ahead of them, Sasha was shown two or three caves clustered in the steep rise of thend. This, she was told, was where the females gathered in poor weather, and where they slept.


    Each cave mouth was just a little too perfect, a little too round. Sasha''s skin prickled. Had the humans created this space for the Chimera? Literally formed it? The ground was rocky and solid, covered in undergrowth and vines beneath the trees. There was no hint of anything synthetic. And yet, something about the cecked the true rugged, unpredictable nature of Thana.


    Vayl caught her eyeing the caves and grunted. "We don''t know if they were already here, or if they were made for us," she said quietly. "But they have served our purposes and kept us as safe as we can be here."


    Those words sounded very ominous to Sasha, but she didn''t push, allowing the woman to show her into the center cave, the widest one. Inside she found the mostforts she''d seen so far¡ªdozens of alcoves and hollows in the sides of the cave filled with furs and small personal items. Wide fireces actually carved into the rock and dirt of the wall, with chimney tunnels to the open air outside. There was a lot more furniture here¡ªlong tables and even a few chairs, a massive carpet unrolled at the cave''s widest point and scattered in pillows, and shelves and cupboards for storage here and there.


    In many ways it looked like a children''s fort¡ªas if the furniture had been selected for its sturdy nature and base function, rather than its appearance or ability to create convenience.


    Sasha felt like she''d walked onto the movie set of some strange world thatbined cavemen with modern-day amenities.


    She saw a full sink bolted to the wall with a narrow gutter carved out of the ground beneath it, leading all the way back to the mouth of the cave. Yet it was surrounded by metal pails of water, and the faucets looked rusted in ce.


    She was shown the Alpha sleeping quarters¡ªlittle more than a shallow sub-cave at the end, with three different sets of fursying on its floor. Then they walked back to the center of the cave where the crowd of females had gathered, some sitting cross-legged on the carpet, while others lined the walls and took stools and chairs at its edge.


    Sasha was led to the lip of the rug where Vayl stopped walking and looked at the females, waiting for them to quiet. Sasha was about to ask what they would do there, but Vayl cleared her throat and raised her chin.


    Her words pierced Sasha''s skull like pennies dropped into a fresh pool of water, plunk, plunk, plunk, until she was left stunned.


    "Well, you all saw and heard our exchange, and saw the response of Piss Pants.. What do you think?" Vayl said without looking at Sasha, her voice raised to reach all the way through the cave. "Are the prophecies true? Has the humane to save us? Or have we been deceived again? Will Sasha-don lead us home? Or is this only another ploy to drink our blood?"

 Chapter 295 - Saw You Coming

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    "What does she say?" a voice cried from nearer the cave mouth.


    All eyes turned from Vayl to Sasha, who stood in the spotlight, stunned. "I¡­ I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    "We aren''t ignorant to the human schemes," Vayl said tightly. "They farm us like cattle. But their efforts have slowed greatly in the past few months. So¡­ do they n to ughter us? Or do you bring hope, Sasha?"


    "Hope? I mean, yes, I bring hope, but I''m by no means certain¡ª"


    "Are you carrying Zev''s pup?" someone else called.


    "I¡­ I don''t think so. Not yet."


    A murmur rippled through the gathered females and Sasha shook her head. "I''m sorry, I''m missing something. You said something about a¡­ a prophecy? And blood? I don''t understand¡ª"


    Vayl''s eyes narrowed and she looked over her shoulder at the females that had stayed close when they were out in front of Nick and who all remained just behind her now. The women nodded.


    "We have made the decision to take a risk on you, Sasha-don," Vayl said, as if the words were bitter on her tongue. "Because we are dying. Without help, we will not survive many more winters."


    Sasha gaped at all of them. They looked far healthier than the females she''d seen in the building. And yet there was an air of being¡­ threadbare here, she realized. These women were walking an edge. She was almost afraid to ask what they thought would take their lives. Because these women didn''t look as if their bodies were failing.


    "I spoke the truth when I said I want to help," Sasha said. "I''m here to try and figure out a way to¡­ to get you all back to Thana. But I don''t know anything about prophecies, or¡­ I''m just here because I saw an opportunity and I took it. The males have wanted you back since the day you were taken. Everything they''ve done up to this point has been an attempt to win you back from¡­ from here. When Zev took me there, he didn''t know all of you had been taken. He''d only seen the females back at theplex¡ªthe ones that they made, and the¡­ the ones they brought in for breeding. He hadn''t realized all of you were here. He didn''t know¡­ when we both found out¡­ it''s our goal to get you out of here and safe, and back to the males. None one wants you here."


    "Except humans. Like you." Vayl said.


    Sasha shook her head. "That''s not a human thing, that''s a¡­ these men are sick. They want things, n things a normal human would call inhumane. They aren''t examples of the best of us. They''re examples of the worst."


    "They are the only humans we''ve met."


    Discussion sparked, back and forth, until Sasha raised her hands and pleaded with them to listen. "I don''t know how much time I have. I don''t to risk Nick getting nervous anding in here looking for me. Please. The only way I can help is to gather as much information from you as possible. Are there any ces you know that their security is loose? Any ces you could breach the fence? Are there any times they leave youpletely unattended? Any hints you have of ways you might get out of here with some help from the outside?"


    But she met only nk stares, and shaking heads.


    "They are very strong, Sasha-don," one of the women behind Vayl said after a moment. "The few who have attempted to escape alone have all died, or been brought back to us with their minds broken. We stopped trying after the first year."


    "The fence is always in clear space, so we can''t climb trees or thend to try to leap it."


    "What about the owls?" Sasha asked. "You can''t fly? It doesn''t seem very high."


    There was a high wail in the crowd, and a murmur that ran through the females on every side. Vayl''s face went t. "Our Owl sisters have been¡­ clipped. Their wings cannot carry them. They cannot fly."


    Sasha felt sick. She almost asked what had been done to those poor women, but she was a coward, afraid she''d vomit in front of them like she had with Nick the night before.


    "I''m¡­ I''m so sorry," she whispered, praying they could all hear her anyway. "I''m working, I promise. Doing everything I can to negotiate your freedom. They''re changing their focus. They haven''t had any luck breeding you, so they''re looking for another solution. I''m working to convince them that having you back in Thana will work best for¡­ for everything they''re trying to achieve¡ª"


    There was a sharp intake of breath and Sasha stopped.


    Vayl bristled. "You do seek to help them?"


    "No!" Sasha hurried to rify. "No, my goal is to keep them happy, to convince them I''m not a threat. That we''re working together. And I will aid them in the ways they''re asking for right now, because it won''t harm anyone else. But ultimately¡­ ultimately our goal is for the independence of the Chimera. We''re just¡­ I''m not certain yet how¡­ You have to believe me, this opportunity came unexpectedly. I had to take it or burn that bridge with the humanspletely. I took it. I''m certain I can do something. And what I learn while I''m here¡­ I will get you out of here. I know I will. I''m just not sure yet how."


    It was mostly true. She had an idea, but it was true that she wasn''t sure it would work. And she didn''t want to share too much with these females because who knew how many of them were informing for Nick and his team? Or how much technology was nted here?


    She''d been honest with the men about wanting the females out. She knew if they were recording this she could convince Nathan that this conversation was only what she''d promised to do¡ªto get the Chimera listening to her, working with her, to align with theirmon goals.


    And that gave her an idea.


    "If I can get you out of her," she said carefully, straightening her shoulders and raising her chin, "If I can get you back to Thana, back to the males¡­ will you acknowledge me?"


    Stunned silence met her proposal. But it was Vayl who stepped forward, her eyes bright and fierce. "Sasha-don, if you can get us released, I will submit my power to you. All of it."


    Then she sped her hand to her chest and bowed her eyes and head as Sasha had seen the males do for Zev. And the cave rustled and rumbled then as every female in the ce followed suit.


    Yet, when Vayl straightened the fierceness hadn''t left her gaze.. "But if you betray us, I will bite out your throat myself."

 Chapter 296 - We Could Be Gods

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    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    A trembling Sasha stepped out of the shadow of the forest when the sun was a little higher in the sky, to find Nick leaning back against the hood of the Jeep. He watched her approach and looked relieved when it became clear she was alone.


    She stopped a few feet from him, aware that her hands were shaking, butpletely unable to do anything about it.


    Nick''s face got very serious. "Are you okay?"


    Sasha shrugged. "I don''t know. That was¡­ scary. They almost¡­ Nick those women are not in their right minds. I don''t know what you''ve been doing to them, but¡ª"


    "Let''s get in the car and discuss itter. They''re very sneaky. They might be watching or listening without our knowledge."


    He turned to walk to the driver''s door, but Sasha stood her ground and didn''t approach the vehicle.


    "No, Nick. We''re going to talk about this now. When there''s no one else here. I can''t¡­ how can you have such a state of the artplex here and yet they''re living like cavemen? Those caves¡­ it''s like they''re animals!"


    Nick stopped in the act of opening the car door, instead turning back to face her, but he looked pissed. "They live that way because they prefer it. You might have noticed the Chimera have a different definition of "creatureforts."


    Sasha hesitated. He was right, of course. She dropped her head into her head. "I don''t know what to do," she whispered.


    "About what?"


    She jerked her head up to stare at him like he was blind. "Can''t you see that they''re dying?!"


    "Those women are perfectly healthy¡ª"


    "In their bodies, but not in their minds. They just told me themselves, they don''t think they''ll make it through next winter."


    Nick blinked. "They told you that?"


    "I told them I was working against you, trying to free them. That I needed them to trust me, to tell me how to get them out of here. But there''s no way out. From their perspectives, this is where they die. They''re despairing, Nick. Literally, losing their minds. They believe anyone who tried to escape was killed, and anyone whoplied with your program was taken. They''re caged animals, Nick, just waiting for it to swallow them. You''re going to lose them!"


    Nick watched her face, expressionless. Examining her.


    Sasha swore. "Test me with your little gadgets or whatever, Nick, it''s the truth! They''re dying, and you''re just sitting here watching it happen. Tell me how that is a good use of these billions you''re telling me you''ve spent?"


    Nick''s lips pressed thin and he turned away to stare at the distant mountains. "They might have really told you that. They might even think it''s true. But I doubt it. I told you they''re uneducated, but they aren''t unintelligent. They''re using you, Sasha. They can tell they can pull on your heartstrings."


    "So? That doesn''t mean it''s not true. We have to get them out of there¡ªthey need to go back to Thana or you''re going to lose them. They said more of them have died in the past year than in the two previousbined, is that true?"


    Nick hesitated. "Yes, but it isn''trge numbers¡ª"


    "Nathan said they can go back. You have to help them! We have to help them!"


    "No, Nathan said you can go back¡ªif you''re not pregnant. He said they''d consider about the rest."


    "That''s such bullshit," Sasha sneered. "''Consider''. Bullshit. That''s a bullshit word for never going to happen and you know it."


    "That''s my point," Nick said, shaking his head, his eyes flicking to the forest behind her.


    "But why does it have to be that way? Because these men won''t believe me? Fine, but they''ll believe you! You tell them that they need to go back!"


    Nick, standing next to the driver''s door, tipped his chin as if she should go back to the forest, but when he spoke, the gesture was nothing to do with what he said. "You don''t understand what you''re dealing with, Sasha. The Chimera are a resource, that''s all. If they can''t serve their purpose, they''re useless to us." Then he tipped his head towards the forest again and widened his eyes.


    "I can''t stand you and your¡­ callousness!" Sasha shrieked and turned on her heel. "I''m going to go help those poor women¡ªthey don''t deserve this! You guys can figure this out on your own, I''m not having anything to do with getting them killed¡ª"


    "Sasha, wait, please," he called, darting after her.


    "No, this is bullshit! You''ll protect me, but you won''t protect them when they could all have Chimeran babies too? You people are assholes!"


    She started to run into the trees, Nick on her heels, calling that he didn''t want to hurt her, but that she needed to stop.


    Then suddenly, he hooked her arm and whipped her around so her back was to the trunk of arge tree to her right.


    She started to scream, but he pped a hand over her mouth and leaned into her ear, hissing. "They''re resources, Sasha," he whispered urgently. "If they don''t earn their keep, they''re useless. Yet they''re still here. Even though they haven''t had babies. What do you think that means?"


    Sasha stopped trying to scream through his hand, but stared at him, her breath hissing in and out of her nose over his palm. Then he let her go and stepped back.


    "I''m sorry, but just in case the camera could still catch it, I had to get you in here. The audio won''t pick up this far away."


    Sasha swallowed. "Get me in here¡­ for what?"


    "To tell you what you''re stepping into so you won''t make a mistake and get yourself killed. Listen to me, Sasha: The Chimera are a resource. An asset. They''re a thing to these people. You think they''re keeping them alive, keeping this wholeplex going out the goodness of their hearts?"


    "They''re people," she insisted. "People that you all made! How does killing them slowly do anything but waste those "resources" you''re so proud of?"


    "Because they can be used, even when they''re dying, don''t you get it yet?"


    "No! I don''t!"


    Nick raked a hand through his hair and swore under his breath. Then he turned back to re at her. "We have seconds before I have to get you back out there, or they get suspicious, so listen fast: The breeding is secondary. It''s preferable. Cheaper, and easier than making them. It costs less to keep them and breed them than to make them. But we can do it if we have to, and they''re considering that, right now. Because if they can get babies from you and Zev, and if they can figure out how to breed Chimeran males with human females, they don''t need the females to be anything but cattle. Resources, Sasha. Think. What do we do with resources? We consume them."


    Sasha blinked. "But¡­ what¡­"


    "Their blood heals wounds, Sasha," Nick hissed. "Not just when you get a boo-boo on your finger. Real wounds. Diseases. Their blood can rejuvenate internal organs. It can heal massive wounds¡ªthe near-loss of a limb, or someone whose brain was damaged in a car crash. Just give some thought to what that means? Their blood can stop a delivering mother from bleeding out¡ªor stop her underdeveloped baby from dying. The potential is literally endless.


    "Imagine what people will pay for that. Imagine the difference in our society for the people who can ess that? Imagine the power?! Wake up, Sasha. You aren''t ying with scientists who are here for shits and giggles. They''re staring down the barrel of immortality." He took a deep breath, shaking his head. "Do you get it yet? They believe the Chimera are the literal fountain of youth.. That they''re going to make them gods."

 Chapter 297 - What鈥檚 At Stake

    SINCERE APOLOGIES: Last weekend my son and husband both came down with covid (they''re fine, getting better now) but now I''ming down with it. This happened at the one time of the month when my stockpile of chapters was almost dry, and because I haven''t been able to write much this week, I''m behind. Unfortunately, ALPHA will drop to 1 chapter per day for the rest of March, but then return to 2 per day in April. I appreciate your patience and I''m sorry!


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Sasha stood, back still to the tree, stunned speechless.


    The picture Nick painted, the motives these people had¡­ and yes, the n. She could see it. It was like something out of a bad science fiction movie. But if these past few weeks had shown her anything it was that those stories perhaps weren''t nearly as much fiction as she''d always believed.


    His words kept echoing in her head.


    They''re going to make them gods.


    Did these men really believe that? It made a sick kind of sense¡ªwhy they seemed so cold and calcting about it all. The power they thought they''d gain.


    Nick had been right, she hadn''t seen how big this was. That scared her, though, because what else was she missing.


    "So fucking creepy," she muttered under her breath. A shudder rocked her entire body and she didn''t bother hiding it. Nick was a part of this. He needed to see that normal people didn''t walk through the world thinking that this was okay.


    But to her surprised, Nick to turned to look at her, his expression concerned. "I know that''s a lot. Are you okay?"


    "Of course I''m not okay. This whole thing is just¡­ it''s evil, Nick!"


    "It''s not evil. It''s ambitious. There''s a difference. I mean, you''ll use a pregnancy to get what they want, why shouldn''t they?"


    "I''ll what? You''re crazy!"


    "You said yesterday, you told Nathan, if they let you get back to Zev, don''t ask you to harm anyone, you''ll give them their Chimera babies."


    "I¡­ but¡­"


    "You''re the beginning, Sasha. With you here, they can smell how close this all is. If you get pregnant, they''ve finally got their answer about how to increase the numbers affordably. Once these men know what works, they won''t swerve from it."


    "Great, then lets get pregnant and they can let the rest of the females go!"


    Nick snorted. "Fat chance."


    "What are you saying?"


    "I''m saying the only way you get them back to Thana is if it benefits Nathan and the Board. If you find something that makes their resource more profitable, or more efficient. But, if it turns out that you and Zev are the only future, they''re done with the rest of them. They''re expensive and not fulfilling all their needs. They''ll be done."


    "Done? With the females?"


    "With all the other Chimera." Nick sighed, still watching thend ahead. "Stop telling yourself there''s boundaries here, Sasha. The men who run this ce don''t see the Chimera as people. They won''t free them into Thana out of the goodness of their hearts. They''ll either harvest them, or kill them.


    "Harvest them? What the hell does that mean?"


    "Use what they can and discard the rest."


    Sasha shuddered again. "No!"


    "You don''t get to say no."


    "I don''t care. I am saying no. If I''m going to be a part of this, returning the females to Thana is a non-negotiable."


    "You''re really overestimating the amount of leverage you have here."


    "Am I?"


    Nick stared at her. "What''s making you so sure of yourself right now?"


    Sasha red at the forest. "You''re saying me and Zev are the answer, right?


    "Probably. That has yet to be seen."


    "So¡­ if we aren''t here, they''re screwed. They have to keep everyone else, and try to get them healthy."


    "No, Sasha. If you aren''t here, They find someone else for Zev and they keep trying. You can''t win this."


    "You said he can''t breed with anyone else, because we''re bonded now. He can only breed with me. If you need offspring from him, you need me. And only me."


    Nick didn''t answer. She could feel the cogs turning over in his mind.


    Then he swallowed. "We have technology. We can harvest his sperm and force fertilization in¡ª"


    "If they could have done that, they would have done it. I''m betting they''ve tried it already and it either didn''t work, or you got some of our friends who live in the forest that you''re so scared of.


    She sees him tense. He doesn''t speak, but he''s starting to smile.


    "What?" she asked.


    "Keep going," he muttered. "Keep following that trail."


    Sasha didn''t trust him, but she kept thinking it through anyway. "All their eggs are in one basket now, right? You''ve got your medical resource. You''ve got your process to build Chimera, but it''s all too clunky and expensive to make it sustainable. So you need Chimera who can stay healthy and reproduce. And right now, it looks like me and Zev are the only way there. Without us, you''re back and square one, because you have to recreate Zev, and you haven''t been able to do that."


    Nick just stared.


    "It''s even more dire than you think, Nick."


    His eyes spark. "How so?"


    Sasha rolls the dice. "If I''m not here, Zev''s not here."


    Nick frowned. "Zev loves you, Sasha, and the mate bond¡­ I get it, his time will be limited. But¡ª"


    "No, Nick, you don''t get it. We didn''t just bond. We''re ardent. We forged something¡ªthe Chimera called it a soulbond. I don''t know what it is, all I know is that there''s a piece of me that belongs in him, and a piece of him in me, and they are all certain that if one of us dies, the other does. Not years down the line. That same moment. We''ve vowed to each other and something happened. I can''t exin it. But it''s like our heartbeats are¡­ linked somehow. If mine stops, his does. And visa versa."


    Nick''s face goes very serious. "You can''t lie to them about stuff like this, Sasha."


    "I''m not. Ask a Chimera who''s never met us. Ask them what a soulbond is, and what it does. I don''t know how you''d test for it, but I figure there has to be some physical markers. It doesn''t matter, the point is, it''s true. Whether you like it or not, it''s true. You kill me, Zev dies. You kill Zev, I die.. I think¡­ I think your people are now wholly invested in keeping both of us alive and healthy."

 Chapter 298 - Eyes & Ears Everywhere

    LAST CHANCE FOR A PAPERBACK: All policies have changed and I will no longer be able to offer paperbacks for giveaways or prizes. If you live in the USA and want a Paperback of ALPHA, you will need to purchase the highest privilege tier before 30 March!


    This message was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words


    *****


    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Nick stared at her, but didn''t respond. Then he looked around, back and forth, as if someone might be watching them. His face was tight. "We have to get back into the car before they get suspicious."


    Sasha gaped at him. After all that, that''s what he had to say? She wanted to scream¡ªand they would be able to tell when she got back to the car? Ugh, it was like living in a fishbowl. She couldn''t get away from these people! "So, they''re recording everything?"


    "Everything. Let''s go."


    Sasha balked. "How do I know there''s no bug on you now?"


    Nick shrugged. "Would it matter if there was?"


    Sasha stared at him for a long moment, then she just gave up and huffed. "I guess not."


    "Are you going to tell them everything you just told me?" Nick asked carefully.


    "Are you?"


    "I tell them everything, Sasha. You need to know that. I tell them everything." But he shook his head, very slowly.


    Sasha gave him a t look. "I think I need to talk to Nathan again."


    "About this?"


    "About this, and about the females. He seemed to thinkst night if I saw how they were living it was going to shut me up. Or that I''d think they weren''t doing such a bad job after all. But I''m just more horrified. Do you people not pay attention at all to the mental state of the Chimera? Like, does that not even factor in for you? These women are all at breaking point. All of them. I don''t care how much you pump them full of vitamins and give them good food. This life is unnatural for them, and it''s killing them. If you try to do this to me, it will kill me too, and that''ll kill Zev. If they really want to see progress, they have to be willing to make some changes."


    "And you think you''re the one to make that happen?" Nick raised a single eyebrow.


    "I know I am." She couldn''t exin why, but she was certain of it. "Because without me, they''re screwed. I mean, how much time do Nathan and the others need? How much time would they give me to prove it? Because, seriously, if I don''t live up to my end, they can go back in six months and do whatever they want. But until then, they need me. And once I am having babies, they''ll really need me. I''m not going to have a healthy pregnancy while I''m worried about these women. And Zev''s not going to be healthy while he''s worrying about me. Would it really kill you all to put us all in a situation that benefits us? Like, for real? What do you lose? You''ve had the Chimera in Thana before. What do you lose by putting them back."


    "Control."


    Shasha shook her head, snorting. "ording to you, if they decide to kill us all in Thana, they can do it without losing time or sleep. What does it matter if they''re loose in this fucking "sanctuary" or loose in Thana? In Thana they''ll be healthier. More likely to reproduce¡ªyou already know that that''s true. And that gives you leverage for keeping them in line¡ªkeeping me in line. I don''t want to see babies hurt. I don''t want to see¡­ I don''t want to see my babies hurt. Give us a life, Nick. Let us live, and we''ll give you whatever it is that you want." Except the Chimera as a people, she thought. Except control.


    Nick stared at her, considering, his mind visibly turning over again. But he didn''tment. After a moment, he tipped his head back towards the vehicle and urged her to follow him. When he just kept walking, even without her, she gave up and trotted to catch up with him. As soon as she was alongside him, he spoke in a low mutter.


    "You tell it to them exactly like that. Exactly what you just said to me. Paint the picture of what they get, okay? What''s in it for them. And what it will cost them if they don''t. Make sure they know that. But what you''re talking about is going to cost money and time. So don''t be surprised when they want their pound of flesh back in exchange."


    "What pound of flesh? I can''t control whether I''m pregnant or not!"


    "No, but you can control whether you''re trying. You can control how you care for yourself. And you can definitely control how and what you say about the humans and how the othersply. We aren''t stupid, Sasha. I might not be inside your head, but you''re pretty easy to read. If you can get the Chimera away from us, you will. I know that. They know that. The question is only whether you realize that we know. If you''re up front with them about it¡ªgive them ways to keep tabs on you, make sure you all aren''t fleeing into the forest or whatever, you might convince them.


    "But don''t get cocky. These men are utterly ruthless, and they have essentially endless resources at their disposal. They don''t want to start again¡ªespecially the older ones. You have something they want. They have ways of making you get it to them. You''d be a lot better off if you''d give it voluntarily. My advice, jump before you''re pushed."


    "And if I don''t?"


    "If you don''t, you and Zev are both dead. This program either gets shut downpletely, or restarted. And don''t believe they''ll make the same mistakes next time."


    "What mistakes?"


    Nick sighed. "Allowing any chimera to believe that they have any kind of agency in their own lives. You think this feels like a cage, Sasha? You''re starting to see¡­ even the ces they feel like they''re free, they''re really not. You get that, right? It''s all a ruse to make them feel freer than they actually are. Allowing them the freedom of Thana was just an experiment, Sasha. If it fails, they don''t just press repeat. We''re all fucking dead.. And the next crew? They''re dealing with a zoo, not a wildlife sanctuary."

 Chapter 299 - Perspective

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Driving back towards theplex, Nick seemed to be going slower than when they''d been on their way out. His brows kept pinching in, as if he was arguing something with himself. Sasha didn''t push. She was still struggling to read Nick, to figure out if or when he could be trusted. And the truth was, talking to him about this whole picture was very different to speaking about it with Nathan and the other board members.


    How was she ever going to convince them to give her what she wanted?


    There was no point angsting about it, she realized. Either they would listen and do as she asked, or they wouldn''t. Wetting her pants about it wasn''t going to change anything in the long run.


    Sasha stared out the window, watching the grass and distant trees pass the Jeep. It was a beautiful ce out here. Remote. Though the clearednd felt a little too perfect to be natural, it was still real.


    "Why do they call this the sanctuary?" she said, suddenly needing to have something else to focus on.


    Nick huffed. "The idea was to have a ce where the Chimera would be able to self-manage, like you just saw. We can easily pass them things that are needed. We can test and treat for medical needs. But other than that, they''re left mostly to themselves. They hunt to subsidize the food we give them. We don''t interfere with them more than is necessary for breeding and to avoid the issues I mentioned around that. It''s loosely based on the idea of the wildlife sanctuaries all over the world¡ªces they can live their lives, but where they''re also essible."


    This ce didn''t feel like a sanctuary to Sasha. It felt more like a really big cage.


    "But¡­ they aren''t even dressed in the way that''s natural for them," she said. "Do you really think you''ve replicated their Thana lives out there? Because you haven''t. They need a lot more space. They need an entire society¡ªwith males, and older Chimera, and¡­ they just need so much more. This isn''t a real life, Nick. It''s a big cage."


    "Well, it''s what they have, and what they''ve survived in for the past three years¡ªmore, if you count the ones we made, or those that came earlier."


    "So, there''s more, right. The females I just saw, those aren''t all of them."


    "No, but the others serve specific purposes. They''re being studied for specific traits or experiments. They can''t be free, because they have to be monitored all the time."


    Sasha stomach turned over again, remembering the made females that were in that apartment, and that hushed plea from their leader. "You''re killing them, too, you know."


    "Don''t get too full of yourself, Sasha. You don''t know anything about any of this. Stay in yourne."


    "I''m not¡ª"


    "Those females know nothing except what we tell and show them. They''ve only barely even interacted with the other females."


    "Then how do they know about Zev and the traditions¡ªsharing scents, and stuff."


    "Because we tell them," Nick said. "We aren''t trying to mess them up, Sasha. We''re trying to give them a purpose and help them understand who and what they are¡ªand how they''re helping us. The females love movie nights, did you know that? Does that strike you as a Thana Chimeran trait? No. But they love it. It''s currency to them. When we want to motivate them, or get them to push through something, we offer them that. They''re like children, in many ways. Very simple in their needs and in their drivers."


    "Because they''ve never had a chance to be anything else!" Sasha cried, certain he was so wrong, but needing him to believe she believed him. "If you let them go to Thana¡ª"


    "If we let those females, who''ve spent their entire lives in climate controlled, human environments into Thana, they would be less than useless. Even more at a loss than you were Sasha."


    "I¡­ how did you know?"


    Nick chuckled. "I didn''t need to know. We''ve followed you for years. You''re a city girl, Sasha. This isn''t the environment in which you thrive."


    "Zev is the environment in which I thrive," she muttered.


    Nick chuckled again. "Don''t be mad, I''m just saying, you know how it is to walk into a ce and bepletely out of yourfort zone. That''s how it would be for those women, except even less. Their entire existences have been in ourbs, and thisplex. They don''t know anything else."


    "They want to. They know about Zev and Thana. I bet if you offered them the chance¡ª"


    "Yeah, and if you told a ten year old about the rain forest and all the creatures there, they''d want to go. But they''d have no idea how hard it was, physically or mentally. That''s the thing, Sasha. You''re right they''ve never had a chance to be anything else, but also, we don''t know if they can be. They were all created for specific gene traits. Every month we discover new differences, new ws, new strengths¡­ we could study these people for the rest of my life and we still won''t reach the edge of understanding their purposes and limits.


    "That whole arena of learning isn''t going to stop just to make you morefortable. So you need to lower your sights if you''re thinking you''re going to include those females in your request to Nathan. It just won''t happen. And if they start to think you''re just creating obstacles, they''ll stop listening. Be very careful, Sasha. You can''t save all of them."


    She wanted to argue. To make him see that the females could probably thrive in Thana¡ªthe humans could learn new things about them that way¡ªbut before she could think about how to frame that in a way that got the females into Thana withoutmitments to have the humans there, too, Nick''s device started rming.


    He stopped the Jeep to pull it out of his inside pocket and tapped the screens a couple times, then stared at it for a long minute.


    When he looked up at Sasha, his eyes were unreadable.


    "What is it?" she asked, suddenly nervous.


    Nick looked back down at the screen. "Looks like you''re going to get your chance to talk to the Board. Your test results are in, and Nathan and Horace are on their way to meet us."


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 Chapter 300 - Anomaly

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Sasha stared at him, but after a moment Nick only put his device down in hisp and put the car back in gear.


    "So?!" Sasha said, her voice strangled.


    "So, what? You''re getting what you want. An audience with the decision makers."


    "I mean, what were the test results?" she said, exasperated.


    "I don''t know. They haven''t told me. They just said they''re in and we need toe back."


    Sasha gaped at him. "How can you just sit there? Isn''t this like the biggest thing they''ve done so far? What does it mean that they''reing? Does that mean they think I''m pregnant? Or that I''m not?"


    "I don''t know, Sasha," Nick said, utterly calm. "That''s the thing with these men, they''re almost impossible to predict. I''ve stopped trying."


    "That''s bullshit. You''re a thinker, Nick."


    "No bullshit," he said with a nce at her to the side. "I really don''t know what that means, and I''m not going to specte, because I can see reasons why they''d show up on both sides of that coin. I actually find it more interesting that they haven''t just told me what it was. That speaks volumes."


    "About what?"


    "It means either they are certain I''ll tell you, and they don''t want you to know yet. Or they think you''re going to respond poorly to the news. They''re trying to avoid problems. But I could be wrong¡­ Like I said, they''re hard to predict."


    Sasha shook her head and turned to look at the passing scenery again. They weren''t far from theplex now. Her head was spinning. How should she y this? Businesslike, as if the whole scenario was just a transaction, which was clearly how these men thought of all this?


    Or should she appeal to their baser instincts? Their guts? Their emotions¡ªif they even had them.


    She was still twisted up, swinging back and forth between options when they pulled up outside the main building.


    There were two other cars there this time¡ªa long, sleek, ck SUV, and another Jeep. ck, too, and fitted out with all kinds of antennae and gadgets on its roof and clipped to the front of the windscreen.


    Nick got out of the car and started towards the building, once again just trusting her to follow.


    When she slid to the ground outside the vehicle and closed the door, she looked out towards where the light broke through the trees. The road that led out of this ce, to that fence, then the highway, then back to Thana.


    She yearned to be on that road. Even if she had to walk the whole way.


    Her stomach clenched and she lifted a prayer to the God that she knew had to love Zev''s soft heart and loving nature. That God had to help her, had to help them. This was all too much. She couldn''t die here. But she couldn''t leave all these Chimera here, either.


    Help me, please¡­ she pleaded. Then started towards the building as well, watching Nick''s back as he opened the door and stood there, holding it for her.


    As she passed through and into the perfectly controlled temperature and humidity of the building, she was reminded.


    Just because something was easy, didn''t mean it was good for you.


    They could make these buildings and fill them with technology, and give chemicals that would keep a body alive, but that didn''t mean that these females were alive.


    It just meant they were breathing.


    She wanted them to smile. And she wanted to see the faces of the males when they saw the femalesing¡­


    She rolled her shoulders back and lifted her chin. She didn''t know how she was going to do it, but she was going to get these women out. As many of them as she could.


    *****


    An hourter, she sat at a conference table with Nathan, Horace, Nick, and ab technician who''d spent the past forty minutes walking them through the gics of Zev''s creation, Sasha''s DNA, how and why they believed the gene pool would mingle, and some interesting anomalies they found in Sasha''s DNA.


    "Anomalies," Nathan asked tightly.


    "Yes, her DNA has changed since west tested her."


    Sasha blinked. "I''ve never had my DNA tested."


    Nathan stared at her, and Horace rubbed his mouth.


    Nick sighed. "We''ve had your DNA profile since the first day you and Zev touched, Sasha. Just in case. We started with hair and saliva, and we''ve built your profile over the years in various ways."


    Sasha stared at each of them around the table, horrified. "That is such a¡­ vition!"


    Nathan shrugged. "We could have had you arrested on trumped up charges and kept you in prison for all these years so we could request your samples when we needed them instead. Would you have preferred that?"


    "Those aren''t the only two options!"


    "They are in your case."


    "You people are nuts, you know that? Actually insane!"


    Nick made a soothing gesture towards her, but Sasha just red. Nathan turned back to the technician, while Horace fiddled with his shirt cuffs and didn''t meet her eyes.


    "The anomalies," Nathan said calmly. "What are they, and what do they mean?"


    "They mean something has urred to flip certain genes in Sasha since thest time we tested her, which was¡­ approximately three months ago. When she started dating that other male."


    "I¡­ what?!" Sasha gasped.


    Nathan ignored her. "What''s changed?"


    "It''s hard to say without knowing what caused the shift. We can assume the bond with Zev has had some kind of impact. She seems to be carrying¡­ markers now."


    "Markers?"


    "A gic map for¡­ well, we don''t really know. But certain points have shifted to match a Chimera, while others remain unchanged."


    Nathan sat up, his brows high. "She''s bing Chimera?"


    Sasha felt Nick tense in the seat next to her, but she sat bolt upright in her chair, staring at the technician. She couldn''t be saying that¡­ could she?


    She opened her mouth, but Nick''s hand appeared on her forearm and she cut off, turning to look at him.


    He held her gaze and shook his head, then looked back at the technician who was frowning at the papers in front of her.

 Chapter 301 - Inside Out

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Apparently unaware of Sasha''s thumping heart and shaking hands, the technician shook her head slowly and tapped something on the paper, as if the question were merely academic.


    "No, no," she said quickly. "The markers all interact with and determine the functioning of the adrenal system. It''s as if she''s developed an increased¡­ sensitivity to the Chimera. I don''t know how better to put it. In the Chimera, these genes, in conjunction with others, are part of their heightened senses and awareness of the world. But Sasha''s senses remain human. It''s as if her body has changed to¡­ amodate something to do with the Chimera. We haven''t had enough time to observe or test to know more than that. But no, this doesn''t change who or what she is. Sasha remains human. But there''s a very narrow scope within which her body has changed."


    "To what purpose?"


    The technician grimaced. "If we assume it''s to do with the matebond, I would hypothesize that she''s gained a¡­ a sixth sense for her mate. That some kind of physical connection has urred within them, something that they both carry. But without testing Zev to see if his marker changes reflect hers, I can''t be sure."


    "Let''s make that happen as soon as possible," Nathan said, his voice low and firm as he made a note on a pad in front of him.


    "You will do no such thing," Sasha seethed, leaning forward over the conference table, towards Nathan. "You will not touch him. You will not bring him out of Thana. He''s dealt with enough of your shit tost more than a lifetime! You leave him alone!"


    Nathan stared at her for a moment, then leaned forward to mirror her. "You have no power here, Sasha. Shut your mouth and listen. You might learn something."


    "All I''m learning is how fucked in the head you all are!" Sasha spat. "I saw your precious ''sanctuary'' this morning. You''re killing your own experiments and you don''t even know it. If it wouldn''t destroy them, I''d wish for it to happen so you could all learn your lesson."


    Nathan didn''t look up from his notepad where he was making notes again, but his jaw was tight and Horace watched him warily.


    "What if, rather than the matebond, your presupposition was pregnancy? Could that cause the kind of shift you''re describing?"


    "It seems unlikely¡ªor at least, extremely odd. But since we haven''t sessfully mated a human woman with a Chimera before, we can''t really know."


    "What are you saying?" Sasha breathed, but they all ignored her.


    "Exin," Nathan said to the technician. "Why would you dismiss pregnancy as the cause?"


    "Because if the changes were urring because her body was connected to a different DNA source, it would show up in other ces first¡ªand likely, not this significantly at this stage. She''d be far too early in the process to have a shift this dramatic¡ªat least, we assume so. Plus, as I say, we know which systems are affected and how, there''s others we''d expect to see changing before this, if it was a blood-sharing issue, or even hormonal."


    "What are you saying?" Sasha said, louder this time. "Are you saying I am pregnant, or I''m not?"


    The technician looked at her oddly, as if she were something under a microscope, to be examined. "We don''t know," she said after a minute.


    "I¡­ how can you not know?" Sasha''s voice was too high, too frail.


    "The changes that we can mark in your bloodstream, hormones, and DNA don''t appear to be those attached to pregnancy. But because we haven''t had this kind of pregnancy before, we can''t be sure."


    Nathan''s lips twisted. "Uneptable."


    The technician seemed to shrink in her chair. "She isn''t showing the correct markers by Chimeran blood tests. And the natural human hormones and physical shifts aren''t present in her system. But Chimeran pregnancies are different and we can''t know how they''ll affect the human body. We''ll do full work ups every day until either her period begins, or we can find something more concrete."


    "I¡­ you''ll¡­ no, you won''t. I''m going back to Thana!" Sasha snapped.


    Nathan flipped a page on his notes, frowning. "I told you that you could return if and when we were certain you weren''t pregnant, Sasha. Until we know one way or another, you won''t be released. Because until we know, we don''t know what our short term goals are."


    "Your goals? I''m not a fucking ser game, Nathan."


    "No, you''re potentially carrying¡ªor going to carry¡ªthe most exciting development in human technology and medicine since the dawn of time. So you''ll forgive me if we''re rathermitted to ensuring both your safety, and the appropriate treatment n before we make any rash decisions."


    "I can''t stay here. If I stay here Zev will¡ª" She snapped her mouth shut and cursed under her breath.


    "Zev will what, Sasha?" Nathan asked with exaggerated patience.


    "I don''t know. But it won''t be good. If he thinks you''re hurting me¡ª"


    "He''ll either show up¡ªand he''s wee here¡ªor he''ll send others after you, correct?" Nathan said, his brows up as if he was genuinely surprised they were having the conversation. "The only person in this room that''s not interested in getting more of the Chimerans from Thana into the Sanctuary is you, Sasha. So I''m afraid your protests are really only feeding my fire."


    Then he smiled.


    Sasha wanted to w his face. She wanted to spit on him. To shoot him in the head¡ªdear Lord, she''d never been a violent person. Was this because she''d been spending time with the Chimera who were so physical about everything? Or was this just¡­ her?


    Was she changing?


    Was it possible she was pregnant?


    Sasha swallowed. What if they''d been telling the truth? What if they''d somehow messed with her hormones before she went to Thana so that she would be fertile? But how would they have even known the timing to use? And wouldn''t she have noticed?


    Then for the first time, it urred to her¡­


    What if they hadn''t messed with her hormones before to get her pregnant, but they had been doing something now? What if they were somehow stopping her cycle from starting so they''d have an excuse to keep her here¡ªand draw Zev out?


    How could she have been so stupid?

 Chapter 302 - Deceived

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    The more Sasha thought about it, the more sense it made.


    How could she have been sopletely and utterly ignorant? So na?ve? So blind?


    She wanted to drop her head into her hands and weep. But instead, she sat there, stiffly, waiting, while the technician walked Nathan, Horace, and Nick through a variety of stats and number that she was using to validate everything she''d just told them.


    The words just circled in Sasha''s head, because her heart was sinking¡­


    It was why Nathan had been so quick to dangle the chance to return to Thana in front of her. It was why Nick was shuttling her around and showing her so much¡ªbecause they didn''t think she''d ever leave.


    All these conversations, all these promises, they were just ploys to keep her distracted and focused on something that wasn''t actually going to happen, but would keep herpliant until she couldn''t deny it anymore.


    They weren''t going to let her go. They were trying to tempt Zev back, and using her as bait.


    Holy shit. How was she going to warn him?


    But more importantly, how was she going to get back to him?


    As the meeting dragged on and Sasha continued to be discussed the way a piece of equipment, or curious substance would be dissected, spected about, and analyzed, her heart pounded harder and harder in fear and anger.


    They couldn''t do this to her. She couldn''t let them do this to her.


    But what choice did she have?


    *****


    Sasha didn''t know how long they were there before the technician was finally excused and Horace and Nathan turned to face her and Nick.


    "Your stay will be lengthened¡ªunless your period begins," Nathan said, his voicepletely untouched by emotion. "If that urs, tell us immediately. We can have the necessary confirmations, and then begin the process for establishing your medical care and returning you to Thana."


    Sasha snorted.


    Nathan looked up from his notebook where he''d been adding to his notes. His hand stopped moving. "You find that amusing?"


    "I don''t believe you," she said. "I don''t believe that you mean what you say. I believe you''re trying to manipte me so that I won''t cause problems for you, but the truth is, unless you hear me and we work this out, you''re going to have problems, whether you want them or not. Zev''s noting for me. And if you keep me away from him, you''ll lose both of us."


    Nick shifted in his seat, but didn''t move to stop her. Not that she would have stopped anyway.


    "Is that right?" Nathan said dryly.


    "Yes, it is. And you can wipe that smug impatience off your face. I told you, I''m not your experiment, and no matter how long you''ve been studying these people, it''s clear that you haven''te to truly understand them. I saw your "sanctuary" today. You really think that''s going to keep the females healthy and fertile? And you call me ignorant?!"


    "Yes, I did, Sasha, but it''s clear that you''re going to try to disabuse me of that idea, so please, you have our full attention. Tell me, why should I ignore every indication that we know what we''re doing, and listen to you instead?"


    Sasha let her disgust for this man show on her face, though it clearly had no effect on him. He just stared at her, waiting.


    Sasha threw up a silent prayer for help and some kind of insight, then started talking, ignoring Nick to her left, but letting her eyes fall both on Nathan and Horace.


    "You''re in a position where everything you''ve been building towards coulde to fruition, or it could all fall over, right? And I get it, those females out there are just pawns in the game. As long as they''re functioning, they can suit your purpose. But you''ve been trying to breed from them and you can''t, and I think you know why, but you don''t want to admit it because it means giving up some control.


    "But seriously, what good is control if it''s not getting you what you want? You''re doing that with me and Zev too, and you can''t even see it. You''re so busy trying to make us do what you want that we won''t be able to achieve what you''re going for. It''s ridiculous¡ªyou''re literally shooting your own goals down, but you''re too stubborn to see it."


    "But you can, I suppose?" Nathan drawled.


    "Yes, I can," she snapped, ttening her hand on the table. "You''re trying to force things that require more than physical intimacy. Don''t you get it? The Chimera bond¡ªthat''s happening at a level that you can''t control, whether you try to or not. And those bonds make physical things happen. So you have a choice: Put me and the other females back in Thana, or continue to stumble along here until you''re suddenly another decade down the line, still having to use only the Chimera you make, because you''re too damn stubborn to do what''s needed for the ones that could give you what you want."


    "And those are?"


    "Me and Zev¡­ but what we need is safety. We need peace. We need¡­ we need to be allowed to live our loves, and love and¡­ and be a part of something bigger. That''s what they all need¡ªall those females. They were breeding before, correct? But nothing since you brought them here? That''s not an ident."


    "We''ve been very selective¡ª"


    "Then clearly your process for selection is top notch," she said sarcastically. "But that''s not even really my point. You tried your thing, you learned from it. I get that. But now we''re on the other side of that learning and you still aren''t looking for the real answers. You''re still just looking for control."


    Sasha nced at Nick, who didn''t respond, but she saw fire in his eyes. The question was, was he excited to see her seed? Or was he enjoying what he expected to be her inevitable failure? Only one way to find out.


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 Chapter 303 - Last Chance

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Sasha took a moment to meet eyes with every man in the room, then she threw her hail mary.


    "You need me," she said to Nathan quietly. "You need me, and you need Zev. You need us healthy and productive. You need us not only physically close, but emotionally¡ªyou need that bond to do its work. You''ve already seen in the past three years that no amount of interference or nning is going to have the same affect as the Chimeran bond.


    "I''m not pregnant," she said firmly. "But I''m under extreme stress, shock, and fear. I''m angry, and my whole body is running on adrenaline. As long as that''s the case, it''s going to mess up my cycle¡ªand even if you gave me medications to force all that, you can''t force me to get pregnant. I can''t force my body to do that, either. That''s only one part of this that you have no control over.


    "But there''s so much you can control. You can control what kind of environment we''re in, and who''s in it with us. You can control whether we feel afraid or safe. You can control who we get to be around, and where.


    "I''m not na?ve, Nathan. I know you can imprison me¡ªyou already essentially have, let''s not pretend otherwise. But if you think keeping me here and baiting Zev back here is going to end in little Chimeran babies for you, you are the na?ve one.


    "Chimeran offspring are born out of the bond. Out of love and desire. And you''re killing that. All of it. For all of us. But the worst part is, you held me and Zev apart for so long, it''s been hard for us to find our bnce. And then, when we finally did, you yanked me back out again before we''d barely stepped foot back into any kind of life.


    "Your goal is longer, healthier life, right? You don''t get that from unhealthy, fearful people. If you want Chimeran offspring, you need Chimeran joy¡ªyou need time and space to form bonds, and time and space to explore them. And when ites to Zev and me¡­ you need both of us in that ce of safety. Because your technicians can look at every little number and blood level they want, they''re never going to identify the true source of what they''re finding, because you''re all so blinded by your own fucking knowledge, you haven''t seen the truth."


    "And what truth is that?" Nathan seethed.


    "The truth that Zev and I have something that goes so much deeper than you can even effect¡­ it''s changed my body, apparently. Because I have a soul, and so does he!" she insisted, far to vehemently, but she was so desperate for Zev to realize this¡­ they''d stolen this from him too! Rage burned in her chest so she had to put her head down for a second and fight for control.


    "You''ve done it," she said finally. "You''ve made me as desperate as those poor women out there. So here''s the truth Nathan. You can ept it and we can move forward. Or you can deny it, and we can stay stuck in this stupid ce until Zev and I die, and you''re left starting from scratch: The truth that you can''t see is that Zev and I are yourst shot. He''s here for reasons you can''t exin, and we bonded for reasons you can''t control. That bond has¡­ linked us. That''s what your technicians are seeing. They''re literally measuring the fact that my body and Zev''s are now linked because our souls have linked. So if you remove one of us, the other goes too. Not in a few months, or years. But right away. Get your books out, ask your sources. It''s called a soulbond for a reason, and it''s real. We''ve got it, and that''s what you''re tests are showing you. I''m not talking out of my ass. But we are walking on unchartered ground, because once again, you all had to get involved in something beautiful and turn it into a shitshow.


    "When you brought me over here without Zev, you tore something from us. Something I pray hasn''t been stolen forever. But regardless, what I know is, I''ll never give you a child here. I''ll never give you a child if you put me and Zev in a breeding arena. And it''s unlikely either of us are ever going to be able to deliver while everyone around us is miserable and afraid.


    "Wake up, both of you. All of you! Everyone in this ce needs a fucking wake up call: If you remove people''s dignity and rtionships, you remove their purpose. The moment you take away everything that makes life worthwhile, you remove the reason they have to keep living.


    "So your choices are this: Take me and the females back to Thana. Let all of us return to life there¡ªin a ce where you can guard the gateway and make sure no one''s getting away. Let us go back to having families and homes and a real, full society, and let us build that. Or keep doing what you''re doing and you''ll lose all of us. Every one. And once Zev''s gone, you''re starting over. Not just looking for him, but with everyone. They''ll follow him into the grave."


    She leaned forward intently, willing the men to hear the truth in what she was saying. "Zev''s theirst hope, do you get that? They know he''s special, and they know he understands things they don''t. They''ve been waiting for him. Looking for him. Wanting him toe back and lead so they can feel safe again.


    "If you try to turn me into Xar, you''ll lose all of them. They''ll fight you, or if you pen them up, they''ll die. Then all of this has been for nothing. Absolutely nothing. Is that what you want?"


    She sat back and took a deep breath. It was cruel, but she turned to meet Horace''s uneasy gaze. "How much time do you have, Horace? How much age can they reverse? How much does it cost to do it? Because if you kill me, you kill Zev. If you kill Zev, you kill me. And if you kill both of us, you''re burning down the Chimera around your ears. If you don''t want that, if you want all of this to actually achieve something then you have to let me go back.. And you have to let me take the females with me."

 Chapter 304 - Bound Together

    <strong>~ SASHA ~ </strong>


    Sasha sat there, staring at them, waiting. It was an act of will not to squirm in her seat. She prayed Nick had been telling the truth about their abilities to measure truth in a person, that whatever gave them that insight was telling them that her words rang true. And that it would be enough to get them to rethink how they were doing this.


    "I want to make sure I understand," Nathan said carefully. "You''re saying that you and Zev have developed a bond that links you physically¡ªso that if one of you dies, the other does also?"


    Sasha nodded.


    Nathan''s lips thinned. "Nick, is this possible?"


    "I don''t know," Nick said, "but she''s saying what she believes is true. We came right here, but I can get some checks made with the ancients."


    Sasha cut Nick a look. He''d said Yhet was the only ancient left, hadn''t he?


    "Do that," Nathan said to him, then turned back to Sasah. "And you want us to believe that we should just¡­ free everybody. So Thana can be some kind of Chimeran utopia? As if, the moment they begin to bring offspring into the world they''ll just¡­ release them to us?"


    "I''m not saying anything of that sort. I''m saying if you want any chance of any kind of sess, you have to find a way to work with the Chimera, not against them. Not against their natural needs and desires. And not by keeping them isted from each other!"


    "And you believe that somehow this is going to benefit us?" Nathan said, his lips twitching as if he mightugh.


    Sasha wanted to growl at him. "Thest thing I want to do is benefit you," she snarled. "But yes. If you want any chance of seeing the poption grow, of seeing healthy matebonds that will result in offspring, your only choice is to change how you''re doing this.


    "I''m offering you a deal that turns my stomach, but it''s better than what I see you pushing towards. Right now you''re going to kill the Chimera. All of them. And I have a hunch that your little health experiments are already taking a hint¡ªthe females in the sanctuary tell me that they''re dying. They can feel it. They''re losing hope. They think they won''t make it through another winter. Do you want to risk keeping them here, this way, to find out?


    "The males are fighting among themselves and turning on each other because they''re all so desperate for mates and families that when I walked in, even Xar threw tradition out the window.


    "I get that the Chimera aren''t human, but they have humanity. And when you remove their hearts, they will die.


    "I''m in a position to help you. I''m a position to convince them that they need you. That it''s worth working with you, finding a bnce, so that we can all get what we need. I mean, if you send those females back in and only a third of them make bonds, how many babies is that? How many families you can study? How many potential recruits for your¡­ program? How many more than you have now? Can''t you see? You''re failing right now¡ªnot just failing the Chimera, you''re failing in what you want. I''m telling you how you can get it!"


    "So, you''re going to give your baby to us if we do this?" Nathan said bluntly.


    "No fucking way."


    They stared at each other and Nathan shook his head. "Why wouldn''t you just lie?"


    "Because, you need to know what''s actually true, and what''s not. If I be a mother¡ªand I hope and pray that I do¡ªI will fight you tooth and nail to stop you from taking my baby from me. I have no doubt that every Chimeran Pair will. But from your perspective, you won''t even get the chance to fight for those offspring if something doesn''t change. Because they won''t exist. Those women are dying¡ªthey can feel it at this point. I can feel it just looking at them. And I can feel how that will happen to me, and it scares the shit out of me."


    Nathan''s eyes narrowed. "What is it you want me to believe you''re getting out of this?"


    "I''m getting my life with the other half of me. Zev owns me, don''t you get that? And I own him. This burden of leadership, it bes part of you. You don''t get it, there''s something spiritual about these people. Their needs, what they ask of you, it gets inside you. It''s why I could never shake my need for Zev, even when he abandoned me. And why you could always use me against him.


    "So if you really think you''re the stronger people here, the smarter team, if you really do bank on yourself, what does it matter if we''ll fight when the timees? Between now and then we can give you what you want."


    "And when we have need for the Chimera as our test subjects again?"


    "We cross that bridge when we get to it," Sasha said. "All I know is, I can''t be one with my mate here, and we can''t be one if we''re being forced to be together by you and your shifty eyes. If I can''t find some kind of sense of safety. If I can''t have people around me who can help and love and¡­ Shit. This is like trying to exin emotion to a robot," she muttered.


    "You might be surprised," Horace said quietly. Nathan shot the older man a look, but didn''t say anything.


    Sasha watched them both, but neither of them spoke again.


    Nathan was rubbing his chin, while Horace looked at him. Sasha sensed the older man was being persuaded. But Nathan¡­


    Nathan tipped his head and closed his notebook. Then he pushed his chair back and got up.


    Everyone waited for him to speak, but he didn''t, just walked around the conference table towards the door. It was Sasha who turned her chair and called before he got through the door. "You''re just ignoring all of that? You won''t even address it?"


    "I''m not making this decision here and now," Nathan said. "We''ll speakter."


    Then he walked out and the door clicked closed behind him.


    Sasha deted like a pricked balloon.


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 Chapter 305 - Healing

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    The next morning Zev woke feeling stronger. Much stronger. When he opened his eyes, his first thought was that his body was without pain. He moved his arms and rolled his shoulders, and the ache was there. But it was fading. There were no sharp jabs in his side, no lines of pain up his spine, no tension headache.


    Zev took a deep breath, grunting against the increasing ache, but pleased when it didn''t turn sharp.


    He was getting better.


    He threw the furs back and rolled out of bed almost normally.


    "Don''t get too cocky," Skhal said from his position against the wall. His voice was rough withck of sleep, and his eyes looked bruised underneath.


    Zev shook his head. "Go rest, brother. And leave me tonight. I won''t hurt myself. I will sleep¡ªbut I will sleep healthy. I''ll wake if there''s a threat. There''s no need for you¡ª"


    "You get in a fight with a bear and you go right back to the healer''s center," Skhal said gruffly. "I''ll be here tonight. Just in case."


    Zev held the older wolf''s gaze for a long moment, but Skhal just met it evenly, waiting for Zev to submit. Which Zev did, in the end. He was touched by his brother''s attendance¡ªand annoyed by his stubbornness. But he supposed as the Alpha in Sasha''s absence, it was right that his support keep watch.


    He would have done the same if the roles were reversed.


    "Thank you," he murmured, then dressed quickly and headed out of the cave, back to the healer''s center as he''d promised he would.


    The moment he was out of Skhal''s sight, thoughts of Sasha descended and his heart squeezed with dread.


    Was she okay? Was she afraid? Was she hurt? Would she¡ª


    He turned away from the thoughts and the torment they''d create for the rest of the day if he allowed them. He''d promised her he wouldn''te until he got better, so he would get better. He would do exactly as the healer''s instructed, and he would eat well, and sleep well.


    He was going for her. Soon.


    He''d promised the healers he wouldn''t shift, so the twenty-minute walk back to the vige grated. But he pushed himself as fast as he thought was healthy, still fleeing the thoughts of Sasha.


    He''d slept a littleter, so he didn''t go straight to the trough, but trotted across the clearing to the medical building. Inside, two healers sat in chairs next to the fire, chatting. They both turned when he entered.


    The older of the two, a wolf, smiled when he saw Zev so upright and obviously feeling better.


    "Very good morning to you, Zev-dan," he said, the bristles on his cheeks and jaw peppered with gray. "You''re healing."


    "Definitely," he Zev said and walked to the fire.


    The younger male, an owl, but arge one, vacated his seat so that Zev could take it, but Zev waved him off. "It actually feels good to be on my feet. You sit. Please."


    They chatted for a few minutes, Zev almost bouncing on his toes. He didn''t feel tired after the walk from the cave. This was good progress.


    "I''ll head to breakfast," he said a few minutester. "But I''m hoping that you might clear me to shift today? Sleeping in the cave is definitely better, but I''d like to be able to make it there in better time. And at some point I''m going to need to go to the City¡ª"


    "Calm down, Zev," the older man chuckled. "I''m d you''re feeling better. And we''ll assess you this afternoon. But for now, please stay on rest. If you push yourself too hard, you''ll send your body backwards. That infection was serious and lowered your body''s natural strength. You''ll need to allow it to rebuild."


    Zev nodded, but his jaw was clenched.


    "Go get your breakfast, see your people. Come back here and rest¡ªif you have any meetings, they can happen here."


    Zev''s skin itched at the idea of just sitting for another day, but he nodded and muttered that he''d be back after the meal, then stalked out of the building, forcing himself not to m the door on his way out.


    He did need to heal, he reminded himself as he walked briskly towards the trough, his breath making wisps of haze in the cold morning air. It wasn''t their fault that they were giving him good advice. He just needed to take it so he could go get his mate back.


    Just a few more days¡­


    His chest ached with missing Sasha, and for a moment he allowed himself to go back in his mind to those days in Yhet''s cave. To her pink cheeks and flushed skin. To her sparkling smile, and the sound of his name on her lips.


    But when a vision crowded in of herying on a narrow bed like he''d seen in the apartments at headquarters, her body broken and bruised, skin pale where it wasn''t marred, a tiny whine broke in his throat and he pushed the thoughts away.


    I''ming, Sasha, he sent into the void where she had once been, his chest aching with the pain of losing her, rather than his ribs. I''ming as fast as I can.


    *****


    That afternoon he was back in the medical building, seated on the side of the bed where they''d cared for him, staring at the two healers, waiting for the verdict.


    The younger, the Owl, frowned. "I think he can shift safely, but I''m worried if you let him, he''ll do more than he should."


    The older, the wolf nodded, staring at Zev, but his mind obviously elsewhere. "It''s a hazard of Alphas," he said dryly.


    "I want to get better," Zev assured them. "I promised Sasha. Tell me. I''ll do it."


    The wolf rubbed his bristled cheeks, grimacing. "I''m going to say you can shift. And being on your feet is okay, as well. If you want to walk around tomorrow, go ahead. But for the Creator''s sake, Zev, take it easy. No fighting. No running. Take rests. Nap. Give your body time to renew itself. Don''t push. If you feel even the slightest pain, sit down for an hour. If you do this, you''ll find yourself returning to full strength much faster."


    Zev nodded excitedly. "I will," he said, breathless, waiting for the caution that would stay his hand, but it didn''te.. "I will."

 Chapter 306 - The Gate

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    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    At dinner that night, Skhal was there, waiting for him, watching.


    Zev grinned. "I''ve been cleared. You don''t need to guard me."


    Skhal''s brows popped up. "Cleared for fighting?"


    "Well, no, but you know it''s not going to¡ª"


    "I told you, Zev, I''m there to protect you, just in case. A couple more days, that''s all. I can handle it, so can you."


    Zev rolled his eyes, but didn''t let his frustration show until he turned his head away to look into the trees. While his friends chatted and plotted, discussing who would be called to make the trip to the human world, and who would stay behind to guard, Zev''s chest tightened.


    They were protective of Sasha, and ready to retrieve her, but their excitement for the mission¡ªborn of their desire to take something back from the humans who''d stolen so much¡ªwas tempered by their ignorance of the world. He''d been warning them that it wasn''t a ce they could hide as easily as here. Too many open spaces. Too many technologies. But they couldn''t imagine it because they''d never seen it.


    When they caught sight and smell of a highway they were going to shit themselves. And there was no way he could truly prepare them.


    By the time they left the meal, his body was tired, but after a quick trip back to the medical center to ask for some herbs that would help him sleep, he was finally able to shift and trot to the cave in half the time.


    Skhal was already there, waiting for him, a fire made, and in his seat that he would keep for the night.


    "You''re a good male, Skhal," Zev said quietly as he entered, a twinge of conscience prickling at him as he prepared drinks for them. "I''m grateful for you."


    "Liar," Skhal snorted. "I''ve been an injured male before. Even without a female fussing, I know how frustrating it is. Just how badly does the urge to go to her chafe?"


    Zev looked down at the drinks in the pottery mugs and sighed. He walked to Skhal and handed him one as he thought about the answer. The male took it and began to sip while he waited.


    "It''s¡­ harder than I could say. But also, I''m so certain of her¡­ that she''ll do everything she can¡­ I just need to know she''s okay," he said quietly, not meeting Skhal''s eyes.


    "Be patient. I know it''s hard, but you''ll do her no good going over early and getting yourself captured because you aren''t at your best."


    Zev nodded sadly. "I know. I just wish¡­ I wish I could be sure she''s okay."


    "We all do. We want that for you, and for us."


    "Do you, really?" Zev asked, just a hint of his anger welling up at Skhal for creating a question around Sasha''s motives in front of the other wolves.


    But Skhal met his eyes and nodded, raising his cup so Zev could tap it with his own. "Here''s to the return of our Alpha¡ªto her mate, and to her people," Skhal said. "Creator bless Sasha-don."


    Zev blew out a breath. "Ill drink to that," he said, draining his cup.


    Skhal did the same, then ced the cup at his feet on the stone floor while Zev undressed and folded his clothes carefully, then crawled into bed. He rolled over immediately and closed his eyes so Skhal wouldn''t keep talking.


    *****


    He hadn''t intended to actually sleep, but he woke hourster with a start, cursing himself. He must have been more tired than he realized.


    He didn''t move at first, listening carefully, heart pounding¡ªthen relief rushing into every limb as he heard a soft snore.


    The herbs in the drink had worked. Skhal was asleep.


    Zev pushed out of the furs and got dressed hurriedly, praying that he hadn''t left it toote. He needed to be back before Skhal woke, and before dawn when the hunters would spread out around Thana and he might identally run into any of them.


    When he got out of the cave he was relieved to see the moon still high in the night sky. He had at least five hours before the sky began to lighten.


    The sleep had done him good. His body felt good and even raising his arms and twisting back and forth didn''t do more than make them ache.


    With a grim smile, Zev shifted into his wolf and began the trek to the gateway cave.


    He kept reminding himself that he wasn''t going for her. That he would only cross to make sure they hadn''t lost the bond. To connect with her. To find out where she was and what they''d done to her.


    He couldn''t go after her yet, he knew that. But he felt the draw to her like a pull on his scruff. He needed to hear her voice. Needed to touch her¡ªor failing that, to see her in his mind.


    He need to know that they hadn''t lost their soulbond.


    Even the thought set his teeth on edge. He''d been avoiding the thoughts for the past two days because he''d felt so helpless and unable to do anything. But now, as he trotted determinedly, as each step brought him back to her, his mind was full of nothing but her¡ªand his fear for where she might be.


    He shook his head so hard his ears snapped, then pressed into an easy lope. His body didn''t hurt, and the shift hade easily. He was fine. He was doing well. He just needed his mate, that was all. He needed to stop that hollow ache right at the center of his heart. The ce that she should inhabit throbbed and pressed him forward, always forward, until finally the gateway cave came into sight.


    He couldn''t resist, he lengthened his stride up the path to the cave mouth, ignoring his favorite view of the valley as he neared the top. And he would have run straight into it, disregarded everything, not even checked his back, but as he turned into the cave itself, a shadow moved to his right and he dodged, growling as a huge shape rose to fill the cave almost to it''s ceiling.


    "I knew you''de," Yhet rumbled as Zev slid to a halt, trembling with the shock. "I knew it. I''m ready.. I''ming with you."

 Chapter 307 Hollow

    <h4>Chapter 307 Hollow</h4>


    SINCERE APOLOGIES: Last weekend my son and husband both came down with covid (they''re fine, getting better now) but now I''ming down with it. This happened at the one time of the month when my stockpile of chapters was almost dry, and because I haven''t been able to write much this week, I''m behind. Unfortunately, ALPHA will drop to 1 chapter per day for the rest of March, but then return to 2 per day in April. I appreciate your patience and I''m sorry!


    *****


    ~ LHARS ~


    Lhars hadn''t seen Kyelle all day. He''d caught her scent once¡ªshe must have left the trough just before he arrived, which made him wonder if she''d smelled himing and left on purpose.


    He''d spent the day running back and forth between the City and the vige, making sure the resources they needed were reaching the Chimera at the City, making sure the vige still looked inhabited in case the humans arrived. He''d kept himself as busy as he could, and still his thoughts had been tormented.


    He kept seeing Kyelle in the water, eyes wide, recoiling from him. Running from him. Fleeing. So desperate not to get close to him that she almost fell over her own feet.


    He kept hearing her hushed, "It''s too soon, I can''t!"


    Kept hearing the snap of her wings as she tore through the air to get away from him.


    A low groan rolled in his throat and he shook his head. It waste. Well after midnight. He should be in his furs. Sleeping. Definitely not dreaming of her.


    Yet, here he was, wide awake and walking the path to the City again. If he couldn''t rest, he could at least be of some use to someone.


    Except, he turned a corner in the trail to find Kyelle walking towards him, her hair glimmering in the moonlight, and her skin almost glowing.


    She stopped dead when she saw him.


    They stared at each other a moment and he inhaled deeply, his distracted brain finally registering her scent.


    "Kyelle," he said quietly. "I¡­ what are you doing out here?"


    "I was just¡­ checking. The Owls¡­ but I couldn''t sleep, and¡­" she waved a hand vaguely back towards the City.


    "Do you need anything? Any help?"


    She shook her head, her eyes still too wide, staring at him. "No."


    The tiny seed of hope he''d held out that she was just taking some time to adjust. That a part of her was d for his advance, shriveled up and died at the look of pure terror on her face.


    "Oh, okay," he said and broke the gaze, tearing his eyes from hers because he was afraid of everything that might be revealed within them¡ªthings she obviously didn''t want to see. "Let me know¡­ if you do. I''ll help."


    "I¡­ okay."


    They both stood there dumbly for a moment and Lhars wanted to snarl. One thing he and Kyelle had never been was awkward. There had always been an easy peace between them, even when he conflicted with Zev. But now¡­ his skin crawled.


    With nothing else to say, he bid her farewell and started walking again, their shoulders brushing as he passed her on the trail.


    But she caught his forearm and pulled him to a stop.


    Heart pounding, Lhars turned back to face her.


    "Lhars¡­ thank you," she said. "No matter what else¡­ thank you."


    He let himself stare at her then, but she was the one to break the gaze and turn away, walking quickly down the trail back towards the vige.


    He stood there and watched until she disappeared between the trees, cursing himself for ruining everything.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    "Yhet," Zev said on a rush of breath. "You startled me."


    "It''s okay, Zev. I''m not going to tell. I''lle with you. I knew you''d try to go, and I don''t want you to do it alone. If something happens, I can fight for you. I can carry you. I''ll bring you back. I won''t let them have you."


    Yhet stared at him, brows high, earnest like a child. He''d obviously been ying these words over in his head, how he would convince Zev to take him.


    Zev shook his head. "I can''t let you do that, Yhet. You know you can''t be over there. It''s too dangerous for you."


    "But¡ª"


    "I''m not going to her, Yhet. I just¡­ I just need to be closer. To feel the bond. That''s all. To be certain she''s alive. That''s all. I can''t¡­ I''m not strong enough yet."


    Yhet grunted. "You won''t be able to stay away. You''ll go for her and you''ll be alone, and that''s dangerous."


    Zev patting his friend''s arm. "You''re a good male, Yhet. Thank you for caring for me. But I give you my word, I''m not going for her. I''m just going to feel her. That''s all. The bond¡­ it''s aching." Yhet nodded knowingly and Zev winced. "I''m sorry friend, I didn''t mean to¡ª"


    "It''s okay," Yhet said sadly. "I have learned to¡­ make room for it."


    They stood together, males bonded in pain, both of their minds turned to the females they loved, and Zev felt like a massive tool. Here he''d been frantic and feeling sorry for himself for being kept from Sasha for a time, while Yhet had lost his beautiful mate, and would never see her again.


    "How do you do it, Yhet?" he asked quietly. "How do you keep smiling? How do you care about anything else?"


    "I have no choice. I can''t give in," the male said promptly, as if he''d just been waiting for someone to ask. "She would want me to fight. She would want me to win. She would want me to use my strength to help others. And she¡­ she wouldn''t want me dead."


    Zev took a deep breath. "Thank you, brother. You have honored me tonight."


    Yhet''s eyes locked on his. "Let me go with you, Zev."


    But Zev shook his head. He was already taking a terrible risk, he knew. He couldn''t have Yhet on his conscience as well if anything went wrong. "I need you here," he said, squeezing Yhet''s massive arm, that he couldn''t circle even with hisrge hands. "I need you to guard the gate. Can you do that for me? Make sure Ie back¡ªand warn Lhars and Dunken if I don''t. Can you¡­ can you help me in that way?"


    Yhet''s brows pinched together, but he nodded. "Yes. I can help with that."


    "Thank you, brother. I''ll be back before dawn. If the sun rises and I''m not here, warn them. Quickly. And tell them that I''m sorry. They''ll need you to take them through and show them how to get to headquarters. You''ll have to be so careful, Yhet."


    Yhet smiled, his teeth shing in the dark. "It will be my pleasure, Zev. The humans have taken so much from us, I can barely sit still for waiting to see something important stolen from them."


    Zev nodded. "Me too, friend. Me too." Then he turned and, with Yhet at his heels, walked to the back of the cave, and into the gateway, where the path to the human world zed with light so bright it almost blinded him.

 Chapter 308 Feel Me Close

    <h4>Chapter 308 Feel Me Close</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    The gateway on the human end was an old mining tunnel. The opening was rimmed in bricks that were likely a hundred years old, or more. An old, stone staircase crawled up to his right to curl over the top of the cave and lead to the hilltop above. But the trail out of the cave led straight down. If he followed it, he''d hit a locked fence first, then eventually the parking lot near the highway.


    But all of that passed through Zev''s mind only vaguely, because the moment he stepped out of the gateway, that spot at the center of his chest, the ce where Sasha lived inside him, bloomed to life. He almost wept with relief when he felt here there, warm and tightly held within him.


    Thank you, he prayed, then immediately reached for Sasha''s mind. Scratching at her consciousness like a dog at the door.


    Sasha?


    She didn''t answer immediately, which wasn''t a surprise. He could feel her. Knew she was alive, which was the most important thing. But she would likely be asleep. He needed to wake her. He wasn''t sure how much time he could take. The time in the gateway always shifted differently, and anyone passing through it could do so in a blink, or it could feel like a short journey, but could turn out to have taken hours when they finally reached the other end. He needed to get back before dawn.


    Sasha? Please wake up beautiful. Talk to me.


    ZEV?!


    Her voice shrieked in his head and Zev had to stifle augh of relief and love.


    Sasha, beautiful, are you safe? Are you okay?


    Zev! What are you doing here?! You can''t be here! You''re going to get¡ª


    I''m just checking on you. I had to know¡­ about the bond. I was so scared¡­


    He felt her sigh. Me too, she sent.


    There was a moment when their bodies reached for each other. Zev''s hands closed to fists, the urge to touch her was so strong.


    Dear Lord, Sasha, I''m just¡­


    Me too, Zev. Her voice sounded as if she was on the verge of tears. You shouldn''t be here, but I''m so d. I''ve been so scared.


    Me too. Have they hurt you? Are you okay?


    I''m fine. I''m scared, and tired, and¡­ everything about this ce gives me hives. But they haven''t hurt me, Zev. They''re being very careful with me. They don''t want to hurt me.


    Shivering with relief. Zev let himself lean back against the wall of the cave and slide down to sit at its foot.


    What are they doing? he asked, his voice faint with worry. Why did they take you?


    They want to know if I''m pregnant. To you.


    Zev blinked. But¡­ you said it was too¡ª


    It is. I''m not pregnant, Zev, but they''re¡­ they''ve convinced themselves I might be and they''re waiting to make sure. But I''m using this time, Zev. I''m going to get the females out of here.


    Her voice rang with determination and resolve. Zev''s heart squeezed.


    I''m already negotiating with them about it, Sasha continued. And I think¡­ I mean, they haven''t said no.


    Zev grimaced and dropped his face into his hands.


    You can''t trust them at all, Sasha. They''ll keep stringing you along while they just do whatever they want to do, anyway.


    Yes, I''m seeing that, she sighed. Then a momentter, she added in barely more than a whisper, I can''t believe you''re here. You can''t be here, Zev. You can''t risk it. If they catch you¡ª


    I''m noting to you, Sasha. But I had to know. I had to face¡­whatever we might have faced without leading the others. If I''d lost you. If this broke the bond¡­ it would have killed me, I think.


    I know, I know. I''m so d you''re here. Zev, I miss you so much.


    Her voice sounded pinched, growing higher, as if she was beginning to cry. He was so desperate to touch her, tofort her, he wed his hands into his scalp.


    Show me where you are, he whispered. Show me where they''ve put you.


    Almost immediately, an image flickered, then solidified in his mind as Sasha worked to show him and the room was revealed.


    At first she showed him what she could see¡ªa nk wall, a small nightstand, her own knees curled under quilts, and a door into the living room¡ªopen so she could see the space beyond it.


    Zev recognized that it was one of the apartments immediately. He''d been there himself. Relief and tension twisted him between their hands. Having her in an apartment meant they were treating her as a guest. Which was a good sign. But¡­ he didn''t trust anything they did to mean what it seemed.


    Then Sasha adjusted the images, and showed him herself,ying in bed, curled on her side, her hair syed out on the pillow behind her.


    He could feel the ache of her, yearning for him.


    Zev¡­ She breathed in his head and his body responded.


    I''m here, Sash.


    He took the image she was showing him¡ªhalf memory, half vision¡ªand inserted himself into it. Let her feel him lift the nkets and slid between the sheets, into the bed behind her. He found her hip with his hand and followed the line of her waist with it, pulling her back into his chest, his lips on her neck as he clung to her, curling his body around hers, his knees fitting perfectly behind hers and pressing her legs up, so she curled too, and he embraced her, surrounding her entire body, holding her close.


    Oh, Zev.


    I''ve missed you so much, Sasha. I can''t even tell you. I have to¡­ to not think about it, because when I do, it consumes everything. We''reing for you, beautiful. We aren''t leaving you here.


    You have to, Zev, she whispered as if they really wereying in that bed together. You have to. You have to leave me long enough that I can convince them, Zev. We''ll never get them out of here without some agreement. If you show up, they''ll take you and then neither of us will ever get out of here¡ªand none of the females, either.


    But¡ª


    They''re dying, Zev. This ce is killing them. They know it. They expressed that to me. They''re¡­ they''re being destroyed, and the humans can''t even see it.

 Chapter 309 Together

    <h4>Chapter 309 Together</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev was obviously horrified, his eyes wide and body still. What do you mean?


    Zev''s words bounced in her skull as if he''d shouted them.


    She realized he thought she meant¡ª


    No, no, Zev, I mean¡­ they feel like they''re dying. They''re losing their hope. Losing their desire to be alive. The Alpha of the main group, the one they let live in the forest, she says they won''t make it through next winter.


    Zev growled, but it trailed off into a whine that reflected Sasha''s aching pain for the females. In his mind, she found his hand on her stomach, slid her fingers between his and held him there, fingersced together.


    He needed hope as much as she did.


    Taking a deep breath, she tried to get him to see.


    I''m talking to Nathan and Horace about letting the females go back to Thana, she said quietly. They don''t like the idea, but I''m trying to get them to see that it will benefit them. I know we don''t want the humans in Thana, but if I can get the females over there, I can get rid of the humans afterwards. But you''re part of the leverage, Zev. You can''t be here. They can''t know that you''re here. If they do, they''ll never give in.


    It was the strangest thing in their minds¡ªshe could hear and see him, and she could feel him. Feel that the idea of letting her go¡­ of returning through the gateway and losing that connection again¡­ it was a knife in his gut. Feel that even the thought of letting her go threatened to make his knees sag.


    She understood. She felt it too.


    I''m not¡­ I''m noting to thepound, he said, his voice dark and heavy with his resistance to the idea. Not yet. But we''re nning. We''re not leaving you there, Sasha.


    That''s good, that''s good, she said, stroking his arm. I hope you won''t have to. Trust me, Zev, I''m going to get them out. I can feel it.


    She could feel his skepticism, but it was washed in his pride, and even a drop of hope. He wanted her to be right. He wanted to be wrong about them and what they were doing. But he didn''t believe it.


    He thought she was fooling herself.


    Was she?


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev grimaced. He didn''t see how it was possible that she''d convince the humans to just relinquish the females. But he didn''t want to discourage her. He knew how important it was to have a goal when you were in their hands. To have something to focus on.


    You keep working on it, he said reluctantly. But just remember, they tell you things¡­ things that sound like they agree with you. But they often don''t. You have to analyze their words really carefully.


    I am. I am. Don''t talk about them, Zev. Just¡­ be here. Be with me. Please.


    The edge of fear and desperation in her voice was a de between his ribs.


    He pulled her into him, imagining that he inhaled her scent as he held her so tightly he was afraid he might stop her breathing. But she only clung to him just as tightly.


    I miss you so much, Zev.


    I''m hollow without you, Sash.


    He could feel the ache inside her. The vision they built together soothed some of the need to be close, but it wasn''t the same as actually touching. His body swung back and forth between feeling as if she were right there, and as if his arms were empty.


    Desperate and needy, he gave himself over to the visionpletely, until it wasn''t an image of his hand on her stomach, or the inserted sensation of his lips on her neck, but the warmth of her skin under his calloused palms. And when she rolled over to face him, took his mouth with a little whimper, he tasted her.


    His every sense was full of her. He could feel the strands of her hair between his fingers and he grasped them, pulling her head back, tugging her until she sighed his name and tipped her head back so he could taste her throat.


    He could feel the weight of her knee thrown over his thigh.


    He could feel the warmth of her, smell her desire for him.


    Sasha¡­ he rasped.


    She only clung to him harder, pulled him closer.


    He raked his hands down her back harder than he should have. He should have left red welts on her skin, but instead she rippled and gave a small cry of pleasure, that only drove him froward.


    I need you, Sasha.


    Her kiss only deepened as he gripped her thigh, pulling her leg around his waist until they were together, skin to skin and he could feel her heat.


    Please, Zev. Please.


    It was as if she whispered the word in his ear, her breath fluttering there so goosebumps prickled down his neck on that side.


    But she shivered in his arms, and he could feel her tension.


    Sasha?


    I just wish we weren''t here, she said in a tiny voice, high and faint. I wish we were¡­


    Zev took the unfinished thought and yearned for it with his whole heart. He brought his hands up to her face, cupped it and pulled back far enough to meet her eyes.


    I know, he breathed, and changed the vision.


    It took all his concentration to move things in her mind at the same time as he painted it in his own, but he was so happy when they were suddenly in the massive fur tform of Yhet''s cave, the high, arching, white-blue ice ceiling soaring over their heads. The fire crackling merrily in the firece.


    Sasha''s eyes went wide and she turned her head to look around quickly, while Zev only watched her.


    If only this was real, she breathed.


    It is, he said, taking her mouth and pulling her back in. It''s real to us. I''m here, Sasha. I need you. Please.


    Yes, she whispered, and her eyes closed slowly.


    She was smiling.


    Yes, she breathed again. Yes, Zev. It''s always yes with you.


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 Chapter 310 In My Skin

    <h4>Chapter 310 In My Skin</h4>


    GOOD NEWS: HUGE mass release tomorrow, plus a privilege reset! What does that mean for the tier you''re reading? If you buy this tier again when the month resets, you''ll have 100% new content! (5 chapters in the tier, plus an additional five released over the course of the day!) Or, if you want to stay out of privilege, you''ll be able to do that without having to wait! Do what suits you, and enjoy either with me! THANK YOU for all your incredible support this month. I truly appreciate it!


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    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Touching Sasha in his mind, finding her there, ready and aching for him. It was the strangest experience¡ªhis mind and body torn in two. He fell into the vision that they built together, exchanging sensations, exchanging images. Adding to each other''s experience, receiving each other''s offerings.


    And yet, as if his world were split in two, he also heard himself groan, and heard it echo in the cave. Was aware of his empty arms, aching to be filled. Was driven by a body still alone, but yearning, burning for her.


    Sasha¡­ he groaned, his hips rolling.


    Her head fell back and bared her throat to him again, rocking against him, the promise of her too sweet to bear.


    Then in his mind, she put her hand between them, to find him, grip him, and stroke, he gasped her name and hurriedly opened his furs to take himself in hand.


    The joy of being close to her, of hearing her voice, of sensing her touch, he shuddered with it, her name breaking on his tongue with every breath.


    She''d stopped sending words, but instead gave him sensations, feelings, the emotions welling in her chest.


    He could feel her burning for him with a fire just as hot as his, and it only peaked his own desire. Then she showed herself, taking his face in her hands, kissing him, and arching against him, her body begging.


    In her mind, he rolled her onto her back, still gripping her thigh, high on his hip, his other hand cupped over her head as he kissed his way along her jaw, then tilted his hips to take her.


    He cried out, a guttural moan that shuddered into the night as she arched to meet him in their minds, and he entered her, iming her again, and again. But all the while, the gorgeous things he saw, the things she made him feel, resonated against the chill of the air around him, the hollow grip of his own hand.


    Sasha¡­


    He didn''t have words for this, kept his eyes screwed tightly shut against the invading images of the real world around him, sought her, desperate and grasping, throwing himself into the vision with abandon, aware that it was dangerous to be so distracted. But he couldn''t¡­ he had to have her. Had to remind himself that she was real, and his, and that no matter what Nick and the team did, they couldn''t steal this from them.


    His body peaked at the thought of losing her, and his thrusts became desperate.


    Sasha, please, he gasped in her mind.


    I''m here, Zev. Oh god, I''m¡­


    She opened herselfpletely, let him feel the moment the wave of her climax broke¡ªtriggering his own against his will. He''d intended to love her longer, to bring her to climax again and again¡ªto tell with his timeframes. He was lost in her.


    But she was too much¡ªfeeling her desire for him, feeling her body respond, it tipped him over the edge, and he was carried over the crest, sobbing her name, his body rigid and shuddering.


    He didn''t open his eyes. He stayed with her in his mind, letting her feel the way his chest rose and fell so quickly because she stole his breath with her beauty.


    Then, in his mind, she put her hand to his chest. To that spot, right at the center. Sheid her palm t against it and felt his heart pounding.


    Still panting, he ced his hand t between her breasts, let the t of his hand rest on the same spot on her chest, and marveled with her as their heartbeats first slowed, then aligned.


    My heart literally beats for you, she said, her voice ringed in awe.


    Mine too, he whispered back. You''re like air to me, Sasha. I can''t stand this¡ª


    Don''t! she rushed in, breaking over him, her voice urgent and quavering. Not right now. Don''t focus on anything except this¡­


    She opened her eyes to meet his, then let them slide up to look at the blue-white walls of the cave that loomed up, far over their heads.


    This is my happy ce, she sent. This is where I would always be if I could. Just with you, Zev. Just you and me and the furs and the fire¡­


    And the tub, he added, his voice dark and husky.


    Sasha grinned and her cheeks pinked. Definitely the tub.


    Then she sighed and her face pinched as if she was pain.


    What is it? he asked her, rmed.


    She shook her head. I just had a sh of a thought about getting pregnant, she said sadly. And for a minute I wished it wasn''t happening so they couldn''t interfere. But¡­ the truth is, Zev, I want this with you. I want you. I want to be close. I want a family. It scares me how much I want to see you as a dad. Because it drives me. And it''s like they know. Like they''re using that against me.


    Combing his free hand through her hair and down her back, he watched her face.


    Do you believe them? That they''re considering what you''re proposing?


    I''m not sure, she admitted. Sometimes it seems like they are. Other times I think they''re just stringing me along. I really don''t know. But they aren''t saying a t no when I tell them all the reasons the females need to go back to Thana.


    Keep trying, he said, still stroking her hair. But you only have a few days. We can''t leave you there, Sasha. I won''t let them get into your head like they did mine.


    Zev, you should prepare, just in case. But give me time to be sessful. Use it to get ready. These females are traumatized. They''re going to need space to be together without having all the males around, I think.


    If you can find a way to get them out, we can go back for themter, Zev said, insistent. But without you, the rest don''t matter, Sash.


    She tipped her head forward, resting her forehead under his jaw. I know that you mean that with love, but if you could see them, Zev¡­


    I have seen them. Not up close. But I''ve seen enough. I''ve heard enough. It makes me sick.


    Me too.


    So keep trying, he said again, reluctantly. But also get ready, because I aming for you.


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 Chapter 311 The Risk

    <h4>Chapter 311 The Risk</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha wanted to weep with despair, and with sheer joy.


    No, Zev, you don''t understand. If you show up here, that will be the end. Whatever we do, we have to do it without youing anywhere near thepound. They won''t let you leave.


    Fat chance, Sash. I''m not leaving this to the others. They don''t know their way around. And they''re¡ª


    No, Zev. Listen to me. They believe that our offspring¡ªyou and I¡ªthey think that''s the answer to this whole picture. As long as we''re apart, they can''t get what they want. It''s giving me some leverage. If you show up, they will take you and the rest of this won''t happen. But if I can still dangle that in front of them¡­ I have a n, I think.


    Zev tensed. What is it?


    Sasha bit her lip. He might know more than she did. But part of her was terrified that he''d think it was too dangerous, and then where would they be?


    She hoped he could feel her hand on his face, her thumb stroking his jaw.


    I had an idea, she admitted carefully. And I don''t know if it will work, but when I came through and Nick was talking about¡ª


    Pounding began on the front door of the apartment, along with Nick''s voice calling her name.


    Sasha was startled out of the link with Zev, her entire body jolting as she sat bolt upright, suddenly reminded that she was utterly alone, in the narrow bed, and¡­ still thrumming with the force of her orgasm.


    "Sasha! Open the door! How did he get in there!"


    Sasha gasped.


    What''s going on?! Zev shouted in her mind.


    It''s Nick, she sent back, pulling her legs out from under the quilt and forcing herself to stand, to straighten her pajamas, to make sure all her buttons were done up¡ªbut her hands were trembling.


    "SASHA, OPEN THE DOOR OR I''M COMING IN!"


    His pounding rattled the door in its frame as she raced across the living room. "I''ming!" she called, praying he wouldn''t understand why she was flushed and trembling.


    Sasha?! Zev cried in her head.


    Nick''s here. And I think he thinks you''re here. Zev, how would he know?


    She punched the button at the side of the door that worked the lock and it beeped, then clicked. Then the door flew open, only narrowly missing her face as Nick tore inside.


    "Zev!" he bellowed. "How the fuck¡ª"


    "Nick, what''s going on?" she asked as calmly as she could.


    "I know he''s here!" Nick snapped, leaning into the bedroom first, then looking behind doors, and in the bathroom. "How the hell did you two manage that?!"


    "What are you talking about?" Sasha asked him, but to Zev she sent, How does he know? Zev, he thinks you''re here. That means they''ll be looking for you!


    I know, Zev rasped. I heard. I''m going, Sasha. I love you.


    I love you, Zev, she sent back, trying desperately not to cry. I love you so much.


    It''s only a few days, beautiful. Just hold on.


    No, Zev, you can''t¡ª


    "How the hell did you do it, Sasha?" Nick roared, storming up to her from checking the bedroom and finding nothing.


    "Wh-what are you¡ª"


    "Don''t y dumb, Sasha. They''re monitoring everything. Your heartrate, your blood pressure, your¡ªfor god''s sake, every rm on the tech is screaming right now. Where is he? How did he get here?"


    "He''s not here!"


    "But your bond¡ªit''s alive. You said it was broken when you left, but it''s back now, right?"


    Nick loomed over her, his voice raised, his eyes piercing, and he was so intimidating, it was reflex for her to put her hand over that spot, to press thefort of Zev''s presence deeper into her own chest.


    Nick caught the gesture and tipped his head. "What the hell is going on?"


    Sasha could feel Zev fleeing, feel the goodbyes and regret he sent. She hurriedly returned with an image of herself kissing him goodbye, clinging to him, then she forced herself to focus on Nick.


    "The bond came alive, yes. But he''s not here. I don''t know where he is," she said, which was mostly true. Though she had a fairly good idea.


    "Then he''s back in this world," Nick growled, hands in his own hair, turning as if he might find Zev behind him. "Holy shit, is he insane? He can''t¡ª"


    Just as Nick turned back to face her, reaching as if he might take her by the shoulders, Sasha screamed, literally screamed¡ªuntil it cut off like she''d been shot and she dropped to the floor, trembling.


    Every ounce of air in her lungs poured out in a great whoosh, and she was left on all fours, gaping, unable to draw a breath, as the most horrifying pain seared through her chest and spine, like hotva burning its way through her.


    That piece of her was being torn out again. But this time it fought. As if it had talons gripping the branch of her heart, it was ripped out of her, taking flesh and leaving her raw and bleeding, unable to suck in air as the pain jangled through her, following her ribs and curling around her back.


    "Sasha¡­ Sasha, what¡ª"


    Nick dropped to the floor next to her, one hand on her shoulder, shaking her slightly. But the anger was gone from his voice.


    "Sasha, what''s happening? What the fuck?!"


    She opened her mouth, but she couldn''t make a sound, couldn''t suck in air to be able to speak, just fell to her side, trembling and gaping.


    The moment seemed to extend forever. Her vision began to tunnel, and the sound of Nick''s voice became distant.


    But finally, finally the pain eased just enough that she could suck in a breath¡ªwheezing, groaning with it¡ªuntil she was able to find enough oxygen to make words.


    "He''s gone¡­" she rasped, then heaved in another breath. "He''s gone again." She let her eyes lift to meet Nick''s, so he''d see every ounce of rage in her. "You asshole," she croaked.

 Chapter 312 Torn

    <h4>Chapter 312 Torn</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    A snarl tore out of his throat as Zev threw himself back down the cave to the gateway. He didn''t let himself think or question, because if he did he was going tounch himself in the opposite direction and go straight for Nick''s throat. But he couldn''t, he knew. He was already shaky with tiredness, and now¡­


    How had Nick known that he was there? How the fuck had he known?


    As he stumbled for the gateway he swore. The only possible exnation was that they''d found a way to mark the bond in Sasha and were monitoring it. But, how? Had she told them about it? Or had they been able to figure it out?


    He stepped into the gateway, the cave in Thana fixed in his mind, reminding himself that this was only for a few more days. He wasn''t leaving her in Nick''s grip forev¡ª


    Two steps into the lighted path through the gateway the pain hit him like the ws of a bear, piercing, zing, tearing.


    The fist of pain closed on that piece of Sasha inside him and yanked, tearing her from him in a rush of pain so intense, Zev fell to his knees, howling and wing at his own chest, instinctively trying to fight off the adversary that he could see or find in his grip.


    His entire body jolted like he''d been hit by lightning, until he was left, breathless and trembling on the slick floor of the gateway, groaning.


    What the fuck.


    What the actual fuck?


    The first time she''d gone through it had hurt, but that felt¡­ that felt like his body had been attacked from the inside out.


    It took a full minute for him to make it to his feet, and even then his knees trembled.


    Sasha. Holy shit, had she just felt that?


    He turned, instinctively ready to run back for her, to make sure the bond held again. Even took two steps until he almost reached the entry¡ªbut then he froze.


    If it hurt like that when it broke, what would it do if he had to leave her again?


    His heart pounded in his chest, throbbing, jumping, pattering as if it had been thrown off its rhythm.


    Was that happening for Sasha, as well?


    Would this kill them?


    Zev stood just in front of the exit into the human world, shaking, on the edge. Everything within him yearned to step back through, to make sure she was okay, that the bond would return again. But what then?


    Then he''d have to leave again, because apparently Nick could tell when he was in the human world now. And what if that tearing got worse? What then?


    Zev dropped his face into his hands and prayed. He couldn''t go to her. He knew it. But¡­ fuck. He''d never wanted anything more in his life.


    But he knew¡­ he knew¡­


    wing both hands through his hair, he forced himself to turn around, forced his mind to focus on the gateway cave into Thana.


    Forced himself not to think about what might be happening to Sasha in the human world. Or how long it might be until he felt her arms around him for real.


    The light under his feet, the tunnel before him would ze white, then flicker and fade, then ze white again as his mind turned around and around, fighting him for dominance.


    Zev growled and snarled at himself to focus. "You can''t save her if you can''t even save yourself," he whispered hoarsely, out loud, so he''d hear the words.


    He knew what he had to do.


    Clenching his hands to fists, he started back through the gateway to Thana, fixing his mind on that ce where he''d first held her in Thana itself. Reminding himself that if he didn''t show up soon, Yhet would warn the others that he''d gone.


    Reminding himself that Sasha had begged him to give her more time.


    All the right reasons, he told himself. He was walking this way for all the right reasons.


    Slowly, slowly the tunnel light increased, then became steady.


    The crossing seemed to take longer than in the past, but finally he stumbled out into the cave and hurried to its mouth to confirm that, yes, it was still dark. He hadn''t been gone too long.


    As he stepped out into the snow, Yhet turned from where he''d been standing under a tree at the side of the trail, his face sad.


    "You made it," he rumbled, his voice heavy with relief.


    Zev nodded, swallowing the pinch in his throat.


    Yhet blinked. "Sasha¡­ is she¡­?"


    "She''s fine¡­ at least as much as I can know. The bond was still there. And strong. She''s healthy and she''s still there," he added, aching to lie by omission to his friend, but he couldn''t risk anyone finding out. It was bad enough that Lhars knew.


    Yhet gripped his shoulder, his fight tight with relief and shared grief. "We''ll get her back, Zev," he said, his voice so low it seemed toe from the rock under their feet. "Don''t worry, brother. We''ll get her."


    Zev let himself be pulled into Yhet''s massive chest, and clung there for a moment, then he excused himself and started down the trail with little more than a whispered farewell.


    He had to get back to the cave. And he needed to be alone with his thoughts. Because it didn''t matter how alive Sasha was if she was over there, and he was here. He needed her back, desperately. But he needed to do it the next time he crossed.


    The next few days were going to be hell.


    Zev shook his head, shifted into his wolf, and started down, through the valley.


    When he reached his own caveter, Skhal was still slumped against the wall, his head lolling to his chest. Zev sighed with relief, stripped off his clothes and crawled into the furs.


    Only then did he allow himself to think about what it meant that Nick had known he was there.


    Whenever the time came for them to go for Sasha, he was going to be running on an extremely tight clock. They would know to look for him¡­ might even set sentries at the gateway, knowing that''s how he woulde.


    Or¡­


    Was it possible they''d already done that? Was that how Nick had known? Had he been watched?


    Had they let hime through and not taken him?


    Why the hell would they do that?

 Chapter 313 Question Me

    <h4>Chapter 313 Question Me</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Nick hovered as Sasha continued to cough and heave, until her body rebelled and she was forced to push to her feet, stumbling to the kitchen to vomit into the trash can there.


    "Somebody exin to me exactly what''s happening," Nick muttered as he wet a towel and brought it to Sasha to wipe her face and mouth. "Now."


    "Wh¡ª" Sasha was about to ask him what he meant, when he straightened, gesturing as he spoke and she realized he had something in his ear. He was speaking to someone else.


    "No, no! That''s bullshit. Her vitals spiked, but as soon as I showed up she''s on the floor like she''s having a heart attack. What are you reading? Where is he? Is he here? Is he doing this? Or¡­"


    Nick stopped, listening to whoever was in his ear as he rinsed the towel Sasha handed him and returned it again.


    She pressed her face into the cool dampness of it, swallowing, unwilling to move away from the trash can until she was certain she wasn''t going to lose the contents of her stomach again.


    "He''s not here," Sasha rasped, her throat on fire.


    Nick cut her a dark look, but then his attention obviously went back to the other conversation. "Are we triggering this? This is a risk we can''t take right now!"


    "It''s not you," Sasha croaked. "He must havee back into this world, because the bond reconnected. When he left again, it gets torn away and it''s¡­ super painful. It''s getting worse each time."


    Nick finally seemed to focus on her, his eyessered on hers. "You lose the bond across the gateway?"


    She nodded. What harm was there in telling the truth? They''d obviously figured out how to monitor the bond on her somehow. They were going to know when he came back.


    She prayed she''d get back there before he did, since she was certain they''d set a trap for him, if they hadn''t already.


    "This isn''t good for them. For either of them," Nick barked into whatever device was in his ear. "We risk losing everything. Pick another n. Somebody get Nathan up. I''m on my way in five."


    He tapped his ear, then focused on her again, offering her a hand to help her to her feet.


    Sasha took it, holding onto it until she was sure she had her bnce, then letting him go as if he burned.


    "We need to tell Nathan," Nick said calmly.


    "Tell him what?"


    "About this bond, and this effect it has when you two are separated."


    She watched Nick warily. "You think that will help?"


    "Get you back to Thana? Yes. I have zero doubt."


    "Okay then," she said, suddenly close to tears. "I''m in."


    Nick patted her shoulder, then started for the door. "You might as well stay in your pajamas, he''ll be in his. Just throw a robe on or something, there should be one on the back of your door."


    "I¡­ wait, you meant now?" Sasha gaped, still a touch wobbly on her feet.


    "Yes, now," Nick growled. "Catching people when they aren''t prepared ahead of time gives you a better chance of getting them with their guard down."


    Sasha insisted on brushing her teeth first, and grabbing that robe, but then she followed Nick down the hall to the next apartment door on the opposite side of the hall. As they walk, he muttered instructions.


    "You need to volunteer that Zev came into this world¡ªthen left. They''ll think you two are ying a game if he has to work it out of you."


    "That''s a risk," Sasha said slowly. "I don''t want them getting toofortable, thinking I''m ratting Zev out."


    "You aren''t. We already know. This is about delivery. You tell him what just happened. Tie it back with your need to get to Thana¡ªand make sure you tell him that the effect is getting worse. Put the fear of God into him. Make it sound like death''s door."


    "I¡­" Well, it wouldn''t be a lie. It felt like that when it happened, Sasha reminded herself.


    Nick rapped his knuckles on the door and Nathan opened it a momentter looking very disgruntled, his hair sticking up in three different directions at the back. He had a silk robe wrapped around his body and tied tightly at his waist, but he didn''t look surprised to see them, just pulled the door open and walked deeper into the apartment, expecting them to follow.


    Sasha hadn''t realized how closely he was staying. It made her feel dirty knowing he was sleeping so close to where she was.


    "What the hell just happened?" he growled, settling himself on the thick, plush couch as Nick and Sasha followed him into the living area.


    Nick pulled that device out of his pocket at the same time he looked at Sasha who swallowed, but told him the truth. Mostly.


    She''d been asleep when she became aware of the bond and it woke her. She''d beenying there, enjoying feeling Zev close again when suddenly Nick was pounding on her door and she was rushing out.


    Then just as suddenly as it appeared again, the bond was torn from her. And the pain was so bad this time it felt like her heart stopped. She couldn''t breathe for quite a while, then she threw up.


    Nick had been tapping on the device while she spoke. When she finished and closed her mouth like she was guarding anything else getting out, Nick handed Nathan the screen.


    "See what happened to her vitals? That''s no good. Too much stress, you understand?"


    Nathan scanned it, then tapped a couple of times and read some more, frowning thoughtfully.


    Without a word, he got to his feet and walked into the next room, closing the door behind him.


    Sasha wanted to scream. What was with this guy just walking away when you were expecting information from him?


    She red at Nick, but he was watching that door, his eyes alight with anticipation.


    A couple minutester it opened again and Nathan stalked back towards them, talking as if the conversation had never been interrupted.


    "We''ll let her return on two conditions," he said tly. "The first is that at least two humans go with her and stay there, in the Thana, safely. The second is that if she isn''t pregnant within six months they bring everyone in."

 Chapter 314 Should Have Seen It

    <h4>Chapter 314 Should Have Seen It</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    She couldn''t quite take in the words. Had he just said what she thought he said? She could go back? She could return to Thana? As long as she took some humans and worked on getting pregnant?


    Sasha swallowed hard. He''d said something else¡­ something about six months and¡­


    Sasha blinked. "Everyone? You said everyone?"


    "Everyone. This is what you call a hail mary pass, Sasha. It''s yourst shot. It''s thest shot for all of us, actually. It looks like your body isn''t going to do well separated from your mate, so that means you have to go back. You say that you''d all do better over there. You''re saying it will improve your fertility and theirs. Well, here''s your chance, Sasha. We''ll give you six months to prove yourself correct. God help you if you''re wrong."


    Sasha looked back and forth between them, gaping. "Just like that?"


    "The more information we have, the better decisions we can make," Nick exined patiently. "We learned a lot tonight."


    Could this be real? Or was it some kind of trick?


    But no, they hadn''t known Zev wasing. This was a reaction to what Nick had just seen. What he''d shown Nathan on that little screen. Whatever they''d seen in her body''s reaction to Zev leaving.


    What the hell did they think they''d seen?


    Sasha''s hope rose to take a stranglehold on her throat and threaten to bring her stomach up again. "I want the females," she said. "I need them there. There''s not many in Thana. It''s hard to¡­ rx."


    Nathan''s face tightened. "We''ll send half the females with you now. If you be pregnant and continue to cooperate, we''ll send the rest in six months. Consider it an incentive," he said with a horrific smile.


    Sasha shook her head. "I don''t believe you."


    "You don''t have any choice," Nathan said bluntly. "Trust me, Sasha, we''ve moved so much further on this than you deserve. You inspired Horacest evening. Personally I think he''s losing his touch, but we can''t all be objective. You can thank him that you get to take any females at all."


    When Sasha just kept staring, Nathan''s eyes narrowed. "Do you want to get back to your mate safely or not?"


    "Well, of course, but¡­" Sasha blew out a breath. It wasn''t everything, but it was more than she thought she''d achieve on her own. And if she was right about her theory¡­ this could be their shot. Or¡­ most of it.


    Sasha swallowed. What hadn''t she thought of? "I have to see the females go through the gateway first. Without any humans among them. The humans stay with me, and I gost."


    "Done," Nathan said.


    "Then I''m agreed to that," Sasha said, her heart trilling. She looked at Nick, stunned. Had that really just happened?


    "This deserves a toast," Nathan said, striding into the kitchen and pulling a bottle of something out of the fridge, pouring three small tumbler sses and walking them back to Nick and Sasha, handing them one each. "To the future," he said with a half-smile.


    Sasha tossed the drink back¡ªit tasted like orange juice with some kind of alcohol mixed into it. She barely waited for the other two to finish theirs and drop their sses.


    "When can I go?" she asked, waiting for the deception to be revealed.


    "As soon as we arrange your supplements," Nathan said, his nose wrinkled as if he was disgusted by the idea of it. "Later today. After lunch."


    "With the females going ahead of me?"


    Nathan made a noise in his throat, and rolled his eyes. "No, we''ll need more time to separate them from the herd. We have to select the most trustworthy females only, of course." He gave her an oily smile and Sasha wanted to puke again.


    She hadn''t thought about what might happen bringing these females back into Thana. Any one of them could have been brainwashed or coerced into spying. All of them! Dammit.


    Her head spun suddenly with images of females as assassins and spies, killing the males, but¡­ no. Sasha shook off her sudden uneasiness. They just had to watch closely and not expect the females to be allies, that was all.


    She couldn''t let herself believe there was no hope. She couldn''t let herself believe they couldn''t catch any liars or spies. And they could just be very careful who they spoke to until the females had proven themselves.


    Then her stomach went cold imagining two humans there, living in Thana. But what could she do? Two humans? They could deal with them at any time that they needed to.


    This was her shot. No doubt they were setting the Chimera up for a fall, but Sasha would use what they were willing to give. She would get these women back to Thana!


    "Well, I guess I''ll go¡­" Sasha looked at her empty ss, but Nathan reached for it. She thanked him by rote, then wiped her hands on the front of her robe. "I better get ready," she said, sounding utterly stupid. She had nothing to get ready. She would only wait. But she wanted a reason to be out from under the eyes of these men.


    When neither of them spoke, she turned on her heel towards the door¡ªbut the entire room lurched and she stopped suddenly. Was she going to lose her stomach again? She stopped walking and considered herself. The room spun slightly.


    Then she yawned, so widely her jaw cracked.


    What the h¡ª


    "Is there a problem, Sasha?" Nathan said quietly. There was a tone in his voice that sparked her fear.


    "No, no, I''m fine, I just¡­" Sasha started for the door again, but stumbled.


    Nick was at her side suddenly, a hand under her elbow, keeping her on her feet. What was happening, what¡­?


    Her stomach sank. That asshole had spiked her drink.


    She tried to turn, to curse Nathan, to make sure he knew that she understood what he''d done, that he was a sick bastard, but as she turned, her knees gave and her head spun so badly she started to fall. The only thing she was aware of after that, as the carpet rushed up to meet her, was Nick''s arms appearing under her and sweeping her up, off her feet, and his voice growling, "What the fuck did you do?"


    Then everything went dark.

 Chapter 315 Idiot Pup

    <h4>Chapter 315 Idiot Pup</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    "You fucking idiot."


    Zev startled awake. Bald sunlight zed through the cave mouth casting golden patterns on the stone floor where it filtered through the leaves. Zev blinked against the light, then squinted at the much darker shadow standing over him.


    Skhal.


    Shit.


    Zev started to sit up. "Good morn¡ª"


    The p was open handed and left his ear ringing. "Skhal! What the fuck!" Zev clutched it with a hiss and red up at the male who hadn''t punished him that way since he was fifteen. "What are you doing?"


    "Treating you like the pup you apparently still are. What the hell were you thinking, Zev? Drugging me? You think that''s funny?!"


    "No, I was trying to keep you safe, and you know¡­ calm."


    "Calm? You think this is the way to calm me?!"


    "No!" Zev threw the furs back and pushed to his feet, staring down at Skhal from his greater height. "I''m sorry. I didn''t want to do it. But you wouldn''t listen and I needed to leavest night, and I knew you''d fight."


    "You went to get Sasha?"


    "No! I mean, I went to the gateway¡­"


    "Fucking liar. I know you, Zev¡ª"


    "Smell me, Skhal. No people. No roads. No nothing. I went to the gateway. That was all."


    Skhal narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but leaned in to sniff him, then inhale deeper.


    When he straightened, he folded his arms. "Not quite as much of an idiot as I thought. But still deserving of the title. What the hell, Zev? Why go all that way if you weren''t going after her?"


    Zev pursed his lips and turned away to pick up his clothing. "I needed to feel close to her."


    He didn''t think Skhal would ever betray his secrets, but instinct told him keeping his ability to mind-link with Sasha a secret was going to be beneficial. Lhars already knew. That was enough.


    "Close to her?"


    "I was cleared to walk okay? I took it slow, but I needed to do something. I had to move. I had to feel like I was doing something¡ªand that took me as close to her as I can be right now, so¡­ I''m not apologizing for going, Skhal. Only for drugging you. I''m sorry. I was desperate."


    Skhal watched him shake out his furs and put them on, but different emotions chased themselves across his face¡ªjudgement,passion, irritation, indignation.


    Once Zev had thest of his buttons done he turned to face the older man. "Can you forgive me?" he asked quietly.


    Skhal''s lips twisted to the side. "I shouldn''t. That''s a dick move."


    "I know. But admit it, you would have done the same thing."


    Skhal''s eyes went t. "I might have."


    "You''re the one who told me how to do it, Skhal. Careful getting too high up there on your pony."


    Skhal snorted. "I never taught you to put an entire people at risk by disappearing¡ªagain¡ªwhen you''re Alpha. That''s on you."


    "It''s okay, I won''t be doing it again. Not until we go get her."


    "Why, what happened?"


    "Nothing!" he lied. "It was just¡­ hard. Really hard to be there and not go after her. Painful. I just¡­ I can''t put myself through that again."


    Skhal nodded slowly, but still didn''t look happy. "Well, we''re taking a trip to the healers right now, and they''re assessing you again. No more shifting, no more anything for you until they''ve checked you out."


    "You know, when Allory asked me which of my friends was the most obnoxious and I told him you, I was trying to be funny. I didn''t realize it was true."


    "You''re a riot, Zev," Skhal muttered, stomping towards the cave mouth. "Come on, I''m not feeding you until they''ve said you haven''t lost your mind."


    Zev sighed, but followed the male out into the sunlight, shading his eyes against it. He''d slept reallyte.


    *****


    Allory straightened from listening to Zev''s chest.


    He''d had Zev sprint several circles of the clearing, shift twice, then sit down so he could listen to his heart. Now he looked back and forth between Zev and Skhal, his forehead pinched into worry lines.


    "How bad is it?" Skhal asked him when Zev was too frightened to do it. Had the bond tearing done damage to his heart?


    "It''s not," the healer said tly. "That''s the problem. I don''t want to tell him that he''s healing quickly, because it seems like rewarding stupidity."


    Skhal snorted. "Toote."


    Zev red at both of them. "So, I''m good?"


    "You''re good," Allory said. "You''re released. You still need to sleep and eat a lot. You need to give you body breaks. You''ll get tired quicker than usual. But your body is ready to go back to normal functioning."


    "Does that mean I can go to the City today? Check up on everything there?"


    Allory sighed. "Yes, but eat before you go, take snacks and water with you. And don''t sleep there. Give your body a true break¡ªmental rest is as important as physical, Zev. You have to heal. Thates from within."


    "I know that. And I''ll do it. But I''m good to travel to the city?"


    "Yes."


    "Don''t tell him that!" Skhal barked.


    Allory shrugged. "It would be a lie not to. Whatever he did, it didn''t harm him."


    Zev grinned. "I went to bed early, then went for a walk on a clear winter night. It was beautiful." The two men glowered at him. "You''re both acting like mother hens. You really should find something else to do with your time."


    Skhal lifted a hand like he''d cuff him again, and Zev grunted and scooted out of reach, leaving Allory fighting a smile behind him.


    "Thank you, both of you!" Zev called back to them as he walked to the door like that was where he''d been headed the whole time. "See you at lunch, Skhal?"


    The male growled and Zev chuckled, but the smile fell off his face as soon as he got outside.


    He was healing. For real. He was Alpha, and he was healing, and he needed to get his mate back.


    He would eat. Then he would go to the City. Then he would put the final measures in ce for their n to free Sasha.


    He''d give her three days to try and get the females out. Then he was getting her out of there, whether she was ready to leave or not.

 Chapter 316 Good News. Good Luck

    <h4>Chapter 316 Good News. Good Luck</h4>


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    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    The first thing Sasha became aware of was the pain in her back. She groaned as she rolled over in bed wondering how she''d hurt herself. Then it all came rushing back.


    Pregnancy.


    Period.


    Fucking Nick and Nathan and¡­


    THAT ASSHOLE DRUGGED HER.


    She sat bolt-upright in the bed, blinking and squinting against the broad daylight pouring in through the window to her left in the strange room. The walls were a pale gray, the carpet dark. She couldn''t see anything but the window on the wall, but there was a beeping sound¡ª


    "You''re awake. Good."


    She sucked in and whipped her head around to find Nick sitting in a recliner to the right of her bed. Her bed with a hand rail on it.


    Her hospital bed.


    What the hell?


    "Where am I?" she asked rubbing her eyes, her stomach sinking.


    "You''re in the medical center. Don''t worry. When you''re awake and solid on your feet you can leave."


    Sasha dropped her hands from her eyes and stared at Nick. He was leaning forward, elbows on his knees, staring at her. His face looked a little pale, and his expression was calm, but concerned.


    "What the fuck did you people do to me."


    Nick shook his head and pped one hand, but he looked away when he answered her. "Rx, you''re fine. They did their tests, they got their answers, and now you''re free."


    "Tests? What tests? What answers? And if they needed to do more tests, why didn''t they just ask me?"


    Nick did look at her again then, his eyebrows high, as if she knew the answer and he wasn''t going to waste time giving it to her again.


    "The good news from your perspective," he said, as if she hadn''t asked anything, "is that you aren''t pregnant, and since they got what they wanted, you''re going back to Thana tonight."


    Sasha gaped. "Tonight?"


    "Yep."


    "For real?"


    "Yes."


    Sasha blinked and was about to challenge him, but her head was beginning to clear. If they''d reached the point of drugging her to do medical experiments on her, she didn''t want them having any more information or warning than she could avoid giving them.


    She didn''t believe him. But she sure as hell was going to act like she did.


    "That''s¡­ amazing," she said faintly.


    "I''ll admit, I didn''t think you''d pull it off," Nick said, getting to his feet. "Well done. You were very¡­ persuasive."


    "The females?"


    "They''re going to send fifty or so with you. They''ve been separating them out, getting them ready. We can go to the arena if you want to. That''s where they''re gathering the ones they''ll allow to go with you."


    "Yes. Yes!" Sasha blurted. "I want to talk to them. Where are my clothes?" Sasha looked around because she was in a hospital gown but she couldn''t see anything else in the room.


    Nick tipped his head towards a door in the short wall behind his recliner. "The bathroom''s there. I believe they''ve left a change of clothes for you. I''ll go out so you can wash up and change, as long as you''re sure you''re steady on your feet?"


    Sasha gave him a t look. "Like you care?"


    Nick frowned. "I didn''t drug you, Sasha. I didn''t know Nathan was going to do that."


    "Right."


    "You don''t have to believe me, but you ask Zev. It''s really not my style."


    "Whatever, Nick."


    He rolled his eyes, but got up and started for the door. "I won''t look, but can you please just get to your feet so we can make sure you aren''t going to tip over again? That was¡­ scary."


    Sure it was, she thought to herself, but with Nick''s back to her near the door that must lead to the hallway, she threw back the nkets and swung her legs over, easing onto her feet on the thinly carpeted floor.


    She did feel a touch lightheaded, but standing there for a moment was all she needed. "I''m fine," she said, starting towards the bathroom.


    "Good. I''ll wait for you in the hall," Nick said. She imagined she heard a hint of sadness in his tone, but when she looked over her shoulder to measure his face, he was already stepping outside. She only caught a glimpse of his profile. He was frowning.


    But she hurried to the bathroom where, sure enough, they''d left one of those ck suits for her, along with a jacket, some hiking boots and warm socks.


    It was how they''d dressed the Team when the team went into Thana, but Sasha didn''t let herself get hopeful.


    She went to the bathroom, discovered the reason for the ache in her lower back, thanked God that she wasn''t pregnant, took the world''s fastest shower, got dressed like it was an Olympic event against the clock, and got out of there.


    When she met Nick in the hallway, he was leaning against the opposite wall reading something on that device. He saw her and tipped his head down the hall. "This way."


    Sasha followed him, feeling strange¡ªher head still not entirely clear of the fog of whatever drug Nathan and dropped in her drink. The hallway had no doors or windows and led directly to a stairwell at the end that turned back and forth on itself all the way to the bottom floor where it led outside.


    Sasha trotted down the steps as normally as she could, but rage churned in her chest. These men were so sick! She realized she was walking with her hands in fists, and made herself rx them.


    If there was any chance they were sending her back to Zev tonight, she wasn''t giving them any reason to change their minds.


    She didn''t make a sound until they were in the Jeep outside and she could look back to see the building she hadn''t visited before. It was one they''d driven past on their way to the Arena that first day.


    "What were they testing me for?" she asked Nick finally, almost spitting the words she was so angry.


    "I don''t know. I mean, I know, but I don''t know why the tests are important," he said, checking the rearview mirror.


    She didn''t ask any more questions until they''d parked outside the barn, walked down that long aisle of "stables" and Nick was opening the door at the end.


    When they stepped through, Sasha''s mouth dropped open.


    There were dozens of women in the Arena. Dozens of them. In clusters, talking quietly, a couple curled up on jackets on the sawdust, and a few sitting or standing alone.


    Sasha blinked and blinked, but they didn''t disappear.


    "Is this for real?" she breathed.


    "I told you, Sasha, I tell you the truth. Get ready. These females are all very agitated. They''ll need a strong leader to take them home. Most of them are terrified. They haven''t been to Thana for three years¡ªif at all."


    She whipped her head around to meet Nick''s eyes. "They''re sending some of the made Chimera?"


    He nodded. "Just a couple. But you''re going to be their first Alpha in the wild," he said with a grin. "None of these females are excited about the humans that are herding them and getting them ready for the bus. You might want to talk to them." Then he patted her shoulder. "Good luck."

 Chapter 317 - Too Many, Too Much

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Zev stood at the center of the City courtyard, hands in his hair, trying desperately to talk himself down, while on each side of him, four different males argued around and to him, none of them listening to each other, all of them expecting him to hear their griefs.


    Dragging his fingers through his hair, he took a deep breath. He needed to be calm. He needed to lead with confidence.


    He needed to not bite out the throats of his own people.


    On every side, males milled around, some still carrying their travel bags because of the conflicts around housing and positions and¡­


    "¡­we have all been absent! We should be returning to our ns and positions as they were when we left!"


    "Our numbers have changed¡ªand the hierarchy. Tigers don''t carry the honor of the Alpha anymore!"


    "They didn''t when we left the City, either!"


    "Everything was messed up then. We''d all moved what, three times before the females were taken? We should return to the positions we had when Zev wasst Alpha!"


    Zev growled. Creator''s fang, he was going to kill someone, actually kill someone if they didn''t all grow up.


    Turning on the spot because he was hemmed by frustrated males on every side, Zev found Jhon squatting, his back to one of the buildings nearby, watching.


    His best friend had always been quiet¡ªunlikely to speak in a group. But clearly the Chimera needed more of his calm wisdom.


    Pushing between the two males arguing in front of him, Zev walked to stand in front of Jhon, who saw himing and stood, sympathy on his face.


    "What have they been doing for the past three days?" Zev growled.


    "This," Jhon. "But it got worse yesterday. I think before that everyone thought it would only be a matter of time. But yesterday the wolves drew a line and dered their territory, and the Goats got stampy about it. Then the Tigers¡­ well, you can see."


    Zev shook his head and turned to face the males who were still arguing, but had started to file after him, waving their hands and pointing as their agitation rose.


    "They''re like children," he muttered.


    "I''ll admit, I fear it''s worse than that, Zev. This reminds me of the time before Xar''s dominance was established. What it was like just before the females were taken from this. They be consumed and then¡­ nothing else even registers. You can''t let them go that route again."


    Zev sucked in a long, deep breath. He hadn''t been thinking it was that serious. He''d been so focused on getting Sasha back, on healing so that he could, he hadn''t considered that she might return to a broken hierarchy and¡­


    No. Absolutely not. He wouldn''t let her down. And he wouldn''t let the people drag themselves into chaos. If she had any sess in bringing the females back, they needed to return to strength and security. Not the males all at each other''s throats.


    "Call an audience," he said abruptly.


    Jhon''s brows popped up. "When, right now?"


    "Yes. Right now. Don''t give them any more time to rile themselves up. They''re getting lost in petty conflicts when we have much, much bigger fish to fry right now. Spread the word. I''ll find Lhars and Dunken and tell them to do the same, then join me in the square."


    Jhon whistled, but when Zev met his eyes, his handsome friend just raised his hands. "You''re raising the stakes, that''s all. Are you sure you''re up to it if they challenge you?"


    "I don''t have a choice. They''ve seen my weakness. That''s why this is happening. Now they need to see my strength. Call an audience, Jhon. Right now."


    His friend sped his arm and leaned in to share scent, then trotted off, presumably to find thergest gatherings and begin there.


    Zev turned towards the square and started across the courtyard. The males trailed in his wake, but he turned on them with a snarl. All four stopped hard, blinking or jaw''s dropping, but quickly submitted when they scented the edge in him.


    "This argument is petty and juvenile. And it''s my fault that it has started in the first ce. Gather your packs and herds, gather the flocks. We''re meeting in the square and I will establish this hierarchy once and for all. You''ll all have your homes today, and you will not bring this to me again!"


    The males, all of them high ranking in their ns, submitted, but looked at each other suspiciously. Zev snarled again.


    "You are brothers and allies¡ªourmon enemy is the humans and their ns, their interference. If we can''t find our way through a simple relocation together we''ll never defeat them. So turn your heads and open your sight-blind eyes, brothers. This is our chance to give to each other for the good of all. Shift your hearts and minds to that and we''ll seed."


    While they were still chewing on that, he turned on his heel and left them, praying they''d reconsider their positions with each other.


    He darted through the milling clusters and gatherings of males who, despite the much greater size of the City than the vige, had been keeping themselves close to the center. Whether out of fear, or because they felt uncertain in their positions, Zev didn''t know. But he knew he had to fix it, and it had to be today. He wasn''t leaving Sasha in the human world a moment longer than necessary¡ªand he wasn''t allowing the hierarchy to copse in her absence.


    Anyone who stopped him or tried to talk to him, he told them sharply that they were gathering for an audience in the square and to bring their questions there. Then he kept walking, weaving between groups and following the scent trails, trying to find his brother.


    He finally spied him squatting next to a cook fire with a few of the other high-ranking wolves, obviously discussing the problems they saw in the males around them. He came to a stop in front of them, and all of them went silent and looked to him.


    "I''m calling an audience," he said softly.


    Lhars'' eyes sparked¡ªconcern, or ambition? Zev still wasn''t sure. He prayed it was concern.


    "The hierarchy is at risk. You all should have told me. Should have warned me. I was needed here earlier."


    "We really didn''t see it happening until yesterday. And you were still weren''t cleared," Lhars said quietly.


    Zev locked eyes with him. "Next time there''s any threat to the rankings¡ªany at all¡ªyou tell me first, if I''m gasping myst breath. Do you understand me?"


    Lhars nodded slowly, and the males around him submitted.


    Zev took a breath. "We''re going to sort this out right now. Tell everyone. Lhars, you and the other Alphas and Dunken join me on the stage."


    Then he stalked away looking for Dunken.


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 Chapter 318 - Audience With The King

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Half an hourter, Zev stood at the foot of the oddly named Square¡ªthe deep amphitheater the ancients had made for gatherings of the City''s poption. It had been named by a Chimera mostly ignorant of geometry. Squares were the center of a City, its heartbeat. And so the amphitheater was for the Chimeran City. In this space Chimeran history had been made. Kings had been crowned, Kings had been dethroned. Here the future of their people had been determined more than once. Here, conflicts had ended in blood, and in harmony. So it was appropriate that they gathered here today. Because he was going to ask them to put aside their pains and wounds and walk into healing with him¡ªand with Sasha.


    When he''d walked over the lip of the massive bowl and started down towards its center he''d relived the moment when Sasha first saw this ce. Her awe, her joy, her overwhelming sense that the Chimera had been so much bigger than they were now.


    His heart ached to have her there, and to show her what he would do to bring her back to a healthy home, and just because he needed her. He needed her to see what they could build. Her entire introduction to the Chimera had been full of pain and uncertainty. He needed her to see the good in their people¡ªand to understand how they needed her as much as she needed them.


    And him.


    His heart pounded, that hollow space where she should have been still hurting because of herck. Adrenalin shot through him at the idea of what might happen next time if he was forced to leave her, or she him, to cross the gateway again.


    Was it possible that the soulbond had a deeper, a more dangerous connection than they''d known? Were the warnings about death more than simply the loss of a mate when one was taken? Was it possible the bond could kill them if it was breached too many times?


    Zev was already sheened in sweat, his weakened body jangling with adrenalin. The idea that he might actually kill Sasha by crossing the gateway away from her made him tremble with anxiety.


    But he couldn''t focus on that just then. He had to fix this shitshow first.


    Turning back to the Alphas, he met eyes with each one. They''d held a hurried conve in which he bristled with Alpha authority, demanding that each of them either submit or challenge him, so they could meet this disruption united.


    He''d wondered for a moment if Gheet, the burly Alpha of the goats was going to try to take him. The males eyes had measured him from head to toe. Zev hadn''t shrunk under the scrutiny. Let the malee, he''d defeat him, or die trying. He was done being cautious.


    In the end, Kyelle had been first to offer her n, but even Gheet had submitted.


    Zev had nodded andid out his n to all of them: He would address the Chimera, acknowledge the disruption and uncertainty, establish the hierarchy, invite challenge and then¡ªif there were no challenges, or those challenges were won¡ªhe would choose the positions of the ns in the city, remind them of the rules of harmony, and send them to do their parts to make this transition work.


    He prayed that was all that was needed¡ªa firm hand and certainty about their purpose. But he couldn''t deny that even he wondered. Until they had Sasha back, and understood what she''d been doing with the humans, no hearts were going to rest. Least of all, his.


    The horn was blown, rising mournfully over the crowd as thest of the Chimera filed into the amphitheater. Beside and behind him the Alphas shifted on their feet, watching their people gather. The wolves would be talking through their links. Zev almost scratched at Lhars'' mind, but he wasn''t feeling certain enough of himself yet.


    He had to find his own strength before he could expect to offer it to anyone else.


    So as the final horn blew and the cry of it echoed across the trees, Zev closed his eyes and set his mind on his mate, on the picture of the life they would lead here without the humans, and on the future of the Chimera¡ªyoung, families, tribes. Harmony.


    He remembered his failings, acknowledging them, letting them to go to the wind. Because the only power to be found in them was to understand where he''d been weak or failed, and then to avoid making the same misjudgments in future.


    He reminded himself of the battles he''d won, of all the ways he knew more, understood more, and had endured more than most of these males.


    And he reminded himself of the adoration in his mate''s eyes. Of the way their bond brimmed with love and heat. Of the way she gave herself to him, with abandon, and the insanity of his desire for her. He reminded himself that no matter how he might fail, she would stand beside him. And that no matter what she might face, he would stand at her back and make himself her shield.


    Together, they could do this.


    By the time Lhars¡ªas his second¡ªhad called the crowd to silence, Zev was brimming with the certainty of his Alpha authority. He knew his goal, he knew his power, and damned if these frightened children were going to make him question it.


    He raised his head and scanned the crowds on every side, above and around him. As his eyes passed over them, thest of the hushed murmurs ceased. Zev nodded. That was as it should be.


    "Chimera!" he called, giving his voice power, but trusting the acoustics of the amphitheater to ensure it reached every set of ears. "Silence! Perk your ears to your Alpha! We ride the winds of change and your hearts are fickle. Hear me¡­ because we will leave this audience united in harmony, or at pain of war.. The choice will be yours."

 Chapter 319 - On The Horizon

    If you like to have music while you read, try "Tomorrow We Fight" by Tommee Profitt and SVRCINA. It''s what I was listening to while I wrote this!


    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~ </strong>


    In the tradition of the battle Alphas, Zev unbuttoned his fur and threw his jacket to the ground behind him, let them see his strength, his scars as he turned a slow circle, letting his eyes fall on and pierce every Chimera he could.


    Some shrank under his gaze. Others met it calmly. And a few with the piercing light of challenge.


    So be it. He would meet this without failure, or he would pay the price. Because that was what a true leader did.


    For a moment his mind tripped back to Xar, who''d held the people in fear, required their submission at just his appearance. Who''d hidden behind his seconds and support¡­


    Zev shook his head.


    He would rise or fall on the strength of his true leadership, and they would see and measure him that way. It was the only way they would ever find strength together.


    "Your lives have been turned upside down. For years. You have lost a young leader, gained a broken leader, lost your females and families, and now seen your broken leader removed and reced with a female who has disappeared, leaving me to lead."


    Listed like that, his own certainty suddenly waivered. But Zev shook it off. He was there for a reason. And that reason was to establish these people for Sasha so when she returned she wasn''t challenged.


    "You fear. It seems that the dirt shifts beneath your feet¡ªand even when leaders emerge, theye and go, or prove¡­ less than trustworthy."


    There was a rumble among the Tigers, their loyalty to their Alpha still a tender loss. But none of them spoke to challenge him, so Zev took it as a win.


    "You were brought back to the City at the order of your Alpha, Sasha of the wolves. She returned to you focused and with goals for your future, but once again the humans interfered. It was hermitment to you, her certainty of her strength that took her from you. But she was very careful to establish the hierarchy to rule in her absence. You are not smoke, drifting on the wind. The wolves have shared the memories, as have others who witnessed her choice. You have heard the story. You know that she thought of you first. You are here because she knew the humans would be slower to reach you. You are here for your protection.


    "I was wounded in the battle and have been in my weakness, but I''m healed. I stand before you strong, and I lead at her order, and by her authority, and I say to you the time hase to stand on the rock of our new future!


    "You do not follow a weak King. You do not follow a two-minded female! You follow an Alpha who understands what she brings to help you, and has stepped into danger to fight for you, and for your females.


    "Our Alpha, my mate, my ardent, is fighting for you. And if she seeds, she returns with your family, your tribe in her hands. It was with excitement that I came to join you in the City this morning, anticipating our future together. And yet, I find ns at arms, challenges and petty arguments, snarls over small wins, and the greater battle ignored in the face of crumbs of power." He seethed at them. "Your pride threatens to tip you back into the shifting sands. Is that what you want?"


    Letting the question hang in the air, he turned a circle again, his hands fisted at his sides.


    "I have heard your concerns, and I''ve heard your arguments. I''ve seen brothers at each others throats, and ns circling, prowling, threatening to pounce. All because we look backwards. Back to find our position, back to find our leaders, back to find our value. And it won''t work, Chimera. We know that already. Looking back will only drag us into events and decisions that can''t be changed.


    "I call this audience to ask you to look forward. To choose new. To keep your feet on the rock our future in the hands of my Mate, and myself. I stand here and give myself for your measure! Do you hear me?"


    Led by Lhars, the wolves threw back their heads and howled, raising their voices in a chorus to support their Alpha. Some of the other Chimera called, too. But there was a great deal of muttering and whispers, a ruffling of feathers and fur through the amphitheater.


    Many, many were not yet decided.


    Zev set his teeth.


    "I''m here to answer to your measure. Your Alphas are here, submitted to my call. If you challenge, you challenge on your own teeth and ws. And I will hear your challenge, and I will meet it."


    He turned again, facing the back and beginning to circle the center of amphitheater, allowing none of them to feel like he didn''t, or wouldn''t notice them. He couldn''t allow any of them to believe that they could hold onto their bitterness and he wouldn''t notice.


    "Here the picture of your future under your Alpha, Chimera. Attend!"


    Then, with a deep breath, he showed them, letting his voice carry, letting his eyes heat and light, letting his body speak for his strength. He told them of his conversations with Sasha¡ªtheir twin goals to return the females to Thana, to defeat the grip of the humans, and to allow the Chimera to live as a people, not as a project.


    "¡­Your Alpha has not grown in Thana, shees like a child to us¡ªexcept this child wasn''t made by the humans. Wasn''t primed for their leadership. Shees as their equal. Shees as one of their kind¡ªand she speaks for you. She works for you. She works to defeat them.


    "Sasha of the Wolf n left Chimera to keep you safe. When the human arrived, she wouldn''t allow him to take any one of us. She stepped into his grip knowing the danger, willing to die if it kept us safe. That is the leader you follow, Chimera. Is that the leader you would disappoint?"


    Zev closed his mouth and stopped moving.


    No one made a sound.


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 Chapter 320 - Tomorrow We Fight

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    *****


    <strong>~ ZEV ~ </strong>


    Zev took a deep breath, watching the gathered ns. They weren''t fighting him, but they weren''t giving their support yet either. He needed to inspire them, to persuade them in their hearts.


    Once again he wished they''d had more time to see Sasha in her strength. To hear her passion. Although he was almost certain the wolves were already in service to her, he opened his mind as he spoke and showed the wolves his memories of her while he spoke, calling for them to stand publicly in support of her.


    "Their world is different, Chimera. I''ve lived in their culture. They are far more distant. Far more insr. They have a saying, "live and let live," and so they give each other space. They gather in much smaller numbers, loyal to family units as they were born, or as they choose in adulthood.


    "Sasha is uniquely loyal among them, giving her heart to the purpose of a people, not just their benefit to her. And she has seen you, Chimera. She''s given her heart to you. She stands as Alpha, a mystery to her because the human kind do not live like we do. But she understands power and influence. And she knows she can help. Because she has set herself against her own people to stand for you. Do you understand that? You are her chosen people. And she denies any other."


    Zev swallowed, emotion squeezing his throat tight at so many thoughts of his mate, and the wolves responses as they watched his memories flicker. Her joy, her strengths, her determination to help the females¡ªand her conviction that that was the reason she''d been brought to Thana.


    "As a human she can move in their world easily and without their help. She has no need to hide. She can call on powers that would require the attendance even of the team. They are not without ountability in their world. Yet, most humans don''t know or care about us to ask it of them. But your Alpha does."


    As the wolves began to shift in their seats, whining or growling in response to the threats and thrills of their Alpha, Zev made a split second decision. He hadn''t intended to show them, but¡­ but perhaps it was needed.


    How to show them the certainty of what he knew without giving up their secrets, though? It came to him then, how to tell them without lying, but without revealing the whole truth.


    He had Nick to thank for his ability to think in those terms, Zev realized grimly.


    He blew out a breath. "Even as I speak, she works on your behalf. She works in secret, and in fear, but she doesn''t give up." He swallowed hard. "Before she left she told me her goals and forced me to vow that I wouldn''t interfere. She didn''t want to worry you. She didn''t want you focused on anything but your own health and strength. But I will tell you¡­ as I have healed, I¡­ I crossed the gatewayst night. The humans have means ofmunication that don''t require being in the same ce. And I used¡­ I used a resource avable to reach her, to reach within the grip of the Team.


    "I can tell you with certainty: Sasha stands against the humans, using their own thoughts and processes against them. She stands in danger and does not waver. I offered to return her to this world and shemanded me to wait. To give her more time. Because she believes her efforts are paying off. She is not defending herself, but instead is pouring every effort into reaching out for the females and negotiating for their release.


    "Do you hear me, Chimera? She has abandoned her own needs in the hunt for yours. She ignores her own wounds in an attempt to heal yours. This is the leader that you follow. This is the Alpha I am proud to serve. This is my mate." He bit thest word off, reminding them of his own sacrifice in letting her go¡ªnot that she''d given him much choice.


    But these days apart were showing him¡­ if his pain and anguish was this strong, how much worse did it have to be for the males whose females were locked in thepound? How much had they endured? Could he fault them for struggling against new leadership and even greater insecurity?


    Zev sighed. "Our strength is in our ability to stand shoulder to shoulder, to be for each other," he said quietly. "That is my call to myself as well. I wait, terrified, for the destruction of my mate, but I know my pain is nothingpared to those of who have already faced the death or abductions of your mates. I cannot¡­ My mind doesn''t want to conjure what must go on in your hearts. I am not without tears for you, brothers!" He shook his head, disappointed in himself for not thinking more on this, sooner. "All I can ask is that you trust. Trust Sasha. Trust me. Every effort. We make every effort to bring those who are still alive, back to you. And if we can''t, we''ll avenge them.


    "The Chimera have been in weakness for years. We aim to raise our people back to strength. But we can''t do it if our city is divided against itself. Can you see? Can you see that you are needed? That you are crucial to this effort?


    "Sasha works among the humans. I work here to prepare. You¡­ your work must be to stand behind the hierarchy. To follow our lead. And to give your strength to the good of all¡ªnot just your family, your n."


    The wolves had caught his excitement and were getting to their feet, one by one, popping up with short, sharp huffs and growls to offer their support.


    "We face a powerful enemy, brothers, we all know this." Zev said, still turning to meet eyes with the males on all sides. "I have fallen to their deception, to their interference¡­ those of us who were made have all fallen to our uncertainty against them. But now¡­ now we have one of them fighting for us.. Fighting against her own. Stand with her, Chimera! Stand with your Alpha and fight!"

 Chapter 321 - Hold My Hand

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    An hourter, Zev was more confident, but still uneasy. The Chimera had heard his call, and eventually given themselves to it. When he called for them to stand, they did so with bodies and voices, popping up one by one to tilt their heads and howl and call, calling to each other, urging the other ns toe alongside.


    But there had still been murmurs. There were still sidelong nces, and fearful eyes.


    Zev knew he couldn''t expect to bring every mind and heart with him¡ªespecially given what some of them had lost. Their fear was understandable. But he needed them to work with him, and believe the picture he painted as they moved from inspiration, to action.


    Bringing the Alphas alongside to describe their ns, he had given them the picture of the City, now inhabited again, prepared for the return of females, and ready to face humanity at arms.


    "The humans will not be allowed into the City," he''d snarled¡ªa deration that brought more thrill and excitement from the Chimera than anything else he''d brought them so far. He had had to raise his voice to be heard over them. "We came here to take our lives back, and we will fight to do that. Look around you, Chimera! This has been the home of our brothers and ancestors for all of living memory, and even before. Our brother Yhet stands as a testament to the ancient ones. There will be a day when we are remembered among them, but only if we work together to protect ourselves and each other.


    "Soon, you will be called to measure me, and if you choose to submit, we will walk into this future together. I trust my mate. I trust our Alpha. If she works to bring the females home, we have to prepare. If she is sessful, they can''t walk into the chaos and back-biting that we''re choosing now!"


    He had let that idea sit with them, sobering, for a long moment. Then he''d exined¡­ resisting their cynicism, resisting their weariness, he''d shown them the New City.


    No ns positioned above others. No fighting between them, all working together. If the females returned, they would find peace and sanctuary, not politics and jealousy. They would find males¡ªhopefully¡ªunited in purpose, not ambition.


    The murmuring between the people had increased, but he''d seen as many nodding and urging him on, as showing their concerns.


    Now, he stood before them, the entire picture in their minds and the Alphas aligned behind him. The air hummed with tension. They knew what came next, and they waited for it, all of them, whether they stood behind him or not. Because the following minute would determine whether all of this had been in vain, or if Zev had brought the ns with him. Everyone needed to know that.


    "That''s the future I paint for you, the future your Alpha aims for," he said quietly, his shoulders back and chin low to show no weakness. Let them see his eyes. Let them hear his authority. Let them decide. "I know this is more change. I understand that I''m asking you to submit yourself to a process that you haven''t seen before, and can''t be expected to understand before it begins. But I am here to tell you I know with certainty that this is our best hope, Chimera. Will you join me? Will you follow Sasha? Will you trust and hold on, and join us, like arrows aimed for the heart?"


    He hesitated, swallowing back his fear and letting himself feel the authority of the Alpha settle on his shoulders. "Will you fight the humans with us?"


    "What if we don''t? What if we don''t want to lead, but we can''t follow this?" a voice called from one of the higher levels.


    Everyone turned to look and see who''d spoken. It was one of the Tigers, a male a couple years younger than Zev.


    The crowd turned back to hear Zev''s response.


    Behind him he could feel the Alpha''s tensing, but he didn''t turn. He''d known they wouldn''t get through this without some questions. The question was, how to answer them. Withpassion? With strength? With unbending authority?


    Zev took a deep breath. "I can''t make you feel better. You have to choose," he said through his teeth. "If you will not step into the shoes to lead, you can only follow, or leave. I will not harbor any Chimera who sympathize with our enemies. Any leader who wants to see the humans defeated will have to choose their path. Ours is to work with them until we get the females back, then to stand in resistance and give them no quarter in Thana. It may end in war. But we believe it is a war worth fighting."


    "So it''s this way, or death? That''s what you''re saying? You call us to harmony¡ªbut only a peace built on your threats?"


    Zev growled. "Is there another way? Would you choose to stay here, arguing, fighting for petty dominance? Trying to leverage your own n over others, while all of us waste to death? If you can''t support the path we choose against the humans, you will be asked to leave. If you do not leave, you will be beaten and banished. We cannot allow any dissenters to weaken our position. We will win this, no matter the cost. So make your choice: Lead yourself and bring the people with you, or follow in the safety and harbor of those who have stood to take the authority of the people."


    Whispers, murmurs, questions andments drifted on the air. Zev didn''t allow himself to pick any out, to hear their doubts. But he knew he couldn''t allow them too much time to discuss it.


    "I''m here now¡­ bring your challenge. I call you, as Alpha of all ns, standing in the Stead of Sasha of the wolves¡­ Do you bring a challenge?"


    Zev held his breath alongside the entire Chimeran poption, it seemed. No one moved. No one spoke. He had opened the gate for any to attack without recourse from the people. He''d offered himself, his leadership, his vision, and now his authority.


    What would they choose?

 Chapter 322 - Find Your Alpha

    <strong>~</strong><strong>SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha stood at the edge of the arenapletely overwhelmed. The females around her were obviously agitated, their faces pale, eyes wide, many with hands twisted into clothing or clenched to fists. Voices were kept hushed, below her hearing. But there was an edge to the hum that filled the arena that set her teeth on edge.


    Nick had closed the door behind them, but stood in front of it. When she turned to look back and see if she had a way out, he just smiled and gestured towards the females.


    Was this some kind of test?


    Sasha turned back. Her first thought was to find Vayl. But after a few minutes of walking among the females and querying with the few who met eyes with her it was clear that Vayl either hadn''t been selected, or wasn''t yet there. Which shouldn''t have surprised her. If the humans had learned anything about the Chimeran hierarchy, they''d want to leave their leadership intact so there was less disruption.


    Less disruption? Sasha sighed and turned a circle, her mind spinning a lot faster than her body as she tried to figure out how to tackle this. These females were growing increasingly anxious. If she didn''t get them calm they were going to either revolt, or break. She couldn''t afford to give the team any reason to keep them here.


    That was it, she realized. She had to make them see what was needed of them to make this work.


    She strode forward, heading for thergest group, clustered together on the western edge of the arena there was at least a dozen females standing in a group, tense and poised, but listening to someone.


    As Sasha approached she realized two females were at this center of this group, discussing something in soft whispers that ceased as Sasha came close.


    She almost hesitated, almost asked to be allowed through the line of backs hunched toward the center. But Zev''s cautions about leadership still echoed in her head.


    Take the space you deserve. Expect to be obeyed. Don''t ask permission.


    They won''t be offended, they''ll find security in it.


    She hoped he was right. These females hadn''t been in the normal Chimeran circles for three years¡ªif at all. It was entirely possible they''d created a little sub-culture¡­


    She couldn''t afford to think about it.


    Without hesitating, she put her hands between two of the woman and nudged them aside to give her room to move through to the center.


    The two females who''d been leaning into each other, talking, stoppedpletely, both of them straightening and turning to look at her with expressionless faces.


    "Your positions right now are extremely precarious," she said, assuming they all knew who she was. "You''re right to gather and establish a hierarchy. But we aren''t going to have time to get steady together until we''re already back¡ªand then we''ll have the males to contend with. What we need right now is small groups. A buddy system. Handfuls of females each following one, so we canmunicate quickly and send orders¡ª"


    "Who are you to tell us what is needed?" One of the females, a tall brte asked her sharply.


    "I''m the Alpha in Thana, and the one who''s going to get you released from this hellhole," Sasha snapped back. "You can ignore me if you want to, but what I''m telling you is true. And while you scramble your way through not knowing what''s toe, I will lead those willing to follow back to your home. To your males. To your families. Do you understand that?"


    "Our¡­ to Thana?" the female breathed.


    Sasha blinked. "Didn''t they tell you?"


    "No. We have¡­ no knowledge¡­ we have been gathered in the past, but always for¡­" the woman looked at the others and they all went very still.


    Sasha shook her head. "I''m sorry. I''m sorry you''ve been through those kinds of events before. I''ve been here, working to get you freed. I pray that they aren''t lying to us. I can''t do anything if they are. But there is evidence that they mean what they say. We have¡­ agreements. In the event that they''re telling the truth, we need to get everyone back through the gateway safely. Did all of you cross the first time? Do you know what you''re doing? How to make sure you can get back through?"


    No one answered immediately. Then the brte cleared her throat. "I remember," she said carefully. "But we were all¡­ deceived that day. It''s hard to know how much of what heard and remember is true."


    Sasha looked around. All the women looked at each other¡ªsome showing shame, some guilt, others fear.


    What had they done to these beautiful creatures?


    "You listen to me," Sasha said, low and hard. "You are not to me for these assholes and all the ways they y God." She pointed at the sawdust under their feet. "This ce is not your home. This is a stable. For animals. You are not animals. You are strong, powerful women¡ªso powerful, they''re trying to replicate you. Do you know that? The whole reason they brought you here was in an attempt to make more like you. They''ve been thwarted, and they''re getting desperate, so they''re giving my ideas some chance. The very, very best chance you have for finding your way back to safety is to get into Thana where the males will help us. But in order to do that you have to be certain in your mind. You cannot swerve from it. Fix Thana in your minds. The males. The gateway exit in the cave. Think about it, aim for it, and the gateway will show you through. But you can''t afford to question. If you fear, remember that all you''re doing is walking towards your freedom. Focus on that, and you won''t go wrong. Follow the light because it''s going to lead you all the way back to Thana."


    A quiet sob sounded behind her and Sasha turned to find a wiry, red-headed female, her face a mask of freckles, holding her own stomach, tears running down her cheek.


    "It''s real," Sasha breathed, reaching for the woman''s arm, rubbing it gently. "It''s real. This is really happening."


    She prayed she was telling them the truth.

 Chapter 323 - Doubts & Deeds

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    Sasha spent fifteen minutes with that group of females, finally lighting on the idea of appointing mini-alphas. She asked the brte, and the female she''d been speaking to when Sasha arrived, to split the group into two parts.


    "Each of you will form a n," she said, praying she wasn''t going to create more confusion by using the terms wrong. "The alpha, a second, and the rest of the group will file through¡ªwhenever an instruction is given to the alpha, they pass it to the second, and so on. Make sure everyone knows who they''re listening to, and who they''re passing information to. We can''t afford for anyone to be left out, or forgotten."


    The brte¡ªPysa, she learned¡ªcaught on quickly and started answering questions and arranging the women. As soon as Sasha was certain that group was in good hands, she walked out and approached the next. Then the next.


    She gathered individuals and brought them into the clusters, exining over and over again that the humans imed they would be returned to Thana that night. That she couldn''t be certain, but they had to prepare.


    She got better, faster, at using the right terms and painting the picture of the hierarchy and why it was needed.


    And she told them about the gateway over and over, emphasizing to the leaders how crucial it was that they identify any females who hadn''t been through, or who didn''t remember it, to ensure they understood.


    "When you enter, you''ll be alone. But you''re safe. As long as you keep your mind on your goal, you''re safe."


    It was satisfying, Sasha realized, to watch the faces around her shift from fear and uncertainty, to hope, then to determination.


    And the more of the females she spoke with, the more her own hope and determination grew. But as she stepped away from the fifth group she''d approached, turning to make sure all of them had heard her answering their questions about Thana and the males, her mind was only half on these poor, frightened females.


    Prickling dread haunted her every step. She could feel the eyes on her, following her progress.


    And she couldn''t stop wondering if she was feeding all of these women a lie¡ªeffectively organizing and easing the jobs of the humans who were actually going to take them¡­ where?


    Sasha couldn''t even bear to think.


    She kept looking back to Nick and finding his eyes on her, though his face was an unreadable mask. Then she''d look up, above the sides of the arena, to the handful of men and one woman who stood at the end on the bleachers, in front of that boxed in room, all of them watching the women below. Watching Sasha.


    They couldn''t hear her, she knew, but it still felt like¡­ like they were there to stop this from happening. She kept waiting for one of them to pull out a gun and start shooting. Or to make an announcement that the whole thing was a joke and start herding the women back to the sanctuary. Every time she imagined it, she wanted to stop. Didn''t want to help them. But then she asked herself what choice did she have?


    If Nick and Nathan were telling the truth, these poor, traumatized women were about to be shipped back to their home. And it would bepletely overwhelming for them. She couldn''t afford to get them that far, then lose some of them to the gateway.


    But if they weren''t actually headed to the gateway¡­ if the humans were deceiving her into doing their jobs for them¡­?


    Sasha''s stomach cramped and she stopped walking for a moment, just to breathe. She was beginning to think Nick hadn''t been lying about their messing with her hormones. This period was feeling so much more painful than usual for this stage. But she''d had cycles like this before. Always after a disruption.


    The question was, would she take the supplements they said they''d give her? Would she risk that they were controlling more than just her hormones?


    She still hadn''t decided. She hadn''t had time to think about it. She still didn''t know how any of this was going to go.


    For a moment the whole picture washed over her and she almost couldn''t breathe.


    If this was real and these women were about to return to Thana, everything was going to change. Everything.


    But it also meant humans were going with them. She looked at the gathering above the arena again. Were the two humans among that cold, calcting group? Nick had said they''d send someone medical along¡ªthat they were still worried about that illness that had rushed through the Chimera years earlier. But again, she couldn''t know how much of it was truth, and how much were either lies, or half-truths. She didn''t doubt there would be a medical staff member sent through. The question was, why? Would it be someone there to help them all? Or someonecing drinks and food with whatever these people wanted the women to ingest?


    Even the thought made Sasha''s teeth grit. She wanted to get her hands around the throat of Nathan and squeeze until he stopped breathing. She had to look down and breath and collect herself before she started screaming at the people above them, staring down like little gods from the clouds.


    That was how they thought of themselves, she realized. They really thought this was good. That they were doing something awesome. They thought their ruthlessness was simple determination. They thought their callousness was professionalism.


    At least, that''s what they told themselves, she was sure.


    They were psychopaths, all of them.


    Sasha looked around her then, at all the women¡ªsome of them looking a little less stressed now. Some still huddled together in fear.


    These were real people. However they hade into existence, they were real, sentient people. Conscious and independent. They had minds and hearts. And they needed help. They were going to be relying on her, and there she was having an internal fit because she couldn''t figure it out even for herself. She wanted to weep.


    But she wouldn''t.


    Swallowing back the pinch in her throat, Sasha raised her head and set her path towards a small cluster of females on the opposite side of the arena from that first group. There were only four or five of them, looking over each other''s shoulders, their eyes too wide. If none of them were strong enough to lead, she''d find someone else.


    Unless all she was doing was helping the humans move them further into a lie?


    Sasha sighed and shook off the disturbing thoughts. She didn''t have any choice now but to hope and pray for the best.. So as she approached the next group, pray she did.

 Chapter 324 - Human Made

    <strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    For the first time, Sasha recognized faces, but it took her a moment to ce them. As she turned away from the smaller group of females organizing themselves, she found herself under two sets of eyes, one peering out from behind sandy-brown hair that fell in lines so straight it looked like it was weighted for the floor. The other had ck hair in a short, boy-cut. Both females stood, shoulder to shoulder, visibly shivering, watching her.


    Sasha blinked. Where¡­


    The first set of females she''d been introduced to. The ones that were human made. Who hadn''t been to Thana before.


    These two stood, leggy and shivering like foals in the cold, and Sasha''s heart went out to them in the same moment every rm bell she possessed rang in her head.


    These two, at least, had no ties to Thana. No established loyalties. Why had they been chosen? Was it just another experiment? Or were they spies?


    Sasha walked towards them quickly. The taller one with the ck hair, her eyes struck sparks as Sasha approached, but the other shrank away, despite being inches taller and visibly stronger.


    "Are you two okay?" she asked briskly. "I know this is frightening. I know you haven''t been to Thana before, but¡­ I think you''ll like it if you give a chance. I hope¡­ I hope it will feel more natural for you."


    Except, of course, her mind spun with the conversation she''d had with Nick about wild animals who''d never been in the wild, raised by humans, then thrown among their own kind¡­ and how most of them died.


    But these weren''t animals. These were people, she reminded herself. They could learn, and listen, and rationalize. They could be taught.


    If they weren''t ced there to undermine the entire thing.


    "Thana?" the ck haired one asked. "You''re joking, right?"


    Sasha sighed. "No, I''m not. It''s been my entire goal while I''ve been here. They''re saying¡­ they''re saying they''re going to let half of you go with me now, and the rest in a few months. I don''t know whether to believe them, but I know that we have to prepare. Can I introduce you to some of the others? Those who''ve been through the gateway and into Thana? You''ll need to understand how it all works."


    She raised her hand to point at the smaller group she''d just left. The leader among them, arge wolf named Mae was sharp and strong. She''d challenged Sasha, but backed down when she scented Zev and Sasha showed her the iming mark on the back of her neck.


    It hadn''t tingled in days. She was starting to wonder if it had lost whatever magic it had had. Or was it just because Zev wasn''t nearby? Would ite alive again when he touched her?


    She hoped so.


    But she''d swallowed back her own fears to keep her focus on the questions she could answer. Now she led the two, reluctant Chimeran women towards Mae and prayed the female wouldn''t reject them.


    After they''d been introduced and the two were meeting the other females in that cluster, Sasha pulled Mae aside.


    "These two were made here," she said quietly, knowing all the Chimera who were paying attention would be able to hear her. "They''ll need extra help. Extra eyes. You understand?"


    Mae''s lips ttened, but she nodded. "I understand, Sasha-don."


    "Would you like me to take them to another group? I don''t want them in the hands of anyone who won''t¡­ keep them close."


    "No, I''ll take them. I can help them, as much as they need," she said, her eyes widening slightly.


    Sasha nodded. "Thank you. I''m sorry we''re thrown together like this. I hope¡­ I hope that soon we''ll have a chance to actually get to know each other and¡­"


    Mae tensed, frowning suddenly, putting one hand to her stomach and hissing a curse.


    She went pale so quickly, Sasha took her arm in case the woman lost her feet. "Are you okay?"


    Mae growled and shook her head, but not in answer to Sasha''s question, rather it reminded Sasha of a dog shaking off an instruction they didn''t want to hear.


    "I''m fine," she muttered. "The humans did experiments on me years ago. They¡­ left something wrong. I don''t know what. But I have had pain ever since. Mostly it''s bearable. But sometimes¡­" She blew out a breath and opened her eyes again. "Thank you for your care, Sasha-don."


    Sasha stared helplessly as the woman braced herself, then stepped away, back to the group she''d left in a huddle.


    Sasha almost called her back, almost changed her mind about leaving the extra duties with Mae. But¡­ she didn''t know how much time she had. And the two she''d introduced seemed already a little morefortable, not quite so wary as they spoke with some of the others.


    Sasha stalked away to gather up thest of the females she hadn''t yet spoken to, and make sure each was in a group, that they''d all heard about the gateway and could practice focusing their minds.


    She was so consumed, then, with checking back over the always-moving groups of females, that she was startled by the sound of therge, rolling door opening from the stables into the Arena.


    The door she and Nick had used was full height to the massive ceiling, but a narrow passage for only one or two people. This door, the one he''d opened the first time they entered when the Arena was empty, was massive, wide enough for arge truck, or several horses to walk side-by-side. And it ttered and shook as it rolled up twenty feet over their heads.


    Some of the females gasped and cringed, others startled as Sasha had, but watched the gate open with a grim kind of resignation.


    But very quickly, even though the gatepleted its roll and stopped moving, the noise continued. Sasha''s attention was taken away from the other females and deeper into the stables where dust and steam swirled, then suddenly red lights shed.


    Many of the Chimeran females made small cries, or swore, but Sasha raised her hands, swallowing back her own nerves.


    "Don''t be afraid," she called over the noise of the engine. "Those are just lights on the back of arge vehicle." She took a deep breath.. "Chimera, I think our ride has arrived."

 Chapter 325 - Can鈥檛 Own The Wind

    <strong></strong><strong>~ SASHA ~</strong>


    "I don''t understand," Sasha said to Nick, not even trying to hide her voice since neither of them could speak low enough to avoid being overheard by the Chimera. "Why all the resistance, all the imprisonment, all the threats and then¡­ now suddenly it''s just okay?"


    "I told you, you''re very persuasive," Nick said as they watched the females slowly walking towards the massive bus that had been brought to transport them.


    Sasha snorted, but didn''t take her eyes off the vehicle. She was trying to tell herself it didn''t remind her of the cattle trucks she''d seen on highways her whole life. "You also said you tell the truth, and I don''t believe that either," she muttered.


    Nick turned to look at her, a strange light in his eyes, as if she''d wounded him, which she was certain wasn''t true.


    But then he leaned in. "You understand that things have been happening here for years, Sasha? And a great deal has changed just in the past few weeks. We''ve moved Zev from firmly in our grasp, to free and leading the Chimera in Thana¡ªand mated to you. You, who we had on a loose leash since you were seventeen years old.


    "We''ve had females that have been tested, mated, and found wanting, held here and resisting, considered for euthanasia¡­ and you''ve presented an alternative for their fate that may benefit us and our program.


    "We have males in Thana who are physically what we seek, but not capable of the kind of reproduction, or bonding that we need¡ªand one that is perfect in every way, but now out of our hands.


    "We have a fresh set of eyes that spent time in Thana, and came back with a proposal, and who has, in the same trip, provided further insight into what is needed¡ªand what is not¡ªfor our King to be finally crowned father." Nick paused, shaking his head like she''d disappointed him. "You set about to negotiate and persuade, then you''re surprised when it works?"


    Sasha stared at him, once again in that turmoil of confusion and uncertainty. She was good at picking liars, but she suspected Nick was better at hiding lies. She read some emotions on his face sometimes, but not others.


    Did that mean he was only sessful in hiding them sometimes, or that he was choosing to reveal them at others?


    Then Sasha blinked, all thoughts of Nick and his subterfuge draining from her head as she realized that while she''d been dealing with the females, he''d changed clothes.


    Nick was in one of the ck suits, like the one Zev had worn when he first returned, and the ones she''d seen the team in when they came to Thana. The one she was wearing now. Her mouth dropped open. "You''reing with us?" she squeaked.


    Nick frowned. "That surprises you?"


    "Surprises¡­ Nick, you pissed yourself when you were there before! And¡­ why are they sending you?"


    "Because I have rtionships with you and Zev," he said bluntly. "Would you rather I sent a stranger?"


    Sasha stared at him. She wasn''t sure how to answer that, even in her own mind. "I don''t¡­ no?"


    Nick shook his head. "One of these days you''ll figure out that I''m on Zev''s side, Sasha, and then you''re going to kick yourself for all this suspicion."


    "Don''t you try and mess with my head," she hissed. "Even Zev doesn''t trust you anymore. He told me to run when he found out you were there," she snapped.


    Nick didn''t answer right away, which didn''t seem like him. Then Sasha''s stomach dropped as she realized what she''d said.


    "Zev knew I was there?" Nick said. "He was there to tell you to leave me? What about all that bullshit about him not being close enough, not being needed because you were Alpha?"


    "I didn''t lie," she said, eyes on the line of females cowering near the bus, and the others who were in leadership trying to tempt them to walk onboard. Her heart pounded in her ears, though. She couldn''t risk Nick figuring out that she could speak to Zev in his head. She knew that would fascinate him¡ªand make them an even bigger target for this fucking project.


    "So where was he? If he was so adamant that you should run, why didn''t he step in and intervene? Why didn''t he face me himself?"


    "He wasn''t there," Sasha snapped. "We had¡­ messages¡­ delivered and¡­" she trailed offmely, scared of giving anything away.


    "When you went off in the trees by yourself," Nick muttered. "I knew something was going on there. Was he there himself? Or¡ª"


    "No, but he learned that the human was you before I did," she said, honestly, hoping to throw him off the scent. "And he made sure I got the message."


    "And you still came with me?" Nick watched her warily, but she didn''t let her face move.


    She met his gaze evenly and shrugged her shoulders. "I''m Alpha now," she said. "He has to listen to me."


    Nick snorted, clearly not entirely believing her, but she didn''t care. Let him stew on it. Let him waste time wondering how they''d gotten one past him, the way she was constantly forced to do in dealing with him. Let him have a taste of his own medicine.


    "I have to go help them," Sasha said after he didn''t respond. "I''m still¡­ uneasy about you being in Thana, but I supposed I didn''t make that clear with Nathan, so we''ll have to deal with it. But you won''t be given freedom with Zev, I want you to know that. Don''t head over there thinking you''re just going to get in his head again. He sees through you now¡ªand I''m not going to let you y with him. He''s not your toy."


    "No, he''s not," Nick snapped. "He''s my son. And I''m not going to let all of this move forward without knowing he''s okay!"


    "All of what move forward?"


    "This. You. The Alpha thing. Chimera¡­ the whole program, Sasha. Your babies, everything. It all centers on him. And no one here cares about him as a person except me. So I volunteered. How does that sound? I chose to go into that hellhole because I wanted to make sure, with my own eyes, that Zev''s okay. And I don''t care who''s standing in the way, if I find out he''s not, there will be hell to pay¡­" he let the threat trail off.


    Sasha shook her head. "No, Nick. He''s not yours. He''s mine. And fucked if I''m going to let you break him any more than you already have." Then she stalked off to speak with some of the females who were frightened to get on the bus.


    But the whole time, she could feel Nick''s eyes on her back.

 Chapter 326 - Sleep. Sleep.

    <strong>~ ZEV ~</strong>


    Late that night, Zev stood in one of thergest rooms in the City. It was on the second floor of one of the main buildings. But there wererge, open gaps in the wall. It was designed for gathering, cooking, eating. Not for sleeping.


    Yet it was the only space he remembered that might be big enough if Sasha was sessful in finding a way to get the females out. Kyelle was insistent, if they''d only been around females for all this time, and they were frightened, they''d need a ce to be together. Perhaps even sleep together.


    Zev didn''t really believe Sasha could bring them back, not this quickly. But he needed the ns to see that he believed in her. And he did. He believed she would return with a n. But while they were all finding their feet, and trying to remake their lives, they needed positive things to focus on.


    Preparing a space for the females was perfect.


    He''d ordered that they find ways to block the windows with the thinnest, strongest hides that could be found¡ªones that would allow light through, but would block the sound and cold air.


    He''d ordered that furs be located and collected here. Anyone who needed them could use them, of course, but the extras should be left in this space in case the females did decide to rest here.


    After grabbing two of them himself, he sighed heavily then and turned to trot back down the stairs. He was supposed to go back to the vige to sleep in his cave, but he was exhausted. His body wing at him for rest. So he nned to use those furs himself and bed down. He knew he hadn''t intentionally broken his orders. But he''d spoke with a healer who''d been sent to the City and who agreed that at this point it was more important for Zev to rest at all, rather than to travel all the way back to rest in his cave, away from the stress.


    So as he descended the stairs and found the torches burning in the Courtyard, and realized most everyone else had already gone to bed, he gave in and turned for the main building. He didn''t know if the other alphas had taken their ces there, yet. But he would find a space to sleep until morning.


    It was strange to walk those stairs again. They''d been so familiar to him three years ago. He''d avoided bringing Sasha too deeply into this building because he hadn''t wanted to remember the life he had then¡ªthe failure he''d had in not staying in Thana, but also the grief. He''d missed her so terribly. It was going to be incredible to walk these stairs with her, to their furs.


    A guard at the door into the building saluted and whispered, "Zev-dan."


    He nodded, but didn''t slow in his walk.


    He''d been acknowledged by the Chimera. No one had made him fight to keep Alpha, which was a huge relief.


    After the formalities, he had dealt with the petty squabbles over power and position by dering that the males would spread through the City¡ªmake their homes and caves wherever they wished. No n given priority, no ranking specific to areas beyond the main building that would house the Alphas and their mates or families, should they materialize. No two members of a n to gather. He''d ordered them to surround themselves with those not of their own ns, and dered that anyone who failed to do so would be banished.


    And, to his mild surprise, they''d done it. They''d gone grumbling and shooting looks¡­ but Lhars reported that the wolves had spread, and their neighbors were of different Cribes.


    Tonight the Chimeran males were resting, finally, as they should: Not broken by politics or ns. But as a people.


    It was, to Zev''s mind, a huge win.


    When he reached the Alpha bedchamber, there was no one beyond the guard at the door, though he''d passed a few in the building as he strode through. It was a relief to make it to the top floor without having to answer any more questions, or hold himself against his weariness.


    He took a deep breath before he stepped into the King''s room, though. He''d intended not toe in here without Sasha, but now it felt like anywhere else wouldn''t serve her power¡ªor his. So he swung the door open, praying the ceilings were as high as he remembered, that he wouldn''t have trouble sleeping in this space. Or that he was tired enough that his panic would stay away until morning.


    But he startled as soon as he walked in, when arge shadow separated itself from the wall and huffed. Then he cursed, slumping.


    "Yhet," he said after a sigh of relief. "You scared me."


    "Sorry, Zev," the male rumbled. "I will stand watch tonight. I''m d you''re finally here. You need to rest."


    "I know, I know. I will. I just need to eat something first," he said wearily. There was a strip of dried beef in his back pocket that he''d managed to pick up during his earlier stalking back and forth in the City, clearing up disputes, and rifying his position on housing as the males all reluctantly found their ces.


    "I have food for you," Yhet said carefully. "Fruit, and a stew. It will be cold now, but that''s okay."


    It was. Zev thanked his friend for being so thoughtful and shoveled the food down without even sitting down. He was afraid as soon as he did, he''d pass out with exhaustion. His hand trembled on the spoon as he swallowed thest of the stew and Yhet took the bowl.


    They chatted quietly for a moment as Zev undressed. It turned out he hadn''t needed to bring the furs. Two massive, thick furs had already been provided and spread on the huge sleeping tform designed literally for a King.


    "You''re too good to me, Yhet," Zev said as he crawled between them and immediately groaned with the pleasure of being off his feet.


    "No, Zev. This is where you''re supposed to be. I just made sure it wasfortable. Besides, you''re giving so much. You and Sasha. Just¡­ take care of yourself, okay?"


    Zev sighed and opened his mouth to tell Yhet that he was taking care of himself, but that Yhet was being too generous. That Zev had gotten too many things wrong, too many times in the past.. But somewhere between the thought and his tongue curling around the words, he fell asleep.

 Chapter 327 Compassion & Authority

    <h4>Chapter 327 Compassion & Authority</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha stood in the wide aisle of the stable, near-choking on the fumes of the huge bus that had been idling for over an hour now.


    Most of the females were now inside, peering wide-eyed out of the windows, or walking between the seats, trying to find a ce that felt safe enough to settle while their animal instincts were stressed.


    But a handful remained on the dirt outside, shivering, their upper lips curling, or hands wed into their clothing.


    They feared this machine, and Sasha couldn''t fault them for it. From their perspective, it was a massive, noisy contraption that might swallow them whole, or take them somewhere entirely out of their own control.


    But after nearly an hour of trying to convince them, she was beginning to lose hope. She''d made a mistake in having the mini-alphas file onto the bus with their groups, because now only Mae remained outside the bus, and her stress was bing evident.


    She''d resorted to pleading, and standing back, next to Nick, even Sasha could see the weakness in it. They were discussing how much time they had before they had to abandon the frightened females¡ªnone of them made, all of them from Thana because ironically, the made Chimera weren''t afraid of human vehicles when Sasha realized she''d already forgotten Zev''s instructions about Alpha authority.


    Don''t question. Take what''s yours. Own your space and expect them to give it to you.


    Of course. These women didn''t need to be urged and coddled, they needed to be ordered.


    Sasha took a deep breath. She refused to leave without a single soul that the humans were willing to give up.


    Decided, she turned to Nick and dropped her voice. "I''m going to get them on there. But I can''t guarantee they won''t panic once they''re in. Can you make certain that as soon as we''re inside, the doors close. I know the others will help control and calm them once they''re in there, but I can''t be certain their first instinct won''t be to flee. So we have stop that happening. Can you instruct the driver to get that door closed the second they''re all inside?


    Nick nodded and trotted over to the bus, stepping up into the depths of it to speak with the driver. Sasha eyed him through the windows. The driver and front passenger seats¡ªthere were two¡ªwere all enclosed behind a ss wall with a door. She didn''t think it was to guard against distractions.


    Sasha wanted to growl herself. But she couldn''t fix everything at once. Right now she needed to focus on getting these females to the gateway. Nick and his cowardly coworkers would have to be ignored for now.


    When Nick leaned out of the door, nodding to her, Sasha checked to make sure everyone else was already on the bus, then strode over to where Mae, frustrated and beginning to snarl a little, was desperately trying to coax the three females onto the bus. She''d gotten them closer to the door, at least.


    Sasha took a deep breath, reminded herself of the way the males had submitted to her when she''d been in Thana, then strode over to where Mae stood.


    Interrupting her mid-sentence, she fixed her gaze on the female and said through her teeth, "Get on the bus."


    Mae blinked, then submitted and without another word, turned and walked over to the steps, looking back over her shoulder towards the little group, her eyes sad, before stepping up into the rumbling depths of the bus.


    Then Sasha turned to the other three, who were all curled in on themselves, one with tears on her cheeks, the other two with jaws jutting forward.


    "Get. On. The bus," she hissed.


    The one with tears tracking down her face went wide-eyed. "But¡ª"


    "You misunderstand, this is not a request, this is an order. I am Alpha in Thana, I am Alpha here. I have done everything in my power to bring you home and now you fight me?"


    Please let them listen, please let them listen.


    She turned, her eyes snapping to each of the three in turn. "You fight your own salvation. You deny and dy the salvation of others. Get your asses on that bus before I am forced to make you submit to ensure I won''t suffer challenges from others!"


    Geez, she hoped that was right. Her knowledge of the hierarchy and how it was managed was still so patchy.


    They all stared at her and Sasha forced herself not to swallow, instead ring at each of them, her heart burning with the demand that they follow. Then she turned and stalked to the stairs herself and, without looking back, walked up into the bus.


    Her feet nged on the narrow metal staircase. She felt the eyes of all the others, wide and fixed on her as she rose into the belly of the bus¡ªa plush, expensive vehicle with padded seats in three rows, like an airne. Despite its luxury, Sasha had to keep shoving the image of a cattle truck from her mind.


    It didn''t matter how pretty the transport was if it was taking you to the ughterhouse.


    But, ignoring the fascination of the others¡ªnow quiet enough that the rumble of the bus engine could be heard clearly through the cabin¡ªshe turned at the top of the stairs, putting herself in the first aisle, and she waited.


    From the corner of her eyes she could see the three arguing. She was surprised to see the crying one step forward first, shaking and hugging herself, she hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, looking up. But Sasha stared down at her, firm, butpassionate, and waited.


    When she made it up, her body flinching at the hollow ng of her steps on each metal stair, Sasha nodded to her.


    "Well done."


    She turned and looked over her shoulder, grateful to find Mae rushing forward to help her and bring her to a seat.


    By the time Sasha turned back, the other two were at the door, staring up at her, their lips tight and thin.

 Chapter 328 The Vow

    <h4>Chapter 328 The Vow</h4>


    LAST CHANCE FOR A PAPERBACK: Webnovel policies have changed and I will no longer be able to offer paperbacks for giveaways or prizes. If you live in the USA and want a Paperback of ALPHA, you will need to purchase the final privilege tier before 30 March! (Thenment on thetest published chapter to confirm your purchase, and email your Webnovel name, name, and address to: )


    This message was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    "You''ll lead us to Thana. You''re certain of it?" one of the females demanded, her nose wrinkled against the cloud of exhaust that rolled over her.


    Sasha set her teeth. "I do not answer to you. I have told you my instructions. Are you going to follow them?"


    The two looked at each other, then to Sasha''s great relief, reluctantly started up the stairs.


    The moment the second one took the second step, the hydraulics of the bus door hissed and the door swung closed behind them with a thunk.


    Both females gasped and whirled, snarling. But neither shifted, or wed the other. They stood on the stairs, staring at the dirt outside, trembling.


    "You can remain here in a ce with stables and breeding arenas. Or you cane with me, back to Thana, and the males, and your ns."


    The two looked at each other, then even more slowly than before, continued their climb up the handful of stairs to the main level of the bus.


    Sasha nodded at them both, but let their little-alphase forward to take them to seats, then she turned to face the entire bus, praying they couldn''t hear how her heart was hammering.


    "There will be a lot of noise and we''ll move quickly. If you get sick, use the bags in the seat back in front of you. This isn''t a long trip, but it might feel like it is. Support each other. Stay in your groups. And be practicing your focus for your return through the gateway. You''re going home."


    Then she sat down in one of the two front seats, empty. As the bus''s hydraulics shrieked again and it jerked slightly forward, small cries of shock and concern rippled through the females in the bus, but Sasha kept her eyes on Nick''s neck¡ªhe sat in one of the two front passenger seats next to another staff member¡ªa woman, Sasha thought, though she could see clearly beyond the thick pole and half-wall that separated the front cabin from the travelers at the back.


    But she could see Nick, and he could see her. Sitting in his seat, his head turned, he stared at her, nk faced, as the bus began to roll forward, out of the barn and into the dark of the night, broken and glowing from cones of light, hazed into clouds by the humid night air beginning to fog.


    They stared at each other, Sasha pouring every ounce of her disdain and rage for this man into her eyes, but keeping her face nk as well.


    She wouldn''t drop his eyes, couldn''t let herself do it. If he was challenging her¡ªbut Nick gave a small smile and turned back to face the front as the bus began to crunch down the gravel road.


    Shadows passed over the windows of trees and the buildings hidden within them¡ªincluding the main building that they passedst¡ªbefore the bus was finally in open air, its headlights cutting bright highlights and shadows even from the stalks of grass in the sanctuary.


    Sanctuary.


    Sasha wrinkled her nose at the word.


    This was no sanctuary. But as they kept moving towards those high, electrified fences, she turned her head and looked out the window, searching the dark, back in the direction they''de from where the warm lights punctured the dark and gave away the location of the human beings here who tried to y god.


    And all the Chimera at their mercy.


    "I wille back for you," Sasha vowed under her breath. "This isn''t the end. This isn''t the only chance. I''lle back for you. I''m not taking safety for myself until I do. I promise," she whispered.


    Then she swallowed the pinch in her throat, and when the bus passed through the fence and out onto the dirt road that would lead them first to the country-road, then to the highway, Sasha closed her eyes and prayed like she had never prayed before.


    Prayed that the n she had to get the others out would work.


    Prayed that whatever the humans who were going with them nned to do would be thwarted.


    Prayed that Zev was safe and that the bond hadn''t been damaged by their parting.


    Prayed that in the end, good would win. That these precious, traumatized hearts behind her were only the first. That there would be a day that she and Zev could bring all of the Chimera together in peace¡ªwhich meant, away from any human intervention of any kind at all.


    She blew out a breath. That image seemed impossible. Nothing short of a miracle.


    But then a warm, calloused hand appeared on her shoulder.


    Sasha jolted, turning quickly. But the hand wasn''t gripping her, only resting on her, to soothe and encourage.


    She met eyes with one of the females she hadn''t spoken to personally yet¡ªanother wolf. They were almost all wolves, she''d realized when she''d been walking around assigning alphas and groups.


    "You have a good heart, Sasha-don," the female whispered loud enough for her to hear. "I will follow you. We will all follow you."


    Sasha''s heart thrummed with abination of joy and abject terror.


    She swallowed. "Thank you."


    The woman nodded. "You did the right thing. We follow a strong Alpha. I am¡­ grateful for this chance to see what wille."


    Sasha was moved so that she could only nod, then she had to turn away before the other woman saw her tears.


    But she made herself breath and blink until the threat of tears was passed¡ªshe knew the Chimera could scent them¡ªand instead focus on the future.


    Turning to look out the windows, the night was so dark out here, and the small amount of light in the bus cabin meant she could only see the bare hints of what was passing outside.


    She wouldn''t know if they were actually going to the gateway until they got there¡ªor to whatever ce Nathan had sent them instead.


    But they did reach the highway in the time she thought it should have taken. So as the vehicle elerated and the reflective strips of the highway began to sh past, all she could do was pray.


    So that''s exactly what she did.

 Chapter 329 Really Happening

    <h4>Chapter 329 Really Happening</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    When they''d pulled into the parking lot, Sasha recognized the bathroom building Nick had stopped at on their way out, and her heart just about broke open with hope and thrill.


    They really were going to the gateway.


    She couldn''t shake the feeling that she couldn''t trust any of this. But the first step was done.


    Now she stood outside the bus, on that gravel parking lot where Nick''s car had been parked when they came out, about to take the twenty minute walk up to the gateway cave.


    At her order before they opened the bus doors, the little alphas were gathering their small groups first on the vehicle, then down on the ground outside, making sure everyone had their bag, and a partner.


    Sasha, unable to move without shaking, forced herself to stand to the side and watch. Let the alphas organize their groups.


    Nick hade to stand next to her. Sasha wanted to tell him to go fuck himself, but she knew she couldn''t risk any conflicts or warning signs for the Team at this stage. So she stood quietly when he approached and together they watched the alphas form all their groups in a long, wavering line.


    "You didn''t think I''d convince them," Nick said smugly. "And yet, here we are."


    Sasha shook her head at his arrogance. "You said I persuaded them," she pointed out through clenched teeth, not because of her anger, but because she was so tense, they would chatter if she opened them.


    "You did. But they needed some¡­ massaging to get there in the end. So let''s call it a team effort."


    Sasha rolled her eyes, but said nothing. She''d been introduced to the woman who stood at Nick''s other side¡ªa nurse practitioner. Patty. The woman reminded Sasha of a bug on a rock, with sses that made her eyes look bigger than they were, and her shoulder-length hair twisted into a messy bun on her head.


    She was in the ck suit too, but watching all the females with her eyes wide, like she couldn''t quite believe what she was seeing.


    Then one of the Alphas approached to tell Sasha they were ready to move. Nick flinched when the female stepped close to him. Ignoring him, Sasha thanked her and sent her back to the line.


    "Please follow your group hierarchy. As long as you stay together, following, we will all make it safely," she called. "Patty, here, is going to lead you to the Gateway. You''ll likely smell it before we get there, but please don''t break ranks. We need to ensure everyone gets through safely. It''s a short walk¡ªuse the time to practice focusing on your destination. And encourage each other. This is real. You''re going home. Your mates and ns are going to be ecstatic to see you!"


    There was a murmur of excitement among the females as Patty turned away from Nick and started up the trail between the low, metal railings that lined the little parking lot.


    Sasha, true to her word, waited until they had all passed. She would make certain they didn''t lose on¡ªand that the Chimera got to go through the gateway before the humans.


    To her surprise, Nick stayed, hanging back with her.


    Well, fuck.


    She should have known though. Out here, where they were free, he eyed the Chimera like rattlesnakes under a rock¡ªas long as you kept your distance you''d be fine.


    "If you''re so terrified of them, why are youing?" she asked him quietly as they began to follow the end of the long line of females striding into the forest.


    "Because I''m not letting all of this happen without watching out for Zev," Nick said simply.


    They walked on a few more steps, but Sasha shook her head.


    "I don''t buy it, Nick. Zev''s been harmed so many times in this program. If you really cared you would have been protecting him from that¡ªnot from this. The first good thing to have happened in three years, as far as I can tell."


    "I''m not protecting him from this," Nick hissed, throwing a hand forward towards the females. "I''m protecting him from my colleagues."


    Sasha gaped. "I don''t understand you at all¡ªone minute you''re all cold calction, the next you want me to believe you''re driven by these noble goals for Zev''s wellbeing. You are full of bullshit, Nick."


    "So, being cold means I don''t feel anything, is that it?"


    "I''m pretty sure that''s exactly what it means."


    "Really? What do you do, Sasha, when you find yourself in a situation where you have zero choice. You know the next step you take is going to hurt, but it has to be done. What happens to you in that moment? Do you cry? Do you scream? Do you fight when you know for certain that you''ll lose? Or do you get really quiet and move forward, eyes peeled for a new way through."


    Sasha pressed her lips together. "I''m sorry, Nick, but there''s nothing you can say that''s going to make me feelpassion for you. You''re a fucking psychopath."


    "Bullshit! I''ve watched over that boy for twenty-four years. If it weren''t for me he wouldn''t even be here¡ªand you likely wouldn''t be either. You can hate me all you want, Sasha, but that''s just the pure truth, and even Zev would tell you that." He snorted. "I hate this. I hate everything about what''s happened to the Chimera in thest couple years. But it was necessary. And if I''d fought it, they would have removed me¡ªso I wouldn''t have been able to help.


    "Sometimes our choices in life suck, Sasha, but don''t vilify me for being pragmatic to keep myself close to Zev because I care about him."


    "I don''t believe you hate this¡ªyou were just congratting yourself."


    "I don''t hate this," he said, gesturing towards the females ahead of them. "I hate what happened before, what''s had to happen to move through the process of elimination so we could get to this point."


    "You don''t hate this. You find it fascinating," she muttered.


    Nick huffed. "It''s true that secrets have always appealed to me. I like knowing things other people don''t know. And there''s real power around me¡ªso the secrets are powerful too. Running in these circles is thrilling. I don''t deny it. But it also means I don''t get to choose my own trajectory. I epted that because it gives me a chance to make sure Zev gets through this."


    Sasha narrowed her eyes at him. "You seriously want me to believe you care about him? I think you just have a fucked up sense of ownership, and this is all just a pissing match between you and Nathan to see who can manipte things better and faster."


    Nick made an angry noise and whirled on her, catching her arm.

 Chapter 330 Back Off

    <h4>Chapter 330 Back Off</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Nick had yanked her to a halt, the line of Chimera slowly winding away ahead of them, up the hill. But Sasha stared Nick down, confident if she made any noise or request, the females woulde to help her.


    "Seriously, Sasha?" Nick eximed. "You think I just want to own Zev? He''s a person, not awn ornament. You think my ownership of him is why I got him connected back with you¡ªand helped you both escape? You think that''s why I let him stay longer in the high school five years ago when you two were still sniffing around each other? You think that''s all about me and my ownership? Bullshit! If that was all I cared about, I would have just taken a team and shown up in Thana with a gun and leash."


    Sasha wondered to herself if that''s exactly what Nathan thinks they did. But she yanked her arm out of Nick''s grip and put a finger in his face, praying he could see her eyes in the dim light enough to know howpletely fucking serious she was.


    "First of all," she said through her teeth, "Don''t every a hand on me again. And you especially won''t touch me in front of Zev. If you really do want to protect him, you''ll protect me. Because he''ll eat you alive if he sees you touch me like that," she snapped. "Now shut your face with this ridiculous noble n you want to say you have. If you''re here to help Zev, then stop talking about it and prove it."


    Nick opened his mouth, but Sasha shook her head and strode forward quickly to catch the back of the line of females. If she didn''t miss her guess, they were getting close to the Gateway and she would be needed to center everybody before they stepped in.


    Nick trotted to catch up with her, muttering a curse, but he didn''t touch her again.


    "If you want me to protect Zev, you''ll have to protect me."


    Sasha snorted and walked on.


    Nick shook his head. "If you''re serious about getting the other females back, you''ll need to do all the stuff I tell you, and you''ll need to protect me¡ªfrom the creatures, from Zev. He can''t interfere. I have to keep Patty and the team back here convinced that I''m in control."


    "You are so not in control when we get into Thana, Nick."


    "I know that! That''s my point!" he hissed. She nced up at him and realized he was beginning to sweat again, his forehead shining and eyes looking sunken in the dark. "I have to give all the right reports, and know the right things to keep them believing. If you guys interfere, or if the Chimera keep me¡­ on the sideline, the others will learn about it and they''lle through and that''s your chance over, Sasha. You know that. Nathan''s not ying with this. It''s a huge risk. One wrong step and¡­ you''ll all be finished."


    "So the answer to me getting what I want is giving you what you want, is that what you''re saying, Nick? What a surprise."


    "Not everything, just enough. But I have to be safe. If I''m hurt, they''ll know. And if you let Ernie¡­ I mean, if I''m out of my mind they''re going to figure it out."


    "Ernie chooses his own path. They all do."


    "Bullshit, I saw them submit to you¡ªand I''m guessing they do to Zev as well."


    She nced at him, but didn''t confirm the thought.


    "So, tell them to leave me alone," Nick pressed. "Let me do what I have to do, and I''ll leave you alone the rest of the time. We can protect Zev together this way!"


    "Of course," Sasha said sarcastically, "This is all about keeping Zev safe. Not keeping your sorry ass out of Ernie''s hands. Look, Nick, you volunteered. You''reing into Thana. This is their world. The Chimera''s rules. You need to be submissive and hope they''ll ignore you. Because if they don''t, I don''t like your chances. Even Zev doesn''t trust you¡ªand he''s told everyone."


    "All I''m asking you to do is keep me alive and don''t put me in a cage. I can do the rest myself."


    Sasha eyed him from the side. "I don''t know, Nick. I guess we''ll see how it all pans out when we get over there. If we actually get there."


    Nick gaped at her. "You think we''re walking out here in the middle of the night for shits and giggles?"


    "I think you''re the most maniptive person I''ve ever met, Nick, and I don''t believe anything thates out of your mouth until I see it happen with my own eyes."


    "So let me show you! You keep me safe, I keep Zev safe, everyone''s happy. I''m rooting for you, Sasha. Can''t you see that?"


    "No, frankly. I can''t. If you wanted to support me, you''d support me. If you wanted Zev safe, you''d just do it. You wouldn''t be using leverage and trying to pin me into negotiations."


    "Leverage is the onlynguage I know," Nick seethed. "Quid pro quo. That''s how these people work. There is no othernguage in my world."


    "Well, isn''t it lucky that we''re going into another world then, Nick?" Sasha said, falsely bright.


    "You can''t expect me to change everything I''ve learned and who I am, just to fit in your¡­ whatever it is you''re building here," Nick said, exasperated.


    "But that''s what you don''t get, Nick. I don''t expect you to change. That''s my whole point. I''m d you brought it up, since that should make you understand why Zev will never, ever, trust you again."


    Nick looked like he would respond, but the line in front of them slowed, then came to a halt as thend under their feet leveled out.


    They''d reached the Gateway and Sasha''s heart suddenly raced, galloping in her chest.


    They were really here. This was really happening.


    Holy fucking shit.

 Chapter 331 [Bonus chapter] The Gateway

    <h4>Chapter 331 [Bonus chapter] The Gateway</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    The females milled around on the tnd around the outside of the cave, and within the mouth of the cave itself.


    Nick on her heels, Sasha pushed through the crowd, reminding them all to stay in their groups and to be focusing. When she got to the Gateway itself, Patty stood there waiting patiently, her own bag over her shoulder. She looked relieved when she saw Sasha and Nick.


    Sasha was about to tell her to lead in, when it urred to her that the Chimera didn''t know they wereing. Not exactly. And she couldn''t afford for Nick or Patty to get attacked, or set up any kind of trap by going through the gateway first.


    She blew out a breath. She''de so close to making a stupid mistake¡ªwhat if she didn''t catch herself next time.


    wing a hand through her hair, she turned. "Change of n," she said quickly to both of them. "We''ll let the females go first. Then me. Then you twoe through after. Let me warn the males that you''reing and they''re not to touch you before you get through there."


    Nick nodded, though Patty frowned. "I think it would really be better¡ª"


    "Trust me, everyone over there is on a hair-trigger right now because I disappeared. You don''t want the guards thinking you''reing through to take more. And I don''t know how the females are going to react to being back there. Give us half an hour to get them settled and on their way to the settlement before youe through."


    "No, absolutely not. The entire agreement was that we watch over everything, observe and monitor everything with the females," Patty said firmly, though her eyes cut to Nick more than once. "I''ll agree to go in the middle so that the guards can be warned, but as soon as they''re in Thana, we need to be there, too."


    Nick winced at that. "It doesn''t really work that way," he said quietly. "But yes, we''ll follow you through immediately."


    Sasha sighed, but agreed. She didn''t have much choice. They were going to be here alone after she left. It wasn''t like she''d have a way to dy them anyway. Better if they thought she was being reasonable, working with them. So she nodded, then called the nearest little-alphas and warned them to prepare their lines. They were about to go through.


    She pped her hands and got everyone''s attention, warning them all to keep their focus, to remember Thana if they knew it, or to think on those they knew who would be there, or just the desire to be in the world itself if they hadn''t visited before.


    She asked Nick if he had anything to add, but he was leaned into Patty''s ear, exining something, and he shook his head.


    Tension boiled under Sasha''s skin as she turned to face the females. This was it. This was what she''d been aiming for. This was the moment. Were Nick and Patty here to screw it all up somehow? Or was this really going to happen?


    She realized then that everyone was watching her, waiting.


    She blinked and took a deep breath. "Who wants to go first?"


    *****


    When the first female¡ªone of the alphas¡ªstepped into the gateway, Sasha was suddenly blinking and swallowing tears. By the time half the females had filed inside, all of them reminded to keep their minds focused, she had tears on her cheeks. But she wiped them away and tipped her head for Patty to go after the next group.


    "You know how to focus on Thana? Have you been there before?"


    "No, but I''m certain I''ll be fine," Patty said, her eyes bright with anticipation. "Nick''s given me very clear instructions. I''ll see you on the other side!" she said.


    Sasha nodded and prayed that the alphas would have the presence of mind to warn the guards before Patty arrived.


    She stood back. The crowd on this side was beginning to thin. They had arrived with over sixty females and only about twenty were left when Sasha walked to the back and let the groups handle themselves while she watched, her heart beginning to trill.


    She was going to see Zev! And she was bringing back females to Thana! The males were going to be over the moon.


    She just prayed Zev had remained healthy and hadn''t been doing too much. She was dying to touch him again and be close and¡­ gah.


    She shook her head. Only an hour or two, she reminded herself. Once she was through the Gateway it was just the hike to the vige, then she''d finally see him.


    There was only two groups left to go¡ªten females in total, including their Alphas. Sasha smiled at Mae who acknowledged her before stepping into the Gateway and being swallowed by the wall.


    Then there were five. Then only two.


    Sasha hadn''t realized she was holding her breath until thest female strode carefully into the Gateway, and a cry of joy broke in her throat.


    Sasha pped her hands and leaped forward, but Nick''s hand caught her elbow just as she moved.


    She whirled on him, face twisted in a snarl, but he released her and put his hands up. "I''m sorry, I''m sorry! I didn''t mean to¡ªI just need you to tell me something before you go through!"


    "What?!" she snapped.


    "I need you to¡­ to promise to protect me," he said, swallowing. His face was pale, she realized. That sheen of sweat back on his brow.


    He was terrified.


    "I need you to tell me you''ll order them not to¡­ to eat me, or whatever. You need me over there, Sash. Nathan won''t leave you alone unless he''s hearing regrly from me. You have to keep me safe!"


    Sasha shook her head. What a fucking coward.


    "I will order them not to touch you physically, Nick. They won''t kill you. But I don''t have any control over Zev," she said, trying not to smile. "And I can''t control what the creatures will do if you start roaming around outside the vige. So my advice is to stay close."


    Nick nodded quickly. "I will. I will. I just need to observe and make notes. That''s all."


    Sasha rolled her eyes. "You really are a coward, aren''t you, when you don''t have all your tech and control of the situation."


    "No," Nick spat, his hands clenched to fists. "But I''ve lived to witness enough death that I''m not looking forward to my own. Or Zev''s. So I''m asking you to help me keep us both safe."


    "I''ll give you what protection I can, Nick. But the rest is up to you and God."


    "I don''t believe in God."


    "Well, you better start," she said, then stepped into the Gateway.


    **** PLEASE CLICK "VOTE" BELOW ****


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 Chapter 332 Preparations

    <h4>Chapter 332 Preparations</h4>


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    This message added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    It was his third day in the City and he hadn''t had a chance to leave yet. But he was almost ready. He hadn''t had more than five hours sleep every night, yet he woke stronger every morning. And that morning, though he felt the weariness of sleep deprivation, when he pushed out of the furs and nted his feet on the floor, he twisted and swung, trying his body out and found¡­ nothing.


    He was healed.


    Thank God.


    Yhet, who''d taken to guarding him while he slept, then disappearing during the day, yawned, then smiled. "You look well, Zev."


    "I feel well, Yhet. It''s the day. Or should I say, the night. I''m getting my mate back today."


    Yhet rubbed his hands together. "I''lle with you. I would love to get my fingers on the throat of a human or two who''s holding Sasha¡ª"


    "You know I can''t let you do that, Yhet," Zev said sadly, walking to put an arm to his friend''s shoulder. "I can''t risk that they''ll see you. It''s so dangerous for you to be over there, Yhet. You know that."


    "But, Sasha¡ª"


    "I know, but I''m thinking what I need is for you to be here on this side when shees back. You''re the first person she''ll want to see, Yhet, you know that. And besides that, if the humans try toe through¡­ you''re wee to put your hands on those throats."


    Yhet gave a slow, wicked smile. "I can do that," he rumbled.


    Zev shivered. Yhet was true to his breed. The ancients were peace-loving, hunting only for food. They were slow to anger, and quick to celebrate and make friends. But when their anger was inspired¡­ Zev pitied the person who tried to stand between Yhet and Sasha if the male felt she was under threat. He''d already been beating himself up for being too slow to protect her during the Alpha fight. Zev had no doubt the male would be hyper-vignt now. And he was d for it. He had no idea under what circumstances they''d be returning. Having a fierce guard on this side of the gateway to protect her when they came through separately¡­


    Zev swallowed hard. He prayed they could both move into the gateway at the same time, so even though they''d be separated it, wouldn''t disconnect the bond again. He feared his body''s response if that happened.


    Yhet handed him a bowl of warm oats and Zev thanked him. He was starving all the time¡ªa response, his healer said, to the infection burning through his reserves. He''d lost some weight, mainly in muscle. But that morning for the first time, despite his tiredness, he felt strong.


    He wasn''t going to wait another day.


    His n for that morning was to do a final walkthrough of the City, ensure that all the petty squabbles had finally been stifled, then gather his crew¡ªincluding Dunken, and Kyelle¡ªand cross the Gateway as the sun went down.


    Lhars was struggling with the need to remain in Thana, but he''d taken the instruction. He''d returned to the vige when Zev remained in the City, just in case the humans came back. They were cycling males through the vige, always a different couple dozen of them in attendance so if the Team showed up there were signs of different males, and new ones would appear.


    They would hide the defection to the City as long as they could.


    After eating he dressed quickly in the suit the humans had given him that would allow shifting without taking off his clothes. Just in case. He didn''t want to have toe back to the City once he''d left if there was no need.


    Then he left Yhet, who was off on another walk before he''d take some sleep himself, Zev walked through the City and let himself just observe. He greeted males and even answered a couple of questions. But it was very satisfying to see that the ce seemed to have returned to peace. The hunters had brought down a huge bull the day before and there had been fresh meat for everyone for dinner, which had lifted spirits.


    Seemed like many had slept in that morning. Though he''d risen with the dawn, Zev was already ustomed to seeing males up and working when he came down into the central spaces. But as he climbed the stairs to check the hall they''d prepared for the females onest time, there were few in sight.


    Sure enough, the hall waspleted¡ªthe open air windows covered in thin hides. The piles of furs in each corner. Small tables and a variety of utensils spread throughout. Someone had even thought to ce a couple small mugs with bunches of hand-picked flowers.


    They really were hoping for the return of their females, Zev realized. His stomach clenched.


    Though he''d done his best to keep expectations low on that score, the males were clearly excited. Zev struggled to see how they were going to get Sasha out of thepound alone, let alone withpanions. But he refused to let himself dismiss the possibility. They would be prepared in the event that Sasha had done the impossible.


    "Is it all to your liking?" Zev turned around to find Dunken staring at him from the doorway.


    "It''s¡­ I feel like I''m just trying to kill time at this point. Everything seems ready and¡­ right."


    "Then maybe we should just go?" Dunken replied, one hand on the hilt of his sword.


    Zev felt like he should protest, but he didn''t want to. What harm if they crossed early? They could travel through the forest in daylight without risk. Then even have some time to rest before they had to try to get into thepound when it great dark.


    "You know what, brother? I like the way you think. Let''s go get the others."


    They trotted down the stairs together, Zev''s heart pounding faster than was necessary, because he''d just had a vision of finding Sasha and finally being able to hold her. Dunken sent a messenger to notify some of the males who he said were still sleeping, and would meet them at the vige.


    Then they walked out of the City and onto the trail.


    They walked inpanionable silence for a time. Zev considered shifting and running, but the truth was he really did have time to kill. So they continued walking and he watched the forest around them, praying it would soon be weing Sasha home.


    "Zev?" Dunken asked hesitantly a momentter.


    "Yeah?"


    "When Sasha talked about bringing some of the females back¡­ was it all wolves? Or were there others from other ns?"


    "I know she wanted to bring them all. But¡­ I don''t know what she''ll be able to do, Dunken. I think we just have to wait and see¡ª"


    Suddenly the ground was trembling under their feet. Zev stopped dead, then rxed when he realized it was just Yhet running¡ªprobably excited to join them. He gave a chuckle. His friend could be so like a child in his enthusiasm¡­ but then he realised, the footsteps wereing from ahead of them on the trail.


    Zev and Dunken looked at each other, then back as Yhet tore around the corner in the trail, his hair flying in all directions and eyes so wide they showed the whites all the way around.


    "Zev! ZEV! The females are here. THEY''RE HERE!"

 Chapter 333 Not Too Proud to Beg

    <h4>Chapter 333 Not Too Proud to Beg</h4>


    If you enjoy music while you''re reading, try "Stay" by 30 Seconds to Mars. It''s what I was listening to while I wrote this!


    *****


    ~ LHARS ~


    Kyelle was in the kitchen when Lhars leaped to the porch and opened the door into her tree house. Hesitantly. He opened it hesitantly. Lhars wanted to snap at himself. He''d never done anything around Kyelle timidly. He''d never avoided talking to her. He''d never watched her from across the clearing and not approached. He''d never peered around a door looked for her, waiting to see what her reaction would be to his appearance¡­


    She was one of his best friends, and since Zev left they''d be allies as well.


    Now, outside of organizing and discussion of Alpha business, they hadn''t spoken in days, and tonight she was supposed to go with Zev as part of the team to bring back Sasha and as many of the females as they could safely free. In just a few hours Kyelle would be walking into the dark surrounded by males whose priorities centered on other females, not on Kyelle. She''d be expected to handle herself like an Alpha, and a male. She had a job to do. And from the Chimeran perspective, if she died in the doing of it¡­ that was life sometimes. She would be grieved¡ªgenuinely. Her flock would be disrupted until she was reced.


    But no one else''s heart would ache with unfulfilled desire.


    No one would grieve her as a mate.


    Would he? Could he? Would he be allowed to? Would he allow himself? He was certain she was his One, but if they''d never mated and she died¡­ where would that leave him? Would the darkness take him? Or would he just be... empty for this life? Hollow.


    Lhars snorted the air from his nose in disgust. Regardless of the bond, regardless of anything else, if she was gone his life would be less. Just less.


    Since Zev had made the call the night before that they were definitely going¡ªwith a knowing and sympathetic nce at his brother¡ªLhars had been fighting the urge to go to her.


    He''d intended to pull her aside after that meeting, but he''d been held up with Pack business, and when he finally turned, she''d already fled the City. Or, at least, to the part of the City where he was.


    Then Zev had asked him to return to the Vige, just in case the humans came through before they left.


    So now it was dawn and he''d seen a light on in her tree house, which meant she was awake. And likely already preparing to leave.


    She either hadn''t believed him, or hadn''t cared, that if something happened to her it would kill him.


    The thought kept stealing his breath¡ªlike a blow to the ribs. It would take him from nowhere and he''d have to recover. Then his mind would move on. Then it woulde screaming out of the dark again.


    Kyelle was walking willingly into the hands of the humans. So was his brother. So were many of his friends and Chimera he admired. But somehow¡­ somehow it was different when he thought about the danger she''d be in.


    Kyelle must have smelled him, because when he paused, his head around the door, but didn''t open it, she had her back to him, leaned over something on the opposite counter in the kitchen. "Come in," she said softly. "Do you have a message from Zev?"


    Hearing his brother''s name on her lips lit white-hot anger in his chest.


    It was all just so fucking unfair.


    "No, I wanted to talk to you," he muttered, walking in before she could retract the invitation.


    There was a quiet intake of breath from her, but she put down the knife she''d been using and picked up a towel to wipe her hands before turning around to face him, gripping the stone counter behind her and staring at him like she was afraid of what he might say.


    "Are you hungry?" she asked when he didn''t speak immediately.


    Lhars shook his head. Then he swallowed and looked down at his feet, blowing out a breath before he raised his chin to meet her eyes again.


    "I need to tell you that it¡­ it hurts me more that you would avoid me, than that you rejected my advance," he said, his voice low and gruff. "Apart from any¡­ feelings I might have, you''re one of my best friends Kyelle. Having you turn away from me, look at me like you''re frightened¡­ that''s worse than never having you. There''s so much that could go wrong tonight, or in theing days. I don''t want you to leave when we''re like this. So, please¡­ pretend I never said anything."


    Kyelle blinked, her eyes a trifle wide. She shifted her weight and bit her lower lip, her eyes never leaving his. "What if I don''t want to forget that you said it?"


    Lhars'' heart pounded, mming faster and faster. Was she saying¡ª?


    "What if I just need some time to think?" she added carefully.


    Lhars'' breath came quick and shallow. She stared at him, but didn''t move closer. Didn''t smile.


    "I¡­ I don''t understand?" He cleared his throat because his voice broke like he was reaching sexual maturity all over again. "Are you saying¡ª?"


    "I''m saying, I don''t want to forget your words, Lhars. But I''m also not sure I''ll ever¡­ I don''t know if I could¡­ return your regard. I need time."


    "Time like this? Where you avoid me?"


    Kyelle grimaced and flipped her hair back over one shoulder. "I don''t know. I don''t know! I just¡­ why didn''t you ever say anything? Why wait all this time?"


    "Because you were in love with my brother," he growled.


    Kyelle folded her arms. "He wasn''t even here for the past three years."


    "And you want to try and rewrite history now and say you weren''t pining for him like a stolen mate?" The words came out of his mouth far more bitterly than he''d intended. But one thing he''d always appreciated about Kyelle was that she wasn''t easy to offend. She took a male at his word¡ªbut wasn''t scared to call him on his bullshit whenever he proved to be full of it.


    Her jaw twitched at the usation, but she didn''t deny it. "I never knew I had¡­ other options," she said and her eyes flickered away from him, as if the admission shamed her. "I never even considered¡ª"


    "Well, that''s my point," he said sadly. "It never even crossed your mind."


    She pressed her lips thin and dropped her eyes to her toes. Then her eyes screwed tightly shut and she looked like she was in pain. "I just¡­ I''m afraid that¡­"


    He was still standing just inside the door, the whole living area and kitchen yawned between them. Seeing her face crumple like that, he twitched with the overwhelming urge to rush to her, to gather her up and try to soothe her. But what if she fled him again?


    Just as he threw caution to the wind and stepped forward, the whole house began to tremble, and voices rose, calling for them.


    "Kyelle! Lhars! Come quickly! They''re here! The females are HERE!"

 Chapter 334 Females in Thana

    <h4>Chapter 334 Females in Thana</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    At Yhet''s news, Zev had sent Dunken back to the City to notify the guard and any warriors that weren''t already patrolling. And to have Oska get the news out to anyone else who might not hear the announcement.


    Then, racing to the Vige to gather thest of the team who''d nned to go with him across the Gateway, they found Lhars with Kyelle. Zev vaguely registered a strange mix of emotions on them both, but there was no time to analyze it.


    Yhet ryed his story to them¡ªhe''d been running to the Gateway to join the guard in preparation for Zev''s crossing, only to find a group of females, half of them in shock, and moreing through every few minutes. The moment she heard the males had already been notified, Kyelle leapt into her bird and was flying for the Cave.


    Zev and the others shifted and ran, covering the ground faster than he thought he ever had. Zev''s heart almost exploded when they ran up the trail towards the cave mouth and found females, bewildered and milling around the cave entrance and the trailhead. Zev shifted back, staggering to a halt as his nose filled with the scent of Chimera females.


    He couldn''t believe his eyes. Females... dozens of them. On all sides.


    It had been three years... Heart skipping and racing, he breathed, "Sasha?" and inhaled deeply, searching for her, but he couldn''t catch her scent¡ªand then he realized there was no bond in his chest, no warm bloom of her return.


    His blood ran cold. But there was no time to let himself consider what might be happening, because there were already thirty or forty females there, most dressed like humans and not nearly warm enough for the Thana winter.


    How had Sasha gotten them all free? How had his magnificent mate achieved the impossible?


    And where the fuck was she?!


    Zev started walking among them, searching. They milled around, some in clusters and groups, others just standing, turning around and staring. Some with their eyes closed and inhaling the scents¡­


    One knelt in the snow on the trail in nothing but a t-shirt and jeans, her hands buried into the snowbank, sobbing and staring at chunks of snow she pulled out of it as if she couldn''t believe them, the skin on her hands and arms a brilliant red from the dangerous cold.


    The Chimera were better equipped for the cold than a human, but if her system was in shock. Zev hurried to her, pulling her to her feet.


    But when he touched her, she shrieked and pulled away from him, snarling and snapping into her wolf-form before he could even say a word.


    They ended facing each other, Zev''s hands up and open in surrender, her lips curled back from her fangs, a snarl rolling in her throat.


    "I''m sorry I startled you," he said softly. "It''s me, Zev. You''re here. You''re safe. We won''t hurt you. You''re safe!"


    Her wolf nostrils red and she blinked and licked her lips, her earsing slowly forward.


    Kyelle appeared from nowhere, back in human form, and she approached the female slowly, murmuring, cutting a nce at Zev and tipping her head for him to move on.


    So he did. But he found himself just walking up the trail slowly, turning, hands in his hair, staring at the females and trying desperately to believe that any of this was real.


    And where was Sasha? Where was his mate?


    It was chaos. The females seemed rudderless, alternating between staring at Thana with wide eyes and open mouths, and huddling together for warmth, their heads ducked low.


    Zev came alive suddenly.


    The females were here. They needed help. And Sasha wasn''t, but he would find out¡­ were they still arriving? Might she still show up?


    He began to weave between them, murmuring assurance to any that met his eyes, and avoiding touching any that flinched away. Kyelle raised her voice to call them all to gather with her, together, to keep themselves warm and put those who were dressed in the center.


    Then he was in the cave where there were fewer females, but the ones that were there seemed truly disoriented¡ªsome hanging onto a wall. One frozen at the center of the cave, staring at the light and apparently unable to move toward it. A handful speaking to two of the spluttering guards that had been in the cave¡ªand four more of the guards gathered around another near the back.


    Zev rushed forward. "Don''t hold any of them, they''re in shock¡ª"


    "She stopped breathing, but she''s back now," was the reply from the Lieutenant among them, and Zev slid to a halt next to them.


    Behind the guard who''d spoken he saw a young female¡ªa goat, he thoughtying on the stone floor of the cave. One of the guards had ced his jacket over her. She was staring at him, nodding in answer to his questions, but her eyes were wide, as if she didn''t quite believe he was real.


    Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. They were really here.


    And they were seriously hurt.


    "Where''s Sasha?" he blurted, but the males all avoided his eyes. Except the Lieutenant.


    "She hasn''te through yet. But we''re getting new ones every minute or two. So it won''t be long," he said encouragingly. "We need to get them back to the vige. I assume you want the guard to stay here in case humanse through, but you''re going to need¡ª"


    "There''s a team here. Coming," Zev corrected himself, frowning at the Gateway, willing it to open and reveal his mate. "The males we''d prepared to go through tonight. They''re here. Or on their way. We''ll get them back. I mean, yes¡­ yes you''re right."


    Zev growled at himself and closed his eyes. He needed to focus.


    Sasha wasn''t here. Yet. But she would be. He would hold onto that.


    "She''sing after the humans," the female said quietly, being helped to her feet by the guards.


    Zev whirled. "What did you say?"


    The female looked at him and smiled, pride and disbelief in her eyes. "She convinced them to let use home," she whispered, tears welling. "She''sing. There''s two humans and she didn''t trust them, so she was going toe through after them, I think."


    Zev''s throat convulsed. "She was at the Gateway with you?"


    The female nodded. "She''sing, Zev. She''s amazing. She got us all here. Thank you for bringing her. Thank you." And the female threw herself into his chest, sobbing. "Please, don''t make us go back. Please!"


    Zev gaped at the guards who stared back at him, stunned.


    The females thought he''d sent them through?

 Chapter 335 Here

    <h4>Chapter 335 Here</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev''s heart wanted to shatter into a thousand pieces, shards that would tinkle to the floor and stick in his skin when he was forced to walk over them.


    He cleared his throat and forced himself to calm down.


    "I would never ask you to return to the human world," Zev said with quiet authority to the female that was staring at him, her eyes pleading. "This is your home. You''re here and we''re going to protect you. Please, rest. We won''t send you back. Ever."


    The female began to cry, but she smiled and thanked him. Zev shook his head.


    The females thought he''d made them go to the human world? Was that how the team had convinced them?


    Suddenly all the things he''d considered that had driven those days three years ago looked different. Was it possible the team had truly convinced the females that he''d called for them to be taken?


    The thought turned his stomach.


    Rage simmered in his chest, but Zev forced himself to focus. He couldn''t solve those problems right now. Right now they needed to get all the females to safety. As far from the Gateway as possible. If this female was able to travel she needed to be out with the others. If she wasn''t, they needed to send someone for a litter and transport her to the medical building. He wasn''t sure how quickly any healers would get out there.


    He spent a few more minutes organizing the trembling guards¡ªthe realization hitting him that the females really were returning to Thana!¡ªand headed back out to start his search for Sasha in a more methodical way. He had to be certain.


    But fifteen minutester, having woven his way through the entire crowd gathering outside under Kyelle''s eyes¡ªand noting the tension between her and Lhars¡ªand scanning the few that were still milling around near the opening of the cave, he had to ept that she wasn''t there.


    He needed to lead. He needed to get these females moving back to the City. But his head just kept screaming for Sasha, that gap in his chest hollow and aching as if a cold wind blew through it.


    "Anyone else?" he asked the guards at the Gateway again.


    They all shook their heads. "No one for thest five minutes."


    Which was apparently three minutes longer than they''d had for the past hour or more. He thanked the male and was about to turn back, to force himself to find a way to help the females start moving towards the vige when the gateway shed in his peripheral vision¡ªthe sign of someone moving out of it.


    Zev whirled, Sasha''s name on his lips. But the bond didn''t light up.


    Instead, Zev found Nick, trembling and staring at the guards, a bag slung over his shoulder. When his gaze caught on Zev, his face lit up, eyes wide and smile beaming.


    "Zev!"


    He dropped the bag to the ground and rushed forward, throwing his arms around Zev, the ck suit he wore that matched Zev''s making his blue eyes look even brighter.


    "Zev! I can''t believe it! You''re safe! Thank God!"


    Zev stood frozen as the man he''d thought of as a father for most of his life squeezed him in an embrace, rubbing his back andughing. "It''s so good to see you! Did the females all make it? There should be fifty-eight in total, plus Patty and Sasha¡ª"


    "What are you doing here?" Zev growled, stepping out of Nick''s arms.


    Nick blinked and went still. "I''m here to help you guys¡­ didn''t Sasha tell you?"


    Zev felt his entire body go rigid with a wave of rage and disgust. Then he grabbed Nick by the front of his suit, twisting it in his fist and pulling the man to his tiptoes. "Where the fuck is she, Nick?"


    "I¡ªwho? Sasha? She''s here. She has to be. She came through before I did¡ªshe was dying to get back to you!"


    "LIAR!" Zev roared and shoved Nick back, hard against the wall just to the right of the Gateway.


    Nick''s hands came up in defense. "Zev, no, I''m not lying, she''sing¡ª"


    Zev growled at Nick, reminding himself that this man was no longer the one in control. No longer held the upper hand. He shook Nick, desperate to beat him senseless, but aware of the already shaken females all around. Then again, maybe they''d see Nick''s murder as a plus?


    "Zev! Stop! Listen!"


    "You fucking coward¡ª"


    "No! Please¡ªshe''sing, she must be behind me¡ª"


    "I''m going to kill you, you motherfucking liar. What did you do to her?!"


    "Zev, I''m serious¡ªfuck!" He ducked as Zev feinted right, then swung an uppercut to his jaw that Nick only just managed to dodge so it nced off his ear. "You can''t hurt me, Zev! If I disappear the team wille through and take her!"


    "THEY ALREADY HAVE HER YOU FUCKER¡ª" Zev grabbed Nick''s arms that the man held up to defend his face and chest, yanking him forward, then throwing him back into the wall.


    Nick groaned as his head bounced off the rock. "No¡­" he mumbled, covering his head in his hands and arms and curling forward, bringing a leg up to guard against Zev''s right kick. "No, I''m not lying, Zev, please¡ª"


    Zev was holding Nick in ce so he couldn''t escape and was about to bring his knee up to the asshole''s face when that space at the center of his chest suddenly bloomed to life, as if the sun had just risen inside the cave.


    He sucked in a breath and whirled, to find Sasha stepping out of the Gateway, pale and panting, looking like she might cry. But her face lit up when she saw him.


    "Zev?! Zev!" She threw herself across the few feet between them.


    Nick muttered, "See, I told you."


    Zev gaped. "Sasha?" The words were barely a whisper on his lips.


    "Oh, Zev, thank God." She rushed forward, but Zev was faster, practically tackling her, taking her off her feet, and pulling her into his chest. His chest that throbbed with the aching, fizzing bond, now overflowing with warmth and thrill.


    Thank you, God. She was back.


    Thank you, God.


    Thank you.

 Chapter 336 In His Arms Again

    <h4>Chapter 336 In His Arms Again</h4>


    IF YOU HAVEN''T CLAIMED YOUR PAPERBACK, DO SO NOW! The sooner you im it, the quicker I know how many more books I need to order to fulfill your im (so you get your book sooner!)


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    This message was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha wasn''t sure if she wasughing or crying. Zev felt thinner in her arms, but just as solid, just as warm. His face when he''d seen her¡­ shit. She could have lighted a room with that look.


    I love you, she whispered in his head. I missed you so much.


    You''re here! He cried in hers. You''re really here. I was so scared, I thought¡ª


    Unable¡ªor unwilling¡ªto wait, Sasha pulled back from the hug to take his face in her hands and kiss him soundly and when their lips met, he whimpered in his throat.


    His hands syed at her back, pressing her tightly to him as they kissed. Tears of joy and relief pressed out from under hershes to trickle down her cheeks, but she didn''t even care.


    It didn''t matter that Zev had been about to kill Nick. It didn''t matter that she almost hadn''t made it back. All that mattered was that she was here and in his arms again.


    Their kiss was deep with longing and a desperate need for reassurance, so it wasn''t until Nick cleared his throat, that they pulled apart. But Sasha didn''t look away. As Zev slowly lowered her back to her feet, she kept her hands on his precious face.


    "Are you okay? Are you healed?"


    "Yes," he croaked. "I was nning toe for you tonight¡ª"


    Sasha cursed. "I told you not to! That I was handling it! I''m so d you didn''t, that would have been a disaster."


    Zev chuckled, then leaned down to kiss her one more time, and in her head he whispered, I love you, Sasha. And I''m so grateful that you''re safe.


    When they pulled apart that time she knew she had to let him go or she''d end up pulling him out of the caves into some sheltered corner while the rest of Thana went to hell, so she straightened her clothes and hair and stepped back, but never let her eyes leave his. Zev followed her, his gaze intense and piercing as he positioned himself between her and Nick.


    She put a hand to his chest so he would give her a little bit of space. But then she left it there because it felt so good to touch him.


    "The females need some space and time, Zev. We need a ce they can all go and stay together if they want to, away from the humans."


    "We''ve been preparing a ce for them in the City¡ªone of the big open rooms, but we closed the walls and¡ªwait, did you say humans?"


    Sasha nced at Nick, then back to Zev. "Yes."


    "Plural?"


    "Yes. Nick and Patty¡ªthe woman. The scientist. She came through earlier¡­?"


    Zev''s lip pulled back from his teeth and looked around at the guards, but they were all shaking their heads.


    "Nick''s the only human here, babe," he said quietly, his voice rolling into a growl on his surrogate father''s name.


    "That''s impossible. Patty went through before I did! Where is she¡ª?" Sucking in a breath, Sasha turned on Nick. "What were you telling her before she went into the Gateway, Nick? What did you do?!"


    Nick shook his head, his face pale and tight. He was edging away from the other Chimera that were all beginning to eye him suspiciously. "I just gave her the same advice I gave you, Sasha. She hadn''t been through before. She heard your speech as well. If something went wrong, that''s on her."


    Sasha realized she was gripping Zev''s arms¡ªhard¡ªand made herself release him. But he only stepped back into her, one hand at her waist, the othering up to cup her face. She put one hand to his wrist and held it, as unwilling to be apart from him as it appeared he was to be separated from her.


    "We have to help them, Zev. They''re freaking out," she said, her voice heavy with regret. She wanted nothing more than to be there with him, to be close¡ªcloser. But she was ufortably aware of the audience they had, and that Nick was staring¡­


    Zev took a deep breath, then nodded and Sasha turned away, immediately issuing orders.


    "Have any of them started traveling yet?" she asked the guards, who all shook their heads.


    "We just moved them outside, Sasha-don, so that there was room here for new ones to arrive."


    Sasha nodded. "Keep at least four guards in here with the Gateway in case Pattyes through. If she does, she''s to be stripped of any weapons and devices, then bring her to me¡ªand anything you took from her."


    The males all saluted, but she was already walking, Zev right at her shoulder as they headed out of the cave and out into the snow.


    It was chaos.


    Females spread out in groups and singles, some crying, others utterly silent. Some hugging themselves, others turning circles with wide eyes and nostrils red. Even the little Alphas stood to the sides, watching everyone else and seeming confused about what to do. None of the females had shifted, she noticed, but a few seemed like they might be about to. She needed to do something before their instincts kicked in and they started fleeing. Although the Chimera knew how to look after themselves, from what she was seeing on this side of the Gateway, the stress of this day¡ªbeing penned in the Arena, the bus ride, waiting to find out if they were indeed being freed¡ªmade her concerned that the already fragile females may have been tipped over the edge.


    "We need to get them focused and moving. Give them a chance to clear their heads and figure out that this is real and that they''re safe¡­ or as safe as we can make them," she whispered to Zev.


    He nodded, his chest warm on the back of her shoulder.


    Then she saw Kyelle, standing near a small cluster of the females, speaking quietly and rubbing the back of the female next to her.


    Calling the female close¡ªand aware of Lhars appearing suddenly from alongside the road where he''d obviously been squatting, out of the way, but ready to help¡ªSasha leaned in so they could speak as privately as possible.

 Chapter 337 [Bonus chapter] Get it Done

    <h4>Chapter 337 [Bonus chapter] Get it Done</h4>


    Thank you so much for your patience this past week or so! I believe after today we''ll be back to 2 chapters per day, but that will depend a little bit on not having anymore unexpected interruptions this week. Bear with me, but you''ll definitely get two tonight and tomorrow! Enjoy!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    "Can you lead them back to the vige if I get them moving?" Sasha asked Kyelle quickly.


    The woman nodded, her eyes fierce and darting to all the faces around them. If she''d been in her bird, Sasha suspected she would have puffed up her feathers¡ªand screeched at something.


    "Get them as far as the vige, then stop to rest and see how they''re doing. We can take all day getting them to the City if we need to, but I want them away from Nick and Patty as quickly as possible.


    "Lhars, can you run ahead and arrange a fire¡ªa bonfire, something big enough that they can all gather around. They haven''t seen the vige before, remember. So they won''t be expecting it. We''ll tell them it''s just a rest stop, okay?"


    Lhars nodded quickly, but Sasha was already turning back to Kyelle.


    "I had them assigned to groups, each with a little-alpha at its head, and a second. They have a chain of hierarchy to ensure that everyone gets every piece of information, but it looks like they''ve kind of abandoned that on this side. I''m going to get them focused again. Once I do, keep them in their groups. Don''t let them get split up. They know who they''re with then and who to watch out for. Then we won''t risk anyone wandering off."


    "Good idea."


    "You know, they could shift and run to the City," Zev offered. "They''d get there a lot faster."


    Sasha considered it but then shook her head. "You said your instincts are stronger in your animals. I''m worried some of them are going to lose control and run, then they''ll get split up¡­ no. Let''s all work together. Let them get their bearings. Once we''ve made it to the vige and they''re a little more settled, maybe some of them can shift and move ahead of the others? I don''t know. Let''s just¡­ let''s do one thing at a time."


    She hadn''t even thought about giving the orders, making the decisions. They were all submitting to her, and she was certain what the females needed.


    "Zev, is Yhet here?"


    "Yep. Dunken too. I think they''re just staying out of the way so they don''t scare anyone. The females were pretty shaken when we showed up."


    She opened her mouth, but before she could even call for them, Yhet stepped out from behind a tree above the cave mouth, and Dunken straightened from where he''d been squatting near the ce Lhars had appeared.


    She started speaking before they even reached her. "Can you two walk patrol outside the females¡ªmake sure no one approaches unexpectedly? Warn them if someone''sing, or¡­ tell the Creatures to leave them if theye?"


    Both males nodded and submitted.


    Then Sasha called the females to attention and those that had been dazed or turned upwind called to her and rushed to be closer until she and Zev were surrounded by a ring of females four deep.


    Zev shifted uneasily, obviously wanting to protect her since all the Chimeran females wererger and stronger. But none of them challenged her, they just crowded in. She put a hand to Zev''s forearm when he started twitching.


    "We''re going to get you to a ce where you can take a short rest," she said calmly. "Then after something to eat, if you''re ready, we''ll return you to the City. Those of you who don''t feel like you can be out, we''ll have help for you at the first stop. You''re home now," she said, smiling. "I know it''s overwhelming. But you''re really here. And we''re going to do everything to make sure you''re safe."


    She quickly called the little alphas forward and had them gather their groups¡ªeach five or six females strong.


    There was a short panic when a couple of groups discovered one of their members missing, but Sasha stepped in. "A few haven''te through the Gateway yet. This isn''t umon. We have guards waiting to escort them when they do. Don''t fear. If they make it here, they''ll be protected. But for now, we need to get you all fed and clothed."


    She could have pped herself for not thinking about what the females were wearing. It appeared many had either lost their bags in the Gateway or never brought one to begin with.


    "If you have an extra fur¡ªor fleece¡ªplease pass it to a sister who isn''t fully covered. The walk is going to take about an hour."


    Soon, they were all in ce, the females huddled or lined up, the alphas bing more confident, finding their bearings.


    Sasha moved between the groups, here reassuring an alpha, there refocusing one or two others. And the entire time, Zev stayed at her back, like a bodyguard, hovering at her back.


    His presence was steadying. And she needed it more than she was willing to let on. But she couldn''t let herself think about how close she''de to not making it back at all. The important part was that she was here. She was back in her mate''s arms. And the females were here, too.


    Then, just as the females began to inch forward, Nick appeared out of the cave mouth, followed by two of the guards.


    Sasha and Zev had been talking to one of the alphas, so their warning was when Yhet stepped between Sasha and Nick, growling.


    Sasha had never heard a sound like it¡ªdeep and resonant, the growl that erupted from Yhet''s throat sounded like he''d swallowed a lion.


    But she caught Yhet''s arm. "We have an agreement, Yhet. Nick stays safe, do you hear me? No one touches him!" she said, raising her voice to any of the males who were watching on. "He has to be able to do his job¡ªbut he is not to be trusted. So do not harm him unless he draws a weapon or goes after someone else. Understood?"


    As everyone grumbled but moved ahead, she turned to Zev. "Was he searched?"


    Zev''s eyes shed, then he turned on his heel and stalked over to Nick who smiled at first, then his face went nk as Zev reached him and turned him around bodily, frisking him.


    A growl shook the air around them when Zev yanked a gun out of the back of his pants, under his jacket.

 Chapter 338 Welcome to Thana

    <h4>Chapter 338 Wee to Thana</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    "Here to help us, huh, Nick?" Zev growled over Nick''s shoulder, shaking the man he''d called father like more guns might fall out of him.


    "Those aren''t for you," Nick said through gritted teeth. "I need to protect myself from¡­ the others, since you won''t."


    "You heard her order them all to leave you alone."


    "I didn''t know if she''d do it."


    Zev whipped him around and stared down at him, his lip curling up to reveal his teeth. Nick met his eyes and didn''t waver, but he was trembling.


    "My mate is the most honest and good-hearted person you will ever meet¡ªand she''s going to treat you better than you deserve. So you will be protected, Nick. But the day she tells me you aren''t anymore? I''ll be the first to take your throat you lying, thieving sack of pus."


    Nick''s forehead pinched into lines. "Zev, what happened? I''ve always been your advocate. I''ve always been the one to help you, why would you turn on me?"


    Zev shook his head. "The fact that you can ask me that with a straight face just proves my point," he muttered and ignoring the man''s pleading, continued to search Nick¡ªlocating a de at his ankle, and a taser in the inside pocket of his jacket.


    Shoving Nick away, he turned to offer the weapons to Sasha, who frowned at them. "Destroy them," she said quietly. Then looked past him, to Nick. "I don''t trust him. Check his devices and his bag."


    Zev turned back to Nick and reached for the bag the man had brought out, but Nick grabbed for it first, clutching it to his chest. "You can''t remove this from me, if I don''t have these things I can''t report and then they''lle through and we''re all dead!"


    Zev snarled and grabbed the handle of the bag, but Nick came with it.


    "Listen to me, Zev!"


    They stared at each other, nose to nose, the bag crammed between them. Zev trembled with restrained rage. He couldn''t believe after everything else they''d been through, he had to deal with Nick. Here. In Thana!


    He grabbed Nick by the jaw and started walking him back towards one of therger trees. Maybe one of the branches would be broken off and he could impale him¡ª


    "Zev." Sasha''s voice was quiet, hushed¡ªpleading, almost. But also firm.


    He stopped pushing Nick back, but didn''t let him go.


    "Nick, let go of the bag," Sasha said with quiet authority. "You know you can''t fight all of us."


    Nick stared murder at Zev, but he released the bag and Zev yanked it out of his hands, turning his back to show Nick exactly what he thought of this man who had lied, cheated, and then stolen his mate away.


    Fuck. He needed to be with Sasha and just¡­ breathe.


    Digging through the bag, he pulled out several devices, one he recognized, two he didn''t. There was a box of tiny packets that felt like they contained pills or some other small pieces. And a handful of tools that either had medical purposes or were designed for medieval torture.


    He wouldn''t put it past these bastards.


    "That''s his tablet," he said handing the device he recognized to Sasha. "He uses that to log intelligence,municate, and in the human world, it would track, too. I don''t think they can do that here."


    Sasha looked at the small tablet, the thing he''d been using when they were at thepound. But when she tapped the screen it stayed ck.


    "It''s turned off," Nick scowled. "Gotta save battery power, and we aren''t sure how the Gateway affects them."


    "What are these?" Zev asked him, holding up what looked like two small, but overly narrow cellphones.


    "Communicators," Nick said reluctantly. "They''ll allow two people here tomunicate with each other from a distance. But only if your retina is already cleared for security. So don''t get any ideas."


    Sasha''s eyes snapped to Zev''s and he asked in her head.


    So, he doesn''t know we can do that?


    No, she replied, but looked back to Nick. At least, I don''t think so.


    "What are those?" she asked, pointing at the metal tools Zev had dropped in the snow next to the bag.


    "Medical tools. You''ll have to ask Patty. I was given them to carry."


    Patty was the scientist who hadn''t made it through the Gateway. Given what Sasha said, Zev guessed Nick had yed with her head and diverted her somewhere.


    Cold, fucking murder, that''s what that was.


    "Why does the team need medical tools here, Nick?" Sasha asked more calmly than he would have. Fuck she was beautiful.


    "I told you, you''ll have to ask Patty. My orders are for information. But in her defense, I''ll say that we are tasked with making sure if there are any needs here, medically, that we provide them."


    "And the pills?" Sasha asked, pointing to the box Zev had ced on top of the bag.


    "Those are yours, Sash," Nick said as if the answer should have been obvious.


    Something inside him snapped. Zev snarled and grabbed Nick by his jacket again, bearing him backward.


    "Zev!"


    "Let go, Zev, she knows it''s¡ª"


    "You do not call her by my nickname you foul fucking pig snout!" He mmed Nick backward into the tree, forcing the air out of his lungs, but the older man wheezed, then sucked back in and grabbed Zev''s shirt in both hands.


    "What the hell is wrong with you?"


    "I want you dead, that''s what''s wrong with me!"


    "Why, because I got your mate back for you? Because I got her here intact when they wanted to imnt her? Because I convinced them that her fucking wholesome idealism might actually work? Get your head out of your prick, Zev¡ªshe wouldn''t be here if it weren''t for me and you know it! She wouldn''t have lived throughst year, and she definitely wouldn''t have made it out of thepound in her right mind. For fuck''s sake, where''s your critical thinking? I taught you better than this!"


    The snarl that ripped out of his throat came from the belly of his wolf. He heard several gasps from the females behind him, but he just mmed Nick back against the tree again, cursing that there definitely wasn''t a broken branch to impale him on.


    As Nick croaked and wheezed, his eyes watering while his body tried desperately to suck in oxygen, he leaned into the male''s ear and snapped his teeth. Nick froze.


    "I discarded everything you taught me the day your guy shot a bullet at her," he breathed in Nick''s ear. "The only reason you''re alive is because she''s ordered it. It''ll take one word from her, Nick. Just one." He paused, letting that sink in. "You can''t run fast enough. Remember that."


    Then he patted his former surrogate father on the shoulder and left him there against the tree, wheezing, while he returned to his beautiful mate, whose mouth was frowning, but her eyes¡­ her eyes shone.


    "Let''s go," he said, letting her feel the heat that roared in his gut just because he was looking at her.


    She nced once at Nick but then turned to fall in step with Zev to trail the group of females just about to wind down the mountain trail.


    "Wait!" Nick rasped behind them. "You can''t¡­. leave me¡­ unarmed¡­. Ernie!"


    "Better grab your bag and get moving," Zev called back. "It''s survival of the fittest here, Nick, remember?" Then, as he put an arm to Sasha''s back just to be in contact with her, he looked back over his shoulder. "Wee to Thana... Dad."

 Chapter 339 Tidal Wave

    <h4>Chapter 339 Tidal Wave</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "Land of Confusion ¨C Epic Trailer Version" by Hidden Citizens. It''s what I was listening to while writing the next couple of chapters.


    *****


    ~ LHARS ~


    At first Lhars had been overjoyed to see the females. But that joy quickly turned to grief as they shrank away from him¡ªeven those he knew. Even the wolves, though he saw less timidity in them, more of a willingness to fight.


    What had been done to their proud females? Lhars saw faces he didn''t know at all, several that he recognized but had never been close to, and one or two that, under different circumstances, he might have rushed to share scents.


    All of them looked at him with haunted eyes, keeping themselves facing him when he walked among them, some submitting¡ªbut trembling while they did it.


    What the fuck had happened to them?


    Kyelle''s words echoed in his head¡ªthat the females returning might not trust males. Might need a female touch. Stopping in the middle of them and turning to meet so many pairs of suspicious or fearful eyes, it had be apparent that his very maleness was a terror to them. Unwilling to cause them any more stress, Lhars had slipped to the side of the trail, squatting between the trees to make himself small, backing off to leave Kyelle to manage them.


    But Kyelle was struggling, too. There were too many of them for just one of her. As she settled one group, or got one leader focused, more would arrive and begin the process of unsettling everyone again.


    Then, suddenly, Sasha was there, Zev hovering at her back like he was tied to her.


    A pang of jealousy cut through Lhars'' watching the two of them together¡ªSasha utterly certain of his brother, his brother consumed with standing by her. Their unity was¡­ admirable.


    He could smell Sasha''s unease. He suspected if she hadn''t had her hands clenched they would have trembled.


    He prayed that whatever had happened to these females hadn''t happened to Sasha. That she was just overwhelmed with having done the impossible.


    He shook his head. She''d brought the females back. He couldn''t believe it. Not all of them, too be sure. But¡­ if she could do this, what else could she manage?


    He had to stifle the urge to throw himself at her feet and bare his balls. She deserved that kind of devotion. He understood why Zev stood over her like an Enforcer. He was her Enforcer, Lhars'' realized.


    A vision bloomed in his mind then, an impossible one, of himself watching over Kyelle¡ªdespite their different ns, different species, his heart was there to do it. It would never happen of course, but¡­ he turned to watch her, her blonde hair swinging as she leaned into speak quietly with one female, then turned quickly to approach another.


    She held herself with the quiet dignity he''d always admired. She was a female of strength that wasn''t¡­ shy.


    Lhars knew he was seen as a peacock. A show off. Before the females had been taken he''d enjoyed a lot of interest and signals from the younger females. But he''d been so full of his own resentment and ambition, he''d always assumed he''d go about finding a mate once he''d established himself properly as Alpha.


    Instead, he''d been forced to y clown and messenger for Xar. He''d watched Kyelle struggle first to take Alpha of her own n, then to hold her people together in the growing chaos after the females were taken¡ªand then Xar''s downward spiral.


    His focus had finally changed from licking his own balls, to lifting his head to protect others. He''d had a n, and had yearned to bring Kyelle with him when the wolves defected. But he hadn''t been sure she''d be willing. Then Zev arrived and he knew she''d never leave him.


    Now¡­


    Lhars swallowed as Kyelle strode over to one of the females, underdressed and trembling, and pulled her to a cluster of females, some of whom had brought bags.


    He watched her nurture, control, guide, and showpassion¡ªand he saw her instincts keep reminding her to check her back.


    He ached to stand behind her, to allow her to give her whole focus to the good she was doing. But he knew it would make her ufortable¡ªand even more so, would disrupt the females.


    It struck him then that bringing these females to the city where they would be outnumbered by males three to one might be a disaster.


    The males would be devasted. He couldn''t imagine their faces when their friends, sisters, and mates walked in¡­


    But were these females even those females anymore?


    His chest ached.


    But then Sasha appeared, slipping through the crowd to approach Kyelle. Lhars leaped to his feet, but then caught himself and moved slowly to join them, keeping his eyes down so the females didn''t feel hunted.


    As he reached them, Sasha gave Kyelle the order. "Get them as far as the vige, then stop to rest and see how they''re doing. We can take all day getting them to the City if we need to, but I want them away from Nick and Patty as quickly as possible."


    Then her eyes lifted to him. "Lhars, can you run ahead and arrange a fire¡ªa bonfire, something big enough that they can all gather around. They haven''t seen the vige before, remember. So they won''t be expecting it. We''ll tell them it''s just a rest stop, okay?"


    Lhars nodded quickly, but Sasha was already turning back to Kyelle, speaking with the quick efficient expectation of a true Alpha, Zev watching her with such pride Lhars almost rolled his eyes. But then he thought of his own admiration of Kyelle just moments before and decided under the circumstances, he could forgive his brother''s emotional demonstrations.


    When Sasha turned her attention to the other males, Lhars plucked at Kyelle''s sleeve.


    "Are you okay?" he murmured.


    Her eyes were shadowed and her face tight, but she nodded, her gaze sliding from one female to the next, one by one. "I just¡­ feel so bad for them."


    "The best thing we can do is give them a safe, warm space, right?" he encouraged her gently. Kyelle nodded again. "I''ll get the fire going, and some food. I''ll stay nearby, but not push in. I think you were right. They prefer not to have us males crowding them."


    Kyelle turned then to look at him, examining him closely for a moment. "Thank you, Lhars," she said quietly. "Thank you for being thoughtful even¡­ even when¡­"


    He waved her next words away, not wanting to hear them. "I''ll see you in the Vige. If there''s a problem, send one of the others and I''lle meet you."


    Kyelle nodded and he turned to run ahead as Sasha called the females, most of whom had been so preupied, they hadn''t even noticed her arrive.


    As the tidal wave of females sucked towards their Alpha, Lhars began to run. He would make sure that when they reached the Vige they felt wee and safe. As much as he was capable, anyway.


    And perhaps, just perhaps, in this, Kyelle might see that he could care for her as well. Help her to help the others.


    He shifted into his wolf, head still spinning with all that was happening. But over it all, in the back of his mind, there was still the image of Kyelle watching him so carefully.


    "What if I don''t want to forget that you said it?"


    A very, very dangerous me of hope red to life in his chest and he ran faster.

 Chapter 340 Need for You

    <h4>Chapter 340 Need for You</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Kyelle led the females down the trail. Sasha watched closely from the back, but was relieved to see the little-Alphas finding their bnce again and doing what they''d done back at thepound, keeping their groups in check, ensuring every Chimera had someone to watch over, down to the weakest in their group.


    It was easy to see how many of the females¡ªincluding the alphas¡ªwere shaky, and she understood. Her own blood pumped mercilessly, nerves trilling in her stomach. Her hands wanted to tremble, but she kept them gripped.


    It hade so close. She''de so close to not making it back¡ª


    At her side, Zev grunted, then spoke into her head.


    You stink of fear, Sasha, but not of weakness. What''s going on? Tell me what''s wrong. How do I help?


    She looked up at him to find his eyes, bright and piercing, fixed on her. She put a hand to his arm.


    You don''t need to do anything except be here. With me. I need you close, Zev. This whole thing¡­ it''s been a nightmare and I''m just¡­ I need you.


    She felt how those words hit him. Felt him tense and stop breathing. Through the bond she felt the rush of conflicting emotions¡ªfear, heat, anger, joy¡­


    "Sash¡­" he breathed, those mes ring in his eyes that made her stomach twist deliciously. Then he looked over his shoulder to where Nick was struggling through the snow behind them. His face went tight, but without a quick finger to his lips, he turned her quickly and pressed her off the trail and into the trees and undergrowth off to their right.


    Sasha bit her lip, torn. She knew she couldn''t leave the females for long, needed to be there in case anything went wrong. But now that she was there and Zev was there and¡­


    She needed him. Her own fear and stress from everything that had happened in the past few days was rearing its ugly head. She''d been sessful! She''d done it! And she was so happy.


    And totally walking a knife-edge, like she might actually fall apart.


    So when he nudged her through the undergrowth and into the trunk of a tree, she let him, her eyes on his face as he checked around, making sure they couldn''t be seen.


    Then he turned back to her and stared at her for a long moment, his thumb stroking her cheek.


    "I was terrified," he whispered.


    Sasha nodded. "Me too."


    He tore his eyes away, scanning her body, his hands following his gaze, sweeping down her sides, trailing back up, his gaze soft and hot in the same breath. And always, underlining it all, the thrum of the bond between them, pulsing, humming.


    Swallowing tears because she couldn''t let herself break, Sasha put the t of her hand to his chest and felt his heartbeat hammering under her palm.


    They both stood there, breathing, as their hearts slowly shifted until they beat in time. Then Sasha closed her eyes to fight the tears, because it was so¡­ beautiful. And yet¡­


    Her mind shed on those females that were caged there, waiting for him. On the cry of pain when they''d understood that she was his mate and they would never¡­


    "Sasha, what? What just happened?"


    She opened her eyes and for a single, hot breath, she wanted to p him. To scream, to w at his handsome face, to demand that he should have said no! He should have refused! That their maniption shouldn''t have worked!


    That he hadn''t been protecting her at all, that he''d been betraying her!


    But when she opened her eyes with those words climbing her throat, she met his bright blue gaze, the worry lines on his forehead and cheeks. The warm hum of the bond and¡­


    He loved her. She couldn''t deny it. He loved her as much as she loved him.


    Maybe more.


    Yanking her eyes away from his, she forced herself to recalibrate. She squeezed his upper arms and kneaded his shoulders, watching her own hands.


    "Sasha, you''re scaring me."


    "Don''t be scared, Zev. I''m just¡­" she swallowed convulsively. "I''m just trying to put everything together in my head."


    "Everything¡­ what? What has to be put together?" he asked, leaning into her. "Tell me."


    "We can''t do this now, Zev."


    "But just tell me what you''re facing. Let me in, please, Sasha. I''ve been so¡ª"


    "I met the females, Zev," she said, the words breathless and desperate in all the wrongs ways. "I met the females the team¡­ mated with you and¡­ and they''re broken. They''re dying. They¡­ their hearts bonded to you, even if yours didn''t to them and they''re ruined now." She looked up at him then, seeing the shock and dismay in his face. "They''re destroyed, Zev. And all I could think was¡­ that I was d I was me and not them. And that''s so ugly¡ª"


    "No. No, Sash, it''s right, it has to be right," he rushed to say, to reassure her. "You did nothing wrong. You just loved me. It was me who was wrong. And I''m sorry¡­ I''m so sorry¡ª"


    "Don''t. Not right now," she said, her voice quavering, looking left and right. "I have to keep it together for them. We have to get them back. We can talk about thister."


    But Zev shook his head and put his hand to her face, making her look at him. He held her gaze, searching her eyes and pressing her back into that tree.


    "You know I love you, right?"


    "Yes." And she did. No question.


    "I''ll never go back, Sash. I''ll die first. I mean it. I''ll never let them take me back to that. I''ll never do that to another female. I understand it now. I understand what it did and¡­ fuck, if I could change anything that would be it. But not you," he said fiercely. "You''re¡­ necessary."


    She nodded, biting her lip, trying to keep the tears in. "I know. Me too."


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 Chapter 341 Broken for You

    <h4>Chapter 341 Broken for You</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "Without You" by for King and Country. It''s what I was listening to while writing these chapters!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev nodded down at her, his stomach churning with so many emotions he didn''t know which to react to. He wanted to hold her close andfort her. He wanted to snarl and race after Nick and bite out his throat. He wanted to weep and plead for forgiveness. He wanted to push everything that had ever happened before this moment out of his mind and just take her.


    He settled for staring into her eyes and stroking her hair. "Sash," he croaked. "I know there''s a lot to forgive. I get it. And not just you. They have¡­ I hurt them. I know that. I wish¡­ I wish I''d understood and thought it through. I wish I''d said no. For both our sakes. I''m going to use the rest of my life making that up to you. But¡­ we need each other. I couldn''t¡­ when the bond was broken it¡­ I thought I was going to die when I came back through the Gateway¡ªdid it hurt you too? Like that?"


    "Yes," she breathed, her eyes wide and he felt her flinch away from the memory of the pain. "That scared me."


    "Me too. We can never cross the Gateway without each other. Promise me, Sash. It was worse the second time. What''s going to happen next time?"


    She sucked in a breath like she was bracing at the thought. Fear and uneasiness twisted into her scent and her entire body tensed. "I don''t know," she whispered, her eyes pleading with him. He was about to ask her what she was thinking when voices rose back on the trail and they both felt the pull of duty, but resisted it for themselves.


    Then Sasha put a hand to his chest and gripped his top. "I just know that¡­ that I need you like I need air, Zev."


    He groaned and kissed her then, a desperate, gasping kiss, his hands clutching at her sides, his entire body pressed into hers, knees to shoulders, keeping her pinned against that tree.


    Sasha whimpered and his entire body lit up at the sound. Maybe they could just¡ª


    Then Nick''s voice rose. "Zev? Sasha? Where the fuck are you?!"


    With an entirely different kind of groan, Zev pulled out the kiss, just barely because he couldn''t stand to feel the cold air between them yet. Sighing, he closed his eyes, then inhaled deeply, taking in her scent, reassuring himself that she was really there. This wasn''t a dream. Then he tipped his forehead to hers. "Tonight," he whispered. "I don''t care what else happens¡­ tonight we''re alone."


    Sasha nodded quickly.


    They clung a moment longer, but Nick''s voice was getting frantic and he was afraid the asshole would upset the females.


    "We need to go," he breathed.


    Sasha nodded again, but she made him be the one to take the first step apart.


    It felt like tearing off the topyer of his skin when he finally forced himself to push back and away. But he took her hand and twined their fingers, leading her quickly back out to the trail, trotting when the snow would allow, until they approached Nick from behind¡ªthen passing him to put themselves between him and the females.


    "Oh, thank God," he panted.


    Zev just growled and didn''t even turn to meet his eyes.


    This man¡­ this man had been at the center of everything wrong Zev had ever done. Every regret. Every desperate wound he''d inflicted on another Chimera or human being.


    He''d thought Nick was his father. He''d thought he could trust him. He''d thought Nick had his best interests at heart, even when things were bad.


    But now¡­


    Now he just wanted him dead. Nick and the board¡ªespecially Nathan. That asshole was a psychopath. He was desperate to be alone with Sasha and learn everything that had happened, but he was terrified too.


    Knowing that she''d put herself in their hands, what if¡­. What if they''d¡­ done something to her?


    Nick had been honest, he thought, when he defended himself saying he''d stopped them from imnting her.


    Zev prayed that was true. But regardless, he didn''t want Nick anywhere near any of them. Zev didn''t want Nick in Thana period.


    He looked down at Sasha who hadn''t let go of his hand, but her face had gone dark. She was watching the females ahead of them, frowning.


    He opened his mouth to tell her in more detail what they''d prepared, when a horrified scream rose from behind them, echoing off the mountains and trees.


    They both whirled, Zev stepping between Sasha and Nick, then rxing with a chuckle.


    Ernie had appeared on the trail, scuttling behind Nick. Zev wasn''t sure how long he''d been close, the wind was blowing the wrong way. But Nick had clearly just seen him and was sprinting forward to close the gap, wing at the air as he tried desperately to get away from the monster at his back, pleading and screaming for Zev''s help.


    He and Sasha stopped walking and he felt Sasha''s grin before he saw it, but she straightened her face when Nick reached them and stumbled behind them, panting, pleading.


    "Sasha, you said you''d protect me! You said you''d stop them¡ª"


    "Oh hush, you fuckwit. I''m not going to eat you," Ernie said, his voice that odd, needling tone, pinched and almost painful to Zev''s ears. "I just wanted to¡­ keep a few eyes on you. Make sure you''re behaving yourself."


    If he''d had eyebrows Zev knew Ernie would have waggled them. He had to fight a smile. Ernie was a strange creature and usually very unsocial. But Zev liked that they had so easily discovered Nick''s weakness here.


    Ernie was going toe in handy.


    Sasha wasn''t smiling though. "Ernie, did you hear? He doesn''t get harmed, okay? No wounds. And you definitely can''t kill him. Unless he''s pulled a weapon on someone, or is actively trying to hurt them, he doesn''t get touched."


    "Who needs to touch?" Ernie said slyly.


    Zev snorted. He could tell Sasha was trying really hard not tough as well, but her own body leaned away from Ernie.


    The human distaste for spiders was an odd thing. Zev was far more ufortable around serpents than arachnids.


    "I promise, Nick¡­ he''s more scared of you than you are of him," Zev added with a derisive snort.


    But all in all, they had bigger fish to fry. "We''re on our way to the Vige. You''re wee to join us for the walk if you want to, Ernie," he said mischievously. Sasha squeezed his hand but didn''t argue.


    Nick swallowed audibly behind him. Then Sasha turned to look at him. "I told you I would keep you safe as long as you don''t hurt anyone. And I will. But you''re in Thana now, Nick. You don''t get to dictate who goes where, or what they can do anymore. So buck up, buttercup. And be grateful I don''t kill you myself for what you''ve done."


    Then she walked on, tugging Zev with her, whoughed with joy at the beauty of his strong, certain, magnificent mate.


    Now if only he could help her lose that thread of fear in her scent¡­

 Chapter 342 Together

    <h4>Chapter 342 Together</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha gave Ernie a look¡ªshe needed to focus on something other than Nick¡ªand he sank back into the trees. But she had a feeling he wasn''t going to be far away.


    It was a small pleasure in a much wider pain.


    Zev held her hand as they walked, but his face was tense and she knew he was thinking about what she''d said. What she''d faced.


    A part of her wanted to push it aside and pretend it hadn''t happened. She knew he hadn''t wanted those females. But¡­ she also knew it would fester in her heart if she didn''t talk to him about it.


    She gave a little groan and shook her head. Why couldn''t things ever be easy for them? Why couldn''t they ever just¡­ be?


    Her mind tripped back to Yhet''s cave and those days before his infection. Her heart thudded for very different reasons, and her stomach fluttered. She wanted that time back. She wanted to do it again.


    Zev cleared his throat and looked back over his shoulder at Nick, following them, his eyes darting and hunted, obviously terrified about seeing Ernie again.


    Frankly, Sasha couldn''t me him. She''d always been far more afraid when she saw a spider, then it disappeared and she didn''t know where it was, than when she could follow its progress up the wall¡­


    "So," Zev said carefully, with another dark nce back at Nick. He walked so close their arms brushed, even though they were holding hands.


    Sasha''s skin prickled where they touched, but she tried to ignore it. She had to focus.


    "I''m thinking that everyone''s settling down. The sun''s up. Kyelle can lead them to the Vige¡­ I need to run ahead and warn the males to stay out of their way for now. I''ll make sure Lhars got that fire going so they''ve got somewhere to settle and rest, and then we can figure out if they should carry on to the City right away."


    Sasha nodded her head sadly. She had juste back to him, she didn''t to be separated again!


    Zev squeezed her hand. "I''m thinking you shoulde with me, so the males know you''re back, and¡ª"


    "Zev, I can''t run fast enough. I''ll barely beat them."


    "Not if I shift and you¡­ ride me."


    Sasha held back a smile, her stomach tingling at the slightly breathless tone he''d given to those words.


    "I mean¡­" she said, biting her lip, "if it''s for the good of the people."


    Zev huffed a little snort. "Definitely. I mean, you''ll need to get there first and figure out how you want to prepare for those that can''t travel further¡ªand for those that do. Do we bring males to guard them?"


    "No!" Sasha said quickly, all flirtation gone from her tone. "No, we definitely need to just¡­ let them have some space until they get their bearings."


    "Well, I think the males should hear that from their Alpha," Zev said quietly.


    Sasha was pretty sure he was just making excuses for her to go with him and she wanted to say yes. But she felt guilty.


    Then she looked ahead and saw the females, all walking in small clusters, peering at the forest, only a few of them moving freely as if they were happy to be there. Most seemed overwhelmed and afraid.


    She was going to have so much to do in theing days, so many problems and obstacles to navigate¡ªnot to mention Nick.


    She''d just been through one of the most frightening experiences of her life. And she needed a break.


    A little time with her mate might help her to help the other females better, she told herself. Right?


    She swallowed. "Okay. I think that''s a good idea. But Zev¡­ we can''t¡­ disappear."


    He nodded. "I know," he said, gripping her hand tighter. "Like I said, tonight." He turned to meet her eyes and his were aze with need. Desire coiled in her stomach and she immediately doubted her resolve to wait.


    But Zev didn''t give her a chance to think. He turned to tell Nick that they were going ahead.


    Nick got very jittery, but Zev just growled at him. "If you''re going to be here, you''re going to have to find your balls," he snapped. "I have enough to do here, I''m not ying bodyguard for you."


    Sasha wanted tough when Nick blinked, his head snapping back. His face went tight, but he nodded once. "Fine," he said, though his voice was shaky.


    Zev tipped his head towards the females. "You give them space. They''re struggling. You leave them alone."


    Sasha nodded to back him up¡ªthest thing the females needed was interference from Nick. But Nick put up his hands. "I told you, I''m here to help. I''m not trying to¡ª"


    "Whatever, Nick," Sasha said, shaking her head. "The point is, we''re going ahead and you''re staying here and if you don''t make trouble you''ll be fine. But if you do¡­" she let her eyes stray to the forest behind him. Nick tensed and turned his head, looking over his shoulder for Ernie.


    A soft chuckle rose from the underbrush, but Sasha couldn''t see him.


    Then Zev shifted and got down on his stomach. Sasha nervously climbed onto his back, burying her hands in the thick fur of his ruff. She wobbled when he stood, but he walked slowly at first, to give her a feel for it, then when he began to lope and she found the rhythm of his gait, she dropped her face into that thick fur and just breathed him in.


    She didn''t want to see the forest shing by.


    She didn''t want to think about everything she had to do.


    She just wanted to be close to him.


    She stered herself to his back, touching him with every part of her body that she could, soaking in his warmth and strength and reminding herself that they couldn''t disappear.


    Zev''s breathing becamebored while they were running¡ªwas she that heavy? He was so fit! She decided if it was that bad, she just wouldn''t ride him again. But when they broke through the trees at the edge of the vige and he slowed to a halt, the moment she climbed off his back, he shifted back and took her in his arms, his breath rasping as he clutched the back of her head, and her waist and pulled her into a deep kiss.

 Chapter 343 Fighting the Good Fight

    <h4>Chapter 343 Fighting the Good Fight</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    A tiny noise broke in her throat as her body responded to Zev''s frantic kiss. She needed him. Needed him desperately. The drive-in her gut¡­ but she was bleeding and they had females and¡ª


    Zev broke the kiss, his shoulders heaving, but leaned his forehead on hers. "Fuck, Sasha." He clung to her, his fingers trembling.


    "I know," she whispered, stroking his face and trying to ease her own driving need.


    He kept stroking her hair, his fingers drawing tingling lines down her scalp. "We''ll go talk to the males in a second," he said, his voice low and gruff. "I just needed a minute with you."


    "I know, me too," she sighed. He wrapped his arms around her and she fell into his chest, a shudder rocking her frame from head to toe.


    "Sasha¡­" he said nervously, "Did they¡­ hurt you?"


    "I don''t know," she whispered honestly.


    He pulled back and his eyes were dark and rmed. He held her face. She gripped his wrists, meeting his gaze. She was being honest and she needed him to see that.


    "You don''t know?"


    "They didn''t do anything to me while I was awake," she said.


    Zev''s jaw tightened. "They drugged you?"


    She nodded. "Nick said it was to do tests. But they did tests on me when I was awake and I did what they asked. So what did they do that I needed to be asleep for?"


    Zev started cursing under his breath, his fingers wing, his eyes searching hers.


    She could feel his fear and anger.


    "I''m fine, Zev. And¡­ I''m not pregnant," she said, slightly embarrassed.


    He raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I noticed."


    Oh shit. His sense of smell. So embarrassing. She dropped her head to rest against his chest. But he put one hand to her chin and nudged her back up.


    "Hey, hey, don''t Sasha, don''t hide from me. Ever."


    "It''s embarrassing!"


    "Why?"


    "Because¡­ it just is."


    Zev shook his head. "No, Sash, it''s part of who you are and what makes you¡­ you."


    Sasha didn''t want to talk about it anymore so she pped a hand at him. Then she went still. He waited as she swallowed and gathered her courage. "I was d when I wasn''t pregnant," she whispered. "Because it''s why they let mee back to you. And it just felt too¡­ off. I didn''t want them to know we were having a baby before you did. But that doesn''t mean I don''t want that, Zev, you know that, right?"


    "I know," he whispered, pulling her into a hug andying his cheek on the top of her head. "I know, Sash. They make everything sick. But this isn''t sick. You and me¡­ this isn''t wrong. At all. Don''t ever let them make you feel that way, okay?"


    But she could feel the tension in his back where she gripped him.


    "You either," she whispered, and found herself on the edge of tears. She couldn''t give in to that now! She had to get through¡­ all of this day. And these conversations. And help the females. And stop Nick and¡­


    Zev kissed her again, but softer this time, and quickly. Then he straightened with a sigh. "God, help me get through this day without tearing your clothes off," he said dryly. Sasha giggled, but her stomach trilled.


    "Okay," she said. "First things first."


    "The males."


    "Right."


    Zev took her hand and walked her into the Vige. "There''s only a few of them here¡ªeven less since we took some with us. I think Yhet and Dunken were going ahead to the City to let the males there know¡ªI''ll send a guard to make sure they stay there and wait for us."


    He caught her up on everything he''d put in ce while she was gone, and Sasha heaved a sigh of relief that he''d dealt with the ridiculous conflicts between the males over housing and status.


    She couldn''t believe they''d thought this was the time to fight those battles! She wanted to groan, but she just nodded, asking quick questions as they walked into the deserted vige square, and through towards the Trough and then the clearing where the medical building sat under the trees.


    The males they ran into rushed to greet her and Sasha found herself the recipient of several brushed cheeks and quivering bodies.


    Zev only growled once, she was proud of him.


    To every male they gave the same message¡ªthe females wereing, but they''d been traumatized. They needed some time to get used to the idea of being back, so the males were to stay at their stations in the Vige.


    Zev appointed two of the sentries to be guards for Nick, and sent them down the trail with warnings to avoid the females, go wide, thene up behind and follow Nick, making sure he didn''t get into any trouble.


    "Ernie''s already keeping an eye on him, but just to be safe."


    The males saluted, then turned and shifted, running off towards the trail.


    All of the males looked pained when Sasha warned them to stay away.


    "I know, I know," she said. "And I''m hopeful that really soon they''ll be ready to see you all. But for now¡­ please. Let them rest."


    Zev cleared his throat and Sasha blinked.


    That''s right. Take control. Expect obedience.


    She cleared her throat. "There''s no room for mistakes here," she said, clipping the words off. "You don''t touch them, you don''t talk to them unless they approach you, and you don''t follow them. Give them space."


    The males all submitted, but some eyes shed to Zev, who backed her up.


    When they got to the medical building clearing, they found Lhars with a fire already crackling, organizing a group of males carrying benches and stump seats from the trough to put around the fire.


    "This is great," Sasha told him after they greeted warmly. "But there''s not going to be time, or enough seats. Let''s pull out some nkets and furs. They like to be together anyway, so they''ll probably just sit in their groups."


    Zev stayed right at her back as she and Lhars worked through what would be needed, and how wide of a perimeter to require of the males.


    "They''re going to know they''re here," Lhars said, referring to the female''s ability to scent.


    "I know. Maybe that''s a good thing¡ªthey can get used to smelling them and seeing that they''re safe before they have to interact?"


    Zev and Lhars looked at each other and shrugged.


    "Trust me," Sasha said sadly. "Just¡­ give it time."


    Lhars nodded and got to work, but Sasha hadn''t missed the slump to his shoulders and the dimness of his eyes.


    "I take it things aren''t going well with Kyelle?" she whispered to Zev.


    Zev shrugged. "I don''t really know. We haven''t really talked about it. He told her and she rejected him. But¡­ I don''t know where they are now. They were together when we found out you wereing through," he said, his handsome face lighting in a smile at the memory.


    Sasha indulged in another hug, just for a moment, holding him and putting her ear to his chest, listening to his heart. Feeling hers beat in response.


    She was home, she was finally home. And no matter how ugly it might get, she swore she was never leaving unless it was to get away from the humans forever.

 Chapter 344 There鈥檚 Still Time

    <h4>Chapter 344 There''s Still Time</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    When the females walked into the vige, it was quiet, and no males in sight¡ªthey''d all sunk into the surrounding trees to watch from a distance.


    Sasha breathed a little easier when she saw them. Most of the females looked a lot better than they had a couple of hours earlier when they''d arrived.


    Their heads were up, their eyes brighter, and searching their surroundings instead of downcast.


    But there was a lot of tension and a lot of sped hands. Sasha knew they were going to have a long road to walk.


    Lhars and Kyelle helped her and Zev pass out some food¡ªthe males staying to the edges, eyes down, and letting Sasha and Kyelle do all the talking. By the time they were all settled and eating, Lhars and Zev had backed away and Sasha had a chance to walk among them, checking in. There were a few she was worried about and met Kyelle''s eyes when she spoke to them. The female nodded. She understood.


    Sasha decided to tell them all the n and see how those shakier females reacted.


    "I want to tell you what''s happened while you''ve been gone," she said, all of them quiet and listening to her. "And what we''re going to do."


    She took a deep breath. "I wasn''t here then, but when you left the males were¡­ bereft. And with Xar in power, the humans took a much greater hand in what was happening here in Thana. The males moved here, to this vige. Homes and dens circle us for a mile in each direction. They''ve lived here for three years. But right before I came to you, I learned about the City, and I ordered them to go back there while I was gone. They have," she said, with soft satisfaction.


    "Those of you who were here before will remember the City, though your housing may have changed. Zev tells me they''ve prepared one of the halls so if you wish to, you can all bed together there until you find the ce you''refortable to return to¡­ to your families or¡­ mates," she said hesitantly, uncertain how many of these females even had mates.


    "I think that for now, you should all keep eating, drinking, maybe have a small rest. The males have been ordered to give you space here. They won''t approach unless you invite them to. I''ve had guards put on Nick, and he''s been taken to one of the buildings. You won''t see much of him if there''s anything I can do about it," she said firmly. "So what that leaves is¡­ where you want to spend tonight.


    "Without shifting, we''re still an hour or two away from the City. If you feelfortable shifting, if you feel safe enough to do that without fleeing, you can be there faster. But I think it would be good for all of us to arrive together. It''s going to be a challenging and exciting time for everyone and I believe we should share it."


    Most of the females, the ones with the brightest eyes, nodded and murmured agreement. But a few began to tense and be more anxious.


    Sasha looked to the little Alphas to soothe those who were struggling, but Kyelle stepped in among them, kneeling to speak quietly to a couple. When she stood, she came straight to Sasha, her eyes worried.


    "I think you''re right about taking them to the City together," she said quietly. "But we have a few that just aren''t ready. Two have never been to Thana before and are very nervous about the males in general, and three others that have just¡­ I think their minds are¡­ shaky."


    Sasha''s chest ached for them. "If I take the others to the city, could you stay here with the ones that need help? We only have male healers. They''ll need someone else to be nearby and help them."


    Kyelle nodded quickly. "I was going to suggest the same thing."


    Sasha took the female''s hand and squeezed it. "Thank you. I don''t think we would have gotten even this far without you. Zev told me that you were going to go and be there to help us. Thank you, Kyelle."


    The female didn''t smile, but she nodded. "I interacted with the humans for a while early on. I know how¡­ difficult it can be."


    Sasha frowned. She wanted to know the woman''s story, but there wasn''t time.


    "I''m sorry to hear that," she said gently.


    Kyelle shrugged. They discussed the n quickly, then Sasha turned back to the wider group.


    "We''ll stay here another hour. Eat. Rest of if you want to. Breathe the air. I''m going to talk to the males and organize a few details, then I''ll return and take you to the City. And¡­ I want you to know, even though this has been very difficult, please be certain: You are loved here. You are wanted here. You will be helped, not harmed."


    A murmur of gratitude and "Sasha-don" rippled through the females and many of them submitted. Sasha turned quickly, not wanting them to see the grief on her face. With Zev at her back, she headed to the medical building to talk to the healers that she''d warned to stay out of the way. But now she wanted their input.


    She hadn''t thought about this. She''d been so focused on getting them back, excited to think about making Thana moreplete, that she hadn''t thought about how disconcerting and difficult it would be for them all to be thrown into this new ce after what they''d been through. She needed to know how to help these females get back on their feet and find their hearts and their strength again.


    She hadn''t expected them to feel weaker here when they were free.


    But twenty minutester, she felt only more frustrated. The healers believed they were already doing everything right¡ªlet them have boundaries, let them gather, let them talk about their experiences if they needed to. Let them keep space from anyone or anything that made them unsafe until they were feeling stronger.


    Sasha had had such hopes for a reunion of joy with the males and a City full of celebration. Now she wondered if she was pushing too fast.


    But Zev put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed when the healer said, no, that finding their boundaries was going to be part of the process. That they could only move and change as they knew what needs were in ce.


    "You can''t anticipate this, Sasha-don. You have to let them tell you when they''re ready¡ªand when they''re not."


    She''d thanked him and stalked out to find Oska''s messengers, sent to see if there was news.


    Sending the two young males back to the City with instructions on keeping things quiet and calm, on giving the females space when they arrived, on sentries to keep the males in the city so the females could gather outside and enter together¡­


    When she was done, her stomach twisted with nerves.


    "Hey, hey," Zev said quietly when she turned as if to go back to the clearing and the females. "You told them you were going to be an hour or more."


    "So?"


    "So¡­ we''ve still got half an hour," Zev said with a wicked smile. "And I think maybe my Alpha could use a little bit of dpression herself?"


    Sasha stared at him, feeling guilty because she wanted nothing more than to ignore the other females and just shut herself away with Zev.


    Could she take half an hour? Would that hurt anyone?


    But Zev growled and took the decision out of her hands, leaning down to pick her up and swing her into his chest, then turn towards her house.


    "Thirty minutes," he said, holding her to his chest and beginning to jog.


    Sasha threw her arms around his neck and sighed. "I don''t know, Zev."


    "I do," he said.

 Chapter 345 Close to Me - Part 1

    <h4>Chapter 345 Close to Me - Part 1</h4>


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    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    As he carried her towards the house she''d been given, Sasha was still protesting, but her lips kept brushing his neck and her heart was pounding. Her scent was full of desire, and the bond glimmered and sparkled, so he kept walking, then running.


    Sheughed when she was jostled by his running, but when he turned her, urging her to put her legs around his waist and hold his neck so he could pull them both up to the porch of her house, herughing turned breathless.


    The bond sang within his chest and his heart raced. He cupped her ass and held her to him as he opened the door and carried her inside, turning the lock on it, then rushing her through the chilled living space to the bed.


    Thest time he''d had her here he was undressing her after their ritual. The memory made his groin twitch.


    Without breaking stride, he threw her onto the bed, following her up, kissing his way up her neck, his breath already panting.


    "Zev!" she gasped, pulling her shoulder up against the tickle and scratch of his unshaven jaw against her throat.


    "I need you, Sasha, please." He buried his face in her neck, then pushed back on his knees, frantically tugging at the waistband of her ck tech shirt to pull it up and over her head.


    She sat up and raised her arms to help him and shook her hair out in a way that made her breasts jiggle, and made Zev growl with approval, but instead ofying back down, she braced herself on her arms and stared at him like she was a little uncertain of him.


    He stopped suddenly. "Are you¡­ what? Are you okay? We don''t have to, Sash. If you''re¡­ if you''re not ready¡ªdid they¡ª?"


    "I''m fine," she said quietly, putting a hand on his shoulder, though her throat bobbed. "I just¡­ I''m bleeding."


    "I don''t care."


    Her brows rose. "Are you sure?"


    He took her face in his hands and pulled her in, kissing her with every ounce of heat and desperation that skated through his veins.


    Her breath caught and she dropped her head back when he started kissing his way down her jaw and neck. "I''m certain," he whispered against her skin.


    When she arched into his chest and her scent bloomed with desire, he growled again, then pushed back, practically sprinting to the bathing room to grab a towel, then tugging his shirt off and shucking off the fitted pants that would stretch or contract to fit his body in any form.


    Sasha looked at the towel gratefully and shifted toy on it when he spread it on the bed. She''d taken off her pants and opened her arms, pulling him in, her heart racing.


    The bond howled that piece of her pulsing and turning in his chest as their limbs entwined and he fisted a hand in her hair and took her mouth again.


    He''d wanted to be careful. To savor her. To reunite and show how he''d missed her. But the moment their skins came together, it was as if fireworks exploded in his chest. He came alive, his blood rushing in his veins, the bond throbbing, every breath and whimper from Sasha lighting a fire in his chest that was pumped out through his veins until his very skin was on fire.


    Sasha, hesitant at first, caught his thrill and her kiss became desperate¡ªshe sucked his tongue into her mouth, then bit his lip, her arms around his neck, then hands wing down his back to grip his ass and pull him closer.


    He covered her with his body and she hooked her heels behind him as they became desperation together¡ªcries, grunts, rippling skins.


    Then his mind was alight with the sensations in her skin as she opened her mind and called for him. Zev shuddered, his own desire pushed to even greater heights when he felt the prickle of her skin down her neck, the aching thrill of his mouth on her nipple, and the hollow need within.


    "Oh god, Sash!"


    "Please, Zev!" she gasped.


    Hands pped on skin, teeth clinked, fingers tangled in hair¡ªSasha''s voice was high and reedy, desperate and pleading. Zev trembled, fighting to keep himself in check as his body sought and sought, burning for her.


    Then Zev rolled against her just as she lifted her hips and he entered her.


    They both threw their heads back with twin guttural groans as they came together, Sasha''s cry a jagged plea. Zev shuddered as he pulled out, then plunged back in, arching his back as his body was overwhelmed with a wave of tingling electricity.


    "Yes, Zev, oh¡­. Yes."


    The bond soared, twisting within his chest, fizzing in his veins as they rocked together again and again. He let his teeth graze and nip, sucked at her neck, kissed her, and delved within her mouth with his tongue flickering and alive.


    She''d wrapped herself entirely around him, taking, her legs wrapped around his thighs, her hands gripping his back and shoulders, her face in his neck. AS he thrust, he held her so closely there was no room between them, no way to touch or stroke, so he fisted her hair and tugged her chin back. And when she offered her throat he groaned and opened his mouth on it, sucking and tasting the beauty of her.


    Thank God. Thank God. She was back. She was his.


    The bond remained.


    Thank God.


    Pulling almost all the way out, he thrust into her again, groaning and for a moment she tensed.


    Dark thoughts chased themselves through his head, but Sasha was already gasping his name, rolling her hips, pulling him closer.


    He pushed the questions, the images away, pushed away what he knew of thepound and Nick and the Board, and made himself focus on her. His Sash. His mate. His beautiful Alpha.


    On that staggering bond that pulled them closer, ever closer, until his entire skin prickled with heat and joy.

 Chapter 346 Close to Me - Part 2

    <h4>Chapter 346 Close to Me - Part 2</h4>


    GOOD NEWS: Tomorrow the new month begins and privilege tiers will change. You''ll see a lower number of chapters in the highest tier, but I''m also mass releasing over the course of the day into the top tier of privilege. So, if you want to opt-out of privilege you''ll be able to do that and only wait a few days before you start getting new content. Or, if you want to stay ahead of other readers, by this time tomorrow you''ll have several new, previously unpublished chapters that ONLY this tier can see! It''s a win-win! Do what suits you, and enjoy either on me! THANK YOU for all your incredible support this month. I truly appreciate it!*****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha''s entire body tingled with heat and joy. She whispered his name and tried to pull him closer, but there was already no space between them.


    She''d never had sex during her cycle before and had initially been apprehensive. But as soon as he started kissing her, as soon as they were touching, she''d forgotten everything else in the rush of being close to him¡ªthe smell of his skin, like earth and rain, the sound of his deep voice vibrating against her chest. The growl that puttered in his throat when she dropped her head back to give him easier ess to her throat.


    They were thered together and everything in her wanted more¡ªshe wed at his back, grabbed his ass, and pulled him closer, gasping, panting, kissing his neck, and nipping at his earlobes.


    He whined in his throat and whispered her name and the sound of her name on his lips immediately followed by those lips on her skin were a shivering thrill that she''d never felt.


    She''d meant to tell him how precious it was to be close to him again, to show him all the ways she''d missed him, to exin¡­ but the moment they touched it lit a fuse within her that demanded to find its release.


    "Zev¡­ I¡­"


    "God, Sash."


    Then he entered her and her entire body responded, waves of tingling pleasure chasing themselves up and down her spine. As they threw their heads back in tandem, groaning cries erupting from both of them, she forgot everything except the weight of him pressing her into the furs, the delicious slide of his hands in her hair, his lips on her neck, and the sound of his voice, calling her name.


    There was some pain at times, tight muscles stretching to amodate, but it barely registered as their bodies called for each other, and they climbed the heights of pleasure, each stepping on the other''s shoulders as they climbed towards the summit.


    Then Zev, his back growing damp under her hands, braced his elbows above her shoulders, wrapped his hands over her head, dropped his forehead to hers, and began to pound, calling her name.


    Sasha cried out and gave herself up. Clinging to his biceps that had be steel under her palms she met him stroke for stroke, barely breathing as he pressed and slid and invaded, pushing her closer and closer to that edge.


    The world sucked in and disappeared until there was nothing but his hot breath mingling with hers, his frantic cries, his lips hovering over hers, his tongue flicking.


    Then he tilted his hips found that perfect spot deep within her. Sasha cried out and dropped her head back as her entire body was consumed, her orgasm washing over her like water down her skin, at the same moment her blood went hot and cold, and the bond spun in her chest, shooting through her veins to reach for him.


    Zev cried out a momentter, back-arching, the tendons on his neck standing proud as he gasped and shuddered, clinging to her as his jaw went ck and he groaned her name.


    Then he slumped over her, both of them sweating, panting, limbs tangled and hair sticking to their faces.


    Sasha found herself emotional with the sheer joy of having him back and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him close, despite the heat.


    He''d dropped his head next to hers while he struggled to recover, his breath rushing over her shoulder and raising goosebumps there that he kissed away.


    And she was so happy, so relieved, humming with the joy of the bond, that she could finally rx. For the first time in weeks, she just breathed.


    Zev didn''t move, his back rising and falling with his panting breaths. Sasha just held him and thanked God that they''d found each other again.


    There was so much they would have to face, so many things that would try to tear them apart, but at that moment, she felt only the certainty that she was for him, and he was for her. And that she was safe in that.


    Sheid back on the furs, drawing a hand up and down his spine until it stopped of its own ord and she drifted off into blissful sleep.


    *****


    A few minutester, Zev sucked in a breath and raised his head, startling Sasha back to awareness.


    Her body felt delicious¡ªtingly but rxed. She didn''t want to let him go. She didn''t want to get up, or deal with the females, or even leave the house, but Zev''s heart was pounding as if something had frightened him.


    "What is it?" she asked quickly, putting a hand to his face. He looked around the room as if he was disoriented.


    "Nothing," he said quickly. "I just¡­ we need to get you cleaned up and back out there." He was tense under her hand, but he looked down at her with love in his eyes, and stroked her face. "I can''t believe you''re back. I can''t believe they let youe back," he murmured.


    She shook her head. "I''ll be honest, it kind of shocked me too."


    He tucked a strand of sweaty hair behind her ear and smiled. "My beautiful Alpha," he murmured. "You did the impossible."


    "That''s the thing, Zev, I don''t feel like I did. I feel like¡­ like I yed into their hands somehow. But Nick said I persuaded Horace and¡­ I don''t know. I''m just d we''re here. I really don''t ever want to be away from you again. Ever."


    "Me either," he said softly, kissing her, then stroking her cheek with his thumb.


    Soon, they got up and went to the bathing room together. Sasha''s heart squeezed, when Zev took the soap and thick cloth and started washing her¡ªnot only where they''d had sex, but all over her body, his face pinched in concern and protective care.


    It made her want to weep. But not as much as when they both sighed and started to dress.


    "Tonight I''m taking you to the bathing pool I know near the City," he said, his voice dark with promise. "We''re going to wash the stink of that ce off you, and I''m going to love you and¡­" He made a strange noise in his throat, then pulled her into another soft, lingering kiss. "I don''t want to let you go," he sighed a long momentter.


    Exhausted, but happy, Sasha leaned into his chest and inhaled him as he held her. With her eyes closed, and not letting her mind drift, she could find that peace again, just from being in his arms.


    And she was very, very grateful.

 Chapter 347 Don鈥檛 Look Back

    <h4>Chapter 347 Don''t Look Back</h4>


    If you like music while you''re reading, try "Right Where it Belongs" by Nine Inch Nails. It''s what I was listening to while writing this chapter!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    When they were dressed and had reached the door, Zev caught Sasha''s elbow before she opened it, turning her to face him.


    Her cheeks were still a little flushed, and her eyes bright. But he could scent¡ªand sense¡ªthe tension hanging over her. He took her face in his hands and kissed her.


    "I don''t want to be apart from you," she whispered, her eyes closed, and clinging to his forearms. They had agreed that he would shift, go ahead, to the City and make sure the males understood how important it was that they didn''t press the females when they arrived. Sasha didn''t trust that a simple message was enough.


    It was a good idea. And the right thing. And would let him prepare the Alpha bedchamber for her. But his stomach clenched at being apart from her even for a couple of hours.


    "I don''t either," he said, his voice low and gruff. "But when you get there, it''s going to be amazing, and I want to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible."


    He prayed she didn''t notice the tremble under his skin. He needed to get out of this house, but when he did, he''d be getting away from her, and he didn''t know which was worse.


    "Thank you, Zev, for pulling me away. I needed that."


    "You and me both," he growled softly.


    Sasha giggled and leaned up to kiss him one more time. "Two hours," she whispered.


    "Two hours."


    They embraced, then she turned and opened the door, stepping outside and taking a deep breath.


    Zev watched her climb down then start back towards the medical building clearing before he jumped down, then shifted and started running to the trail towards the City.


    But there was a rumbling tension in his skin so it seemed like his bones ached. He kept snorting the air from his nostrils.


    Despite washing her, the scent of Sasha was on him. Normally he would love that. But now his skin crawled, itching, ratcheting tension in his back and neck that made him want to bite something.


    She smelled like Nick. And thepound. And all the smells he''d prayed he would never smell again.


    He had been so desperate to be close to her, he''d been pushing it away, filtering it out. But now¡­ now she was painted all over his skin, and even the scent of soap couldn''t cover itpletely.


    The scent of that ce hung in her hair and painted her skin, and until he got herpletely doused in water and scrubbed from her crown to the soles of her feet, it was going to keep turning his stomach until he wanted to vomit.


    Being close to her had been wonderful. He''d been able to push the darkness aside when he was so consumed with her. But he''d dozed off when they were done, and sunk into a nightmare immediately. He''d taken several seconds toe awake properly, to be utterly certain that Nick wasn''t there, that the board hadn''t just ordered him away from her to be caged. That they were both still free.


    He wanted to be next to her, at her back, supporting her, doing what was needed¡ªhe didn''t trust anyone else to anticipate what she needed faster, or better than himself. But there was a tiny corner of his heart that was relieved to get away, both from her and from Nick.


    His guts were twisted up like a horse with colic. He wanted to throw up.


    As he ran for the City, pushing himself despite his weariness, ready to be distracted, ready to have something else to think about, he pleaded with the God that Sasha was so certain would hear him that he could be free of all this. Free of the way his body tied up when he was inside walls for too long. Free of the way the smells of that ce turned his mind into a dark cave. Free of the gut-wrenching fear that Sasha had been changed by her trip¡ªeither that they''d interfered with her, or that they''d manipted her somehow so that she would betray him. Fear of Nick somehow getting inside his head again¡­


    Nick was here. In Thana.


    Ugh.


    Zev snorted the air from his nostrils again.


    He''d been so sure that would never happen. That Nick would never find anything that motivated him more than his fear. And yet, here they were.


    And Sasha was protecting him?


    Zev shook his head until his ears snapped. Then he ran on.


    He couldn''t change any of these circumstances. He couldn''t change what had already happened, only prepare for what was toe and hope to bring the others with him safely.


    His mind swung back and forth throughout the trip, teasing him with the beauty and heat of his mate and how wonderful it would be to take her to the Alpha bedchamber tonight. Then dousing him in cold water with thoughts of Nick, thepound, and what might have happened to her there¡ªor to the other females.


    They''d all lost their sparks. They''d lost their confidence.


    They''d lost themselves.


    He shouldn''t be surprised. He''d been the same. Nick and those fuckers had kept him trapped in his own mind for three years¡ªthey hadn''t even held him at thepound the whole time! He''d be their dog on a leash¡­ that''s how confident they were.


    He couldn''t believe he''d fallen for it.


    When he turned the final corner towards the City, he pushed all thoughts of Nick and his past away. He couldn''t do anything to help that now. But he could help the females. He could make up, at least in this, for all the ways he''d failed them.


    So as he ran, he lifted his chin and howled¡ªand was immediately answered by the males within, excited barks and snarls rising. They probably hoped he had the females with him already.


    They were going to be disappointed. But he ran on and when he reached the City walls and stepped into the courtyard, he shifted back to stare at the milling crowd of males¡ªmostly wolves, but from all the ns¡ªall babbling and shushing each other as they waited to hear what he had to say.


    They went silent, staring wide-eyed.


    Zev forced himself to smile.


    "She did it," he said. "She''s brought fifty of the females back. They''re here. They''re really here!"


    The courtyard erupted around him, and Zev piled into the fray, sharing scents and howling.


    He would have to tell them the bad news soon. But he wanted them to have this moment. This was the heart that the females needed to see.

 Chapter 348 Bad News First

    <h4>Chapter 348 Bad News First</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    "What do you mean¡­ hurt?" one of the Tigers growled. "What''s happened to them?"


    "Their minds, mainly, I believe," Zev said apologetically, looking at the males, almost two hundred of them, packed into the courtyard and in the buildings that overlooked it, all listening with hard faces. "They''ve been¡­ controlled, and not given their freedom. So now, suddenly, they''re free and they aren''t sure if they can believe it. They aren''t sure if they''re safe. A fewe from the Compound and were made, so they''ve never been in Thana before. This has just been a lot for them.


    "What they need is for all of us to be calm and not overwhelm them. The healers said they may seem frightened or defensive for a little while, and that''s okay. Give them space. Let them approach you. Stand back. Let them know you''re happy to see them and want to be closer, but let them be the ones to approach. Think of¡­ a mother when her pups are first born," he said. "Give her that time to grow ustomed to her new life and new demands."


    "But, aren''t they eager to see us?"


    "Some are, I''m sure," Zev said. "But right now most of them are just trying to process that they''re even here. Plus, part of the deal was that Nicke with them, so his presence is unsettling to them."


    "Nick?!"


    The crowd babbled and growled, a few snarls and snorts, but Zev raised his hands for quiet. "We''ve put him under the guard and he''s going to remain at the Vige. Once the females are here we need to ensure that there''s a continued presence there. We''ll continue our shifts of hunters and guards¡ªkeep giving Nick something to observe and manage. But just be certain, he will not be given control. Sasha has only allowed him toe with her teeth gritted¡ªthey imed they wouldn''t send the females at all if she didn''t allow him in."


    "She''s negotiating with the humans? I thought we were cutting them out!"


    "We are!" Zev said sternly. "She''s working with them for a few months to try and get the rest of the females out of the Team''s grip¡ªas many of them as we can, anyway. Trust me, she''s not any happier about it than you are."


    There was a rumble of disgust and disapproval through the crowd, but Zev kept his chin down and let them see him and smell him, utterly certain of both his mate''s motives, and her ability to see this through.


    "Do I need to remind you that she''s done in a few days what Xar didn''t do in three years?" Zev snapped.


    "Do we need to remind you they wouldn''t have gotten the females in the first ce if you hadn''t left?" a voice growled from the back of the crowd.


    Zev let himself feel his power, scanning the crowd for the voice that wasn''t an Alpha''s, he would have recognized it.


    "No matter what you think about me, I''m no longer¡ª"


    A gust of wind rattled through the trees and whipped between the doorways and buildings, and they all caught the scent.


    Females.


    Dozens of them.


    One of the wolves raised a howl, and the rest of the pack joined him, while the others began to call and scream, celebrating again, though it all had the edge of tension.


    When they settled, Zev took a deep breath and forced a slight smile. "It''s happening, brothers. They''ll be here soon. I promised Sasha-don that we wouldn''t leave the City, that we''d be here to wee them, but let them approach when they were ready. So please¡­ none of you leave. And when theye in, don''t rush them. Let theme to you for greetings."


    "But what about our mates?"


    "I don''t know how many of those who came through have mates. We''ll find out very soon, I guess," Zev said. "What I do know is that we all have to stop looking back. We can''t heal from everything that''s happened by looking back. We can only look forward. Aim for the life we''ve sought all this time¡ªthe females returned, our ns rebuilt, offspring¡­"


    His own heart swelled and fluttered at the idea. "We have to let go of our anger and resentment, stop ming. The females need us to be calm and to help them. Can you do that?"


    The response wasn''t as eager as the howls had been, but Zev saw the Alphas among the males cautioning their people and standing firm.


    He turned then, calling the Alphas forward and organizing. They needed more space for the females to actually enter the City¡ªand they needed any males that might be erratic to be contained by their brothers.


    He wouldn''t risk a bad experience for the females on such a crucial day.


    Within minutes they had a n and the males darted off to get help to manage those they thought might struggle, while Zev encouraged many of the males to move into the buildings overlooking the Courtyard to leave more room at its entrance and center.


    The scent of the females was rising. They would be here soon. And he, for one, couldn''t wait.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Outside the City walls, where the trees still obscured the trail, Sasha came to a halt and turned to face the females who had followed her through the forest in a straggling line. The little Alphas were doing well, keeping their groups together and watching over any whose anxiety was increasing.


    Several of the females were starting to get their confidence back, some even looking eager to walk into the City and see the males. Sasha was relieved. It would happen more and more, she was certain. These women just needed time. Time and¡­ no unpleasant surprises.


    When they''d all gathered close together she smiled. "For those of you who haven''t been to Thana before, we''re here. When we push through these trees, you''ll see a thick wall on the other side. A big archway. We''ll walk through it and the males will be waiting for us."


    Sasha had asked the females closest to her if they could scent the males, but they said the wind moved in the wrong direction.


    Which meant the males could scent them.


    Just as she opened her mouth, the wind gusted from over the females, back towards the City, and howls and calls rose, echoing through the forest.


    Some of the females smiled, but many went very still. Like prey under the eyes of a predator.


    Sasha sighed. So much for a quiet entry. At least if they got it out of their systems now, they might be able to hold back better when the females walked in.


    "Don''t be nervous, they''re just excited to see you," she said.


    "We know. We know what the calls mean," one female said baldly. Sasha swallowed. Fair enough.


    "Well then, are you ready?" she asked. Some of them nodded.


    Sasha prayed the rest would get through this without breaking, then she turned on her heel and pushed through the branches overgrowing the path to the City.


    And even though things weren''t perfect and they had a lot to navigate yet, her stomach fluttered with excitement.


    It was finally happening. The females were here.


    She''d done it.

 Chapter 349 Home

    <h4>Chapter 349 Home</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    As they approached the City, Sasha looked back over her shoulder, biting her lip.


    The females were having very mixed responses. Some pushed forward, eyes bright, but nervous. A couple seemed to nearly vibrate with excitement¡ªor was it fear? There were several with furrowed brows and wide eyes whose expressions made Sasha want to reach out and hug them. But that wouldn''t help, she knew.


    The howls rose again but were cut off and shushed as they entered the shadow of therge archway. "Here we go," Sasha breathed to herself, grateful when Mae appeared at her shoulder and reached for her hand, squeezing it once.


    There was a low murmur of voices that even Sasha could hear, but she could hear the wind rustling the leaves in the trees overhead, hear the footsteps of the females as they crossed out from under the building and into the main Courtyard that had seemed so beautiful and so alien to Sasha when Zev brought her here.


    Then the sun zed and Sasha''s eyes pinched, her throat closing as she led the females into the wide, oval-shaped space the males had left in the Courtyard.


    They were all there, she realized breathlessly. In lines and groups, peppering the windows and open spaces of the buildings around the Courtyard, and hemming the entire space on the ground where they entered.


    Males poised¡­ for flight, or to take, she wasn''t sure. But all of them leaned in as if they couldn''t get close enough. They stared at the females searching their faces wildly as the females walked in slowly, holding each other and looking around nervously.


    It seemed like the entire City held its breath as they filed in. Sasha saw Zev near the front at the end and stepped quickly over to him. He took her hand and she could sense his relief¡ªshe felt it too¡ªas she turned to face the females who were walking in slowly, far more cautiously. Most of them.


    A few strode in, hands sped under their chins, or to their chests, tears in their eyes.


    Then they were there and came to a halt in front of Sasha, looking around, the males staring at them with sad, hopeful eyes.


    The females looked at Sasha, and suddenly she wasn''t sure what to do.


    But just when she cleared her throat to invite any of them forward who were feeling confident, a quiet, pleading voice, said, "Pysa?"


    Every head in the Courtyard turned to see a male, a little older than Zev, Sasha thought, pushed forward, his eyes wild and uncertain, welling with tears.


    "Allory!" A dark-haired female, quick-moving but grace, who reminded Sasha of Kyelle, pushed through the females towards him, throwing herself into his arms.


    He stumbled back, curling himself around her and babbling through tears.


    The entire Chimeran poption watched this reunion of male and female and Sasha, squeezing Zev''s hand, had to wipe away tears.


    It was the moment she''d wished for, seeing two hearts, so clearly adoring of each other, aligned and unified again.


    Allory was taller than her and he bent her backward, his arms around her back, swaying her back and forth, saying her name over and over again, rubbing his face against her shoulder, sobbing, his wide shoulders shaking.


    A ripple ran through both crowds, both male and female, voices hushed, but happy, cheering the two on in their embrace.


    And at that moment, Sasha thought that perhaps all hope wasn''t lost. Perhaps¡­ just perhaps, this would have a happy ending.


    Then another male stepped forward. He''d been standing on the low wall at the side of the Courtyard and he leaped off, pushing through the males to get to the front.


    "Mae?" He was a wolf, Sasha realized. She''d seen him at the disy, though he hadn''t tried to tempt her. And he was calling for Mae.


    Sasha turned, bright and joyful, to the female she hoped to soon call friend¡­ only to find the female staring, her brows pinched over her nose, and her nostrils ring.


    She watched the male approach and didn''t speak. He caught her expression and slowed as he darted alongside the crowd of females to reach her.


    He stopped in front of her, just feet away, and held out a hand, swallowing hard. "Mae? It''s me¡­ Chet."


    She nodded and looked at his hand, lifting hers from her side as if it was reflex to touch him, but then she pulled it back to her stomach, ttening her hands against her belly and sucking in a breath.


    But then her tears spilled over and she shook her head, pushing backward towards Sasha.


    "I''m sorry," she sobbed, turning in panic. "I can''t. I just can''t." She turned towards Sasha, panic in her eyes, and Sasha nodded, taking her arms.


    "You said there was space for the females," she whispered hurriedly to Zev.


    He nodded. "Open the way. Let the females through to the hall. Open the way. Clear the stairs!"


    The males pulled back and away, making a path that Mae darted down almost as soon as it cleared.


    Sasha wasn''t sure whether to go after her and turned towards the other females, just in time to see the male who''d been waiting for Mae slump, his shoulders rolling forward, drop his head into his hands. And he looked so devasted, Sasha''s tears returned.


    She wanted to scream. She wanted to find Nick and shoot him. She wanted to rush back to the human world and torture Nathan and Horace and everyone else who''d had any hand in destroying these people, breaking their hearts and their spirits.


    As the male''s friends gathered around him, trying to reassure, but looking up at the way Mae and run, and to Sasha, the females ducked their heads and hurried after Mae, through the crowd and up the covered stairs.


    Sasha watched them go, despair burning in her chest.


    How were they ever going to fix this? How were they ever going to find their joy again?


    But then she saw Allory and Pysa, both still clinging to each other, their faces alight despite the tears wetting their cheeks.


    And then Zev stepped up to put his hand to her shoulder.


    Sasha took a deep breath, and ushered thest of the females through the gap towards the stairs, feeling the eyes of the males following them as they walked.


    They would get through this, she told herself. They would. They would not allow the humans to steal love from them now. Not after they''d gotten this far.

 Chapter 350 Lesson Learned

    <h4>Chapter 350 Lesson Learned</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    He''d been in and out of the female quarters all evening, but he''d been called away to deal with a conflict between Alphas and two males who believed their mates were with the females, despite already being told that they hadn''te through.


    By the time he was done, it was high moon and the City was quiet. Three of the females had ventured out to find their mates and been reunited. All mate pairs were being provided solitude in one of the more remote buildings since there was so much space.


    His heart was full¡ªand also cold.


    He hadn''t seen Sasha in hours. He knew she was there, and safe. Dedicated, and helping her females. But he needed her. He needed to touch her and know that she was more than safe¡ªshe was with him.


    So after checking that no more females had left the quarters, he hurried up the stairs. A guard had been ced at either end of the hall to stop any males from entering after one of them tried to run in, searching for his sister. But the guard saw Zev and submitted.


    "Has there been any more disruption?" he asked quietly. There was little noiseing from the hall and he hoped most of them were asleep already.


    The guard shook his head. "No, we took food in, but other than that, they''ve been unbothered."


    "Good job. Thank you." Zev opened the door and crept in.


    Inside,nterns were lit, low at each end of the long, wide room. The massive, wide windows¡ªopen spaces, usually¡ªwere entirely covered in thin hides that had been stitched together. Females were sprawled along the edges of therge room, each with more than one fur, some with heads hidden under furs or pillows, others sleeping peacefully, despite the remaining lights.


    Sasha sat on a thick puff near the center of the room, alongside a female Zev didn''t know, and Mae, a wolf, who''d taken hours to stop shaking after seeing her mate. She''d told Zev she wasn''t sure what had held the female back, but she wasn''t going to push her.


    He stood there a moment, none of the females aware of him, and watched her.


    Sasha sat, slumped over, clearly exhausted, her eyes underscored by deep purple bruises of weariness. But she reached out to Mae and rubbed her arm, nodding in understanding.


    The other female was quiet, but she noticed Zev first and her eyes widened.


    He raised his hands, palms forward, and rolled his shoulders forward, submissive.


    Sasha must have been really tired. She didn''t notice him approaching until Mae looked up. She didn''t seem afraid of him and gave a small, hesitant smile when he reached them.


    "You should go to bed, Sasha," she said quietly. Seeing the lines on her cheeks left by tears made Zev''s stomach clench, but he was desperate for his mate¡ªand certain that she did need a break if she was going to help these females in the long run.


    He looked at her, but Sasha frowned at Mae. "I don''t mind if you need¡ª"


    "No, trust me," Mae said with an uneasy chuckle. "If I could spend this night in the arms of my mate, I wouldn''t let anyone stand in my way. And I refuse to be an obstacle for yours. Go, Sasha. I''ll still be here tomorrow, I''m sure."


    Sasha talked to them both quietly, reassuring and telling them she''d be back in the morning, but they both bid her goodnight, and she finally got to her feet, almost tripping when she took the first step.


    Zev caught her as she hunched over with a puff, but then straightened immediately, waving off his concern as he offered her a hand to step through the pillows and furs scattered over the floor.


    "It''s just cramps," she murmured when she''d reached his side and he put an arm around her back, worried she was ready to topple over from exhaustion. "I''m fine."


    He disagreed, but he wasn''t going to argue with her if it could be avoided. So instead he kept his arm around her, just in case.


    "Have you eaten?" he asked carefully as they started down the stairs. She frowned like the movement hurt, but she didn''t say anything.


    "I know I did at some point. But I''m not sure how long ago it was."


    Zev took a deep breath. "Sasha, I know this is important, but if you''re Alpha, you have a responsibility to keep up your own strength. Your people will not be helped by seeing you get ill or injured because you aren''t taking care of yourself."


    "I know, I know."


    "Remember the lecture you gave me when I got sick?"


    "Exactly," she said dryly, but with a smile. "That''s a little riching from you, Zev."


    "Well, I''m recently reformed. I learned the wisdom of my mate when she told me I wasn''t invincible and needed to rest."


    Sasha rolled her eyes and mumbled something under her breath, but he chose not to hear it. Instead, as they stepped out of the building at the bottom of the stairwell and into the Courtyard, she drew to a halt. "Do we have to go all the way back to the vige?"


    "No," he said, finally smiling. "But I am going to make sure you eat something before you go to sleep."


    He took her through the Courtyard to the building that watched over the gate, and up the stairs to the highest level, smiling when they stepped into the Alpha bedchamber and her eye went wide.


    "This is ours?"


    "Technically yours," he said, seeing the tall ceiling, massive bed, and thick furniture with new eyes, wondering how it appeared to her.


    Then a massive shadow separated itself from the dim wall and Sasha was startled, until she saw him and her mouth dropped open.


    "Yhet!"


    Zev had to swallow a lump in his throat watching the two of them reunite. Sasha had no fear of the massive male anymore, and even though it burned to see another male stroke his mate''s hair, Zev knew that Yhet had the mourning for his own mate, and after all, in his own words, he had no attraction to Sasha whatsoever.


    Zev snorted at the memory.


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 Chapter 351 Sleep Queen

    <h4>Chapter 351 Sleep Queen</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "Carry You" by Ruelle + Fluerie. It''s what I was listening to while I wrote this!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    "Yhet, she hasn''t eaten. I don''t suppose¡ª"


    "I brought stew," Yhet mumbled and turned to a small stool on the side of the room where a cast iron pot had been ced with a thick fur over it.


    Sasha thanked him as he dished her out a bowl¡ªthis one still warm¡ªand she sat on the edge of the bed peppering Yhet with questions about what had happened since she''d been gone.


    But her eyes were dropping and her chin kept dropping as she chewed. Until even Yhet''s brows went up and Zev turned to see that Sasha sat, her spoon in one hand, the bowl in the other, just beginning to tip because she''d dozed off.


    "I''ll take care of it, Yhet," he said gently, barely able to restrain himself from taking her in his arms. "You go get some rest. And thank you."


    "I''m so d she''s back safely, Zev," the male rumbled. "Take good care of her."


    "I will." He patted Yhet''s back as the male ducked to stoop out of the door, then closed it behind him.


    Hurrying over to the bed, he swept the bowl out of her hands and put them aside as he gathered her up, lifting her to his chest.


    She woke when he did. "Zev, you don''t have to¡ª"


    He shushed her and nuzzled her temple as he walked her around the massive bed andid her down. "Let me take care of you now."


    She sighed and was obviously about to protest. But when heid her down, her head immediately tipped to the side and her body went ck.


    So Zev undressed his mate as gently and quickly as he could, then pulled the furs over her. When she was curled up like a child in the bed, the furs snugged up over her shoulder, he stood there for a moment, just watching her and listening to her slow breaths,bing her hair back from her face.


    "I love you, Sash," he whispered, too quietly for her to hear. "I love you so much it hurts."


    She murmured something, turning her face into his hand and he stopped, swallowing hard, until she stopped moving and her breath was even again.


    He didn''t take his eyes off her as he undressed, letting his clothing drop where he stood. He couldn''t bear to put any more space between them. So he didn''t bother to try and clean anything up, only crawled across the end of the bed where her drawn-up legs left a massive space, then peeled back the furs to crawl in behind her.


    She''d fallen asleep right on the edge, so he snaked a hand around her waist and pulled her back from it, into his chest.


    She came awake again, gasping, eyes wide. "Zev?!"


    "Shhhh, shhh, it''s okay. I''m here," he murmured, nuzzling her neck. "Go back to sleep. I''m sorry I woke you. I just didn''t want you to fall out during the night," he whispered.


    Sasha snorted and turned her head to find his lips, softly, lingering. "I''m so d you''re here," she whispered.


    "Me too," he breathed back, pushing up slightly on his elbow to lean over her, hold her chin, and kiss her. Then, reluctantly, he released her and urged her to stay facing away from him and to sleep.


    She muttered something about controlling males, but was asleep again in the next breath, so Zev was left leaning over her, smiling, his chest aching just because she was so beautiful.


    Once he was certain she wouldn''t wake again, he nestled down under the furs behind her, curling himself around her, his lips on her hair, and tried to sleep himself. He was exhausted too, and quickly sank into sleep¡­ only to gasp awake again before an hour had passed.


    Gulping down air, then snorting it out of his nose, he sat up abruptly, his body trembling with the urge to fight, to defend.


    But there was nothing there.


    Sasha hadn''t woken from his startle, and he was d, staring down at her for another long minute, forcing himself not to stroke her hair.


    Then he took a deep breath through his nose and it hit him all over again.


    Nick.


    Thepound.


    The breeding arena.


    His past.


    Every way he''d failed.


    Every way he''d been deceived.


    Every way he''d been harmed.


    Every way he''d walked into his own destruction.


    His heart raced, his pulse sky-high, and he forced himself toy back down, to breathe through his mouth, to try to slow it.


    But every time he closed his eyes his body was convinced a predator stood over him, and every time he opened his eyes he came more awake.


    After twenty minutes, he gave up.


    He would not leave Sasha, but he would watch over her. If he wasn''t going to sleep, she was going to get the rest they both needed. So, crawling out of the furs, he shifted quickly and turned to face the door.


    Resting his chin on his paws, he sighed heavily, praying that he wouldn''t wake her. That somehow they''d get some time the next day.


    He needed her. But he needed to not need her so much. Their people needed both of them more. Their people needed their attention and their decisions, and their very, very best efforts.


    He couldn''t resent that she had given thest of her energy to the females. He would have done the same.


    He just wished that his heart would slow and he would stop feeling afraid every moment he didn''t have his eyes on her.


    And he wished that the forces in their lives that were so insistent on tearing them apart, destroying them, would just fuck right off.


    And he wished the Creator who cared about people like Sasha would protect her better. Because he was doing everything in his power, and he was afraid it still wasn''t enough.


    He didn''t sleep again that night. But he did rest.


    And he didn''t leave her side.

 Chapter 352 [Bonus chapter] Time for a Bath

    <h4>Chapter 352 [Bonus chapter] Time for a Bath</h4>


    THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE! I tried to have more chapters for you yesterday, but Queen took longer to finish than I anticipated, so here''s a bonus chapter, just to say THANK YOU for being so supportive and so understanding. Thank you for reading! (This message was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    She rolled over and opened her eyes. They felt gritty and ached, but her heart raced. Something had woken her.


    She rolled over and reached for Zev, but the furs were cold and she sat bolt-upright gasping.


    With a low "Woof!" Zev''s wolf leaped to his feet from his position on the floor in front of the door.


    He''d been guarding her.


    "Oh, Zev," she sighed. He looked at her, his eyes piercing, but steady. He was struggling again, she realized.


    This whole situation had been hard on all of them.


    "Let''s go for a walk, huh?" she said quietly, crawling out of the furs. She dressed quickly, Zev''s eyes on her the whole time. But he didn''t shift back. His hair was ttened by the ck suit. If he hadn''t been so huge, she would haveughed. He looked like one of those fluffy toy dogs wearing an over-protective mother''s sweater. Except he was massive.


    And clearly deadly.


    When she started towards him, he turned, nosing a pile of towels and cloths until Sasha took two, then leading her out the door and down the stairs. When they reached the Courtyard and turned for the main gate, Zev shifted back and, reaching for the towels and soap and rolling them to put under his other arm, took her hand without a word.


    "Are you okay?" she asked him quietly as they passed through the big arch out of the city and onto the dark trail.


    Zev nodded but didn''t look at her. "Since neither of us is sleeping, why don''t we go have a bath?" he said.


    "Sure."


    He was already holding her hand, but she wrapped her other hand around his arm. It was steel under her palm. He was incredibly tense.


    The walk was several minutes and his tensionmunicated to her. Sasha bit her lip as they took a turn in the trail. "Zev¡­ the bathing and¡­ stuff¡­ is this tension because I''m bleeding? Like, does it create problems for you?"


    He finally turned to look at her, surprise on his face. "No, not at all. I don''t care about that at all."


    "Then what is it? You feel so tense and¡­"


    Zev sighed. His hand on the towels twitched and she suspected he would have been running it through his hair, but he couldn''t let go of the little burden.


    "You smell like them," he said finally, his jaw tight and eyes dark on the forest in front of them.


    "I¡­ what?"


    "You smell like Nick, and thepound, and those people and¡­ my body just¡­ it makes me sick."


    Sasha sighed. Of course. She should have realized. Zev harbored his own trauma after his time in the human hands. Of course, that ce would have left its mark and of course, that would make things hard for him. Smells were the sense most closely connected to memory. She hadn''t thought about how that would affect a people whose sense of smell was so strong.


    "Always tell me, Zev," she said then. "Tell me when I''ve got something on me that smells bad. I don''t want to cause you pain."


    He frowned at her. "You aren''t causing me pain, Sash. They did."


    They clung to each other, walking in silence until Zev pulled her off the trail and down between trees, to a ce where thend sloped, then got damp.


    Zev kept hold of her hand to make sure she stayed on her feet as they stepped down a natural bank, then the undergrowth opened up and Sasha gave a heavy sigh of relief.


    It was beautiful. A small pool, the size of a cheap swimming pool back home, but guarded on three sides by a rock face with small trees growing out from its cracks.


    On the ground, it waspletely hidden from the forest by trees and undergrowth. If Zev hadn''t known it was there, she never would have guessed.


    "We can smell the water, so anyone could find this if they wanted to," he warned her, obviously reading her mind about the privacy. "But if anyone''s nearby, they''ll smell us too, and hopefully choose to give their Alpha and her mate some space."


    When she was steady on her feet, Zev let go of her hand, shook out the towels andid them over a bush that squatted right alongside the water. Then he started to strip.


    Even in the dim light, Sasha could appreciate the beauty of him when he stretched to pull the tight shirt over his head, and his abs¡ªthose beautifuldders of muscles on his sides revealed, and that line, the V that started over his hips and plunged down¡ª


    Sasha cleared her throat and started to undress herself, reminding herself that they were here for a purpose and the rest of that thought was going to have to wait. She needed to get clean. To get these awful scents off her skin and hair.


    She threw the clothes in a pile, frowning when she realized she''d have to wear them back to the City¡ªand wouldn''t that put the smells back on her?


    She clearly needed to wash everything in the bag that she''d brought back from the human world¡­ or maybe just burn it all.


    She stepped to the edge of the pool, the mud in the shallows squishing between her toes. But the water was surprisingly warm¡ªanother mineral pool. She detected the sulfur smell of it, but apparently that didn''t bother Zev.


    As she walked in, sighing with happiness when the warmth of the water curled around her skin, Zev sshed up behind her carrying the soap.


    Then, when she was in water over her waist, he pulled her to a stop and started to cup his hand in the water and bring it up, over her shoulders, to wet her entire body. Then he set to her skin with the soap.


    His focus was intense, his hands efficient and¡­ delicious. Sasha''s breath got shallow because he was touching her, and he was gorgeous, and his eyes were dark¡­ but Zev''s focus was entirely on getting her clean.


    As he finishedthering her body, he muttered under his breath like he wanted to curse at the suds he began washing away.


    "¡­Stink of that ce." A low growl puttered in his throat. "Shouldn''t ever have to stink of that ce¡­"


    While he was concentrating, she took the opportunity to draw water over his chest and shoulders. The temptation to lick the tiny droplets that stayed on his skin was overwhelming, but she knew he wasn''t there yet.


    "Let''s do your hair. Sink down and get it wet," he said quickly, turning her so her back was to him.


    Sasha did as he asked, dropping into the waterpletely so it passed over her head, running her hands through it underwater to make sure it waspletely saturated, then standing up with her back to him so it streamed down her back.


    The moment she did, Zev set at it with the soap, his fingers pulling through it, wing down her scalp so goosebumps washed down her back and arms.


    He had her rinse, then rethered her hair two more times before he tipped his nose to her temple and inhaled.


    A tiny whine seeped out of his throat. "It''s gone," he whispered his voice heavy with relief. "You''re just you again."


    He wrapped his arms around her and put his cheek against hers from behind, holding her.


    "Are you sure?" she whispered.


    "Yes."


    "Thank God," she groaned, then turned in his arms and grabbed his face, pulling him down in a frantic kiss.

 Chapter 353 Home to Me

    <h4>Chapter 353 Home to Me</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev sucked in a frantic breath and opened his mouth over hers, the soap plunking into the water as he grabbed for her, his heart''s song, his Ardent mate. All scent of that ce, those people were gone, it was just the crisp, sweet beauty of her.


    Zev whined in his throat and pulled her close and they both sank into the water, letting their weight be buoyed by the pool.


    Sasha, already breathing quickly, wrapped her arms and legs around him so she was in hisp as he stepped them deeper into the water until he could stand and still be covered to his shoulders. Her kiss was desperate, her breath thundering in his ears.


    He grabbed her ass and pulled her closer, against him, as his body sought her, and she whimpered in response.


    The water rippled with their breaths and arching bodies, tinkling and sshing when Zev raised an arm out of it to clutch the back of her hair and hold her into his kiss.


    "Zev, please¡­" she sighed into his mouth, her hips rocking against him, seeking, until he was so close to taking her, her breath caught.


    The kiss was fast and heavy, both of them trembling, gasping, but Zev was determined not to rush this again. Not afterst time¡ªthough neither of them hadined. Still¡­ he needed her. He needed to be sure of her, and her of him. They were alone in the dark and the water, his skin pebbling withbined desire and the sensation of her skin against his, and the water flowing between them.


    The day ahead would be fraught with responsibility and drama¡ªnot to mention Nick.


    No, this was not a moment to rush, but to savor.


    With a small groan, Zev pulled his head back to break the kiss and smiled at her when her eyes went wide in rm.


    Using the hand that was on her hair, hebed the wet strands back that had stuck to her temple and cheek, and let her see in his eyes how delighted he was to be there with her.


    "I''m not going to rush it, this time," he said, raising his brows once. "I''ve missed you so much, Sasha. I need to be close to you and just¡­"


    "I know," she sighed, her handsced at the back of his neck. "I know."


    "So I only have one question for you¡ªbecause it changes the decision I''m about to make¡­ does my Alpha want to be covered¡­ or on top?"


    He gave her a wicked grin.


    Sasha''s face broke into a beautiful smile. She bit her lip, pretending to think about her answer, then said breathlessly, "I think this Alpha would like the chance to see you and touch you and¡­ be on top," she giggled.


    "Well, never let it be said I wouldn''t submit to my Alpha''s wish," Zev said darkly, beginning to walk them backward, back towards the shallows. Her weight dragged more the lower the water became until he was holding her tightly to him and when the water wasn''t much higher than his knees, sinking down to sit with her in hisp.


    The silt was soft on his skin, and more importantly, wouldn''t hurt her knees. So he quietly urged her to unlock her ankle from behind his back as he settled down, and kneel over his waist.


    They ended up sitting, her warmth pressed tightly against him as he brought his knees up behind her and leaned forward so she''d lean back and rest against his thighs.


    Sasha gave him a flirtatious smile as she settled her back against his knees. "Like this?"


    He growled with approval, then took her mouth in another kiss, letting her weight rest on his legs so his hands were free to explore.


    And as the kiss became hot, their breaths mingling in shuddering puffs, he found her, all of her, the best valleys and peaks of her, and let himself touch, stroke, and press until she shivered under him, her hips beginning to nudge and roll against him in a tantalizing slide that had him holding his breath for control.


    Taking her hands, he leaned forward, stretching her backward over his knees so her breasts were raised, bared, along with her throat. Nudging, rolling, and rocking together, as she breathed his name, he tasted her at each peak, starting with her throat, then moving down to suck and nibble at her nipples.


    Her nipples hardened under his tongue and Sasha began to gasp, rippling under his chest and pleading.


    Then with a pleasured shudder, she broke his grip on her hands and buried her fingers in his hair while he sucked at her nipple, pulling him in.


    "Zev¡­ Zev¡­ oh god¡ª"


    "Well, now, that''s overstating things," he murmured against her skin.


    She snorted, but it turned into a sigh when hetched back on and her hips bucked. He groaned and grabbed her hips, pulling her down against him and grinding until she was ck in his arms, just soaking up the pleasure.


    "Zev, please!"


    The desperation in her voice broke thest shred of his restraint, and with a whine in his throat, Zev lifted her hips to position her, then pulled her down onto him.


    They both cried out.


    Zev sat up and she came with him, her hands still in his hair, and her kiss hot and seeking. She tilted her head to deepen it as both of them rocked together. Zev wrapped his arms around her back and held her to him as their bodies began to undte together, the sensations so overwhelming that soon they couldn''t even kiss, their mouths just hovering, breath hot, lips brushing as they moved¡ªand the bond¡­ the bond sang.


    As Sasha began to hold her breath, her small cries between rising higher and higher, as her body began to tighten, Zev wed hands into her back and held her there, so tight, so perfect, their chests pressed together.


    And the pieces within them began to spin and dance, twirling together until their heartbeats synced.


    Zev could feel his control fraying and his thrusts became faster, the water around them rippling and sshing as they met and rose together, again and again.


    Then Sasha dropped her head back, not breathing at all, fingers fisted in his hair, and bared her throat as her entire body arched. Watching here apart, feeling her around him and within him, Zev, whispered her name, calling for her as her mouth fell open and she cried out, shaking.


    She clenched around him just as he thrust again, and the incredible sensation tipped the precarious bnce he''d been clinging to. His release mmed into him, tossing him off the cliff he''d been trying to toe, so he tumbled after her into that sweaty bliss.


    They ended with her slumped back over his knees, her arms wrapped around his neck, arched back to make room for him to cover her with his body, his arms around her, his hands cupping her head and his lips resting on hers.


    They were both panting, breaths short and rapid, but slowing. Sasha didn''t want to move. The way he''d curled around her, held her, the gentleness and protection in him¡­ it made her want to weep.


    And so, she didn''t move her body, didn''t ask for more space as his back heaved up and down, only let her hands trace slowly up and down his spine. And he rested his cheek against hers and whispered his love until a tear really did fall, to trail down her temple and he caught it with his lips.

 Chapter 354 I Got You

    <h4>Chapter 354 I Got You</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    They sat together for a long time, but eventually the dark began to lift. It would be dawn in an hour and neither of them had slept much. Zev was so relieved that she was clean of all hints of thepound¡ªand instead painted in his scent.


    He left her soaking in the pool while he got the towels, then met her in the shallows to wrap it around her.


    She had her arms up and was twisting her hair into a bun on her head, so he took the opportunity to dry her, focusing especially on her breasts and shoulders.


    "It''s really important not to leave your skin damp," he exined when she gave him a look.


    Sasha snorted. "Okay, Tittie McTitterson, I need to get dressed."


    She moved as if to step past him, but Zev caught her elbow and she drew up short, her face shifting from amused to worried in a blink.


    "What is it?" she asked him quickly.


    "Can you¡­ can we please burn those things," he said tightly, the towel in his fist. "Those clothes¡ª"


    "I''m sorry. Yes, of course." Her eyes were pinched with concern, but her voice was gentle. She put a hand on his chest. "I mean¡­ I''m guessing there are some spare furs in the City, right? I''ll need something to wear."


    He raised an eyebrow and she snorted again.


    "Well, I mean, that would be one way to keep the male''s attention on their Alpha," he quipped.


    "Zev!"


    "I''m joking!"


    "I know, I know," sheughed, then leaned into his chest, up on her tiptoes, and kissed him. Zev hummed into the kiss and put an arm around her lower back, pulling her close again.


    A momentter she pulled away with a shaky breath. "We need to get moving. If I''m going back with no clothes, you''re going to have to sneak me in when no one''s looking."


    A growl wanted to rise in his throat at the image in his mind of her walking naked through the City, all those male eyes on her.


    "Just a minute," he said.


    He threw the towel he''d used to dry her over his shoulder, then went back and grabbed the other that was supposed to be his. Trotting back to her, he wrapped it around her body and tucked the end in at the side of her breast, nice and tight.


    Sasha grinned at him again, but he ignored it, then leaned down to swing her up into his chest again.


    "Whoa¡ªyou''re not carrying me the whole way, Zev¡ª"


    "I''m not even putting those shoes back on you, Sash. Trust me, this is way more fun."


    Sasha''s face pinched like she was going to say something sweet, but sad, but he just nuzzled her neck and whispered, "Hold on," then started running.


    She shrieked and threw her arms around his neck, but she rxed quickly and Zev felt his heart finally beginning to open and expand the further they got from the stench on those clothes.


    He''d purposefully told the males who carried the bags to leave hers in the outer buildings. If she needed something from it, they''d try to wash it clean before they brought it inside.


    When they reached the City, he carried her quickly through the Courtyard, then up the stairs of the main building and into their bed-chamber. There was still a slight whiff of the scent that hade off of her onto the furs and he growled, setting her on her feet while he opened the window and threw the furs outside, pulling a new set from the pile Yhet had left before he''d known his friend was helping. Then he stopped, inhaling deeply. There was a slight whiff of the human world, still, but it would fade quickly. Zev prayed he could sleep.


    Now if he could just keep Sasha away from Nick¡­


    Nick. Shit. He was going to have to talk to Nick.


    He sighed as he ushered Sasha to the bed. She sat down on the furs but grabbed his arm before he could walk to the other side of the bed. "What''s going on?"


    "Nick," he growled immediately, knowing there was no other exnation needed.


    Sasha sighed andid back in the furs, pulling the damp towel off to twist it around her hair instead. "Nick," she said in a tired voice. "I''ve got to talk to him tomorrow, figure out what he''s here to do. You know, he''s¡­ possibly the most confusing human being I''ve ever met. Do you think he tells the truth?" she asked carefully.


    Zev sighed again. "Nick tells the truth most of the time. But it''s rarely the whole truth. And the way he says it is always designed to give you a specific impression. With Nick, the truth you hear is the truth he wants you to hear."


    Sasha nodded. "It was weird being around him, you know? I don''t trust him, and sometimes he gives me the heebies¡­ but I have to tell you, Zev, I believe him when he says he cares about you. He ims he''s the only one in that ce that cares about you beyond the asset that you are. And I kinda¡­ I kinda think he''s being honest. He seemed genuinely scared about what they might do to you if he didn''t show up here."


    "Sure," Zev said with a jaded snort. "But that statement is the prime example. Because you''re a good person and you care about people a lot, if someone tells you that they care about you more than everyone else, you think they must love a lot right? To love more than the others? So it makes you soften toward him. To feel like he''s a good guy. But here''s the actual truth: If everyone else on the team cares zero for me, he only has to care a little bit for that statement to be true. Do you see what I mean? He makes what he''s saying sound better than it is."


    Sash''s brows were high. "How does he do that?"


    "Because he''s a fucking genius when ites to reading people. I''m not joking, Sash, I''ve seen him when he''s caught on the fly out in public¡ªthe things that man can tell about you when he''s never met you before¡­ it''s like he has a radar for what will hook you in. And I''m guessing with you he knew it was me. He definitely knows that with me the leverage is you." Zev shrugged. "I''m not saying he''s lying outright, I''m just saying, don''t trust what he makes you think. Everything is open to interpretation, whether you see it that way or not."


    Sasha frowned andid back on the bed as Zev stripped and walked around the bed to get in with her. He wished they weren''t talking about Nick, but it was a legitimate problem, and one she would have to solve. Zev slid between the furs and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest and burying his nose in her wet hair that she''d loosed from the towel.


    He meant to tell her more, to warn her, but his eyes dragged closed and he wanted to just rest for a moment before they had to delve any deeper into the darkness that was Nick and the Team. He just wanted to be there with her and soak up her light, and remind himself what was good and right about this world.

 Chapter 355 I Got You

    <h4>Chapter 355 I Got You</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha woke a couple of hourster, just as dawn was lighting the sky outside the windows. She didn''t move, waiting to see if Zev was awake. But he was slumped into his pillow, his breathing low and slow, even. He didn''t even move when she turned her head to look at him, his handsome face puffy.


    He had one hand on her stomach and for a moment she justy there, enjoying that he reached for her, even in his sleep. Her heart swelled with the thought.


    While shey there, she turned the events of the night over in her mind¡ªthe way he''d been so tense by the smell of thepound, and Nick. The way he''d stayed in his wolf until he''d rid the ce of the "stink."


    She examined his sleeping face. He was so rxed it made him look younger, despite the thick stubble darkening his cheeks. He''d lost weight since the infection, though he was still massive and strong and¡­


    She sighed. She was going to have to be careful or she''d wake him and forget about everything she needed to do that day.


    But he needed the rest. He looked like he''d barely slept the entire time she''d been gone. So, slowly, slowly, she peeled back the furs, then slid out from under his hand.


    The fact that that didn''t wake him was the only evidence to her that his body was in desperate need of sleep. She wouldn''t wake him. She''d tell everyone else not to wake him. She''d get some stuff done while he was sleeping so that when he was awake they could be together again.


    Her first concern, though, was clothing. She wasn''t going to be able to walk through the morning in a towel.


    Creeping around the room all she could find was a couple more sets of Zev''s ck suits. They were so stretchy, she decided it would have to do. The neck was a little wide for her and she had to roll the cuffs and ankles, but the stretchy fabric, designed to suck to the skin underneath it meant at least there wasn''t a lot of sagging, except in the crotch.


    She rolled her eyes, but at least the Chimera wouldn''t care. If they could all run around naked and dangling, she could have a bby crotch without causing a ruckus she was sure.


    She tip-toed out of the bedchamber and down the stairs to find Yhet squatting at the bottom. His face lit up when she appeared and he stood, wrapping her in a big hug when she reached the bottom.


    "Good morning, Sasha-don!"


    "Yhet, you don''t have to call me that!"


    "It''s only a sign of respect, Sasha. Don''t be upset."


    As they pulled apart she smiled and reached up to rub his thick arm. "Thank you for watching out for him while I was gone, Yhet."


    Yhet nodded seriously. "I wanted to go with him when he came to see you, Sasha, but he wouldn''t let me."


    "That''s good. I''m d," she said. "I don''t want to lose you too, Yhet."


    His forehead wrinkled and for a moment he looked away from her, but then he cleared his throat and smiled at the arch out into the courtyard where the sun made the light yellow and cast dim shadows between the trees. "I can''t believe you got the females back."


    "Some of them," she corrected him. "But I''m working on the rest. Look, Yhet, Zev is exhausted. We went to bedte and were up during the night. Can you stay here and stop anyone going up there to disturb him unless it''s an absolute emergency? Let him rest as long as he will on his own¡ªand if heins about it, tell him I made it an order," she said, one eyebrow up.


    "Yes, of course, Sasha-don," Yhet said with a mocking submission. "I am terrified. I will make sure he understands."


    Sasha snorted and leaned in to hug him again. "You''re the best kind of friend, Yhet," she said. "I''m so grateful that you''re here."


    His breath caught and he squeezed her, patting her hair so hard her face was mushed into his chest, but Sasha smiled. She really loved Yhet.


    "I''m grateful for you too, Sasha," he rumbled quietly. "And I''m so d for Zev''s sake that you made it back."


    "Me too," she said. Then farewelled him with a promise to sit together at dinner, reminding him again to stop anyone from waking Zev unless it was an emergency. Yhet nodded, then nted his ass in the middle of the stairs and leaned his elbows on his knees. He was so huge that he almost filled the stairway.


    "That''ll do it," Sasha grinned. "Thank you, Yhet."


    *****


    She grabbed an oatcake from the cooks who were still preparing breakfast, checked on the females who were all still sleeping, grabbed a pair of fur boots and a jacket that actually fit from the piles of clothing that had been collected to offer to the females who''d arrived in human clothing. Then she started out of the City.


    She wasn''t looking forward to the trek to the Vige, but she knew the way now, and she knew she was safe. And she had some stuff to say to Nick that she didn''t want Zev to witness, knowing he''d get protective and probably interfere.


    She walked as quickly as she was able, jogging at times, but her mind tripped back over the things Zev had said about Nick the night before. It made sense why her intuition kept warning her about Nick, but still felt he was telling the truth.


    She would remember how easily he could twist words. He might be smart, but people with hidden motives always revealed themselves eventually.


    That was the question, right? Was Nick here because he really did want to help Zev? Or was he here to keep power and just make it look like he was helping?


    It was going to take time to uncover his true motives, but she was determined to do it.

 Chapter 356 Quid Pro Quo

    <h4>Chapter 356 Quid Pro Quo</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "Right Where It Belongs" by Nine Inch Nails (it''s not what you think.) It''s what I was listening to while writing this chapter and the following three!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    When she finally made it to the Vige the males that were around all submitted when they saw her. She tried to ept the salutes as if she was due them, but they made her ufortable.


    She stopped by the medical building first, peering around the door to find Kyelle, puffy-eyed but awake. She gestured for Sasha to stay outside, then slipped out to join her a momentter.


    "How are they doing?" she asked the woman.


    "They''re sleeping," Kyelle whispered. "It was a difficult evening. They feel afraid but can''t exin why, so everything is frightening because they do not know the source of their fear. One will be better today, I think. She was calming as the night went on. But the others¡­"


    "Thank you for doing this, Kyelle. Today we''ll ask the others to start taking turns to be with them and help. The little Alphas should be up to it. Some of them, anyway," she said with a frown, thinking of Mae.


    "How did it go, taking them back?" Kyelle asked hesitantly.


    "It was¡­ up and down. Pysa has a mate and he was overjoyed to see her¡ªand she him. She was the only female who didn''t sleep in the hall they''d prepared. That gives me hope that the others, even if they don''t have mates, can eventually find their way."


    "They will," Kyelle said with conviction. "Don''t doubt it. This is a time of transition, but it''s in their nature to do more than survive. They want to thrive. They just need to get past the initial shock and truly believe that they''re here," she said.


    "I hope you''re right," Sasha responded with a sigh. "I really do."


    Kyelle rubbed her arm and promised to stay with the females until others could be found to bepanions, then Sasha bid her farewell and started back into the Vige proper.


    The guards had been ordered to take Nick to one of the shacks at the center. It had been used mainly for equipment, but guards bedded down there when they were on breaks, so it was set up for habitation, without beingfortable.


    There were two guards outside that Sasha acknowledged but didn''t stop to speak to, and another in the hut with him when Sasha stalked in.


    Nick sat on a bench with a device in his hand. The benchy along the wall next to the cot he''d been given for sleeping, the furs still tangled and unmade. When Sasha entered he was eyeing the guard warily, but his face brightened when he saw Sasha.


    Hers didn''t.


    "Good morning!" he said quickly and got to his feet.


    The guard stepped closer but Sasha cut him a look to keep him from interfering. She folded her arms and red at Nick.


    "Does that work here?" she asked, nodding towards the device without greeting him.


    Nick frowned. "It can''t connect with the human world, but it works on a sr battery. I can lodge information and stuff that will be downloadable when it goes back to them."


    "And how will it go back to them? How do you allmunicate across the gateway?"


    "We can''t," Nick said like that should be obvious. "Normally the teams log everything here in real time, then when we go back it gets uploaded to thework."


    "What are they doing when you''re staying here, then?"


    Nick hesitated, ncing at the guards.


    Sasha snorted. "I''m not letting them get far enough away from you that they wouldn''t be able to hear anyway, Nick. So just get that out of your head. You haven''t earned respect or privacy, and you won''t get it unless I need it. And I don''t need it for this. So answer the question. How are youmunicating with them while you''re here?"


    Nick''s lips twisted. "I have to go to the gateway a minimum of once a week. There will be two opportunities to meet someone, but they''ll ept if we skip one. They do know that life here isn''t quite as¡­ convenient."


    "What happens when you meet them?"


    "They replicate everything on the device to one of theirs, then give me the new device with the new battery while they take this one home."


    Sasha filed that away for future thought. "What information are you gathering while you''re here? What are they looking for?"


    Nick shrugged. "Everything. Information about the females and their connections here, how the society is working, political positions¡­ anything that I think is important or useful, I''ll log it all. You''ve got to let me get out of here and walk around, Sasha. With Patty gone, if they don''t see a butt-ton of information for me, they''re going to get suspicious real fast."


    "Do you have information on individual females in there?" she asked, indicating the device in his hands.


    "Yes."


    "Including me?"


    "Yes."


    "I want to see it. All of it."


    "No."


    Sasha snorted. "You think you''re in a position to say no to me?"


    "No, I think you won''t find what you''re looking for, and what you will find is all the leverage I have¡­ so, withholding this is what it takes for you to give me what I want, then I''ll give you what you want."


    "You know I could just have it taken from you?"


    "It''s programmed to my retina and fingerprints. It literally won''t even turn on for anyone else. If I put it in front of you without entering the passcode first, it will just turn itself off."


    "Oh, really? You want me to believe¡ª"


    Nick lifted the device and turned the screen to face her. She caught a sh of a screen with dozens of fields in bold headings, and the normal type entered underneath. But before she could read anything, the screen went ck.


    Nick turned the device back to himself and tapped the screen, entering a password. "Even if you gouge out my eye and cut off my finger, you still won''t have the codes, you still won''t be able to get into it."


    "And that means you think you get to negotiate?" she asked, frustrated.


    Nick looked up at her. "I know that means I get to negotiate. I''m not trying to be an asshole, Sasha. I''m getting us both what we want."


    They stared at each other and Sasha wanted to bare her teeth, because she was in control, but he looked at her like he had no concern she''d prove him wrong.


    Did that mean he was telling the truth? Or just that he really believed he could win?


    Bastard.

 Chapter 357 Dark Eyes

    <h4>Chapter 357 Dark Eyes</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    "You''re fighting me," Sasha said, a warning in her voice.


    "No, I''m protecting myself. Why do think I never came to Thana before? I know I''m dead the minute protection is lifted. I know that. So I''ll do whatever I have to, to keep myself alive. And apparently what I have to do is quid-pro-quo. You give me what I want, I give you what you want. We''re both happy."


    "I am not happy, Nick."


    He shrugged. "Poor choice of word, maybe, but you get my point."


    Sasha sighed. But she needed what was in his head, so for now she would y by his rules. At least, as far as he knew.


    "Fine," she snapped. "An eye for an eye. You answer my question, I''ll answer yours."


    "Perfect. I''ll even let you go first," he said with a wide grin.


    Sasha rolled her eyes, then asked the first question even though it was selfish. "I want to know what medical procedures were done on me when I was asleep."


    Nick winced. "That''s one of the things I don''t know. And they''d be too concerned about you misusing that information, so it won''t be on this device."


    "How could I possibly misuse information about myself?"


    "Wait, it''s my turn for a question. How do you contact the creatures, like Ernie?"


    Sasha spluttered augh at the tension in him. Dear Lord, they were both just trying to get their fears soothed, weren''t they? Sasha shook her head at herself for the ridiculous situation where she felt like she understood Nick''s heart.


    "It''s no big secret, Nick. That''s just good, old-fashioned gossip. I tell some of the males and they get out into the forest and get the word out. There''s nothing mysterious about it. Now, my turn: How would I misuse information about myself?"


    "I used the wrong word. I just meant they know you''d be curious about that, so they''ll keep the information away from you until it suits them."


    "When would it ever suit them to tell me if they don''t want to?"


    "When there''s something they want more than they want to keep that information from you. They''ll use it as a bargaining chip."


    "You want me to believe they didn''t just tell you what they did?"


    "You might remember there was a lot going on, Sasha. I was busy trying to keep you alive, sorry that I didn''t spend every moment studying their fucking hieroglyphics of medical notes. I know some of it, but not everything. But the list of tests I saw weren''t dramatic¡ªwhich is why I was confused about the whole thing. I mean, you knew they were looking for pregnancy and immunity and hormone levels, all that stuff. So why hide it from you?" He shrugged. "Either there''s stuff they held back, or maybe¡­ I don''t know. Maybe they just knew you''d ask me and they didn''t want me to have aplete answer. All I can tell you is that the list of tests I saw were basically to make sure you were healthy, not pregnant, and not hiding some inherent health issue that we didn''t know about or no doctor had diagnosed. Remember, it doesn''t work in their favor to have youe over here and get sick. They want you healthy and capable. They want to make sure nothing stands in the way of your fertility."


    "You people are disgusting," she snarled. Nick shrugged again, seeming unperturbed.


    "My turn," he said with a grin. "Tell me how you got all the ns to submit to you. I mean, as Zev''s mate, I understand the wolves. But all of them? Especially the Tigers¡ªwhy would they do that when you were so new and physically weak?"


    Sasha shook her head. "I wish I knew. I mean, it happened when I killed Xar¡ªwhich I understand is like, a thing, in terms of dominance. But the only thing I cane up with is that they truly saw Zev as dominant, and when he submitted to me, the rest just followed."


    Nick gave her a skeptical look. "I haven''t observed that the chimera are inclined to ''just follow'' anybody¡ªespecially a human."


    "Is that a question, Nick? Me first: Tell me about Mae. Why does she have pain in her abdomen?"


    Nick stared at her for a second, measuring her with his eyes, then he picked the device up from the bench next to him and started tapping through things on the screen. When he looked up, his eyes were dark.


    "This is¡­ important information for Mae, and possible for her mate. But I don''t believe it will affect anyone else. Why would you bring up this question so quickly? It seems an odd choice when there''s so much bigger dynamics at y."


    "Call me a softie, Nick," Sasha said through her teeth. "Mae was a great help to me getting the females here safely, and I''d like to have some idea of what''s making her so¡­ isted."


    "If she''s isted, she''s doing it to herself. Her health condition isn''t contagious."


    Sasha waited, but he didn''t continue. She folded her arms again. "So, are you going to tell me?"


    "Would Mae want me to?"


    "I''m not sure Mae would want me to."


    Sasha was stunned for a moment at the audacity of him, then she scoffed. "You seriously want me to believe you''re protecting a Chimeran''s privacy?!"


    Nick''s eyes narrowed. "You really think I''m an asshole, don''t you?"


    "Yes!"


    He shook his head. "You know, I thought if you were Zev''s mate you''d have better instincts or something. I don''t know. Don''t you realize how I worked my ass off to get you out of thepound and back here¡ªwith other females, might I add. Can''t you see they never would have gone for that based on your little speeches alone? You really think I was just fucking around with you?"


    "No, Nick, I think that you have your own motives and your own goals, and you don''t tell me what those are. So maybe we''re working together sometimes, and maybe we aren''t. It''s impossible to know."


    "So me getting you back here¡ªas I said I would¡ªis worth nothing because I don''t tell you everything?"


    "No. Doing one thing right doesn''t mean I believe your whole game is right. And before you try to put the guilt trip on me, save your breath. I know what you did to Zev, Nick, and I''m not going to fall for that. I''m honest with you: No matter what good you might have done, it will never bnce out the bullshit and sheer evil of what you''ve put all these people through¡ª"


    "Me?! You think I''m the one who put him through it? I''m the one who saved his fucking life!"


    "You''re the one who was in a position to protect him, and you didn''t. You aren''t a hero in this story, Nick, no matter what you want Zev¡ªor me¡ªto believe. Bad people do good things. That doesn''t make them good people."


    Nick''s lips twisted like he was pissed off, but he just stared at her.


    When he didn''t speak, Sasha opened a hand toward him. "So?"


    "So, what?"


    "So, are you going to tell me why Mae is in pain all the time?"


    Nick''s jaw twitched.

 Chapter 358 All F**ked Up

    <h4>Chapter 358 All F**ked Up</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha decided to wait him out this time, and Nick didn''t disappoint. He went back to the device, tap-tap-tapping, then put it down on the bench and stared up at her like she''d tricked him.


    "Mae has pain because all the internal organs in her lower abdomen fused together with scar tissue after a surgery. It was a mistake, but one that they can''t rectify without doing more damage. If they did the procedure to separate all the tissues, it would only increase the scar tissue in the long run."


    Poor Mae. Sasha''s heart broke. "What surgery?"


    "I don''t know. She has several listed that might have been the culprit. But honestly, it''s probably the cumtive effect of all of them."


    "I thought Chimeran blood was this fantastic healer? Why is she healing so poorly?"


    "It isn''t a mark of her healing poorly¡ªit''s part of the process of learning how the Chimeran system works. She was on the table early in the process, before we understood how the Chimeran body would respond to trauma like a surgery. It turns out they begin to heal while we''re still in the process¡ªand often have to be re-cut, or re-damaged in some way to keep the wounds open. We no longer do open surgery on Chimera where it can be avoided for this reason. But we hadn''t yet learned that lesson when Mae was operated on."


    Sasha shook her head. "Why were they doing surgery on the females anyway? What need was there?"


    "Nope, it''s my turn for a question: How did you get the females who''d never met you before to see you as Alpha."


    "I can''t even answer that. Zev gave me some advice about owning my decisions and expecting submission. I followed that advice, but why they epted it¡­ I really have no clue. They heard that I''m Alpha here and they believed me. I think that''s the biggest factor. But from what I''ve seen, you assholes have broken their hearts and minds so much¡­ maybe just the fact that I was standing there without my mind broken was enough."


    "But¡ª"


    "Nope, my turn: How were the females selected who were sent here? Why these females? Why did they send some that were made and hadn''t been to Thana before?"


    Nick huffed a humorlessugh. "More than half the current Chimeran poption is made in ourbs¡ªhaven''t you realized that yet?"


    "That''s not the point, Nick. Answer the questions. Why were these particr females selected and not others? What were the criteria?"


    Nick watched her for a moment. She was beginning to understand that this was how he bought himself time¡ªhe paused to make the other person think they were under scrutiny, when in fact he was giving himself time to settle and think.


    "They chose the ones they believed would present the least risk for the highest reward."


    "Risk of what? Reward for what?"


    Nick shook his head. "An eye for an eye, remember?"


    Sasha rolled her eyes but gestured for him to go ahead. But as Nick opened his mouth, suddenly Zev started screaming in her head.


    *****


    Zev woke slowly, and with a warm heart. Before he''d even moved, he inhaled and smiled. The scent of Sasha was heavy in the room¡ªand there were only bare traces of thepound. He had to search for it. It would be gone by lunch. They''d done it. They''d kept her clean and gotten rid of the clothes that stank of that fucking ce.


    With a happy sigh, he rolled over, reaching for Sasha¡ªbut when he moved, fluffing the furs, the air around the bed wafted and washed over him. Zev caught a faint whiff of Nick at the same moment that his handnded on the spot where Sasha had beenying.


    The furs were cold.


    His heart threatened to beat through his chest as he shoved out of the furs, searching wildly for her¡ªbut she was nowhere in the room.


    SASHA! He screamed through the mind link. WHERE ARE YOU?! HAS HE GOT YOU? WHERE ARE YOU?


    Howls rose across the City as his desperation mmed through the mind of every wolf within miles.


    "SASHA!" he screamed and leaped out of the bed.


    He was justunching for the door, about to shift, when the most wonderful, perfect voice bloomed in his head.


    Zev! Zev! I''m fine. I''m in the vige. I''m sorry if I scared you, I wanted to let you sleep.


    Zev staggered to a halt, his pulse thundering in his ears. Panic was still rising in his chest¡ªwas she being held? Was this a trick? But he did his best to sound calm when he sent back.


    Where are you? I''ming!


    I''m fine, Zev. I''m interrogating Nick back at the Vige. There are guards here, and¡ª


    Zev cursed and sprinted down the stairs.


    ******


    Sasha gasped and grabbed at her head. Zev''s voice was so loud it seemed to echo inside her skull.


    Frantic, she sent back¡ªapologies, exnation. She didn''t want him afraid! She''d just been trying to get this out of the way before he woke. He needed his rest!


    But Zev was having a full-blown anxiety attack, and already running toward her.


    "Are you okay?" Nick''s voice was calm but curious.


    Sasha blinked. That''s right. Nick didn''t know¡­ "I''m fine," she said distractedly, still trying to calm Zev down in her mind. "Just a headache. Probably from hormones since your people seem to have a lot of focus on messing with mine."


    Nick didn''t respond, just watched her, something in his eyes a little too pointed for her liking. Like he was suspicious of something specific.


    "Where were we?" she said suddenly.


    "We were exchanging intelligence," Nick said softly, his eyes locked on hers. "But it seems like you''re not telling me everything."


    Sasha forced herself tough like he was being funny. "Well, of course not, Nick. Were you really na?ve enough to think that I was?"


    She kept chuckling to herself, shaking her head. Ignoring the dark intensity in Nick''s gaze.

 Chapter 359 Right Where You Belong

    <h4>Chapter 359 Right Where You Belong</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Nick stared at her, his face nk, but his eyes were dark with suspicion.


    "Well, anyway," he said finally when she didn''t add anything, "maybe we can do more questionster, huh? I need to understand what I can do and when, and how. And I want you to guarantee me that I''m not going to keep running into your eight-legged friend every time I turn around."


    "Ernie doesn''t live in the settlement," Sasha said, stifling a mischievous smile. "As long as you stay within the confines of the Vige, you have nothing to worry about. You start wandering, though¡­"


    Nick wasn''t amused. "So tell me where you consider the boundaries to be. This whole ce is in a forest. What''s the vige and what''s¡­ not?"


    "I''m sure you''ll figure it out," she said grinning.


    That led to a frustrated Nick, needling her to give specifics and details, instructions on how and when he''d be allowed to walk freely, and whether he could approach Chimera.


    Sasha spent a good half hour setting boundaries for him¡ªboth physical, and metaphorical. He could stay in the Vige. He could speak to any Chimera that agreed to speak with him¡ªbut he wasn''t to push, and he wouldn''t ever use her name or Zev''s to gain authority over someone.


    "You''re here to observe, you observe. We have nothing to hide," she lied. "But the minute I find out you''re messing with people''s heads you''re done."


    She made it clear to him with a list of restrictions. If Nick would listen and stay within them, he''d be allowed to make his own choices¡ªafter all, that was the best way to get the best kind of information to their friends in the human world, right? But if he continued to try to manipte people, or deceive them, he''d be locked up. And if he didn''t believe her, he could try her.


    Nick put his hands up and nodded. "Fine, fine. I hear you."


    "You don''t antagonize me or Zev, Nick." She bit the words off, holding his gaze. Nick''s face went nk. "You say you''re here to help, then you help. Helping is not poking at him, or manipting his emotions. It''s not telling him things to motivate him in the direction that suits you. It''s apologizing for being an asshole and a liar and offering to let him talk to you about the havoc you''ve wreaked in his mind¡ªif he wants to. You don''t push him. You don''t poke him. And you don''t use him."


    "I don''t want to use him. I want to make him stronger."


    "Stronger for what, though," she said. "What''s the endgame, Nick?"


    Nick gave her a t look. "Sash, you can''t expect me to¡ª"


    Sasha vaguely registered a noise outside the shack as she stepped up to Nick, letting her arms fall to her sides and balling her fists as she pressed towards him. "You do not call me that. Ever."


    Nick shook his head. "Sorry, sorry. It wasn''t intentional. I shorten everyone''s names¡ª"


    "Bullshit. And even if it''s not bullshit, I don''t care. You call me Sasha, or Sasha-don when the Chimera are around. Period."


    Nick shook his head again. "This is all well and good, you being Alpha and all, Sasha," he said, emphasizing thest A. "But don''t think the powery will work on me. You''re ying on my field¡ªyou get that right? Even if you go ahead and let Ernie kill me, you think you''ve got real control here? You might hold their hearts, but my people own them¡ªtheir minds and their bones. If you think I''m dancing to this Sasha-don tune, I''m going tough. Your people who follow you so willingly wouldn''t even be here if it weren''t for me. And you''d do well to remember that."


    Sasha''s anger red hot, but before she could even open her mouth, the door flew open and Zev was there.


    "I fucking heard that you asshole!"


    "Zev," Sasha sighed. "It''s okay, he''s just¡ª"


    But Zev had Nick mmed up against the wall again. "I told you! I fucking told you. You hurt one hair on her head, I don''t care if she begs me to protect you, I will eat you alive¡ªyou know I fucking will, Nick! You know I fucking will!"


    For the first time that Sasha had ever seen, Nick''s gaze red with real fear of Zev. Maybe not Ernie levels of fear, but his eyes went wide and he lifted his hands.


    Something Zev said had really touched a nerve between them.


    "What are you¡ª"


    "Don''t even look at him, Sasha. This fucker will lie as good as breathing. It''s what he does. I will not let him hurt you."


    "He didn''t touch me, Zev. We were talking and I was setting boundaries¡ª"


    "It''s not about touching you," Zev said through his teeth, mming Nick against the wall again. The rickety shack shuddered with every blow, and Nick''s hand gestures and attempts to soothe him got more frantic.


    "I wasn''t threatening her¡ªI''m trying to exin the reality of the situation you all are in!"


    "Shut up, Nick!" Zev snarled, and the sound was guttural, cutting through the air as if he''d already shifted. "I could smell him, Sasha. You don''t let him near you¡ªwhatever you were saying before I arrived, he was pissed."


    Sasha put a hand to Zev''s shoulder, trying to calm her own heart, knowing these two would wind each other up so fast Zev would end up killing him. "He''s not worth it," she said softly. "His wings have been clipped. Don''t let him ruin anything else. He''s not worth it. We''ll just keep him cooped up here and¡ª"


    "I have to send reports back. If I don''t, they''ll send a team through and they won''te to throw you guys a party, you know that right? They''re already going to be missing Patty''s work which will be suspicious. We can''t give them another reason!"


    Sasha stared tly at Nick. "Tell me what reporting you''re supposed to do. I''m sure we can give you things to fill them. Same with Patty¡ªwhat was she supposed to be sending?"


    Nick looked at them both warily.


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 Chapter 360 No More Nick

    <h4>Chapter 360 No More Nick</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Heart pounding mercilessly, Zev leaned into Nick, tightening his grip on his shirt and ring, a warning re in his gaze. But Nick just waited.


    Fuck. Zev realized he wanted to kill him. He actually wanted to kill Nick. And he couldn''t because he''d promised Sasha he wouldn''t touch the fucker unless he was hurting someone.


    The problem with Nick was, you usually didn''t know he was hurting someone until the bastard was already done.


    But when Sasha whispered his name, he let the male go and stepped back, standing in front of him so Nick couldn''t approach Sasha.


    Nick rolled his eyes but looked at Sasha to answer. "Patty was mainly medical. We can give them a few little things and they probably won''t notice, at least for a few weeks. But next month when your cycle ends¡ªor you''re tested for pregnancy¡ªthey''ll be expecting a battery of tests and I don''t know how to do them all."


    "Then I guess we better hope Patty shows up before then, huh?" Sasha said.


    "They aren''t testing you, Sash," Zev growled, arms folded across his chest.


    "I don''t care if they test me, Zev," she said wearily. "Especially if it keeps them out of Thana. But I do care if they think they''reing here for any kind of medical intervention. We need to pray no one gets seriously hurt."


    "You better pray," Nick added darkly. "If anyone dies while we''re here and they find out Patty''s gone¡­ let''s just say they won''t be showing up to help."


    "They won''t be showing up, period," Zev snapped. "No more help from the likes of you, Nick. None."


    Nick opened his mouth but Sasha jumped in. "Both of you stop, please. There''s too much for us to figure it all out this morning. But for now, Nick needs to tell me how we make sure the team believes everything is fine."


    "As long as I get to the check-ins at least once a week and they get the device, we''ll be fine. At least for two or three weeks," he said reluctantly.


    "Who goes through? Do you cross to meet them, or do theye here?"


    "You said no more humans in Thana, so as long as I''m on the other side waiting for them when they arrive, it''ll be fine. But if I''m not there waiting for them, they''lle through. And they''lle armed."


    "We''ll make sure you get through. Won''t we, Zev? For everyone''s sakes."


    Zev growled. "I don''t know. He doesn''t feel nervous enough about Patty."


    "Because she was making up numbers and giving us a reason to have another person here¡ªto help, so you all will trust us. I''m the real one they''re concerned about."


    "Convenient," Zev spat, then turned to Sasha. "We should just kill him."


    Nick''s face shed grief that only Sasha caught because Zev had turned from Nick to face her. But it was gone as quickly as it showed up. Sasha pretended she hadn''t seen it and put a hand on Zev''s arm to soothe him.


    "I''ve got this under control, I think," she said. And then in his mind, she let him feel her smile.


    I have a n, Zev. He knows nothing about it.


    Zev looked at her strangely. Tell me.


    When we''re away from anywhere near Nick, she replied.


    "Time to go!" Zev said quickly, then turned to look at Nick. "You stay here until they tell you it''s a meal time. Then you go with your guards, then youe back here."


    Nick sighed but nodded. Zev took Sasha''s hand and led her out of the shack, but he was trembling. Sasha rubbed his arm as they walked away.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    His entire skin itched with irritation about Nick. He could still smell the stink of that man in his nostrils and he snorted the air from his nose.


    He''d gone from shaking, thinking Sasha was gone, to shaking with rage and wanting to straight-up kill Nick.


    Sasha kept looking at him, but he couldn''t meet her eyes. Now that they were alone, he led her back towards the trail, towards the City. Because he had to get her away from Nick before she started stinking of him again.


    "Zev¡ª"


    "Sash, can you do me a favor?" he asked quietly, without looking down at her.


    "Of course."


    "Don''t ever¡­ EVER go see Nick alone, without me again. Ever."


    "Zev, I''m sorry that I scared you this morning¡ªd"


    "You didn''t scare me, Sash. It was abject terror. There was a faint smell of him still in the room and you were gone and you had no clothes and¡­ I just¡­"


    She stopped walking and pulled him to a stop next to her. When he finally let his eyes fall to meet hers, her face was a mask of guilt and sadness.


    "I''m sorry, Zev. For real. I''m sorry that I gave you that scare. I won''t do that again, okay? I''ll either wake you, or I''ll leave you a note or¡ª"


    "Wake me. Every time."


    "Zev, you needed to sleep this morning. You can''t tell me that you were rested."


    "Neither were you!"


    "No, but I was awake naturally and I wanted to get this done so I coulde back and be with you. Zev¡­ Zev, I''m back. Okay? I''m back and I have a n. And we''re going to do this. And then we''re going to get everyone out of the hands of Nick, or anyone else who might hurt them. Forever."


    He blew out a breath and stepped up so their bellies touched. He held her face¡ªhe wanted to kiss her¡ªbut she put her hands on his forearms and held him back.


    "But I can''t make that promise to you, Zev. I can''t promise I''ll never talk to him. I can tell you I''ll never be alone with him. Guards. Lhars. Dunken. Yhet. Someone. I''ll make sure there''s always someone else with me, I can promise that."


    "But¡ª"


    "Zev, please. The humans are my responsibility, remember? If I need to talk to him or learn something, I can''t always wait until you''re free¡ªespecially since you''re going to be helping with the Chimera, right? We have to do this together. Please¡­ don''t ask that of me, Zev. I don''t want to be in a position where I have to break a promise to you."


    He was still shaking from his scare that morning and she could feel it. Damn, he hated feeling weak next to her.


    "Why''d you have to go this morning?" he muttered.


    "I told youst night that I needed to talk to him today. I needed to make sure he didn''t know what I''ve been up to."


    Her face was nk, Zev watched her carefully. "What have you been up to, exactly?"


    He wanted to be excited. He wanted her to have gotten one up on Nick. But he was terrified to think what she might have been doing, what danger she might have put herself in.


    She smiles. "Nick doesn''t know, I''m sure of it. But I don''t think we should tell anyone yet, because I''m still not sure how it''s all going toe together, but¡­ Zev¡­ I know how to get us out of here. All of us. Everyone in Thana who wants to go. And the females back at thepound, too."

 Chapter 361 Wait... What?

    <h4>Chapter 361 Wait... What?</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "Whose Side Are You On?" by Tommee Proffitt + Ruelle. It''s what I was listening to while writing this scene!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    "You¡­ what?!" Zev hissed.


    Sasha''s eyes were bright and color in her cheeks as they walked. She looked around, then leaned closer. "There''s definitely no one close, right? No one will hear us?"


    "No," he said, stunned. "Sash, tell me. How¡ª"


    "Listen, listen," she took his hand, squeezing it and walking quickly back towards the City. She was so excited and he wanted to be there with her, sharing that smile. But fear twisted in his gut. What had she been doing?


    "You remember how you brought me through unconscious, so I''d never used the gateway, right?" she said quietly, peering around them at the trees like she''d see someone who might interrupt them.


    "Yeah." Fuck, he''d been so scared that Nick would give her bad advice and she''d get lost¡­ He shuddered and pushed the thoughts away. He needed to focus. "But, the females¡ª"


    "No, listen, I have to tell you the whole story so it makes sense: When Nick and I went through he gave me this little pep talk about the Gateway and how to get through it safely¡ªand what the risks were, too, right? How, if you didn''t focus it might spit you out in the wrong ce."


    "Yeah," Zev''s head was spinning. What had she done?


    "Well, I got there safely. But right at the beginning, when the bond broke, I got really scared and I almost came back to you, Zev. When my mind was flicking back and forth and I was trying to decide¡­ the gateway kept showing me a different direction until I was sure where I wanted to go. It was scary, but nothing went wrong. I forgot about it for a while.


    "Then I got to thepound and I saw how secure the whole ce was, when I learned how the females had tried to escape and hadn''t been able to, I was kind of despairing, you know? I didn''t know they were going to send so many with me¡ªand there''s still even more there and I couldn''t see any way to get them out. And then when they did agree to send some of them, their choices were really weird. I''m serious, Zev," she said, "I think they just gave us these females to soothe me¡ªand you. But there''s no one important here, have you noticed? None of the Alphas. None of the ones that you¡­ mated with." She swallowed hard and looked away and Zev''s breath whooshed out of him.


    "Sasha¡ª"


    She shook her head, but she met his eyes again. "The ones they sent are all females who either don''t know us or are just¡­ not important to their cause. I think they sent the made ones because they can''t breed, or something. I''m not sure. But I''m just convinced that it''s an empty gesture, you know? These are Chimera they''re willing to lose. It''s the others that are valuable. We have to get them out. They''re the ones that will actually hurt the Team."


    "Okay, so¡­ what does this have to do with your n?"


    Sasha bit her lip, her smile back and her eyes sparkling. "I figured out that we weren''t going to get them out unless we could take them from thepound directly." Her throat bobbed and she lowered her voice. "Zev, I figured out I needed to get the Gateway to get ces where the Gateway doesn''t open or close."


    "Wait, what?"


    "I mean, Nick''s warnings, right? You had to be careful what you focused on. What if that wasn''t a warning because they didn''t want to lose us, but because they didn''t want us to figure out how to use it? I mean, it was just an idea, but I realized¡­ or at least, I hoped¡­"


    "What?"


    She took a deep breath and stopped walking, taking both of Zev''s hands in her own. "Zev, if the Gateway could spit you out in some ce that you didn''t n to go, that meant that it had ess to a ton of different ces, right? And how could it send you where your heart wants to go unless it could go¡­ anywhere?"


    Zev''s blood ran cold. What had she done? "Sash¡­ you didn''t?"


    "It was a risk, I know," she hurried on, "But¡­ I thought about it a lot while I was there. We needed a miracle, Zev. I was never going to get them all out of there without something bigger than the technology and security and¡­ anyway, when we wereing back through to get back here, when I stepped in, I told the Gateway where I wanted to go¡­ which was to a ce where I could ess the females without the humans knowing."


    He could barely breathe. He stared at her in shock.


    Sasha beamed. "It worked, Zev! The Gateway took me to Vayl¡ªthe Alpha of the females in thepound. To the camp, they have in the forest. Where most of the other females were!"


    Zev just about fell over. "Are you serious?"


    She nodded quickly.


    "Then¡­ why aren''t they here?"


    Sasha grimaced. "Well, that''s the tricky part. The Gateway opened up in the air¡ªI almost fell out when I reached the threshold. But I was able to talk to them, and get the Gateway to take me to three different groups of them! I told them I''d being back for them, not to give up hope. We just have to figure out how to keep the Gateway open and get them up to it when it opens like that, because it''s too high to jump¡ª"


    A shudder rocked through Zev''s entire body. "Sash, wait. You''re saying¡­ you told the Gateway to take you to different ces. ces where it didn''t have a grounded exit? It was just¡­ open in mid-air?!"


    "Yes! And it worked! Don''t you see, Zev? We can save them! We can really save them!"


    Zev slid his hands out of hers and wed them both into his hair, staring at her wide-eyed. She was brilliant. She was incredible.


    "You''re a genius," he breathed.


    Sasha smiled and hopped excitedly on the spot. "I know it''s crazy, but I really think¡ª"


    "No, seriously, Sasha¡­ you''re amazing¡­ and beautiful, and¡­ SO FUCKING STUPID I WANT TO THROTTLE YOU RIGHT NOW!" he snarled, stepping into her with his teeth bared.


    Sasha blinked and jerked her head back, her smile faltering. "Wait, what?"

 Chapter 362 Come Here So I Can Kill You

    <h4>Chapter 362 Come Here So I Can Kill You</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    A small voice in the back of his head said maybe he was reacting a little stronger than was strictly needed, that maybe he was still a little tense from waking up without her. But as he descended on her and Sasha tipped her head, his chest constricted and his rage burned.


    "You left to go with Nick of all people without even talking to me about it," he rasped. "You walked right into the lion''s den,pletely unprotected and without any insight or advice from me at all¡ªand while I was hurt so I couldn''te for you.


    "Then¡­ when you''re finally on your way home, almost safe, you leave Nick in the human world and walk into the gateway¡ªthat you''ve only used once and you''re¡­ using it like some supernatural taxi?!"


    "It wasn''t like that," Sasha snapped, folding her arms. "I wasn''t ying for the thrill of it, Zev¡ª"


    "No, you were just embarking on a journey across UNKNOWN WORLDS by yourself and when no one¡ªliterally no one¡ªknew where you were, or what you were doing. What if you''d gotten lost in the Gateway Sasha? What if you''d nevere out. How do you think I would have felt?"


    She blinked. "Zev, I wasn''t¡ª"


    "What if it had dumped you out in thepound and you had fallen out¡ªtrapped right in their web, and no way for me to know¡ªyou would have handed yourself to them."


    "I was really careful¡ª"


    "BULLSHIT, Sasha! Bullshit! You can''t just¡­ just treat yourself like you don''t matter. You can''t just walk into that kind of danger and think it doesn''t affect us¡ªaffect me! You could have gotten yourself killed¡ªa dozen different ways! You would have died and I never would have known¡ªI would have died, you could have left all of Thana without the Alpha and fucking Nick standing here. WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING?!"


    "I didn''t make this choice lightly, Zev," she said through her teeth. "I needed to know¡ªwe needed to know. There was no other way¡ª"


    "The Gateway is here, Sash. It''s here every day. You could havee asked us¡ªwhat if we''d already known something that would have helped you know if you were safe or not? Or what if¡ª"


    "Clearly you didn''t know this or someone would havee up with the idea already."


    "That''s not the point!"


    "That''s exactly the point!" she shouted, throwing her arms wide. "Zev, I didn''t know what was going to happen when I got here. I didn''t know if we could survive the bond getting broken again. I didn''t know if Nick had something up his sleeve, or if there''d be something happening here that I would need to deal it¡ªit was my one shot and I took it and it worked! I will not apologize for that. Do you realize what I''m saying, Zev? I can get them out. I can get all of them out¡ªand I can get all of us out of here without the humans, too. All of us."


    "You didn''t have to do this on your own! You should have asked for help!"


    Sasha gaped. "Are you serious? Did you really just say that? You, the guy who left me for FIVE YEARS without a word, ''for my own safety?" The one who was getting a serious infection on our Solitude and kept going anyway because you didn''t want to worry me? Are you actually kidding me right now, Zev?"


    "That''s not the same thing," he muttered.


    "I know you didn''t just say that!" she spat. "It''s exactly the same¡ªI''m Alpha, I''m responsible just like you were when you were in a position to leave. I had no idea what was going to happen when we got here, or if I''d ever have another chance. And the only way those females are ever getting out of that hellhole is if we take them. This was the one chance to test the theory and I took it and I will not apologize for that."


    He didn''t even think about it. It was instinct to step in, stand over her, stop her in her tracks and put himself higher than her, his lip curling up to bare his teeth.


    "You will never do that again. Ever!" he snarled, every ounce of his alpha authority behind the words.


    Sasha shivered, but her eyes narrowed. "You did NOT just dominate me, Zev."


    Zev blinked, then his eyes went wide. They stood on the trail, staring at each other and she was hopping mad, while he was¡­ terrified.


    Absolutely terrified.


    "I''m sorry¡­ I''m sorry¡­ You can''t do that to me, Sash," he breathed, his body beginning to tremble. "You can''t leave me like that and just¡­ you can''t go and not tell me. You can''t leave me alone without you¡ªlosing you that way¡­ gah, even the thought makes me want to lose my mind!"


    His breath started heaving, tearing in and out of his throat and he turned away from her, hands on his hips, trying to get his body to calm down. But his mind kept shing with images of her tumbling out of a gateway high in the sky and falling to her death¡­ or walking out into traumatized Chimera who attacked before they realized who she was.


    "Zev?"


    He shook his head, his back still to her. One of her hands appeared on his back.


    "Zev, I didn''t mean to scare you that way, but you can''t dominate me."


    "I know, I know. I¡­ You can''t do it, Sasha. You can''t leave me again, or put yourself in danger like that. If I lose you¡­" He shuddered.


    "Zev, I''m not leaving. Seriously, breathe. Just breathe. I''m here. I''m not going anywhere. I''m not going through again¡ªnot without you. I know that sounded scary, but I''m here, remember? It all worked out. We have answers now, and I''m safe. You are here to help me."


    He opened his mouth, but then he caught footsteps approaching on the trail. Males. They''d be there within a couple minutes.


    With a low groan, Zev grabbed her at the waist and pulled her off the trail and into the shadows of the trees.


    "Zev! What¡ª"


    "Someone''sing," he muttered, pulling her deeper into the trees. "And I can''t have this conversation with someone else listening. Please, Sash." His teeth chattered and she looked at him, shocked. But she stopped trying to fight him and followed, clinging to his arm instead, rubbing it and whispering that she wasn''t going anywhere.


    When he had her deep enough into the trees that he didn''t think whoever was on the trail would hear them as long as they were quiet, he pulled her to a stop and held her there, his hands on her waist.


    She put her hands to his upper arms and rubbed. "I''m sorry I scared you, Zev. Really. But you need to trust me. You have to know, I''d never do something like that without good reason. I never meant to scare you, okay?"


    "You have to promise me," he ground out. "Promise you''ll never do that again, or anything like it, without telling me first. Without letting me help, or find someone who can."


    "Zev¡ª"


    "Promise me, Sasha!" he croaked, his eyes wide and pleading.


    She shushed him quickly, then reached up to cup his face. "I''ll never put myself in danger like that without telling you first," she whispered. "I promise."


    Zev blew out a heavy breath and his shoulders sagged.


    "Now you promise, too," she whispered. "We''re in this together from this point on, right? Wherever I go, you go. Wherever you are, I am too. Promise me."


    "I promise," he wheezed. "I promise, Sasha.


    He had to hold her for several minutes before he stopped shaking though.

 Chapter 363 Everybody鈥檚 Sorry

    <h4>Chapter 363 Everybody''s Sorry</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    It was awful seeing him so shaken. She shushed him and stroked his face while he breathed and tipped his forehead against hers. Zev fought with himself, she could feel it in the tension in his steel arms, and the way he pressed his body into hers.


    He kissed her at one point and she pulled him in tight, hands in his hair, letting herself tease his lips and tongue, doing anything she could to reassure him that she was there¡ªor to distract him if that would work.


    Zev''s breathing got louder and he walked her backward into one of the trees, leaning on the trunk, holding her chin, and delving into her mouth in ways that made her breathe faster too.


    He was still trembling, but she could feel the tension easing slowly as she wed her fingers down the back of his scalp, the kneaded his neck.


    Zev broke the kiss but searched her eyes while she touched him. Then he made a delicious noise, deep in his throat, and pressed his hips into hers.


    Sasha weed his kiss again, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, and for a thrilling moment, she thought they might take advantage of the solitude.


    He slid one hand under her shirt and found her breast, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger sending those jolts of electricity directly to the junction of her thighs. Sasha let her head fall back against the trunk of the tree and gazed at him¡ªhis strong shoulders, rippled with muscle, the tendons on the arm he had braced on the tree, his eyes that were less pinched caution now, and more crackling mes.


    Stroking her fingers along the line of his jaw she sighed. "You really are stunning, Zev. I mean¡­ beyond hot. I still wonder when you''re going to wake up and realize you''re way out of my league," she said with a grin to soften the words. She didn''t doubt his heart¡ªbut she was so grateful that she didn''t have to.


    Zev growled and took her mouth again, pinning her bottom lip between his teeth and tugging before he let it go. "No more of that," he muttered. Then he tilted his head and pressed into her again, his magical fingers drawing her nipples to points and making twitchy jolts of electricity snap through her body.


    But just as she sucked in a thrilled breath because he slid a hand down to cup her ass and pull her against him¡ªwhere he was very clearly having ideas that didn''t originate in his skull¡ªhe froze.


    Sasha went still as well.


    Zev pulled his head back, turning it slowly like he was scanning for something. Then suddenly he stepped away from her, took her hand, and pulled her deeper into the trees.


    "Are they¡ª" she whispered, but Zev shook his head and gestured for her to be quiet.


    He pulled her between trees and pushed through underbrush, holding back branches when he passed through so they wouldn''t snap back and whack her.


    Then they reached another trail, one Sasha didn''t think she''d been on before, and Zev rxed, straightening from his hunch and walking down the trail briskly, still holding her hand.


    Sasha waited, looking around, but she couldn''t see anyone.


    "Are we alone?"


    Zev nodded. "I just needed a few minutes. This will take us to the city eventually, but it''ll take a little longer."


    Sasha pulled his arm to her chest and hugged it with her free hand. "I''m really sorry I scared you, Zev. I''ll make sure and leave a note or wake you next time, okay?"


    He nodded. "I know it''s an overreaction, Sash. I know I freaked. But I just¡­ you''ve been taken from me so many times I scares the shit out of me. My head doesn''t work clearly when I think you''re in danger."


    "I get it," she said quietly, frowning at the dirt trail in front of them. "I''m the same. I mean, not exactly the same. But I dream sometimes that I wake up and you''re gone again. Or that you just leave and I don''t know, and then I can''t find you. It''s¡­ it''s scary."


    "You dream like that too?"


    "Sometimes. Not as often since we came here, actually. I used to have those dreams all the time, and every time it was like I lost you all over again. I just¡­ it just killed me."


    Zev nodded, his throat bobbing. "What did you do when that happened?"


    "What could I do? I sat in the dark with my whole body freaking out and just breathed and prayed until I could rx and get back to sleep."


    Zev nodded again like she''d exined something that made sense.


    Sasha frowned. "What? What did you hear in that?"


    Zev looked down at her surprised, his hand tightening on hers. "Nothing big. I just realized, of course it makes sense that God would help you. It''s no wonder you''re able to get back to sleep."


    "Zev, God would help you too."


    He snorted, but just looked away, like he was ashamed.


    "Zev, I''m serious."


    "I know you are. But that''s because you''re a good person¡ªa whole person. So it makes sense you to that God would just be nice to people. But it doesn''t work that way for everyone, Sash."


    Sasha sighed. "Zev, you''ve got to stop making these assumptions about your soul, you don''t have a clue¡ª"


    "Yes, I do," he said easily, though he wasn''t smiling. "Did you know there are books from back in the bible times¡ªthe old stuff¡ªthat talk about people like me? Experiments and magic and¡­ I mean, sure they didn''t have technology, but they did this stuff even back then. You know that right? I''m not pulling this out of my ass, Sasha. I''m damned. The Chimera are damned."


    "On what basis?"


    "On the basis that we were never meant to exist. That we fall outside of¡­ intended Creation. We''re products of evil." He shrugged. "Don''t worry about it. I''m kind of used to the idea now. But I think¡­ I think that whole picture just makes me panic when I think I''m losing you, you know? I have to make the most out of this life. And¡­ fuck I hope you''re enough for our kids, Sasha. I hope they get their soul from you."

 Chapter 364 Product of Evil

    <h4>Chapter 364 Product of Evil</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev looked back as Sasha shook her head and dragged him to a halt on the trail. They stopped, looking at each other.


    "That''s enough," she said, though her voice was gentle if disapproving.


    "Sash, I''m not trying to¡ª"


    "I know you''re not, but I''m refuse to let you think you have to¡­ what¡­ stay alive as long as you can because it''s just burning hell from there?"


    Zev took a deep breath. He didn''t answer, because he didn''t want to say yes. But the truth was, he''d seen enough in those books¡ªand in the things he''d learned and seen about what people like Nick and Nathan could do in this world to know that those old histories were absolutely real.


    Sorcery, they called it back then.


    Science, they called it now.


    They still didn''t understand it, but the results were the same. Things. Creatures. Some idents, some failures, some triumphs. But always an element of something that could never be exined.


    No matter how deep they dug, no matter how microscopic the measurement, no matter how much money, time, and intelligence they plugged into this venture, one thing never changed: Science couldn''t make life. Science could only mix the elements needed for life to exist.


    Nick had exined to him more than once. That they provide the same environment, the same resources, and the same fuel every time, but every time they watched cells replicate, they could never be entirely certain what wasing out of it.


    "It''s magic, Zev," Nick had said one day a couple of years ago when they''d been at theb. Zev was feeling sick about the mating arena so Nick had taken him inside thebs to distract him.


    His surrogate father''s eyes had been bright and his tone on the edge of excitement. He was fascinated by these experiments and would talk about them any moment he could.


    Zev wasn''t allowed to touch anything, but he remembered being sickened at the sight of a half-gestated Chimera.


    Nick had joked that they all looked like aliens at that age¡ªthat even a human baby was still strange, almost unrecognizable at that point in the process. "But look, in a few months, that''s going to be a wolf. Or a goat, I can''t remember which round they''re doing right now. The point is¡­ we did exactly the same thing with the stuff that made that one, that we did with you. And yet¡­ look at you."


    Nick had gazed at him then with something like pride on his face.


    Zev had felt simultaneously like he wanted to preen, and vomit.


    But Nick just pped him on the back and ushered him down the aisle between all the little incubators they used. "Every single one of these has the potential to be a true sibling to you, Zev," he said with a wink. "I mean, not DNA sibling but¡­ your match. Your equal. And the day that happens? I swear, the heavens will open."


    Zev had snorted.


    "It was a metaphor," Nick said, rolling his eyes. "My point is¡­ miracles happen here every day. Magic. And people think it doesn''t even exist."


    Nick had been excited by the idea, but to Zev, it wanted to make him squirm. They were messing with the natural order of things. Nick was right that it was a miracle¡ªthe things they created could never happen in nature.


    The difference between them was that that idea turned Zev''s stomach, while it made Nick look like a kid at a candy store.


    "Zev?" Sasha said uncertainly.


    Zev blinked and realized he''d been lost in his memories. "Sorry," he said quickly. "I was just¡­ remembering some stuff."


    "Like what?" she asked quietly.


    They started walking again and Zev tugged her into his side and put his arm over her shoulder. If he''d wanted to move faster he would have picked her up and carried her, but the truth was, he wanted the time.


    "Magic," he said quietly.


    "It''s not magic, Zev. It''s God. I think¡­ I think you can''t be alive unless He lets you. So that must mean he has a purpose for you, right?"


    "Oh, he''s got a purpose alright," Zev said, scratching the back of his neck. "A vessel of wrath. Nick used to throw that at me when I was thirteen and being an ass. How I needed to listen to him and do what I was told, or I was going to get myself killed, and then there''d only be hell left.


    Sasha cursed. "Sometimes I seriously want to murder that man. Like, I actually want to kill him."


    "Tell me about it."


    "I''m serious, Zev. I don''t like that he makes me so angry, but he and Nathan¡­ I think I could slit Nathan''s throat without regretting it."


    "I''ll hold while you cut," Zev said darkly.


    Sasha shuddered. "This isn''t what I want our lives to be about, Zev."


    "I don''t think I have any choice."


    "But see, that''s what bothers me. If you just assume that you''ll never look into it and then you''ll never know."


    "Sash, if God was sending people to hell just for having sex a few thousand years ago, I think I''ve got all the deadly sins covered at this point, don''t you?"


    She frowned up at him, then looked away. "I don''t know what to say. I don''t have the answers¡­ I just have this¡­ certainty, that you aren''t right."


    "That''s because you love me," Zev said pulling her closer to his side. "Because you have a good heart and you see the good in others."


    "But¡­ Zev¡­ I''m not just seeing good in you because I love you. You ARE good. You give yourself up for other people. You''re caring, and thoughtful, and¡ª"


    "And the whole reason that we have dozens of traumatized females in the City, and a hundred or more still in thepound. Did I tell you that they think I''m the reason they were called over there?"


    "Wait¡­ what?"


    "One of the females who came through had a freak out when she got here and pleaded with me not to send them back. To let them stay this time."


    Sasha''s jaw dropped. "Are you serious? Is that how the humans got them to go?"


    "I don''t know, but I''m going to find out."


    "Leave that to me," Sasha said, snuggling into his side. "I''ll ask them. I know at least some of them will tell me."


    They walked on in silence after that until Sasha sighed.


    "You''re not damned, Zev. I can prove it."


    "How''s that?" he asked, trying to keep the desperation from his voice.


    She turned and smiled up at him. "Because if you were nothing more than a product of evil, you''d do evil. And you don''t. And on top of that, you say God loves me¡ªand I love you. We''re mates, right? Even though everything went wrong¡ªeven though so much tried to stop us. It''s that magic you''re talking about. We shouldn''t be here, yet we are. So I think that''s a really good sign that we were supposed to be here, right here, so I could tell you¡­ you aren''t damned. Not yet, anyway," she giggled.


    Zev tried tough it off with her, but he struggled against thebined rush of hope at what she was describing, and fear that this life with her was going to pass far too quickly and then they''d find out she was wrong.


    They were Ardent. Whatever happened to her, happened to him, and visa versa.


    He just prayed they wouldn''t both regret that.

 Chapter 365 Get Moving

    <h4>Chapter 365 Get Moving</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    They continued talking as they walked. It was a longer route to the City, and even though Sasha could feel the weight of responsibility¡ªshe should have been with the females by now. They''d be awake and probably scared¡ªshe didn''t hurry. There was something necessary about being close to Zev and alone, talking at a time they didn''t have to worry about being overheard.


    "Maybe we need to start doing this every day," she said a few minutester. "Like, just go for a walk. By ourselves. Because I feel saner now than I have in weeks, Zev."


    "It''s not a bad idea," he said. "And on a practical level, it will give us time to talk about things that have to be done and make ns. I mean¡­ we''re going to do that right? Get everyone out of here. What you''re saying is that it worked, right?"


    His brows pinched together and that dark cloud passed behind his eyes again, but he pushed past it.


    "Yes," Sasha said when she was sure he could hear it without being angry. "I''m saying that we can start nning and¡­ we''ll get them all out. And then we''ll go through the Gateway for thest time."


    "Wait, what do you mean?"


    Sasha sucked in a deep breath. "I didn''t have time to tell you, we got distracted. At the end, before I came back, I¡­. I asked the Gateway to take me to a ce where the humans could never reach us. And¡­ Zev¡­ it did."


    "Wait, what?!"


    Sasha nodded quickly, biting her lip to stop herself from beaming. "It opened in the air again¡ªanother ce that there isn''t an exit, obviously. But the point is¡­ there''s a ce. I asked for a ce we could be safe and never have interference from humans ever again, and there''s a ce, Zev. And what little I saw of it was beautiful."


    Zev shook his head. She could see his hope and awe doing battle with his fear, so she hugged his arm again.


    "This is really good news, Zev. Seriously. We''re going to do this! But we have to be organized about it. We have to send any of the creatures through that want to go. I mean, the humans aren''t really interested in them, right? So they can start going today if they want to! But to get the females out of thepound¡­ we''re going to have to be really organized. Collect them all and take them directly to this ce. We can''t afford to risk bringing them back here and having something happen to them before we can get them through. I know it''ll be scary for them¡ªespecially going by how these females have behaved. But¡­ I mean¡­ it''s worth it, right? If we get organized and take stuff with us and¡­ Zev, I really think we can do this."


    Zev shook his head. "You''re amazing, Sash," he said quietly.


    "No, Zev. I''m just looking at this from a different angle, that''s all. Or maybe God''s whispering in my ear. Who knows? The point is, we can do this. But we have to n. We have to convince the humans nothing is going on¡ªNick can''t get a whiff of this!¡ªand then when the time is right¡­ boom. We take all of them and we get out of here and then we''re free!"


    She did a little hop and pped a hand on his bicep. "I can''t wait, Zev. It''s going to be amazing."


    "I hope so," he said, less certain that she was. But that was understandable. He hadn''t seen the gateway open and seen that beautiful ce.


    She wondered where it was? Somewhere there were no humans, anyway. She was sure of that much.


    "Okay," Zev said a minuteter. "What''s the next step, then, Sasha-don?" He said it with a smile, but she could feel that he was still a little shaky.


    "The first thing is to get the Creatures gathered together and tell them all what''s going on, and how to get through. Let any of them go that want to¡­ do you think Yhet would want to go with them, or with us?"


    "Definitely with you," Zev chuckled. "He''spletely obsessed with you, Sasha. When I came through to make sure the bond wasn''t broken, he wanted toe with me."


    Sasha gasped, then pped a hand to her mouth. "I''m so d he didn''t¡ªthat would have been awkward!" she giggled.


    Zevughed. "Not for a Chimera, but maybe for you!"


    "Oh, gross!"


    Zev keptughing, and it was the most beautiful sound. When they settled down, Sasha sighed. "So, how do we get them together? I really want to tell them myself. Make sure I can answer any questions, and¡­ well, make sure the word isn''t going to get out. Can we trust them? From what Minos said, it sounded like a lot of them don''t really want to be close to the rest of us."


    "I promise, they have even less desire to be close to the humans. But yeah, we are going to have to think about how to get them all together and where. I think you''re going to have to leave the city for that one. Most of them won''t evene within miles of anywhere the humans know about."


    Sasha grimaced. "Where would it be safe to do it?"


    Zev thought about it for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "You know, I think that valley, where we met Minos, would work. There''s a river there for the water creatures, plenty of forest cover, and the mountains¡­ the humans never venture that deeply into Thana that I''m aware of. And we could set guards."


    Sasha''s heart beat a little faster. "Do you think we could visit Yhet''s cave again?" she asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.


    "I think if we give it a week or so, so everyone''s settled¡­ yeah. I mean, we''d probably need that long to make sure we''ve gotten in touch with everyone anyway. And once we left we''d only be a few hours away. They could send an Owl if anything happened. And frankly, I think you''d be safer out there with me than here with Nick," he grumbled.


    Sasha rubbed his arm. "Then let''s do it. Please, Zev. I''d love to go back there¡ªif you think it won''t upset Yhet."


    "It won''t," he said with a gentle smile. "I''ll tell Skhal and the hunters to start spreading the word today. The Alpha wants to have a meeting with the creatures, to establish some lines ofmunication and provide some very important¡­ er¡­ insight into the humans. We''ll make it sound very official."


    Sasha pped her hands. "Now, if only we could take Nick there without him hearing a damn thing, but seeing everyone so he can shit himself this time," she said with a gleeful giggle.


    Zev''sughter bounces off the forest around them. "Too risky, but you''re right, that would be awesome."


    "Gosh, Zev¡­ I feel so much hope now!" Sasha said, dancing along the trail, holding onto his arm. "We''re going to do this. We''re really going to do it!"


    "I hope so, Sash. And if we do¡­ it''s all you, babe. You''re amazing." He leaned down and kissed her as they walked.


    Sasha''s heart soared.

 Chapter 366 Just the Way it is

    <h4>Chapter 366 Just the Way it is</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Hourster, back in the City, Sasha sat in the hall with the females.


    She''d been overjoyed to find that two or three had left the hall to seek out family or friends during the night. Though most of the females were still in themunal space, Sasha couldn''t help feeling that things were looking so positive and bright. It was probably a good thing she''d learned that after she spoke to Nick that morning. Her buoyancy would have made him suspicious, she was sure.


    She kept having to stifle it when she spoke with the females who were still frightened. She didn''t want them to think that she didn''t care.


    The thought made her turn and look for Mae again, who was sitting next to the window, peering through a gap between the hides, obviously looking for someone in the Courtyard outside.


    Sasha approached slowly, but when Mae saw hering, she took her hands from the edge of the hide and turned, trying to force a smile.


    "You don''t need to stop for me," Sasha said, rubbing her back. "Do whatever you want. I''m just d you''re here. Have you been down the stairs yet?"


    Mae shook her head, but her eyes stayed past Sasha towards the door at the end of the hall and the stairway behind it.


    Sasha watched her, her heart squeezing at the pining on Mae''s face. Yet the female didn''t move. Didn''t even look like she was trying.


    She looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them, then leaned into May. "I don''t want to pry, Mae. For real. But if you want to see him, I''d be happy to go find him and bring him to the bottom of the stairs, just to say hello?"


    Mae shook her head, tears squeezing out between hershes to roll down her cheeks.


    Sasha clucked and pulled her into a hug. "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to push. I don''t want to scare you. I know you''ve all been through terrible pain. I''m sure he''ll wait to see you¡ª"


    "No, no, it''s not that," Mae said, pulling out of her arms to straighten and wipe her eyes. "He''s my mate, I know he wouldn''t hurt me. I''m not scared of him, Sasha-don. I''m¡­ I''m afraid of his rejection. How he might react when he learns¡­"


    Sasha waited, but Mae''s forehead furrowed and she looked down at her hands, wringing them against her stomach.


    "React to what, Mae?" she asked quietly.


    Mae closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I can''t have offspring anymore," she said in a tired, grieving voice. Her brows pinching together. "It was the one thing we both wanted. The reason we decided to mate so young. But I didn''t get pregnant those first couple months and then¡­ then I went, and now I can''t and he''s going to be so¡­"


    "Oh, Mae¡­ He can''t be angry with you for something you have no control over!" Sasha whispered, horrified.


    Mae shook her head. "He won''t be angry. He''ll be¡­devastated. He''ll wish he''d never mated me. And I can''t¡­ after all this, I can''t see that in his eyes. It would break me."


    "Mae, no! It''s not your fault! He won''t reject you¡ª"


    "You aren''t Chimera, Sasha. You don''t understand. He won''t be angry, but he will be upset. And¡­ and it is my fault that I submitted and I went. They¡­ they ruined me, but I gave them the chance to do it!" she wailed.


    Sasha sat with her, holding her hand while the female cried. She struggled with feelings of guilt¡ªafter all, she was looking forward to having babies with Zev¡­ as soon as she could be sure they''d keep them out of human hands.


    That was a point! She made a mental note, that they needed to get out of here before her next cycle. Just in case.


    Four weeks, she told herself. Twenty-six days, to be precise. Because those sickos were following her cycle. They needed to get out of here before they did anything else to interfere.


    There was no way on God''s green earth that she was letting those men have anything to do with her child.


    She shuddered at the thought but forced herself to turn back to Mae.


    Would talking to Kyelle help? ording to Zev, and the few little hints that Kyelle had dropped with her, it sounded like Kyelle had grief around this as well.


    But surely the males didn''t really reject them because of this?


    She made another mental note to ask Kyelle toe speak with Mae at some point¡ªat the very least the two shared an experience. That was always bonding for females. Even if Kyelle didn''t have advice, at least neither of them would feel like they were alone.


    When Mae was back under control, Sasha tried again. "What about if I told him for you?" she said hesitantly. "Gave him a warning, so you could talk to him without having to see that¡­ initial shock? I''m sure if we told him, he''de talk to you after he''s had time to think about it. He was so heartbroken yesterday, Mae. He loves you! You''re mates! I know Zev would still love me if I couldn''t¡ª"


    "You''re ardent, though, right?" Mae said, her voice resigned and thick with tears. "It''s different. We formed the bond because we chose each other. We got to know each other. We grew together. We were¡­ were going to be happy, but now¡­ I don''t know."


    "I know¡­ I know it''s a change to your future. I wish¡­ I wish there was a way we could change it," Sasha whispered. "But I also know¡ªI''m confident¡ªthat he loves you and he wouldn''t want you here crying over this by yourself, Mae. I''d hate to think of Zev carrying a burden like that by himself.


    "I know. I know. He''s kind. He would be kind. But that''s¡­ that''s part of why I can''t, Sasha-don. He''ll¡­ pity me. And then I won''t have anything left." Her voice climbed to a weep and Sasha''s heart broke for her all over again.


    "Okay, Mae, okay. I''ll stop trying to help. I''m sorry. Please don''t cry. Just¡­ if you want help at any time, just know I''ll help you, okay? I just hate to see you like this."


    The female nodded and they hugged. But inside Sasha was cursing the men who''d changed these poor women''s lives in such horrific ways.


    She was going to make them pay for this. Once and for all.

 Chapter 367 Not Me

    <h4>Chapter 367 Not Me</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev reached the cookfires earlier than Sasha and he waited, constantly scanning all the entrances to the clearing, staying on his feet because he had too much energy.


    He hadn''t seen Sasha for hours, and even though he knew she was safe¡ªhe''d been able to smell her track up to the females, and no trailing down¡ªhe wasn''t going to rest until she was there in front of him and he could touch her.


    Waking up that morning without her, with the faint scent of Nick in his nostrils, had been even more unsettling than he''d realized. He''d been jumpy and short-tempered all day, until even Jhon told him to go get some sleep or something, and get himself under control.


    He''d had to shift and go for a run, look for Skhal and deliver Sasha''s exciting message, just to get himself moving so his skin would stop itching with tension.


    Dunken had looked at him worriedly more than once since he''de to the cook clearing, but he hadn''t said anything, for which Zev was grateful.


    A burst ofughter sounded over near the other fire and Zev startled but turned and shared smiles with a couple of the males over at the table. One of them beckoned him over and he want, just for something to put his mind on.


    Was Sasha going to skip dinner again? Should he take her some food?


    When he joined the table, the males were mostlyughing and excited¡ªeven with the females keeping mostly to themselves, the male''s moods were all lifted by the sheer fact that they were near and could be scented. But they had questions, too.


    "I heard that a couple of them came out overnight¡ªdid they have mates, or were they just joining their family?"


    "I don''t know," Zev answered apologetically. "But I''m sure Sasha will. I''ll ask her when she gets here¡ª"


    "There were scents in the group I didn''t recognize. New females. Will we get to meet them soon? Are they staying?"


    "Yes, I''m sure they''ll stay. But at least a couple of the made females are probably going to have a lot of adjustment, so be patient¡ª"


    "How did she do it, Zev? How did she convince them?"


    Zev shrugged and gave a smallugh. "I really don''t know. I just know she''s amazing and¡ª"


    "And it''s embarrassing when you talk about me when I''m not here," a quiet voice said from behind him.


    Zev whirled. Why hadn''t he scented her? But the wind was flowing in the wrong direction.


    "Sash!" he pulled her into a hug like they''d been apart for days. Sheughed and made light of it in front of the other males, but her eyes kept straying to his, concern and questions painted in them.


    "I need to talk to you. I''m¡ª" She cut herself off from apologizing and Zev smiled, nodding. She was learning.


    "Of course," he said, leaning down to brush a kiss on her lips. "Thepany here stinks anyway."


    The males gave a rousing chorus of protests, but their shouts of mock indignation soon turned to shouted insults at each other, andughter. So Zev followed Sasha out of the clearing and back into the City proper.


    "Are you okay?" he asked her quickly when her shoulders slumped.


    "Yes, yes, I''m fine," she said, emphasizing the "I''m." "I''m just worried about Mae and the other females."


    They walked on a few more steps, then Sasha, as if she''d made a decision, took his hand and led him through the Courtyard towards the main building, then up the stairs, and finally to their bed-chamber.


    Zev''s brows went up¡ªwas she going to suggest¡ª?


    But no, she closed the door behind them then turned to him, her face a pained mask.


    "What is it?" he asked quickly.


    "I''m really fine," she said pping her hand. "I just¡­ I need you to tell me something, and answer honestly. Don''t tell me what you think I want to hear, okay?"


    "I¡­ sure. What is it?" he said, nerves trilling in his stomach.


    Sasha took a deep breath. "Is it true that Chimeran males would reject their mates if it turns out that she can''t have offspring?" Sasha folded her arms after she presented the question as if she was afraid of his answer and thought she needed a shield.


    Zev''s brows popped up. "What brought this up? Just because you weren''t pregnant? Sasha, it can take months, years even¡ª"


    "No, no, this really isn''t about me. I know you''d never leave me, Zev," she said, though her eyes did look a little less tight. "Poor Mae¡­ the reason she ran from her matest night is because she''s convinced that when he learns she can''t have offspring, he''s going to reject her. And I just¡­ it just kills me to think that. Because look at Kyelle. I''m sure there''s going to be others because of what these sick fucks have done. And I need to know how the males are going to react? Because I don''t want to encourage these women¡ªwho are already broken¡ªinto the arms of males that are going to break them further when they learn the truth. So, tell me, Zev¡­. Do Chimeran males reject females who can''t have babies?"


    Zev blew out a breath and raked a hand through his hair. "In a general sense¡­ if it was known that a female was barren¡­ I mean, yes, probably. Unless there was a Heart''s Song between them, chances are most males would pass her up to choose someone who could bear them children."


    "Bastards," Sasha snarled. "Seriously?"


    "It''s in our nature, Sash. A part of our animal instincts¡ªwe choose the best mate we can find for breeding."


    "Except you," she said bitterly.


    Zev frowned. "Sash, do we need to talk about¡ª"


    "No. No, I won''t get distracted. I just¡­ these poor women, Zev. They''re gone three years, then theye back to their mates and their mates won''t take them now?!"


    She looked¡­ angry and frightened and¡­ what was going on?

 Chapter 368 Promises, Promises

    <h4>Chapter 368 Promises, Promises</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    "No, Sash, that''s not what I said!" Zev hurried to correct himself. "I was talking about an unmated female. If it''s known that she can''t have a family, her pool of potential mates is going to be a lot smaller." His mind turned to Kyelle and everything she''d been through¡ªand now, poor Lhars. He wondered how his brother felt about not having offspring? "But if a pair is already mated¡­ I can''t imagine any male that would reject his mate over this. He might be disappointed, but the bond is there."


    "So he''d stay, just because of the bond?" Sasha said through her teeth.


    "No," Zev said, worried. He lowered his voice. "Sasha, I think we need to discuss¡ª"


    "I''m not asking about us!" she snapped. Then she stopped herself and blew out a breath. Zev stepped over to where she was standing at the end of the bed, her arms folded.


    "Babe, what''s going on?"


    "Nothing. For real. I''m just tired and sad and¡­ now I''m learning that Chimeran males would reject their mates. It just¡ª"


    "No, Sash, that''s the thing I was trying to say. Once the bond is formed and they''re together, I can''t see any male abandoning his mate, even if it means they''ll never have offspring. No Chimera is going to leave his mate and go looking for another. I don''t think any would even want to. I don''t think they could!"


    "Xar did."


    Zev growled. "Xar was out of his mind and his mate has been dead for years. He was¡­ that was a power y, not a desire for you." But he didn''t appreciate the reminder.


    Sasha scowled and began to pace the floor. "Poor Mae is up there, trying to catch sight or smell of her mate, but if he showed up, she''d flee. She''s convinced that he would be kind to her but that he''d be so upset to learn that she can no longer have offspring, that he''d wish he hadn''t mated her."


    "I can''t see that," Zev said, shaking his head. "I think¡­ I really don''t think that''s true. The bond is¡­ well, c''mon, Sash, you know. The bond is about so much more than that."


    "Yes, but when I said that¡ªwhen I said that I knew you wouldn''t leave me for that, she said it''s because we''re ardent. Is that true? Is our bond different in that way? Does it make you blind to things that would have broken us up?"


    "No! Sasha¡­. Please, babe. Don''t think things like that. I''ve been waiting all afternoon for you to get free ande find me. I''ve been aching for you. Please¡­ I''m never leaving¡ªfor goodness sake, this morning I made you vow never to leave me!"


    "I know, I know," she said, pping at hand and shaking her head. "I know. It''s just¡­ things like this make me so aware of how different we are¡ªand how easily I could make a misstep and tell someone the wrong thing andpletely screw all of this up. I was just starting to getfortable¡ªI''m excited, Zev! I really think we''re going to get everyone out of here! But I just¡­ it just hit me again. I know jack shit about this ce and these people and¡­ what if the reason we don''t get out is because I''m just ignorant, or stupid?"


    "Sasha," Zev said, walking over to gather her into his arms, "you''ve singlehandedly brought us closer to being free of the humans than any Alpha ever has. I am¡­ stunned at what you''ve aplished. Whatever''s gotten in your head, don''t let it stay there. You''re doing amazing. I caught how you gave an instruction back there at the cookfires. You didn''t ask or apologize. You''re doing great."


    She gave an awkward smile, but let herself rx into his chest, and Zev finally breathed a little easier.


    "Stop worrying," he whispered into her hair. "No matter what happens, we''ll deal with it. And no matter how long it takes for the females to feelfortable and be part of the ns again¡­ we''ll wait. I''m just so grateful that you''re here and safe and¡­ shit."


    He froze.


    "What is it?" She pulled back from his chest to stare up at him.


    "We have the meeting with the Alphas. I was going to suggest another bath," he said, winking. "But I forgot, the Alphas need to hear from you, Sash, about what you did and what you learned. And your n¡ªeven if you don''t tell them the specifics. They need to know that you''re staying true to your n to get us all out from under human rule. Plus, I think they need more caution about the females too. I broke up several conversations with males today who were talking about walking up to see the females. I think even afterst night they don''t really realize just how bad it was. You need to tell them."


    Sasha nodded, but her sigh was heavy.


    "Don''t worry," he whispered in her ear, then kissed her neck. "We''ll go right after dinner, then we''ll be back in a couple of hours and we can take the rest of the night for ourselves."


    Sasha groaned. "I''d love to do that," she said. "But I feel like I should¡ª"


    "Speaking as one Alpha to another," Zev said, one eyebrow up, "I seem to remember someone telling me that I needed to take care of myself first before I could take care of others?"


    She looked up at him, and for the first time, one side of her mouth tipped up in a smile.


    "So, you''re telling me, that going to bed with my mate is taking care of myself?" she asked slyly.


    Zev gave her the easy smile and nodded. "Because I''ll take very, very good care of you," he said, his voice a low growl as he leaned down toy his lips on her neck again.


    Sasha sighed again, but happily this time. "Do you promise?"


    "I promise."

 Chapter 369 The Alphas

    <h4>Chapter 369 The Alphas</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha sat in the circle of Alphas. They''d gathered in a clearing in the forest to make certain no one would overhear. Even though Sasha didn''t n to tell them how they were going to bring the females back, she found she was bing paranoid about information getting to Nick.


    She also didn''t want the females hearing her speak about the issues they were facing with re-integrating. While she was wholly empathetic with them, she needed to discuss them frankly, and give the males some serious instructions about how to approach them.


    Despite warnings, males were beginning to show up at the hall and try to speak to females. It didn''t help that they still had only a handful of females avable to help, so most of the food, clothing, and resources were brought by males.


    But she''d found the Alphas far more open than she''d expected, and Kyelle was backing her on all the issues around the females. Zev might have been right. They might get out of here in a couple of hours.


    "¡­I did attempt to bring all the females back," she told them earnestly. "But honestly, I''m surprised I got as many as I did. And given the challenges they''re facing, perhaps it''s for the best that we didn''t get all of them at one time. We''ll need time and space to help more assimte. Plus, we''re learning things from this group that we''ll be able to use in the future to help the others more quickly."


    Kyelle jumped in then to exin that many of the females had been vited by human males in some way¡ªmost for medical experiments against their will, or being imprisoned. While most hadn''t been vited sexually, their trust for anyone or anything who smelled male had been eroded.


    "We do have all but one of them here from the vige now, though and we see them getting braver and branching out. I think we''ll see several more leaving the hall in the next few days," the owl said carefully.


    Several of the males spoke up about those in their ns wanting to know who exactly was there, to check for mates or close friends and family. Kyelle and Sasha assured them no one had been hidden.


    "You have to impress on the males that the more they try to force their way in, or the more pressure they apply, the harder it is for the females," Sasha said with a sad shake of her head. "I know it''s frustrating when they''re so excited to see them. But if they aren''t careful they''ll actually increase the time it takes for the females to settle."


    The conversation shifted soon after that to the wider n and Sasha''s excitement grew. "Zev and I are working on a way to free the Chimera from all human rule. But it is going to take some careful strategy, and possibly a relocation."


    The Alphas shifted in their seats and looked at each other.


    "Relocation to the human world?!"


    "No, no, of course not. I can''t really be certain where it will be yet, but¡­ I believe I have a n that will allow us to step out of the reach of the humans. And if I''m right, we may need to move quickly. You should be preparing your people. Everyone should have a basic bag packed at all times¡ªjust in case we have to make the call suddenly."


    "How will we move? Even deeper in Thana, the humans can still find us with their technology!"


    "Not if she''s found a way to block them froming through."


    "Then why would we need to relocate?"


    Voices rose and Sasha opened her mouth to shout over them, but caught a look from Zev.


    The Alpha doesn''t need to force themselves on others, he said gently in her head. Just watch them and remain quiet, they''ll notice quickly.


    She did as he asked, and sure enough within a minute all the males had quieted and turned to look at her, expectant.


    "I can''t give you all the answers right now," she said simply. "But I am asking you to trust both me and Zev, and to trust that our goal is to reach the point where we, as a people, are entirely independent of the humans. I envision a life where there is no overlying stress. There is no question of our people or our children being removed from us. No one will have to live with the weight of that fear any longer. And I cannot take any steps that might threaten that. So, please, hold your tongues. Encourage your people to be ready to move when they are called to it. And in the meantime, let your hearts be hopeful because I truly believe we''re going to get there.


    "To that end," she went on, before any of them could raise more fears and get everyone unsettled again, "It''s very important that we both keep Nickpletely happy and unsuspicious, but also allow him no freedom. He must see different males every day¡ªas if they''re all nearby, but not revealing themselves. He''s never been to Thana, so his understanding of the daily function here is¡­ vague at best."


    "We''ve told him that the Chimera spend most of their time hunting," Zev said, with a grin. "He believes most of us aren''t actually in the vige during the day. Which is true. Just not for the reason he thinks."


    Sasha smiled to herself. Nick getting a taste of his own medicine.


    "Our goal is to keep him reporting to the humans in such a way that they won''t interfere, but allow us the freedom to n, get the other females back, and get us all to the safe ce within the month."


    A ripple of surprise murmured through the circle of males, but Sasha just kept going. "Until we can do that, all Chimera should try to live as normally as possible, but give no information to Nick beyond daily, simple things. No strategy. No insight about what we''re doing or nning."


    "You say that you want to free us from human rule, Sasha-don, but¡­ you brought the human male with you. You are human."


    A murmur of agreement rose behind Gheet, who fixed his eyes on Sasha and didn''t look away.

 Chapter 370 All a Little Human

    <h4>Chapter 370 All a Little Human</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha''s lips thinned. Before she could open her mouth, Zev spoke up.


    "You all know that Sasha is my mate¡ªmy Ardent mate. As such, she isn''t a normal human. She has been epted by the wolves. She is Alpha. That means she is as Chimera as can be."


    "She''s also proven that she works for our good by bringing the females back," Kyelle offered.


    "Something Xar was never able to do," Lhars added darkly.


    There was some grumbling, but no other protests were raised by the other Alphas and in her head, Zev suggested Sasha just move on.


    "Okay, so we''ll keep Nick at the vige and agree none of us will allow him to see what we''re doing. But this means continuing the patrols and malesing and going from the vige. As the females be morefortable, we may begin to include some of them that want to. But none of them will be forced."


    "He''s going to notice if he doesn''t see any of the females," the Tiger Alpha pointed out.


    "I''m telling him straight that the females can''t stand to be around him because of their fears of being returned. That we''re keeping them away from him on purpose. So far, he''s been okay with that. I imagine it will be a problemter if he doesn''t start to see them. But for now, he''s not protesting.


    "If anything significant urs that needs the female presence, Kyelle and I will work with the females to see if any of them are brave enough to be involved. But we''ll do that when it''s needed and not before. For now, please allow the females to keep things as they are."


    There was further discussion of details and boundaries, and Sasha found herself feeling confident for the first time with the Alphas. It was clear that bringing the females back to Thana¡ªas Zev had told them she would¡ªhad raised her in their esteem.


    And the fact that she''d stopped apologizing for everything first probably helped as well, she thought dryly.


    When they were finally breaking up, Sasha got to her feet and dusted off her ass, her heart buoyed. Although the males had pushed back at times, there was a general feeling of good among them¡ªas if they were pleased, and that pleased Sasha.


    She waited, receiving their submissions and individual questions as they began to scatter, until finally only she and Zev, Lhars, and Kyelle were left.


    She turned to find Zev and Lhars leaning into each other, discussing something with serious looks on their faces, while Kyelle was moving towards Sasha. Sasha didn''t miss that while Lhars spoke to Zev, his eyes followed Kyelle''s back.


    "Are you well, Sasha-don?" Kyelle said quietly. "It''s been a difficult time. I''m sorry I haven''t been near to offer more support."


    "Are you kidding?" Sasha snorted. "Being able to trust you with the females¡­ gosh, it''s the most practical help I''ve had since I got back. Such a relief, Kyelle. Thank you."


    The woman nodded once, then looked over her shoulder at the brothers. "It''s nice to see them getting along. It''s been many years."


    Sasha followed her gaze and smiled softly. She''d seen the tension between the brothers when she arrived, but she hadn''t thought about what a change this would be from years of conflict and adversarial poking.


    "I''m really d they have each other," Sasha said, then looked at Kyelle, who was frowning slightly, a line pinched between her brows as if she was trying to work something out. "How were things while I was gone?" Sasha asked casually, watching Kyelle''s face for clues. "Lhars obviously did a good job of helping keep Zev in line. He only snuck out once."


    Kyelle snorted. "Skhal just about put him back in the medical building when he woke up from that."


    Sasha giggled. "I shouldn''tugh. I was very angry that he took such a risk."


    Kyelle shrugged. "Males. Sometimes they need to take action even when the action is foolish. I have learned to just leave them. They are¡­ often more capable than I would believe. Or perhaps the Creator simply protects them. I do not know."


    It was a nice thought, Sasha realized. "Guardian angels for Chimeran males¡­ I like that."


    Kyelle frowned. "Guardian¡­ angels?"


    "You don''t have angels in your history?"


    "They are¡­ messengers from God, yes?"


    "Yes."


    "But you say they watch over you?"


    "That''s the tale. That God has a supernatural family, as well as the physical one. And that He sends certain warriors to watch over us and help us avoid disaster. Perhaps that''s what you''ve observed. When I think about it, I saw the same thing in my father and friends in my world too. I should have thought of it more deeply."


    Sasha was half-joking, though it was an interesting point. But Kyelle''s frown deepened. "But what happens to those who don''t serve the Creator, or who¡­ don''t believe?"


    "I don''t know," Sasha replied. "But I have a hunch just the fact that we''re talking about it is a good thing. Maybe we''ll wake them up and bring them with us in this." Then she raised her voice, "Maybe we can ask them to watch over the brothers so we can leave and go get some rest?"


    Lhars and Zev both looked up, Zev''s eyes immediately finding hers and locking¡ªthat slow, lopsided smile that made her stomach flip, creeping up on his face.


    "You''re ready for some rest, Sasha?" he said quietly.


    Lhars rolled his eyes. "Always a one-track mind, brother."


    Without thought, Sasha looked at Kyelle to catch her response to Lhars. But the female was frowning at her own hands.


    "I think we''re all ready for some rest," she said to Zev, but in her mind, she told him, You promised it would be just you and me tonight.


    That I did, he replied, then pped Lhars on the back. "The Alphas are tired. Let us all go rest and be ready to meet the new day!"


    Lhars was still rolling his eyes and Kyelle looked a little disturbed, but Lhars followed her out of the clearing and up onto the trail while Zev stopped in front of Sasha, his hands on her hips.


    He''s just jealous, he said in her head with a shing grin.


    I''m pretty confident Lhars has zero interest in me, it''s that beautiful owl he''s aching for.


    Zev shrugged. Well, I always did say he was a fool.


    Sashaughed and hugged him. Zev curled himself around her and whispered, "Let''s go. I promised you a night to ourselves, and I''m a male of my word."

 Chapter 371 Just Us

    <h4>Chapter 371 Just Us</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev kept Sasha back, knowing Lhars and Kyelle would move more quickly. So if they only waited a couple of minutes, they could travel back to the City alone. Then he snuck her in the main gate and up the stairs, hurrying past the males who called after him with brisk instructions that they had important Alpha tasks and couldn''t be disturbed.


    When they reached the Alpha bedchamber, he tugged her inside, then kicked the door closed behind her and barred it.


    As he turned to face her, Sasha raised an eyebrow.


    "Just making sure," he said with a grin. "The Chimeran boundaries are¡­ a little different."


    Then he took her in his arms, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her.


    Sasha sighed into his mouth and he felt some of the tension she''d been holding seep out of her as she leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He dragged his hands up her sides, under her furs, and didn''t even bother with the buttons, just pushed up to slide the whole jacket up and off. Sasha stretched up to allow him to do it, shaking out her hair when he tossed the fur aside with a growl of approval when she was bare from the waist up.


    Sasha''s eyes sparkled and she smiled up at him, working on his buttons too. He wanted to watch her, but he was so overwhelmed with the need to be close to her that he just took her mouth, open and deep, teasing her tongue and exploring her body with his hands while she undressed him with trembling hands.


    Once they were both naked, and urged on by her shivering, Zev deepened the kiss, his strokes wing into her back as Sasha dropped her head to the side to encourage him to kiss her neck, and sighed happily.


    Trying to make sure he wasn''t too rough despite the battle he was waging with his own desire for her, Zev ran those wed fingers from her crown, down the back of her neck, fisting her hair and tugging her head back until she arched and her throat was entirely bare.


    A growl of possession puttered in his throat and Sasha groaned. "I love that noise."


    But Zev opened his mouth on her throat, letting his teeth graze her skin, while he soothed it with the t of his tongue.


    Goosebumps prickled down her neck and back, and her entire body shivered.


    "Are you cold?" he rasped against her throat.


    "No," she sighed. "I just want you so badly, Zev. It''s crazy. I need you all the time right now. I don''t even understand¡ª"


    "I do," he growled, then pulled her hair even tighter and began to suck on the skin that had been pulled taut.


    Sasha gasped and shivered again.


    Humming in his throat, Zev walked her back towards the bed and when her legs bumped against it, he didn''t wait or check in with her, he just dropped to pick up her legs and tip her backward onto the furs.


    Sasha gave a yful little shriek, and immediately began crawling back, her eyes hooded and mischievous, the red mark on her neck calling him like the brand he''d left on the back, under her hair.


    Fuck he wanted her.


    And she wanted him. He could smell her desire, and see her eagerness. Despite the cool room, her skin was flushed and she crawled almost the whole way up the bed, biting her lip and tipping her chin for him to follow.


    Follow he did, leaning down on the furs, his fingers fisted in them as he prowled towards her like the animal that inhabited his heart.


    Sasha''s eyes widened and her breathing picked up.


    "Your eyes are so fucking amazing, Zev," she whispered, breathless. "So piercing and intense, like you''re hunting me¡­ but in, like, the best way."


    "It''s because whenever they''re on you, I just need more," he rasped. He''d reached her legs and crawled up her body, pressing her back against the pillows.


    She went willingly, staring at him with a smile on her face he could only describe as joyous. It humbled him and made his cock twitch. Fuck she was beautiful.


    He was trembling now, his desire for her so intense it was overwhelming. All the stress of that day¡ªthe short night, his tension, waking up without her, and the fear¡­ it was all fuel to the fire inside his skin that burned only for her.


    He''d reached her feet and kept crawling, his lips parted to let him breathe more easily. Sasha opened her knees to let him crawl between her legs and the trust in her face, the utter abandon she gave him¡­ it put him on his knees.


    Cupping the underside of her calf, he slid his hand up her leg as he crawled up her body, leaving kisses from her knees to her thighs, to her stomach, until he reached her breasts and opened his mouth over the peak of one.


    Sasha arched under him, gasping and her hands flew to his hair, holding him against her as he moved from one to the other, sucking,ving with the t of his tongue, until her fingernails were digging into his scalp.


    She clung to him like his mouth was the answer to every question her body asked and he wanted to tell her that it was, it was. But he kept going, kissing his way up her chest, back to that redness on her throat, whispering his love to her and trying to contain the desperation that only grew within him.


    He''d intended to wait, to go slowly, but he reached her mouth and took it in a frantic kiss, as their hipse together and she tilted hers against him, it was too perfect. He could feel how she weed him and he couldn''t resist.


    With a moaning call, he entered her in a single, slow slide.


    It was an unexpected invasion and Sasha''s voice broke. She cried out, but with pleasure, her skin pebbling under his hands.


    For a moment they drowned in each other, rocking together, clinging, neither of them breathing as their bodies shuddered with this gorgeous pleasure.

 Chapter 372 Love in the Flesh

    <h4>Chapter 372 Love in the Flesh</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Being inside her was likeing home¡ªthe only ce he never wanted to leave. For a moment, emotion washed through him as his mind spun nightmares in which she''d disappeared and never returned, taken by the humans, or lost fighting them.


    As he rocked into her again, a guttural groan ripped between his teeth and he squeezed his eyes closed against the images in his mind.


    But Sasha''s hands in his hair, her kisses on his mouth, his jaw, his neck, the way she rose to meet him, her body writhing, hot, and soft, embracing him¡­ it all pushed the darkness back.


    Then he opened his eyes and with a whispered urge to wait, but without removing himself from her, he sat back on his heels to stare down at her.


    At first, he continued to roll his hips gently, watching himself enter her and his body shuddered with the sheer bliss of it. Sasha''s eyes were closed and her head back, one arm braced on the wall behind her. But when he didn''t return to her quickly, she opened her eyes and looked up at him, her jaw tipping back every time he rolled into her.


    "Are you okay?" she whispered, reaching toy a hand on the t of his stomach. He took the hand and pulled it up, kissing her palm.


    "I''m so much better now that you''re back," he growled. Then he thrust into her again.


    Her fingers closed on his hand and she braced, her mouth dropping open and her eyes closing as she let herself enjoy the feeling of him. And the picture of her, holding his hand, their bodies joined, her hips writhing¡­ He thrust into her again, a little harder, the small hairs rising on the back of his neck in sheer desire at the way her breath would stop when he pushed in, then rush out when he pulled out.


    She cried his name and suddenly he was there, right on the edge.


    "Fuck, Sash," he breathed and leaned down over her, bracing on his hands and arching his back to go deeper, but still watch her.


    Eyes closed and hair sprawled around her, Sasha cupped one hand around his forearm, and braced the other on his shoulder, using the leverage to increase the pressure between them.


    They both groaned and her head lolled back.


    Zev wanted to take that invitation, to taste her again, but he couldn''t stop drinking in the sight of her, of them, marveling at how she wanted him. His thrusts grew faster, but he made himself focus on keeping the pressure, feeling her clench and release on him as her small cries grew higher and thinner, breathier, as she climbed towards her release.


    But then his body began to take over. The sight of her, the sounds of her pleasure, the scent of her, and the flood of her desire¡­ it was too soon, too fast, he wanted it tost. But they''d found that perfect angle, the pressure that took pleasure so high it was almost unbearable, and they were both reaching, grasping, closer to the peak with every breath.


    "I''m sorry, Sash¡­ I''m sorry¡­ I''m¡ª"


    "Don''t stop, Zev! Please! Oh, God, help me¡ª!"


    Her skin flushed and pebbled, and her eyelids began to flutter as her pleasure increased. Her mouth, half-open, and her lips so soft but jaw-dropping for a moment every time he thrust¡ªit was the most erotic thing he''d ever seen.


    "Sasha¡­"


    "Please, Zev!" she gasped.


    With a growl, he braced one hand on the pillow next to her head, then with the other, he grasped her hip and pulled up as he thrust.


    Sasha called his name again, her eyes rolling back into her skull and she moaned, then it crashed over her¡ªher breath-stopping, body twitching and she began to keen. Everything tightened on him¡ªher body, her thighs, the grip of her hands¡ªand she undted beneath him, seeking, seeking.


    Fuck she was beautiful.


    Then she sucked in with a wheezing cry and Zev''s orgasm hit light a freight train, mming into him. His eyes dragged closed as it tore through him and he howled her name, his body tense and trembling with the electric current of it until finally it broke and he slumped, his head dropping. He caught his weight on his hands, but his elbows wanted to give, and he lowered himself over her, panting in her ear, both of them twitching, their bodies still crackling with the aftershocks of pleasure.


    Cupping one hand over her hair, Zev buried his face in her neck,ying kisses under her ear, knowing his breath was thundering against it, but he couldn''t stop. He had to hold her close, as close as two people could be.


    He almost wept with the sheer joy of it¡ªblissed out and disappointed at the same time.


    He hadn''t wanted it to end.


    But even before he''d found his breath, Sasha turned her head to find his eyes and his lips, kissing him softly and looking at him as if he was the marvel.


    "That was¡­"


    "I know," he rumbled, his voice rough with residual heat. "You''re amazing, Sash. I can''t believe the way you just give yourself to me."


    She snorted. "It''s a really tough job," she giggled. "I mean, but you know, sometimes an Alpha just has to take one for the team."


    Zev growled and took her mouth in a slow soft kiss. Her chuckles stopped and she clung to him, hugging him to her, though he worried his weight was going to be too much.


    When he pulled back to ask her, she was staring at him.


    "I love you, Zev. Like¡­ that''s not just fun, you know? It''s like¡­ it''s like your soul talks to mine when our bodies are in tune like that."


    "I know," he said seriously, tracing a strand of hair back that had stuck to her temple. "I''ve never¡­ there''s no one else, Sash. No one but you. You know that right?"


    "I know," she whispered. Her smile was a little bit frightened.


    Zev frowned. "What''s scaring you?"


    She gave a twisted little grin. "Just the idea that it would be so easy to lose you," she whispered, her cheeks pinking. "It seems like¡­ like every time we turn around there''s another new threat. I just want to be safe with you, Zev. I mean, both of us safe, at the same time, in the same ce, and together. Without all this shit hanging over us."


    He nodded. "Me too, beautiful."


    "I love you, Zev."


    "I love you too, Sash."

 Chapter 373 Stay

    <h4>Chapter 373 Stay</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "Without You" by for King and Country. It''s what I was listening to while writing both of these chapters!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    It had been such a wonderful night, Sasha didn''t want him to roll off. But eventually, they separated, and despite her muttered grumbles, he turned her over and tucked her into his chest, his lips brushing her neck and her ear as they talked.


    It was, she realized, the first time outside of their Solitude that they''d gone to bed early enough¡ªand healthy enough¡ªto simply chat.


    It felt so sweet and so normal she tried to savor every moment, just be present in it, fix it in her mind.


    She didn''t want to admit it, but her mind kept tumbling her back to the Compound, to Nick, to the humans, to all the ways this n could go wrong. And every time it did, fear, wing and jangling, wanted to close her throat.


    But she pushed it away, again and again, instead focusing on the weight of his arm on her side, or his thick knuckles when sheced her fingers between his, the warmth of his chest against her back, and the low, warm, chuckled warning he gave when she bumped her ass back against his¡­ er¡­ thighs.


    They talked about high school, and ces they''d been while they were apart¡ªboth of them skirting carefully around thepound or the breeding arena. Sasha didn''t feel like they were lying only¡­ focusing on the good.


    Zev told her about a time he''d followed her when she was outte and drinking¡ªnot something she made a habit of, and he''d been worried about her out in the city alone.


    "I almost approached you that night," he said, his voice low and rough with his weariness. "Nick must have sensed it, because he showed up after I actually went inside the club."


    "Omigosh, how far away were you?" Sasha asked him, turning around to face him and leaning up on her elbow. "We were in the same room?"


    He nodded and pushed her hair back behind her shoulder. "It was so hard not to go after you¡ªthere was some asshole hanging all over you, and I was afraid he was going to spike your drink or something. You were with your gay friend and he seemed kind of oblivious."


    "That must have been pre-George days," Sasha huffed. "George was the boyfriend he gotter. He was a total bruiser and always hovered over us like some kind of bodyguard. It was obnoxiously cute."


    Zev nodded. "I was grateful when he came along, because I knew he was strong enough to take care of any trouble. Then Rob showed up¡­" Zev grimaced.


    Sasha smiled. "I never had feelings for Rob," she said, leaning down to kiss his chin and rake her teeth on the stubble there. Zev sighed and pulled her into a real kiss.


    "I mean it, Zev," she said, pulling away to meet his eyes. "Honestly, he got sick of listening to me talk about you."


    Zev''s lips curled up. "Can''t say that''s tough to hear."


    She rolled him onto his back and leaned on his chest. Eventually, the discussion moved to the time when he''d decided to actually talk to her.


    "It wasn''t nned. I mean, I can see now that subconsciously, I knew it wasing. But I never let myself have the thought, you know?" he said, his expression oddly vulnerable. "I think I was scared to acknowledge it in case something got in the way. But I put the cars in ce and I was surveilling the buildings¡­ It was a strange time."


    "Whereas, other than going to work, I was just sitting on my ass and beating myself up because I couldn''t make myself care about anyone but you."


    Zev smiled. "Again¡­ that''s not hard to hear."


    She red at him. "It was hard at the time. I thought you were gone." She realized she was gripping his shoulder and made herself release him. She dropped her chin. It had been easy to forget about those days recently when everything else was happening. But the thought reminded her of that haunting hollowness that she''d lived with for five years. The feeling no one else seemed to understand.


    "Hey, Sash," Zev rumbled, then pushed up on his elbow too, putting his fingers under her chin and forcing her head up, making her meet his eyes. "I was so miserable then. So¡­ broken. I don''t want to go back there either. Ever. You believe me, right?"


    She nodded. "And I want you to know, I can see it now¡­ how they would have manipted you, I mean. I get it. I went in there knowing how evil they were and knowing that they twisted everything and it was still hard to keep my head straight. Honestly, I''m surprised you came out of it as clear-headed as you did.


    He shook his head and blew out a breath. "I really don''t deserve you, Sasha," he said quietly, his voice deep and rough.


    He brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her softly, gently, slowly. Then he cupped her face. "I''m so d you''re here."


    Theyy back down, facing each other this time, and let the conversation lead them where it would¡­ which inevitably for Sasha, came back to the females and the breeding and how the male perspective on fertility was going to affect Mae and any others like her. There had to be more, right? Nick had said they made mistakes at times, or their experiments didn''t result in what they''d hoped.


    The chances that others among the females that had been sent over were now infertile¡ªor maybe, just like wild animals that were domesticated, the stress shut down their cycles?


    Sasha shook her head.


    "What''s wrong?" Zev murmured.


    "I just feel so bad for Mae." The female''s tear-stained face shed through her head again. "I feel so bad for any of them that are going to get rejected because of something they can''t control. It makes me reluctant to push them to reintegrate with the males."


    "Don''t worry about that, Sash. You can''t control it. And besides, I''m still certain the established mates won''t reject their females."


    Sasha wasn''t so sure, but she also didn''t have answers and didn''t know how many of the females were going to have difficulties in that area. So really, there was no point.


    She was just d that she and Zev still had a chance.


    And she hoped it wasn''t too selfish to think that way.

 Chapter 374 Spiders

    <h4>Chapter 374 Spiders</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha sighed and Zev''s eyes sharpened.


    "What is it?"


    Sasha chastised herself for even thinking in those terms.


    "Nothing." She wasn''t going to be that selfish. She was already Alpha, with a stunning mate who loved her, and the chance for a family. Her energy and focus needed to go into the females, into the Chimera as a whole. Because if they could get them out safe, the rest was going to work out for all of them.


    Thoughts of the females inevitably led to talk of the n and getting the rest of them back. "We have to be so careful," Sasha breathed, nerves fluttering in her stomach at the thought. "We''ll only have one shot to get the females out of there because as soon as any are discovered missing the team will know that we must be taking them to Thana. And they''lle over, right?"


    Zev agreed.


    "So we can''t have any dys. We have to get them and get them to the new ce in one single night."


    "What we need," Zev said, "is to get Nick into some kind of routine. He''ll be harmless if he''s distracted. I mean, he won''t notice the creatures going through since he doesn''t know most of them. Ernie will have to stay until the end, but I don''t think that will be a hard sell. I''m pretty sure at this point Ernie enjoys freaking Nick out."


    Sasha couldn''t help but giggle. "He really did seem to be relishing it a bit when we were walking back," she said.


    Zev nodded. "I''ve never seen him so engaged. He''s usually a real loner. He and Skhal get along great, and it''s apparently because both of them barely talk, and hardly ever ask the other to.


    "What, they''re friends?"


    "Sort of, they hunt together."


    Sasha swallowed. "Ernie¡­ hunts?"


    Zev, apparently unaware of her uneasiness, smiled. "It''s really amazing what he can do¡ªhe can make webs that you can''t even see in the right light, but it''s strong enough to hold you. He could catch you like a bug and¡ª"


    "That''s¡­ super awesome," Sasha said shakily. "But I think it''s better if I keep thinking about Ernie as the yful friend who wants to scare people, but is secretly just a cuddly teddy bear."


    Zev snorted. "Ernie is not cuddly."


    "Cuddly teddy bear! Please! Leave me with my dreams, Zev!"


    Zev looked at her, surprised, then smiled and finally let her change the subject. He ryed that Skhal was already organizing for them to meet with any creatures who were willing. They''d travel to Yhet''s cave in a few days to meet them.


    "Once the creatures are through we''ll need to choose the date for the females," Sasha said, her excitement rising. "I tried to talk to Vayl about that when I checked that I could reach them, but Vayl didn''t know days or weeks. She seemed to think every day was the same for them unless the humans decided to do something new. So she just said they''d be willing to run the moment it was possible. She was making them keep bags ready and hidden. That was what gave me the idea for the Alphas."


    Zev nodded. "It''s what I would have done too," he said with a proud smile. But the smile faltered quickly.


    "What is it?" Sasha asked.


    "I don''t know. I just feel like this is all too simple. Like there must be something we''re not seeing. Is it really only Nick we have to avoid? I don''t know," he said, frowning. "I''m afraid there must be more to this picture and we just aren''t seeing it. I really think we should get some of the others involved. See what they say."


    "I really don''t want to risk the news of this getting out," Sasha said. "I mean, not just to protect us from them stopping us, but¡­ I assume the humans haven''t figured out the gateway can be used this way. I don''t want to give them that idea. What if they use it to find other worlds and other Chimera in other ces?


    "I feel like we can trust the Creatures because they avoid everyone except each other. But Chimera might talk, even in well-meaning ways. And Nick is too smart. If he gets even a hint of this, he''s going to figure it out, and then we''re screwed."


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Theyy together for hours, talking, nning, trying to find holes in their own ns, and figure out what the humans were up to.


    But even when the conversation was hard, Zev couldn''t stop touching her, pulling her into his side when he rolled onto his back, stroking one hand up and down her side.


    "I''m so d you''re here, Sash," he said as they grew quiet. "And I''m so d you''re mine."


    Sasha, her head on his shoulder, turned it up to stare at him. "I still have trouble believing it sometimes," she admitted. "But I don''t doubt you anymore. I know this is real for both of us, I can feel it."


    She put her hand to his chest, right over the spot where he could feel that piece of her that lived inside him. Neither of them spoke as they both listened and felt their heartbeats align. Then, without breaking her contact with his chest, he turned onto his side to face her and slid a hand up her arm to cup her face.


    "No matter how this goes or what happens, I''ll do everything I can to keep you safe, Sash," he whispered. "No matter what."


    "Me too," she whispered back, her palm still against his chest as his heart began to pound with fear at the thoughts of everything that could go wrong. "We''re in this together, right?"


    Then she leaned in to kiss him, and Zev just breathed her in.


    Then Sasha pulled back, her eyes wide and shining. "You promise, even if¡­"


    "Anything," he rasped and was about to pull her into a kiss. But Sasha blew out a breath.


    "Even if Ernie catches me in a web?"


    Zev snorted and pulled her into his chest, kissing her hair and trying not tough. "Even if Ernie miraculously has a thousand little babies and they''re crawling all over your skin and¡ª"


    "OH STOP!" Sasha groaned. "Don''t put THAT in my head. I do want to sleep at some point."


    But Zev just kept holding her and grinning. Because he meant every word.

 Chapter 375 New Life

    <h4>Chapter 375 New Life</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    The following several days were hectic and stressful and more than once Sasha wondered if she was going to lose her mind. But every time she would feel like she was hitting her limit, there would be a little victory that gave her hope.


    Every day a new group of females would gain confidence and venture out of the hall to interact with the males. Most of them returned to the hall to sleep among the females, but a handful returned to their ns and began working towards a normal life.


    Sasha continued to check with them and invite them back to the female''s quarters whenever they needed a break. But most seemed to thrive once they got beyond their initial fear.


    It only made Sasha more convinced that the females needed the males. That they needed their ns¡ªeven though most had no mates. There were Chimera they considered family, whether they were rted by blood or not. And Sasha could see, the sooner the females got back among those they knew and loved, the faster they began to smile.


    Skhal confirmed that the Creatures would spread the word to the furthest reaches of Thana and meet them all in the valley below Yhet''s cave in a few days.


    While Sasha was excited that things were beginning to settle, there were still so many little details and niggling concerns.


    Nick was beginning to ask questions.


    Yhet was gone a lot of the time¡ªwhich Zev didn''t seem to think was unusual, but whenever Sasha saw him, she couldn''t shake the feeling that he wasn''t his usual sunny self. But when she asked him he just made excuses.


    "I like to move, Sasha-don," he said with a thick hand resting on her shoulder. "Lately there have been many reasons to stay in one ce. Now that things are calming, I''m stretching my legs as much as I can. But I''m keeping an ear on things here. Don''t worry. If you need me, just yell."


    "I''m not worried because I need you, Yhet, I''m worried because you don''t seem¡ª"


    But they''d been joined then by some of the other males, needing Sasha''s input on who should be patrolling the vige that day, and when she''d turned back, Yhet was gone.


    Then she''d been distracted by the made females. The two had clung tightly to each other and been the most afraid of leaving the hall¡ªexcept Mae, who wasn''t afraid but avoiding her mate.


    Sasha had realized that those women had lived their entire life in apartments andbs. They had no clue how to function in this environment.


    Well, she struggled with theck of conveniences, too. So she spent a couple of days showing them the things she''d learned and helping them grow in courage to step out among the males.


    It didn''t work. One of them was crying before she got to the bottom of the stairs, and the other trembled until Sasha took them back up to the hall.


    She was at a loss. How would they ever assimte these females who had been torn from an already traumatic life into something sopletely unknown¡ªand a home overwhelmingly male? And not just the Made females who''d never been there¡ªall of them. While the others had all lived in Thana before, more than half of them had been made in theb and brought here as little more than children. The bulk of their lives had been spent in thepound and though they didn''t want to go back, they didn''t feel safe here anymore either.


    Sasha was at a loss.


    Surprisingly, Mae proved to be the most effective in pulling these females out of their funks and helping them prepare to venture back out into the City. Because she didn''t fear the environment itself, she was great at exining to them what they could find and where. Shemunicated with authority and calm. And she spoke highly of the males.


    "Chimeran males are different to the humans," she''d assured those that remained in the hall. "They see the choice of your body and function as entirely yours. They will attempt to draw your attention and even share touch and smell. But they will not force themselves on you, and if you give the right signals, they will leave you alone entirely."


    She gave them reminders¡ªfor those who''d lived there before¡ªof how to signal both interest in a male, and how to ensure they didn''t identally invite attention.


    A few days after Sasha''s meeting with the Alphas, Mae held one of these sessions in the afternoon, and afterward, six of the females spent the evening returning to their ns.


    Sasha hugged Mae and thanked her.


    "Are you certain you can''t give it a try, Mae? I''ll help in any way I can. I want to see you with this kind of freedom for yourself."


    For the first time, she saw uncertainty in Mae''s eyes. Her mate was still spending most of his time sitting in the courtyard below¡ªasionally calling to her.


    Whenever he did, Sasha saw Mae close her eyes as if she was fixing the sound in her mind. More than once, Sasha had seen tears slip out from under hershes. It broke her heart.


    But her mate wasn''t out there right now. Mae looked around the hall. They were down to about twenty females now and Sasha worried that Mae would end up thest of them, and still living in this space that was safe and warm but not designed for it. She needed a home and a bed and her mate!


    But Mae just shrugged. "If I can help right now, I want to," she said. "At least then I''m doing something good."


    Sasha tried to protest, but Mae wouldn''t hear it.


    Sasha wept in Zev''s arms that night, just in sheer frustration and anger for all the pain the humans had brought on these people. But once she was calm and Zev was holding her, Sasha calmed.


    Tears helped nothing. She was determined to see Mae and her mate reunited.


    They just had to figure out how.

 Chapter 376 A Little Solitude

    <h4>Chapter 376 A Little Solitude</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    A week after Sasha brought the females to the City, the females were calm enough as a group that she and Zev could travel to Yhet''s Cave for the meeting with the Creatures. The morning before Nick had taken his first trip through the Gateway to connect with the humans. Sasha and Zev had agreed they wouldn''t leave until he was back and there was no obvious sign that the humans wereing with him.


    Sasha found herself both nervous and excited on the night before they would leave. On the one hand, it would be the first step towards victory over the humans¡ªevery creature that passed through the gateway and into the Safe ce was one less Chimera that would ever be harmed by human hands.


    On the other, Zev and the others had warned her that most of the creatures wereing¡ªand none were entirely human in their appearance.


    But during that night, Sasha woke with a start from a nightmare of standing in a circle of aggressive, half-insect, and half-serpent Chimera, descending on her because she was human and unprotected.


    It had taken a long time to get back to sleep. But she''d curled up against Zev''s back and reminded herself that this trip also meant they would get some time alone¡ªand at Yhet''s cave.


    That was worth the nightmare, she decided.


    When the day dawned that they would travel, Sasha was hopping, like a little kid. They wouldn''t meet with the Creatures until the following night, but they were going to take the opportunity to have some time to themselves.


    Both of them were pinched and exhausted. Sasha could barely wait.


    They''d had several Chimera to talk to, so didn''t start on their way until mid-morning, and they were caught by Oska, the Hare Alpha as they stepped out of the City.


    Sasha muttered a curse under her breath when he called their names from behind them, and Zev nudged her.


    Stupid Chimera super-hearing.


    They turned to find the male running up behind them, beaming. "Sasha-don, I wanted to assure you before you left, my fastest messengers are at the ready to get news to you if anything untoward should happen. And Ernie is assisting us, staying close to Nick to keep him distracted while you''re gone."


    Sasha thanked the male, who preened under her approval. "The Hares serve their Alphas. We''ll send a messenger to the valley at dusk and dawn¡ªshould you need to get anything to us, just tell them. They can make the run far faster even than you, Zev."


    Zev nodded. Like Sasha, he was reluctant to engage the male in a conversation. Oska was lovely, Sasha knew, but he had a lot of words.


    Thankfully, either he was busy with his responsibilities, or he''d realized they were eager to get away because he bowed and gave them both jolly farewells.


    Sasha turned, the skin on the back of her neck tight as Zev took her hand and they started down the trail. She was waiting for another interruption¡ªor worse, a reason they had to stay.


    But when no one had rushed up to them half an hourter, she began to rx.


    "Where''s the meeting going to be?" she asked Zev hesitantly. "Will they be gathering in the valley? Will we see them when we arrive?" she was worried they would get held up on their way to the cave.


    But Zev shook his head. "We''re going much further down the valley. Those with the sharpest scents will know when we''ve arrived, but they''ll leave us alone. The Creatures live out of the City for a reason. They won''t bother us," he said, squeezing her hand.


    Sasha smiled.


    But then Zev went on. "There''s arger clearing about twenty minutes walk for you¡ªbeyond where we ran into Minos. The valley is a lot wider there, and the River deeper and flows more slowly. There''s a lot more room both in the water and on thend. Some of them need a lot of room."


    Sasha swallowed nervously.


    But Zev just chuckled. "You don''t need to be scared, Sash. They all know about you and they''re interested, not upset. They''re d you got some of the females back. Plus, I''ll be there," he winked.


    "But why does it have to be at night?" Sasha asked.


    "We''re less likely to be interrupted. Plus, some of the nocturnals can''t be in daylight, but all the daylight creatures can be in the dark."


    Sasha shuddered, her nightmare ring back to life in her head. The idea of strange creatures surrounding them at night. It was one of the few things about Thana she really didn''t like, she realized. It seemed like eyes and ears were always on them. As if it was near impossible to be private¡ªeven when they were in a cave or a home, others could hear them from outside.


    "Why does that bother you?" Zev asked, curious.


    Sasha frowned. "Didn''t you live that way in the human world? Privacy is very important to us. Space to be¡­ sacred. Where you can rest alone or with your family and no one else needs to know what''s going on. I never feelpletely free unless I''m certain we''re alone. It''s just what I''m used to, Zev."


    "Well," Zev''s voice got deep and suggestive. "I''m d we''ll have some private time at the cave."


    Sasha grinned. "I''m d too."


    With Zev uninjured and carrying their bags, and moving in daylight instead of night, Sasha found the trip to Yhet''s cave seemed to pass much quicker this time. She was pleasantly surprised when they turned into the valley floor, then up between the two sides of the mountains, passing that space where they''d made love in the shadow of the rocks.


    She looked at Zev and his gaze got heated, but neither of them said anything. He took her hand as they climbed, wending their way up the side of the little canyon to the mouth of the ice cave.


    Sasha felt like she took her first, full breath in a week when they walked inside and the gorgeous ice cave curled around them.

 Chapter 377 Back in the Cave

    <h4>Chapter 377 Back in the Cave</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "Stay" by Thirty Seconds to Mars. It''s what I was listening to while writing the following chapters!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha had expected it to be dark again, as it was the night they arrived. But between the sunlight that made the walls glow a dark, neon blue around them, and the fact that Zev had apparently had someonee out ahead of them¡ªthenterns were lit, a fire crackled in the wide firece, though it was low now and¡­


    Sasha beamed.


    Someone had set up the massive pot to warm bathwater.


    She turned a full circle as they walked into the cave, drinking in the high ceiling, the massive bed, the Yhet-sized furniture.


    "I can''t believe we''re here!" she said gleefully, throwing her arms wide and letting herself fall backwards onto the bed.


    Zev smiled, but his chin was low and his eyes intense on her as he dropped their bags next the massive set of drawers on the side of the cave and walked over to where she was sprawled on the bed.


    She pushed herself up onto her elbows and met his smile, heat-for-heat.


    Then she bit her lip and let her eyes scan the room around them. "So¡­ what''s first?"


    Zev raised an eyebrow. "I''m submitted to my Alpha," he said with that heated purr in his throat that made her belly tingle.


    "But there''s so many options. How could I choose? The bath¡­ the rug¡­ the bed¡­"


    Sasha''s legs hung off the end of the bed, so Zev stepped up between her knees and leaned over her, bracing himself on the furs at either side of her shoulders.


    Neither of them spoke for a moment, then he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers, soft and slow, a low growl puttering in his throat when she took his lip between her teeth for a moment.


    But before he could deepen the kiss, she pulled back and stared at him.


    Zev froze, opened his eyes and stared. "What? What''s wrong?"


    Sasha, no longer smiling, put a hand to his forehead. "No fever," she murmured. "And you promise me that you aren''t bleeding anywhere? No hidden illnesses or infections? I can''t have you fainting on me again¡ª"


    With a yful growl, Zev slid his arms under her and lifted her off the bed. "Cheeky female," he snarled, nipping at her neck with his teeth. "Too many furs, too many clothes for a warm cave. Definitely need those off," he muttered, setting her on her feet and starting on her buttons¡ªbut instead of kissing and ying, he pretended to be stern as he tugged at her buttons and tickled her sides when he got his hands under her furs.


    Sasha giggled and twitched, fighting him off. "I''m just m-making sure you''repletely healthy¡ªan ap-propriate m-mate for the Alpha!" she sniggered as Zev''s cold hands found her ribs.


    "I''m sick for you, if that counts?" he muttered.


    Sasha snorted, then started on his buttons. Both of them undressing each other without kissing, but allowing themselves moments to stroke and squeeze as skin was revealed and clothes tossed to the floor.


    When they were both naked, Sasha¡ªslightly chilled, leaned into his body andy her mouth open at that spot on his chest where the bond thrummed.


    Her own heart pattered, pounding against her ribs as if it wanted to reach through and be one with his.


    Neither of them wereughing anymore as Zev pulled her face up and kissed her, long and deep, slowly enough to savor, but with all the heat and promise that got her blood pumping so that she quickly wasn''t feeling cold anymore.


    "I think¡­" Zev breathed against her lips momentster, "I think we have a tradition to uphold," he whispered, dropping his chin to nudge her jaw up so he could kiss her neck.


    "Hmmm?" Sasha said, focused entirely on the tingles spreading down her back and side when his lips yed at her skin.


    Then he took her mouth again, hard and fast, then stepped back.


    Sasha rocked forward, taken by surprise, but Zev just waggled his eyebrows and hurried over to the firece to pull the big pot off the mes, throw more wood on the embers, and drag the massive bath out to the rug.


    He made short work of pouring the steaming water in, then refilling with cold to add to it. Sasha stood there watching his muscles bunch and ripple as he shifted the huge weights like they were nothing. She loved the way his jaw cast a shadow, the way the lines of his body seemed cut from marble. The tendon that stood out on his neck when he braced to lift the heavy pot¡­


    She still couldn''t quite believe he was sopletely hers, but fuck¡­ she loved him.


    Then he dipped a hand in the water of the bath and stirred at it, nodding, then looked up at her standing there watching himpletely naked.


    "Perfect," he breathed.


    And he wasn''t talking about the water.


    He stepped around the tub toe for her, his long strides slow and rolling, reminding her of a cat prowling, though she knew he wouldn''t appreciate theparison.


    When he reached her, he wrapped an arm around her lower back and pulled her against him. Sasha let herself lean back, let him take her weight, while she watched herself run her hands up his torso to his shoulders, thenced her fingers behind his neck.


    They stared at each other for a long moment, both their chests rising and falling faster and faster. Sasha''s heart trilled, wondering what he would do.


    Zev didn''t say a word, but his gaze only intensified as he led her back towards the tub and urged her to step in, but he held her hand to keep her up when she started to lower herself into it. She was going to ask, but something in his eyes stopped her from speaking.


    When she was standing at one end of therge tub, Zev stepped in too, then put his hands at her waist before dropping to kneel in front of her. Her breath caught. The sight of him, down on his knees, his broad shoulders rippling in the light of the mes at their sides, his back andscape of valleys and rounds when he leaned forward, was stunning.


    Then he lifted his eyes to hers, nudged her thighs apart, and with a tortured whisper of her name, put his mouth to her.

 Chapter 378 Never Enough

    <h4>Chapter 378 Never Enough</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Sasha barely breathed as he licked, teased, and rubbed, her body twitching and her fingers fisted in his hair. She gasped his name over and over as her knees shook until he feared she might fall over. He''d intended to bring her to her climax first before he even entered her, but her legs trembled, and her cries for him became frantic.


    "Please, Zev¡­ please¡­ I want y¡ªoh fuck¡ª" she gasped.


    Zev smiled against her, humming his approval, and Sasha cried out, her knees giving, though she hadn''t found her release yet. Sweeping her towards him before she fell, they tumbled backward so his shoulders came up hard against the end of the tub, and she fell onto his thighs, her arms braced on his shoulders. But she didn''t give him even a breath, crawling into hisp, one hand pped to the back of his neck, the other between them to find him and position herself, then she sank onto him, and they both groaned.


    Zev shuddered, his legs trembling as his entire body was shocked by the sensation of her taking him to the hilt, warm and ready, so ready. He sucked in and gripped her hips with shaking hands as she sat her full weight onto him and pulled he legs forward to wrap around his back, pulling him forward as she leaned back.


    The water rippled and broke against the sides of the tub as they moved, neither of them breathing for a long moment, consumed by the pleasure they found in each other.


    Sasha had her head tipped back, her hair dangling down, and would have brushed his legs, but the water caught it, swirling with their movement.


    "Zev¡­" she breathed, barely gasping the word before sucking in and rolling with him again.


    Zev growled and slid one hand up her spine to cup the back of her head so shey against his arm, while with the other he found her breast and began to y.


    He could feel her body clench every time he squeezed or toyed with her nipple, and the sheer joy in it almost tipped him over the edge.


    But he''d wanted this time to go slowly and at this rate they''d be done in minutes.


    "Stop, stop," he panted against her throat, forcing himself to lift his head and hold her tightly to him so she couldn''t roll away anymore.


    "What? What''s wrong?"


    He chuckled and tweaked her nipples so that she clenched on him again, and he growled and almost gave up, but he forced himself not to push into her again.


    "Nothing''s wrong," he said, his voice hoarse with unquenched desire. "I want to slow down. I want to y."


    Sasha smiled and rocked her hips the little that she could, smiling wider when he grunted.


    "What did you have in mind?" she asked breathlessly.


    He kissed her, long and slow, then pulled back to meet her eyes. "Turn around and brace on the end of the tub." His voice was low, almost a growl, and her eyes red at the sound of it. But she bit her lip and braced on his shoulders to lift herself off him.


    That delicious slide was gorgeous, but then the loss of her, her warmth, her heat, made him groan for entirely different reasons. But she carefully stood, then turned, cing her feet to either side of his legs, then bending forward to grip the other end of the tub, leaving herselfpletely bare to him.


    Zev''s jaw dropped with sheer lust.


    She turned her head to look at him over her shoulder, her eyes dancing. She opened her mouth¡ªto be cheeky, he was sure¡ªbut he didn''t give her a chance, reaching for her, finding her with two fingers, then three, groaning as she made a small cry and clenched around him.


    His breath tore from his throat, but he couldn''t stop touching her, exploring, curling fingers and pressing with knuckles to see what made her breath stop, and what made her body jolt. Then he got to his feet, kissing the base of her spine as he rose, looming over her. She was too short for him to take her standing straight, which was a frustration, but with a muttered growl to trust him, he leaned over her, twining their fingers, then gripping the end of the tub with her, his chest to her back, her neck bare to his mouth and, knees bent, bracing one foot back against the other end of the tub, he took her, raising her to her toes with his first thrust because the feeling of her was so mind-blowing, he almost lost controlpletely.


    Sasha cried out as he entered her, her fingers tightening between his and on the back of the tub, in time with his thrusts. For long minutes he yed, stroking her back with his free hand, curling her hair around his wrist, biting and sucking at the back of her neck, and always rocking into her, until his legs began to tremble with the effort of keeping himself on his feet.


    Then, as they both picked up the pace, Sasha''s cries echoing alongside his low grunts, hey his mouth to that spot on the back of her neck and whispered, "Hold on."


    Her fingers tightened on the edge of the tub, and he gripped her hard, his arm bing steel as he curled his free arm around her belly and lifted her, thrusting quickly and hard, until he reached the limits of her¡ªand a momentter, she made a high, keening cry, and her body went rigid.


    She tightened around him so beautifully, that Zev groaned and almost came. Her legs gave out entirely, and suddenly weak himself, he sat down in the water with a ssh, theirbined weight pulling her down onto him with a jolt that had them both crying out. But she was still in the throes of her orgasm, shaking and twitching, wing at his arm as he pulled her against him.


    Then she broke, her body going limp in his arms as she sucked in a breath, then found herself, kneeling over his thighs.


    As Zev continued to rock into her, his breath still short and rasping, she gripped his arms at her waist and called to him, begging him toe for her.


    Zev''s orgasm hit and he bellowed her name, over and over, until his shouts bounced off each other in the peak of the ceiling above.


    Then he slumped too, backward against the tub, pulling her into his chest so she was arched back, using him as a seat.


    For a long moment, they both just breathed. Zev stroked up and down her body, stunned senseless by the joy of having her, yearning to have her again already, while their hearts slowly returned to normal.


    Sasha raised one of her hands up and back to cup the back of his neck and pull herself back into him.


    "Are you ufortable?" he whispered, then kissed the skin under her ear.


    "Not at all," she breathed. "Zev, that was¡­."


    "I know."


    "Every day, Zev. Every hour if we can. I always want you like that."


    "How''s that?" he asked with a low smile.


    "So¡­ abandoned," she said, her voiceced with awe. "Like¡­ like I''m a drug you can''t get enough of."


    "You are," he whispered. "There''s never enough."


    He felt her cheek pull to a smile against his. "I know the feeling." She whispered and her fingers tightened on his neck. "I really do."

 Chapter 379 Broken Minds, Broken Heart

    <h4>Chapter 379 Broken Minds, Broken Heart</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "Walk Through the Fire" by Zayde Wolf + Ruelle. It''s what I was listening to while writing these chapters!


    *****


    ~ LHARS ~


    The next morning after Zev and Sasha left for the meeting with the Creatures, Lhars was just outside the City. He''d struggled to sleep the night before and ended up taking a walk at dawn just to distract himself.


    But he''d found he couldn''t quite bring himself to go back within the walls. There were so many things happening¡ªsome good, some bad¡ªthat it felt like those massive stone structures and walls were about to close in on his head.


    He was aware of the problems Zev sometimes had sleeping inside a room with straight walls and a t roof. He''d never struggled with those things himself, but he wondered if this was what his brother went through.


    For Lhars it was just a rising tension that wanted to close his throat. But not with fear. It was words rising to choke him¡ªthings he longed to say. Mostly to Kyelle.


    He''d started avoiding her when he could, though he wouldn''t go out of his way. But he''d stopped seeking her out. Her eyes, whenever she looked at him, were full of confusion and fear and it broke him all over again every time he saw it. She''d been so consumed with Zev for so long, it was as if she couldn''t see him.


    He wanted to weep.


    He wanted to fight.


    He wanted to disappear.


    He didn''t know what he wanted. He just wanted the feelings to stop.


    Watching her with the Alphas, her quiet confidence and wisdom, he''d yearned to reach for her so badly his fingers had twitched.


    Seeing her soothe and lead the females who''d ventured out of the hall, help them through the frightening moments¡ªand celebrate their victories¡­ he''d wanted that smile for himself.


    He''d wanted so badly to nt himself in front of her and demand that she see him, to scream at her¡ªbegging, demanding that she see what he felt for her¡­ He''d had to leave.


    And now that he was out of the City, now that he knew when he went back he''d see her within the hour¡­ he found he didn''t want to move.


    Instead of following thest bend in the trail that took him back through those trees and into the City Arch, he''d stepped off in the other direction, put his back to a tree, and now he was sitting there, watching the sky turn from pink to blue between the tree branches above.


    Fuck. He was fucking pathetic.


    Slumped back against the tree he started talking to himself about the strength he had, the ability to just live and help her how he could and ignore the hollow ache in his stomach. He was strong. He was an Alpha¡ªsecond among the wolves, the most powerful n in Chimera! He wouldn''t be chased from his own home by a female.


    But whenever her face shed in his mind, the ache went so deep, so painful, it stopped his breath.


    He closed his eyes. Just thinking about her seemed to conjure her scent. He inhaled deeply, then blinked.


    He really could smell her¡ª


    "Lhars?!" her voice was broken and hesitant.


    He was on his feet in a sh, stepping out from behind the tree to find her standing there, staring at him with wide eyes, silvered with tears.


    "What''s wrong?!" he rushed forward.


    But Kyelle met him halfway, throwing herself, sobbing, into his arms and clinging to him. Stunned, he tried to make sense of her words that were thickened with tears and pressed into his chest. All her wariness and reticence were gone. She came to him as she always had¡ªwith the freedom and ease of long friendship and understanding.


    Her words were broken by cries and sniffs, sometimes muffled against his furs, or her own hands, but soon the picture became clear and his heart sank.


    Lhars hadn''t been the only one struggling to sleepst night.


    During the night, one of the females who''de from thebs¡ªshe''d never been in Thana before¡ªhad gone to the top of the building, climbing to the roof to sit on top of it.


    They''d just found her an hour earlier.


    "I don''t know if she fell or¡­ or jumped," Kyelle sobbed.


    Lhars'' heart squeezed and he pulled her against him. She''d invested so much in the females, been working so hard to help them. "It''s not your fault," he whispered. "They were so unhappy, Kyelle. I pray it was an ident, that she simply slipped. But¡­ you cannot take this on yourself."


    "I know, I know. I just¡­ I''m so scared, Lhars! I''m so scared that no matter what we do to help them, the females have been broken forever, and it''s just so hard to watch. I thought I was unhappy! I thought I was struggling. But now I see them and I realize¡­ My life is good. It''s¡­ it''s so much better than what they''ve had to deal with. I''ve been sitting here feeling sorry for myself, but Lhars¡­ I''m so blessed!" she pushed back against his chest, gripping his furs and staring up at him, her tears still spilling down her cheeks.


    Swallowing hard, he wiped her cheeks with his thumbs. "We both are," he said, roughly. "Just¡­ don''t carry this, Kyelle. This isn''t on you. Or Sasha. Or any of us. This is on them. This was done by the humans and they''re the ones who need to pay for it."


    "But they never will, and it''s so unfair!" she cried. "Even if we get away¡ªthey still have so many there¡­ or more they can make. Have you thought about that, Lhars? When we leave, we''re taking away thest hope for any single Chimera that''s left behind. And for any that they maketer, there will be no hope at all. I can''t¡­ I don''t know if I can do this. I don''t know if I can leave knowing¡ª"


    Suddenly terrified, he gripped her hair and held her there, forced her to hold his gaze. "You can," he growled. "You can, and you will, Kyelle."

 Chapter 380 The Ache Inside

    <h4>Chapter 380 The Ache Inside</h4>


    ~ LHARS ~


    Lhars stared down at her, willing her to hear him and to see what he saw¡ªto be unwilling to remove herself from any of them. From him most of all. "You know as well as I do that the world is full of injustice. It is full of pain. You and I will not sentence ourselves or anyone else to a lifetime of it out of¡­passion for those we can''t save. Promise me. Promise me you won''t do that!"


    Kyelle blinked at his intensity and licked her lips quickly. "I-I do. I promise, Lhars, I wasn''t¡ª"


    "I''m serious, Kyelle¡ªyou vow to me that you will not throw yourself away on their cruelty!" He was gripping her hard, he realized and forced himself to gentle his touch. But Kyelle was apparently shocked from her tears. She lifted one of her hands from his furs and put it to his face.


    "I''m sorry, Lhars. I didn''t mean to make you think¡­ I''m sorry. I promise. I vow¡ªokay? I won''t stay or¡­ or do anything stupid. I won''t. That wasn''t what I meant. I just¡­ I grieve for them. That''s all. I''m just grieving for them."


    Somehow she was soothing him now, stroking his face and clearing her throat, making her voice strong, as if she was afraid he might do something to hurt himself if she didn''t.


    "I promise," she whispered, stroking his cheek. "Do you hear me? I promise."


    Lhars nodded.


    They stood so close their noses almost touched. She''d stopped crying, though her breath still hitched, but she was searching his eyes, as if afraid of what she''d find there.


    Lhars held her upper arms, though he''d made himself loosen his grip. But her hands on him¡ªone fisted in his furs, the other at his face¡ªwere rigid and trembling.


    They stared at each other, and Lhars felt all of his love rush forward, his heart swelling with yearning and aching and joy because she was so close, and he could smell how being close to him had made her less afraid. She was touching him!


    Then he blinked.


    She was emotional. She''d just had a terrible shock and needed help from an Alpha, someone she could lean on without creating insecurity for the hierarchy. She''de to him because Zev¡ªthe one she really wantedfort from¡ªwas gone with his mate. And other Zev, Lhars was her oldest friend. She loved Lhars, but not in the way that he loved her, he reminded himself.


    He swallowed hard and made himself let go. He couldn''t let himself give in to this rush, this want. He couldn''t pressure her. She was carrying enough. If he couldn''t have her as his mate, he wanted her like this¡ªunguarded and willing to lean on him.


    Lhars straightened, clearing his throat, tearing his eyes from hers to look at the forest around them as if checking for intruders. "Are you okay?" he muttered.


    Kyelle blinked, but she nodded. He dropped his eyes to the ground and she blinked again. Then her grip on his furs loosened and she stepped back, her fingers trailing down his jaw as she dropped her hands to her sides.


    "Thank you," she breathed, but when he looked up, her eyes had clouded and it made him grieve. "I''m sorry I put all that on you."


    He shook his head. "I want you toe to me, Kyelle. Don''t ever hesitate. Please. Don''t apologize."


    She stared at him and took a deep breath like she might say something, but then she stepped back, then back again. "Thank you," she whispered.


    Then before he could answer, she turned and darted back towards the City.


    Lhars held himself together until she disappeared between the trees and underbrush, then slumped and put his face in his hands.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha woke first and for a moment she couldn''t remember why she felt so happy. She just knew she was warm andfortable and loving how Zev''s arm was thrown over her waist. Then she opened her eyes to the indigo glow of the ice cave in the half-light of dawn and actually smiled. Zevy facing her, his arm outside the furs and throw over her, his face rxed and shadowed by stubble.


    She could only see the shape and shadow of his face in this light, but even that partial glimpse of his handsome face made her stomach trill.


    How was it possible that she seemed to want him even more now than she had before? How was it that every day that passed, she wanted him more¡ªyearned to be closer. Why was her appetite never sated?


    She wanted to reach out from under the warm furs and stroke his face, but she didn''t want to wake him. He''d had even less sleep than her in the previous days¡ªenough that she was starting to wonder if they could find a cave somewhere near the City so he''d sleep better. Even though the Alpha bedchamber wasrge and quiet, he still wasn''t sleeping through most nights, no matter howte they went to bed.


    But here¡­ in the cave with the smell of ice and stone, he was deeply asleep, and had been for hours.


    She made a mental note to ask him during the walk back to the City. But for now, she justy still and watched him, thinking of all the ways he''d loved her the night before.


    He''d bathed her, made love to her again, fed her, loved her again. They''din together for a nap in the afternoon, then woken to another burning ache, but he''did over her this time, loving her slowly and talking to her as he did.


    Sasha was overwhelmed, both by her own desire for him and with humility for the shameless way he loved her.


    She''d spent so many years aching for him and now he was here. And no matter what wasing¡­ she was never leaving his side. Never. The wave of fear that washed over her when she even thought about it was breathtaking.


    Ardent, she realized. That''s what this meant.


    It meant they were a part of each other now. Forever.

 Chapter 381 Just Be

    <h4>Chapter 381 Just Be</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    It was the most incredible day for Zev. A picture, he thought, of what it would be like if they''d had anything close to a normal life. And for a few hours he let go of the responsibilities, of the challenges and conflicts¡ªthe outright war they were fighting¡ªand just let himself be with his mate and enjoy her.


    He''d wokente, a rare luxury in itself, to find Sasha already wide awake, her eyes sparkling and fixed on his.


    "Hey," he''d murmured, his voice hoarse and rough from sleep.


    Her skin was pink, and her eyes puffy, but she was smiling, and he loved to see her like that.


    "Good morning," she whispered, then beamed at him. "Guess what? We don''t have to get up."


    Zev blinked. He hadn''t thought about it, but she was right. Some mornings back at the City they''d alone long enough to take each other quickly. It was always beautiful and left him yearning for more. But it was hurried, a stolen moment before they both were pulled back into the lives of the Chimera and back to their respective duties.


    Most mornings one of them woke earlier, or someone came to wake them with a need. Some night''s they''d never deeply slept.


    He''d sleptst night.


    The silence here¡­ the high, natural ceiling. The smell of ice and stone and Sasha¡­ it was as if this was an oasis for his mind. None of the triggers, and none of the weights.


    He''d slept like he was curled in a puppy pile. The sun was already high outside the cave¡ªthe walls glowing a deep, ocean blue. And he didn''t care.


    He didn''t care.


    "You''re right," he rasped, reaching for her under the furs, curling his arm around her lower back, and pulling her across the furs and into his chest. "Good morning, Sash."


    "Beautiful morning, Zev," she smiled and leaned in to kiss him slowly.


    He was already hard for her¡ªa miracle, given all the ways they''d loved each other the day before¡ªbut he didn''t move to progress things between them, not yet. For a moment it was enough just to hold her and have her there. Knowing they had nothing required of them until that night¡­ it felt like a present. Like each of these seconds, every breath was precious.


    So he leaned up on one elbow, rolling her onto her back, and made the kiss slow and deep.


    Sasha hummed in her throat and curled her arms around his neck, her fingers trailing on his back¡ªa delicious sensation that never ceased to amaze him.


    She stroked him every day. Every time they made love. Her hands followed the lines of his shoulders, his spine, his muscles¡­ And every time it was like coldets on his skin, raising goosebumps, fueling the fire in his belly.


    He tilted his head to deepen the kiss further, teasing her with his tongue, and her fingers tightened on the muscles of his back. Then he dropped his chin to kiss her throat and she whispered his name with so much joy¡­


    He was already done. Shifting over her toy between her thighs, fingers in her hair and holding her there, his kiss growing desperate, his body rippling to find her¡­ he found he couldn''t take the time after all.


    She brought her knees up and he found her, right there, and already ready for him.


    She breathed his name as he arched his back and entered her.


    She smiled.


    His mate smiled.


    She smiled because he was inside her and it made his heart sing.


    His body, weary and still waking up, came alive with hers¡ªskin tingling, belly afire, everything in him seeking more¡ªand it was most the incredible sunrise in his heart.


    "I love you, Sash," he whispered, nipping at her neck. "I love you."


    Then she pulled him closer.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    She hadn''t meant to wake him, but she suspected that her scrutiny had his senses tingling. He''d looked so adorable when he blinked awake. If it hadn''t been for the stubble on his cheeks, they might have still been in high school.


    Then he''d rolled her onto her back and kissed her and she couldn''t believe how she wanted him again, just like that. As she let her hands y up and down the muscles of his back, even though they''d made love so many times the day before, she was already there, aching and hollow, yearning for him.


    So when he slid between her thighs, she''d arched to meet him and even though it was slow and easypared to yesterday''s frantic need, there was something even more special about that¡ªabout the way they fit. How easy it was to find each other. How wonderful it felt¡ªand how right.


    His invasion was never an assault.


    He took and gave in the same breath.


    At first, he arched back, looking down at her, his mouth open and puffy eyes bright pinpoints in the half-dark of the unlit cave.


    She wanted to weep for the sheer beauty of him, and the love echoing in his eyes. But she was so happy¡ªwanted him to see the love in hers¡ªshe didn''t let herself fall into the emotion. She smiled, smiled for the joy of being with him, for the pleasure of the way he yed her body like a musical instrument. Smiled for the music in her heart that they made together.


    "I love you, Sash," he whispered, nipping at her neck so goosebumps washed down her back. "I love you."


    By the time both of their breaths were panting, by the time his eyes were beginning to hood, she was already gone¡ªdrowning in him. She let her eyes close as she gripped his neck with one hand, and his bicep with the other, bracing against him to meet every thrust.


    And so they rose the heights together, more slowly perhaps, than the day before, but with a quiet joy that wanted to scent the air.


    And when they finally tumbled over that cliff together, it was his name on her lips, his scent on her skin, and the joy of him in her heart.


    I love you, Zev, she sent in her mind when theyy slumped together. I love you more than I even know how to express.

 Chapter 382 Meeting Monsters

    <h4>Chapter 382 Meeting Monsters</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Late that evening, as darkness fell so that only the outlines of the mountains glowed a deep green-blue, but the sky overhead was ck pricked with tiny pinpoints of starlight, Zev led Sasha out of the cave and down the trail.


    She couldn''t see much in the dark, so by the time they made it to the riverbed they were to follow, he''d put her on his back to make sure she didn''t trip or turn her ankle on a rock.


    Zev''s hands cupping her thighs and her arms wrapped around his corbones, Sasha''s heart pounded in her chest, thumping against his back and he noticed.


    "You really don''t need to be scared, Sash. They''re d that you''re here. They know I talked about you when I was Alpha, and they''ve heard what you''ve done since."


    "How would they have heard things out here?"


    Zev chuckled. "They don''t all live out here. Some of them live quite close to the City or the Vige, or in the forest in between. They just avoid us and avoid being out in the open. But they''re always watching, or keeping in touch with a few of us so they know what''s going on. Some of them will already feel like they know you."


    Sasha shuddered. "See, that''s what''s creepy about people who can see and hear things from so far away. No privacy," she said into his neck.


    Zev squeezed her thighs. "I''ll keep you safe."


    Sasha sighed at the shiver that went through her at those words. She wanted to tell him to turn around and take her back to the cave, and to hell with the rest of this. But instead, she just squeezed him tightly and let her lips y on his neck.


    Zev blew out a breath. "Please stop doing that before our inevitable observers see me get aroused."


    Sasha giggled. "I thought you said Chimera don''t care about that kind of thing."


    "They may not care if I walk up pitching a tent, but you can be certain that they''ll tease me about it. Not exactly the way I want to start this kind of meeting," he growled.


    Sashaughed again, but didn''t kiss him anymore, even though she wanted to.


    She could see warm lights flickering ahead and soon as Zev followed the riverbed, even her human eyes could easily make out the two, wavering golden bonfires that had been lit in the clearing at the valley floor, and a wide circle¡ªone hundred feet across or more¡ªmarked by small torches.


    She knew it wasn''t their intent, but to Sasha, the ce looked like a massive ritual circle.


    And worse, she kept catching shadows moving between them and the light sources, but she couldn''t see clearly enough to see what they were.


    As they grew close she realized that the torches extended across the river, including arge portion of water within the circle.


    Something rolled at the water''s surface, adding a ripple and ssh to the sound of the river''s rush. "What was that?" she hissed.


    "Probably Nigel," Zev said. "He won''t leave Thana, but he wanted to be here to hear what you had to say."


    "Nigel? There''s a loch ness monster here called Nigel? Who gives these creatures these names?"


    "The humans," Zev sighed. "Nick once told me they name the scary ones old-fashioned names because it makes them feel less frightening."


    Sasha snorted. "Clearly that worked with Ernie."


    A few pacester she whispered, "Are you sure none of them want to eat me?"


    Zev growled. "I wouldn''t let them even if they did," he said, his voice dark.


    He didn''t seem to understand that that wasn''tforting.


    When they reached the line of torches, Zev knelt to let Sasha off his back.


    Suddenly it felt as if the ground came alive¡ªall those rounds she''d thought were boulders deposited by the river, rolling to their feet and standing¡ªon two legs, or four. There were strange humps, horns, odd body shapes¡­ and all of it in light so dim and flickering from mes, that Sasha could barely make out their shapes, let alone the details of them.


    It was terrifying.


    "I''m here, your safe," Zev murmured, leaning into her ear, then taking her hand and leading her forward. "Remember, you''re Alpha. They''re here to listen to you."


    Sasha nodded and swallowed, pushing the fear down because these were her people, too, and she couldn''t treat them like the monsters they seemed to be.


    As they began to walk between them, and the mounds and shadows kept materializing into limbs and eyes, Zev whispered, "You''ll need to greet them. Some of them will want to share scents. Most won''t."


    Share scents? Where they rubbed on each other? Sasha almost lost her nerve.


    "How am I supposed to know which ones want to be touched?"


    "They''ll move close or reach for you¡ªand I won''t bite them for it," Zev chuckled.


    She was d he was having fun.


    Lord give her strength.


    In the following minutes, Sasha experienced the most surreal moments of her life. Zev called them all toe to meet and listen. And as they closed in around her, leaving a circle probably only ten feet wide around her, something massive lurched out of the water and sshed towards them. A few Chimera at the back of the gatheringined.


    All Sasha could see were strange shapes, and lots of eyes¡ªsome of them reflecting the firelight like an animal''s, others just starkly white against the darkness.


    She didn''t know what else to do, so she just pretended they were people.


    "Thank you foring. I asked to speak with you because I wanted to exin what we''ve discovered, and how you can get out of Thana and out from under the human rule if you want," she said, more firmly than was needed, but she was having to brace to keep her voice steady.


    Then without any preamble, she told herself that the audience didn''t matter. What mattered was the message. And that''s why she was here. She took a deep breath and started talking.

 Chapter 383 That鈥檚 a Nose

    <h4>Chapter 383 That''s a Nose</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "Meet Me on the Battlefield" by SVRCINA. It''s the song I was listening to while writing the next few chapters!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha started by exining what she''d done in the gateway¡ªnot to find the females in the Compound, but just the part where she asked the Gateway to take her to a world where the humans could never interfere with them again.


    "It was beautiful," she said, hope warming her tone. "There were mountains¡ªsome of them had snow¡ªand trees. Hills and grassynds. It was easily as big as Thana, mayberger, I don''t know. But it just looked¡­ wild and untouched. And it smelled so fresh¡ªjust like Thana doespared to the human world."


    Yet, as she described thend and her hope for it, many of the creatures began to move away, some farewelling others, but all shifting away as if they''d heard what they needed and they weren''t going to stay.


    Sasha hesitated. "Why are you leaving?"


    Onerge form that reminded her of Minos, only the man''s face seemed to be that of arge-horned Goat simr to Dunken in his Ibex form, turned to face her. "I''m not leaving Thana¡ªmany of us do not wish to. We have stayed away from the humans for this long. The risk of leaving and finding a way to livefortably in another world¡­ it''s just not necessary." Then the male turned and continued walking away.


    But Sasha frowned. "You have to understand, all of you, that the humans areing. You''ve been left mostly alone because they''re focused on the Chimera. But once we leave¡­ they''reing, and I believe they''lle with weapons, and not in peace. I can''t be sure of your safety if you''re here when theye through!"


    But most of the creatures continued moving away anyway. Sasha looked at Zev, worried and frustrated. Zev just shrugged. "They don''t want to go through, this is their home now. You''ve warned them, and now it''s up to them. They''ll take their chances fighting the humans if they show up."


    Sasha shook her head and began to think that these males were underestimating the humans. But then she realized that they''d all been to thebs¡ªwere born there. And presumably, had memories of their time in those ces. They''d probably seen far more heartache and pain than she had.


    "If you change your mind, get word to Skhal, or Yhet¡ªthey''ll tell you how to get through! Just make sure you''re moving within the next few days. We need to have the Gateway clear five nights from now¡ªthe human that came with me will be returning to report. Don''t let them see you!"


    There were a few grunts of acknowledgment, but mostly the creatures just kept walking. Sasha sighed but turned back to the gathering that had stayed.


    A much smaller group, easier to digest. Before she could address them, one of them spoke up.


    "If you already know how to be free of this ce, why haven''t you left? Why are you here with us?"


    Sasha blinked. "I was able to get a group of females out from the human world, but there are still many of them left there. I''m waiting to get them back, to take them with me before I leave."


    "But will they give you the whole females?"


    Sasha turned. Arge shadow, almost as tall as Zev, moved to her right, but a nearby torch cast the shape into darkness, until the others parted to let it through, then Sasha''s heart plummeted to her toes.


    He looked like a human, well over six feet tall, but his head and shoulders seemed to be all one, massive¡­hump. His eyes were massive, his nostrils great, gaping caves at the front of his strange face. And his ears maderge, twisted holes at the sides of his head, but cupped by almost-pointed ears like a lower, rounder version of a fox or cat.


    He was horrific. Sasha''s heart pounded, and Zev put a hand to her back to steady her. But she didn''t drop her gaze from the thing that stared at her with his huge eyes that, on second inspection, were¡­ kind.


    "Wh-what''s your name?" she asked quietly.


    "Norm."


    Sasha coughed to cover a hystericalugh. "Norm, what did you say?" she asked breathlessly.


    Norm nced at Zev, who nodded. Then he shrugged with his entire head. "The humans¡­ they only gave you the broken females this time. Do you really think they''ll give you the whole ones?"


    Sasha blinked and tried to wave a hand casually. "The females are having some trouble adjusting back to Thana, but they''ll get there. I mean, we''re all a little bit broken right?"


    But Norm just stared. "There''s no good to the Chimera only having females that can''t breed."


    Sasha stared at the male and he just stared back.


    "I''m sorry¡­ what did you say?"


    Norm looked back and forth between her and Zev. "The females they''ve sent back, none of them can breed. That means the humans will never let them breed on their own. I thought you knew this?"


    Heart pounding again for entirely different reasons, Sasha looked at Zev in shock, then back to the creature. "How do you know that?"


    "Their scents are dead. Like Kyelle''s. There is a life in the blood of a female when she can bear young. Like you, Sasha-don."


    "I''m¡­ thank you, but¡­ are you certain?"


    "Yes."


    "All the females? When were you close to them?"


    Zev cleared his throat. "Of all of us, Norm has the sharpest sense of smell and sight¡ªhe sees things we can''t see as well. If he says it, I believe him," he said sadly.


    Sasha stared at her mate, needing something from him and not sure what it was. This was¡­ just awful. And it left a dead pit in her stomach¡ªas well as a ming fire of fury.


    No wonder they''d all been so weird abouting back here.


    No wonder they were so upset.


    Her mind began to spin with all the implications, but she knew she couldn''t let herself focus on that yet. She had to get the creatures sorted out first. But then¡­


    Then she was going to figure this shit out.

 Chapter 384 The Bomb

    <h4>Chapter 384 The Bomb</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev''s entire skin hummed. It exined so much and it made him sick. But Sasha was very obviously trying not to let herself be derailed. He put a hand on her back as she cleared her throat and shook off her shock.


    "Do, uh, do any of you want to move to the newnd where the humans can''t reach you? Because if you do, you''ll need to go through the Gateway within the next five days. We''ll all be leaving within the next two or three weeks, and I don''t want any of you here once the humans figure out what we''re doing. I really believe when theye through and realize we''re gone they''re going to level this ce and anything left alive. I went over there and met the men who run this program. They have no hearts. They have no consciences. They will use you or kill you. I don''t want any of you left here."


    She was doing so well. He was so proud, watching her control her fear and speak to them as if they had value.


    "But with that said, if you don''t think that you want to go through¡­ I''d ask you to leave this gathering, far enough away that you can''t hear the instructions. Everything that we''re doing needs to be held toplete secrecy. We cannot risk this information reaching the humans."


    There was a ripple of grating and gruntingughter from every side.


    "Trust me, Sasha, no one here wants to see the humans seed in anything," Norm said, ncing around the circle. "I could tell if they were lying. We may not socialize like the rest of you, but we are just asmitted to seeing them defeated. If theye here looking for you, they will find those of us who stay to contend with."


    "No!" Sasha hurried to try to soothe them, looking around the gathering of the most monstrous creatures she''d ever seen. "I don''t want you in danger. If you don''t go through, please hide. Leave. Be as far from the Gateway as you can be. Don''t try to fight them¡ªflee them. Stay away. Perhaps if they don''t find you, they''ll leave you alone. I want you safe, not fighting.


    "I know that you''ve been hurt and¡­ and¡­ isted by what they''ve done to you. If you don''t want to cross to the safe ce now, but you change your mind in the next few days, please, talk to Skhal or Yhet. We''ll get the information to you. I just want to make sure we control it as much as we can to guard it from the humans because I don''t believe they know about this."


    "But¡­ You''re human, and you know," a dark, rough voice called from her left.


    Sasha nodded and grimaced. Zev would have answered for her again as he had with the others, but she seemed to know what she wanted to say this time. "I know it must seem confusing. But please be certain: I''m human by birth, but I''m not part of this¡­ organization. There is a massive poption of humans that have no idea what these men and women are doing and wouldn''t support it. I am not a part of the team."


    "But you have the smell."


    "What smell?"


    "The smell that happens when they alter you. All the Team members have it."


    Sasha''s entire body went cold. He felt her body temperature drop under his hand and tightened his fingers at her back, turning to look at her.


    No. Fucking, no.


    Sasha''s face paled. "What do you mean?"


    The, one of the hulking crossbreeds between human and ape that gave him the odd proportions of short legs and long arms, got to his feet and shuffled closer, sniffing her.


    Zev could hear Sasha''s heart pounding as the male moved around her. Zev stayed at her side to let her know he was there. The male meant no harm. He was only checking that he was correct before he answered her.


    When he''d sniffed at Sasha''s hair, he lifted his eyes to meet Zev''s and Zev read a sadness in his gaze that he didn''t understand.


    Then the male turned to Sasha. "I understand now, thank you for sharing scent. I''m sorry, I hadn''t realized¡­ you lost a babe. Did they assist you in the pain? That is what I was smelling. You have had their¡­ procedures." Then, as Zev struggled to breathe, the male turned to him. "A true tragedy for both of you, but it will work again. She is healthy and her body is alive. Her scent isn''t dead. She''ll have others."


    Zev''s ears began to buzz. Sasha made a strange noise in her throat. This couldn''t be. This couldn''t be!


    "I¡­ I haven''t been pregnant, you must be mistaken," she said, licking her lips.


    The creature stared at her, grief lining his face, then he turned to Zev again¡ªsome of the Creatures had strange customs about the roles of males and females. He prayed Sasha wouldn''t be offended.


    "She lost a babe in herst cycle. The scents are there¡ªher body was just beginning to grow the young, but it never took. It was lost. Her body still returns to normal. Her cycle will bete this month, but then it will be normal again. A good time to try again¡ªthere is a burst of life after a loss like that¡ª"


    Zev cut him off, the words snapped between his teeth. "Are you certain? Absolutely certain?" He could hardly breathe.


    The male nodded. "I''ve smelled this many times. It''s not umon. All species have a simr reaction, it is easy to identify when I can smell closely. Do not be afraid, it ismon among all."


    Suddenly Sasha''s voice was in his head.


    That''s why my cycle waste and¡­ strange. Probably why the team seemed so uncertain about my pregnancy. I must have been in the process of losing it and I didn''t even know?!


    Her voice rose into a jagged wail at the end, and Zev wanted to just pull her into his arms and carry her away from all these males¡ªhe had to get her alone and out from under these eyes.


    But when he shifted his weight, Sasha shook her head and despite the tears he could see threatening, she cleared her throat and turned back to the creatures.


    He was so proud¡ªand so sad¡ªthat she made it through the rest of the gathering without giving away how broken she was feeling. He could feel the tension under his hand. She cried her rage in his head, but only in broken, garbled sentences between answers to the Creatures. She was trying so desperately to focus on them, yet her mind kept turning back to her baby.


    Their baby.


    Holy shit, they''d made a baby?


    "¡­those of you who choose to go, just know¡­ there is no way out. Make your choice and be sure that you''re certain of it," she said, taking a deep breath as if bracing. "When the gateway opened to the safe ce, it opened above ground for me¡ªif I''d stepped through I wouldn''t have been able to get back to it. I think¡­ I believe this is because there''s no ess to this ce any other way. Once you go through, that will be your home forever. So¡­ be certain. But as soon as you are, go. Don''t wait. Please. We don''t know¡­ we don''t know what''s going on or what''s going to happen and we need that Gateway clear from the fifth day, you understand?"


    The creatures nodded and called their affirmation.


    Within minutes Sasha, trembling, was turning to him. They farewelled the creatures together, thanking Norm for his help, and with her shoulders back and fighting tears, Sasha turned to walk away. Zev put himself at her shoulder, one arm at her lower back as she led him away.

 Chapter 385 No More

    <h4>Chapter 385 No More</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    As Sasha walked away from the creatures toward the line of torches, she silently gave herself all the reasons why there was no reason to be upset: It happened to everyone. Norm had evenmented that all species went through this. It was reallymon.


    She wouldn''t even have known if these creatures didn''t have such a crazy sense of smell.


    How could she grieve the loss of something she never knew she had?


    But as they stepped outside the ring of torches, Sasha''s sight began to blur¡ªnot good when it was so dark and she could already barely see anything.


    "Sash¡ª" Zev''s voice was low and broken. Sasha shook her head and sent him thoughts.


    I don''t want to talk about this where anyone else can hear it, at all. Ever. If you ever talk to me about this, Zev, for the rest of our lives, you do it this way. This doesn''t involve anyone else. Just us.


    Okay, Zev replied.


    It was the most uncertain she''d ever heard him and she hated herself for putting pressure on him when he was obviously wanting to connect.


    She swallowed. Does it¡­ hurt for you?


    Zev blew out a breath. It makes me¡­ I don''t know what to feel, Sash. It doesn''t seem real. Does it feel real to you?


    She wasn''t sure, that was the truth. She just knew those words, when Norm said them, sent a de sliding through her ribs and into her heart and now it felt like she was bleeding and she couldn''t catch it, couldn''t stop it.


    An unseen wound that might heal quickly, or might burst the dam.


    She''d almost been a mother.


    The thought was so shattering her eyes welled and she didn''t see where she was going. Her foot slid off a round river-rock and she was going down, but Zev was there, catching her at the elbow and waist, pulling her back onto her feet, but keeping her still, holding her, and she was crying. And it was so stupid. She shouldn''t be crying. She hadn''t even known!


    "I''m sorry," she breathed.


    "Don''t apologize." Zev sounded anxious. He pulled her tighter against him.


    A momentter a wave of grief washed over her, and she wished they didn''t have a walk ahead of them. Wished they were in the cave¡ªbut she didn''t want to ruin Yhet''s cave with this kind of feeling. That was the happy ce.


    It all made her so angry!


    She straightened, wiping her eyes, and taking deep breaths to get herself under control.


    Nothing had changed. Absolutely nothing. She''d had a pregnancy¡ªan almost pregnancy. She wouldn''t even have known. They could try again¡ªthey were going to try again.


    "Sash, what''s¡­ what are you thinking?" he whispered, and she looked up at him, blinking back tears.


    "I just wish everything was different," she admitted. "I want to go back to the cave. Can we go back now?"


    He nodded sadly, then knelt in front of her to help her onto his back. But just as she was about to jump on, he put a hand up. "Why don''t I shift. You can ride me. It''ll be faster. Do you feel safe doing that?"


    "I just want to get back there. Can we still talk in our heads when you''re in your wolf?"


    "Yes, it''s actually easier."


    Sasha nodded, and Zev shifted, then she crawled onto his back, leaning her face right down into his thick ruff and letting his coat absorb the tears that still insisted on leaking out from under hershes.


    Then he was running and she clung to his thick fur.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev''s body burned with rage. Shifting into his beast and running was the right way to burn that off¡ªotherwise he''d give in, drop Sasha at the cave, and run back to the vige to kill Nick for putting her through this.


    He couldn''t do that. He knew he couldn''t. It would only backfire. But he growled as he ran. He wanted to taste their blood, to make them pay for this cluster-fuck.


    Then Sasha''s voice bloomed in his head, and he tried to force himself to focus on her as he galloped over the river rocks, keeping his gait as even and smooth as he could.


    So, does this mean the team knew and they just didn''t tell me? Or did they learn it when they did their tests?


    I don''t know, babe. But knowing them¡­ if they didn''t know when you arrived, they learned about it.


    That must be why they didn''t tell Nick, right? When the results first came back from the first pregnancy test they didn''t tell him what it was, and he said that was weird.


    Just be careful taking anything Nick says on face value, Zev growled in her head.


    I know, I know, Sasha sighed. I just¡­ I can''t believe they didn''t tell me. But maybe they thought they were being kind?


    Zev huffed in her head and underneath her, he picked up his pace.


    Nick and Nathan and the others are many things, Sash, but kindness just doesn''t evene into it. They chose not to tell you for whatever reasons they had. Maybe they thought it would upset you too much. Or maybe they just didn''t care. Maybe they wanted to use it against uster. Who knows? You just can''t know with them.


    The thoughts were making his anger rise, a tide of heat and rage that was dangerous, he knew. He had to find a way to calm.


    But every question she asked about what the team must have known, his anger burned higher. Because even if he didn''t know when they knew, or why they chose not to tell her¡­ he did know one, terrifying, awful thing.


    He couldn''t even let himself think it. Couldn''t let himself examine what he suspected. Because if they''d been involved in ending her pregnancy¡ª


    No. No, they wouldn''t do that. They wanted his offspring. Had wanted it from the beginning. Sasha had to be right. They got to her toote to help it. That had to be it.


    But as he tore down the valley, then up the ravine and the trail to the cave, Zev vowed to find Nick the following day and get the truth out of him.


    Because Sasha didn''t know the right questions to ask. And he didn''t want to upset her if he was wrong.


    But he also wasn''t certain he could read Nick well enough to tell if he was lying¡­


    This whole thing was just a fucking mess. And as always, it ally right at the feet of Nick and the Team.


    It always came back to that.


    Zev snarled.

 Chapter 386 Helpless

    <h4>Chapter 386 Helpless</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    He''d watched Sasha fight for happiness all night, catching herself whenever she threatened to tip into tears. Despite all his assurances that she could get emotional, she''d shaken her head and done her best to find her joy again. While Zev had ached and burned all night¡ªached for her, burned with anger.


    When she finally fell asleep hours after they got back to the cave, he''d curled himself around her, the top of her head under his chin, his back around hers in the way that he''d always curled himself over her since they were teenagers¡ªshe fit inside the curve of him. He''d bent his knees up behind hers, cradling her with his body, and as her breathing drifted into slow and even, he''d stared at the wall, andter the ceiling.


    Everything within him fought. Fought against his instincts that were screaming that there was more to this. That Nick knew what he was doing. That his reasons foring to Thana were far bigger than he''d let on.


    That the whole Team was up to something, perhaps sinister, perhaps just mercenary. But he didn''t know. And that was what burned. He didn''t know, and couldn''t. Unless he could get his hands on Nick''s device.


    Zev huffed into the dark. Nick treated that thing like an extra limb. It never left his sight, never left his possession. It was the only thing he''d fought when Zev searched his bags when he arrived, and Zev had known he would. Nick''s entire world was kept in that device. Even years earlier, when they were at peace with each other, Nick had gone ballistic the time he''d found Zev looking over his shoulder as he typed a message.


    Nick was protective of the device because he said it controlled everything. And it held his brain.


    Zev had to get his hands on it and see if it had any information about Sasha. About her body or what they''d done to her¡ªor this pregnancy. He had to get answers, real answers that he could trust. Even if Nick told the truth, he never knew why¡ªhe could never trust that he was getting the whole picture.


    He needed information that wasn''t tainted or framed. And he needed that information in a way that he could decipher its implications for himself. And then, when this was all done and they knew everything, he needed revenge.


    While Sasha slept, Zev let himself indulge in a fantasy¡ªfeeding Nick to Ernie. Fighting Nick and snapping his neck. Drugging Nathan and cutting the guy open and turning him into a science experiment.


    Bombing the entirepound so that everyone who''d ever had anything to do with controlling the Chimera was dead.


    Except it wouldn''t work, he knew.


    First of all, he''d never have the chance to do those things. Not if he wanted to stay safe and get everyone out of here with Sasha.


    And secondly, even if he razed that ce to the ground, there were others, he knew. Ambitious scientists and curious wealthy people who all wanted the fountain of youth and health they thought the Chimera represented.


    Even if he removed Nick and Nathan and Horace¡ªeven if he killed the entire board¡­ more would juste.


    He knew that.


    But fuck, he''d enjoy seeing those cunts in pain.


    Sasha squirmed and he realized he was squeezing her. Zev blew out a breath and loosened his grip so she could settle again. He barely breathed until she''d gone still again and her breathing even.


    Then he made himself let go of the hate and rage. Let it turn cold.


    He would always choose loving her over hating them. He would always choose protecting the Chimera over indulging in his own revenge.


    But Nick better believe that he ever saw a chance to do both, he''d take it.


    He kissed Sasha''s hair and made himself close his eyes. Made himself turn his thoughts to practical ns. Things that would help them all. Ways to get the answers he needed. And ways to keep Sasha from being hurt in the process. Because there was no way he was putting her in a position to fear something that might not have happened.


    But he knew his strong, bold mate would join him in lighting a fire under these fuckers if they found out his instincts were true.


    Zev smiled the smile of a predator as he forced himself to breathe and rx, to let his body sleep. He might be helpless just then. But he would not stay there.


    He would make them pay. Somehow. He would find the truth and make them pay.


    *****


    They''d slept for hours¡ªfar longer than Zev thought he''d be able to.


    He''d hoped that his anger would have faded by the time he woke, but as soon as he opened his eyes and reassured himself that Sasha was okay, the very next thing he was aware of was the rage that wanted to snap his teeth and roll in his throat.


    But he swallowed it back and instead helped Sasha make breakfast.


    They didn''t have time to dawdle that morning. They needed to be back to the City and get Skhal and Lhars filled in on what the Creatures were doing.


    So once they started out, though Zev held her hand, they walked in virtual silence.


    "Are you okay?" she asked more than once, rubbing his arm, watching him with concern. But the tension she thought was fear, was actually anger and he didn''t want to vent it on her.


    "I''m fine, don''t worry."


    It was only half a lie.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Something was wrong with Zev, but he wouldn''t tell her what it was. Well, she knew the source, but she couldn''t figure out what he was feeling. What was making him so quiet and cold?


    At first, she''d been afraid that maybe he thought she couldn''t have offspring¡ªwould this challenge his assurance that he''d never want her less even if she couldn''t? But when she watched him as they walked, his eyes still warmed when he looked at her. And she knew if she asked he''d be upset that she''d even thought of it.


    When they''d almost reached the City, Sasha was out of ideas and ready to just confront him, but when she turned and started to pull him to a halt, his attention was suddenly distracted. He frowned and looked back up the trail in the direction they''d been traveling, nostrils ring, then he''d pulled her behind him.


    "Zev, what¡ª"


    "Someone''sing. Fast," he said, keeping her at his back. "I can hear them running, but the wind''s in the wrong direction, I can''t smell who it is yet. Just stay behind me."


    But soon he rxed. "It''s just Kyelle," he said, loosening his grip on her.


    Kyelle appeared on the trail, her face pinched in pain, and Sasha''s stomach sank. What had happened while they''d been gone? Why hadn''t theye for them?


    "What is it?" she asked, stepping forward.


    Kyelle ran straight to her and stood there, chest heaving. "One of the females died," she said, her voice breaking. "She crawled up on the roof. I don''t know if she fell, or if she jumped but¡­ but she died."


    Zev growled as Sasha began to cry.

 Chapter 387 Answers

    <h4>Chapter 387 Answers</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha stormed into the Vige a few hourster, reminding herself that Nick didn''t know, and she couldn''t give him any ammunition to work with. He couldn''t know and couldn''t be allowed to know. She had to get real answers from him¡ªand that meant not showing any weakness.


    Zev had stayed at her back all morning as she made her way through the City to learn everything, but in truth, there wasn''t much more to learn than what Kyelle had already told her. The Chimera were grieving. But the female was one of those who''d never lived in Thana. The grieving was for her life lost. The only one who''d really known her as a person was the other Made female who''de with her, and who was now curled into a ball in the furs in the hall at the City.


    Kyelle was considering transporting her to the healers, but afraid of what it might do to put her in an unfamiliar environment.


    The whole thing was just a shitshow. And despite the sessful meeting with the Creatures, Sasha felt like they were going backward instead of forwards.


    When she''d insisted on talking to Nick, Zev had initially tried to talk her out of it, which she hadn''t understood. But in her head he''d just insisted that he didn''t want her hurting any more.


    That man will never let you leave feeling good, Sasha. Haven''t you been through enough?


    But she''d shaken her head and Zev had submitted.


    I can''t talk to him, though, Zev had said in her head with an apologetic look. I''ll kill him if he''s in reach.


    Instead, he''d insisted on going to the vige with her, but bringing Yhet to watch over her when she met with Nick.


    Sasha wondered if she should be more concerned about that than she was. But she was determined. She was going to get some answers. And she had to pray that she gave nothing away. That she didn''t slip.


    The closer they got to the vige, the easier it was not to cry, and the colder she felt inside. It was useful, she supposed. She was a lot less likely to lose her temper and say the wrong thing when she was feeling that way. But it scared her a little how hollow she felt. As if she just didn''t have any more emotion to spare. As if her heart had been burned out.


    She prayed it would alle back when she was done with this asshole.


    Zev pulled her in for a quick kiss as they entered the Vige and said he was going to find Lhars, who had his turn at Patrol there that day. She nodded and spoke into his head.


    Don''t worry about me. I''ll be fine.


    A shadow passed behind his eyes, but he looked at Yhet who nodded. He wouldn''t let Nick hurt Sasha, they both knew that.


    She found Nick at the trough, sitting at lunch with his two guards, holding a conversation with a hare and a goat who both watched him warily, but didn''t seem frightened.


    He had that stupid device in his hands and was making notes.


    "I''m sorry to break up a party," she said as they arrived at the side of the table, "but I need to talk to you, Nick."


    His name came out of her mouth a little too forcefully. But either he didn''t notice or he decided not to care.


    He got up from the table and stood in front of her. "What''s up, boss?" he said good-naturedly.


    Sasha realized she''d been spending too much time with Zev when the urge to growl washed over her. "I need to speak with you¡­ in private," she said, raising an eyebrow.


    Nick gestured for her to lead the way, so she turned on her heel and walked him back, deeper into the forest, asking Yhet to let her know when they were far enough from everyone that the others wouldn''t be able to hear anything that was said between them.


    It took longer than she anticipated. They''d reached a small clearing she''d never seen before by the time Yhet turned and scanned the trees, then nodded. "No one can hear you here." Then he looked at Nick. "Even if you scream."


    Sasha had to bite her lip to swallow augh. Yhet was clearly very unhappy about Nick being there. She wondered if Ernie was about to show up.


    She wondered if that was why Zev had sent him¡ªso if Nick got killed it was on Yhet''s shoulders, not his?


    Gosh, she shouldn''t even joke about that.


    Nick eyed Yhet warily but stood his ground. "What''s going on?" His face was a little haggard. There were dark circles under his eyes. But his skin was flushed and healthy, and his eyes were bright. Sasha wasn''t sure whether to be d that Thana seemed to be good for him or curse it. She needed him here and needed to not have a stranger in this ce so that she could better control what was getting back to the humans. But this man turned her stomach.


    The thought shed, that he''d known about the baby and hadn''t told her, and for a moment she couldn''t speak with the sheer anger that made her entire body tense.


    Nick raised an eyebrow. "What''s going on, Sasha? I haven''t done anything you told me not to¡ªyou can ask the guards. I''ve been very well behaved."


    Sasha shook her head. "No, that''s not¡­" she ran her fingers through her hair, then met his eyes.


    "I want to talk. Get some questions answered. Quid pro quo, like we did before. I ask, you answer, you ask, I''ll answer."


    Nick''s brows rose higher in surprise. "Sounds good to me," he said, pulling the device from his pocket.


    She couldn''t see anything in him that indicated he was afraid or trying to fake his response. She hoped she was right. She needed him to not realize she wanted to throw him under andslide.


    "Okay then," she said finally. "You better take a seat, we might be here for a while."

 Chapter 388 All About the Ladies

    <h4>Chapter 388 All About the Ladies</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    A few minutester they were in a rhythm, and Sasha hated the fact that she feltfortable with him. She didn''t trust him, but he was easy to talk to. Was it a trick? Or was it real? That was the rub.


    "So, I need to know what the female''s normal routine was at thepound," she said. "Like, what did their day look like? Their week? What would feel natural to them? I want to try and replicate that here for them as much as I can."


    Nick kind of grimaced. "Honestly, their days were almost always the same¡ªexcept when they were called in for an experiment or were going into heat. Then it would change. But that wasn''t something we had on weekly, or even monthly cycles. The experiments urred when they were conceived, and the right subjects were identified. But I''m guessing you wouldn''t be doing that kind of thing with them anyway. So if you want to know a day that we didn''t interfere with, I''m guessing it was much the same as here¡ªbreakfast, chores, lunch, finding something so they wouldn''t be bored, dinner¡­ then maybe some kind of entertainment. I don''t know about those in the sanctuary, but the ones in the apartments had televisions to watch."


    Televisions? Sasha almost swore. They made these beautiful people, these wild people, then put them in apartments with televisions?


    Then Nickunched into his own question. "I want to know why I''m seeing so few Chimera? All the reports indicate there''s a couple hundred males here and they were all housed and gathered here. Yet I see a couple dozen a day if you''re lucky."


    Sasha gave him a look. "The only reason your reports say they were gathered was because Xar used to indulge the Teams whenever they arrived and call everyone back from their normal routines and duties. I''m not doing that. I''m letting them live their normal lives. They hunt and build and sleep and bathe¡­ you''re seeing only a few because when they''re left to their own devices, there''s usually only a few around at a time. Everyone else is busy. The Chimera are wild, Nick. They want to be free. I let them be free."


    Nick''s lips thinned, but he didn''tment.


    "My turn," Sasha said. "Tell me what thepound did with females who were¡­ mentally weak?"


    "What could we do? We kept them healthy and explored what might be causing the issue. But in truth, there was very little we could do. We''ve been doing this a long time, Sasha and we know that the Chimera only ever get weaker mentally, more dependent. It''s why we use Thana¡ªbecause they don''t weaken here. But for those that have to be at thepound, we switched to the sanctuary model. Letting them form a hierarchy and make decisions seemed to slow that process."


    Sasha blinked. "You''re telling me that the Board knows that the Chimera are harmed by being at thepound and they still do it anyway?"


    "They don''t have a choice. We can''tmunicate through the gateway. Having the Chimera here is far tooplex for experimentation and so forth. But yes, it became obvious pretty quickly that being closed in shuts the Chimera down and the more structure is around them, over time they stop thinking, get stupider. Hence, Thana."


    Sasha wanted to p him. "That''s not the loss of intelligence, Nick, that''s trauma. They don''t know how to cope with what you people are putting them through."


    Nick didn''t seem disturbed. "Whatever the reason, the fact is that the females be less fertile, weaker, and less mentally adept the longer they''re closed up. Why do you think your arguments to bring them here worked?"


    She almost said it, she almost confronted him¡ªthat the entire agreement they''d made was a sham. Because she would be proven "wrong" when none of the females got pregnant. But she couldn''t let him know that she knew that yet, so she just looked away like she was pissed off to have to let him ask another question.


    But as they went back and forth, Sasha''s mind was only half on the conversation, because it urred to her that this whole concept of being closed in and cared for¡ªthe way that made the Chimera weaker¡ªthat''s what they were doing to them, even in the City. She hadn''t meant to, but that''s what had urred. They''d thrown them in a closed room, taken care of everything for them, and while some of the females were being tempted out of the hall, so many were still trapped there. What was going to happen to the rest of them?


    She had to find a way to make them more independent. And keep them away from Nick. She''d seen the weariness and fear on Zev''s face when he heard she wasing to talk to Nick. Zev hadn''t argued, but she knew he was going to struggle when she went back and smelled like the guy. She was going to have to bathe and change her clothes as soon as they went back to the City.


    "Where are the females? I''m not seeing them at all," Nick said. Sasha blinked. Right. It was his turn for a question.


    "We put them together in one ce where they can be together and be as engaged or isted from the rest of the Chimera as they want. The males aren''t allowed to enter that space, and they aren''t being forced to leave it. If you''re not seeing them, my guess would be they have no desire to see you, Nick."


    "You could have killed them, and I wouldn''t know."


    It wasn''t his turn for a question, but she was angry enough to answer anyway.


    "No, Nick, because only sickos like you people think killing someone else is an answer. Those females are terribly traumatized and need some time away from men." She gave him a pointed look.


    Nick just rolled his eyes. "I have neverid my hands on any female against her will."


    "You''ve never taken a female to the breeding arena? Or theb?"


    "Is that your question?"


    She considered it and realized his answer didn''t matter. He''d told her that he never had before. If he was lying then, he wasn''t going to tell the truth now.


    "Okay, fine. No that''s not my question. Tell me how you monitored their cycles¡ªcould you tell when they wereing into heat? Or did it just happen? Are their cycles the same as mine? And did you have a lot of miscarriages or failed pregnancies? Or did they just not get pregnant to begin with."


    She''d asked the questions like they were a simple curiosity. Nick didn''t seem at all disturbed about talking about cycles and pregnancies.


    "Are you asking about the ones we bred with Zev?"


    Even though he didn''t smile, Sasha felt suddenly very vulnerable and she hated it. Hated it. Hated that he could put her there. "Yes."


    Nick shrugged. "They just never resulted in pregnancies. Their cycles are slightly longer than the human female¡ªabout six weeks. But they work on the same basic principle. We could anticipate heat by hormone levels if we did tests, or just by behaviors."


    They continued back and forth, but Sasha''s skin was starting to feel too tight. She needed to be away from him. She supposed she should be grateful that Nick didn''t seem wary, or like he was suspicious of her motives.


    As they turned to walk back to the vige she wondered¡­ Maybe he really didn''t know about her pregnancy?


    Then she scoffed at her own naivete.

 Chapter 389 The Plan

    <h4>Chapter 389 The n</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev watched Sasha disappear deeper into the vige to find Nick, and almost ran after her. Almost ran past her. Almost shifted into his wolf and began to hunt. But he knew he couldn''t. Not only was he likely to kill Nick if he confronted him, but he wouldn''t be able to trust the answers he got.


    No. He needed a different n.


    First, he went to find Lhars and Skhal, who''d apparentlye out this way on patrol that morning. Kyelle had told him that Lhars was going to grab a few things from her house for her, and Skhal was sticking around the vige because he wanted to know how Sasha and Zev''s meeting had gone with the Creatures.


    It didn''t take long for Zev to find Lhars¡ªwho seemed very preupied, but not angry. And they followed Skhal''s trail to the trough, though Nick''s was there too, so Zev sent Lhars in to get him, just in case.


    "She already took Nick away¡ªher and Yhet," Lhars told him when he and Skhal joined Zev in the clearing outside the medical building. Zev nodded like that was okay.


    But it was far from okay.


    Knowing Nick had his eyes on her, might even touch her made Zev''s skin crawl. He was going to take her for a bath as soon as they were done.


    "So, how did it go?" Skhal asked. Lhars turned to him with interest in his eyes.


    Zev thought about it. Should he tell them? He decided he should.


    "The meeting went as expected. A lot of them don''t want to leave but are happy to meet the humansing through. They''ll go down fighting."


    Skhal frowned, but Lhars nodded.


    "We learned something though. Norm''s been hanging around, and he identified that all the females they sent back are barren. All of them. None of them can have offspring."


    Lhars'' mouth dropped open and Skhal went very still. "Was he sure?"


    "Absolutely."


    "Including Sasha?" Lhars growled.


    Zev sucked in a breath and looked down, uncertain how to address this with his brother who was fated for a female who couldn''t bear young. "No¡­ no, Sasha''s fine. They didn''t¡­ interfere with her."


    Both males rxed a little, but their faces remained tight and angry.


    Zev met both their eyes. "She''s over there asking Nick some questions just to get some insight. She''s not telling him that we know. And I''m so d that she''s got it together enough to keep her head on straight in the middle of this, but I want that fucker miserable for his part in this."


    Lhars nodded, his smile creeping up.


    Skhal growled low. "Zev, revenge is never going to¡ª"


    "I don''t mean revenge. There''s no way we could ever pay him back for what he''s done. I''m just talking about¡­ I want him to hurt a little. I don''t want himfortable. I want him to pay."


    Skhal still didn''t look happy, but Lhars rubbed his hands together. "Ernie?"


    "Ernie," Zev said and let his predatory smile creep up. "I know he''s been hanging around, but I want him visible. I want him haunting Nick, you understand?"


    "Zev¡ª" Skhal started, but Zev shook his head.


    "I hear you, Skhal. I do. And I''m working on it, okay? You''ll notice that bastard is still alive. But don''t tell me I can''t give him a fucking taste of the horror he''s put so many of us through."


    Skhal stared at him for a long moment and Zev didn''t drop the gaze. Finally the older wolf ran a hand through his hair. "Okay, fine. I suppose it doesn''t hurt to y with him a little bit."


    Zev snorted. "I hope it does hurt, honestly. A conversation I had with Sasha the other day gave me an idea: Maybe talk to Ernie about setting a web for him? As long as he can resist the instinct to actually eat him. I got the feeling from Sasha that the idea of being caught by a spider was really ufortable."


    "He''s going to shit himself," Lhars sniggered.


    Skhal smiled reluctantly. "I''ll talk to him. Is there a specific time, or¡­?"


    Zev shook his head. "Just give him free rein for the next few days. Whatever he wants. Tell him he can''t draw blood. But if he puts him in the fetal position, I''m fine with that."


    Skhal took a deep breath. "Okay. I''ll go find him. I haven''t seen any of the Creatures today. I thought maybe they''d already gone."


    "No, I think less than half of them will go in the end. But we''ll see. We told them to contact us if they change their minds and there''s no one to tell them how to get through, so be prepared for that."


    "Okay, will do. I''ll go find Ernie. You two stay out of trouble." But instead of a simple farewell, Skhal sounded like he meant it. Zev and Lhars ignored the warning and waved him off. But when Lhars looked like he might leave too, Zev caught his arm. "I have another favor to ask."


    Lhars turned, looking surprised. "Sure. What''s going on?"


    Zev looked around to make sure no one could see him, then spoke into his brother''s mind.


    I need to get Nick separated from his device for a long enough period that I can search through it some. I''m not sure if my logins will still work, so I might need a few minutes.


    Lhars brows rose. He guards that thing like a pregnant mate.


    Trust me, I know. But this isn''t a game, or for revenge. I need some answers about what happened while Sasha was over there. That thing is my only chance. I can''t trust Nick to tell me the truth.


    Lhars scratched the back of his neck.


    The only time I can think of that it''s not actually on him is when he bathes. But we haven''t been forcing him to do that. He only did it before he went to see the humans. And he kept it in his sight the whole time. Couldn''t you just take it from him and force him to open it for you? I mean, what''s he going to do?


    I don''t know what he can do, but my instincts are on alert. He can''t know I''m getting this information. I need ess to that device.


    Lhars blew out a breath. Then we need to make a n for the next time he bathes.


    They looked at each other and Zev smiled.


    "Ernie," they both said at the same time. Lharsughed.


    "You should have told Skhal!"


    But Zev shook his head. "No. I love Skhal but he''s too... honorable for this. He doesn''t like me using fear to motivate people. And normally I wouldn''t. But Nick deserves it."


    Lhars shrugged. "Okay, I''ll talk to Ernie and tell him to be ready. It sounds like he''s going to be hanging around anyway."


    Zev nodded. "And every morning I need a group of the males that are on Vige duty to be ready. So if he chooses that day, they can make a screen for me. We''ll make a spectacle of it--Ernie humiliates Nick in front of the boys. Just a petty joke. Nothing to think twice about."


    Lhars chuckled. "Yep, I can make that happen."


    "Good. Thank you. Just make sure the n is in ce, okay? No matter what, the day Nick makes the call to bathe you call me. I''ll get there. And our guys will be in ce."


    Lhars grinned. "Consider it done."

 Chapter 390 Looking for the End

    <h4>Chapter 390 Looking for the End</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    When they''d finished with Nick and returned him to his guards, Yhet rolled along next to Sasha, and not for the first time she noticed how he shortened his gait to keep a pace that she couldfortably maintain.


    And she noticed how preupied he was.


    They''d left Nick at the shack and there was no one else in the vige square, so as soon as they passed through the first row of trees, she put a hand up to Yhet''s thick forearm.


    He looked down at her, surprised. "What''s wrong, Sasha-don?"


    "Please don''t use the title, Yhet. I was going to ask you the same thing."


    Yhet grumbled and pped one of his massive ham-sized hands. "I''m fine, Sasha, I told you. I just haven''t been able to move enoughtely."


    "Yhet¡­ please don''t lie to me."


    She stopped walking and Yhet stopped too, staring down at her, his bushy eyebrows pinched down towards his nose. When he didn''t say anything else, Sasha stepped closer and lowered her voice.


    "Yhet, whatever it is¡­ I want to help. What happened while I was gone? Or is it about the females?"


    His eyes popped up from where he''d nted them at his feet and Sasha''s heart squeezed. "It''s hard, huh? Seeing the femalese back? When¡­ when yours won''t?"


    He nodded. "I am d for you and Zev, Sasha. I truly am. I want to see you together and alive and¡­ I pray you''ll be blessed with offspring. But my heart¡­ when the females arrived, for a short time I hoped. I knew it wasn''t possible, but they have been so tricky before¡­ for an hour I hoped. And then I realized and of course¡­ she''s dead. And I didn''t even cry."


    Sasha wanted to weep at the way his face twisted on thatst statement, though. He cleared his throat and it sounded like a motorcycle engine starting.


    "Yhet¡ª"


    "No, Sasha. I appreciate your care. I really do. But¡­ this isn''t something that you can help. Nobody can help. A piece of me is missing. It was torn from me, and it will nevere back and I just¡­ I suppose until now that hasn''t been real for me. But seeing those females walk through¡­ something changed. I''m sorry I''ve worried you."


    Sasha put both hands to his folded arms. "No, no, Yhet, don''t apologize. Please. I''m sorry that you''re in pain. I wish I could do something to help."


    Yhet shrugged. "Thank you. Your care warms me."


    "Did it¡­ was it painful that Zev and I went to your home again?"


    Yhet shook his head. "No, that is one of the few good things to havee out of this, Sasha. But I do think¡­ I do think that when the timees, I will probably not leave. I wanted to warn you. I was going to do thatter, but¡­ well, that''s it."


    Sasha''s mouth dropped open. "You don''t want toe to the safe ce?"


    Yhet shook his head. "If I leave here, I leave her," he said. "The only pieces of her that are left. And¡­ I can feel iting, Sasha. The darkness is getting heavier. I thought perhaps it was different for my kind because I hadn''t seemed to be defeated by it as I''ve seen others after the loss of their mates. But now¡­ it''s as if I carry a heavier weight every day. And I''m tired, Sasha. I''m very tired."


    His eyes slid to meet hers and the pain in his gaze made her want to weep. "Yhet¡­ please¡­ I want you with us. I want you safe. I can''t¡ª"


    "This is a way you could help me, Sasha-don," he said earnestly. "Please do not push me to leave this ce."


    "But¡­ but you go to the human world, and this will be better¡ª"


    "Sasha, I happily enter the human world because she was a part of it. And I hadn''t realized but perhaps my heart was still hoping to find her there, too." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "I will fight this fight with you, and I will help you win. But when you leave¡­ when you leave, I will stay here. I think¡­ I think my time ising anyway."


    "Yhet!" She threw herself into his stomach and he opened his massive arms to hold her, petting her hair.


    "Don''t cry, Sasha. Please. I don''t want more pain for you."


    "Yhet! Stop! I want tofort you! I can''t believe I''ve just left you alone in this, I''m so sorry!"


    He shook his head and a rumble rolled in his big chest. "You have made me happy for the first time in years, Sasha. Seeing Zev so full of love and excitement for the future. It shows me how little of his light we saw when he was here, but away from you. I am so d to see him growing into himself. And that''s because of you. You are a gift, Sasha. To all of us."


    "This is ridiculous," Sasha sobbed. "Stop, Yhet. This is about you. And how we can make you feel loved, and¡ª"


    "I am loved, Sasha, that''s part of the problem. Can you imagine waking in a world where Zev didn''t exist? Would you want to?"


    Sasha pulled back far enough to meet his eyes, her head spinning suddenly with images of herself waking in furs and without Zev''s warmth. Of walking at night unable to see. Of shedding tears without his chest to cling to¡­


    "N-no," she whispered. "I wouldn''t want to." But she wouldn''t have to, she knew. Because they were Ardent.


    But Yhet just nodded. "I''m d you understand," he said quietly. Then he petted her hair one more time and started walking again, tipping his head for her to follow. "Please don''t tell the males. They get aggressive when they''re sad. I don''t want to have to fight them when the timees."


    Sasha stared at him, stunned, as they walked along. Then she swallowed hard. "I want you to know that I love you, Yhet. You are the dearest friend and¡­ I just love you. Okay?"


    "I know, Sasha," he said, but he finally smiled. "I love you too. But don''t tell Zev I said that. His wolfes out when he''s feeling possessive and I don''t want to have to hurt him."


    Sasha couldn''t help it. Sheughed.


    But the tears that rolled down her cheeks weren''t fromughter.

 Chapter 391 Haunted by the Past - Part 1

    <h4>Chapter 391 Haunted by the Past - Part 1</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev waited for Sasha on the trail where they''d said they would meet. When she finally arrived, Yhet hovering at her side, he was at Sasha''s side in a heartbeat.


    "What is it, what''s wrong?" he said, hands at her waist, looking back and forth between Sasha and Yhet.


    Yhet gave a nervous grimace and opened his mouth, but Sasha reached past Zev to put a hand to their friend''s arm, as if to soothe him before she looked at Zev.


    "It''s okay, Zev. Yhet was just telling me about¡­ about when his mate died and it made me sad. I was already frustrated about Nick. That''s all. It''s nothing."


    "Oh," Zev looked up at their friend. "Are you okay, Yhet?"


    "I will be," Yhet rumbled.


    "Yhet, could you do me a favor?" Sasha asked and Zev wanted to growl. Her scent was a twist of so many feelings¡ªanger, sadness, hurt, relief. They all tossed and tangled, as if she didn''t know which to feel at any moment. "Can you run ahead to the City and let them know that I need to gather all the females¡ªeven those who aren''t staying in the hall? Tell them it will be an hour or two."


    "Of course," Yhet said, obviously relieved to have a reason to leave them. "I''ll see you back at the City."


    They both nodded and Zev braced Sasha as Yhet turned and ran down the trail, making the ground shiver for several seconds until he was out of sight.


    Then Zev turned to her, still holding her at her waist and leaning down over her, frowning. "What did Nick say?"


    Sasha shook her head. "Either he didn''t know about me, or he covered really well. He didn''t get suspicious or cagey. It seemed like he was just answering my questions about the females. Like he didn''t suspect anything. Or maybe he just didn''t care?"


    Bingo. Zev muttered a curse. "He definitely doesn''t care. Are you okay?"


    "I think so," she said hesitantly. "I did find out one thing that I think is important. Or confirmed it, anyway." The uncertainty in her scent¡ªand the hurt¡ªshoved to the forefront. Zev held her more tightly.


    "What''s that?"


    Sasha swallowed and looked down. "He said that the other females that you¡­ bred with¡­ it wasn''t that they got pregnant and lost it or anything like that. They just¡­ never got pregnant at all."


    Zev went very still. His stomach churned. He felt ill. He felt cold. He felt so angry¡ªand so scared. He stared down at Sasha until she finally found the courage to meet his eyes.


    "That''s¡­ good news, I suppose," he said softly, then braced himself. "Are you okay?"


    When Sasha shook her head, he wanted to bite something.


    "What can I do, Sash? Just tell me, please¡­"


    "Nothing. There''s nothing you can do. It all happened in the past."


    She started to turn as if to walk up the trail, but he held her, stopped her from moving and she rxed back into his arms. "Sasha¡­" he had to clear his throat. "I know I can''t change the past. But¡­ this is about our future. Please. Talk to me. Tell me what you need. I wish I could take it back."


    "I wish you could too," she didn''t smell angry, but very sad. And very hurt.


    Zev wanted to scream. "You know I have no feelings for any of them, right? That I never would have chosen that?"


    Sasha made a strange, strangled huffing sound. "Zev, I¡­ Nick took me to the breeding arena Zev. And there was a pair in there¡­ I just¡­ it was sick, and sad, and there was nothing there that was sexy or¡­ it just broke my heart. It broke my heart for you, and it broke my heart for me, because there was no love in that. And¡­" she made a noise that he knew meant she was frustrated with herself because she was beginning to cry. "I just hate it, Zev. I hate it so much."


    "I do to. And I hate what it does to you, Sash. I do."


    "I know, but you didn''t see them, Zev. Those females¡­ I met some of them and they were¡­ They''re over there aching for you Zev."


    Zev screwed his eyes closed and he dropped his chin.


    "You should have heard the sound one of them made when they learned that I was your mate, Zev. They''d been pining for you the way the males here pined for their mates. They were bonded to you, even if you weren''t bonded to them and¡­ it was killing them."


    Fuck. He was going to be sick. He stepped back, letting her go, looking around. He wanted to run, to fight something. He needed to do something. But what?


    "And the thing that kills me, Zev is¡­ Those females¡­ we''re going to save them." Her tears spilled over. "I''m going to have to be with you in front of them and that''s going to hurt them even more than it does me¡ªand that pisses me off. Because it hurts me, Zev. You hurt me when you made that choice, and I get it. I get that you didn''t want it, and I get that they were controlling you¡ªand I get that the females wanted it and were there willingly. But the whole thing is just so sick and the thought of you¡­ with them¡­" A little sob broke in her throat and she stepped back, away from him, hands to her mouth. She was trembling.


    Zev thought he might vomit. "Sasha," he rasped. "I''m so sorry¡­ so sorry¡­ I don''t know what to say."


    "Neither do I."


    They stared at each other and for a minute Zev wondered if his heart could break again when she was right there in front of him. Because that was how it felt.


    But then her face crumpled, and she threw herself into his arms and Zev, taken off guard, grunted, but pulled her in, trembling and tense, but relieved. So relieved.


    "I love you, Zev. I love you so much. I know we can''t change it. I''m trying to let it go. I am. I just¡­ it hurts so much."


    "I know, babe. I know."

 Chapter 392 Haunted by the Past - Part 2

    <h4>Chapter 392 Haunted by the Past - Part 2</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    They held each other for a long time. Zev stroked her hair and her back and kissed her temple, whispered his love, and pleaded for forgiveness, and she said she gave it. And even though her body wasn''t as tight when she finally pulled back, he wasn''t sure.


    He wasn''t sure he could ever have forgiven her if the roles were reversed. Could he judge her for struggling with it?


    Sasha stepped out of his arms and wiped her face. "I am so damn sick of crying," she said, with a watery chuckle. "I love you, Zev. And I want to stop being sad. We''re going to have to¡­ we''re going to have to just figure it out when it all happens because there''s no time now, okay? But just please¡­ please tell me if there''s anything else. Anything that these women have of you?"


    "Nothing," he whispered. "I vow it, Sasha."


    She sighed. "You can''t fix this, Zev. But you are going to have to tell them how sorry you are. Because those women are in pain. They''ve lost their mates just as surely as Yhet did and¡­ I hate being a part of that."


    "Me too," he whispered. Then he didn''t know what else to say


    But as usual his amazing mate was kind. She started walking and as he followed her, she changed the subject.


    She told him that Nick said the females only ever got weaker when they were closed up instead of being free in Thana¡ªand she thinks that''s a byproduct of the human influence. Being caged. Being controlled.


    Zev''s mind drifted to his own troubles sleeping and the panics that coulde upon him.


    "Zev, it doesn''t matter what medications or supplements or how good the food is, when people''s minds aren''t healthy their bodies aren''t healthy."


    "I know. You''re right."


    Then she turned to him, and now there was concern in her eyes. After all he''d put her through she was worried about him?


    "Is that why you''re on edge too? Why you don''t sleep well and don''t want to be inside? Is that why you didn''t go with me to talk to Nick?"


    Zev cleared his throat. "Yes, some. I have¡­ struggles, too, I suppose. Some days are worse than others. Some days I''m fine unless something happens or I can smell them¡ªlike when you came back. Other days there''s stuff that sends me into a panic and I don''t even know why."


    Sasha nodded slowly. "Do I smell right now? Of Nick, I mean."


    Zev grimaced. "It''s not bad, I''m guessing you didn''t really touch him. But yeah, I can smell him."


    "I''m sorry¡ª"


    "Sasha, you owe me no apologies about this. At all. Don''t worry, it''ll fade. But I still¡­ I just hate it. It brings back feelings and ways I used to be afraid. When I can''t sleep it''s like that. This feeling of being caged. I think that''s half of why Yhet wants to be moving all the time. He''s proving to himself that he''s not being controlled."


    Sasha took his hand. "Were you caged all the time?"


    He huffed a breath. "No, that''s the stupid thing. The females and theb males had it so much worse than me. They stayed at thepound or in thebs. I was¡­ living a life. I mean, I was monitored. I lived with Nick or with others that were on training. But we had some freedom. They¡­ I think they put something in me. They always seemed to know where I was. I found a lump on my back once and had one of the others cut it out. They''d put some kind of tech under my skin. I never found another one, but they still never seemed to struggle to find me. They just had to catch me. Until the day I got you, I never ran from them. It''s hard to exin, Sasha. I can''t tell you why except that it always just seemed impossible. Or I thought they''d hurt you."


    Sasha hugged his arm as they walked, and he pulled her to a stop to hold her. They both stood there, breathing. Zev trembled.


    "I wish everything was different," Sasha whispered after a few minutes.


    "So do I. But you figured it out. We''re going to make things different for ourselves."


    She nodded. "Are you going to talk to Nick?"


    "No. I think I''d kill him if he was in front of me." His words were dark and certain.


    Sasha looked up at him, her eyes pinched in concern. "You can''t carry around hate like that, Zev. It''ll eat you up."


    He remembered Skhal''s words from earlier and shook his head, his jaw tense.


    "You''re trying to tell me you don''t hate him for knowing that we had a baby and not telling us?"


    Sasha''s lips twisted. "Honestly, I wanted to scream at him when I first saw him, but I fought it back and he was¡­ normal."


    "That''s because he''s used to knowing things that are going to destroy you, and not telling you until he can use them."


    Sasha nodded. They started walking again, both of them quiet. Then she sighed. "I really don''t want to talk about this with anyone else. And the males are so¡­ no boundaries. Can you please promise not to tell the others about this? I just want this to be between us."


    "Sure, of course."


    "I mean, if you need to talk to someone about it¡ª"


    "Who would I talk to other than you, Sash? My brother''s in love with a female who can''t have kids, so that''s a p in the face. Yhet never had offspring. Skhal never mated¡ªand even though I think Dunken and Jhon will, they haven''t yet. No one around me is going to understand this. I don''t think I even understand it."


    Sasha nodded. "That''s how I feel, too."


    "Well, there then. We''ll talk to each other about it and maybe between us we can figure it out. But regardless¡­ I''m here, Sash. Okay? Anytime you want to talk about any of it. I wish I could change so much, that I can''t. But what I can do is be here now and make the future better."


    They walked on then, side to side, hands sped.


    Zev just prayed that she could heal from the hell he''d sentenced her with.

 Chapter 393 A New Playing Field

    <h4>Chapter 393 A New ying Field</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    After what Nick had said to Sasha about the females getting weaker, she and Kyelle spent the next three days helping the females grieve the lost sister¡ªand urging them to step out and face their fears. To begin to live. To get out of the hall and start interacting with the males. And while the females weren''t going to integrate fully with the males in the City yet, they were already beginning to see some progress.


    Zev was grateful for the boost of encouragement it gave Sasha, who was still struggling with knowing they''d lost a baby.


    Zev hated feeling so helpless, so uncertain, but he just held her and together they tried to look forward, to a new life uninterrupted by the humans.


    They both prayed that their hopes for the new life in the safend weren''t foolish.


    Reports came from Skhal and Lhars that the Creatures who were going had already started to move, the first of them¡ªloners mainly¡ªtaking the Gateway the day after they met with Sasha. That raised Zev''s spirits. He liked the idea of the Creatures, who were all male and would never find mates, still having hope for a new life. And who knew? Was it possible there would be females for some of them in the newnd? They could hope and pray. And they did.


    As the day for Nick to meet the humans drew closer, Zev and Sasha both grew more tense. Sasha told him that Nick swore the humans hadn''t worriedst week that there weren''t medical notes from Patty. Nick had told the board that the Chimera were focused on getting the females settled, that everyone was healthy, and that they were initially distrustful because none of them knew Patty. That with all the recent change, Patty was working on gaining their trust.


    But he had admitted it would be more and more suspicious over time.


    Zev still hadn''t spoken with Nick personally, still didn''t trust himself in the man''s presence. So he''d been filled in by Sasha. Together they''d agreed that they needed to move sooner rather thanter. But Sasha felt that the females weren''t ready yet, so she threw all her energy into getting them out of their fear and into some kind of normal life in the hopes it would embolden them.


    The day before Nick was to return to the humans for another update, Sasha was once again busy with the females, so Zev went for a walk with Jhon who had questions about approaching the females who were reintegrating.


    It was an easy relief to walk through the forest with his friend, their conversation tripping back and forth between teasing jokes, and serious discussion of the females.


    "I just wonder whether they''ll ever really settle again," Jhon said. "The males are getting restless, Zev. They might not be talking to you about it because everyone can see how protective you are of Sasha. As it should be. But¡­ the males want mates. They want to be close to females. They want to disy.


    Zev was uneasy, uncertain how to respond. They hadn''t told the Chimera yet that all the females currently here were barren. Hadn''t wanted to add that extra pressure to the females who were working so hard to find their confidence.


    Zev was torn between warning his friend, and not adding to the te of the females.


    He sighed. "Look, I get it. If I thought someone who was my Sasha was there, I''d be impatient too. I''ll talk to the Alphas and see if we can get the word out again¡ªif the males start pressuring them, they''re only going to dy the progress. These females have been through so much. And we''re hopeful that we''ll have more soon. These aren''t thest females we''ll all see for the rest of our lives." He hoped that was true.


    "But how?" Jhon asked.


    "Sasha has a n. Don''t worry, brother. Look what she''s managed already."


    Jhon nodded, but his face was pained. "But these females are here, Zev. After three years, they''re here and¡­ it''s driving everyone crazy. The only saving grace is that none of them have gone into heat¡ªcould you imagine the shitshow when the first one does?"


    Zev stopped cold. Shit.


    Of course. It had been so long since he''d been around Chimeran females in heat¡­


    Shit.


    He was going to have to talk to Sasha.


    In previous years a female going into heat would be only a minor disruption¡ªa few males at her level disying and trying to tempt her. And possibly being sessful if she was ready to take a mate.


    But now? After three years? After having lost them, and finally having them back? The males would lose their minds.


    Except¡­ did barren females go into heat?


    If they didn''t, everyone was going to notice within another week or so. They might put a few weeks without a heat down to the changes and trauma the females had been through. But the entire group? For months?


    Zev needed to talk to Sasha. They were going to have to figure out how tomunicate about this.


    He realized his friend was staring at him expectantly, and he cleared his throat. "I''ll talk to Sasha. You''re right. I hadn''t thought about it."


    Jhon nodded and opened his mouth, but just as he did, the sound of hoofbeats on the trail behind them sounded. They both turned, wary, but the breeze brought the scent of Dunken approaching¡ªand approaching quickly.


    They stopped and waited, Zev''s heart beating faster. Dunken was usually pretty unppable. If he was hurrying, there was a good reason for it.


    When he was almost to them, he shifted, still running the final feet until he slid to a halt in front of them, smiling.


    Zev was d to see the smile. "What is it?"


    Dunken''s eyes twinkled. "Nick has to see the humans tomorrow."


    "Yes. And?"


    "He wants to bathe. I told the guards to hold him up by telling him we needed to make sure there were no females there. But he''s pretty eager, apparently. I guess it''s time. Ernie''s close¡ªand I think he''s the reason Nick hasn''t just walked out by himself."


    Zev smiled and Jhon chuckled.


    Finally.


    Without another word, Dunken turned on his heel and all three of them shifted and started running back to the vige.

 Chapter 394 Places the Sun Doesn鈥檛 Shine

    <h4>Chapter 394 ces the Sun Doesn''t Shine</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    The bathing pools were in chaos.


    Zev had hung back, staying out of sight while the other two went ahead to the pools. Apparently, Nick had arrived with his guards just a minute before them¡ªafter they''d been cleared to make sure there were no females. They''d ced a handful of males around¡ªsome in the water, some out. But Dunken and Jhon pretended they were only there to speak with one of the guards.


    Then Zev had seen Ernie scuttling up the path. He raised his head over the underbrush and they shared a grin as the spider man arched his back to make his legs spread wider before he reached Nick.


    Zev had heard the shout, and halfughed, half-growled when he heard the sshing as if Nick was running for the shore.


    But then the other male''s voices rose, taunting him¡ªand Ernie.


    Now, as Zev crept towards the pools, staying off the trail and low so that he wouldn''t be seen by Nick, there was a cacophony of voices, sshing, and shrieks from Nick that gave Zev a very sincere jolt of pleasure.


    "Eat your own shit and die, Nick," he muttered as he took wolf form to slide through thest rows of trees and underbrush. His wolf wasrge but camouged better, and he needed to see where the others had stood to give him ess to the device and guard him from Nick''s eyes.


    As the pools became visible through gaps in the undergrowth, Zev moved low on his haunches, keeping his back below the level of the bushes, and moving to the right when he saw where the other males had lined up on the shore.


    Where the trail entered the clearing, Ernie stood at the water''s edge. Zev and the other males were to his right, Zev in the bushes, the other males lined up in a group as if they were spectators at a sporting match. While Nick stayed low in the deep water on the opposite side of the pool, his face a mask of fear.


    "Stay away from me!"


    "Come now, Nick¡­ we''re all just males trying to make the best impression on the world," Ernie''s strange voice was easy to discern because it was so sharppared to the others. It always made Zev want to tilt his head and rub his ears. "I won''t eat you if you don''t ssh me."


    "Stay away, you freak!"


    "Tsk tsk. Such cruel words, Nick. Hit me right in my feels. Spiders have feelings too, you know."


    "This isn''t funny. I''m just trying to get clean before I go back to the humans. They''ll think something is wrong if I show up dirty!"


    "Careful, Nick. We don''t pee on your bed, so don''t shit in our pool!" Jhon called.


    The males all guffawed. Nick scowled, but then Ernie actually started into the water and Nick made a high, strangled noise and scrambled back, out of the way¡ªbut he was effectively locked on the other side of the pool, unable to get out because of the sheer rocky sides of thend rise on that side, but Ernie standing in the shallows between him and shore where he''d entered.


    Zev took fierce pleasure in seeing Nick so frightened, but he couldn''t afford to sit there and enjoy it. Eventually, it would be obvious that the males were up to something. He had to get to that device.


    Shifting back to his human form, he knelt between two thick bushes near a rock where Nick had left his clothing, towel, and likely the device.


    Praying that he wasn''t noticeable through the forest of male legs that stood between him and Nick, Zev crawled out, reached under the towel and found the device, and pulled it back into the trees.


    While the voices in the pools continued to rise¡ªalong with waves ofughter¡ªhe used trembling fingers to turn the little tablet on. He held his breath as he entered his thumbprint, praying that they hadn''t thought to remove his profile from the system.


    The device scanned for a long time, but then it opened with a small beep.


    Zev froze. The males wereughing and shouting at Nick and Nick''s full attention appeared to be on Ernie¡ªwho was crowing about how the hair on his spider legs would let him stand on top of the water if that would make Nick morefortable?


    "Then at least you can see all of me¡­and I can move a lot faster," Ernie said, his voice that grating call.


    When there was no indication that Nick had heard the device, Zev turned the sound off, then moved quickly through the menus until he could bring up files, opening Sasha''s immediately and scanning it.


    Vitals. Details. Medical history¡­


    Zev read quickly, hungrily, scanning through everything he could find. But it was all the old information. Everything they''d had on her before he took her from the human world. All things he''d seen before.


    Why hadn''t they updated the file before Nick came?


    Growling in frustration, Zev peered between the bushes to make sure the males were still blocking him from Nick''s sight, then tapped through a few more screens to see if they''d hidden information on her in other parts of her profile. But no¡­ nothing. Nothing new. And definitely no results or information from her time at the Compound.


    Shit.


    Heart dropping to his toes, and frustration rising to anger, Zev was about to shut the device down when he realized this was the chance to confirm what Norm had told them about the females.


    Quickly, with nces up every few seconds to make sure Nick hadn''t somehow gotten out of the pool, he flipped through the software to look up Mae''s profile first and see where her fertility status was logged.


    But what he saw first stopped his breath.


    ** CLEARED FOR HARVEST **


    The code that followed indicated a date a few months from that day.


    Zev raised his head, thinking quickly. It couldn''t be, could it?


    He swallowed hard.


    Harvesting was the process of collecting a Chimeran''s organs and blood for use as donors for human patients.


    No one lived through it.

 Chapter 395 Harvest

    <h4>Chapter 395 Harvest</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "All the King''s Men" by The Rigs. It''s what I was listening to while writing this chapter!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Well beyond nerves, Zev was beginning to shake with pure horror. Poor Mae.


    But¡­ it couldn''t be. Harvest was ast resort¡ªusually only used when a Chimera had some kind of disease or had given up mentally. Because once the resource was used up, there was nothing left.


    Why would the Board send Mae here if they''d intended to harvest her?


    He licked his lips. But maybe that was what had saved her? Maybe that''s why she was chosen? Maybe she''d been sent here instead of being harvested.


    He hoped so. Sasha loved Mae. She would have been heartbroken if the female was gone.


    Suddenly grateful, Zev tapped out of Mae''s information and searched up Pysa''s.


    But his chest tightened and his stomach flipped over as he saw the same status at the top of her profile.


    ** CLEARED FOR HARVEST **


    Desperately, he flipped out and tried another of the females. Then another.


    His breath stopped and his throat closed as one after another, after another, he found the same thing.


    All these females, every one whose name he could recall, had been sent here before an expected harvest five or six months in the future.


    As the voices in the clearing rose and sshing reminded him that he was short on time, Zev stared at the screen. But then the males made "Whoa!" noises andughed, and the sshing indicated maybe Nick was making a dive for the shore.


    Without thought, Zev quickly turned the device off and pushed it back under the towel, then slipped back into the underbrush.


    He didn''t wait for the males to leave. He didn''t want to see Nick. He couldn''t. He shifted to his wolf and started through the trees, waiting only until he knew Nick''s human eyes wouldn''t be able to pick him out, then he started to run.


    It couldn''t be. It couldn''t be.


    Nick had brought through dozens of females¡­ all of them just months from the butcher''s block?


    When a Chimera was harvested, their organs and blood were collected to be used to help humans. They didn''t live through the process. Was their presence here an attempt to make them healthy enough that they could still be used in other ways? Or were they just here to¡­


    Zev was grateful to be in his wolf. His human form might have vomited.


    He had a very bad, sinking feeling that the females had been brought to Thana in some fucked up version of fattening them for ughter. That perhaps Sasha''s work at thepound had only been coincidental.


    What if they''d intended to send the females here anyway? Or what if they only sent the ones that were marked for harvest so that if they lost one it didn''t matter?


    But that meant that their agreement with Sasha was aplete ruse. Not just a deception. It didn''t just hide maniption. They had lied to her, outright. She''d said they were sending females as a test to see if they''d be more fertile by being here. But if these females couldn''t breed, it wasn''t just that the experiment was destined to fail, it was that they were trying to get Sasha and Zev''s help to prepare these females, to make them healthier before they killed them!


    Zev snarled and slid to a halt, turning mid-stride, instinctively wanting to return to Nick to bite out the male''s throat.


    But Zev forced himself back to human form and stopped, panting, staring at the trees.


    It was all so dark. So sinister. So¡­ cold.


    He was being used again.


    He wanted nothing more than to go back and yank Nick out of the water, attack, and kill the man for his part in this. But even as his body twitched and he took a step forward, he caught himself.


    If Nick learned that they knew, he would immediately begin working against them. He would have to. He wasn''t going to lose his protection¡ªhe''d run for the human world and warn them and their chance to get everyone out of here would be over.


    His chest rose and fell too quickly, though he felt like he had no breath.


    Was the whole thing a ruse? All of it? Patty. Nick. The females¡­ was every step just another step closer to the Chimeran abattoir?


    And he and Sasha had bought it. All of it. Or at least, they hadn''t seen through it.


    Fuck!


    A whine broke in his throat, and he clenched his fists. He didn''t want to tell Sasha. Knew what a blow it would be to her. Knew what it meant for all of them. But knew that he had to.


    Fuck.


    FUCK.


    Teeth gritted, he let his eyes rise to the sky above, the tree canopy overhead looking ck against the high cloud and bright blue sky of the morning.


    "Sasha believes you''re good!" he hissed at this fucking God that she was so certain loved him. "And you do this? You let us get fooled time and time again? Those poor females who did nothing to put themselves in this situation¡ªyou''re just going to let them die? Well, fuck you! FUCK YOU!" he snarled. "If you won''t save them, I will!"


    A wind rushed up, rustling the leaves of the trees overhead and Zev snapped his teeth at it. Then he turned on his heel and ran, pushing against the earth, breath tearing in his throat, then leaped into his wolf and galloped back towards the trail to the City.


    No way. Not on his watch. If he had to break his mate''s heart to make sure she understood, he would do it. There were no other options. They knew. They knew exactly where they stood now. And Zev was done trying to work things out. He was done putting any faith in anyone other than Sasha.


    He would tell her. They would get the rest of the creatures out of here, and then they''d leave. It was that simple.


    There was no other choice.

 Chapter 396 Seeing Clearly

    <h4>Chapter 396 Seeing Clearly</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha was seated cross-legged on fur in the female hall, talking to Mae. The other females had all been encouraged to make their own meal for lunch. It was one of the few normal tasks she and Kyelle hade up with that to help the females start working towards being back in a normal routine. To focus on things outside of themselves, instead of their pain.


    They''d brought fruit, meat, and grains. And most of the females that were still isting themselves had happily engaged. They sat in arge circle at the center of the hall, shelling peas, mixing dough, and cutting fruit.


    There was talk of making a fire, but that would require removing some of the hides from the window to allow airflow. Sasha hadn''t decided whether that was a good sign or not.


    But she had noticed that Mae, while helping others grow in their confidence and urging them to give the tasks a try, hadn''t sat in the circle herself.


    She''d kept herself away from the others¡ªeven more so thisst day or so.


    Sasha was worried.


    So as the females began to work together¡ªthose who''d spent time in the sanctuary helping those who''d been in the apartments and had forgotten some of their skills¡ªshe''d sidled up to Mae''s side.


    "You know, this is important for you, too," she said, keeping her voice below the hubbub of the circle on the floor.


    Mae shrugged. "I want to catch any of them that might be afraid and try to leave," she said, but she didn''t meet Sasha''s eyes.


    "Mae, I¡ª"


    "Sasha, please don''t," Mae said baldly. And finally turned to look at her. "I know what you''re going to say. It''s exactly what I would say to one of the others. I get it. But knowing what is best, and trusting it¡­ those are two different things.


    "I focus outside myself by helping the others find their feet again," she said through her teeth, turning back to watch the woman working. "The rest¡­ the rest will have to wait."


    Sasha sighed and put a hand to Mae''s shoulder. "I know this is incredibly hard, but I talked to Zev, and¡ª"


    Suddenly, the door from the stairway flew open so fast it banged against the wall. All the females startled, some shrieking and covering their heads, others immediately on their feet and defensive.


    Mae hissed and flowed towards the door before Sasha could even turn all the way around¡ªto find Zev standing there, struggling against two guards.


    His voice boomed, not in the room, but in her head.


    Sasha! It''s important! I need you. NOW.


    Mae snarled and put herself in front of him. Zev wasn''t letting the guards remove him, but he was trying not to fight them either.


    "You get out of here, male! Alpha or not, you are not wee!" Mae snapped, her body rippling with the desire to shift.


    "Sasha!"


    "Zev, what¡ª" she was already hurrying towards him, but when he leaned around Mae, his face urgent and tight, Mae stepped into his path and hissed at him to get back again.


    Sasha hurried over to put herself between them, trying to talk Mae down even as she answered Zev in her head.


    What are you doing? Why didn''t you just call for me?


    This can''t wait. I''m serious. This is serious!


    Sasha kept her hands on Mae''s shoulders, moving her head to put herself in Mae''s eye-line every time the female tried to get to Zev.


    But Mae wasn''t fighting her. The truth was, even though she was short for a Chimera, Mae was still more than a match for Sasha. She was submitted, and she didn''t put her Alpha out of the way.


    "Mae, he''se for me. I''ll leave and take him with me¡ªlook at me. Mae? The females need you. They need someone to help them calm. This isn''t a threat to you, or to them, are you hearing me? He''s here for me."


    It took a moment to break through, but then Mae blinked and nodded. When she finally submitted and turned back to the room, all the other females were either on their feet or curled into embraces with others.


    "I''m sorry," Sasha called. "Please, just rest and go back to your task. He''s here for me," she called to them.


    When Mae reached them, she was still moving tightly, but her hands were gentle as she touched the females and spoke to them quietly, moving among them, reassuring and calm.


    Sasha shook her head, then turned back to Zev with her jaw clenched.


    "Let him go," she ordered the guards¡ªwho released him immediately. Then she grabbed him by the front of his furs and pulled him out of the room. "I can''t believe you did that!" she hissed as they trotted down the stairs. "Those poor females were finally starting to enjoy themselves."


    "I''m sorry," he said, hovering at her shoulder. "I wasn''t thinking clearly."


    "Why not? What''s happened?" she asked, knowing he wouldn''t have burst in like that on a whim.


    "I¡ª" he cut himself off as they reached the bottom of the stairs and walked out of the building into the courtyard. He looked around, then frowned. "I need to get you somewhere private," he said, his voice dark. "Please, Sasha. This is really important."


    She stared at him. She was supposed to be meeting Kyelle in an hour¡ªafter lunch¡ªto figure out a task for the females for the afternoon, or maybe take some of them on a walk. But Zev''s face was haggard and everything in him trembled with urgency.


    How bad is it? she asked in his head.


    His eyes dragged closed for a moment and his face crumpled. There''s too much to exin and I don''t want to tell you here with witnesses. Just¡­ please, Sasha. We need to go be alone.


    Stomach flipping in fear, she nodded, and when he shifted, she crawled onto his back and clutched his fur as he ran from the City.

 Chapter 397 Death Knell

    <h4>Chapter 397 Death Knell</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "Land of Confusion ¨C Epic Trailer Version" by Hidden Citizen. It''s what I was listening to while writing these chapters!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Even in his wolf, Sasha could feel the tension in Zev. His shoulders were a solid block of marble under her hands, and his gait was stilted.


    Zev, are you okay? she thought to him, but he shook his head so hard his ears pped.


    Just give me a minute. We aren''t going far.


    His voice sounded dead in her head and it made her nerves spike, but true to his word he didn''t run far. Just a couple minutester he veered off the trail, pushing through bushes and between trees, until the trees opened to reveal a dip in thend and a creek, about six feet across.


    The water gurgled and danced quietly, and the wind rustled the leaves of the trees overhead, but there was no other sound.


    Sasha slid off his back and then Zev shifted back, immediately beginning to pace in front of her, up and down the water''s edge.


    "Zev, what''s going on? You''re scaring me."


    "I''m sorry," he said, his voice a low growl. "You don''t need to be scared of me. I''m just¡­ I''m just so fucking angry."


    "Why, what''s happened?"


    His jaw flexed and he nced at from the side, but kept pacing. "I got my hands on Nick''s device," he said quietly.


    Sasha''s head jerked back. "How? He said it could only be opened with a fingerprint or retina¡ª"


    "I''m still in their system."


    Sasha''s mouth dropped open.


    Zev nodded at theprehension on her face. "I looked you up first, to see if they said anything, but there''s nothing new on there. For whatever reason, they haven''t added anything to your file from when you were in thepound. That was a dead end."


    Sasha slumped, but a part of her wondered if it was better not to know. "Okay, then, what¡ª"


    "Since I had a minute, I looked up some of the others," Zev said, and his voice went very tight. Sasha swallowed. He wouldn''t stop pacing. "Sasha¡­ they''re all¡­ they''re not just infertile¡­ they''re marked for harvest. All of them."


    "Harvest? You mean, their eggs? Like, IVF or something?"


    He stopped walking suddenly and turned to face her, both hands in his hair. "No, Sash. When a Chimera is harvested it means that they''re¡­ everything is taken. Their blood. Their organs. Their eyes¡­ it''s what they do when a Chimera can''t be used for their experiments or whatever. Or they get too sick¡ªthey use their parts to make a human healthier."


    Sasha was reeling. "You¡­ what?!"


    He stepped up to her, leaning in, his eyes pleading even as every inch of him quivered with anger. "Norm was right. None of them can breed. And all of them were marked for harvest within five or six months."


    "That''s when they were supposed to be bringing more females through¡­ if I got pregnant, or the others did¡­"


    "It was a lie, Sash. This was set up to fail from the beginning. They let you think they were giving us a chance, but those females they sent will only "prove" that your theory didn''t work. Then they''ll take them all back, harvest them, take you back, and me¡­"


    He started pacing again, Sasha gaping at his back.


    "But that doesn''t make sense. Why would they send them at all? Why even want me to think they were trying? It''s still a risk. Why would they do it?"


    "I can''t be sure, but¡­" he hesitated, raking a hand through his hair.


    "What?"


    "Sasha, it''s so ugly¡ª"


    "Tell me."


    He stopped again a few feet away and turned to face her. "They didn''t send those females here to breed. They sent them here to get healthier before they killed them. They gave them to us to help them so when they harvested them, they''d be in better physical shape."


    "WHAT?!"


    Zev''s face was a picture of torment and rage. "If the females were marked for harvest it means they were the weakest and least thriving of the lot. I think they sent them here to try and get them healthy. But that must mean they were always nning toe get them. They have to know the females wouldn''t return of their own free will. So they sent them here to get us to embrace them and hopefully heal them before they stole them back and ughtered them."


    Sasha''s entire body went cold, then white-hot. "Those¡­ fuckers."


    Zev nodded. "I want to kill him, Sash. I''m serious. I had to leave. The guys pinned him in the bathing pools for me so I could get on the device. I had to leave. I was so angry I would have attacked him if I''d faced him."


    "Zev," she breathed, "Does that mean they can tell you used the device? Isn''t that the one Nick''s going to give to the Team when he goes back?"


    Zev gaped. Holy shit. She was right.


    Sasha''s face crumpled. "How bad is it? Will they know right away?"


    Zev swallowed. "No, I mean¡­ there''s a log. They''d have to look at it intentionally, but they''ll probably be looking for stuff from Patty, so they''ll find it."


    "Zev! What were you thinking?!"


    But he shook his head. "It doesn''t matter, Sasha. Listen to me, this is already reached critical mass. We have to go. There''s no negotiating with these people. There''s no reason. They are evil. We have to get out of here. We have to. And we have to do it before they realize that we''re onto them."


    Sasha turned away from him. She was nodding because he was right, but even under her fear that they''d see Zev''s betrayal, the logistics of moving this quickly¡­ the females were still so broken. The Creatures still had today and some might still be moving. She felt like she''d just walked onto the field to y a game, only to find herself on an entirely different field. And yet, she had no choice but to y.


    "You''re right," she said suddenly. Because he was. It didn''t matter how dangerous it was. It didn''t matter how broken they all were. "That''s it. We''re done. We have to move on this. The humans are expecting Nick tomorrow afternoon, right? Then we have to leave the next day."


    Zev''s eyes were hollow and sad, but he nodded.


    This should have felt triumphant. It should have felt strong. Instead she felt like a fool. Of course they hadn''t been listening to her. Of course she hadn''t convinced them.


    What an idiot.


    But that thought just made her spitting mad.


    "You tell Skhal to tell the Creatures, this is it. All or nothing. Tonight they get out of here. Tomorrow Nick and the humans cross. As soon as he''s back¡­ we''re moving. We''re leaving Zev. They''ve got twenty-four hours to pack."


    **** END OF VOLUME 2 ****


    Thank you so much for your dedication to this book and these characters! Stay tuned! Volume 3 starts tomorrow and then we''re running downhill all the way to THE END! Can''t wait for you to see it!

 Chapter 398 All the Ways it Could Go Wrong

    <h4>Chapter 398 All the Ways it Could Go Wrong</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    The following hours were a blur. She wanted to be with the females, preparing them, reassuring them¡ªhelping them recover from their shock. But there was too much to do. And every time she or Zev thought of something new, they had to reevaluate and start again.


    She''d already gotten word to Skhal to tell the Creatures it was happening, and happening fast. It was time to move.


    She''d already gotten a message to Kyelle to start preparing the females for the idea that they might have to leave the hall in the next couple days.


    She''d already hugged Yhet when he walked through the Courtyard, just because it made her feel better.


    But then Zev pulled her away from a conversation with the Alphas about what they should and shouldn''t advise their people to pack, and dragged her up to their bed-chamber. When he turned to face her, he was pale.


    "The bond," he said quickly.


    "What?"


    "The bond. You''re still thinking you''ll get the females yourself, right?"


    "I''m not just thinking it, Zev, I have to. They''re expecting me."


    He shook his head. "We forgot about the bond."


    "What do you mean¡ª?"


    "Sasha, I felt like I had a heart attackst time we got separated by the Gateway, do you remember?"


    She''d stopped breathing just at the memory. "I¡­ yes."


    Zev''s face was stormy. "You can''t go crossing back and forth. We have to stay together¡ªthat''s got to be what it means, right? The Gateway cuts us apart, and Sasha, I don''t know what''s going to happen next time. We can''t just hope for the best. We have to bring other people into this. You have to send some of the others through and see if they can find the females. You and I have to go together."


    "What?! But we can''t, Zev! Nick said¡ª"


    "DON''T SPEAK HIS FUCKING NAME TO ME!" Zev roared.


    Sasha startled and stared at him.


    Zev covered his face with both hands. "I''m sorry. I''m sorry. I''m just¡­"


    "Zev, what is going on?"


    He let go of a shuddering breath, shaking his head and pulling himself together. Sasha stepped up to put her arms around his waist and stroke his back.


    "Zev, breathe, please. What''s going on?"


    "You know what''s going on," he said darkly, but he put his hands on her shoulders and started to knead them.


    "I mean¡­ You''re panicking. You don''t usually panic. Ever since we met with the Creatures¡ª"


    "Ever since we learned Nick is even deeper in this shit¡ªin our lives¡ªthan we realized? Yeah. Yeah, I''m tense and I''m fucking angry and I want to kill him, Sash. Like¡­ I''m fighting it. But my wolf¡­ I want to eat him alive."


    His eyes, always so piercing, locked on hers, and for the first time, she saw his wolf staring out of his human face¡ªthose eyes, predatory and intent.


    Sasha swallowed and reminded herself it wasn''t her he was angry with.


    "Zev, you need to calm down."


    "I know, I just¡ª"


    "We''re going to talk about the whole Nick thingter because that''s real and that''s¡­ something needs to happen there. But for now just because time is short¡­ you''re right about the bond. But I don''t see how I can do anything else. I don''t think the females will go with anyone else¡ªespecially not a male and there are no other females we can send."


    "What about Kyelle?"


    "She''s got to take these females through for me because they need to be moving while we are¡ªremember? We have to do this all at the same time. Besides, I told Vayl that I wasing¡ªthat''s the word she''s spread in case the Gateway opens when she''s not around. They''re all going to be looking for me."


    Zev shook his head and his jaw was tight. "We can''t do it, Sash. We have to bring the others in¡ªI mean, we need to anyway. If something happens to one of us, we''re both gone and they''re all screwed. What if we go for the others and one of us has a heart attack and dies? Do they all just get left there? No, we can''t risk it, Sasha, please. You have to promise me¡ª"


    "But how are we going to get to the new world without going through the Gateway?"


    "We''re going through it together," he said slowly, warily. "But that''s why¡­ that''s why we can''t risk everyone else on us."


    "What are you talking about? You said¡ªeveryone said¡ªwe can''t cross together."


    "We can if one of us is out of it."


    "What?"


    "That''s how I got you here. It''s¡­ fuck. So, it''s how they bring through the Chimera when they''re young, or if they''re freaking out. We can enter together if one of us is unconscious. Remember when we arrived? I gave you too much of that stuff and you didn''t wake up. It scared the shit out of me."


    "Zev, I''m Alpha! I can''t just get knocked out¡ªwhat if I don''t wake up and there''s a need on the other side?"


    "Sasha, please." His hands shook as he cupped her face. "If one of us dies, both of us die. We can''t risk leaving everyone else without a leader. We need¡­. We need to establish the hierarchy, put it in ce in case something happens to us, make sure they know who''s in charge if we don''t show up, and¡­ and I need you to trust me to get you through¡ªbecause you can''t carry me."


    Sasha''s head spun. It was all too much, too many things. But no matter what angle she looked at it from, she realized he was right. Even if they went through separately, even if they survived that initial breaking¡­ there was no guarantee they were both going to make it through this. She could step out of the gateway into theb and get shot. She could end up stuck in the sanctuary by ident. Zev could get hurt¡ª


    She turned from that thought. "Okay¡­ okay¡­ so we need to bring in others to do this too. But that means¡­ shit, Zev, that means we need to send them through and make sure they can even do it! What if the females won''t listen to them, or they can''t find the safe ce? We have to send them through now¡ªtonight¡ªto test it before Nick and the humans are paying attention tomorrow!"


    Zev nodded. "I know," he said, finally calm.


    Sasha blew out a breath. "Well¡­ I guess we better call our friends together," she said quietly. "And pray that the females will listen."

 Chapter 399 All for One

    <h4>Chapter 399 All for One</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    An hourter they had Lhars, Kyelle, Skhal, Dunken, Jhon, and Yhet in a clearing near the vige. Sasha had called them there because Skhal and Jhon were still at the vige, and it was a much shorter walk to the Gateway when they were done.


    Zev just prayed that they could all pull this off. He felt like thend was sliding out from under their feet and they were all just being borne along with it, their only choices to run and try and keep their feet, or be swallowed up.


    He couldn''t leave her side. Had stood just behind her while she exined to them what she''d done, and how she nned to get the females out of thepound¡ªto their collective stunned disbelief. Despite his stress, Zev found himself thrumming with pride. She was amazing.


    "But now¡­ we''re pretty sure that the humans are going to figure out that we''re onto them," she said, her voice a little shaky. Zev put one palm to her shoulder, to let her feel him there. "I was going to do it myself¡ªthat''s what the females are expecting. But we realized¡­ there''s just too much risk. I need three of you to go across and contact the different female groups¡ªand Kyelle, I need you to make sure you can find the safe ce. When we take the females through from here, I''m leaving you as Alpha."


    Kyelle blinked. "I¡­ okay?"


    "And Zev and I¡­ the bond is affected every time we go through. So we aren''t confident we can get back and forth. That means we need three of you to go through, make sure you can find the females, and get a message to them from me. Warn them that we''reing the next day. They need to understand that it''s not going to look the way I said it would¡ªwe need to know if they''ll trust you enough to follow. Because if they won''t¡­ I''ll have to risk it."


    "No, Sasha," Yhet rumbled from behind the others.


    Sasha smiled up at him but shook her head.


    "We have about five hours," Sasha said, and Zev felt her shift her weight to press back against him a hair. "I need three of you to go and see if you can find the three groups of females I identified. Then cross to the safe ce¡ªbut don''t go through. You have to get back here before sunrise. We can''t risk that Nick goes early¡ªor that the humanse through looking for him and find you instead. They can''t know that we''re experimenting."


    "I''ll go," Yhet said immediately.


    Sasha smiled sadly. "Actually, Yhet, I was hoping you could stay on this side and guard the Gateway for us¡ªmake sure Nick doesn''t sneak through or something. I don''t know. I just¡­ I feel like we want to keep eyes on this end. And you can get back to us faster than anyone else."


    "I can also crush a human," he said easily. "Okay, Sasha-don. Whatever you need."


    Sasha blinked, but Zev grinned.


    "I''ll go," Lhars said quickly.


    "Me too," Skhal added.


    Sasha thanked them both, while Dunken and Jhon turned to stare at each other.


    "You or me?" Jhon asked quietly. Zev blinked. He''d expected his friends to immediately step forward. It hadn''t urred to him that anyone wouldn''t want to¡ª


    "She''s here. I can''t risk it," Dunken said. "I''ll remain and do anything I can to help from this side, but¡­ if you would be willing¡­"


    Zev''s mouth fell open. "Who''s here?"


    Dunken took a deep breath and turned to Zev. "I was going to tell you. I believe my mate is among the females that are here."


    "What?!"


    Exmations rippled around the circle of friends. Dunken looked very ufortable.


    "Who is it?!" Sasha gasped.


    "I would¡­ rather not say. She has not¡­ shown any regard. I do not wish to¡­"


    "It''s fine, Dunken," Zev said quickly, motioning to Sasha to stop. She didn''t know, Dunken had weed her quickly, for Zev''s sake, but he was extremely reserved and private. And, Zev suspected, if he hadn''t told Zev about it, there was something that concerned him about the bond.


    "I''ll go," Jhon said, drawing all the attention back to himself. Dunken looked relieved.


    "Thank you, Jhon," Sasha said. "Now, the females won''t be expecting you, and given the experiences we''ve had here, I''m going to ask you all to step very carefully in yourmunication with them. It''s very important that they feel confident you were sent by me. So I''m going to send you all with a very specific message. It''s so important that you ry it exactly."


    Zev could smell her sudden ease and he frowned. "What message?"


    Sasha looked up at him sheepishly. "So¡­ when Nick took me to the main female camp in thepound, Vayl, the leader said they had a prophecy. And I wondered how that could be. But¡­ when I went back through the Gateway and tried to reach them, Vayl and I spoke and she told me she knew I''d being because I''d already been there once before and given her instructions that when we met the next time, I wouldn''t know her, and she wasn''t to question that. She was to act as if we''d never met. That''s how I realized the Gateway must cross time."


    Zev''s mouth dropped open.


    "So, when I went back in, I asked the Gateway to take me to a time before I''d met Vayl that I could speak with her without the humans knowing. It led me around a small loop, then opened again, immediately. Vayl was shocked when she saw me¡ªshe didn''t know who I was. It was summer and warm outside, very obviously a different time¡­ so I told her I would being back and she wasn''t to be surprised that I didn''t recognize her or know her. That would be part of the miracle of this. But we were going to get her and the others out.


    "She asked who I was as I was bout to leave and I told her that I was Zev''s mate¡­. And the Alpha of the Chimera."


    Zev almost fainted. "You¡­ traveled time?" He trembled. She could have been lost! She could havee back to the wrong time! His hand tightened on her waist.


    Sasha stared back at him, her eyes pleading.


    Please don''t be angry, she sent to his mind. Please, Zev.

 Chapter 400 The Map

    <h4>Chapter 400 The Map</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha watched him nervously, praying he wouldn''t get angry when he was already so tense. She saw him visibly swallow whatever it was he''d been about to say.


    We''re going to talk about thister, he muttered in her head.


    Sasha sighed with relief and rubbed his arm, then turned back to the others.


    "Okay, guys, so, here''s how it works. When you step into the Gateway, you have to focus only on where you want to go. You can''t let your mind wander, because the Gateway wants to take you where you want to be¡ªif you start thinking about missing home, or you''re worried about someone, you risk being dumped out in a ce you can''t get out of.


    "Just to help you focus, I''m going to give each of you a description of a group of females and where they are in thepound. But you have to make it clear in your mind that if that group has moved from where I saw them, you want to be where they are¡ªand where the humans can''t find you. Don''t forget that part! You aren''t restricted by time. Maybe the Gateway opens to three days ago when they were alone, that''s fine, it doesn''t matter. You just need to get to them at a time when the humans can''t see you and won''t interfere. But when the Gateway opens, stay in the doorway of it¡ªlet yourself see them, and them see you, but don''t step out because it will close and then you want to be able to get out¡ªdo you understand? No matter what, you can''t actually step out of it. Because it doesn''t open there naturally, you''ll be stuck."


    She took a deep breath, but they were all nodding. "So the first thing you tell them when you find them is that you were sent by Sasha, Alpha in Thana, and then you have to say, "The prophecy ising true tomorrow. I''ll be back to help you then." That''s crucial!"


    The males all nodded again, but Zev frowned. "What is this prophecy thing?"


    "It''s not a prophecy, it''s just how we refer to it because the humans don''t know I came through, and don''t know the females are expecting to be saved this way. If you don''t say that, they won''t trust you¡­" Sasha trailed off, wing a hand through her hair. "Honestly, they might not trust you anyway, but what choice do we have?"


    Everyone''s face got serious, but Kyelle looked sad and tense, her eyes kept flicking to Lhars next to her.


    "Tell them that this was a test run to warn them. That they need to be ready. That after Nick returns tomorrow, we''ll be back." She blew out a breath. "Then, when you''ve delivered the message, step back into the Gateway and tell it you want to see the safe ce."


    She hesitated then. "When the gateway leads you to the new ce, you''re just going to see it. I need you guys to see it. Let it open and show you¡ªbut don''t step through. When it opened for me, it opened high in the air because I told it I just wanted to see it. But if I''d stepped out, I would have fallen to my death."


    Beside her, Zev tensed again. She was going to have to do a lot of reassuring that night. She cleared her throat. Then, when you''re certain you found it,e back. Pleasee back. We need you here to make all of this happen. We''ll be working while you''re gone to get everyone ready¡ªand all day tomorrow. I''m afraid this is a night of no sleep for all of us. When you get into the gateway and you''reing home, make sure and tell it you have to be back before dawn? We can''t risk Nick getting out there early, or¡­ just we can''t risk anything. Get back here while it''s still dark, okay?"


    When they''d asked their questions and everyone seemed to be clear on their jobs, Sasha assigned each of them a group of females to locate.


    It was dangerous to have them all in there at the same time, but what else could they do? It was already after midnight, she was sure. They had to make sure these guys could do this without putting anyone else at risk. And they had to give everyone time to prepare.


    "We''ll use the time while Nick is gone to inform and organize everyone here, so even his guards are packed and prepared. Then we''ll need to find a way to make sure he stays asleep when we all leave¡­" She looked at Zev who gave a dark smile.


    "I can take care of that part."


    Sasha gave him a warning look. "We need him alive. We need him to go back and tell the others that we''ve all gone. It makes it less likely that they''lle through here all guns zing and kill what''s left of the creatures.


    "Sash, these people have no hearts, there''s no point¡ª"


    "If I can save one of those males from getting hunted, I''m going to do it. We don''t let Nick know, do you understand?!"


    Zev growled but submitted, and the others did too when she turned to look at them.


    She almost apologized for being so aggressive, but then she realized¡­ none of them were mad.


    They understood that she was leading. Sasha shook her head.


    "Okay, so we need to get you guys out there. Kyelle, youe with us, I''ll have you take a dry run to the safe ce so you know where you''re going when you have to help the females prepare, but you don''t hang around in there. See the ce, then get back, okay?"


    Kyelle nodded, but her eyes were hollow, lines pinching at the sides.


    Sasha sighed. "I know this sucks, being stuck here, but¡ª"


    "No, no!" Kyelle reassured her, though the smile she gave didn''t reach her eyes. "I want to help the females. It''s needed. Don''t worry."


    Sasha didn''t miss that her eyes dropped, then slid to the side to look at Lhars, though.

 Chapter 401 Unsettled

    <h4>Chapter 401 Unsettled</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    "Last thing," Sasha said quietly, looking at Zev. "If anything goes wrong at any time¡ªtonight, tomorrow, whenever¡­ get out of here. Take who you can, but get out. We''ve been given this one shot. If it all goes wrong and you''re the only one left, get out. You can''t fight the humans if theye through with weapons. It''s that simple. Don''t try. If the threat appears¡­ leave. Take who you can and make a new life. You know how to do that now¡ªyou will be the legacy that this whole people leaves behind. And that''s a good thing. So don''t question it. Just go."


    They all squirmed in their seats, while Zev went rigid beside her. She put a hand on his arm without looking at him. "It''s my job to make thest stand, not yours, you hear me? Your job is to get out of here and to never, ever reveal what the gateway can do to the humans. Ever. When you go tonight, you don''t tell the females what the gateway can do, just in case. You only tell them we have a safe ce for them, where the humans can''t touch them. That''s it. When we go pick them up, that''s when we''ll exin. We just can''t risk the humans figuring this out."


    "But you''re human, and you figured it out," Jhon offered.


    Sasha shrugged. "Well, if they know it already, we can''t control that. But the Gateway took me somewhere it says the humans can''t reach, so I don''t think they do. And let''s keep it that way."


    They all got to their feet then and started down the trail towards the Gateway, talking quietly. Lhars was watching Kyelle, but Zev stepped in to talk to him about the group of females he was going to look for, and Sasha tugged at Kyelle''s elbow before she followed them.


    Kyelle turned to her, her eyes haunted.


    "Be honest: Are you upset because I didn''t want you to go through¡ªI had to choose the guys because they were the only ones left. The females trust you, Kyelle and I don''t think it''s safe to have such arge group corralled here by the guys, they might¡ª"


    "No, no, Sasha-don," Kyelle said, her eyes tracking the brothers on the trail ahead of them. "I would have done the same thing. I want to help these females. I don''t trust them with anyone else, except you. I''m just¡­ thoughtful about it all. I hadn''t considered the danger. I''ve been so focused on needing escape and a new life¡­ I just hadn''t thought about how many of these steps could tear any one of us away."


    She swallowed and her forehead wrinkled.


    Sasha nodded and her stomach trilled. "That''s¡­ yeah. Zev''s struggling with that right now, too."


    Kyelle turned to her and smiled with a genuine smile. "Because he cares for you," she said. "I''m d that he can''t watch you walk into danger without concern."


    Ahead of them, Lhars turned and looked over his shoulder, finding Kyelle, though he was still talking to Zev.


    She smiled at him and they all kept walking. But as soon as he looked away, Kyelle''s face sobered.


    Sasha didn''t know what was happening between the two, but she was certain this wasn''t the time to ask. She just prayed that when they all found peace in the safe ce that Kyelle''s heart would open to Lhars.


    *****


    ~ LHARS ~


    Once everyone was settled into their ns, Sasha suggested they shift and get to the Gateway cave as quickly as they could, that Zev would carry her there and they''d meet before they went through.


    Skhal and Jhon took off immediately, and Zev shifted to carry Sasha. But Lhars took the opportunity to catch Kyelle''s arm before she shifted. Her brows rose in surprise, but she didn''t speak as she watched the others disappear around a bend in the trail, then she turned to him.


    "You''re upset," he said bluntly when she looked at him. "I can smell it. What''s wrong? If this isn''t a safe time for you to walk into the Gateway, don''t do it, Kyelle. You''re strong and you''ve been through before. I''m sure you can lead them through¡ª"


    "No, Lhars. Thank you. I''m fine. I''m just¡­ unsettled." She put a grateful hand on his arm, and even though the ck suit he''d borrowed from Zev, the hairs on his forearms rose at the tingle under her touch. "Sasha checked in with me too," she said sheepishly. "Clearly I''m losing my ability to hide my emotions. I''m just scared, Lhars. That''s all. This is dangerous and any one of us could be lost. I''ve been so focused on the females, I just hadn''t really thought about that before."


    Lhars stood there. She''d moved close to him, to reassure him. He could smell her warmth and see the light in her eyes. He didn''t want to move. She was standing so close, it was intoxicating. She was so beautiful, and he was so broken about it. He yearned to pull her close andfort her but knew that was probably the most likely way to scare her away. But she was tense. If he pushed¡­


    He cleared his throat and looked down. "Please be careful," he muttered, forcing himself to keep his hands at his sides and not reach out for her. "But also, don''t worry. If¡­ if something happens to me, I''ve made sure you''ll be watched over. You won''t have to do this alone."


    Kyelle''s eyes widened, then she blinked. "I''m¡­ worried for you, not for me," she breathed. Then swallowed. "For-for all of you. This is such a dangerous thing, going to the Compound¡­"


    "It''s worth it," Lhars said with a fatalistic shrug.


    They stared at each other a moment longer, then Lhars frowned. "Kyelle, something''s not right. What is wrong? What''s heavy for you?"


    Kyelle huffed a humorlessugh. "Everything," she said. "Nothing about any of this is right." Then she swallowed and put her hands on his arms. "So¡­ if this goes wrong¡­ just in case¡­ can I have a hug?"

 Chapter 402 No Time for Goodbyes

    <h4>Chapter 402 No Time for Goodbyes</h4>


    ~ LHARS ~


    The words were like water to his soul.


    Forcing himself not to whine with sheer joy, Lhars wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in, and she came willingly, leaning into him, her knees pressed to his, her arms wrapped around his waist. And she rested her head on his chest.


    Lhars couldn''t breathe. As they stood together in the cold night air, he marveled that she fit against him so perfectly, all of her curves softly embracing all his hard angles. It was, he thought, the perfect metaphor for their friendship as much as their bodies.


    They were opposite in so many ways, and yet their differencesplimented each other, rather than grating.


    Lhars closed his eyes and drank in the sensation of holding her, waiting for her to pull away. But she didn''t. She didn''t.


    Then she squeezed him harder and he held his breath, his chest tightening.


    His heart was pounding¡ªhe knew she could hear it, but she didn''t pull away. The hug became an embrace, and went on so much longer than any sharing of scents, or hug that they''d shared as friends before.


    When she still didn''t move, Lhars blew out a breath and, trembling slightly, slid one hand up her spine to cup the back of her head. His heart mmed against his ribs as he pulled his head back far enough to look down at her. He knew she had to be hearing his heart¡ªfeeling it against her. But he couldn''t bring himself to let her go and when she looked up at him, her eyes were liquid.


    She didn''t pull away.


    Lhars searched her eyes, saw it all there¡ªher uncertainty, her pain, her fear, and¡­ something that wanted to be near him. But was it love? Or only their friendship?


    Slowly, so slowly, he lowered his chin to let his lips brush her ear as he whispered, "Kyelle, I l¡ª"


    Kyelle sucked in a breath suddenly, pulling out of his arms and turning towards the trail, her eyes averted as she murmured, "We need to catch up with the others."


    Lhars, no longer surprised by this, stared at her sadly as she turned away and then shifted into her owl. He just stood there, watching, as she ruffled her feathers, but didn''t fly away. Then, as if she''d made a decision, she met his eyes for a long moment, then turned and pped, heaving her heavy-but-streamlined body into the sky, leaving him standing there alone.


    Again.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Lhars was thest to arrive in the cave, though he wasn''t far behind the rest of them. Sasha caught that Kyelle was oddly standing close to him, but not meeting his eyes.


    She didn''t look happy.


    When all of this was said and done, Sasha was going to talk to her. Those two were miserable, and Sasha had a feeling it was Kyelle that kept them apart.


    But this wasn''t the time or the ce for those thoughts. Zev hadmented on both the tracks and the smells in the cave. Many creatures hade through already, and though there were none there now, they couldn''t be certain there wouldn''t be more that night.


    Sasha pped her hands and got their attention, only Yhet and Dunken hanging back at the cave opening since they wouldn''t be going through.


    She made each of them walk her through where they needed to go, who they were looking to find, and the message they would take to ensure the females were certain that Sasha had sent them.


    Then she looked each one of them in the eye. "Thank you." She turned to include Yhet and Dunken in the speech as well. "Thank you for being trustworthy and brave. Thank you for being willing to help others. Thank you that as soon as we realized we needed you, you were willing toe. When you get done, pleasee find me or Zev immediately and let us know any questions or problems you had. Tell us how the females are doing, and only take the time to make certain they understand that we''reing for them.


    "I don''t think I have to tell you that this purpose is the most important the Chimera have ever faced. I am so grateful to have you all alongside for this. And please¡­ be certain¡­ if anything should happen to you, you will never be forgotten. We will honor you. But please¡­ please don''t let anything happen. Come back to us quickly and safely. Take so much care for yourself while you''re in there. Please."


    The males all nodded, saluting her, but Kyelle gave her a small smile.


    Then she realized she was really just trying to put off the moment when she had to hand this to them, and there was no point in that.


    "Godspeed," she said quietly. "I''ll be waiting for each of you toe back safely and with good news. Thank you. Thank you."


    Skhal was the first to turn and walk through, the Gateway shing as it swallowed him. But Jhon was right on his heels, then Lhars. Lhars met eyes with Kyelle for a long moment before he stepped through and the gateway shed again.


    Kyelle''s eyes closed for a short time and she bowed her head for a breath. Then she took a deep breath, rolled her shoulders back, and she walked through too.


    Sasha was left standing there with Zev, both of them staring at a in, rock wall.


    Then he put an arm around her shoulder and turned her and they joined Yhet and Dunken on the trail back to the City.


    It was the strangest feeling just walking away, knowing that their friends were all undertaking tasks that could save lives, or end their own. Sasha struggled for several minutes, fighting the urge to turn and run back. But to what point? They had two hundred and fifty people to ready to move. They had a human prisoner to manage and hide their ns from. And they had an enemy that might show up at any moment and decide to remove them from this ne of existence.


    There just wasn''t time to worry. She could only silently pray and hope that when the sun rose, all her friends would be safely back, and with good news.

 Chapter 403 Uncertain Trails

    <h4>Chapter 403 Uncertain Trails</h4>


    ~ LHARS ~


    As soon as he stepped back into the gateway Lhars stopped and took a moment, leaning against the side of the strange ce to breathe. He was so confused and¡­ unfocused. He''d been through the Gateway three times in his life. He knew that being uncertain was a good way to get lost in the maze of this ce. So he stopped to breathe and refocus and remind himself that, no matter how Kyelle had looked at him, no matter what amount of fear and sadness he''d smelled on her, no matter what way she''d held him¡­ there was nothing he could do if she didn''t feel the bond, or want it.


    And the truth was, at that moment, he couldn''t afford to focus on Kyelle. If the roles were reversed he would have wanted her to enter this ce with her sharpest wits about her, so he forced himself to recenter and made himself stop looking back and think about what was next.


    He had been tasked with finding a group of females that were in the apartments in the Compound. Sasha had warned him that there might be some who hadn''t been to Thana among them and that they were likely less trustworthy. They weren''t going to take kindly to a strange male turning up¡ªespecially without Sasha.


    Sasha had been quick to give those warnings, and Lhars felt ash of pride that she''d chosen him for this task. He was determined. He would make sure that the females understood and were ready for their salvation.


    In his mind, he fixed the location¡ªthepound, where the group of females were that lived like humans. He needed to enter their space at a time and ce where the humans couldn''t interfere.


    Lhars blew out a breath. Beneath his feet and around him the gateway tunnel looked like water but felt like stone. When he''d fixed that location in his mind, the light began to ripple as if the surface moved, but the only thing that changed was the light that glowed all around him, then seeped up the tunnel walls to arch over his head, and lead him.


    Keeping his mind focused on those things, trying not to wonder what he would see when he found the Gateway, he walked quickly and decisively, following the glittering, rippling trail of light. It seemed to take some time to finally see it curve around a corner in the tunnel system, then reach a doorway. But finally, with a sigh of relief, and some apprehension, Lhars gripped the edge of the doorway and stepped into it, careful not to step all the way through.


    As if the cave around him disappeared, Lhars found himself standing in an arched space, light shing and rippling over his head. And in front of him was one of those sterile, human habitations that he''d known since he was a cub, and yet had never feltfortable in.


    He blinked and recognized a living space¡ªcouches, chairs, a television on the wall, arge low table between the seating where people would rest their drinks. It was the type of space he knew to be normal for humans, but he was surrounded by a dozen sets of wide, female eyes, all staring, blinking, and shocked. He was about to reassure. But when he inhaled to speak the smell of the ce hit the back of his throat.


    It had been several years since Lhars had been taken back to the Compound. While Zev was still in high school, Lhars had been growing up in Thana. At one point, when he was still a teenager but was getting close to his full growth, he''d been yanked out of Thana by the team.


    It hadn''t been a pleasant trip, designed to test his physical strength and limits, and mental fortitude.


    He wasn''t sure he''d ever told his brother, but he knew before the end of the trip they wereparing him to Zev at the same age and stage in his development¡ªand Lhars was being found wanting.


    That had grated on him. But the worst part of the trip had been the tests they''d done on his mind. He''d been drugged and shown videos while his mind was convinced that the images in front of him were real¡­


    The whole incident had left him utterly shaken. Young as he was, he couldn''t understand why the humans wanted to test him in those ways¡ªor what they gained by doing so. He''d fought. Resisted the entire process. Which had only made it worse.


    He''d been left hollowed and full of fear, with no way to process the experience.


    He''d done his best to leave it behind, not to think about it. But as this ce opened in front of him, the smell was here¡ªthe tang of whatever it was they used to clean theb. The mingling of human and Chimeran scent trails. All of it mixed with the earthy scent of the outdoors in this area¡ªwet grass and pine trees.


    Instead of immediately reassuring the females that were now gaping at him and backing away, Lhars found himself standing there, gaping back.


    "What¡­ who¡­"


    Lhars blinked. Focus. He had to focus. But his hand trembled as he raised it to greet them. "I''m sorry," he said, stumbling over his words. "I was sent by Sasha. She said to tell you the prophecy ising true. Tomorrow¡ªin Thana anyway¡ªwe''ll be returning for you. To take you to a safe ce¡ªnot Thana. A ce where the humans can''t interfere with you anymore. Sasha sent me, do you understand?"


    Only one of the females nodded. Lhars wanted to growl. "You need to be prepared, no matter where you are or what you''re doing, to walk through with me. when Ie back we''ll have only a few minutes. But if you follow my instructions, I''ll take you to a ce where you''re free and the other Chimera are there. You won''t have to stay in this ce ever again."


    They all just stared, their mouths open. Where were their instincts? Their self-protection? Hell, where was their spirit.


    Lhars almost stepped toward him. Adrenalin flooded his system as he caught himself¡ªso close. He had to focus!


    "I know this is unexpected. Sasha knows that you expected her. But remember: the prophecy ising true. Be ready. I wille for you and when you leave with me, you''ll find yourself in a ce of safety. I promise. Do you understand?"


    But they all just stared.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Hourster, he was standing over Sasha as she argued with the Alphas when he realized that the light was rising. He looked up quickly. Sure enough, the dark ck of the night-time starscape was giving way to gray, then a halo of light blue that outlined the mountains in the distance.


    Where the hell was Lhars?


    Kyelle had been the first to return, just an hour after they''d left the cave, she found them still in the vige, having a whispered conversation with Nick''s guards.


    She''dnded in the Square and waited until they were done, then Sasha had pulled her towards the trail.


    "Did you find it?"


    Kyelle nodded. Her eyes were bright to Zev she smelled of fresh air and some kind of tree he''d never smelled before.


    "It''s beautiful," Kyelle said, breathless. "And so big. I know it will frighten the females, but¡­ what a ce! Sasha-don, how did you find it?!"


    "I didn''t, Sasha said simply. "The Gateway showed me. What did you pick up? What did you smell?"


    Kyelle smiled thenunched into a description of animals, trees, nts, even the sun rose and fell differently there. "There''s an entire system. Creatures. Food sources. Water¡­. Everything we need. I didn''t recognize half of it, but I could¡­ I could tell that it was good!" she said quietly, fighting a smile.


    Zev was fascinated, and so grateful. His clever, clever mate. How had she done it?


    Sasha''s shoulders had been less slumped when they left Kyelle, who assured them she''d wait for the males toe back, then let them know in the City when everyone was safe.


    Her eyes had lost their sparkle when she''d talked about that¡ªas if she weren''t sure what she said was true. She''d looked back towards the trail to the gateway. "I hope they all find it as easily as I did," she said. "It will raise their spirits, I think."


    Sasha was smiling when they left their friend. Kyelle promised to patrol and to warn the others as they came back if Nick was suddenly on the move.


    They''d returned to the City buoyed. Despite their nerves, knowing that Kyelle had found it too made it real, and both he and Sasha had been fighting smiles.


    Zev sighed and looked at the sky again.


    But now¡­


    It was almost dawn. Zev could smell Sasha''s tension. Both of them had grown quieter, their tones shorter, as the night wore on. Because while Skhal and Jhon had both returned and were safely announced by Kyelle, there was still no sign of Lhars.


    At first, because Skhal and Jhon came through at almost the same time, Kyelle had flown back to tell Sasha, then thought perhaps she''d missed Lhars'' in the forest somehow.


    But there was no fresh scent, and he hadn''t shown up in the vige, or at the City¡ªand Zev knew he''d be quick both to report to Sasha and to reassure himself that Kyelle was safe.


    No¡­ the fact that they hadn''t heard from him meant that he wasn''t back yet.


    Zev''s stomach twisted. He huffed at himself.


    That had to be right. They couldn''t fathom anything else.

 Chapter 404 Safe Haven

    <h4>Chapter 404 Safe Haven</h4>


    GUESS WHAT? Alpha is COMPLETING in very early June! That means there''s a lot of plot points I don''t want to split for your best reading experience. So there will be slightly longer, single chapters for the next few days until the new month ends, then you can look forward to a 5 chapter mass release for all levels of privilege on 1 May (30 April for the USA) and ANOTHER mass release on 8 May (7 May in USA.) And there might be more! Watching this space! THANK YOU for your support. I can''t wait for you to see Zev and Sasha find their happy ending.


    This message was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    To his right, Sasha was bing agitated. "No, we can''t wait. You don''t understand. Once Nick returns there might be no time left. The humans will likely learn that Zev was on his device, and once theye through, they''ll own the Gateway. We can''t afford to give them any time, any at all. You are to pack your people¡ªfocus on clothing, tools, and food rations for three days. No more. The ce we''re going has plenty of resources. But it may take us some time to find a ce to settle and hunt."


    She caught eyes with Zev and he nodded, encouraging her. But she only looked away, her jaw flexing.


    Where the hell was Lhars!?


    Jhon had gone to pack and perhaps rest for an hour when they reached the City. But Skhal stayed nearby, helping organize people and watching over Zev and Sasha.


    Yhet, too, seemed agitated, staying close and not giving ground even when the Alphas entered his space.


    It had almost caused a fight with Gheet, but Zev had asked the male to excuse Yhet''s stubbornness¡ªhe was watching over Sasha at a nervous time.


    Gheet, a stickler for tradition, had scowled, but even he was showing the signs of excitement at what was toe.


    Zev had pulled the massive male aside. "Yhet, you can''t create problems right now. We have to keep everyone focused and listening. What''s wrong?"


    "I don''t know," Yhet rumbled, ring over Zev''s shoulder at the males behind him. "But I feel¡­ itchy."


    Zev blinked, praying his friend wasn''t beginning to fall to the darkness of the mourning. He''d seen other males go through it, and a time of anger and stubborn agitation was a telltale sign that the male was on the downhill slide.


    "Yhet, are you¡ª"


    "Zev, it''s Kyelle!" Sasha gasped, grabbing at his arm.


    "Sorry, Yhet. We just need to check something that Kyelle''s been patrolling for us."


    The male waved him away but followed closely when they stepped nearer the center of the courtyard, where Kyelle''s owl was back-pping to give her a moment to bring her feet under her from flight.


    A momentter she stood in front of them¡ªnaked, which still made Sasha blink. But the pre-dawn was cold, and Kyelle took a fur that Zev handed her gratefully.


    "Is he back?" Sasha asked before anyone could speak.


    But Kyelle''s mouth dragged down and she shook her head. "I had to let you know that Nick is awake and talking about returning to the human world early. The guards are trying to talk him out of it. If they can''t¡­ do we dy him forcibly if Lhars hasn''t shown up yet? Or should we just let him go as if nothing is happening?"


    Sasha cursed and wed both hands into her hair. She chewed at her lip and looked at Zev.


    What do you rmend? she asked him in his head.


    Zev wanted to smack something.


    Let him go, he said sadly. We''ll just pray that Lhars doesn''te through in the minutes that Nick''s there.


    Pray that hees through at all, Sasha sighed into his head, then turned back to Kyelle.


    "Let him go," Sasha said quietly. "And start praying."


    Kyelle''s face crumpled.


    *****


    ~ LHARS ~


    "It''s okay, I''ll make sure they understand." The tallest female in the apartment was the only one who seemed to have recovered from his appearance. He''d been talking to them for almost an hour, everyone tense and watching the doorway out of his sightline behind the gateway that had opened.


    "I mean no harm, but you''ll have to be ready. When wee for you, we can''t afford to use too much time. We''ll be taking all of you at once, we can''t let them raise the rm."


    The female nodded and scanned him from head to toe. "I''ll get them ready. We''ll be ready."


    Thank you, he said, relieved. "What''s your name?"


    "I''m Ehva," she said and leaned forward awkwardly to share scents. Lhars didn''t let himself lean out of the gateway, but took her scent and let her take his.


    "Ehva, thank you. But I have to go."


    She nodded again, her face nk. Then she scanned him from his toes to his crown. "Are they all like you?"


    "All¡­ who?"


    "The males. You smell good," she said simply.


    Lhars blinked. "You''ve never met males before?"


    "I did as a pup, but since they took all of us back here, no, only the humans," Ehva said with a shrug. "I have been curious. Your appearance is¡­ attractive. It feels strange to me. I never noticed that when I was a pup."


    Lhars almost spluttered augh but made himself keep a straight face. "Thank you," he said. "I''m one of a huge wolf pack, and many of the others also. I''m certain there will be a¡­ male for you among them."


    Ehva nodded and Lhars frowned and looked at her again, confused.


    "Were you brought here when you were young?" he said.


    Ehva nodded. "When they took all the females, I was with my mother."


    Lhars went still. That didn''t make sense. "How old are you now?" he asked.


    Ehva frowned and looked at the others. "I think¡­ I think I''ve had ten summers."


    Lhars'' head snapped back. She was almost as tall as him and fully developed. But she was only ten? She shouldn''t even have reached sexual maturity, yet she looked almost as old as him, and he could scent her cycle¡­ How was that possible?


    "Ehva," he said quickly, then stopped. How did he even ask this? "How many summers have you been here?"


    Ehva tilted her head. "Three. I think. It can be hard because we''re inside all the time. But I believe that''s right."


    Lhars raked a hand through his hair. "You were seven three years ago?"


    She smiled. "Yes. That is how it works."


    Lhars felt ill. "Have they¡­ done things to bring you to this ce? You should still be a pup, Ehva, do you know that?"


    She looked down and her cheeks pinked. "They grow me," she said, squirming, and her bodynguage was the bodynguage of a ten-year-old.


    "They¡­ what?"


    "They grow me. They say that pups are too difficult to care for. They grow us to adults quickly so that we can be self-sufficient."


    His head spun. She was a child. A pup. Who presented as an adult.


    Holy shit.


    Holy fucking shit.


    He opened his mouth to ask her more, when there was a ding, and all the females who had been very quiet to that point, panicked. "They''reing! The humans!"


    "We''ll be back, be ready! The prophecy, don''t forget!" Lhars hissed, then leaped back into the gateway so it closed behind him just as the sound of a door opening reached his ears.


    Lhars made himself pause and think before he moved out of the side tunnel to that door.


    Shaking and sickened by what he''d just seen and knowing he''d been far longer than he was supposed to be, the temptation was to simply return to Thana. But he knew it would be safer for the females he saved if he could describe the newnd. And he was curious.


    Quickly, he thought to the Gateway. I need to see the safe ce quickly¡ªthe ce where no humans can interfere with us.


    Thankfully, the lights appeared under his feet and curled over his head, leading him on.


    *****


    He wasn''t sure how long it took, time didn''t seem to shift normally in the Gateway. But when he stepped to the doorway the gate showed him, it was with a rapidly beating heart. Would this be his new home?


    Would he share it with Kyelle?


    When he made it to the doorway and gripped the edge of it, the rippling surface disappeared and Lhars found himself standing high above a panorama so beautiful it stole his breath.


    In the far distance to the left and curving around in front of him, a long range of mountains, some spaced apart, sprawled purple and blue in front of a pink, dawn sky. Beneath him a forest that seemed almost endless spread left and right and all the way to the foothills of the mountains ahead. Only to his right and ahead was the sky clear and the horizon visible.


    Lhars'' eyes went wide and he inhaled deeply, almost weeping with the sheer beauty of the ce¡ªgreen trees, purple mountains, pink sky, and a gold sun rising slowly behind the mountains directly to his right.


    The wind blew up from the horizon line and on it the slightest hint of salt, of water, but it was quickly washed away the thick scents of the trees and pollens of the vast forest below. The forest, and creatures¡­ and absolutely no hints of humans, or their technology.


    This ce called to his heart. Lhars wanted to simply step out of the gate and float to it¡ªthough he knew he''d only plummet to his death from this height.


    But with a smile on his face, he took onest, long look from left to right andughed.


    This would be their home. This would be their safety.


    He could hardly wait.


    His stomach clenched when he stepped back and the doorway rippled back into ce, closing him in. But he understood now why Sasha had wanted all of them to see it.


    Thank you for her, he prayed. Thank you for this.


    And he turned, with no hesitation, his heart buoyed and mind full of the joy that woulde to all of them when they could escape, he told the Gateway in no uncertain terms to take him home.


    The home that he wouldn''t need for long. Heughed with disbelieving joy.

 Chapter 405 Reunited

    <h4>Chapter 405 Reunited</h4>


    ~ LHARS ~


    When Lhars reached the opening of the Gateway, he wanted nothing more than to sprint out, shift into his wolf, and get back to the others as quickly as he was able. To make sure Kyelle was safe, and the others had all returned. His body itched with restrained tension and he was poised to run. But the moment he stepped into the cave he swore.


    The cave curved from its opening so he couldn''t see the door, but it was impossible to miss the glow of daylight creeping into the depths of the cave. How was it morning already? Hadn''t he only been gone a few hours?


    Then it struck him. He''d forgotten to ask the Gateway to take him back before dawn!


    Shit! So did that mean the humans were on the move?


    Lhars froze for a moment, listening. When he didn''t catch anything immediately, he began creeping through the cave, his steps wary. As he approached the front he could hear approaching from the trail that led to the cave mouth outside. The question was, was it his brothers looking for him, or that fucker, Nick, on his way?


    Tentatively, Lhars reached out with his mind, seeking other wolves, and found them soon enough.


    Lhars, you''re safe! Thank God!


    Get the hell out of there, Lhars.


    It was Skhal''s voice in his head, growling. They quickly exchanged images, Lhars showing them his location and asking for theirs.


    Move. We''re almost there, Skhal snarled, then immediately sent an image of Nick, walking nervously up the path towards the cave, surrounded by guards, and a smiling Ernie scuttling in their wake.


    Lhars cursed and shifted. Keeping his wolf low to the ground he hustled out of the cave on liquid joints that kept his footsteps utterly silent, his back and head low and unmoving, tail extended t behind him.


    He paused for only a second when he reached the mouth of the cave, his sharp ears having no trouble locating the group walking up the trail towards him. Even as he watched, the tops of their heads bobbed into his line of sight as they climbed the trail.


    They''d see him in seconds.


    Lhars darted out of the cave mouth, whipping to the right¡ªaway from the trail down towards the vige¡ªto tten himself behind an outcropping of rocks and a scraggly bush.


    No Chimera would be fooled by such an open hiding ce. They''d all smelled him already if the wind was right¡ªbut Nick was sight-blind. The ck outfit Lhars had borrowed from Zev, along with his wolf''s coat would blend enough with the shadows and rocks that the male likely wouldn''t even notice his presence.


    But still. The humans had surprised him at times, their instincts sensing things their eyes and ears missed. So he took no risks, crouching below the level of the rock and bushes, heart-pounding for how close he''de to being discovered¡ªand frustrated with himself for forgetting such a crucial instruction. He''d have to submit to Sasha-don. She would be worried.


    Nick and his entourage walked into sight, all of them moving slowly¡ªat Nick''s pace. While he waited for them to cross the space to the cave, Lhars reached, scratching at Zev''s mind when he found it and found his brother.


    Thank God, you''re safe, Lhars!


    There was genuine relief in his tone. Lhars was touched.


    I forgot about the dawn instruction, Lhars muttered, frustrated with himself. I was almost toote.


    He hurriedly sent an image of Nick and his guards now clearly visible on the trail.


    I''ll wait until they''re deep enough into the cave that he can''t catch sight of me passing, then I''ll start back.


    Good n. Don''t take any risks.


    Lhars waited, but Zev didn''t offer and he had to know.


    Did they all make it back? Is¡­ is Kyelle safe?


    Zevughed in his mind.


    She was the first back, and she''s going to be very relieved when I tell her you finally showed up. She was really worried when dawn broke. I''d say you better watch out. I think you''ll get the sharp side of her tongue when she sees you. What held you up?


    Lhars sighed with relief. But then his stomach sank.


    I don''t think you''d believe me if I told you, he sighed to his brother.


    Try me, Zev said, his tone t.


    So, Lhars did. He exined how difficult it had been with the females¡ªhow frightened and young they were in truth. Then he sheepishly admitted he''d been so overwhelmed by the beauty of the safe ce, that he''d rushed back without thinking about the timing.


    It''s incredible, Zev. Sasha''s found an amazing ce. I just pray we can all get there safely.


    Me too, Zev replied, then sighed. Well, I''m d you''re safe, and there was genuine warmth and relief in his words.


    Lhars'' heart squeezed. Me too.


    They sat with each other for a moment and Lhars wondered if Zev was appreciating, as he was, how much better it was to feel his brother as an ally, rather than an adversary.


    That raised ufortable niggling thoughts about the role he''d yed in putting the wedge between them, but there was no time to analyze it.


    Nick and the others had almost reached the cave.


    Skhal''s hunter''s eyes had no trouble locating Lhars'' between the leaves of the little tree that gave cover. Their eyes met and Lhars went very still. But Nick didn''t even nce in his direction, and since Skhal was walking behind him, he tipped his chin up in acknowledgment.


    If Lhars had been in his human form, he would have smiled.


    Nick¡ªsweaty, eyes darting left and right, his breathing too fast¡ªstrode forward, surrounded by the Chimera, but his jaw was set. The idiot''s eyes never even searched the surroundings¡ªexcept to keep tabs on where Ernie was. He looked over his shoulder as he entered the cave and shuddered when he caught sight of the creature on the edge of the path in the shade of a tree.


    Sight-blind didn''t even cover it. All Nick''s attention was on reaching the cave and making sure Ernie didn''t get too close. He was utterly unaware of Lhars'' presence.


    A minuteter the group passed into the cave. Lhars waited while their low voices muttered as the Chimera gave cautions and Nick growled at them just to make sure none of them followed. That he was likely going to end up staying overnight, so they shouldn''t look for him until morning. That they shouldn''te looking for him. He would be back. And they couldn''t afford to put anyone in the hands of the team that would be meeting him.


    Skhal growled something, but they were deep enough into the cave that they were hidden from the entrance and obscured by the curve of it. So Lhars ducked out from behind the outcropping and raced down the trail towards the vige, his heart pounding, not with fear of Nick, but with the anticipation of being around Kyelle again, of the Chimera finally being free of the humans¡ªthere was only another day to get through! They had to do this!


    Zev''s thoughts and images had indicated that they were at the City, so Lhars followed the trail around the edge of the vige towards the city, running, his tongue lolling as he set himself an easy lope that he could maintain for hours. It would eat up the miles between him and the City, but not exhaust him before he got there.


    He had to get back and help them prepare, he told himself, pushing away thoughts that his eagerness was far more to do with finding Kyelle and ensuring himself of her safety.


    He''d been running for some time when a shadow passed over him and instinctively he flinched, but then there was an ear-shattering screech and a huge, beautiful owl hit the dirt fifty feet down the trail, immediately shifting to Kyelle''s human form and sprinting towards him.


    rmed, Lhars slid to a halt, taking his human form. "Kyelle? What''s wrong¡ª"


    She hit his chest at a full sprint, sobbing, wrapping her long arms and legs around him, her face buried in the spot where his shoulder met his neck. Lhars staggered back, holding her, his heart pounding with fear and confusion.


    What had happened? Why hadn''t the others warned him?


    "Kyelle? Kyelle, what¡ª?"


    "I''m so sorry! I''m so sorry! You''re safe! Thank the Creator!"


    Lhars, stunned, stood there holding her, one hand in her hair, the other wrapped around her lower back to support her weight.


    "I''m fine. Kyelle, I''m fine, shhhhhh, I''m sorry you were frightened¡ª"


    "Don''t apologize!" she sobbed, her words muffled against his skin and making goosebumps rise on his back. "I''m the one who''s been a fool!"


    Lhars gripped her tightly. "What? What are you¡ª"


    Then, she pulled her head back to look him in the eye, cupped his face in her hands, and kissed him.

 Chapter 406 Holding Glory

    <h4>Chapter 406 Holding Glory</h4>


    If you like music while reading, try "Don''t Deserve You" by Plumb. It''s what I was listening to while writing this chapter!


    *****


    ~ LHARS ~


    The scent of Kyelle washed over him when she took his mouth and for a moment Lhars was lost in the softness of her lips, and the rush of her breath. She had wrapped her body around him, her ankles locked at his back, her arms around his neck and she whimpered into this kiss. She clung to him as if she was afraid he would run.


    Lhars was overwhelmed. He held her the way he''d ached to for so many years, his fingers wed into her ass and taking her weight. But his head buzzed and his heart¡­ his heart was so confused.


    Then it hit him what was happening and fear mmed into him. Lhars was so stunned he dropped his grip on her and froze. But Kyelle didn''t even break the kiss, just put her feet down and pressed up on tip-toes, pulling him down into her hungry, soul-searing kiss.


    Her fingers dragged across his scalp. Her lips traced his, probing, demanding. Her tongue found his, darting, and seeking. Lhars hadn''t even closed his eyes, he just stared at her, open-mouthed until her kiss faltered and she stopped, pulling back slowly, eyes wide to stare up at him.


    "Lhars¡­" she whispered, stroking his face like she was afraid he''d been injured. "Please. I''m so sorry. I know I got it wrong. I know I hurt you. If there was anything I could do to take that back¡­ please¡­ I was so scared. When you told me¡­ my new feelings got all tangled up with the old ones¡ªI had to be sure. I knew I couldn''te to you if I wasn''t certain it was you¡­ but¡­ but I thought¡­ I was starting to see¡­ then when you didn''te back this morning it broke me, Lhars. I saw Zev an hour ago and I didn''t even care. All I could think about was my fear that something had happened to you and I was the fool who''d been too afraid to tell you. I thought¡­ I thought you''d been hurt without knowing and I''d lost you because I''m an idiot and I was so angry at myself. It''s you, Lhars. I can see now¡­ it''s been you for a long time and I was just so¡ª"


    "Kyelle?" Lhars rasped, his voice cracking and gruff.


    Like a frightened prey, Kyelle went very still, her eyes full of fear at the harsh edge of his tone.


    "Yes?"


    "Don''t¡­ don''t ever mention my brother in this context to me. Ever."


    Kyelle blinked and licked her lips. Lhars eyes dropped to watch her mouth and a shiver danced down his spine. He could hear her heart pounding.


    He could smell her desire. For him.


    "Okay. I''m sorry," she breathed. She watched him, searching his eyes, obviously uncertain of his mood or the reception she could expect.


    Lhars heart raced so fast it throbbed in his scalp.


    It was happening. It was happening. She was really here for him¡ªor at least, she thought she was. A pang of fear sliced through him. What if she was still confused? What if this was just a reaction to her worry about him?


    But she was so beautiful. And she''d kissed him. She''d finally¡­ Kyelle had finally¡­


    It''s you, Lhars, she''d said.


    The moment stretched, trembling on the edge of shattering as his heart swung wildly between euphoria and terror. Kyelle watched him, her brows pinching her forehead with worry, one hand on his chest.


    She''d kissed him.


    Holy fuck, she''d kissed him.


    Lhars blew out a breath, then lifted a hand to let his fingers cup her neck, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. And he inched forward so their chests brushed.


    Kyelle stared up at him, her eyes pleading, her lips soft and slightly open.


    She was letting him touch her. She wanted him to touch her. She wanted him.


    It''s you, Lhars. She said it. She''d said those words.


    A thin whine broke in his throat and her forehead wrinkled. Her hand at his waist tightened.


    "Lhars¡­ please¡­ forgive me. I wish I could go back and change everything¡ªright from the very first day¡ª"


    "I''ll always forgive you," he croaked. And when she opened her mouth to answer, he snapped his leash and took it, pulling her into him, his kiss hard and demanding.


    Fingers wing in her hair, tongue invading, he took her with all the desperation of years of restraint suddenly unbridled. It was wrong, he knew. He should be soft. He should be gentle. Even by Chimeran standards, she wasn''t experienced with males.


    But Kyelle whimpered into his frantic kiss, and to his delight, she gripped him tighter, arching her belly against him and pulling him closer as they stumbled off the trail together until they came up hard against a tree.


    With a low growl, Lhars pressed her into the rough bark. Kyelle tipped her head back and gave a happy, breathlessugh¡ªa noise he''d never heard her make before¡ªbut her hands wed into his back, demanding hee closer, and when he felt the bite of her nails even through his shirt, that growl puttered in his throat again.


    His kiss was bruising, he knew¡ªand he knew he should soften it, should show her how precious she was. But he wanted to devour her. Ached to possess her. And it was everything he could do not to take her on the spot.


    His hands trembled as he raked them through her hair, up and down her body. His breath tore, puffing through her hair, his teeth bared to graze that triangle of skin under her ear. He growled at the taste of her, and she sighed, her breath fluttering against his cheek.


    Rather than shrinking from his onught as he might have expected, Kyelle came alive under his hands, her body undting against his and his name on her lips when he released them long enough to taste her skin.


    When her hands wed down his back, he shuddered, the fire inside of him roaring through his veins until he trembled from head to toe.


    Then he dropped his chin to kiss his way down her neck, to her shoulder, and Kyelle leaned her head away, baring her throat to give him more room. His body shuddered at the vulnerability she offered.


    Then she whispered his name, and that single syble lit a bonfire in his gut that threatened to send him up so he was nothing but smoke and ash.


    Kyelle had gripped his hips to pull him against her, apparently unintimidated by his very prominent arousal. He might have been nervous, afraid of overwhelming her, but she slid her hands under his shirt and up his sides, her fingers dancing over his ribs, then around to his back, her nails wing as she pulled him tighter against her and whimpered again.


    Desire was a bolt in his stomach and he trembled as his mind and body went to war.


    It was too soon.


    They were outside.


    He needed to calm down.


    Then she dropped a shaking hand down to stroke up his thigh, then palmed him and he almost came in his pants like a teenager.


    "Fuck, Kyelle," he dropped his forehead to her shoulder, arching to suck in a breath and watch her touch him.


    "Please, Lhars. I''ve waited so long. I''m sorry I was so blind. Please¡ª"


    "We can''t do this here," he rasped, then took her mouth desperately again before she could respond.


    It was insane, the fire inside him¡ªand the mes that roared, prickling his skin and making his hands shake.


    But Kyelle seemed just as frantic, pulling him in, grasping, arching into him, and pleading.


    Fisting his hand in the back of her hair, he forced himself to pull away far enough to meet her eyes¡ªand find them hooded and sparkling, her pupils wide with lust.


    He growled and kissed her again. "You''re mine," he snarled.


    "Yes."


    "Only mine, Kyelle."


    "Yes!"


    Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkling, locked on his. And he wanted to believe it, so badly. He swallowed back his lust and asked the only question left for him.


    "What happened?" he breathed. "What changed?"


    Her brows pinched over her nose and her eyes went sad for a moment. She put a hand to his face, but gently, her thumb tracing his lower lip.


    "I thought I lost you and it just about killed me," she said. "I''m sorry, Lhars. I''m sorry that it took that. But¡­ I see it now. And I know. I''m certain. I promise. You''re my mate. The other half of my heart. And I can''t believe I missed it. Forgive me, please. And don''t doubt me. Ever. You''re my heart''s song, Lhars¡ª"


    With a strangled call he took her mouth again and for a long minute, neither of them spoke words, but let their bodies speak for them.

 Chapter 407 [Bonus chapter] Time and Place

    <h4>Chapter 407 [Bonus chapter] Time and ce</h4>


    ~ LHARS ~


    The world became very small. A universe of her scent, the softness of her skin, the tantalizing slide of her hands under his shirt, and her lips on his neck.


    His appetite to explore her, to finally follow those curves with his palms, to finally touch those ces with his fingers, to finally press himself against her, was endless. And while his mind screamed at him that this was not the time or ce, for every moment he intended to release her, the next came and she was still in his arms.


    A chittering fear rattled under the surface of his joy, threatening and reminding.


    She''d said no before.


    She''d leaned in, then pulled away.


    She''d been so unsure for so long¡­ a piece of him was convinced that the moment he let her go she''d forget that she was his, and he''d lose her.


    The animal in him urged him to take, to possess, to mark her with his scent and be utterly certain every male alive knew it. But the love in his heart said this was the first time for both of them, that it needed time and space and care and thought¡­


    Then he was reminded there was no time, and frustration had his fingers wing at the bark of the tree behind her until it crumbled, pattering over her shoulder and into her hair.


    She sucked in a breath and leaned her head back, her throat half-bared. A snarl of possession ripped out of his throat, and Kyelleughed with joy as she put a hand on his chest before he could dive for it.


    "Soon," she whispered, her gaze smoldering, her chest rising and falling. Her breasts peaked and the dusky nipples¡ªdear god he was going to¡ª


    She cleared her throat and forced his chin up so he''d meet her eyes. "The City is closer," she said in a husky tone he''d never heard before. It made his belly clench and his groin twitch. "But a lot is going on there today." Her eyes got sly and he almost growled. "There''d be more privacy at my treehouse in the vige¡­?" she let the question trail off, one brow up in a question.


    Lhars took her mouth again, long and slow this time, tugging at her lower lip with his teeth as he pulled away reluctantly. "I vote for solitude," he rasped.


    Kyelle''s lips turned on one side and she put her hands to his chest and opened her mouth, he was fascinated, desperate to hear what she''d say, but he was suddenly aware of ws scratching at his mind. The instinct was there to ignore it, but everything that was happening¡ªthat was supposed to happen that day¡ªcrowded in and he growled¡ªnot in approval this time.


    Kyelle was suddenly rmed.


    "What is it?"


    "The wolves¡­ they''re trying to talk to me," he muttered.


    Kyelle''s face fell, but she gave a resigned sigh and let her hand slide up his chest to cup his neck. "What are they saying? Is it important?"


    Closing his eyes against the beauty of her, Lhars opened his mind.


    WHAT?


    It was Zev. Shit.


    Brother, are you still in the vige? Can you scent Kyelle? Sasha''s told the females about the trip and they''re freaking out. I think she could use some help. If you see Kyelle can you tell her to get back here?


    Lhars groaned and let his forehead drop to Kyelle''s shoulder again. She held him there, whispering, asking what was wrong.


    I''ll tell her, he sent back, each word torn from him and just as painful as yanking a healthy tooth.


    "Lhars?"


    "You have to go to the City," he whispered, the words trailing off into a frustrated whine. "The females are upset and Sasha''s struggling with them."


    He felt her slump against him. "Damn."


    He took a deep breath, sucking in the scent of her then pushed back, bracing on the tree behind her, his arms steel, to meet her eyes.


    "We''ll go," he said reluctantly. "I''ll be there with you. I''ll wait¡­ as long as it takes, Kyelle, I''ll wait. But please¡­ please don''t¡ª"


    "I''m not going back, Lhars," she said with a smile, cupping his face and leaning in to kiss him softly. "I''m sorry. I was confused and afraid, but I''m not anymore. You''re mine," she whispered. "I''ll go figure this out and then¡­ we''ll take some time." She raised her eyebrows in that beautiful, promising smile and he kissed her again, fiercely. Then again, a little softer. Then again because he could, and because a big part of him was terrified it was thest time he''d be able to, that she was under some kind of spell from the drama of it all and as soon as she was out of his arms she''de back to her senses and reject him again.


    Their parting took far longer than it should have. But neither of them wanted to go, and so they kept falling back together.


    Even when he finally stepped away from the tree and ordered her to shift and start flying, because if she didn''t he was going to take her there in the forest, and to hell with the consequences. But she giggled and made a great show of submitting¡ªwhich nged in his belly so hard it stopped his breath.


    As she stepped past him, her hand trailing across his chest, then down his arm, she kept her eyes locked on his even when she had to turn to look over her shoulder. She hesitated as she was about to let go, squeezed his fingers, then sighed and dropped them, turning to take two steps then leap into the air, shifting as she did so, and dragging herself into the air.


    Lhars watched her go, that whine piercing in his throat, but then he shook off his self-pity, shifted into his wolf, and ran.


    He hadn''t slept in over twenty-four hours, but he felt as alive and energized as he could ever remember.


    He would get to her side as quickly as was possible, and then he would never leave it, he vowed.


    Never.

 Chapter 408 Brother, or No Brother

    <h4>Chapter 408 Brother, or No Brother</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev stood outside the door into the female''s hall, pining, though he wouldn''t have admitted it to anyone but Sasha herself.


    He''d had to be out of the hall. Sasha had warned even the guards to stay outside. Earlier, she''d told the females that they were going to leave that night, or early the next morning. She''d had to exin the threat now that Nick had returned to the humans with the device that could identify that Zev was interfering with their ns. They were going to move after they got word that Nick was back.


    And while some of the females had apparently seemed eager for a fresh start, those that hadn''t left the hall yet had panicked. And even now, were frantic, pacing the hall and trembling.


    Thest thing they needed was more stress, but it would be unavoidable, and¡ªhe kept reminding Sasha when she questioned the wisdom of forcing them¡ªthey would be in a ce of safety with as much time to heal as they needed when this was all done.


    Sasha had agreed and returned to the females to continue to encourage them to see it this way. But it was a huge relief when Kyelle finally showed up, looking a little flustered¡ªa little angry, going by her scent¡ªbut her eyes were clear and despite pink cheeks, she asked a few quick, efficient questions, then disappeared into the hall, assuring Zev that she would give Sasha all the help she needed.


    He knew they were both capable. That they were both what the females needed. And he knew there was nothing he could do to help them until they asked. Yet he found himself reluctant to be far away. So, after slouching his way to the bottom of the stairs, he took a seat on one of the low walls at the side of the courtyard alongside Chet, Mae''s mate, who had be a fixture since the females arrived.


    Zev''s heart went out to the male. And he suspected had the roles been reversed, he would have done the same thing. Then the events of the night before came back to him and he wondered if he''d see Dunken there soon.


    And he wondered which of the females had caught Dunken''s heart.


    When he sat down, Chet eyed him nervously. "I know there''s a lot to do, Zev-dan, but I can''t leave for long. I will ensure we''re packed, and I''m asking the brothers to bring me any tasks that I can do while I sit here¡ª"


    Zev raised his hand to interrupt. "It''s fine, Chet. Don''t worry. I''m joining you today. Everyone''s in motion now. Everything is happening. But I find myself reluctant to let her far out of my sight. So don''t worry. We''ll sit vigil together."


    The male looked relieved.


    They spoke a little as they sat there. Zev had never had much asion to spend time with Chet, had always assumed the male to be a little weak. But he soon discovered a thoughtful and resilient beta wolf hidden beneath the quiet exterior. He made a mental note to make more use of him once Mae had returned to him and things were settled down. Chet would prove an asset as they navigated theing changes, he thought.


    The wind shifted and Zev scented it to see if he could catch Sasha and make sure she was okay, but instead he found his brother''s scent on the air and momentster, saw Lhars enter the City in wolf form at the run.


    He stood quickly¡ªwas there an emergency?¡ªas Lhars galloped into the Courtyard, shifting back to human midstride, still running, his eyes on the upper level, where therge, open hall windows had been covered in hides and they all knew the females gathered. The wind curled, and the scents of the females wafted through the courtyard, bringing Sasha and Kyelle and the others.


    Lhars'' expression was fixed and intent, and Zev''s stomach dropped. He''d juste from the human world and the vige. Nick was already on the move. Did Lhars know something? Had something happened?


    Lhars called to Zev as he ran through the Courtyard, "Did Kyelle make it back safely?"


    "Yes, but Lhars, you can''t go up there," Zev said quickly. When his brother didn''t stop running, Zev growled and slipped across the space to step between Lhars and the stairway that went up to the second level of therge building.


    His attention was only half on Lhars, his ears perked for the females, and also half a thought for poor Chet who''d been so patiently waiting for days. Lhars needed to give some consideration to others who also wanted to see the females.


    He''d assumed Lhars was only being thoughtless and probably wanted to catch up with Kyelle, hadn''t thought through the stress they were all under and the repercussions.


    Lhars'' attention was very clearly on the upper level of the building until he stepped under the cover and towards the stairwell. Zev stepped into his path again, casually raising a hand to his chest. "Lhars, you''ll need to¡ª"


    There was a vicious snarl and Lhars'' teeth snapped so close to Zev''s jaw, Zev felt the air shift.


    There wasn''t even thought, Zev immediately snarled back and made himself as big as he was capable, standing over his brother, eyes locked and teeth bared, a guttural growl rising and falling in his throat.


    Instinctively, he was a hairsbreadth from shifting.


    Lhars was second in the wolves, a powerful male, an Alpha, and they had history. Zev''s wolf scented a challenge¡ªif an entirely unexpected one¡ªand wanted it dealt with. His blood thrummed with Alpha authority and the growl rolled in his chest as he stared Lhars down.


    Everyone in the Courtyard froze at sight and sound of two of the strongest males facing each other in genuine aggression.


    Zev kept his hands open and ready at his sides, didn''t move to the defensive. He was in power and he would take control if it was needed. But this was his brother, and clearly something had happened.


    Lhars'' chest heaved, his growl rising and falling with it, his eyes shing with his wolf and he didn''t submit. He leaned into Zev, his teeth still bared.


    "Stand. Down," Zev warned him in a low mutter, his eyes narrowed.

 Chapter 409 Stand Down

    <h4>Chapter 409 Stand Down</h4>


    ~ LHARS ~


    Lhars had been running through the Courtyard with only one thought on his mind. He could smell Kyelle, and she was stressed. He''d barely even registered the other males, been on his way to find his mate and make sure she knew he was there and he would help however he could, or he would wait¡ªwhen suddenly a body stepped in his path with amand to stop, and Lhars only knew two things: The male was a threat, and they smelled faintly of his mate.


    He''d snapped before he even thought, his wolf snarling forward¡ªno one touched her, no one. She wasn''t his yet, they wouldn''t know. She hadn''t been marked or scented. But he wouldn''t allow her to be taken¡ª


    "Stand. Down." The words were amand.


    For the first time, Lhars registered that they came from Zev. Alpha of his pack. His brother. Mate to the Alpha of All.


    And the male that had almost taken Kyelle away from him forever.


    His entire body tensed.


    "She''s mine," he hissed. "Back the fuck off, Zev," he let the words roll off into a growl.


    Zev twitched at the threat in his words and his own growl began to roll, though he still didn''t raise his hands or shift.


    "What the fuck, Lhars?" he hissed, but his eyes remained locked, and he didn''t rx.


    Lhars'' head buzzed, his pulse thrumming in his ears. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. All around them males went still and silent, watching with cautious eyes.


    Choosing their sides.


    No. No, he wasn''t challenging for Alpha! He had to make that clear! But he also wasn''t letting Zev keep him from his mate! His heart and mind swam, twisting in different directions, tugging at him. He had to think! He had to be careful.


    He had to get to Kyelle.


    A low but resonant call huffed in his throat, and his heart flipped as he gave it. A sound he''d never made before. But there was no time to consider it, he had an Alpha to back down.


    "Why do you stink of my mate?" Lhars seethed.


    "Stink of your mate? Lhars, what¡ª"


    "Why are you trying to stop me from reaching her?"


    "What are you talking about? Lhars¡ª" Suddenly, Zev''s eyes widened, though he didn''t step back. "Lhars¡­ did Kyelle ept you?!"


    "She is my mate, and I told her I''d wait for her, she needs to know I''m here, and¡ª"


    "So we''ll tell her that you''re here. You can''t just go racing into the hall. The females are in crisis!"


    "Then let me through to check my mate¡ªyou can''t just¡ª"


    Her scent hit the back of his nose only half a breath before her voice sounded from the stairwell behind Zev.


    "Lhars, it''s fine. Zev just filled me in before I went up to the hall, that''s all you''re smelling. And I''m here. I''m here. It''s fine."


    "It''s not fine," Zev snapped. "He challenged me."


    "I''m not challenging you for Alpha," Lhars muttered. "You were stepping between me and my mate. You smell of her."


    "Barely!" Zev growled. "And¡­ wait, so you''re both¡­ I mean this is¡ª"


    Kyelle interrupted him by pushing past to step between them, leaving Zev behind her, keeping her eyes fixed on Lhars, who hadn''t dropped his locked gaze with Zev.


    "Lhars," she breathed, putting one hand on his chest. "I''m here. And I''m not with him. He didn''t know. He wasn''t stopping you from reaching me, he was stopping you from frightening the females."


    Lhars needed to stop growling. He needed to submit. His mind knew this, but his body bristled. If he''d been in wolf form, his hackles would have been standing inches off his back.


    Then Kyelle pushed up on her tiptoes, wrapped a hand around the back of his neck and lifted her chin, baring her throat to him as she leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "I''m here. Look at me, Lhars. I''m here."


    Zev remained tense and poised, but his eyes were smiling.


    Lhars forced himself to blink, to break eye contact, dropping his eyes to meet the beautiful, blue, liquid gaze of his mate staring up at him.


    "Hi," she smiled, when he finally did, though he could feel the tension in her. He snaked an arm around her back to keep her close.


    "Hi." His voice was husky, dark.


    "I''m d you''re here, Lhars," she said, her voice shaking. "My mate."


    The entire Courtyard went silent, waiting to see if he''d acknowledge her. Or make her win him. Because she''d been the first to dere, she''d put the choice in his hands.


    And Lhars saw the thread of fear behind her eyes as she handed him that gift.


    Then she pulled his head down and kissed him.


    Everything else in his mind disappeared at the slow, soft slide of her lips. His body, suddenly alight with a whole new energy, quivered. He made that call again, a low hum that vibrated his chest. Kyelle sucked in a breath, her hand fisting his shirt.


    But he held her chin, kept her there for a moment, on her toes, nipping at her lip. Then he whispered, "My mate," in her ear.


    The howls of the wolfpack rose in a chorus around them as the males stood to acknowledge they were witness to the pairing of their Second inmand.


    Zev even raised his voice, though he still trembled with the tension. Lhars didn''t miss that a handful of the pack had moved silently to stand at his back.


    As it should be.


    Lhars wouldmend them. Later. When his wolf wasn''t still trying to snap at Zev''s throat. Or take his mate.


    Kyelle''s fingers curled into the back of his neck and she whispered, "Calm down. I know it''s hard. It''s hard for me, too. But we have to trust, Lhars. Trust me. Please. They know now. And soon¡­ soon it''ll be undeniable. I just need a couple of hours. That''s all." She looked up at him, pleading. "Please don''t fight."


    His hands tightened on her.

 Chapter 410 Happy Day

    <h4>Chapter 410 Happy Day</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    She''d been so consumed with trying to soothe the females, talking to Mae about how to help them, listening to Kyelle''s ideas on moving the females overnight, regardless of when the males went¡ªso that they could travel separately¡ªthat she''d beenpletely unaware of any conflict outside until those god-awful snarls cut through the air.


    And even though she''d never heard him make that sound before, she knew it was Zev. Something in her chest pinged and her breath stopped.


    She turned on her heel, instinct driving her to go see him, to see what was wrong, to make sure he was safe. But she turned to find the crowd of females, so many of them still in anxiety or shock.


    She had to help them.


    But she had to know if Zev was okay?


    She turned again, searching for Kyelle. She''d been there just a moment before, helping. But now Sasha couldn''t find her.


    Her heart began to race and her breath got shallow. She put a hand on the back of the female who''d just broken down next to her and she had to fight. She had to battle with herself not to just abandon them.


    What the hell was going on today? Why was everyone suddenly losing control just when she needed them to be calm?


    Sasha swallowed back her panic and looked back at Mae who had gone still and was frowning at the big window.


    "Can you tell who it is? What''s going on?" she said quickly.


    Mae nodded, her eyes never leaving the wall of hides they''d used to cover the gap. "It''s Zev. And Lhars and¡­" she blinked, her eyes widening. "Mates?" she breathed.


    "What? Who? Why are they fighting? Mae¡ª"


    "Kyelle¡­ she''s¡­ she''s dering for Lhars," Mae said.


    Sasha''s mouth dropped open. "Are you serious?"


    The females next to her weren''t paying attention and for a moment Sasha reminded herself that she had a job to do. She urged Mae to keep rying what they were saying. But she was fighting a smile so she wouldn''t upset the other females. Lhars and Kyelle? This was fantastic! Except¡­


    "Why did Zev and Lhars fight?"


    "They didn''t fight. Zev stood in his way when he was searching for Kyelle¡ªhe hasn''t possessed her yet. He''s on edge. Lhars¡­" she trailed off, listening, then swallowed. "He wasn''t challenging for Alpha. He thought Zev was stopping him from reaching Kyelle."


    "Are they okay now?"


    "I think so, I¡­"


    Howls rose, eerie and haunting. Even Sasha caught the murmur of bodies moving¡ªthe wolf-pack celebrating Lhars and her heart sang. And she ached¡ªshe wanted to share this moment with them.


    Then she realized she could.


    Show me! she said in Zev''s head. Show me what''s going on.


    And he did¡ªimmediately the image of Lhars, his arms wrapped around Kyelle, his eyes aze with pride and possession, her hands curled around his neck and in his hair¡­


    And it all came with Zev''s heart¡ªhis relief that his brother wasn''t challenging, his joy for them that they''d found each other, and his love for Sasha.


    Her cheeks heated as watching his brother kiss his mate fanned the mes in Zev''s belly for Sasha. She had to swallow back her own bout of desire.


    She licked her lips and had to think twice to answer a quiet question from one of the females.


    Oddly, they hadn''t seemed worried about the snarls from the males when they were fighting. They''d taken that with barely a flutter¡ªyet, here Sasha was, trembling for it. But she made herself focus. Zev was safe¡ªand Lhars too, that was the important thing. The rest would have to wait. Would they go on the Solitude now? But how could they? Perhaps in the Safe ce, but¡­ how would they do that when everything would be in such turmoil and they''d have to be establishing an entirely new home¡­


    Her mind spun so that she was slow answering questions and had to ask the females to repeat themselves sometimes. But then Kyelle was there, and the females from the wolf-pack rushed to greet her, to submit.


    Sasha smiled, watching Kyelle, with tears in her eyes, ept all their salutes and submissions. She seemed very ufortable with the attention, and for a moment Sasha''s nerves were up¡ªwas Kyelle uncertain of him?


    But then the female turned to meet her gaze and she smiled and Sasha rushed forward to hug her.


    "I''m so happy for you both," she whispered in Kyelle''s ear as they embraced.


    "Thank you. Me too."


    This made them sisters now, right? Sasha was about to ask, but Kyelle cleared her throat and wiped her eyes. "You need to go talk to Zev," she said, sounding sheepish. "He''s a little off-bnce."


    Sasha didn''t argue. Reassuring the females that she''d return in a few minutes, she slipped out of the hall. But not before marking that Mae stood at the window, staring at the hides as if she could see through them. And Sasha suspected if she''d drawn a straight line from Mae''s eyes her gaze would end at Chet.


    Sasha sighed as she hurried down the stairs and into Zev''s arms.


    He pulled her up into a hug and kissed her neck.


    "Are you okay?" she asked breathlessly. "That sounded so scary!"


    Zev set her down on her feet but still held her. "I''m fine. He wasn''t challenging for Alpha. He was agitated because he was so focused on Kyelle. He hasn''t mated her yet and the bond is chafing."


    He tipped his head to the side where Sasha saw Lhars standing in a circle of the males, epting congrattions and sharing scents. He looked ecstatic. And very tense.


    "Can we organize a ritual for them?" she asked.


    Zev shook his head. "There''s no time, and it would be too distracting. It''s fine. They can just mate toplete the bond. Everyone saw their derations, which is really the important part."


    "What can we do to help them?"


    "The best thing we can do is just give them some time together today. Tonight. As much as possible."


    Sasha nodded, frowning. There wasn''t going to be much privacy for them. "They definitely need some space," she said uncertainly.


    "They aren''t the only ones." Zev''s voice was deep and rough and twanged in her belly. Sasha turned quickly to meet his eyes and found them ame.


    She smiled. Then it faded. "Time is the only thing we don''t have right now."


    Zev sighed and pulled her into another hug.

 Chapter 411 Finally Yours

    <h4>Chapter 411 Finally Yours</h4>


    ~ LHARS ~


    Lhars had spent two hours making his quarters at the City ready. Luckily the primary n''s Second''s chamber was only across the courtyard from the female hall. He''d struggled even turning his back on it, knowing Kyelle was in there and there were so many males around. But if he couldn''t take her away for the Solitude, he could at least give her something to remember.


    He''d spread fresh furs on his sleeping tform, lit candles on the bedside tables, made a tter of snacks, and filled a wineskin and a waterskin. He''d realized that the best time to be alone with her would be while everyone had gone for the evening meal and was distracted. While he didn''t think any of the males would fight him for her, it was instinct to get her as far from other males as he could.


    But when he turned to look at the room, it still looked bare. Females did things, things he didn''t understand, that softened a room and made it feel weing. For a moment he considered asking Zev to ask Sasha what he might do, but before he could find the courage to ask his brother for such a humbling thing, the door opened behind him and he whirled.


    Kyelle stood in the doorway, eyes wide and blinking, watching him, her face uncertain.


    Lhars had a moment of quiet panic at the fear on her face until she breathed his name and smiled.


    Rocked with relief, he rushed to her, pulling her into his chest and taking her lips in kisses that were quick and insistent. He''d told himself he needed to take care, to slow down, not to press her too quickly. But as soon as his arms circled her, she molded herself to him and lifted her chin without any hesitation.


    Cupping her head, he pressed her back into the door, and without breaking the kiss, he shoved the bolt lock home with a small thunk.


    "Thank God," he whispered. "I was so afraid¡ª"


    "Don''t, Lhars," she breathed, pulling him harder into her kiss. "Don''t be afraid anymore. You''re mine. I want you. That''s enough."


    Lhars gave a breathless growl and tried unsessfully not to let the kiss grow more desperate.


    Unwilling to stop touching, to lose her warmth, he struggled at first to find her buttons and begin to undress her. She fumbled too, with his, but both of themughed and kissed, pulled back when they needed to until they were both naked from the waist up.


    Kyelle broke the kiss as she pushed the jacket off his shoulders and down his arms, then she pulled her head back to look at him, biting her lip.


    He preened as her eyes followed the curves of his muscles. Then she raised a hand to trace the lines on his torso and he huffed, his stomach clenching with sheer heat.


    "You''re¡­ beautiful," she whispered, breathless.


    He snorted. But then her eyes slid up to meet his and the look of sheer delight in her gaze broke him.


    With a groaning huff, he pulled her close again.


    "I love you, Kyelle."


    "I love you too, Lhars. I always have. I''ve just been blind. Confused. I''m so sorry."


    He shook his head. He didn''t want to focus on the pain of the wait he''d endured. He wanted to focus on what they could have now. So with a happy sigh, he descended on her, lips, tongue, hands, his breath tearing in and out of his throat, and to his utter delight, she rippled under his hands.


    The minutes that followed seemed to happen outside the real world. He was aware of nothing but the tug of the tie on her furs as he unknotted it, the feel of her skin as he slid his hands under the waistband, then back and down, to cup her gorgeous ass and slid the furs from her. Then the incredible sensation of her hands on his furs, of her touch¡ªtentative, but enthusiastic¡ªas she worked his trousers down.


    He''d turned her at some point, he wasn''t sure when. But he stepped out of the puddle of his furs and drew her towards the bed, she came eagerly.


    When they reached it, she sat, scooting herself back in a graceful crawl, her eyes calling to him to follow. And follow he did, prowling after her, crawling over her until shey back on the pillow and he was cradled between her thighs, his hands stroking and her hands wing up his back.


    Kissing, touching, stroking, the sound of her sighs¡­ the world became very small. His nose was full of the scent of her, his hands full of her softness. His mind consumed with his eagerness to have her. His body shook with it. He was going to struggle to control himself.


    He kissed his way down her neck, letting his teeth graze the side of her neck, his fingers trailing down her throat and she shuddered, her skin pebbling under his hands.


    And feeling that, fire burst to life in his veins, roaring from his heart, through his bloodstream, threatening to burn him to a crisp.


    He loved the salt on her skin, the tiny sighs she made¡ªand the ones she didn''t when her breath caught. Then she shifted, raising her knees and tilting her hips. It brought them together and when he rolled his hips, pressed his hard against her soft, they both made small cries.


    He couldn''t stop kissing her, but he''d been about to slide down her body, to taste her breasts and explore her, but his body jangled with every pass against her, and Kyelle''s breath was alreadying in short puffs.


    He couldn''t stop stroking her, convincing himself that she was actually in his arms¡ªthat she wanted to be.


    As he arched his back to rub himself against her again, he held the pressure at the top of the roll and she tipped her head back and gasped his name.


    Lhars shuddered, his body trembling as his wolf fought to take her. Outside a male shouted from across the city, the world invading for a moment, and a growl puttered in his throat as a wave of possession washed over him.

 Chapter 412 Finally Mine

    <h4>Chapter 412 Finally Mine</h4>


    If you like music while you''re reading, try "Run to You" by Lea Michelle. That''s the song I was listening to while writing this chapter!


    *****


    ~ LHARS ~


    Lhars grasped at her, pulling her tight against him¡ªtoo rough, he told himself. Be gentle. Show more than just the instinct to own her.


    But¡­ holy shit¡­ he wanted to possess her, to paint her with his scent, to dere her his to anyone¡ªespecially any male¡ªwho might ever so much asy eyes on her.


    His fingers dug into her soft skin and muscle with his desperation. But when he forced himself to release her, began to draw back, she whimpered and clutched at him, pulling him closer.


    "Don''t. Don''t let me go," she whispered, clinging to his neck and pulling herself up to kiss his neck and whisper in his ear. "Please, Lhars. I need you."


    A shudder rocked him from head to toe and that low, resonant call broke in his throat again. Kyelle gave a happy sob and took his mouth, and he was lost.


    "Please," she whispered into his mouth. "Please, Lhars. I can''t wait."


    His control was already shredded, but when she arched her back as he rolled against her and he almost took her, his entire body went rigid.


    "Please."


    She trusted him, he realized suddenly.


    No one had ever trusted him before.


    "Kyelle?" he breathed, pulling back just far enough to meet her eyes.


    She hesitated, locking eyes with him, searching his gaze. "What is it?"


    "Are you certain? Absolutely certain?" he whispered, as vulnerable and open as a pup who''d lost his mother. He pleaded with her. Knew there was no strength in it. Hated himself for it. But¡­ he had to ask. He needed her to quell the fear that kept rising in his throat topete with his desire.


    Her brows pinched over her nose and she put both hands to his face. "Lhars¡­ there isn''t a moment of doubt, not a whisper of it, in my mind. When I thought you weren''ting back it threatened to break me. I cursed myself for a fool. I''m so sorry. I''m so s¡ª!"


    But Lhars could see the truth in her and his leash snapped. Fingers fisted in her hair, he pulled her head back and opened his mouth over her throat and Kyelle made that joyfulugh again, her hands sliding into his hair to hold him there as he sucked at her skin, his teeth a hairsbreadth from making her bleed.


    And he marveled because, far from shrinking away, Kyelle''s breath picked up and the raw musk of her desire peaked and she urged him on, bumping her hips into his, curling one leg around his waist to pull him closer.


    "Are you ready?" he rasped into the kiss, then danced with her tongue before she could answer.


    "Yes!" she gasped when he finally let her breathe.


    Lhars groaned and his world imploded as he took hold of her throat with gentle teeth, then he slid one hand down to her lower back to adjust the angle of where they met, tilted his hips, and cried her name against her neck as he found her.


    Her nails pierced the skin of his back as he pressed into her, his entire body alive with sensation and joy as they arched and rolled¡ªKyelle''s skin pebbling¡ªuntil he was seated in her to the hilt.


    She cried out when he reached the limits within her, and he nearly came. He froze, one hand curled over her head, the other still at her back.


    He forced himself to let go of her, kissing the indentations on her skin to soothe them as theyy there together, unmoving, twin breaths wheezing.


    "Are you okay?" he rasped, his voice ragged with desire and fear in equal measure.


    "Lhars¡­ I''ve never been better," she said and her voice broke.


    He smelled her tears and pulled his head back, heart thumping. But he found her staring at him, tears in her eyes that searched his back and forth.


    She put a hand to his face and shook her head. "I was so blind," she breathed. "So blind. I''m so sorry I hurt you. I wish¡­ I wish I could go back, Lhars. You''re mine. You''re mine!" She was fierce and sad and her words broke something open inside him.


    The mes that had been roaring through his blood turned tova¡ªglittering hot and cold, churning and reaching.


    "Shit, Kyelle," Lhars said through his teeth as he began to move within her again, but his eyes locked on hers.


    Her mouth dropped open, and she gripped his neck and shoulder, but her eyes were wide and never left his.


    Lhars shook with inexpressible joy and with the overwhelming sensation of being one with her. As his thrusts became frantic and he began to call to her, she sobbed his name, gasping for air, clinging to him, pulling him closer.


    "Kyelle, I¡ª"


    "Don''t stop, Lhars, please¡­ Please!"


    He gritted his teeth, holding on by a thread as her eyes rolled back in her head and she began to keen, her body tightening around him until he was certain he couldn''t hold back another second.


    One fist gripping the furs next to her head, his arm became an iron bar. She curled her hand around it and held on. And yet, her skin was softer and more liquid with every second that his body turned to steel.


    "Mine!" he snarled and thrust into her, arching his back.


    Kyelle half-sobbed, halfughed his name. "Yes, Lhars¡ª"


    "Only mine, Kyelle! You''re mine!"


    "Yes! I¡­" then her voice dissolved into wordless calls, each higher and more desperate than the one before until her fingers dug into his shoulders so her nails pierced his skin and she cried his name, her calls echoing from the chamber walls and ceiling. A heartbeatter, Lhars'' tumbled over the edge of that cliff with her.


    And as he did, something within him unfurled, an explosive flower opening to the sun of her. A piece of his heart broke free, twisting and curling, slicing its way out of his chest, but the sh of pain was immediately soothed because it found her and entwined with the piece of her that barreled out of her to find him.


    As their bodies thrummed and shuddered, their hearts danced. Until the moment Lhars breathed her name again, then slumped over her, one hand curled over her head, his body covering hers as he panted into her neck.

 Chapter 413 Rest of My Life

    <h4>Chapter 413 Rest of My Life</h4>


    ~ LHARS ~


    Some timeter theyy facing each other on the furs. Lharsbed her hair back and let his fingers run through it, smoothing where it had be tangled in their lovemaking.


    Kyelle stared up at him, one of her hands ttened on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. Then she blinked and took his hand and pressed it to her chest between her breasts.


    "Feel that," she whispered, awed.


    Their heartbeats were aligned.


    Lhars'' swallowed. "That''s¡­"


    "The bond," she said, nodding. "You''re mine, Lhars."


    "Body and soul," he said gruffly, his chest aching not with pain, but with the sheer overwhelming love he felt for her.


    Her eyes went soft and he couldn''t resist. He curled a hand over her waist to the small of her back and pulled her across the furs, against him, cupping the back of her knee and pulling it over his, just so they were tangled together.


    He never dropped her gaze. His heart thrummed out of time when she smiled.


    "I wish we could walk the ritual," he said, his voice still rough. He looked down at her breasts, fondling one of them gently to give himself space because holding her eyes made him feel as if he bared his soul.


    "I''ll admit, I''m kind of d we can''t."


    Lhars froze and looked up at her, hearing uncertainty in her. But she spluttered augh and kissed him.


    "No, no. Don''t look like that. I meant because¡­ because this feels so much more about you and me," she said shyly. "The ritual is romantic, but it''s so public. I feel like we already did that part today. I''m sorry I put you on the spot like that. But I wanted you to be sure."


    Lhars huffed. "I loved that you gave me that. I was afraid that when we were apart you might change your mind."


    "No, Lhars." She pushed up onto one elbow and nudged him onto his back so she could lean over him. Then she yed with his hair, pushing it back off his face as she spoke to him. And the gentleness of her touch, the intimacy of being naked together, the way her breasts brushed against his chest and she didn''t even notice¡­ as if it weren''t a gift to him¡­ it all stole his breath.


    "Lhars, I''ve always known you were special," she said quietly. "I''ve always known you could be trusted. And I''ve always naturally looked for you when I''m in a space where I feel¡­ uncertain. But I¡­ I confused what all that meant. I want you to be certain now. Before we have to go back out there, please¡­ look at me, Lhars."


    He''d been staring at her breasts again, but he manfully yanked his gaze back up to her eyes and she grinned, then her face went serious.


    "Hear me, Lhars¡­ there''s no one else for me. You''re my mate. You can feel that. If you ever start to doubt it, just press right here." She took his hand and put it at the center of his chest. "I''m there now," she said simply. "And I''m so d that I am."


    He gave a groaning huff and pulled her down into a kiss. She came willingly, leaning on his chest, one hand in his hair.


    "I love you, Kyelle. I have for years," he croaked when they finally broke apart. "This¡­ this day is¡­ it''s the best day of my life."


    Her forehead crumpled into lines. "I feel so bad that I made you wait so long."


    He didn''t like it either, but he refused to mar the beauty of this moment by focusing on that. With everything that was about to happen, they could be torn from each other at any moment. If this was thest moment he had with her, he would spend it flush with love and joy. Not bitterness.


    Cupping her jaw, he stared up into her eyes, and then he smiled. "Remember that day you told me no one wanted to mate you because you couldn''t have young?"


    Her smile faltered. She watched him warily. "Yes," she breathed. "I''m sor¡ª"


    "Stop apologizing, that''s not what I''m getting at. I want you to remember that. Remember how angry I was? I will give my life to stand between you and danger, Kyelle. And I still stand over anyone¡ªmale or female¡ªthat would make you small. So promise me something, please?"


    "What?"


    "Promise me that any fear or hurt you have, you''ll bring it to me. So I can fix it, or soothe you. Whatever is in my power to change in this world, I''ll fight to do that for you. But if there is a pain we can''t change¡­ then I''ll hold you. I want to hold you. Please¡­ let me hold you now Kyelle."


    "Oh, Lhars," she gasped, tears spilling over her longshes. She dropped her bury her face in the hollow under his jaw. But he rolled her over so he was the one to push up on one elbow as shey back on the pillow, and he went back to stroking her hair.


    "I love you, Kyelle. You are precious to me. So please¡­ let me stand between you and the world."


    "Me too," she hupped. "I want to protect you, too, Lhars."


    It sounded preposterous when she said it. but he knew exactly what she meant. And he needed that, he realized. He needed her protection. Herfort. He needed her to stand between him and the fear he could never seem to escape.


    "I''ll make you a deal," he murmured, leaning down to kiss her lips. "If you keep telling me that you love me, and stay at my side, I''ll make sure you never have to hear another ugly word from another ugly person. You''re more than enough for me, Kyelle. You''re everything I want and need."


    Kyelle spluttered into an ugly cry and pulled him down over her. They clung to each other as she whispered all the ways she loved him, her voice broken and ragged with tears. And for the first time Lhars could ever remember, he was fearless.


    Laying in the arms of his mate, certain of her, ready for her¡­ he was fearless. Because no matter what came, if she would stand by him and he never had to meet it alone, he could face anything.

 Chapter 414 Stolen Moment

    <h4>Chapter 414 Stolen Moment</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    It had been a helluva morning. The moment he appeared in the Courtyard the questions and requests for decisions began¡ªespecially since Sasha was spending most of her time trying to help the females. Zev soon discovered he couldn''t make it two steps past one male before another appeared to take his ce with yet another question. So he''d given up.


    He took a seat on the wall again, just feet from Chet who had a pile of leathers and fabrics next to him that he was fashioning into bags.


    First Zev got word that Nick was on the move to the cave. Then Lhars spoke into his head¡ªand that was a huge relief. But it had left his body gripped with a strange kind of tension that made him snappish and irritated.


    He needed to be near Sasha. But he knew she was already overwhelmed, and facing her own questions as Alpha, even while she tried to help the females. So he''d been unwilling to disturb her. But that tension in him only grew¡ªuntil it drove him to his feet. And still he couldn''t make it more than a few feet.


    He wasn''t sure what he''d thought he would do¡ªgo into the female hall again? Sasha would have his throat if he did. He just needed to be closer. But he''d only made it to the bottom of the stairs when the best scent in the world reached him on a breath, and he turned to find Sasha trotting down the stairs, surprised to see him so close, but apparently relieved, because she smiled when she saw him.


    Ignoring the males surrounding him, Zev met her eyes and asked in her head, do you have a few minutes?


    Her smiled broadened. It''s almost lunchtime. I told them I''d be back in an hour.


    Zev''s heart raced and with a murmured apology to the males around him, he''d leaned through them to take her hand and dragged her out of there, across the courtyard¡ªignoring the cries of his name¡ªand straight to their bed-chamber.


    He''d picked her up as they passed through the door, kissed her while he kicked the door closed behind him, then thrown her onto the bed.


    Sasha hadughed in surprise and pushed up on her elbows, but when he''d torn off his furs andnded on the bed with her, her brow furrowed.


    "Are you okay, Zev?"


    "I am now," he whispered, then took her mouth.


    Now, sprawled on the furs in their bed-chamber, Sasha wasid out for him like a feast, her head back and body rippling under his. He couldn''t even think straight, she was so beautiful. Zev arched into her and they both held their breath.


    He''d only intended to y when he started this, to give them both a little joy in a difficult day. But at this point, he was all in. His resolve to simply spend some time with her rxing and enjoying each other had gone out the window when she''d responded to him, as if she were as off-bnce as him, and needed him to center her.


    Their kiss had turned hot within seconds.


    Now, as he moved within her, he was determined to take his time, but the way she stroked his back, the plumpness of her lip, swollen from his kisses, the heat in her eyes¡­ she made him so hot, he was going to have to be careful.


    Nipping her ear, he slid his hand down the back of her thigh until he reached the back of her knee, then cupped and pulled it up towards his hip. She thought he wanted her to lock it around his back, but he gave a little growl, then kept extending it, pulling her leg up almost to her chest and pinning her with his weight. When he thrust into her again the change in pressure and angle made them both cry out. And the little gasp she gave almost tipped him over the edge. But he gritted his teeth and pressed into her again.


    His mouth was open and he drank her in with his eyes as he braced one elbow on the furs over her shoulder and cupped his other hand over her head.


    Sasha braced on his bicep, arching to meet him, her cheeks flushed, as they start rolling together in this new kind of clinch. Small noises broke in her throat with every thrust. Feeling her undte under him was incredible, and he worried he wouldn''t be able to sustain until she found her release.


    "That''s¡­ I really like that, Zev," she whispered breathlessly.


    Pausing for a breath, he kissed her neck, then smiled. "Roll onto your side," he said, then nipped her ear again.


    Sasha whimpered when he pulled out, but he pushed himself back onto his knees and kept stroking her body as she turned herself onto her side. "Don''t worry," he said, his voice heavy with lust, "it''ll be worth it."


    She got herself on her side, then looked at him, curious. "Like this?"


    He raked down the length of her with his eyes. Her eyes sparkling, cheeks and skin red with heat, her breasts pressed together by her arms and her knees bent to curve around his knee where he knelt.


    He nodded and swallowed. "Yes, just like that. But straighten your bottom, leg," he rasped, groaning when she did as he''d instructed.


    Then, still in a kneeling position, he straddled her lower leg, lifted her upper knee and hooked it around his hip, guiding himself into her. They both gasped as they came together in a whole new way.


    Sasha fisted the furs to give herself purchase as he started to roll, using her thigh to pull her against him with each thrust. Sasha''s mouth fell open.


    "Oh¡­ fuck, Zev. I¡­ I love that," she whispered.


    Breath rasping with need, he continued to rock into her, bracing on the furs behind her shoulder when it all became too much. Sasha was falling apart, her jaw ck and eyes squeezed shut with pleasure.


    He could feel her climbing towards her climax and fought not to join him when she moaned and clenched around him, her entire body trembling, first rigid with the shock of pleasure, then loose as the wave passed and she was left breathless.


    But Zev didn''t give her time to recover. While she was still trembling, he pulled out again and quickly lifted her by her hips, pulling her up into hisp to straddle his thighs with her back to his chest. Sliding a shaking hand up to cup her breast, he positioned her hip and thrust back into her, and she cried out at the assault, her body clenching again.


    She had nothing to hold onto, and at first she was scrambling, but then he wrapped both arms around her, cupping her breasts. "I''ve got you," he croaked. "Just rx, Sasha, I''ve got you."


    With a small cry, she let herself slump back against him, raising her hands to grip his shoulders, arching back so her breasts were presented to him, bobbing and bouncing with every thrust.


    Zev groaned.


    Sasha was shaking and breathless, her limbs loose and her skin so pink. His wolf vered for her. He needed more space or this would be over, and he wasn''t ready for it to be over.


    With a few whispered reassurances and his arms locked around her, he sat further back and straightened his legs so she straddled his hips, still facing away from him. Then hey back, gripping her hips and pulling her back onto him as they rolled together.


    At first, she rode him, but then with a cry, seeking another climax, she leaned forward, her hands on his shins and she gripped him, rubbing herself against him as they rocked together again, and again, and again.


    She''d given herself over. Strange cries and moans broke from her throat with every roll.


    The sight of her, watching himself enter her, coupled with the sounds she made were too much for him.


    "Oh, shit, Sasha¡­ I''m¡­ shit¡ª" He sat up so he could cup her breasts, ying the peaks with his fingers, then he opened his mouth on the back of her neck, over the iming scars.


    Sasha clenched around him and ground down, her head falling back so her hair syed over her back. Then she went silent with the force of her orgasm, her body bearing down on him, embracing him.


    Electricity exploded between them and his teeth pierced her skin again as he gave a guttural groan and came inside her. Biting and sucking at her skin, he couldn''t stop pulling her closer. But Sasha just cried his name again and again, and suddenly the bond was alive, their hearts, spinning faster and faster, blood racing, as they rode out the pleasure together, her hands in his hair, holding him against her, back arched, as he gripped her and sucked at her skin until they both slumped and their panting breaths echoed in the chamber.

 Chapter 415 Too Many Things

    <h4>Chapter 415 Too Many Things</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    The moment they''d both caught their breath, Sasha buried her face in his neck and groaned. "I can''t stay. I have to get back. The females are really struggling and I need to get them used to the idea of getting out of that hall. Some of them haven''t left at all, yet."


    "I know," Zev sighed, rubbing her arm. "Me too. I have to make sure we''ve informed all the Creatures. And since Lhars is out, I think I''ll be the one running the meeting with the Alphas."


    "I''m so happy for them," Sasha said with a smile.


    "Me too." He sounded more relieved than happy, but Sasha wasn''t sure in the current climate whether there was any difference.


    Neither of them moved for a few more minutes. But finally, Sasha sighed and leaned forward to kiss him. She was about to tell him she was leaving when he spoke up.


    "Let''s bathe tonight," he said quickly, watching her. "Even if it''s reallyte. Let''s do that. Together. At the little pool."


    She nodded. "It''s a date. But it might bete. I got a message that Nick told the guards who took him to the cave that he was probably going to stay overnight there in the human world."


    Zev went very still, frowning.


    "Is that a bad thing?" Sasha asked him.


    "I don''t know," Zev said carefully. "It''s entirely possible that he just wants to sleep a night away from the threat of Ernie," Zev snorted, but his humor didn''tst. "But then, with Nick, you can never be sure."


    Sasha nodded. "I keep second-guessing the decision to wait until hees back. I mean, what if he brings the team with him?"


    "Even if they realize I was on the device, they want those females healthy. I didn''t do anything but ess information. The risk is that they make some plot with Nick that we don''t know about."


    "But we won''t be here to see it y out."


    "Exactly."


    "So you think we stick with this n? If he stays overnight we don''t leave until tomorrow? And do we just cage him and go? Do we leave him to die?"


    Zev''s eyes went very dark and Sasha felt the first cold, creep of fear. "It''s tempting," he said. "I''ll give it some thought."


    "Zev¡ª"


    "What?"


    "I don''t like how angry you''ve be with him. It feels¡­ dark."


    He growled. "You don''t think he deserves it?"


    "Of course he deserves it. I''m worried about you, not him."


    Zev rolled onto his back and rubbed his hands over his face, then linked his fingers under his head, his elbows out wide.


    Sasha scooted over and rested her head on his thick bicep. "Hey," she murmured. "I''m not saying you shouldn''t be angry. I''m saying don''t let it eat at you."


    "Skhal said the same thing. I just¡­ that fucker," Zev growled. "He knew and he didn''t tell us. I''m certain he knew, Sasha."


    "Well, then, let''s focus on the fact that we''re going to steal all those females right out from under their noses. They''re going to lose all of them, Zev! The females back at thepound are all stronger and healthier than these. Life for the Chimera is going to continue, and in a way, that''s¡­ more natural."


    "I hope so."


    "I know so. God''s going to make it happen, Zev. He''s going to show you. He''s going to save all of you."


    Zev turned his head and held her eyes. "He didn''t save our baby."


    Sasha sucked in a breath as the pang hit, right in her heart.


    Zev closed his eyes. "I''m sorry. I''m sorry, Sash, I shouldn''t have said that." He rolled to face her, curling himself around her. "I''m sorry."


    "Stop apologizing. I just¡­ it took me by surprise, that''s all."


    He held her then, running fingers up and down her spine, and despite all the external pressures and their limited time, Sasha found she needed that. She needed to be there with him and process that.


    "What do you think they would be like?"


    "Who?"


    "Our baby, Zev. I think about it sometimes. I want to have a baby with you. But¡­ could you imagine if I''d been pregnant? Could you imagine if they knew I was pregnant and they took our baby? That''s what they want to do. That''s what they were trying to get me to agree to. You know that right?"


    "Oh, I know, trust me."


    Sasha blinked. Of course, he''d been raised by these people. Sometimes she was such an ass. She put a hand to his face and stroked it with her thumb.


    "Every time I think about my baby in their hands¡­" she shivered. "What was it like growing up with them, Zev? Did they hurt you all the time?"


    "No! But¡­" Zev squirmed, suddenly ufortable in his own skin. "They aren''t abusive that way, Sash. At least, they weren''t to me," he said reluctantly. "But it''s still sick. They didn''t beat me up or anything, but they don''t love. They care for Chimera like they would an animal that''s valuable. Everything you need to be healthy in your body, but nothing for your heart. Nothing for your mind."


    "Nothing for your soul," Sasha added, watching him worriedly. "That makes me cry for you, Zev. If there''s anything they''ve stolen from you, it''s that understanding of how important you are. Like, on the grand scale. To God."


    "God doesn''t care about freaks of nature that were never intended to exist."


    "Stop talking about yourself like that!" Sasha scowled. "Seriously, Zev¡­ if we have a kid, are you going to see them as a freak, too? Are you going to tell them that?"


    Zev blinked, his brows pinching over his nose. "I¡­ I hadn''t thought about that."


    "Well, think about it now. Because I''m willing to bet you aren''t going to let any kid of ours talk about themselves or see themselves that way?"


    "No, you''re right. I wouldn''t. But¡­ that doesn''t mean it isn''t true," he said sadly.


    "Zev¡­" Sasha was heartbroken for him. "What did they do to you? My love, my male, my mate, my husband¡­ what did they do to you?" she whispered, fighting tears.

 Chapter 416 Too Many Things

    <h4>Chapter 416 Too Many Things</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    The moment they''d both caught their breath, Sasha buried her face in his neck and groaned. "I can''t stay. I have to get back. The females are really struggling and I need to get them used to the idea of getting out of that hall. Some of them haven''t left at all, yet."


    "I know," Zev sighed, rubbing her arm. "Me too. I have to make sure we''ve informed all the Creatures. And since Lhars is out, I think I''ll be the one running the meeting with the Alphas."


    "I''m so happy for them," Sasha said with a smile.


    "Me too." He sounded more relieved than happy, but Sasha wasn''t sure in the current climate whether there was any difference.


    Neither of them moved for a few more minutes. But finally, Sasha sighed and leaned forward to kiss him. She was about to tell him she was leaving when he spoke up.


    "Let''s bathe tonight," he said quickly, watching her. "Even if it''s reallyte. Let''s do that. Together. At the little pool."


    She nodded. "It''s a date. But it might bete. I got a message that Nick told the guards who took him to the cave that he was probably going to stay overnight there in the human world."


    Zev went very still, frowning.


    "Is that a bad thing?" Sasha asked him.


    "I don''t know," Zev said carefully. "It''s entirely possible that he just wants to sleep a night away from the threat of Ernie," Zev snorted, but his humor didn''tst. "But then, with Nick, you can never be sure."


    Sasha nodded. "I keep second-guessing the decision to wait until hees back. I mean, what if he brings the team with him?"


    "Even if they realize I was on the device, they want those females healthy. I didn''t do anything but ess information. The risk is that they make some plot with Nick that we don''t know about."


    "But we won''t be here to see it y out."


    "Exactly."


    "So you think we stick with this n? If he stays overnight we don''t leave until tomorrow? And do we just cage him and go? Do we leave him to die?"


    Zev''s eyes went very dark and Sasha felt the first cold, creep of fear. "It''s tempting," he said. "I''ll give it some thought."


    "Zev¡ª"


    "What?"


    "I don''t like how angry you''ve be with him. It feels¡­ dark."


    He growled. "You don''t think he deserves it?"


    "Of course he deserves it. I''m worried about you, not him."


    Zev rolled onto his back and rubbed his hands over his face, then linked his fingers under his head, his elbows out wide.


    Sasha scooted over and rested her head on his thick bicep. "Hey," she murmured. "I''m not saying you shouldn''t be angry. I''m saying don''t let it eat at you."


    "Skhal said the same thing. I just¡­ that fucker," Zev growled. "He knew and he didn''t tell us. I''m certain he knew, Sasha."


    "Well, then, let''s focus on the fact that we''re going to steal all those females right out from under their noses. They''re going to lose all of them, Zev! The females back at thepound are all stronger and healthier than these. Life for the Chimera is going to continue, and in a way, that''s¡­ more natural."


    "I hope so."


    "I know so. God''s going to make it happen, Zev. He''s going to show you. He''s going to save all of you."


    Zev turned his head and held her eyes. "He didn''t save our baby."


    Sasha sucked in a breath as the pang hit, right in her heart.


    Zev closed his eyes. "I''m sorry. I''m sorry, Sash, I shouldn''t have said that." He rolled to face her, curling himself around her. "I''m sorry."


    "Stop apologizing. I just¡­ it took me by surprise, that''s all."


    He held her then, running fingers up and down her spine, and despite all the external pressures and their limited time, Sasha found she needed that. She needed to be there with him and process that.


    "What do you think they would be like?"


    "Who?"


    "Our baby, Zev. I think about it sometimes. I want to have a baby with you. But¡­ could you imagine if I''d been pregnant? Could you imagine if they knew I was pregnant and they took our baby? That''s what they want to do. That''s what they were trying to get me to agree to. You know that right?"


    "Oh, I know, trust me."


    Sasha blinked. Of course, he''d been raised by these people. Sometimes she was such an ass. She put a hand to his face and stroked it with her thumb.


    "Every time I think about my baby in their hands¡­" she shivered. "What was it like growing up with them, Zev? Did they hurt you all the time?"


    "No! But¡­" Zev squirmed, suddenly ufortable in his own skin. "They aren''t abusive that way, Sash. At least, they weren''t to me," he said reluctantly. "But it''s still sick. They didn''t beat me up or anything, but they don''t love. They care for Chimera like they would an animal that''s valuable. Everything you need to be healthy in your body, but nothing for your heart. Nothing for your mind."


    "Nothing for your soul," Sasha added, watching him worriedly. "That makes me cry for you, Zev. If there''s anything they''ve stolen from you, it''s that understanding of how important you are. Like, on the grand scale. To God."


    "God doesn''t care about freaks of nature that were never intended to exist."


    "Stop talking about yourself like that!" Sasha scowled. "Seriously, Zev¡­ if we have a kid, are you going to see them as a freak, too? Are you going to tell them that?"


    Zev blinked, his brows pinching over his nose. "I¡­ I hadn''t thought about that."


    "Well, think about it now. Because I''m willing to bet you aren''t going to let any kid of ours talk about themselves or see themselves that way?"


    "No, you''re right. I wouldn''t. But¡­ that doesn''t mean it isn''t true," he said sadly.


    "Zev¡­" Sasha was heartbroken for him. "What did they do to you? My love, my male, my mate, my husband¡­ what did they do to you?" she whispered, fighting tears.

 Chapter 417 Finding Solace

    <h4>Chapter 417 Finding Sce</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    The question rang in his head. What had the Team done to him? Why did he struggle to sleep in buildings with straight lines? Why did he get so angry when he was afraid?


    It was so hard to pinpoint because they''d never neglected him. If anything, he''d always been treated like he was special. But that hadn''t sheltered his heart from this gnawing pain¡­ And there were things she didn''t know... choices he''d made. Things he''d been led to. But he couldn''t tell her those. Not now.


    But he knew what it all added up to. The overall price. And that was safe to talk about.


    "You don''t know your ce," he said quietly. Sasha waited until he sighed and went on. "When you''re a kid and you get raised like that, it''s not that you''re abused, it''s that¡­ nothing feels safe. You don''t know where you fit. You don''t know where you belong. You don''t know who to go to. I mean, there were nights I had no one, Sash. I got left while they had meetings or whatever. Pretty quickly they gave me Nick. But there was no Mom for me, no actual Dad. No one that I could run to when I needed protection. I had to take help from whoever was closest. And Nick¡­ sometimes he was really attentive and caring. And other days¡­ it was like it didn''t even register for him."


    "I think even real parents have those days," Sasha said, still stroking his cheek. "That''s not because of you, Zev. That''s because of them."


    Zev shook his head. "No, I''m serious, Sasha. This is bigger than that. It wasn''t until I saw you with your family that I even realized what that creeping feeling was that I''d had. This gut-wrenching need to be safe. To have a ce to run to."


    His eyes snapped up to hers as a thought urred to him that made his blood run cold. "Our kid will never suffer that, Sasha. I will always protect our young. Always. To the death. I will not give any child of mine into their hands," he said fiercely.


    "Me either," she breathed, "But we won''t have to. Hold onto that, Zev. We''re going to a ce where they can never interfere with us again. We can raise our own kids¡ªif we can even have them. And we won''t have to worry about Nick, Nathan, or anyone else. We''ll just live our lives¡­"


    "I hope so," Zev breathed, screwing his face up against the wave of grief that wanted to wash over him.


    "I want you to promise me something, Zev," Sasha said quietly, her eyes pleading with him.


    Something about the look in her eye made him go very still. "What is it?"


    "I want¡­ I want you to promise me that if it everes down to a choice between me and our baby, you''ll save our baby."


    Zev''s very first reaction was anger. He wanted to rail at her that she''d ask that of him! But he didn''t answer.


    Sasha pressed into his chest. "I''m serious. I''m an adult, Zev. I don''t want to leave you, or the Chimera. I pray that we''ll have a lifetime together. But just because this ce is safe from humans doesn''t mean it''s safepletely. We don''t know what we''re going to face. I want you to promise me. Let''s promise each other. Our kids get a life. If it''s in our control, our kids always get a life."


    "You''re forgetting that if I die, you die. Sash, if our kid loses one of us, they lose both. You really want to vow to that?"


    Sasha''s face fell. "Damn. I hadn''t thought about that."


    "I warned you about this vow, Sash¡ª"


    "No, no, Zev. I''m not regretting it. I''m just¡­ I have to think this through. I hadn''t thought about what their vow might do to our kids." She swallowed hard, then held his eyes. "I think¡­ I think if it everes to that, we should sacrifice ourselves for our kids¡­ don''t you think?"


    Zev''s lips thinned. "I hope I never have to make that choice," he said finally. He could tell she hadn''t missed that he hadn''t promised. But he hadn''t denied it either.


    "Me too."


    "Seems like it''s right in God''s wheelhouse to put that decision in front of me, though," he said bitterly.


    "Zev, no!" She pulled him into a hug and he buried his face in her neck, inhaling her scent because it was the only thing that soothed his heart. "God brought us together, Zev. I mean, what are the chances? Our story is crazy. If he can make that happen, he can save our kids."


    "I didn''t say he couldn''t. I said he won''t want to."


    "Zev!"


    "Just leave it, Sash. We''ll do what we need to do. Both of us will. Let''s face one crisis at a time. How are we going to get through the gateway?"


    "I really don''t want to get knocked out," she said sadly. "But¡­ I don''t see another way. Do you have a dosage that will keep me down just for a short time?"


    "I''ll talk to Allory."


    "Allory is your pusher?"


    Zev huffed a hollowugh. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."


    "Why weren''t any of the other males torn up about their mates going through the gateway? None of them that I asked talked about that pain we felt. Have you heard any stories like that?"


    Zev shook his head. "No. I''ve been listening to a lot of stories about the day the females disappeared and no one''s mentioned it. I haven''t heard of anyone else having that problem. But I haven''t asked them, either. Maybe it''s because we''re Ardent?"


    "Or maybe it''s because I''m human? Maybe it''s just different for us? But we have to try, Zev. We have to try to stay together and safe. Neither of us is safe if the other''s in danger."


    He stared at her for a long time, then leaned in for a soft kiss. "We''ll figure it out," he said eventually. But Sasha shook her head.


    "No, we won''t. God will. You''re good, Zev. You have a soul. He''s got to show you somehow."


    Her faith that this God would care about him was touching. But her faith in Zev himself was what stole his breath.

 Chapter 418 News

    <h4>Chapter 418 News</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Word reached them two hourster, as dusk turned to night, that Nick still hadn''t returned and given what he said before he left, they thought it was likely he wouldn''t be seen until morning. Sasha was back with the females by that time, and Zev busy organizing the Alphas. But she reached for him in her mind and found him. He was still in the City then.


    So, we''re confident this is the right n, right? she asked one final time. I shouldn''t change my mind and get everyone moving while he''s gone?


    It''s too risky. There will be humans on the other side¡ªand they might need to ess the females. No, Sash. I''m confident. Besides, if he left that message when he went, that means it''s definitely his decision, not something they''ve required of him.


    She''d nodded, not really expecting anything to have changed. Since there were no orders to change, she''d gone back to the females. She and Mae were working on getting those who hadn''t left the hall since they arrived to walk down the stairs and out into the Courtyard. Taking them out two at a time and getting them ustomed to the different smells and sounds.


    By the time they''d gotten every female out and returned to safety and bedded down, it was alreadyte. But Sasha still had to meet with the Alphas and learn if there were any more barriers to their moving. If not, she was going to move them all to the Vige after breakfast¡ªeven if Nick wasn''t back yet¡ªso they were in closer proximity.


    She and Zev gathered with the Alphas in the little clearing so their concerns wouldn''t be heard by any of the other Chimera¡ªbeing around the females had made Sasha hyper-aware of being careful with her words and not triggering fear for others unintentionally.


    "¡­have we got enough guards in ce on the Gateway? I don''t want there to be any chance of Nick returning¡ªor worse, a teaming through¡ªwithout the right warriors there to meet them. And stop them."


    Dunken nodded. The male had been even more taciturn that day than usual. If he believe his mate was one of the females who were still frightened to leave the hall, Sasha wasn''t surprised. But he didn''t give anything away to the Alphas when he spoke up.


    "We''ve got three perimeters. The widest runs about two hundred feet from the cave entrance, so if anyone sneaks out they''ll be seen and reported, hopefully without knowing it. There''s a line about fifty feet out¡ªthey''ll warn the wider guards if they see or hear anything that doesn''te from those at the gateway. Then, so it doesn''t look suspicious, we just put a fist of guards in the cave itself to usher Nick¡ªor any other visitors¡ªout. They''re wolves so if they learn any important information they can ry information to the others even before they reach the vige. They can also warn us if¡­ if there is an attack. At least one of them has to live long enough to get a warning to others."


    Sasha felt sick at the mental image of what would have to happen for that to be a reality. But she pushed the thought away. They''d done everything they could to keep the Thana safe. Now they just had to walk through whatever wasing. They couldn''t control what form it was going to take.


    "Okay, sounds great," Sasha said. "Assuming it''s Nick whoes through, what did we decide on getting him out of the way so we can get everyone else out?"


    Before Gheet could answer, there was a crack and a hushed giggle, then suddenly Lhars and Kyelle appeared through the trees. Kyelle''s cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkling. As she walked into the circle, quietly apologizing for beingte, Lhars hovered at her shoulder, looking like an Avenging Angel.


    They both received congrattions from the other Alphas, but everyone settled quickly, though Lhars sat at Kyelle''s side, rather than Zev''s as would have been usual. Zev didn''t look like he minded.


    It took Sasha some time to return her focus to the meeting, but they were making headway.


    If Nick arrived alone he would be ushered to the Vige as per normal. Ernie was waiting to follow them. They''d offer him food and drink, and anything he was given would beced with enough sleeping draught to keep him down for the rest of the day.


    The guards currently in ce would stay there until they were joined by the rest of those in Thana who would begin going through, or until Sasha or Zev called them off.


    As soon as the word came through that Nick was asleep, his device would be stolen, along with any weapons he''d tried to smuggle in, then they''d give the word and everyone would move.


    "How long do we estimate it will take to get two hundred and fifty Chimera through the Gateway?" she asked.


    "A couple hours," Zev said. "That''s being generous. I''m assuming we''ll have some trouble with the females. The question is, do we put them through first¡ªbefore we send for the females in the human world? Or do we get the others moving and then work through the females here?"


    Discussion bubbled up immediately, but Sasha raised her hands. "I already know the answer to this: We save the ones we know we can save. Our efforts in thepound run the risk of warning the team that we''re moving. As soon as anyone reaches the females there we risk intervention, even if they aren''t already nning something. So we get the males and females we have now safe and into the gateway, into the Safe ce, then we send the team for the others."


    "So our Alphas are going first then, correct?" Gheet asked quickly.


    Sasha blinked. "No. Why would¡ª"


    "We are walking our people into an unknown world. Even if there is no imminent danger on the other side¡ªwhich is entirely possible¡ªthere will be countless decisions to be made. Alphas are needed on the ground there first, a ce for everyone to gather, and the power of the hierarchy to keep them together."


    Sasha''s stomach sank.

 Chapter 419 Decisions

    <h4>Chapter 419 Decisions</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha looked at Zev. This n felt all wrong to her. As if she would be selfishly putting herself in safety while the others took all the risks.


    You''ll be out of it, remember? Zev said in her head. Not only is he right that you''re needed over there, I''m wondering if we should go a couple hours ahead of everyone else, so you''re conscious by the time they arrive.


    But what if something goes wrong here?


    Zev sighed. We can''t have it both ways. What''s more important¡ªhaving your decisions guide us for the new home, or to protect those still in the old one?


    Sasha frowned. Then she asked the Alphas that exact question. "There are reasons why it''s incredibly risky for me and Zev to go through the Gateway independently. That means he has to take me across unconscious. Our n was to drug me after everyone had gone, then he would carry mest¡ªso I''d be here to make all the decisions until it was all out of our control."


    "No, Sasha-don. You''re needed in the new ce. Your orders can be followed here in the event of any crisis. But we have no idea what we''re facing there. You''re needed."


    They debated back and forth¡ªSasha mainly arguing against. Something about it just didn''t feel right. But in the end, it was agreed by all that it was more important for her to be there.


    "Okay,'' she said to Zev. "Okay, fine. I guess you and I are going first, then those who live here now will follow¡ªlet''s alternate males and females so there are warriors on the other side to help us with protection and guidance as well. We''ll also space out the Alphas. So you talk among yourselves and figure out what order you''re going in. I want you interspersed with the others so there are always leaders on both sides."


    Everyone nodded or murmured agreement, and while the Alphas discussed what order they should take, Sasha turned back to Zev. But he was looking at his brother. Their eyes locked and Zev''s jaw tight.


    Sasha wasn''t sure what they were saying to each other, but whatever it was, Lhars wasn''t happy about it.


    She looked at Zev, but didn''t try to make him have two conversations in his head at the same time. She knew he''d fill her inter.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    I don''t want to do this. I can''t do it. I can''t leave her.


    Lhars'' voice in his head was insistent and loud, his face a hard mask. Zev didn''t drop eye contact.


    Youmitted. You practiced. We can''t risk sending anyone else through, now, Lhars. I''m sorry. I get it. I do. But there''s no other choice.


    She''s my mate. My new mate¡ªyou want me to send her into danger alone¡ªand with who knows how many males?


    I want you to do what I''ve done and what countless others have done and ept that we are all at risk and sometimes we have to put our individual needs aside for the greater good. You think I wanted to let Sasha go over to the human world without me? But look where it''s gotten us. Sometimes the hardest things are the most rewarding.


    You''re taking your mate through the gateway before any of this begins because the two of you can''t be separated!


    We can''t be separated because it may well kill one of us, and if it kills one of us, it kills both of us! Zev snarled back in his head. Trust me, this isn''t what she would have chosen. She''s over there getting antsy about it because it makes her feel guilty to keep herself safe when others are at risk. Like you.


    Lhars went quiet for a moment, shifting his weight so he pressed more into Kyelle''s shoulder.


    She turned her head and smiled at him, and his face softened immediately.


    Zev snorted, but then realized they''d all teased him for being the same way with Sasha.


    Lhars didn''t take his eyes off Kyelle, but continued to speak to Zev through the link.


    I am not unwilling¡­ I''m scared I''m incapable.


    Zev sent his brother a rush of empathy and the image of them standing shoulder to shoulder.


    I know the feeling.


    My heart pounds even thinking about leaving her¡ªespecially for this. That world is beautiful, Zev, and I can''t wait to get there. But we don''t know what will be there. And what if something happens to me? Kyelle has to lead her own n, help the females, and fight off the darkness of my loss all alone?


    Even through the link Lhars'' voice broke at the thought.


    Zev raked a hand through his hair and tried to look like he was paying attention to the conversation between the Alphas and Sasha about the order of their movement from Thana to the new world. But he couldn''t take it in.


    I told you, I know the feeling.


    Lhars visible sighed, then rubbed his face with a tense hand.


    How did you do it? How did you let her go through? How did you stay away from her when you went?


    Zev gave a very slight shake of his head. I had no choice when she left. I tried to stop her, he admitted. But I couldn''t get to her, and everyone else¡ªincluding you¡ªwere telling me to let her do what she needed to do, he pointed out.


    Lhars eyes snapped to meet his and his face went sad.


    I''m sorry, brother. I had no idea. I thought¡­ I thought you were underestimating her.


    Zev just stared at him.


    Lhars blew out a breath. Okay, okay. I get it.


    They were both quiet for a moment, then Zev sighed.


    I can''t answer this for you, Lhars. All I can say is, you''re needed. And she''s needed. And it''s in different ces. Please. Don''t add anotheryer of fear andplexity to this for Sasha.


    Lhars'' jaw tensed and he looked away from Zev to watch Kyelle offer her ideas to the Alpha discussion. He shook his head.


    I just pray we all get through this safely.

 Chapter 420 And Another Thing...

    <h4>Chapter 420 And Another Thing...</h4>


    If you like music while you read, try "Tomorrow We Fight" by Tommee Proffitt and SVRCINA. It''s what I was listening to while writing these scenes!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    "¡­One thing we haven''t even been able to address yet¡ªand I''m not sure how to¡ªis what Lhars learned on his trip through. I''m not sure how to address this with the greater Chimera. I assume that there will be males who are affected, but¡­" she trailed off and raked a hand through her hair as she realized the Alphas were all just staring, waiting for her to tell them the actual issue.


    She swallowed hard. "Last night we learned that the team have been somehow artificially growing the Chimera¡ªadvancing their physical development beyond their years. Lhars spoke directly with a female who was only ten years old¡ªshe was seven when she left here with her mother three years ago. And yet, she is a fully developed adult now. The others were not apparently shocked by this, which means that we have to assume that every young one that was taken with the females is now an adult in body, though they won''t be in mind." Sasha''s jaw tightened. "The Team is interfering with them and growing them so that they''re physically independent," she said through her teeth.


    She wasn''t sure what kind of reaction she''d expected, but she knew she''d thought it would be bigger than what she got from the Alphas. There was a low mutter among them and they all looked disgusted. But they didn''t seem surprised.


    Sasha blinked. They could hear about that kind of sick intervention and just¡­ be sad?


    She almost chastised them. She opened her mouth to reprimand them¡ªcouldn''t they see the implications of this? But Zev spoke into her head.


    They''ve seen so much, he said quietly. This is just one more betrayal. They made us, Sasha. They change us at their will. None of us like it, but don''t expect them to be surprised.


    Sasha sighed sadly. Theirck of surprise was a measure of how much they''d dealt with, how little she really knew of what they''d been put through by the humans. And it was a mark of how much more she still had to learn that she hadn''t anticipated that.


    Sasha took a deep breath. "Once we get to the Safe ce and have found a ce to settle, we''ll have to weed through any of the Chimera who came from thepound and find out which of them are still children. I will not allow the males to be confused by fertile females with children''s minds."


    There was another rumble of agreement through the Alphas, which gave her relief. Sometimes the Chimera surprised her in the ways they followed their animal instincts. She''d been afraid they might argue with this. She was grateful to hear their humanity outpaced their animal natures in this way. The idea of children being forced into mate bonds made her shudder.


    She met eyes with each of the Alphas and their seconds. "I''ll need your help to inform and¡­ restrain your males. There''s going to be a lot of chaos when we get there, a lot of confusion and excitement. We already have traumatized females here. The new ones will be even more insecure. I don''t want this to go badly for any soul¡ªmale or female. But the responsibility has to be on the males to understand that there should be no disys or¡­ pressure."


    Again they all nodded and grunted their agreement. Sasha was relieved.


    The next hour was taken up with discussions of the ns, who would move first, whether the females should go through the Gateway with the males of their ns, or they should split the Chimera by male and female.


    "Right now we''re dealing with females who are struggling to even leave their shelter. I think putting them in the hands of males¡ªeven the well-intentioned ones¡ªis a bridge too far. Let''s not put any other changes on them. They''re going to face so much in theing weeks, I hope. A new life, a newnd¡­ Since we have so many more males than females, I say we put through some of the males, then the females, then the rest of the males."


    There wasn''t an argument with that. And after the discussion of a few more logistics, they were finally done. Most of them still had other duties to perform that night before they tried to catch a few hours of sleep.


    When they broke the meeting up, most of the Alphas and their seconds left right away, hurrying to get to the next detail. Unsurprisingly, Lhars and Kyelle hurried off together¡ªstraight into the trees, rather than towards the trail. Sasha didn''t know whether to smile or be sad for them. They had no time at all.


    As the group disappeared, Sasha turned to find Zev standing a few feet away watching her.


    What? she asked in his mind since there were still Chimera nearby on the trail.


    You''re beautiful and strong, he said softly in her head. It still blows me away sometimes.


    She half-rolled her eyes, but she couldn''t stop the smile as she stepped towards him, straight into his chest, and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.


    What''s wrong?


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev sighed. Lhars is struggling. The bond is so demanding when it first clicks into ce¡ªyou remember? We had all that time to ourselves and it was still hard when we had to part. He''s¡­ resisting having to leave her. And leave her to a dangerous task. While he goes off and maybe gets himself killed too. It''s hard seeing thating.


    Sasha squeezed his waist.


    I pray that they''re both safe at the end of this. They deserve it.


    So do we, Zev said carefully,bing her hair back from her temples with his fingers. I mean, don''t we?


    She didn''t have time to answer before there was amotion on the trail behind them. Zev let her go and Sasha turned as one of the young male hares sprinted into the clearing, his breath tearing in and out of his throat.


    "Nick¡­ he''s back already¡­ he didn''t stay because¡­ he said there''s¡­ a problem. Needs to¡­ talk to you both."


    Sasha looked at Zev, fear and dismay coating her insides.


    Zev''s eyes narrowed. "Where is he?"


    The messenger gulped, his chest heaving. "At the vige. They held him there and¡­ he didn''t tell anyone until¡­ he got there¡­ they were trying to¡­ talk to the wolves¡­ no one knew where you were."


    Zev winced. He and Lhars had been the only wolves present, and neither of them had thought to check in with the others. They were going to have to do better.


    "Thank you," Sasha said to the youth calmly. "Now, go get some rest. We''ll get to the vige as quickly as we can."


    The hare submitted then turned on his heel and walked out of the clearing, his steps wobbling. The poor kid had really pushed himself. He wondered how long it had been since Nick showed up.


    Some of the others had seen the messenger and rushed back along the trail to hear what was going on, but Sasha just waved them off. "We''ll deal with it. Lhars, I''m sorry to ask, but can you get some wolves to¡­ link or whatever it is you guys do? Make sure they''re ready to hear what''s needed so Zev can reach you all and they can get the word out?"


    Lhars'' throat bobbed and he pulled Kyelle tighter against his side, but he nodded. Then Sasha looked at him.


    Zev couldn''t resist it. He gave her a cheeky grin. "Do you want a ride?"


    She snorted, but he saw how quickly the smile fell from her face when he shifted so she could climb on.


    He was already exhausted, and yet, his body hummed with an excess of energy. A run would be good.


    He tried not to let himself specte about what might have gone wrong. It could have been anything.


    As Sasha mbered onto his back and he began to run, he opened his mind fully, to allow any wolf to contact him¡ªand to reach as many of them as were listening.


    Wolves, be at the ready. Our enemy is at work. Sasha-don and I are going to find out exactly what''s going on. But we need you to ready yourselves to listen and to move. To fight. If this is truly dire, we''ll move tonight. Make sure all the ns are prepared.


    Howls rose across the Thana forest and Zev blew the air from his nose. But he ran on. And as he ran, he opened his mind to that unknown deity as well. The Creator he was certain was watching all of this unfold.


    He swallowed hard. But spoke his heart.


    If you''re real, and you care about Sasha¡­ keep us both safe. Keep us all safe.


    Please.


    *****


    THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE LONGER CHAPTER TONIGHT AND TOMORROW. There''s some exciting developmentsing over the course of this month and I want to make sure they aren''t split. Look forward to a chunk of FIVE chapters this weekend! And maybe moreter in the month. Watch this space!


    This message was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.

 Chapter 421 Problems

    <h4>Chapter 421 Problems</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    The run to the city seemed to take forever. Traveling on Zev was always so much faster than when she had to walk. Yet this time it seemed like pouring honey, every step in slow-motion. Probably because her heart was pounding and her mind spinning a mile a minute. It felt like they were running to catch a something falling¡ªand they couldn''t know if they''d make it, or be destroyed.


    What was Nick bringing them? News that would help them? Or a plot to betray them? She couldn''t know.


    Her head buzzed with questions and fears, and her body was so tense it hurt. She kept forcing the muscles in her back and neck to rx. Or trying to, anyway. But as soon as she stopped thinking about them they would tense again.


    Are you okay? Zev asked in her head.


    Just tense. Do you trust Nick? I mean, could this all be a setup? Or do you think he''s running ahead of the team to warn us?


    It''s impossible to know with him, Zev said, his voice t and dark. If he has a reason to think it''s better to y into Nathan''s hand, he''ll do it. But if he doesn''t¡­ he''ll help us.


    Can you tell when he''s lying?


    Most of the time. When it''s something this big, he''s more guarded, so¡­ I think so, but I won''t know for sure until we talk to him.


    You tell me the minute you''re sure.


    I will. Of course I will.


    Zev ran on for another minute without speaking, Sasha clinging to his back. She was getting better at moving with him as he ran so she didn''t jolt on his back so much. But that didn''t mean she was easy for him to carry.


    You must be exhausted, she murmured into his head, feeling sad for him. Sasha was utterly worn out. She''d only gotten a couple of hours of sleep the night before, and she''d been on her feet most of the day. She couldn''t imagine what Zev was going through. He''d had to do far more than she had today.


    I needed to run, was all he said. She didn''t like the hollowness in his tone.


    Sasha was about to ask what he meant by that when Zev seemed to stumble, then pitched forward slightly. It was as if the world vibrated. For a moment she thought she was just tired enough that his steps were beginning to jar her, but then Zev stumbled for real, and slowed so he wouldn''t throw her off by ident.


    And before either of them could say anything, they both felt it.


    The ground trembled under Zev''s feet.


    Sasha sucked in a terrified breath and her hands tightened on Zev''s fur. Her first thought was that they were toote. The humans were here and already waging war on the unsuspecting Chimera. Visions of weapons and blood and death swam through her mind and she swore. But then Zev stopped running and crouched low so she could slide off easily.


    Then he returned to his human form, but didn''t tug her behind him as he usually would when there was a threat.


    "Yhet," was all he said, watching the trail ahead.


    Sasha sighed with relief. "Does he know we''re here?"


    Zev nodded. "He has the wind. But he''s still running." But there was a tension in him that made Sasha nervous. She went still. If Yhet knew they were there and he was still running for them¡ªreally running¡ªthere was a big problem.


    "Nick," she breathed. Zev nodded, but kept looking ahead for their friend. Then Yhet appeared around the corner and Zev held onto Sasha''s arm as the huge male''s pounding feet made the entire forest shake under her like there was an earthquake.


    "Sasha-don!" Yhet eximed, sliding to a halt just in front of them. "Patty is here! She came through just a little while ago and¡ª"


    "With Nick?" Zev snapped.


    Yhet shook his head, his eyes intense. "She came through after him."


    "Get her tied up, it''s a trap!" Zev growled. "We''lle talk to her after we hear from Nick¡ª"


    But Yhet shook his head again. "No, no," he turned to Sasha. "Sasha-don, please. You have toe talk to her. You''ll see. This is no trick. She''s¡­ she''s been in another world and it''s changed her. She''s desperate. And she''s saying you have to hear what she knows."


    Sasha looked at Zev, whose hands were balled into fists at his sides. But he watched her, waiting for her decision. It was humbling¡ªand terrifying. Why did they all believe she would know better? These people were humans, sure. But they''d known them longer than she had.


    Sasha tried to swallow her nerves. "They have to be linked," she said. "Right? This can''t be happening with both of them at the same time unless Nick knows something."


    Zev growled. "I''m going to make sure Nick tells us what he knows¡ª"


    "Sasha, listen!" Yhet demanded and Sasha blinked. His tone brooked no argument and his face was fierce, his hair flying wildly around his face. She looked at him, shocked, but Yhet didn''t stop. "I am certain of it, Sasha. You have to speak with Patty first. She knows things. Nick tricked her. He sent her to another world because she knows things."


    Sasha sucked in a breath and looked at Zev, whose face was thunderous. Was Yhet talking about what they''d already discovered? Or was there something more?


    That made the decision as far as Sasha was concerned.


    "Where is she?" she said.


    "They''re bringing her. She''s in a bad shape. She''s been hurt. So she can''t move quickly. I came to get you, to carry you to her if it was needed."


    Zev growled, but swallowed it, shaking his head. Then, without a word, he shifted back to his wolf form and looked at her over his shoulder.


    Sasha sighed and crawled back on. "Lead the way, Yhet."


    She clung hard, her neck and shoulders tense and screaming as they began to run and Yhet''s thundering footsteps threatened to put Zev off his feet with every step.


    *****


    They were still a few minutes from the Vige when the trail widened and began to round curve around one of therger trees. Zev and Yhet both slowed just before entering the turn, and when they swung through the corner, slowed further as the trees opened and a group could be seen trudging towards them.


    Zev trotted to a halt, then sank down on his haunches again for Sasha to get down, while Yhet looked on, his face tense and uncertain.


    The group was a handful of guards, plus Skhal, and between them, a woman¡­ but despite the cool night air, she wore no furs, just a ripped long-sleeve shirt and a pair of leather pants. She stumbled along between the males, eyeing them as if every time she looked at them she wanted to scream, but her jaw was set and she limped on. One of her legs didn''t seem to be working properly.


    Sasha barely recognized her. Patty''s hair had been shorn so it was barely more than fuzz, all one length all the way over her scalp. She was covered in dirt, smears of what looked to be blood or scrapes on her skin, and the shadows of bruises that were dark enough even Sasha could see them in the dim light.


    But then Patty caught sight of Sasha ahead and her eyes widened. She broke into a shuffling run, the guards around her keeping pace easily as she crossed thest of the space between them. She could barely run, one of her legs didn''t seem to want to hold her weight, but she rushed toward Sasha as if they were long-lost friends.


    "Sasha. Thank God¡­ thank God," she sobbed.


    "Patty?" Sasha said uncertainly as the woman threw herself into Sasha''s chest. Zev growled, but she had no weapons and she looked exhausted. Sasha didn''t feel unsafe. Patty was¡­ ragged.


    Her shoulders heaved¡ªfrom panting breath or sobs, Sasha wasn''t sure. But when Patty straightened, she held her shoulders and stared into her eyes. "I''m so sorry," she said, swallowing hard, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I didn''t understand. I wasn''t¡­ I didn''t realize. I thought everything we''d been doing was for the greater good and that justified it. I''m so sorry!"


    "Patty," Sasha said uneasily as the males surrounded them, unhappy about how closely Patty was holding her. "What''s going on?"


    Patty''s face crumpled. "I''m so sorry. I forgot you don''t know¡­ Nick told me how to focus when I went into the Gateway¡ªhe said it was dangerous for human minds to focus the same way Chimera would. He told me what to wish forndmarks to seek. So I did. And when I got through Inded¡­ somewhere else. Somewhere where I was weak and they took me and they¡­ they hurt me. I didn''t think I''d ever get free. They were using me like an animal. I didn''t know how that felt. I''m so sorry!"


    "Patty, calm down. You need to tell me what you''re talking about. What are you sorry about? What didn''t you understand?"


    Patty slumped in Sasha''s arms. Then she took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes her brow was crinkled and her eyes so sad it made Sasha want to weep. "I''m sorry because¡­ I helped the Board take your baby," she whispered. "I''m sorry, Sasha. I didn''t know. I swear I didn''t realize what it was doing to you!"

 Chapter 422 [Bonus chapter] No.

    <h4>Chapter 422 [Bonus chapter] No.</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    Everything in her head went silent. And then it all screamed.


    Next to her, Zev, who''d gone utterly still at the woman''s words, suddenlyunched forward with a guttural snarl and was intercepted by two of the guards and Yhet, while Sasha struggled to find any room in her head to even think, let alone speak.


    Patty gripped her shoulders, her eyes pleading and grieving. And she was still talking, Sasha realized. There was more.


    Holy fuck, there was more.


    "They knew you were pregnant and the imntation wouldn''t have taken yet. They knew they could remove it without harming you and¡ªthey wanted to do that. I helped them do that! Please, believe me, Sasha, I never meant harm! I just didn''t know¡ª"


    "What are you saying? They¡­ they killed my baby?" Sasha''s voice was broken and behind her, Zev snarled again and was restrained by Yhet who held him from behind in a bear hug.


    "No! No! Your baby''s alive! At least¡­ he was¡­"


    "He?" Zev rasped.


    Patty blinked, then turned to look at Zev, looking surprised, like she''d forgotten he was there. "Yes. It''s male."


    A whine like none Sasha had ever heard broke in Zev''s throat and he became a whirlwind so that even Yhet was struggling to hold him.


    Zev, please. Please stop! Sasha pleaded with him in his mind. Her heart was breaking and his was too, and she knew that. But she needed¡­ she needed to think. She needed to breathe.


    She shook Patty and the woman looked back at her again. "How can you say he''s alive? If it was just an embryo¡ª"


    "They do this all the time, Sasha. This part is no big deal for them anymore. They hardly ever lose them¡ªnot for the past several years. The problem is getting embryos in the first ce. But once they have one¡­"


    "How?! Where? Where is my child?!"


    Patty gulped. "They''re growing him," she whispered, her fingers wing into Sasha''s arms. Her nails, ragged and dirty, bit on Sasha''s skin even through the furs she wore. "They can do that, Sasha. They grow them¡­ it''s what they do. They just¡­ they just needed him¡ª"


    Sasha shoved the woman away from her, her entire body recoiling from the idea of being close to this woman.


    "You? You did this? You helped them do this?"


    "I thought I was helping. I thought I was saving lives!" she wailed, her hands clutched at her chest. "I swear, Sasha, I thought it was good. I thought we were doing good. But they showed me. They showed me. I understand now¡ªI''m sorry. I''m so sorry!"


    She tried to reach for Sasha again, but Sasha felt like she was going to vomit. "Don''t touch me. Tell me where he is. Tell me how to find him!"


    "You can''t! He''s in theb. They''re growing him. They won''t even take him out for three months, they can''t. He''s safe. Sasha. I swear it, he''s safe. He''s so valuable to them¡ª"


    "SHUT UP!" Sasha screamed and instinctively pped both her hands over her ears to stop anything else from getting in.


    She stumbled backward, struggling to breathe, as, behind her, Zev began to struggle to reach her, snarling at Yhet to let him go, while Sasha turned her back and stared at the forest, her mind numb with shock, her stomach lead.


    They''d taken her baby. These fuckers had done it. They''d known exactly what they were doing the whole time. They''d nned everything. And she''d fallen for it. At every step.


    Suddenly warm arms were around her. A tall, strong presence at her back¡ªthat perfect presence. Zev leaned over her, hugging her to his chest, curled himself around her as he always had since she was seventeen years old. And she fit. She fit. She always fit there, in that ce.


    They were both trembling, but he murmured in her ear.


    "¡­ get him back. We''ll get him back Sasha. Don''t doubt it. We will get him back, or die trying. I will not leave him in their hands."


    She turned to face him then, staring up at him, taking his beautiful face in her hands.


    His eyes looked ck in the darkness, but pinpoints of light shone¡ªdetermination, fear, rage¡­ everything she felt was reflected in that pair of eyes that she loved more than any other on earth.


    "They took our baby," she whispered.


    Zev''s chest jumped and he held her tighter. "We''ll get him back."


    "We have to, Zev. We have to."


    "We will."


    She turned around in his arms, burying her face in his chest, and sobbed into his furs. Zev held her so tightly she could barely breathe, but she wanted it tighter. Yearned to press herself into him and nevere out. This world was too much. Too painful. Too frightening. Too ugly.


    There was a scuffle behind Zev¡ªPatty trying to get to her, she thought. But she didn''t even look up. Let the males take care of it because she couldn''t look at that woman. Not yet.


    She needed a minute. Just a minute to breathe through the pain and abject terror that now tore at her guts.


    She had a baby. They had a baby.


    Nathan had her baby.


    A sound like she''d never made in her life tore out of her throat and she screamed, shoving Zev away and turning to where Patty was being held by the guards.


    "How could you?! How COULD YOU?!"


    "He''s safe!" Patty cried. "They want him alive. They want him healthy. They''re doing everything they can¡ª"


    "Except loving him! They''ll never love him¡ªhow could you be a part of that?!"


    "I never will be again, I swear it, Sasha. I was¡­ I was taken¡­ in that ce¡­ When I stepped out of the gateway, I wasn''t a scientist, I was the animal to them. I didn''t know. I didn''t know! Please, you have to believe me!"


    "I will never believe another word thates out of your mouth!" Sasha snarled, her hands wed at her sides. She wanted to tear this woman''s face off. Wanted to y her skin from her bones. She wanted her dead.


    Sasha had never wanted a person dead before, but now she did. Patty. Nick. Nathan. Everyone in that fuckingpound.


    She wanted them all dead.

 Chapter 423 Heartbeat

    <h4>Chapter 423 Heartbeat</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev''s entire body shook so hard that his feet scuffed on the ground. Sasha fell apart in his arms and his heart pounded so hard, that piece where they''d shared themselves pulsing so violently it felt like his chest was about to rip open.


    He''d known, deep down, that this was a possibility. But he hadn''t wanted to even think of it. It was why he''d avoided confronting Nick. Because Nick would have lied, and Zev would have caught the lie, and Zev would have killed him.


    Correction, Zev was going to kill him.


    He could smell the rage beginning to burn in Sasha too. Her scent had been washed in grief and fear when they''d first heard those awful words. But as she stood there, as he held her, while the other emotions hadn''t eased, her anger had roared to life and was now burning like a torch, lighting her scent¡ªand her eyes.


    She paced the dirt in front of him, hands in her hair, while the guards watched on. They might not understand a female''s sense of loss directly, but all the Chimera cherished offspring and hated the humans. To hear that one of theirs had been taken when it was so young and vulnerable¡­


    He, Zev reminded himself. His child was a he.


    His chest shuddered with a swallowed sob.


    Zev was a father.


    He had a son.


    And that fucker Nick had known.


    His hands shook as he raked them back and forth through his hair.


    He felt like he stood in chaos. The calm at the center of a tornado. Except¡­ the opposite was true. His entire being had been rocked and was being thrown to and fro, like a leaf in the wind. Around him was rtive calm.


    The guards held Patty, who sobbed and pleaded with Sasha. He didn''t think his mate could even hear her.


    Yhet stood alongside them, poised to catch anyone who got loose¡ªincluding Zev himself. Being enclosed in those iron arms had very nearly tipped him over the edge. Yhet must have realized because he''d loosed his hold on Zev and muttered that he would let him go if only he''d prove he was in control of his own decisions.


    Zev had made himself still, though he was still trembling, then Yhet had let him go, pping a hand to his shoulder as Zev rushed to Sasha.


    But now his mate was in turmoil¡ªpacing, swearing, not meeting anyone''s eyes.


    "We have to get him out," she said.


    "You can''t. Not yet," Patty sobbed. "You''ll kill him if you take him out of the incubator before he''s at least three months. They usually try for four, just to be safe."


    Sasha turned on her. "You knew! You knew all of this and you let me leave!"


    "For your safety! For theirs. You will have other children, Sasha. And this one¡­ this one will save so many lives. They know what he can do now. They know what Zev can do and they''re certain that the baby will be the same. They''ve found the gene."


    "What are you talking about?" Zev growled.


    Patty looked at him, wide-eyed. "You are Abraham, Zev. The father of a nation. As numerous as the stars. They aren''t taking chances this time. They''ll grow him, and clone him. And if you have more, they''ll clone them, too. It''s easier to do when they can match the gics of an embryo¡ªthey were toote with you. The process is too wed. But not this time. This time they know¡ªthey can follow the recipe. The exact gic code. The exact growth and hormone pattern. They are¡­ they''re building a new race, Zev. And you''re the father of it. Can''t you see? You''re going to save the world¡ª"


    "STOP TALKING LIKE A FUCKING PROPHET!" Sasha screamed. She plowed forward, shoving Patty to the ground when the Guards let her go. She pulled back a leg to kick the woman, but Zev grabbed her at the waist and pulled her away, struggling to hold her as she tried to push his arm off and run for the woman. "THAT''S MY FUCKING CHILD YOU''RE TALKING ABOUT!"


    "I''m sorry! I''m sorry!"


    "NO, YOU AREN''T YOU''RE STILL IN LOVE WITH WHAT THOSE SICK FUCKS DO!"


    "No, I''m not! I''m not! I promise you! I just¡­ I wanted you to know¡­ we don''t follow them because we''re trying to hurt. We follow them because we''re trying to help!"


    He still held her at the waist, but he''d let her to the ground, holding her against his hip. Sasha shook her head, then turned to look up at him as if she''d never seen him before.


    "How can you all fall for this¡­ bullshit that they spew?!" she cried, including all of them in her rage, even the guards, who looked nervously at Zev. "How do they suck you in so you will follow them? How can you do these things and tell yourself that they''re okay?"


    He knew it was a rhetorical question, but it was one he''d been asking himself for months, and he finally knew the answer.


    "Because we couldn''t have lived with ourselves if we didn''t," he croaked.


    Sasha went still, her hands still sped, prying at his forearm as she tried to get loose. "What¡­ what are you saying, Zev?" she whispered.


    Zev closed his eyes for a moment, the ache within him growing. "They¡­ they give you a vision," he whispered. "They show you what it will look like at the end and¡­ it sounds perfect." He swallowed hard. "Then they tell you what you have to do to get there and they make it sound like it''s worth it."


    Patty, now on all fours at the feet of the guard, nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks.


    But Sasha turned. "What did they do to you?" she asked, her voice broken. "What haven''t you told me?"


    The answer to that question bloomed in his mind, though he''d never admitted it to another person, not even a Chimera. The temptation was there to speak it. To finally absolve himself of all the sick and horrible ways he''d been deceived, and all the ways he''d acted at the hand of these fuckers. But there was already too much to face. Too many things to deal with.


    I will tell you, he said into her head. I promise I will. But right now, we have a people and a baby to save.


    Sasha''s face crumpled.

 Chapter 424 Justice v. Revenge

    <h4>Chapter 424 Justice v. Revenge</h4>


    ~ SASHA ~


    "Zev! No!" Sasha scrambled to her feet. He couldn''t do it. They had to find out what Nick knew! "Zev! Stop!" she ran a few paces after him, but he was already out of sight, galloping in his wolf form, his coat blending into the forest ahead even before he turned a corner and was obscured by the trees.


    She whirled to face the others whose expressions ranged from surprise to approval. "We have to stop him! Nick knows things we need to know! If he kills him, we''ll never¡­ I mean, we won''t know if¡­"


    "Sasha-don," one of the guards said gently, "he goes to stand in defense of his family, his n. It''s the right thing to do."


    "Not if that male he''s about to kill can tell us how to save everyone else!" she snarled. "Do you think I don''t want to see him dead? Do you think I don''t want them all dead?! I do! But that''s not the point. Revenge won''t save anyone who''s already been hurt. If we don''t get the information he has, we might be killed ourselves and then they win!"


    The guards looked at each other. Patty stayed on the ground, shaking her head and crying softly. Sasha wanted to scream. Couldn''t they see?!


    But then Yhet stepped forward¡ªquickly. Sasha looked at him, was going to ask him, but he stepped into a run, sweeping her up in one arm and pulling her into his chest like a child. "Hold on, Sasha," he rumbled.


    Then the wind hit her back so hard that her hair blew into her face. "Yhet¡ªwhoa!"


    She squawked when he flipped her onto her back and hooked an arm under her legs, holding her the way Zev often did when he carried her. But Yhet made no sly smile or suggestive wink. "Hold on, Sasha," he repeated.


    She threw her arms around his neck and clung as he picked up his pace.


    The forest flew by in a blur. She was jolted with every step and if she let herself think about what was going on, she might have screamed in fear. But instead, she pressed her face against the side of Yhet''s neck and hugged her massive friend.


    "Can you catch him?" she asked.


    "Yes." He wasn''t even breathing heavily. How did he do this?


    "Can you stop him?"


    "Yes, but I won''t."


    "What? Yhet! Why not?"


    "Because Nick deserves to die," Yhet said, his voice a low growl that made Sasha think of rocks and boulders tumbling down a stone hill.


    "Yhet, listen to me: We wereing this way because Nick had sent a message that there were problems with the humans."


    "Nick lies."


    "Yes, but Zev''s pretty good at telling when he''s lying. And even if he is, then we know what they''re trying to push us towards¡ªwe know what to avoid! Please, Yhet. We have to stop him."


    She turned her face forward to look and see if she could see Zev, but his wolf was nowhere to be seen. Would Zev even have stuck to the trail? She doubted it. Still looking forward, her eyes watered so badly in the wind of their passage, and they were moving so quickly, that the tears were pressed back towards her temples instead of falling down her cheeks.


    Never again would she view Yhet as a gentle giant. The guy was a force of nature. Sasha turned back to press her face into his shoulder.


    "Yhet, please. Help me stop him. Just for a time. If he''s not helping us I''ll¡­ I''ll let you two do whatever you think is right."


    Yhet didn''t respond immediately, but she could feel him thinking. Trying not to take advantage, she just held on and prayed that he''d see the light.


    Finally, mid-run, Yhet sighed. "Very well, Sasha," he said quietly. "I''ll help you stop him if it''s needed."


    "Thank you, Yhet."


    "But you should not stop him forever, Sasha," Yhet continued. "Sometimes¡­ sometimes it will do a male good to be the hand of justice in the life of another."


    Sasha winced. "Is it justice though, Yhet? Or revenge? Because I''m all about these guys getting revealed to be what they are and punished. But I feel like if we just kill them, they look like victims¡ªand whoever they left behind just keeps doing what they''re doing. They need to be¡­ unmasked."


    Yhet frowned, his face barely quivering despite the punishing pace he was running at. "I''ll think on that," he said gruffly.


    Sasha nodded and held tightly as they continued down the trail. She just prayed they''d get there quickly enough that Nick would still be alive and coherent so she could ask him questions.


    *****


    A couple of minutester they flew into the vige, males calling for Yhet as he passed.


    He slowed down to a walk and called to one of them. "Have you seen Zev-dan? He might have been in his wolf form?"


    The male shook his head. Yhet ground his teeth and it sounded like rocks being broken down by machinery.


    "Where is Nick?" Sasha called as Yhet let her down to the ground. It was a strange feeling, like her dad putting her down when she was a little girl. But she stifled the feeling and just eyed the males straight.


    "He was being guarded at his hut a few minutes ago."


    Yhet turned on his heel, pulling Sasha along with him, though he kept his pace to a slow jog for her as they passed through the vige on the way to Nick''s hut.


    When they reached the square there were a lot more people around, and Sasha peered around, looking for Zev, listening for the sound of his voice.


    When she heard it, she broke into a run.


    Zev was snarling through his teeth, each sentence punctuated by thuds and grunts.


    As they rushed forward, Sasha''s heart dropped.


    Zev had Nick by the chest of his ck outfit. He picked the older man up bodily and threw him down onto the ground.


    Nick made a strange groan and a wheeze when hended, then curled up to cover his stomach and head as Zev kicked right into his ribs.


    "Zev! Stop!" Sasha screamed. "We have to find out what he knows!"

 Chapter 425 No More

    <h4>Chapter 425 No More</h4>


    ~ ZEV ~


    As he ran, Zev stretched out with his mind to find any of his pack nearby. To his satisfaction, the guards set on Nick were wolves, so Zev had let them know he wasing and asked them to turn their backs and walk away.


    But, Zev, Sasha said we''re supposed to make sure no one gets to him, and he doesn''t get to anyone else.


    This fucker is mine, Zev growled in their heads. "I''ve just left Sasha, she''sing too. You back away from that ce and leave. Go find another post, help them guard the Cave, and make sure no humanse through. There won''t be a need for you here anymore."


    After a few seconds, all four of the guards had submitted¡ªeven in their heads, he could feel them tten their ears and tuck their tails in. When he galloped into the vige there was no one to be seen, and by the time he raced into the square and across it towards the shack they''d given Nick in the trees not far from the center of the vige, even the guards had peeled quietly away.


    So when Zev sprinted up to the door and had retaken his human form, shouldering through the door, it was to find a shocked Nick, sitting on a bench in the little shack, holding one of those fucking devices.


    He hadn''t even realized his guards had left.


    Zev stopped dead, his body coiling for the strike, but Nick hadn''t read the danger in him. He looked relieved.


    "Thank God you''re here," he muttered. "Took you long enough. How inefficient are those messengers? Get me back to the human world where we can use technology. Is Sasha with you? We have to¡ª"


    With a puttering growl, Zevunched for his throat, then dragged a suddenly red-faced and squawking Nick out of the shack by his neck and threw him to the dirt outside.


    "What the fuck, Zev!" he cried, clearly shocked.


    "You bastard."


    "What the hell is going on?" Nick''s face was wide and his eyes darted around like he was afraid, but he''d already gotten his feet and hands underneath him and was readying himself to leap to his feet in exactly the way he''d taught Zev to do it. Zev didn''t miss that he was working to look dismayed and confused even as his eyes scanned the clearing for help¡ªor further attack.


    "You let them take my baby, Nick. You''re a fucking dead man."


    Nick''s eyes went wide at the word ''baby,'' and he raised a hand. "Wait, no, it''s not what you think¡ª"


    But Zev snarled and punched him square in the jaw.


    Nick made a weird noise and mmed back into the dirt, stunned.


    "Asshole, bastard, cuntfaced¡ª" Zev snarled the words, his wolf leaping to the fore and snapping to be released. He trembled with the urge to give in and let the animal sink its teeth into Nick''s throat. Rage was a bonfire in his chest. But then Nick tried to crawl away and Zev was on him like a hawk on a mouse, punching, shoving, and kicking Nick around the clearing as the man scrambled, trying to protect himself and move away at the same time.


    "You sick fuck!"


    "Zev! Argh! You have to listen to me!"


    "Fucking murderer¡ª"


    "You can''t¡ª"


    "Zev!" Sasha''s voice was high and desperate. How had she gotten there so quickly? But as she came into view, Yhet was on her heels and Zev swore again.


    Nick was distracted by them, had rolled to his stomach, and was trying to get to his feet. Zev caught him with a lightning kick to the ribs and he grunted and went down.


    "I don''t want to fight you," Nick wheezed. "But I will."


    "Always words, Nick. Always fucking WORDS!" Zev screamed at him, one arm cocked to take the guy out.


    But Sasha slid between them while Yhet stood over Nick, his thick arms folded, his eyes narrowed at the human male who looked pathetic, crouching behind Sasha.


    "Get out of the way, Sasha!"


    "No! Zev! We have to find out what he knows!"


    "I didn''te back to hurt you, Zev, I came back to help you!"


    "Shut UP, Nick!" they both screamed at him.


    "You have to listen to me, Zev!" Nick croaked, holding his ribs.


    "What about our child, Nick?! Your help is bullshit! Why aren''t you helping him?!"


    Nick was aghast. "How did you know?"


    Zev''s eyes widened and he cocked his arm back again, but Sasha put her hands up, pushing into his chest. "No, Zev, please! Just hold off!"


    "I''m going to kill you, you fucker! I''m going to kill you for being a part of that!"


    "I wasn''t a fucking part of it! I was the one trying to get you all away safely!"


    "Bullshit!"


    "Zev," Sasha was near tears, one hand on his arm to stop him from throwing the punch, blocking his body with her own to stop him from kicking Nick again. "Please! Just let me talk to him!"


    "I''m not the enemy here, Zev. Don''t you remember who it was that took care of you? Who yed with you? Who gave you a home instead of a cage? That was me¡ªor have you forgotten that part?"


    "You think that makes up for kidnapping my child?!"


    "No! I think it means you can trust me that I wasn''t working against you."


    Zev scoffed so hard that he lost his breath. "I can''t trust you as far as I can throw you!" Then his eyes got dark. "Why don''t we see how far that is?"


    "Zev, no!" Sasha squealed, but he darted around her to scoop Nick up by the back of his pants and shirt as the older man tried to scramble away, then he lifted him and threw him against a tree trunk.


    Nick grunted and wheezed, "What the fuck is wrong with you?!"


    "I think I have a clue." The needling voice, that strange, dissonant tone came from behind the tree as Ernie stepped out and smiled at Zev. "Can I help?"

 Chapter 426 Him

    Chapter 426 Him


    If you like music while reading, try "I Think We''re Alone Now - Epic Trailer Version" by Hidden Citizens. It''s what I was listening to while writing the next few scenes!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev smiled and Nick made a small whimper in his throat as Ernie clicked his two front spider-legs together, smiling wildly so that he looked like a cartoon superviin.


    "No, Ernie," Sasha said breathlessly from behind him. Zev whirled. Why would she stop anything that tormented Nick? "This is a private conversation," she said, her voice trembling.


    Zev''s anger did battle with his love for his mate in that moment. He knew Sasha didn''t want any of them to know¡ªthough they were going to have to tell the people, he knew. He hadn''t thought about how, or when, but if they were going to save their son, they had to do it before they went to the safe ce. Which meant that they would be split up from everyone else. They were going to have to tell them why.


    Ernie looked back and forth between Zev and Sasha, uncertain of the etiquette.


    "I said, no, Ernie," Sasha snapped, stepping forward to Zev''s side. "I appreciate your willingness to help, and I would like you to stay nearby in case Nick tries to run. If you see him outside the confines of the vige without guards or one of us, you have my permission to¡­ do whatever you wish?"


    Ernie''s eyebrows rose, then he turned to smile at Nick, whose eyes went wide.


    "Did you know he can make webs, Nick? Big ones. You can''t really see them, but they''ll hold you faster than any jail cell."


    "I''d¡­" Nick cleared his throat. "I''d heard."


    Ernie huffed augh, but Zev just stared at the man he''d called father for so long.


    "Screw Ernie. I want you dead. At my hands," he snarled.


    Nick''s face fell, and if Zev hadn''t reached the point where he didn''t believe a single thing Nick did or said, he would have thought he''d hurt him.


    As Sasha arranged for Ernie to patrol the trail towards the cave, then sent him off into the trees, Zev and Nick locked eyes. Nick had gotten to his feet, hands at the ready to defend, and the light in his eyes that Zev knew well from their training.


    "I don''t want to fight you, Zev," Nick said, that steely resolve in his voice that usually made Zev''s stomach drop.


    Not today, Satan.


    "Well, I do." Zev smiled the smile he saved for prey, dropped his chin, and rushed forward¡ªbut Nick danced out of the way, his hands up to protect his face and chest, so they were left circling, trying to find an opening.


    "Yhet, please!" Sasha begged. "Stop them before they hurt each other."


    As Zev and Nick both circled each other, each waiting for the other to strike, Yhet shook his head. "Sorry, Sasha-don. Zev is Second and he sees an enemy. Only you can stop him."


    "That''s my boy, Yhet," Zev growled.


    "If I can order Zev, I can order you!" Sasha insisted.


    But Yhet just shook his head again. "Not when battle is imminent, Sasha. Interfering with a warrior in a fight is a good way to get that warrior killed."


    Nick narrowed his eyes.


    "Oh for the love of¡ª" Sasha made a noise that was half-growl, half sob. Then, just as Zev circled and could see her face again, she fixed him with piercing eyes. "I vowed to keep him safe. And I don''t know what the humans will do if I don''t," she growled. "I also believe he has information that we need¡ª"


    Nick''s eyes slipped to Sasha for a split second, and Zev took his shot¡ªa jab to those sore ribs, then a knee into his kidney, and Nick was down.


    Zev, who''d scrambled back after his attack in case there was retaliation, leaped forward again, but Nick, down on all fours on the ground, his shoulders heaving, was bellowing.


    "I was going to tell you when I knew for sure the kid lived and was safe! There was no point if they killed it because it was already done when I found out. It wouldn''t have changed anything if it hadn''t lived. I didn''t want you to know because I didn''t want you to grieve!"


    Sasha and Zev both froze.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    "What?" Sasha snapped.


    Nick, panting and grimacing against pain, forced himself to his feet and turned to face them both. "I was going to tell you," he growled. "Both of you. I was checking on him when I went back. Making sure he was alive and well cared for. I''ve been protecting him!"


    Zev gaped at him. "You? Protect? Him? Like you protected me? Are you fucking kidding me, Nick?"


    "You can say what you want now, Zev, but I''m the only reason both of you are still here, and you know it," Nick snapped. "And your child is going to be alive for you thanks to me, because they wanted to do gic tests even while¡­ even while he was so small. They weren''t even going to tell you about him, just raise him as their own if he was healthy. They take risks, always risks. And I stopped them!"


    "If he''s¡­ healthy?" Sasha stunned. "And if he''s not?"


    Nick didn''t respond.


    Zev shot forward, snapping his teeth, the unholy growl of an Alpha wolf on the edge of his leash erupting from his throat. Nick froze, his eyes locked on Zev''s.


    "You answer her," Zev snarled.


    Nick raised his hands and dropped his chin, shaking his head. But he didn''t answer.


    "I''m going to fucking kill you!"


    Zevunched at him, Sasha gasping for him to stop, but it was Nick''s voice that echoed around the clearing. As Zev took hold of him, Nick fought, scrambling to keep Zev at arm''s length and screaming.


    "You need me! You need me because I can get you to him! I can show you how to reach him!"


    Zev slid to a halt, Sasha gaping at his side.


    Nick kept his hands up, his shoulders forward, chin down. He made the picture of a submitted male. Zev''s throat bobbed.


    "I can help you get to the rightb," Nick muttered. "To him. I can get you in."

 Chapter 427 Dead Man Walking

    Chapter 427 Dead Man Walking


    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev, teeth bared, his entire body taut and trembling, held Nick by his shirt. His muscles bulged as if they''d break through the stretchy material, and a vein appeared on his forehead.


    Sasha barely breathed. She''d never seen Zev look so deadly. She blinked. If she''d seen him like that without knowing him, she would have run.


    She didn''t know what to say. He was stretched to breaking point and she worried that the wrong word would make him snap.


    Nick seemed to have no such concerns. Although he looked nervous and had his arms braced on Zev''s shoulder and chest, he didn''t drop his gaze, and his jaw was tight too.


    "Think it through, Zev," Nick said quietly, calmly, but firmly, like he was coaching a kid who was about to get out of control. "We want the same thing here. I want that kid in your hands as much as you do."


    "Bull. Shit," Zev snarled.


    "Listen to me, Zev. You''re proof. They just can''t see it. I want that kid in your hands because it''s going to finally work."


    Zev''s breath shuddered and Sasha hurried to his side, to intervene before Nick got himself killed.


    "Nick," she said, her voice shaking with thebination of anger and fear this entire situation had unleashed, "Stop being cagey. State it in. Why do you want Zev to have his son? Why should we believe that you''d help us get him and not make it some trap to keep us at thepound?"


    "Because, Zev is proof that when a Chimera gets raised with someone to care for them, it makes them stronger, healthier, and¡­ just better. What do you think the difference is between you and Lhars, Zev?" Nick said gruffly.


    "I don''t give a fuck¡ª"


    "Yes, you do, because it means I''m invested in getting your kid in your hands with no interference from fucking Nathan. I said think, Zev. Don''t feel right now. Think: What is the difference between you and Lhars? Same DNA sources. Same medical and biological process from beginning to end. Same nutrition, same education until it became clear that Lhars wasn''t you. So¡­ what''s the difference? What formed you differently than Lhars?"


    Zev just stared, shaking his head slowly.


    "It''s me," Nick said like Zev should have seen it. "Core memories, Zev. Someone to put their arm around you. Someone to guide¡ªnot just train. A male in your life who cared."


    "You didn''t give a shit about me."


    Nick blew out a breath and muttered a curse. "Look, I get it, okay? I''m a maniptive bastard, but you know, Zev. You know I took hits for you. You know I gave things up for you. You might not like your dad very much, but I was a father to you. And it changed you."


    "Think, Zev. Remember, I showed you all those tests done by the Nazis during the second world war? 01:02


    Remember I showed you what the truly fucked up minds of this world did? And what did I tell you Sasha staggered back a step. Was Nick really saying that Zev was different because Nick cared about him?


    Could it be true?


    "Nick¡ª" she started. But he put a hand up to stop her, all his attention on Zev.


    "Think, Zev. Remember, I showed you all those tests done by the Nazis during the second world war? Remember I showed you what the truly fucked up minds of this world did? And what did I tell you that they discovered? What?"


    Zev''s breath was shallow and short, his chest rising and falling. "Neglect of children damaged their brains."


    "That''s right. That''s right," Nick said, encouraging. The teacher again. The coach when a kid wasing around. "I tried to make them see it¡ªyou needed touch. You neededughter. You needed a friend, as well as a parent. They can''t see it, because they think they don''t need those things. They didn''t believe me. So I proved it to them."


    Zev''s eyes narrowed and his hands tightened on Nick''s shirt so hard his knuckles were white.


    "They still aren''t listening," Nick muttered. "But I''m not going to let them ruin this one. He''s growing well. Growing fast. He''s healthy. He''s safe. And I''m going to make sure that as soon as he''s strong enough, he gets into your hands. You and Sasha," Nick said, his voice brimming with conviction. "By the time that kid''s seven, they''re going to realize that I''m right and then there''s no more of this, Zev. You realize that, right? As soon as they realize the healthiest Chimera are the ones who were born naturally and got to stay with their parents¡­ Suddenly they don''t want to take the kids anymore. That''s what you want, right?"


    "He''s lying," Sasha hissed. "He knew they took our baby and he didn''t tell us."


    "I didn''t know untilter!" Nick spat, finally turning his head to look at Sasha. "I didn''t know until it was already done."


    "I asked you," Sasha said, pointing at his chest. "I asked you what they did to me, and you said¡ª"


    "I said they made sure you weren''t pregnant," Nick interrupted her. "Because they did."


    Sasha''s stomach turned. "You sick fuck."


    "For the record," Nick added, "They didn''t tell me until after the procedure was done. Otherwise, I would have helped."


    Zev snarled and pulled Nick higher, but the guy stayed calm and shook his head. "You know I''m telling you the truth, Zev. I know you wish it wasn''t true, but just think. You know I''m right!"


    "Even if you are," Zev said and Sasha''s stomach dropped. "That doesn''t mean I trust you. You''ve fucked me over more times than I can count."


    "And I''ve saved your ass even more times than that! C''mon, Zev, you know me: When I want something I go after it. The thing I want is to prove to these bastards that their degrees and training are for shit if they can''t see the bigger picture. That''s what I do. I see the bigger picture. That''s why they keep me around. And now they''re going to listen to me. I''m going to show them!"


    "Show them, how?" Sasha asked tentatively, putting one hand to Zev''s back. He quivered like a scared horse.


    Or a wolf about to hunt to kill.


    Nick looked back and forth between them and a smile crept up. "By getting your kid back to you and keeping you hidden from them until the kid''s at least seven."


    Zev snorted, then started tough.

 Chapter 428 Motive Matters

    Chapter 428 Motive Matters


    ~ ZEV ~


    He was cracking up. Literally losing his mind. Nick stared at him, his eyes wary, while Sasha''s hand tightened on his back.


    "You think¡­" he spluttered, "that I''m¡­ giving you my kid¡­ when he''s¡­ seven?"


    Nick red. "I didn''t mean giving him to me. I just meant that we can start training¡ªshit!"


    Faster than lightning, Zev picked Nick up and plowed him into the dirt, dropping with him, one hand on his neck and using it to pin him to the ground.


    Nick made a strange, sputtering noise and wed at Zev''s hand. But Zev had him pinned and his hand mped down on his throat.


    "You think I don''t remember my training, Nick?" he muttered through his teeth. "I do. I remember every moment of it. Every kind of weapon you made me to be. I know exactly how strong I am, and exactly how long it will take you to die."


    Unable to speak, or even breathe, Nick iled for a moment, his eyes wide and panicked. Zev nodded.


    "Yeah, it all looks a little different from this side, doesn''t it?" he murmured, and even he was unnerved by the cold brutality in his own voice. But he didn''t stop. "The moment the dog turns on his handler... how does it feel?" He leaned his head down and muttered into Nick''s ear. "You''re the prey this time. There''s over one hundred and twenty pounds of pressure in my grip, Nick. And it''s my dominant hand. Maybe one hundred and fifty. Those are your words."


    "Zev?!" Sasha''s voice was breathless and fearful. "What are you doing?"


    Nick''s face turned beet red and he wed at Zev''s arm, then beat it with his fist.


    "Strangling is a really inefficient way to kill, remember? So much better to bite and take out a major blood vessel. You''ll bleed out in under two minutes." Zev bared his teeth. Nick''s face was the picture of horror. Zev smiled. "You made me Nick. You trained me. That''s how I know you''re going to lose consciousness inside two minutes because I''m pretty close to your jugr¡ªyou''re lucky I missed my aim, otherwise you''d already be out. But I''m pretty sure I''m restricting blood flow, too."


    Nick''s mouth opened and closed and his fists pounding on Zev''s arm got weaker. His legs jiggled and danced as he fought to gain purchase on the ground with his heels. But though he could arch his back, he had no way to loosen Zev''s grip on his neck.


    Zev''s voice went dead. "I''m stronger than the average human, Nick. My arm won''t get tired so fast. Not like a human who might have to let go before you''re actually dead¡ª"


    "Zev, stop!" Sasha pleaded. "Stop! You''re going to kill him!"


    "That''s the n."


    "No, Zev! He knows things we need to know. No one else will tell us! Let him go. Zev! LET HIM GO!"


    Those words were barked at him, the full force of her Alpha power thrown at him like a steel weight, right at his chest.


    He almost yelped because it stung. But even though his arm shook, even though his head ducked and his body wanted to submit, he didn''t obey.


    "Zev!"


    A blood vessel burst in one of Nick''s eyes.


    "Zev, you''re killing him! And if he dies, our chances of finding our baby might go with him¡ªstop!"


    "We''ll use the¡ª"


    "STOP!" she snarled and shoved at his arm. "Zev, you have to stop! Please! He might be our only chance! Our baby¡ª"


    It was the tears in her eyes that did it. Even though he doubted they needed Nick''s help to find their son, he knew she''d never forgive him if he didn''t let her find out.


    With a muttered curse he let go of Nick, who flipped over, coughing and gagging, scrambling away from Zev as quickly as he was able.


    Zev, grimacing, sat back on his heels, panting, the adrenalin coursing through his body like electricity. Sasha watched Nick warily, but stayed at Zev''s side, gripping his arm in one hand like she was afraid he was going tounch it at Nick, stroking his back with the other.


    "Thank you, Zev. Thank you," she said, relieved. "Look at me. Zev, look at me."


    He forced himself to turn his head, to take his eyes off his surrogate father and meet hers. Her bright, sad, welling eyes searched his with such a profound sense of grief he had to reach for her.


    "Are you back?" she whispered. "Are you here?"


    "I¡ªyes. What do you mean?"


    She stared at him, her forehead wrinkled, but she just shook her head, then looked at Nick and got to her feet to go stand over him where he''d propped himself up with his back against a tree and was still coughing and wheezing.


    "I''m going to give you two minutes to get your breath back," she said, her voice trembling and tight. "And then you''re answering my questions, or I''m letting him have you. And no, there''s no quid pro quo this time, Nick. It''s my questions and your answers."


    Nick nodded but didn''t even open his eyes, just put his hands to his chest and focused on breathing, his chest and shoulders heaving.


    Zev stood up and went to put himself at her back, standing over her, ring down at the man he''d once loved.


    Nick kept clearing his throat, then coughing, but after a minute or two, his chest was no longer heaving. He opened his eyes and immediately found Zev''s. There was grief in his gaze. But also fierce determination. He tensed and pressed himself back into the tree. But his gaze didn''t waver.


    Zev bared his teeth again.


    "Okay," Nick said hoarsely, his voice thin and rasping.


    Sasha, who stood over him with her arms folded, nodded once. "Where is he?"


    "Ab you never saw. It''s deep in the forest, hidden. Half the staff don''t even know it''s there. It''s where we do the most secret stuff. Fully secure. Always guarded. It''s about a ten minute walk through the forest, behind the building where we ate."


    Sasha took a deep breath and he could feel her fighting her own anger and fear. "What... what are they doing to him?"


    Nick didn''t even hesitate. "Growing him. He''s in an incubator that replicates the female womb. But it''s enhanced. He''ll develop through the equivalent of a human pregnancy in about three months. But if he''s Chimera, the tech will tell them that and they''ll adjust. He''ll get everything his body needs." Nick said that like it was a gift. Zev wanted to bite out his throat.


    "How do we get him back?" Sasha asked quickly.


    Nick raised a shaking hand to run it over his face. "You can''t take him out of the incubator¡ªand everything it provides¡ªuntil he''s reached at least three months. About eight weeks from now."


    "How do we get him out?"


    Nick managed a t look at her. "Without me to get you in and out, you don''t get him out at all," he croaked. "If I''m there, I can show you how to disconnect him. But for him, that will be like delivery. You might be better to wait until they''ve taken him out. That would be¡­ ten weeks from now."


    Sasha looked over her should at him, and her eyes were so sad.

 Chapter 429 New Plan

    Chapter 429 New n


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha''s skin crawled at the images blooming in her mind of her baby, wrapped in some kind of silicon bag and¡­ growing. Without her. Without his father. Without anything but people in white coats and clipboards.


    She shuddered.


    She''d always wanted to sing to her baby.


    Tears pricked her eyes and she blinked them back. "How can you know that''s when they''ll¡­ deliver him?" she asked.


    "Because the process is very precise."


    "And when he''s out of this¡­ process?"


    "He''ll be raised like any of the Chimera¡ªfed, watered, bathed¡­ but he won''t have parents unless I take you to him."


    "But they''ll grow him, right? Grow him faster than usual?"


    "They try not to do that because it causes a dissonance between the mind and body," Nick said, then blinked. "Wait, how did you know¡ª?"


    "My questions, your answers, Nick. How do we get our son out of there?"


    "You''ll need my help."


    "Specifics," she hissed. Zev put a hand on her back and leaned into her so she''d feel his warmth there.


    Nick sighed and cleared his throat again, but his voice was no less hoarse when he spoke. "I''d get you inside during the evening. The only time that particrb is vulnerable is when Nathan has his time in it. Which he does even night after dinner when he''s on base."


    "What? What''s he doing?"


    Nick shook his head, sneering. "He has this weird ritual. He''s convinced that the Chimera bond with him in their subconscious and that will keep him safe. So every evening he''s there, he goes and sits with any of the babies or invitro¡­ so they can getfortable with his voice."


    Zev gave a sharp intake of breath and Nick''s eyes jumped to his. "Yeah. He did it with you, too."


    Zev muttered a curse. Sasha put a hand back and grabbed his, holding onto him, reminding him that she was there.


    Nathan''s cold, cunning face appeared in her head and Sasha began to shake. "How does he¡­ bond?" she asked faintly, terrified to hear the answer.


    Nick shrugged. "He touches them. Just¡­ strokes their arm or head. He''s nice to them. If they''re old enough, he gives them treats. Makes a nice memory for them."


    "Why?"


    "Because he doesn''t want to be at risk that they''ll want to kill him for his role in making them and putting them there. He wants them to trust him. And¡­ he has this weird conviction that the Chimera are kind of magical. He thinks if he touches them it''ll rub off."


    Sasha opened her mouth, but Nick raised one hand off his chest. "Look, Sasha," he cleared his throat again. "The only time you can even hope to get a baby out of there is during those hours. And you''d have to take Nathan down to do it."


    Zev growled. Sasha didn''t take her eyes off of Nick, but she spoke to Zev in his head.


    Do you think it''s a trap?


    I don''t think he''s lying, but could it be a trap anyway? Absolutely.


    Sasha bit her lip. I think we have enough information, though. We could be specific with the Gateway


    ¡ªwe have to show up in thatb, at that time. It sounds like there''s no time when it''s ever empty.


    Zev sighed. Nick was looking at both of them expectantly.


    Don''t give him any clue that we''re talking, Sasha said in his head.


    Of course not.


    Then she looked up at him and smiled a watery smile. "Whatever happens, we''re doing it together." It seemed like she felt his chest squeeze when he looked down at her. She put a hand up to his face. "We can do this," she whispered. "No matter what he''s put you through before¡­ we''re going to win this."


    Zev''s face crumpled and he closed his eyes, turning his face into her palm and kissing it.


    "This is all really sweet," Nick croaked. "But the fact remains, you can''t win this without me."


    Sasha took a deep breath and stroked Zev''s cheek onest time before turning to face the man. Then she knelt down where he was sitting, nearly at his feet.


    Nick watched her warily, but she didn''t miss that his breathing was virtually normal. She wouldn''t give him a chance to get his hands on her, because she knew if he was nning anything, getting leverage against Zev was what he needed to get himself out safely.


    "You aren''t going anywhere," she said quietly.


    Nick frowned. "I mean, of course not. Not right away. But I''ll need to go back before you go. I have to position everything."


    "Position what, exactly?" Zev growled.


    Nick sighed. "They need to think that I''ve been unsessful here. Or that there''s a reason for me to return. I''ll need to be back there and back into a normal routine before the time. Because Nathan needs to get used to seeing me around so I can be close enough to get you in at the right time."


    Sasha and Zev looked at each other. Sasha was the one who turned to Nick. "You''ll forgive me if I''m a little skeptical about sending you back there with a n where you know the date and time we''ll arrive and¡­ that''s just a no, Nick. I''m sorry."


    "How else am I supposed to help you get in?"


    "We''ll have to work something out," she said. "But for now¡­ you''re staying here. Until I figure this out, you''re staying here."


    Nick shrugged like it didn''t make a lot of difference to him. "We have weeks before he''d be ready anyway. Just have in mind that I should be there two or three weeks ahead."


    Sasha nodded, though she didn''t say anything.


    Zev''s upper lip curled back and she put a hand on his arm, so he sucked in a breath and looked at her.


    She was about to suggest that they go when she had a thought. "Give me your device, Nick," Sasha said suddenly.


    Nick red at her. "I hid Zev''s login from them if that''s what you''re worried about."


    Sasha had to work hard not to reveal her surprise.


    Do you believe him? She asked Zev in his head.


    I don''t know, Zev replied and his voice was dark and t. I just don''t know.


    Sasha gave Nick a bright smile. "That''s good, thank you. Now give me the fucking device."

 Chapter 430 Ticking Clock

    Chapter 430 Ticking Clock


    ~ ZEV ~


    Somehow it was still dark when they walked away from Nick, leaving him in the hands of Yhet and Ernie, who Zev had called for help keeping Nick in his shack. Zev was concerned he was more motivated than ever to work against them and didn''t want him to have any chance¡ªor motivation¡ª


    to try and leave. Nick was allowed to see them both, taking positions on either side of the shack, along with guards circling it.


    "I don''t care if he has to shit in his own bed, he doesn''t leave there unless Sasha or I give the order personally."


    They all nodded and nted their feet. Then Zev turned to Sasha, took her hand and led her towards the trail. Neither of them spoke. They didn''t hurry, though Zev was brimming with excess energy, and Sasha gripped his hand so tightly she threatened to cut off blood flow.


    Are we alone? She asked him through the bond.


    I can''t know for sure. We''ve got so many patrols around. I might not smell them or hear them if they were being careful. We need to assume we could be heard if we spoke.


    Sasha sighed and kept walking.


    A minuteter a shudder rocked through her. Zev broke stride, turning to her, but she shook her head and kept walking, not even meeting his eye.


    I can''t believe they have him, she said, her voice so faint in his head.


    We''ll get him back.


    Zev''s chest was constricted, as if Yhet still had arms around him. He trembled too, but with restrained rage. He knew he had to keep himself calm. Thinking.


    That made the memory of Nick staring him down, urging him to think, swim into his mind''s eye and he growled.


    Sasha snapped her head around to look at him and he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. "Sorry, I didn''t mean to startle you."


    What are we doing? How are we going to do this? I can''t¡­ Zev¡­ how the hell are we going to do this?


    Zev shook his head, he didn''t know either, and hearing her heartbreak and fear only made his own worse. But before he could even think of something to offer, her tone shifted, and his Alpha stepped You''re right, Sasha. I agree with you. We''ll do it.


    Nick can''t know.


    forward in his mind.


    We have to get them out now. All of them. We can''t wait. They have to get across and get to safety, no matter what we''re doing, we can''t risk keeping them here. Even if Nick did hide your interference from them¡ªand we can''t be sure of that, right?¡ªit doesn''t matter. There''s just too much. Too many lies. Too many risks. They have to get to the Safe ce now. Tonight.


    Then she looked at the sky through the gaps in the trees overhead and even though it was still dark, light was beginning to creep up, turning the indigo to gray.


    Agreed, he replied.


    When we get to the City, we have to wake them all and get them moving. We won''t wait for dawn. We won''t wait for anything.


    You''re right, Sasha. I agree with you. We''ll do it.


    Nick can''t know.


    Of course not.


    Instead of going first, we''re goingst. We''re letting all of them get to safety before we try this, because we can''t¡­ we can''t put them all at risk just for our own¡­ our family.


    Zev took a deep breath. She was right. Of course she was right. But every instinct within him fought the idea of waiting even a second.


    If we go through, we''re asking it to take us forward, right? That won''t impact when they''re reaching the females.


    Except that when they take the females it''s going to change everything. We don''t know what they''ll cruel. Like you enjoyed hurting him."


    "I did," he admitted gruffly.


    do in response to that. And if we get it wrong and identally show up in the secureb tonight¡­ we can''t risk it, Zev. We have to do the sure thing first: Get the Thana Chimera into the gateway, then get the three guys over to grab the females. Then we go.


    Zev nodded slowly. He didn''t like it, but he knew she was right. It was wise. It just¡­ he wanted to bite something.


    But then Sasha''s face dragged down. But¡­ how do we get Nick to take us across without letting him know about the Gateway''s time travel? And then¡­ then maybe he can figure out the rest and stop us from getting across¡ªshit, Zev, this is¡­ this is impossible!


    Zev growled and tightened his grip on her hand. No, Sasha, it''s not. It''s just dangerous, but we''re going to do it anyway. Nick doesn''t know that we can get into thatb without his help. And that''s what we''re going to do. He thinks we need him. We don''t.


    But what if we do? Sasha pleaded in his head. He makes me so angry, Zev, and I know he''s hurt you so badly¡­ but what if we do need him? Are we just hurting ourselves by not pursuing this more deeply with him?


    No. Zev''s lip curled again. Everything he says has to be examined and analyzed, and even then, even if he''s telling the truth, we can''t be sure what he isn''t telling us. We have to do this without him, Sasha. I refuse to give him any reason to tell me he''s my savior¡ªor yours, or our baby''s. He''s not! Saving me from one death and sentencing me to another isn''t saving me at all¡ªit''s just choosing where I die. It makes him feel like God. Don''t let him suck you into that!


    Sasha blinked, then stopped walking, pulling him to a halt too.


    Zev turned to face her, his jaw set. He would argue this with her if he needed to.


    But Sasha just stared up at him as if she was seeing him for the first time, all over again.


    "What did he do?" she breathed. "I''ve never seen you like that, Zev. It was like¡­ it was like you were cruel. Like you enjoyed hurting him."


    "I did," he admitted gruffly.


    "Why?"


    Zev hesitated. He hadn''t wanted to tell her. Hadn''t wanted there to be one more pain between them. But the fact was, until she knew she was never going to understand¡ªand he was never going to be certain of her.


    He took a deep breath.

 Chapter 431 Hunter

    Chapter 431 Hunter


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev trembled, looking for the courage. Would she look at him differently if she knew? He''d avoided even asking himself that. Didn''t want to doubt her. But now¡­ she already suspected. He needed to be honest with her.


    Sasha looked up at him, took both his hands, squeezing them. "Zev, what is it? What haven''t you told me?"


    His heart hammered in his chest. "I, uh, haven''t told you about the training they gave me," he muttered. "About the operational stuff. The reason I didn''t have to stay at thepound. The stuff Nick trained me to do."


    Sasha waited, watching him.


    Zev swallowed hard. "The thing you need to know, Sash, is that I still believed them for a long time. I kind of had to. Even when doubts crossed my mind, to believe those doubts meant epting that I''d been wrong. Like, really wrong. I had to admit to myself that I was a fool. And¡­ it took me a long time to do that. Then, even when I did, it took some time to get out from under them."


    Sasha stepped closer, still holding his hands. "I love you, Zev. Just tell me. Get it out. It''s eating you up¡ªand I¡­ I don''t want to see you that way again. You can''t heal if you don''t bring it out into the light.


    Zev sighed heavily. He looked down at the ground, his shoulders rolling forward. He suddenly felt fifteen again, and ashamed. Sasha continued to murmur her encouragement, with words and in his head. He was worrying her. But she needed to understand what they were dealing with, he realized.


    "I told you that I believed for a long time that they were trying to help people, right? They''d convinced me that I was special. That I had a purpose, and¡­ and I don''t know. They made me feel important."


    Sasha nodded, but she was blinking a lot. "Is this to do with the mating stuff?"


    Zev huffed a coldugh. "No. No, I''ve told you everything about that. This is¡­ this is why I had a life that most of the others don''t. Didn''t."


    "Okay, so tell me. I''ll still love you, Zev." She sounded relieved.


    Would she still feel that way?


    He cleared his throat. "When I left you, they brought me to Thana while I kind of¡­ grew into myself," he said gruffly. "There''s a transition our bodies go through around twenty. I hit peak strength three years ago. And that''s when they tricked me with that whole sickness thing. Brought me back to the human world. The breeding started then too¡ªprobably for the same reason. But I wasn''t in the breeding arena all the time. For the first few months, I did a ton of training that they called tests¡­ they told me it was designed to find out what my limits were. And I was into it. It made me feel like a badass¡ªespecially when I started being able to beat the trainers and Nick¡­ After that, most of the time I wasn''t even in thepound. They''d just take me there for certain meetings and¡­ stuff. Most of the time we were in the city. That''s how I could keep tabs on you."


    Sasha watched him, wary, but concerned. Empathetic.


    "Just say it," she whispered.


    Then Zev cleared his throat again and told her the thing he''d never told another living soul.


    "We''d been doing missions in the city¡ªtracking and surveilling. They were using my wolf senses to see how I could navigate the urban environment. See if I could follow people in human form without being seen, that kind of thing.


    "And one week it was this guy. He was kind of fat. But he had a lot of money, and I guess he was important. A big business owner and¡­ they told me he was a liar. They said that he was trying to bring our entire project down. That he''d found out about it because he''d been approached as an investor, and now he was jealous and trying to start up his own¡ªbut he knew they were ahead of him, so he was trying to take the Board down.


    "He was a threat. And an evil one, they told me. They said he was going to kill all the Chimera except a couple¡ªand Adam and Eve thing¡ªif he could get us taken down. But that he wasn''t going to use what he learned to help people, he was going to use it for profits.


    "He sounded like an evil bastard. And the next thing I knew, my surveince operation was bing a¡­ an assassination."


    He''d never said those words out loud. He couldn''t look at her when he said them. He swallowed hard, again and again, staring at where their hands were linked and her knuckles were turning white, gripping him.


    Sasha swallowed too. "Did you kill him, Zev?" she asked quietly.


    Zev nodded. "I killed five different people before I figured out what was going on, Sash." His voice trembled and broke. He swallowed again, heart pounding. He couldn''t look at her. "They convinced me these people deserved it, that I was keeping my people safe. But they fooled me. I know that now. I saw¡­ A couple of months before I grabbed you, they rxed with me. They thought I was deep enough in that I wasn''t turning back. And they were almost right. But when they took me into one of thebs I hadn''t seen before and I saw the Chimera hooked up to machines¡­ and they started talking about a new mission. Another hit. And I just¡­ it all clicked. I looked around at the men that surrounded me and I realized, we weren''t the good guys¡­ we were the viins. And I''d¡­ I''d been helping them.


    "That''s when I knew I had to get you out, and I knew I had to get out. But I didn''t know how. They had made on such a leash. Every time I''d take a step towards cutting it, it seemed like my mind just¡­ shut down. It took months, Sasha. Months for me to break loose¡ªand even then, I didn''t know I was going to do it that night. If you hadn''t turned around and seen me. If they hadn''te for you¡­ I don''t know where we''d be right now."


    Then he finally met her eyes¡ªwide and shining and filled with sad horror.


    "I''m a murderer, Sasha. That''s why I keep telling you, I''m condemned."

 Chapter 432 The Wolf

    Chapter 432 The Wolf


    ~ SASHA ~


    Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god, ohmygodohmygodohmygod¡­


    Click, click, click, it all fell into ce.


    Zev''s self-loathing.


    That cold brutality he''d disyed with Nick.


    The Wolf. The serial killer they''d been hearing about for two years that Police imed set dogs onto his victims, yet no one ever heard or saw anything.


    Zev was a killer?


    Zev shuddered and his hands mped on hers painfully. She realized he was afraid of how she was going to react.


    "Oh, Zev," she breathed, her heartbroken and mind reeling.


    And hate for these men and what they''d done to him, all the ways they''d used him... it burned in her chest like embers under a fire. Tears pressed out from under hershes and she caught her breath. She couldn''t be weak right now. He needed her.


    Holy shit.


    "I didn''t see it, Sash. I didn''t see any of it. They blinded me and I didn''t see it, I''m so sorry¡ª"


    She stepped into his chest and pulled him down as he shook and choked, wrapped her arms around his neck, and held him as his massive body shuddered with his grief and self-loathing.


    All those hours he''d spent, not being able to sleep. All the ways he jumped to the belief that these men would kill her¡ªor anyone else. His utter conviction that they were ruthless. He knew it from both sides. He knew that it wasn''t empty words with them.


    He knew that even good hearts like him could be led into this.


    Holy fucking shit.


    She shook as she held him, crying even as she sought tofort him. How did she make this better for him? How could she possibly help him? How could she tell him he wasn''t ugly when he''d seen himself do such ugly things?


    "It''s not your fault, Zev," she blurted because she didn''t know what else to say. "It''s not your fault. They did this to you. It''s not your fault."


    He straightened, pulling his head out of her arms and dropping it back. "Sash, don''t you get it?" He opened his eyes and looked down at her with the heaviest breath she''d ever heard him take. "They had me kill people who were trying to bring them down. They set me on men who were trying to do exactly what we''re trying to do¡ªfinish this whole damn thing. And I helped them! If I hadn''t¡­ If I hadn''t listened to them, the females would never have been taken and maybe¡­ maybe those men would still be alive, and maybe they''d have defeated the Team already? I mean¡­ Sasha, we might not be facing this if I hadn''t believed them!"


    She was shaking too. Overwhelmed. She knew this was big. Too big. So big. But she also knew they couldn''t fix it now.


    She pulled back only far enough to look him in the eye. "You were The Wolf?" she asked carefully.


    He nodded and his eyes were so sad.


    "This is¡­ Zev¡­ you have to stop holding all this in on your own. It''s going to break you. It''s going to make you hate."


    "It already does," he snarled.


    She shushed him, and kissed him softly, stroking his face and rubbing his arms when he straightened, eyes reddened, but not spilling tears.


    "I love you, Zev."


    He nodded and looked down, murmuring his love too.


    "No, Zev," she snapped. "Look at me. Hear me. I love you. And I know I can''t just make this all better for you. Especially not right now," she said with a heavy sigh. "But you need to hear that I love you and¡­ and the full me for this goes on those fuckers."


    She had to stop herself from giving in to hate then, because even beyond the ruthless way these men conducted themselves¡ªwhich she would have hated, but just wanted to defeat¡ªthe fact that they''d dragged Zev and his gorgeous heart into this¡­ she hated them. She hated them for hurting him. For making him hurt other people. For traumatizing him so he couldn''t sleep. For convincing him that he was damned.


    No wonder he''d always argued with her. No wonder she hadn''t been able to reassure him.


    "I love you," she whispered fiercely. "And I know you aren''t responsible for this. I''m going to figure out how. I am. I''m going to¡­ I''m going to figure out how to convince you, Zev. Because you need to know that. You were a child in the hands of men, and they fucked you up, and that''s not your fault. All you can do now is look for the truth and walk in the light and¡­ and¡­ keep being willing to change. That''s it.


    "You''re the best male. They follow you for a reason. The Team wanted you in that position for a reason. All of this is just sick, and it''s why we''re going to beat these fuckers. We''re going to beat them, Zev. We''re going to defeat them. We''re taking away what''s most important to them, and we''re going to live long, happy lives with each other and as leaders and¡­ and¡­" she trailed off as Zev''s eyes locked on hers, pleading. She swallowed. Help me say this right, God. "No matter what happened before, the thing that''s important is what you do now, Zev. What you do tomorrow. And why. Nick does things that are good sometimes, but he does them for bad reasons. We''re not going to do that, right? We''re going to do good things for the right reasons. We''re going to take care of the innocent and make them safe. And we''re going to trust that God wants them defeated too and¡­ we''ll figure it out. I know we will. We have to."


    Zev nodded, his handing up to cup her face. "I don''t deserve you," he breathed.


    "Shut up with that," she snapped, and Zev blinked. "That''s them talking in your head. Just¡­ stop. This isn''t about us deserving each other, this is about us loving each other. And I love you, Zev. I love you with my whole heart."


    "I love you, too," he croaked and kissed her.


    Both of them struggled to breathe.

 Chapter 433 Countdown

    433 Countdown


    ~ SASHA ~


    They were both trembling and Sasha felt like if she got one more piece of bad news her legs might literally give out. But she had a vision, too. And as Zev kissed her with all his gratitude and love, as he murmured how thankful he was for her, she pulled away, shaking her head.


    "We''re going to do this," she said firmly, as much to convince herself as him.


    He nodded. "Yes, we are. We''re taking them down."


    "And we''re getting our baby back and making sure they never have a chance to do this to him, right?"


    "Right," he rasped.


    "Okay, okay," she said holding onto his forearms as he held her face. "So¡­" she swallowed. "Right now, you''re talking to the wolves and telling them that it''s time to get everyone moving. No more holding back. We''re getting everyone through that Gateway and into the Safe ce. Right now."


    "Okay."


    "Then you and me¡­ once everyone else is gone, we''re going to show Nick that they''ve gone. That they''ll never be here again. We''re¡­ setting him loose. We''re going to let him take the news back. He''s¡­ he''s going to tell them that they lost." She smiled for the first time in what seemed like forever at the thought of Nick sitting with the Board and having to tell them that the Chimera were all gone


    ¡ªnot just the females that had been stolen. But all of them."


    Zev grinned too, though it faltered quickly. "Okay."


    "Then we''re sending him through and telling him that¡­ well, I haven''t figured that part out yet. All I know is, we''re going¡ªyou and me¡ªwe''re going to get our son, then we''re going to the Safe ce, and we aren''t going to let anything stop us."


    Zev nodded once, tightly, his hands still cupping her face. "Yes, Ma''am," he breathed.


    Sasha rolled her eyes, but then he shook his head. "I''m not allowed to hate myself, and you''re not allowed to undermine yourself, Sash. We''re going to do this. And you''re going to lead the charge."


    She huffed a strangledugh. "This is ridiculous," she said, her voice high and thin. "We''re¡­ this is impossible what we''re talking about, but we''re going to do it."


    "Yes, we are. And I''m going to take care of you, Sasha. If God gives me the chance to keep going, I''m taking care of you. I promise."


    Sasha sighed and threw herself into his chest. "Me too," she whispered, wishing she had any clue how to help him. "Me too."


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    It became clear to both of them, very quickly, that they were walking in the wrong direction.


    Zev contacted every wolf he could find through the link and snarled at them to get moving, now. To take what they''d packed and leave everything else behind. To get the females out of there, and they all started to move. Then he asked Sasha about shifting and running the rest of the way to the City, but she stopped walking and looked at him.


    "Are Lhars and Kyelle together. Can Kyelle get the females moving without me, or does she need me there?"


    Zev found his brother quickly¡ªand apologized for the intrusion. But it was quickly determined that he''d already told Kyelle and with the help of Mae and the others who''d ventured out of the hall, the females were already moving. That the promise of getting to Sasha was helping to motivate them.


    "They''reing," he said a few minutester.


    "Great. Get someone to grab our bags and let''s go back to the vige. The only question is, do we talk to Nick at all, or just leave him in the dark."


    "Definitely in the dark. Preferably with Ernie," Zev muttered.


    Sasha spluttered like the joke was a lot funnier than it actually was, but Zev''s lips twitched toward a smile as they both turned and headed back.


    She continued to ask him to pass on messages to specific wolves, or get the wolves and hares to run messages as they walked.


    A few minutester, though, she sighed. "Maybe this rush is wrong. Maybe we''re just setting ourselves up to fail¡ªare we really going to have the females get through safely when they''re pushed out of their furs and into this?" she groaned.


    Zev squeezed her hand. "The Chimera will surprise you, I think," he said quietly. "They''ve definitely surprised me. They just keep going, Sasha. Look at what these females have been through already and they got here. Give them hope and I''m certain they can do this."


    She nodded. "You''re right. I''ll feel better when I see them."


    "Did you get all of them out of the hall?"


    "Yes, but some of them only for a few minutes, and only into the Courtyard."


    Zev shook his head. "They really did a number on all of us, didn''t they?"


    Sasha looked up at him, her eyes clouded. "I hate them for that, Zev. I really do. I want you to know when I''m telling you not to hate it''s not because I don''t feel it. I just¡­ I don''t want to turn into them, you know? And I''m so afraid if we be ruthless, we''re no different than them."


    Zev snorted the air from his nose. "I know you care, Sasha. I never doubted that."


    She took a deep breath and made him look at her. "Then never doubt this either: Whatever you did, I don''t hold you responsible for that. And no¡ªbefore you start arguing¡ªI don''t think if you''d resisted they would have defeated the Team. Nathan would have just found someone else to do it. So don''t you carry that, Zev? Do you hear me? We''re shifting our focus for now. For the next couple of days, all we''re focusing on is getting ourselves, the females, and our son out of that ce. We''re going to defeat them that way. And whatever happens, once we''re in a ce where we can breathe¡­ I''m going to show you that I still love you. And you aren''t dark inside. You didn''t do this, Zev. They did. And they''re going to pay. We''re going to make them pay, okay?"


    He stared at her as they walked, shaking his head. "You''re beautiful when you''re angry."


    Sasha gave a small smile. "And you''re fucking hot no matter what mood you''re in," she quipped.


    And Zev actuallyughed.

 Chapter 434 Worth the Price

    434 Worth the Price


    ~ LHARS ~


    They''d only had a couple of hours together before Zev''s voice ran in his head, frantic. Something about Nick and the humans. But it all added up to no more time. They had to get everyone moving. Now.


    He''d gone still when Zev started talking and Kyelle,ying next to him, hugging his arm, with her chin resting on his shoulder frowned. She knew that face.


    Lhars sighed.


    "What is it?" Kyelle asked quietly, though her tone said she already knew.


    "We have to go get everyone moving. Right now. Zev''s already telling all the wolves. You need to go wake the females. Everyone. We''re going."


    They stared at each other for a long moment. Lhars wondered how they looked together¡ªhis hair so dark, while hers was light. Her eyes so bright while his were piercing. Her skin was lighter than his¡ª


    and when she was in her owl she was a beautiful blonde color that looked white in dim light. While his wolf was almost ck.


    They needed to move. His chest tingled with the adrenalin beginning to flood his system. But he couldn''t take his eyes off of her. And she didn''t seem ready to let go either.


    "I love you, Kyelle," he murmured, then cleared his throat. "I trust you. You''ll need to trust me, too."


    "Of course I trust you!" she eximed, pushing up on one elbow to lean over him. "It''s not you I don''t trust, it''s the humans."


    "You need to trust me to keep myself safe ande back to you," he said, though everything inside him wed for release when he even thought about walking away from her.


    "You don''t want to go."


    "No, I don''t. Which is why I need you to be okay with it, because if you say no, I¡­ I''m not sure if I''m strong enough."


    Her brows pinched together. But she put her hand to his face. "I trust you," she whispered, belying the tears welling in her eyes. "I trust you."


    He kissed her with a soft groan, rolling her over onto her back and covering her with his bulk. He wanted to do that¡ªboth literally and figuratively¡ªevery moment. He didn''t want to draw a breath where he wasn''t there and ready to step between her and any threat.


    But they both knew this wasn''t the time.


    So only secondster he pulled back and met her eyes again. "I''ming back," he said softly. "So that means it''s up to you to get there safely and be waiting for me."


    She nodded,bing her fingers through his hair. "I will," she whispered.


    He kissed her again, then had to force himself to let go before he buried her in the furs again and didn''te out for air.


    *****


    Kyelle ran to the female hall while Lhars went straight to the Courtyard. It had only been minutes since Zev''s call to them all, but the City was bustling¡ªmales rushing back and forth, carrying bags, rations, or shifting into their animal forms to rush messages to others.


    As Lhars walked through them he wondered if this was really it. Would this really be thest time he''d see Thana? Part of him grieved the idea. But therger part of him thrummed with hope. If only he and Kyelle could both reach that beautifulnd unharmed.


    If only the females would trust him ande.


    If only the humans would be caught unaware.


    So many wishes. So few hopes.


    Lhars shook it off and sought out Dunken who''d positioned himself not far from the stairs that went up to the female hall.


    He was certain that wasn''t an ident.


    Chet was there too, not even pretending to be doing anything but waiting for Mae toe down.


    "Hey," he said to Dunken, who turned and nodded, his face hard as rock. "There''s to be no dy," he said quietly. "Something''s going on. They''re worried the humans might being. It''s going to be chaos for a while. Can you¡­ I''m sorry, brother, but can you take the lead to the Vige? Call the guards as you go. We need everyone. No matter how unprepared. This is it."


    Dunken''s jaw flexed. He nced toward the stairs, but he nodded. "Okay," he said quietly. "But I''m staying close to her crossing."


    Lhars nodded, speared with jealousy that even if Dunken couldn''t cross with the female he thought was his mate, at least he could keep her in sight for the entire time until they entered¡ªand immediately afterward as well.


    Shaking off the ungenerous thoughts, Lhars thanked the Captain and hurried back towards the City entrance. He had brought his and Kyelle''s bags down but left them at the entrance to the main building since they''d pass it on the way out of the City.


    The time hade. It had finallye. They were not only going to snap the leash of the humans but take their people to an entirely new life.


    Watching the Chimera rush around, the barely contained chaos as over two hundred males tried to do a dozen things at once, Lhars sighed. This was only the beginning. If their prayers were answered and they reached this newnd, there would be an entirely new hurdle to navigate¡ªbuilding a home, a society, an entire life for their people in a newnd.


    Who knew what threats might exist there? What shortages or adjustments might be required?


    For a moment he wished he and Kyelle had more time in a normal routine here. But then he scoffed at himself. Enjoying the simple pleasures of his mate wasn''t a reason to keep her¡ªor others in danger.


    No¡­ he had to see this night¡ªthis morning, he corrected himself with a nce at the graying sky¡ª


    as nothing more than a journey that would bring them to that ce of contentment and peace.


    He had to stop focusing on the danger and focus instead on the goal. The life that the danger led them to.


    It would be worth it, he reminded himself. All of this would be worth it in the end.

 Chapter 435 Back to the Village

    435 Back to the Vige


    ~ LHARS ~


    He was near the front when they reached the vige. He''d beenmunicating directly with Zev the whole way as their progress seemed so teeth-grindingly slow.


    The females had been difficult to get moving, but once they were walking, seemed to settle some. Lhars had taken his wolf form and run twice as many miles as the others walked, crossing back and forth from the back of the pack where Kyelle brought up the rear with Mae and a couple of others of the stronger females, and the front where Dunken and half the wolf-pack scouted, ensuring there were no hidden traps or intruders attempting to ambush them.


    But while it was a slow trip with so many in human form, they made it to the vige safely. Lhars found his skin humming with anticipation.


    He ran forward to find Sasha and Zev standing on therge mound in the center of the square, near where the trail led away towards the Gateway cave.


    When he shifted back in front of them, Sasha was biting her lip, while Zev was being filled in by Dunken.


    Soon the females joined the males who''d arrived first and the square was a rippling mass of tension and anticipation. Most of the females were unwilling to mingle directly with the males, so hung back on the western side. But at least they weren''t cowering this time. They watched the males warily, but none shrunk away.


    Once he was certain there were no responsibilities for him in the moment, he pushed through the crowd to stand as close to the females as they would allow. Kyelle stepped out of them and came to stand at his back, one hand ttened to his spine.


    They just¡­ stood. He inhaled her scent and prayed.


    Soon enough everyone was there and Sasha called for quiet. It was difficult to settle two hundred and fifty Chimera who believed they were about to change worlds, but she did a wonderful job of carrying herself while she waited.


    When it was quiet enough, she nodded. "Don''t worry, I''m going to let you keep moving very soon. But I want everyone to know exactly what''s happening. We''ve had some new information and have had to change the n slightly¡ªAlphas, I''ll need to speak with you before you move.


    Then she looked at Zev and her face paled.


    Lhars looked at Kyelle¡ªdid she know what had happened, but she just shook her head.


    "We have learned that the humans¡­ the humans took a baby from me," Sasha said, her voice ragged and tight.


    A gasp rippled through the crowd and many growled or roared in protest. Sasha raised her hands for quiet and everyone settled quickly¡ªnot least because Zev stood at her shoulder, ring at them.


    "When you leave, follow the instructions of your Alphas. Remember, you''re looking for the Safe ce


    09:43


    ¡ªand that can provide for us, but where the humans can''t reach us. Many of us have had a glimpse Lhars cursed. A precious offspring, taken from their Alphas? He growled, wanted to bite something, and heard simr protests from those around him.


    These humans were evil!


    But Sasha collected herself and continued.


    "We keep learning of deceptions and maniptions by the humans and we aren''t going to risk any more. I''m sending you through as nned¡ªright now. I need to be utterly certain you''re safe.


    "When you leave, follow the instructions of your Alphas. Remember, you''re looking for the Safe ce


    ¡ªand that can provide for us, but where the humans can''t reach us. Many of us have had a glimpse of this ce, but now¡­ we''re going. We''re leaving Thana and the human interference behind forever!"


    There was a ripple of apuse, punctuated by roars and howls, but Sasha kept going. "Listen to your Alphas. They know how to prioritize, and where to ce everyone so we can be certain you''ll reach the new ce with the Chimera you need to stay safe. If you are the first through, don''t panic. Stay where you are and let others arrive. Keep your wits about you. Don''t move from your spot until you''re certain you can scent or see more of our kind, do you understand?"


    A murmur of affirmation rolled across the square. Lhars took Kyelle''s hand and gripped it tightly. She hugged his arm.


    "I''m sending my most trusted males to bring the females from the Compound. We will free them¡ªor die trying, I vow that to you!"


    There was another ripple of calls and howls, but Kyelle made a small noise in her throat and she gripped his arms so tightly his hand began to tingle.


    "When all of you are through and we''re certain the males have had time to retrieve the females, we''re going. Zev and I."


    Growls and protests rose.


    "Our Alphas can''t leave! It''s too risky!"


    "You said you wouldn''t abandon us!"


    Sasha''s face went hard and Zev snarled, silencing them.


    Sasha swallowed but kept her face set. "We go to save our¡­ our son," she said breathlessly. "He''s been torn from us, and we can''t leave his fate in anyone else''s hands. It''s simple¡­ too much to ask. I pray you all will understand. There is literally nothing else that could convince me and Zev to be separated from you."


    The air crackled with tension and grief, but no one made a sound. Sasha blinked back tears. "In the event that we''re¡­ unsessful¡­ we can''t afford to have a broken hierarchy when we have such an important job¡ªto build the foundation of our society in our new home. So¡­ once you step through that Gateway today your Alpha will be Kyelle. And when he arrives, Lhars will join her as her mate and second. They remain your leaders, with our full support, until or unless Zev and I reach you. Please¡­ if anyone has any protest against this, any word that could cause dissension, please raise it now! We have to meet theing hours and days with one mind. Are there any concerns about the leaders we have chosen?"


    She waited, jaw set, her eyes scanning back and forth across the crowd. But no dissension was raised. Even from the back of the crowd, Lhars could see her relief.


    He wished he could feel more d for her.

 Chapter 436 Time to Move

    Chapter 436 Time to Move


    ~ LHARS ~


    "Thank you," Sasha said, her eyes warm for her people. "Your Alphas remain your Alphas. Your seconds remain your seconds. Listen to them. They''ve been a great support to Zev and me in determining how to do this as safely as possible. Please¡­ please, everyone, this is a time foring together. We have met an enemy that seeks to destroy us. They lie and cheat and steal from the Chimera. And I refuse to give them one more opportunity to do so again.


    "You will never have your families removed. You will never have your offspring harmed. You will not be experimented on, or used as a resource. You are a people. And you are loved. Love each other. Support each other. And us. Let''s all make it to the new world and finally find our peace!"


    A roar rose from the crowd, cheering and calling, some even shifted in their excitement. Sasha wasn''t smiling, but under the circumstances, Lhars wasn''t surprised.


    His heart went out to Sasha and Zev, seeing the new weight on their shoulders¡ªnot because of their people, but because of their desire to protect their own.


    "Nick will be freed," Sasha said suddenly and the Chimera went still¡ªthen began to rumble with growls and snarls of protests. "He''ll be freed to take our message back to the humans after our males have saved our females. We won''t allow them to have any questions in their minds, except that we have taken our own back¡ªand we will not return.


    "Without their knowledge, they have provided us our means of escape. Let that soothe your hearts as you step into the Gateway, friends. Remember that the humans brought us to this ce¡ªand now we use their own against them."


    Another cheer rose and Sasha looked relieved.


    "Thank you. Thank you for understanding. And for your belief in us. I am certain, brothers and sisters, this is a new day for the Chimera. We will look back on this day that is just dawning and we will know it was the moment the Creator brought us to a new destiny!"


    "You are Alpha and Mother!" a thin, high voice called from behind Lhars. "We honor you!"


    Suddenly a chorus of voices rose¡ªa high-pitched hum with a wavering howl and the putter of growls. The sound was strangely resonant and eerie, raising the hair on Lhars'' arms. He turned to find the females, all of them, with their heads tipped towards the sky, keening in a chorus of tones.


    "We honor you and your offspring, Sasha-don!" Mae called, her voice strong and clear¡ªand Lhars was touched to see Chet standing, as he did, just feet ahead of the females. And Mae was within arm''s reach of him. "We honor you! You carry our hearts and our prayers! Go quickly! Return quickly! We honor you!"


    As the female voices slowly undted, then faded, Sasha sped her hands in front of her mouth, her eyes shining with tears as she nodded. Zev sped a fist to his chest in a salute to them. There was a frozen moment when everyone realized that this was happening, then Sasha took a deep breath and pped her hands.


    "Everyone, please stay together and walk as calmly as you can until your leaders reach you. Alphas! I need to speak with you and the team before you go. Quickly!"


    Lhars'' heart sank. He and Kyelle had only moments left. And that time would be taken with the logistics of leading the people.


    As the crowd began to murmur and shift, everyone starting towards the trail in a rtively orderly way, Lhars looked at Kyelle, pinning her arm to his side as she hugged his.


    "Not yet," he whispered.


    She shook her head and they walked forward, towards their Alphas, together.


    *****


    "I''m sorry to throw this change at you at thest minute, but we truly can''t risk being separated ourselves, or sending someone else to save our son. We don''t know what exactly will be involved in bringing him out¡ªand we''ll be relying on the Gateway to take us to the right time. So, please¡­ take care. All of you."


    Sasha spoke quietly, thought the crowd was still close enough that if they were listening they could likely hear her.


    Then she turned to Kyelle, gripped at Lhars'' side.


    "Kyelle, I''m going to ask you to go through first¡ªfor exactly the reason I was going to do it. You''re needed there to make certain there is someone to greet them and make the decisions. We don''t know if the Gateway will drop everyone out at the same ce. So just¡­ please¡­ be careful. And¡­ thank you, both of you," she said quietly, her eyes drifting back and forth between her and Lhars. "I know what this is costing you¡ªwe''ve been in this position. I hope you are certain that if I saw any way around it, I wouldn''t ask it of you."


    Lhars'' mouth tightened, but he nodded. Kyelle did as well. But both of them gripped each other even tighter.


    "Okay," Sasha said, and she suddenly sounded so weary.


    Zev must have noticed too because he put a hand on her back and looked at her in concern, but she ignored it.


    "Nothing else changes," she said quickly. "We''ll put each of you through in the same order, with the exception of Kyelle. Space yourselves between the people. Make sure your ns are correctly focused before they step in. And as soon as you arrive, make it your priority to find your own people and bring them together."


    She looked down for a moment with a small smile on her face. "I keep reminding myself," she said quietly, "that this is only a matter of hours. Our separation from each other, our pain, our travel¡­ it''s all very short. I pray for the safety of each and every one of you. Every one of them!" she said, gesturing towards the crowd that was slowly filing away.


    "I meant what I said: We are a people and we are finally, finally going to be free!"


    The Alphas nodded. Even Lhars heart lifted. But then Sasha blessed them and turned to Zev before catching eyes with Skhal, Jhon, and Lhars.


    "I''ll need to speak with each of you quickly, but the others can go."


    Lhars'' stomach twisted. That meant it was time for him to say goodbye to Kyelle.

 Chapter 437 See You Soon

    Chapter 437 See You Soon


    If you like music while you read, try "Stay" by Thirty Seconds to Mars. It''s what I was listening to while writing this scene!


    *****


    ~ LHARS ~


    While the other Alphas moved away towards the crowd that was slowly curling out of site on the trail, Kyelle looked up at him.


    Sasha was speaking quietly with Zev, so Lhars pulled her aside, away from the others, though he knew they''d be overheard.


    Kyelle put her hands on his chest and fisted his shirt, opening her hand and smoothing it, before gripping it again. He held her arms and stared down at her, but she wouldn''t meet his eyes.


    "This isn''t it forever, Kyelle," he whispered. "I''ll see you at the cave and then¡ª"


    "No," she whispered back, her throat bobbing. "I have to focus on the females, on getting them through safely," she said, her voice tight with regret. "If I turn to you in that¡­ it''s not fair. None of them have mates to hold them."


    Lhars thought of Pysa and Mae but didn''t say anything. He knew what she meant. But that made his stomach feel like lead.


    They were saying goodbye now? Here?


    When he didn''t respond, Kyelle finally lifted her eyes to search his. Their gazes locked and emotion welled up in him.


    "You''re going to be safe," he said firmly as if it was an order. "And I''m going to get my group of females and meet you in the Safe ce in just a couple of hours."


    Kyelle nodded, but her forehead lined. Her eyes were pleading.


    "I love you, Kyelle. I''m desperate for you. This has happened too fast, I don''t want you to have any questions, any doubts¡ª"


    "I don''t," she broke in, shaking her head. Her chin quivered. "And you can''t have any either, Lhars. I know I was sight-blind. I''d do anything to change that now. But see me. Feel me. I''m here. For you. Only for you."


    She took off his hands and ced them at the center of her chest, t, over her heart.


    He could feel it racing against his palm¡ªand feel his own, also pumping too quickly, shifting to align with hers.


    "We''re in this together," he said, nodding. "So this, right now¡­ this is just a¡­ a dy."


    She nodded, but fear sparked in her eyes that made him want to growl.


    Then Lhars went very still. Kyelle froze, searching his gaze. "What is it?"


    Lhars cleared his throat. "If it takes time, Kyelle, if I''m held up¡­ please don''t give up on me."


    "Lhars, you''re my mate. I would never¡ª!"


    "No, I mean¡­ don''t stop believing that I''ming. Don''t give up hope. Please."


    She tilted her head, frowning sadly, cupping his face with her elegant hands. "I will never give up, Lhars. You have me, body and soul."


    A huffing call broke in his throat and he couldn''t stop it. He took her in a kiss, fisting his hand in her hair and pulling her in, desperate and wing.


    Kyelle wasn''t one for public disys of affection, but she clung to him, whimpering. They both sucked and Lhars stumbled into her.


    Someone behind them cleared their throat and Lhars was suddenly reminded that they were waiting for him. Sasha was waiting. He had to let her go.


    The thought threatened to make him weep.


    Tipping his forehead against hers, he broke the kiss, but still didn''t let her go.


    Kyelle had circled his waist with her hands and was still pulling him in.


    "Wait for me," he breathed. "Even if I''mte. Even if I''m¡­ just wait for me, please. Don''t give up."


    Kyelle shook her head and adrenalin speared through him. But she raised a hand to stroke him. "Lhars, I will wait the rest of my life for you. Never give up. I won''t. Just¡­e back safely. Please."


    He couldn''t resist another kiss. But the sinking feeling in his stomach, coupled with the silence behind them meant the moment was lost. Lhars straightened and stroked her hair.


    Kyelle tried to smile, but then her eyes drifted over his shoulder and he realized Sasha was approaching them.


    "Sorry," he said, turning, though still holding Kyelle''s hand. "I didn''t mean too¡ª"


    "You''re fine," Sasha said with a sigh. "I hate that we''re putting you two through this. But I''m so d that you''re here. I know you''re going to be fine, Lhars¡ªand Kyelle, both of you. I''m more worried about what happens when you reach the Safe ce. There''s going to be a lot of pressure on you both if we aren''t there right away. But I want you to know, I haveplete peace about leaving the people in your hands. If anything happens to us¡­"


    All three of them tensed, and Zev, a few feet behind Sasha, speaking with Skhal, turned and frowned. She looked over her shoulder at him, and his eyes warmed with gratitude, and Lhars'' heart thrummed.


    His brother looked at his mate the way Lhars felt about Kyelle. It was¡­ surreal.


    "We''re all going to make it back safe," Lhars said gruffly, still holding Kyelle''s hand. "Perhaps at different times. Perhaps with challenges. But we will all be safe."


    Kyelle and Sasha looked at each other. He wasn''t sure what passed between them¡ªsomething shrouded in the mystery of females¡ªbut Sasha smiled and leaned in to hug first Kyelle, then Lhars himself.


    "Let''s do this and get it done," she said quietly. "Let''s do this and save the Chimera, and never have to think about the human intervention again."


    Kyelle''s smile broadened so that even Lhars was grinning. Then Sasha turned away with a wink at Lhars. "We''ll be over here when you''re ready."


    *****


    Watching Kyelle''s back as she walked away with her chin high and her shoulders back was a bittersweet beauty. He didn''t take his eyes off of her even when she took two running steps and thenunched herself into the air to fly to the front and be at the cave first so that she could lead the females through.


    As he watched her graceful form swoop through the sky, she banked, her broad wings wide and beautifully white in the dawn light, as she circled high over his head, screeching another farewell before she pped away.


    Lhars turned to the others then, grateful that they simply made room for him in the circle, but didn''tment.

 Chapter 438 Lets Do This

    438 Let''s Do This


    ~ SASHA ~


    "¡­remember to focus on the females that you metst time¡ªnot their location, in case they''ve been moved. If there was a leader among them, or a presence, focus on that one. You need the Gateway to take you to the ce where the humans won''t see you, and where the highest concentration of females is present. Be so careful, guys. Please."


    Lhars, Jhon, and Skhal all nodded. The other two were tense but seemed poised with anticipation. Lhars was eager to get his females out of thepound, but even more eager to get back to his mate and the others.


    "Remember, you have to tell them that I sent you, and this is the fulfillment of the prophecy. That''s crucial. That''s our trigger. That''s what they''ve been waiting for. Who spoke with Vaylst time?"


    "That was me," Skhal said quickly.


    Sasha turned to him. "She''s an asset. Listen to her. If she gives you caution, heed it."


    Skhal nodded. "She was very quick to understand what was happening. I don''t think we''ll have any struggles."


    Sasha nodded, then looked at the other two. "Your groups are small, but those females have been wounded deeply. I know it''s hard, but please be patient with them. If they''re tense they''re more likely to panic¡ªespecially if they''re young," she said, with a pointed look at Lhars, who nodded.


    Then Sasha sighed. "I think¡­ I think don''t tell them that I won''t be there immediately. Just tell them I sent you and this is the fulfillment. If I''m not in the Safe ce soon after you, at least they''ll already be there safe and Kyelle can help them."


    The males all nodded.


    Sasha was grim. She hated the idea of the females being even more frightened by being surrounded by so many females. But she had hope that the others who wereing from thepound were more robust. If Zev was right and they''d been sent the weakest, those closest to death, then hopefully the others would fare much better when they arrived.


    And even with their trauma, there would be more of them too. They wouldn''t be so heavily outnumbered.


    Zev had warned her that many of the females had died in the preceding years¡ªtoo many for the humans to rece. It was why the team had be even more focused on reproduction. She prayed that when they were all together and in a ce with no human interference, the females could truly return to themselves.


    "If any of you are identified or interrupted by humans¡­ get out of there. As many as you can take with you, do it. But don''t risk everyone for the sake of an individual. It breaks my heart to even say it, but that is amand. You do not risk the humans entering the Gateway with you. We don''t know what they know¡ªwhether they could follow someone through it. We just¡­ we don''t know enough. It can''t be risked."


    The males all murmured their agreement and Sasha raked a hand through her hair. Behind her, Zev leaned in, adding his presence and reassurance.


    "Thank you for being willing to do this," she said to them. "Thank you for the risks you''re taking for others." Then she dismissed them.


    Zev stepped forward to share scents with each of them and cupped the back of Lhars'' neck, the two of them staring, obviously speaking through the link. It was touching to see the brothers support each other like that.


    Then, as the three of them finally turned away and started after the rest of the Chimera, a deep shadow appeared over Sasha''s shoulder.


    For a moment her heart pounded, suddenly convinced Nick had shown up. She gasped and whirled¡ª


    and immediately discovered why none of the males had been on alert.


    Yhet stood behind her frowning sadly.


    "Yhet!" she threw herself into his chest and he caught her up, holding her for a long hug, his deep voice vibrating in his chest under her ear.


    "You are doing well, Sasha-don," he rumbled.


    He let her down, but Sasha didn''t stop holding him when her feet were on the ground. Yhet petted her hair hard enough that her head was forced forward, but she smiled through the tears.


    "Yhet, I¡ª"


    "I''m sorry I left my post, Sasha-don. But I wanted to see you before you left. Besides," he muttered, "Ernie stayed and Nick won''t go anywhere when he''s around."


    To Sasha''s eyes, Yhet''s dear face blurred. She tried to blink away the tears, but they tumbled down her cheeks, only to be reced by more.


    "I''m not angry, Yhet. It''s fine. I wanted to see you too. I want to thank you for being my friend since the moment I arrived. For epting me just because Zev did. I¡­ I wouldn''t have made it this far without you." She put one hand to his massive chest and smoothed it as if he had wrinkles in his furs.


    Yhet grumbled some kind of protest but didn''t meet her eyes. Then he swallowed. "I have a thought," he said carefully. "But first I need to know, what''s your n?"


    "They''re all going now. Right now, Yhet," she said, her voice husky. "Lhars, Skhal, and Jhon will go through when everyone has gone to the Safe ce¡ªthey''ll get the females from thepound, then join the others. But Zev and I¡­ we''ll wait a few hours so that we won''t raise the rm if we get it wrong. We''re going to get our son. Then we''ll join them. Will youe, Yhet? Please? Even if¡­ even if it''s only for a short time, I would be so much happier if you were with us. We could help you¡ª"


    "No, Sasha. Thank you, but that''s not what I meant," he said quietly, ncing at Zev.


    "What is it, Yhet?" Zev asked gently.


    Yhet cleared his throat. "I¡­ owe the Team something for taking my mate as they did. I''d like to go¡ª"


    Sasha sucked in a breath.


    "¡ªbut only to the human world. I''d like to¡­ make a distraction for you."

 Chapter 439 Avenging Angel

    439 Avenging Angel


    ~ ZEV ~


    "What are you talking about, Yhet?" Sasha asked, sounding very wary.


    Zev''s heart broke for her. She wasn''t going to like this. But he appreciated the male. If Yhet meant what Zev thought he meant, it was an excellent idea. He never would have asked Yhet to do it, but it showed the male''s heart that he thought of it himself.


    Yhet, obviously aware that his friend was worried, took both Sasha''s hands. His were sorge they engulfed hers, like a human father with a tiny daughter. Zev''s throat pinched.


    For the first time he''d ever seen, Yhet seemed to suit his title as Ancient.


    "Sasha-don," he said carefully, "The humans are crafty. They have many systems¡ªmany strong systems. But their systems work on the basis that we all¡ªhuman, Chimera¡ªflee from pain or death."


    "What are you saying, Yhet?" Sasha asked, her voice dark. Zev moved to stand behind her, to be there when she realized.


    Yhet sighed, his eyes sad, but fierce. "I want to take as many of those fuckers down with me as I can, Sasha-don. Please don''t take this from me. I will distract the humans, let them believe the darkness has taken me and I''ve lost my mind. I will divert their attention to the entrance of thepound while the males are taking the females."


    "Yhet, no¡ª"


    "Their technology is advanced, Sasha," Yhet said as if she didn''t know. Zev had to stifle a smile. "They can see things when they aren''t present. Sense things their limitations cannot. Unless their human eyes and ears are taken with an emergency, there''s a risk they''ll alert to what is going on and the females won''t get out. We can''t let them keep anyone, Sasha."


    "I''m not going to¡ª"


    "You told the males, rightly, that if they were at risk, to leave. Even if they hadn''t gotten them all out."


    Sasha frowned. "I don''t want that, Yhet. It''s thest resort¡ª"


    "And a good order, Sasha-don. You lead well. I submit," the male said, sping a hand to his chest and bowing his head. "But I want to help. I want to give the humans something to focus on so that any rms around the females might go unnoticed until it''s toote."


    Sasha''s forehead pressed into deep lines. "But¡­ Yhet¡­ you''re¡ª"


    "I am so tired, Sasha. My mate¡­ she''s gone from here. And from there. But I feel her and it pulls at me. I¡­ I want to do something to avenge her¡ªand to help you and the others."


    Sasha swallowed audibly. "Nick said there are ancients there¡ªor they have some, somewhere. Perhaps she''s¡ª"


    Yhet shook his head, his face crumpling. "She''s gone, Sasha. I can feel it. There is a¡­ gap where she should be."


    A small noise broke in Sasha''s throat. Zev put a hand on her shoulder. He suddenly had to touch her. They both knew exactly what he meant.


    Sasha''s shoulder sagged. Zev was d the others had gone. She looked very weak, suddenly.


    "But, Yhet¡ª"


    "The ancients Nick referred to, they aren''t like me," Yhet said, his voice little more than a growl. "I was taken to them once. They aren''t like us, Sasha. Their minds¡­ they are animals. They choose to stay close to the humans because they hope for food and shelter. They are mindless¡­ it would be a kindness to kill them, but I will not do it. The only lives I will take are the humans."


    Sasha frowned. But Yhet continued. "I don''t go to save others myself, Sasha. I go to distract the humans and to show them the truth of what they''ve done¡ªto help you all escape them. I will not see them win this if there is anything I can do to help.


    Sasha''s face crumpled. "But Yhet¡­ I want you to be safe."


    "Can''t you see, Sasha?" he said, and his voice was higher, cracked in a way Zev had never heard it before. His heart went out to his friend. "I cannot be happy here anymore. I¡­ I need to trust that the Creator has a ce for us. That my mate is there, and that I can join her. There is no hope left for me here," he croaked.


    Sasha gave a little cry, then threw herself into his chest again. Yhet rumbled reassurances to her, continuing to stroke her hair. But his eyes came up to meet Zev''s.


    Zev nodded once, a salute to the honor of his friend who would willingly give his life to save others.


    "I honor you, Yhet," he whispered below Sasha''s hearing.


    Yhet''s face tightened and he blinked, but then he dropped his chin to look at Sasha, clinging to his furs. His think fingers ran through her hair in a gesture of such gentleness, Zev''s stomach clenched. Had it been any other male, he would have snarled and torn her away to set the boundary. But Yhet¡­ Yhet loved her with the purity of true friendship.


    Zev cleared his throat as Yhet whispered to her, words of love and joy and hope¡ªfor her and the Chimera. And reassurance of his own feelings. Sasha''s shoulders shook, but she pulled herself together quickly, wiping her eyes and forcing herself to meet her friend''s eyes until she wasmending him and reassuring him in return.


    When they finally pulled apart, they were both smiling faintly.


    Zev followed as they turned and began to follow the others. Sasha asked Yhet to go ahead of Lhars and the others and Yhet agreed.


    Zev was overwhelmed again. So much loss. So much pain. And yet, so much hope. His heart didn''t know how to feel. As the three of them walked slowly¡ªYhet could always run to catch the others if it was needed¡ªZev focused on listening to the wolves as theymunicated about locations and ns.


    There were few creatures left in the forest. Those that wanted to had already gone through the Gateway, and those that didn''t were disappearing deeper into Thana in the hope of being left alone.


    Then Yhet''s low rumble broke through his thoughts.


    "Please don''t tell the others that I don''t n to follow them to the new world," he said quietly. Sasha looked up at him, frowning, but Yhet shook his head. "I don''t have the energy to say goodbye to everyone. Let them focus on their journey and I will focus on mine."


    Sasha blew out a breath and hugged his arm. "Okay. I guess I understand."


    But Zev reached past her to p Yhet''s upper arm. "You''re a good male, Yhet. The best kind."


    The male rumbled a protest, but they all kept walking withoutmenting further.

 Chapter 440 Running the Gamut

    Chapter 440 Running the Gamut


    ~ ZEV ~


    1


    If there hadn''t been such a sense of dread hanging over their heads it might have been a very pleasant morning. Yhet was quiet, so Zev and Sasha discussed their ns through the mind link.


    Lhars took about four hoursst time, Sasha said. But I hope he''ll be quicker this time. And besides, we don''t want to wait too long, in case the humans do try to follow¡ªin case they can do things we don''t know about and locate us or something. I say we get everyone through and wait about three hours. That should be enough time for them to get the females out, but not so long that some huge force of humans could be in ce.


    Zev winced internally. She highly underestimated the capabilities of the Team when they were on alert. But in truth, that meant there was no time they could step in without being at risk if the humans knew something about the Gateway that they didn''t. So he shrugged.


    But we''re moving into the future, remember? He said gently. Is there any need to wait at all?


    They went back and forth on it, eventually deciding that they would take a short time when everyone was gone, then step in.


    They walked on quietly and Zev drank in the sights of his home.


    Walking through Thana as the sun rose to make the snowy mountains glow was one of Zev''s favorite things to do.


    For a moment his stomach clenched in fear¡ªwhat if this newnd wasn''t beautiful? What if they got there and couldn''t find that same peace from Creation? But he shook his head. Lhars had sent images of what he''d seen, and thend truly was beautiful¡ªclearly warmer than Thana. But lush and green and with mountains, though green and brown instead of purple and blue.


    No, Zev didn''t need to worry that the Chimera would have an unnatural world. And he was grateful for that. Once they got through¡ª


    His mind stopped, snagged on the image in his mind of stepping out of the gateway into the new world with Sasha and their son.


    Both of them.


    Awake.


    Wait.


    They''d were only minutes from the cave and they''d caught up to the back of the crowd¡ªmoving slowly now as the Alphas ahead organized and assigned the Chimera different spots. Lhars sent him an image suddenly of some of the females balking¡ªa warning that Sasha was needed. But Zev''s heart was pounding in his ears so he could barely think.


    Yhet had melted into the crowd, moving ahead to see if he could help with anything while he waited to go through at the end, ahead of Lhars.


    But as Zev turned to tell Sasha that she was needed at the front, he found her staring at him, concerned.


    What is it? she asked in his head.


    The n, he replied, swallowing. We missed something.


    "What?!"


    "We were going to knock you out. But if we do that, you can''t hold the Gateway open while I get our son," he said, frantic. "Sasha, how are we going to do this?"


    Sasha''s eyes went wide. But there was a shriek ahead of them, one of the females and they both turned.


    When Zev looked down at her again, they both knew she had to go up there to help the others.


    "You stay here," she said quietly. "I''ll help them get through. We''ll talk about it after."


    "But¡ª"


    "Zev, there''s nothing we can do. We have to go ahead. We''ll figure it out when everyone else is gone. We have to just¡­ pray. Pray that the bond¡ªwhich clearly doesn''t want us apart¡ªwill somehow keep us together?"


    3


    He stared at her, chilled as his mind threw up every kind of death and destruction that could happen to either of them as they walked into this. But Sasha just leaned up on her toes to kiss him quickly. "Don''t worry," she said. "We''ll figure it out."


    Then she darted into the crowd and let the Chimera give her space to walk through quickly so she could reach the females at the front.


    Zev was left there, gaping at her back, staring at the milling crowds of Chimera, as fear washed over him in waves.


    They couldn''t go through separately. Even if they were able to open the Gateway together, that separation had almost killed themst time. They couldn''t risk it again now¡ªand certainly not twice!


    But he''d never heard of anyone crossing in pairs or groups without being separated by the Gateway.


    What the fuck were they going to do?


    Zev had to turn his back on the others, to re his anger and fear out at thendscape around him so he wouldn''t cause tension.


    What the hell?


    What the actual hell?


    1


    He turned his chin up to stare at the sky, to snarl at the Creator Himself.


    I get it. I know I was wrong¡ªand a fool. But you know that I try to protect her. That I want to save our son. Why bring us this far if you''ll stop us¡ªis this a game to you?


    I''m doing everything I can to fix the things I broke, not just for her, but for everyone¡ªall the Chimera. To make myself good enough. I''m doing everything I can to¡­ to be good. To love and care and protect. And it''s as if you want to destroy me! But you''ll take her down too if you do! How can that be right? Why would you destroy the one who is good? Is this punishment for me? Is she doomed because I''m condemned?


    He growled in his throat, wing both hands into his hair as he gazed out at Thana. The beautifulnd he was willingly leaving to give them all a chance to live in peace.


    You''ve let them steal our son. You''ve made it impossible for us to cross apart. Now you''d kill us just when we''re so close?


    If you want me dead, just do it! Stop toying with me!


    But if you do¡­ save her. Please. If you take me¡­ save her. Save both of them.


    *****


    WE''RE ALMOST AT "THE END!" If you want more great shifter fantasies (or somethingpletely different) go to linktr.ee/


    authoraimee to find my seven books on WN, and four published elsewhere!

 Chapter 441 Panic Stations

    Chapter 441 Panic Stations


    ~ SASHA ~


    1


    The closer she got to the front of the Chimeran ranks, the more chaos there seemed to be. She found the Alphas spread out through the crowd, trying to manage the ns and keep the females in their own spaces. But they''d had to be broken into smaller groups to make sure they could be spread out among the ns, and now some were beginning to panic.


    The shriek they''d heard was because a male had attempted tofort a female who was breaking down, and all hell had broken loose.


    Sasha''s head was already spinning¡ªhow had she continued to forget about the solo nature of the Gateway? Why couldn''t they catch a break? But she didn''t have time to analyze it, because Kyelle


    ¡ªnear the front of the cave¡ªwas desperately trying to calm the frantic females before walking through herself. She was supposed to be first. They hadn''t even begun to cross.


    Sasha''s stomach dropped. They needed to get moving!


    "I''m sorry," Kyelle said when she saw her. "I didn''t want to step in until I could make sure they''d heard the instructions. I''m worried they''ll focus on the wrong ce out of fear or just panic.


    Sasha nodded. But something about the female''s words, her stance, raised Sasha''s instincts. There was a cluster of females off to their right that Kyelle had been speaking to, but her own tension was so high, that Sasha wondered if she''d actually been helping less than she thought.


    Sasha looked at the other females who were all watching the two of them, afraid, but attentive. They were calmer now that Sasha was there. It was a balm to her, and also a fear¡ªwhat if something happened to her? Would Kyelle and Mae be able to care for them all?


    She turned back to Kyelle wondering how to tell the female that she was part of the problem. The two of them stared at each other for a moment before Sasha gave up on trying to find the words to exin and just urged Kyelle towards the cave.


    "You go," she said. "Go be there. Get there safely. I''ll get them ready. And I''ll send them through. It won''t hurt to let a few males go through first. The most important thing is to have support for them on that side, I think. Because the rest¡­. We can do this, Kyelle. You go."


    Kyelle''s forehead wrinkled. "I¡­ are you certain?" she sounded reluctant and Sasha knew her instincts were right.


    She stepped up to Kyelle, put a hand on her shoulder, and nodded. "Don''t be afraid. I''ll make sure hees through to you. But we need you there to greet them, Kyelle. If I can tell them you''re there and they should ask the Gateway to take them to you¡­ it will work. Go. We''re about to start a new life. Just¡­. Go."


    Kyelle looked down and nodded. "Okay," she breathed, then looked up and around, scanning the crowd.


    "He''s at the back, Kyelle, I''m sorry. He''s waiting to go after everyone else goes."


    She nodded and her lips thinned. "Will you¡­ tell him I was thinking of him?"


    "Of course I will," she said. Seeing the grief on Kyelle''s face, her yearning, it wasn''t the first time Sasha sent up a prayer of gratitude that she and Zev were able to mind link. She couldn''t imagine walking through there now, not knowing when she would see him again, and not being able to tell him she loved him onest time.


    "I''ll tell him, Kyelle," she said gently. "And I''ll send the females after you. Focus on finding safety and finding them. He''ll be there with more for you before you know it." She hoped. She hoped and prayed that was true.


    Kyelle gave her a quick hug, then turned sadly and trudged into the cave.


    *****


    It took Sasha about twenty minutes to get the first cluster of females centered and breathing and ready to walk through. She took them inside the cave, going back over with them how to focus


    ¡ªthey needed to go to thend that was safe, where the humans could never interfere. And they would find Kyelle there. As long as they kept that at the forefront of their minds, they would be fine.


    There were five females in that first group, and when thest one stepped through, Sasha almost cried. This was going to take far longer than they''d thought.


    Luckily, a group of males were ready to pass through then, and she greeted them each as she walked back through the cave to find the next group of females.


    Her stomach kept giving her the jolt of adrenalin¡ªshe''d panic, her mind telling her that Zev was going through without her and she''d missed him¡ªbut then she''d remember that no, he was waiting for her. They were going to do this together.


    She hoped.


    Please, Creator, please¡­ make it possible.


    It was a theory she''d had since thest time they spoke of it¡ªthat the reason the bond tore at them so terribly was that it wasn''t designed to be broken by the Gateway. That it would, somehow, hold them together inside it if they went in unity.


    But it was a theory. She had no idea.


    What if it just wasn''t possible, and they stepped through and were killed? Her son was in that horrible ce!


    Sasha had to breathe deeply and force herself to think of something else.


    There was nothing else that they could do. She couldn''t be left in the Gateway unconscious. It would close on her and Zev would be trapped there in theb.


    They were both needed for this.


    They had no choice. If God was going to put these barriers in front of them, He was going to have to figure out a way to get them through them, because Sasha didn''t have any other hope.


    Make it happen, she prayed. If you''re real. If you''re there. And if you see in him what I see in him¡­ get us through this safely, and together.

 Chapter 442 Get Your Orders

    Chapter 442 Get Your Orders


    ~ ZEV ~


    1


    As the sun climbed higher and the numbers of Chimera slowly dwindled, Zev began to pace. This was taking hours longer than they''d anticipated. If Nick had been right to be nervous about the Team they could show up at any moment.


    But there was nothing they could except wait and hope. And pray.


    He watched his brother grow more and more tense¡ªthen dete when he was told that Kyelle had gone through hours earlier.


    He watched Sasha, exhausted, move immediately from leading one group of females into the cave to returning, only to walk straight to the next and begin preparing them while the next group of males went through.


    He watched Yhet stand guard over the mouth of the cave, his eyes narrow and stance fierce, like he would personally tear any human limb from limb who dared appear from the Gateway.


    Then finally, when the sun was high in the sky, Sasha emerged from the cave, her face pale and haggard, but she stopped just outside, scanning the trail.


    There were no more females.


    She''d done it. She''d gotten them all to go through. She turned to find Zev, her face pleading.


    He was at her side in seconds, folding her into his arms and holding her, his heart thudding ufortably, but eased a little by being close to her.


    They didn''t speak¡ªeven through the mindlink. They just held each other as thest of the males milled around them, awaiting thest wave with their Alpha.


    It was Goats¡ªthey''d chosen to send the wolves through first because they couldmunicate with each other over distances, and hopefully find each other if they were dropped out of the Gateway in different locations.


    But Sasha''s idea¡ªabout sending Kyelle through and having everyone concentrate on getting to her¡ªwas Zev''s hope that there wouldn''t be the uncertainty of that kind of separation on the other end.


    For a moment as he held her, the temptation was there to just knock her out and take her through. To get them to safety and never have to think about this particr danger again.


    But then he thought of his son¡ªhelpless and weak¡ªheld in thatb and watched over by Satan himself, Nathan, and¡­ no. He couldn''t do it. They couldn''t do it.


    4


    They had to go get him.


    Sasha pulled out of his arms finally, wiping her eyes. "They''re gone. They''re all through. I just hope¡­ they were so scared¡­" she whispered.


    Zev stroked her hair and just listened as she unloaded all her tension about the females and the fears that some of them hadn''t heard her. That they might get lost in the Gateway.


    "They''ve all been through before, Sash," he reminded her. "They''ll remember what they need to do. You''ve done what you can. This is it. Now we focus on our family."


    She snapped her head up then to meet his eyes, surprise and joy and fear crowding each other in her eyes.


    "Our family," she breathed.


    He nodded.


    "We have a son, Zev."


    He nodded again, but he knew his face was grim. He hadn''tmunicated his fears to Sasha. He knew from experience that while the Team did everything in their power to keep the young alive¡ªthey were precious to them, too, though for all the wrong reasons¡ªthere was every chance that their son hadn''t survived.


    The survival rate in thebs was fifty-fifty at best. And lower for males than females, from what Zev had been told.


    He''d tried, while he was waiting for Sasha, to reassure himself that if their son had died, Nick would have been told.


    But then as he scanned back through the conversation they''d had with the asshole, he couldn''t remember either of them actually asking him right up front whether their son was still alive. He''d said he would take them to him. He''d said where he was being housed. But had they actually asked if he was alive?


    Nick had said he was thriving¡­ right? Or had he only mentioned the Team were waiting to see if he was healthy?


    Zev growled, he couldn''t remember. His head spun with too many questions, too many worries.


    "What is it?" Sasha asked quickly.


    Zev blinked. Right. He''d growled.


    "Nothing," he said, forcing a smile for her. "I''m just feeling protective."


    She tried to smile too, but sighed. Yhet, Lhars, Skhal, and Jhon were gathered at the mouth of the cave, while all the others that were still on this side now all fit inside the cave.


    It would be minutes until they were alone.


    Zev looked at his closest, most trusted friends and brother. And suddenly their power seemed so small.


    These four males were all they had? Their forward guard? Everyone else had gone. Everyone else was on their way to safety. Only these four stood between the humans and freedom for the rest of the Chimera.


    What were they thinking, sending so few? Why hadn''t they made a better n? With more back up?


    He tensed and Sasha, always perceptive of his mood, looked at him sharply. "What, Zev? What is it?"


    But he turned away and shook his head. "Nothing but a little panic," he muttered when he realized she wasn''t going to rx until he''d answered. "I''m just¡­ I''m just ready for all this to be over."


    Sasha sighed again. "Me too."


    A few minutester a pair of guards appeared in the mouth of the cave, looking for him and Sasha.


    "We''re thest," the dark-haired one said. "Everyone else has gone except for your team."


    Sasha sped her hands at her chest. "Focus, brothers. Kyelle is there with the females. It''s the safe ce¡ªwhere the humans can''t interfere. Ask to be taken to where they''re gathered."


    The males both nodded. Sasha walked toward them¡ªwas going to hug them, Zev thought, and a growl began to putter in his throat. But both males submitted, saluted, then turned on their heels and walked into the cave.


    Watching the shadow climb down their backs until they were deep inside and hidden from view. Zev sighed.


    This was happening. This was really happening.


    Sasha turned to the other three.


    "Your turn."

 Chapter 443 Nick the F**kwit 10

    Chapter 443 Nick the F**kwit


    10


    ~ SASHA ~


    1


    It had been the strangest feeling saying farewell, first to Yhet, then to the other three males. Standing there, watching them go through one by one, she''d felt¡­ numb.


    What''s wrong with me? she''d asked Zev in his head. I should be crying.


    You already cried, he replied, his voice gentle. Sometimes when there''s just been too much, it''s like your heart goes cold.


    She''d turned then to look at him, terrified that she wouldn''t feel anything for him, either. But no¡­ to her relief, her chest pinched and her stomach flipped just catching his eyes.


    I haven''t stopped feeling for you.


    That''s because I''m not leaving you, he said with a half-smile. It''s the grief and fear that are killers. Not a hunk of burning love.


    4


    Sasha had snorted¡ªand to her relief, almost cried¡ªbut then Zev''s face went serious and she looked around to see what was bothering him and realized¡­


    They were all gone.


    4


    She stood there, just taking it in. Or trying to.


    It was now entirely out of her control. All of the Chimera, with their respective responsibilities and tasks, had been put through the Gateway.


    Only her and Zev were left.


    Sasha realized she wasn''t breathing and forced herself to inhale.


    "So," Zev said hesitantly a momentter. "Are we voting for going straight away? Or waiting?"


    Sasha chewed on her lip. She wanted to get out of here. She wanted to get this done. To get their son and get out of this ce. Forever.


    But she couldn''t shake the caution that held her back. The vague, formless wariness that stopped her from simply stepping into the Gateway.


    Instinct, Zev called it.


    Intuition, she would have said. Or maybe the staying hand of the Creator?


    "We need to talk to Nick. We need to get him out of here and back into the human world. I can''t shake it, Zev. I know you hate him. I know you want to leave him to die. But¡­ we need him. I''m certain of it."


    Zev frowned. "It''s not that I don''t trust you, Sash. It''s that I don''t trust him. I feel like anything he''s involved in is just steeped in deceit¡ªor at least, ulterior motives."


    "I have no doubt," Sasha agreed with him. "But I also know that you''re the one who told me to listen to my instincts. So¡­ here we are. We have to talk to him before we go."


    Zev sighed heavily and it rolled off into a growl. "You''re certain?"


    She nodded, praying that she was. That she hadn''t just handed them both¡ªand their son¡ªa death warrant.


    "Well then, let''s get it done as fast as we can."


    He shifted into his wolf, hunched down so she could crawl onto his back, then leaped forward into a run that almost unseated her.


    *****


    It was strange to walk into the Vige knowing that the silence there was abandonment. That it wasn''t simply the quiet of busy people being in other ces.


    The Chimera were gone.


    Except Ernie, who appeared from behind the Shack the moment they got close enough to be heard.


    Sasha slid off Zev''s back and he was immediately back in his human form.


    "Are they gone?" Ernie asked in that grating voice of his. Sasha shivered, but she nodded and forced herself to smile.


    "Does he know?" she asked.


    Ernie shook his head. "He''s been sleeping. Pouting," Ernie grinned. "Ever since you took his device, he mutters a lot."


    Sasha snorted, but Zev tensed next to her. She put a hand on his arm, then raised her voice.


    "Nick! Come out here please. We won''t let Ernie eat you, I promise."


    3


    There was a snort and some shuffling around, but then the door creaked open and Nick, puffy-eyed, and bruised on his neck, with a swollen jaw and ck eye, stepped out of the shack.


    Sasha let herself enjoy a satisfied smile.


    He stared at her, arms folded, his eyes wary.


    "It''s time for you to go," she said without preamble.


    Nick blinked. "Excuse me?"


    "It''s time for you to leave."


    Nick''s brows pinched over his nose and he looked at her like she was crazy. "What is this, a trap to tempt me out where Ernie can get me?"


    1


    Sasha rolled her eyes. "No, Nick. You said you were needed back at thepound to help us get our son. So I''m telling you, go. Now. The Chimera have gone. We''ve sent them away. The Team won''t ever harm them again. But we still need our son. So you get to keep your life so you can help us do that."


    "What the¡ªyou expect me to believe you''ve just, what¡­ sent the Chimera over there without you? Bullshit."


    "You don''t have to believe it for it to be true, Nick. You''re wee to waste your time wandering around Thana to discover for yourself that the only Chimera left here are the ones like Ernie¡ªI''ll even tell Ernie not to eat you if you want some time to explore. But I can''t guarantee the others will listen. The only ones left are those that didn''t want their freedom. They wanted to stay here and take their revenge when the humans showed up to prove us wrong¡ª


    which they won''t, by the way."


    "You''re lying," Nick said, his eyes dark and fierce.


    Zev stepped forward, growling, "She''s not a liar like you, asshole."


    Sasha didn''t respond.


    Nick looked back and forth between them. "This is bullshit."


    Sasha kept her voice low and calm, but she let some of her anger creep into it. "No Chimera is ever going to subject themselves to your scrutiny ever again, Nick. It''s over. You need to go home."


    "No. I''m not going anywhere. You need me."


    "We''ll never need another thing from you," Sasha spat.


    "That''s bullshit! You can''t get your baby back without me."


    "Watch me."


    Zev made a small noise in his throat as Nick tensed and his eyes went flinty hard¡ªcalcting.


    But Sasha stood her ground and didn''t drop her eyes.

 Chapter 444 My Way or the Highway

    444 My Way or the Highway


    ~ SASHA ~


    Careful, Zev cautioned in her head. If you''re too confident he''ll know you''re up to something and then he''ll get more stubborn until he figures out what it is. Don''t give him a hint about the Gateway. At all.


    I won''t, she replied without looking away from Nick, who was huffing and running a hand over his head.


    "This is just a tactic¡ª"


    "Nope. We''re going to handle getting our baby back without you. If you happen to be around, you can help us¡ªif you even mean what you say about caring about Zev and our baby."


    "Of course I mean it. I also mean it that you can''t get into that ce without me. What are you going to do¡ªstorm the ce? Send them all over there? Bad idea. Some of them will get away, sure. But they''re prepared for that. Most of them will be tranquilized and in a cage before you can say, ''whoops!''


    Sasha let herself feel her grief at that idea and shook her head. "So ruthless. That''s why we don''t need you anymore, Nick. I refuse to need you. I would rather die than be in your debt, do you realize that? Now, leave. Or I really will turn Ernie loose on you."


    "But you said you''d protect me!"


    "The Team doesn''t live by their word, why should I? I''m kicking you out of Thana. The Chimera refuse any more human interaction, at all."


    Nick''s eyes widened. "You''re crazy. Zev, she''s crazy. You know this. You know you can''t rebel, they''ll kill you all."


    But before Zev could answer, Sasha broke in.


    "Try."


    Nick stared at her, stunned. Then his eyes narrowed. "What''s going on?"


    Neither of them responded to him. Nick turned to Zev and his voice turned pleading. "Zev, please, you know I''m trying to keep you alive, and your kid, all of you! You can''t do this. It will be the end of the project and they''ll¡ª"


    But Zev pushed past Sasha, put himself right up in Nick''s face, and snarled, "You should be more concerned that I still want to kill you, and the only reason I don''t is that she told me not to."


    Nick licked his lips. "You don''t understand¡­ you don''t have a clue the ripple effect if you kick me out."


    "Will they kill you?" Sasha asked with a tone more curiosity than concern.


    "No, of course not. But they''ll stop trusting me and you need me there, on the inside¡ª"


    "No, Nick. We need you and your lies out of our lives," Sasha snapped.


    Nick rubbed his hand over his head again. "Look, I get it, alright? I do. I understand that I¡­ deceived Zev and separated you two. But it really was for your own good. If I hadn''t, Sasha you would either have been killed or brought into the project¡ªas a test subject¡ªand Zev, you wouldn''t have had the freedom you did. You would have been locked in thepound like the rest of them."


    "And yet, here we are," Sasha said airily. "I get that you''re not used to disappointment, Nick. But you''re going to have to deal with this one. The Chimera are gone and they''re nevering back. If any humans show up here now they''re just going to find an empty world. You''re wee to explore, but like I said, watch out for the creatures."


    She turned on her heel as if she was leaving and Nick darted forward, catching her arm.


    She didn''t even have time to yank out of his grip before Zev was on him, snarling and snapping. Nick, for the first time, didn''t seem in any way intimidated by him. He whirled on Zev and got in his face.


    "You have got to let me help you! If you don''t, you''re both going to die¡ªand you think that leaves your kid in any kind of safety, Zev?"


    "Tell me what you can bring to this that no one else can, Nick?" Sasha said as the two men red at each other.


    "I have their trust," he said quickly, looking back and forth between them. "No matter what else is going on, I have their trust. I have the keys to the Kingdom. You kick me out and they think you''re still here, they stop trusting me. And if you think I''m a bastard, wait until you see who will step into my ce!"


    "Then keep their trust," Sasha said.


    "I¡­ what?"


    "You have bruises and it''s very obvious Zev tried to strangle you. Tell them that you caught us all trying to leave and you tried to stop them, and now you''re sending them back to intervene before we can go. It will take them some time to get through here. They''ll think we just managed to leave because we had warning. You still look like one of their guys, and we still get away."


    "I¡­ that''s¡­" Nick stumbled, his eyes darting. But he couldn''t find a way around it.


    "It''s simple, Nick. If you really want to help us, you do whatever you can to keep yourself in a ce to do it when we show up, okay?"


    "Of course I will, but can''t you see?" he pleaded, hands open toward Sasha, "You have toe with me. They need to believe you''re still trusting the n too¡ª"


    "Nope. No way. No how, Nick. Either you go alone, or you get eaten. Those are your choices. But you''re a smart guy, I''m sure you''ll figure out how to spin that to your advantage in the end."


    "But¡ª"


    "No buts, Nick. This is your only chance. I''ve called Ernie off. He''ll follow you to make sure you actually leave, but other than that he''s not going to get in your way. Because we want you out of here. So you grab your stuff¡ªexcept for the device¡ªand you leave."


    Nick shook his head. "It''s a death sentence for both of you¡ªand your kid."


    "Well," Sasha said breezily, though her blood ran cold, "I guess we''ll see if that''s true. But it''s not changing my decision. So¡­ goodbye, Nick. Goodbye and good fucking riddance."

 Chapter 445 Ready... Set...

    Chapter 445 Ready... Set...


    ~ ZEV ~


    They left him standing there, staring, in front of that awful shack. If it had been anyone but Nick, Zev would have felt bad. But instead he wished they could have hurt him more.


    They turned back towards the trail, holding hands, Zev''s heart thrumming too quickly, but not hard. Sasha didn''t mention him shifting, or them rushing back, so he walked on with her while she obviously processed everything that had happened. Everything they were about to do.


    "How long do you think it will take for him to realize we''re serious?" she asked several minutester when they were down the trail, walking with purpose, but not fast.


    Zev shrugged. "Probably only a few hours. However long it takes him to figure out what he''s going to do, whether we told the truth or not. He''s kind of impatient¡ªand terrified of the Creatures. He''s not going to go wandering around Thana. But he''ll know that we know that. That''ll stop him from believing us quickly. Because he''s always ying games, he''ll assume we are as well."


    Sasha shook her head. "It''s the truth, isn''t it, that people always expect from you what they do themselves."


    Zev huffed. "The Team definitely does," he said darkly. "They''re always lying and manipting, so they always expect others to do it too."


    "But I feel like I''m thinking everyone''s lying because I''ve been lied to. Not because I lie."


    Zev sighed. "Yeah."


    She squeezed his hand.


    He was going to ask her if she wanted him to shift and carry her quickly, but she seemed content to just walk, though he could feel the tension rising in her.


    "I''m scared, Zev," she said quietly a few minutester.


    "I''m here," he said simply.


    She shook her head. "No. I''m scared of getting this wrong. Of getting our son hurt¡ªor worse¡ª


    because I judged wrong. Like, if I didn''t know the Gateway would travel time for us, I would be rushing to get there, but now I''m scared and I''m hanging back and it''s because I''m afraid of screwing this up. He pays, Zev. If we get this wrong, he pays."


    Zev nodded. "I know, me too." And he did. In fact, he wasn''t sharing his thoughts with her because he didn''t want to scare her.


    He knew the cold emptiness of ab as your bedroom.


    He knew the uncertainty of nights alone as a child.


    He knew the quivering fear of a child with no one to turn to¡ªand a life lived in a vacuum.


    He didn''t want Sasha to see that because he knew she''d panic. But his own blood chilled every time he thought about possibly leaving his son to that kind of existence.


    Please¡­ he prayed. Please¡­ help us.


    He blew out a breath as they walked. Sasha, sensing his sadness, leaned into his side. He put his arm around her shoulders and they walked together. And he prayed. He prayed that they would get their son early enough that he would never know a world that didn''t love him.


    And he prayed for their safety, so they could make him safe.


    He prayed for the Chimera, that they wouldn''t panic, or be in danger, but that the Safe ce would be¡­ so much better.


    Everything¡­ it was overwhelming the number of things he wanted. The number of things he yearned for. Ached to possess, ached to see in the world.


    How the hell were they going to do this?


    "Hey," Sasha said, squeezing his waist. "We''re in this together, remember?"


    And that was the other thing. How were they possibly going to do this?


    "Tell me your theory," he said gruffly. "About the gateway. How is it do you think that we''re going to be able to do this without knocking you out?"


    Sasha tensed under his arm. "It is just a theory," she said cautiously. "But I hope I''m right. I just¡­ did you notice that when we went through the Gateway it took a couple of seconds for the bond to hurt? Like¡­ like for that first step we weren''t separated?"


    He hadn''t really thought about it, but he shrugged. "Yeah."


    "Well, other mates go through the gateway separately all the time and don''t have that right? So there''s got to be something different about our bond. It could be because I''m human and you''re not. But¡­ I think it''s because we''re Ardent, Zev. I think it''s a specific kind of bond and I think¡­ I hope that it means that if we step in together, the gateway won''t separate us on our own journeys like it does with everyone else."


    "I hope you''re right. You''ve been right about a lot of stuff, Sash."


    "I''ve been wrong about a lot, too," she muttered. "But yeah¡­ I just¡­ can''t you feel it? Like we have a piece of each other? I''m praying that whatever''s going on there, whatever connects us will keep us together in the Gateway. Just to be safe, I think we should walk in actually touching. I mean, we don''t know, right? It seemed to break when we walked away from each other when one of us went into the Gateway. So¡­ so let''s not do that, okay?"


    "Sure," he huffed.


    When they made it to the cave, Zev couldn''t help checking to see if there were any Chimera nearby, or in the cave itself. He even reached out with his mind and felt suddenly, achingly lonely. He realized at that moment, that he''d never been in a world that didn''t have other wolves in it. Whether he could reach them or not, he''d always been able to sense them. Now¡­ there was nothing. Just an echoing hole.


    He immediately turned for Sasha''s mind and found her¡ªalready open to him¡ªjust to soothe his heart.


    When they stepped into the cave and the shadows engulfed them, Zev took a deep breath.


    They stood in front of the Gateway together for a moment, then he turned to her. "I think I should carry you."


    She half-smiled. "Okay."


    He leaned down and lifted her into his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her head on his shoulder. They both sighed.


    Then before he stepped forward, Sasha whispered.


    "Please," she prayed. "If you''re really there¡­ if you really care¡­ make this possible. Make it safe. Help us get our son back."


    He looked down at her, kissed her fiercely while she gripped his neck, then he broke the kiss and turned back to the Gateway.


    "Let''s do this," he muttered. She nodded, her eyes wide.


    "I love you, Sash."


    "I love you, too."


    Then he tightened his arms around her and stepped inside.

 Chapter 446 No More Time

    Chapter 446 No More Time


    ~ SASHA ~


    She held her breath when Zev stepped in, clinging to him. And as they passed through that unseen barrier, she felt as if her entire skin was being pulled, as if some intangible force tried to tear her away from him.


    But her chest throbbed. Literally throbbed. Not with pain, but with heat and a prickling sense of grip. Traction.


    She''d wrapped her arms around his neck, closed her eyes, and leaned into that hollow under his chin, so it took a few seconds for her to realize when they''d actually made it.


    Sasha blinked her eyes open. Zev''s breath was heavy in her ear. Panting, almost. But from stress, not effort.


    She looked around. The rippling walls of the Gateway, curving over her head like clear, aqua-colored diamond surface, each facet a ripple as if in water, but unmoving. And it pulsed. A low light, dim and general¡ªfrom the center of everything¡ªrose and fell within it, like a heartbeat.


    In time with her heartbeat, she realized¡ªwhich was in time with Zev''s.


    "We did it!" she breathed, ecstatic.


    Zev nodded and carefully dropped her legs so she could stand, but he was very careful to keep contact between them, taking her hand and holding it tightly as if someone was trying to pull them apart.


    There was the slightest sensation still, she realized. A tugging. Not painful, but insistent. As if she would be torn from him if she let down her guard.


    Sasha swallowed.


    "We did it!" She put her free hand to her mouth and looked up at Zev, beaming.


    He nodded, but his eyes were darting¡ªhis whole expression looked serious, his face pale and hard. He never stopped examining the walls.


    "What''s wrong?" she said, looking around. Was there some kind of threat he could sense that she couldn''t? She leaned harder into his side.


    "There''s no light," he said. "I''ve been thinking about our son, about getting to him since we stepped through. But there''s no light," he said. "There''s always a light. Always¡ªeven if it''s going somewhere you don''t mean to go."


    Sasha looked around, realizing he was right. Under her feet that soft glow rose and fell with their heartbeats. But there was no lighted path.


    What was going on?


    "Well," she said, licking her lips, "There''s two of us. Maybe¡­ maybe we have to be really specific and Sasha frowned, a niggling fear beginning in the back of her mind. Were those circumstances impossible? Had something happened to their son? Was he not¡ªoh, Lord, was he¡ª


    make sure we''re focusing on exactly the same thing?"


    Zev''s throat bobbed. "Okay. So¡­ I''m thinking we want to arrive in theb when our son has already been delivered. When the drama is done, but not a momentter than we have to. When theb is empty if that''s possible. And if not¡­ when Nathan''s there."


    Sasha''s stomach dropped to her toes. "Yes, yes, that''s¡­ that''s exactly right."


    They both stayed quiet, focusing, but no path lit up.


    Sasha frowned, a niggling fear beginning in the back of her mind. Were those circumstances impossible? Had something happened to their son? Was he not¡ªoh, Lord, was he¡ª


    "Zev, why isn''t it lighting up?"


    "I don''t know. We''re both here. But¡­ maybe it won''t let two people go through at the same time even if we can answer?"


    "Do you¡­ would you know the way to get to the human world? Even if it''s wasn''t the right ce?"


    "No, Sash. Never walk into the Gateway without a path. Never."


    "What happens?"


    "We don''t know. But that''s the point, right? We can''t get lost¡ªwe can''t lose each other. We have to¡­ figure this out."


    "Okay, okay, let''s try again," she said. Her voice was getting higher, more desperate. She clung to his hand and turned to fully face the Gateway tunnel.


    "Ten weeks from now, or close to that¡­ our son is going to be independent of the¡­ the technology they grew him in. We need to reach him as soon after that as possible. At a time when he''s alone, or only Nathan is there. A time when we can take him without raising the rm. Please!" she added instinctively but felt ridiculous. It seemed unlikely the Gateway was sentient.


    They both held their breaths, but nothing happened.


    Zev swore. Sasha wanted to weep.


    "What are we going to do?" she cried. "Zev, if we can''t reach him together, what are we going to do? If one of us dies¡ª"


    "We aren''t dying today, Sasha. We''ll figure something out."


    But they both stood there, at a loss.


    Sasha raked a hand through her hair and bit back tears. She refused to give in to despair, but it was wing at her. How could they save their son if they couldn''t get through the Gateway?


    For the first time, she realized just how vulnerable their position really was.


    Was this was Nick had been trying to warn them about? Was there a way for the humans to close it to them? Had Nick gone into The Gateway and gone ahead of them somehow and made¡­


    She didn''t even finish the thought. She couldn''t let herself think they''d been thwarted that easily. The humans didn''t know about the time-travel or the free Gateways.


    Did they?


    "This sucks!" she cried, looking up at Zev. "How¡­ I mean, what are we¡­"


    Zev''s hand tightened on hers. He didn''t meet her eyes, just red at the Gateway. "I told you, Sash. I''m cursed," he said finally. "This obviously isn''t meant to be. I''m going to go back. You go get him and bring him to me. And if¡­ if the bond is broken by the Gateway, maybe¡­. Maybe we don''t die, right? If we can''t feel each other, maybe¡ª"


    "Stop!" Sasha screamed at him, yanking on his arm. "Just stop! You are not to me for this!"


    His jaw flexed and he looked down at their hands, obviously disagreeing with her, but unwilling to upset her more.


    "Fuck, I hate this! I wish we could just go back to before all of this started and change everything! Change the whole damn thing!" she sobbed.


    "Me too¡ª" Zev started to say, when suddenly the Gateway lit up around them, zing near-white.

 Chapter 447 Obstacle

    Chapter 447 Obstacle


    ~ ZEV ~


    Sasha gasped and Zev tightened his arm around her when she immediately began to take a step forward. Then he hissed and yanked her back.


    "What? Zev?! Don''t you see¡ªI wanted to go back, to change it all and it''s giving us a chance to do that¡ª"


    "Wait, Sash. Just wait. You don''t know what that means. The Gateway is dangerous. They trained us in this. We have to be really careful."


    "But, Zev, we could stop this whole thing!" she said, turning to him excitedly. "Can''t you see¡ª"


    "No, Sash, you were too vague. We have no idea what we''d be walking into¡ªjust because things would be different, doesn''t mean they''d be better. We can''t¡­ please, we can''t risk it."


    "But¡ª"


    "You said to a time when you could change everything¡ªbut that would still be a time we''ve already lived. It doesn''t mean you could change anything. We could just end up stuck, reliving this hell¡ª"


    "But¡ª"


    "What if it meant we didn''t have a son anymore?"


    Sasha froze.


    Zev stared at her, hard. This had been pressed on him¡ªand not in the way of the Team trying to control. The first time he''d been taken through the Gateway to Thana he was only a child and they''d been terrified he''d get distracted and get lost. They''d put the fear of God into him¡ªhe had to be specific. He had to be focused. He couldn''t let his mind stray.


    Scientists had tested and researched the Gateways for years, and all of them had either disappeared, or discovered the same thing: The Gateway would find the ce that fit your focus, whether it was a good ce for you, or not. Whether you would die there, or not.


    The Gateway didn''t take your safety or intention into consideration. It simple existed.


    "I can''t¡­ what¡­" Sasha licked her lips.


    "If he exists, I don''t want to be in a world where he doesn''t anymore," Zev says. "What if his world doesn''t cease to exist just because we go back, Sasha? What if he''s still there and we just never get him because we''re off in some alternate existence¡­"


    "But¡­ but I talked to Vayl in different times but the same ce. She knew me. She remembered!"


    He shook his head. "But you''re talking about changing everything. The Gateway doesn''t lie, Sasha, but it also doesn''t think. And we can''t know for sure what it''s taking us to!"


    Her face crumpled. She bit her lip and nodded. "You''re right. You''re right," she said a momentter, her voice catching. "But¡­ why would it take us there and not to him now? Do the humans have a way to block it or something?"


    "I don''t know. I don''t think so?"


    Zev frowned. Why would it take them to such an incredible ce¡ª


    good or bad¡ªbut not take them to their son. There had to be some kind of barrier, right?


    Zev looked around.


    By now Lhars and the others had been through and travelled both to the human world, and to the safe ce. He hoped. Was it possible they''d raised the rm somehow and the humans had a way to block it?


    "I want to go and make sure Lhars and the others got the females out. I want to see thepound empty after they left."


    The Gateway flickered, lighting and falling, the path glowing then going dark, like a light when the electricity was shorting out.


    Sasha frowned and stared at the Gateway. "Have you ever seen it do that before?" she asked breathlessly.


    Zev shook his head. "The only thing thates close is when I''ve changed my mind while I''ve been here, but it doesn''t¡­ not with a single destination, it''s never done that. Only when the destination was changing¡ªoh."


    "Oh, what?" she asked nervously.


    Zev swallowed. "What if some of them are out, and some of them aren''t?" he said. "I was thinking about Lhars and Skal and Jhon. What if¡­" he cleared his throat. "I want to go to thepound after Skhal go Vayl and the others out."


    The gateway bloomed with light, zing again, the path solid and sure.


    Sasha heaved a sigh of relief. "I want to go see them after Lhars got his females out," she said confidently.


    The Gateway went dark.


    Zev cursed under his breath and his heart sank.


    "Oh, no," Sasha whispered. "Oh no, oh no, poor Kyelle."


    "We don''t know," Zev said. "We can''t know. Maybe it just hasn''t happened yet."


    "But it can go to the future. Zev. If that world is possible to be in, it would take us¡ªunless they''ve blocked it somehow, right?"


    Something about what she''d scratched at the back of Zev''s mind. He frowned harder.


    "I want to¡­ I want to go to Thana when I was a child. The day that Skhal was kind to me," he said clearly, and the pathway zed again, immediately. A short journey around a corner.


    Zev took a deep breath. But he had to check. He swallowed hard. "I want to go to my fortieth birthday party¡­ or the celebration that¡ª"


    Once again, the Gateway went ck.


    "I don''t think it can take us to the future, Sash," he whispered. "I think¡­ I think when there''s a ce that we want to go we have to wait for it to actually exist."


    "We¡­ what?!" Sasha cried, looking around frantically. "But I traveled time!"


    "Yes, but always to things that had happened in the past. You were always going back to things that had already happened. I just tried, Sasha. We tried to go forward and it always doesn''t work."


    Sasha stared, her brows and forehead pinched into lines of anguish.


    Zev rubbed her arm with his free hand. "Sasha, we''re going to have to wait. We''re going to have to wait until it''s been long enough that we know he''ll have been delivered. Then we can go back to the time when he was. It''s our only choice."


    Sasha sobbed.

 Chapter 448 Home Again

    Chapter 448 Home Again


    ~ SASHA ~


    They stood there together in the Gateway, staring deeper into the indigo tunnel, and Sasha felt like something had been stolen from her.


    "Are you sure?" she murmured.


    Zev demonstrated again, calling for different ces or times they''d been before, then for something they knew was in the future, and always, the Gateway darkened.


    She couldn''t resist it. She hated it. Felt that her hope had been stolen. But she knew there was no point fighting it because they couldn''t change it.


    "You''re right, Zev. You''re right," she said sadly when he offered to try again. "Let''s¡­ let''s go home."


    She turned around to the gateway at their back that they''d never stepped away from, but Zev caught her.


    "Just wait, just a second," he murmured. Then he looked at the Gateway again. "Take us back after Nick has left Thana," he said clearly. But once again, the gateway was dark, not even lit up under their feet.


    Sasha sighed. "He hasn''t gone yet."


    "I didn''t really think he would have. But I wanted to check," Zev said. "Let''s go home."


    Sasha nodded, and the slick stone¡ªor whatever it was¡ªunder their feet lit up as they turned and stepped back through.


    To Sasha, stepping back into that cave felt suddenly very dark, and very cold.


    They hadn''t let go of each other. But when they go through, he folded her into his chest and they held each other for a long time.


    Sasha fought tears¡ªshe was so sick of feeling sad and angry and just defeated. She''d been so certain she had the answer to this!


    It was the biggest sense of an anti-climax she''d ever felt as they finally pulled away from each other and started on their way out of the cave.


    Thana remained cold and beautiful and¡­ not where she wanted to be. Blinking back tears as a cold wind blew up¡ªas if thend had felt her sadness and chill and given it voice¡ªshe stepped out of the cave and onto the trail back to the vige. But they''d barely gone down and around the curve towards the valley floor when Zev grabbed her arm.


    "We can''t let Nick know we''re still here. He''ll think we were lying about everyone else leaving."


    Sasha immediately realized he was right. Wiping her face to rid herself of thest of the frustrated tears, she looked up at him. "Where should we go?"


    Zev looked around, his face pensive. "I''ll shift and run you through the trees. There''s a ce I know that will give us a view of the cave mouth¡ªwe need to know when he''s gone and I can''tmunicate with Ernie in the mind link. Or I can take you to the City and just patrol, in case he does get brave. I don''t'' think he will. I think he''ll be figuring out what to do whether we were lying or not. And once he does¡­ he''ll leave. He heard you about the bruises. He''ll want to use that."


    But if he does, they''lle back here, guns zing!" Sasha said nervously.


    Zev nodded. "We''ve got no choice, Sash. We''re going to have to hide from them and hope that with just two of us they won''t catch the signs. They really are quite sight blind. Even their tech doesn''t do as well as a good scent. We''ll have to be careful to stay out of their way. They can find us with their drones if they''re really determined. But I think once they ept that the Chimeran poption is gone, they''ll just leave. I mean¡­ what do they have here without us? Nothing."


    Sasha hoped he was right. "Okay, but I think we should stay out of the City and the vige until we''re certain he''s gone. I just don''t want to risk anything."


    Zev agreed. He looked like he was about to step away and shift, but instead he leaned down, cupping her face, and kissed her.


    "We can do this," he murmured. "We can do this, Sash. It''s a dy, not the end. We''ll go into the gateway every fucking day if we have to until we can reach him. Just¡­ don''t give up, okay?"


    "I''m not!" she eximed, feeling guilty suddenly for her self-pity when he was heartbroken about this as well. "I''m sorry, Zev. You''re right. It''s just time. We just have to wait. We''ll get him. We will."


    Zev nodded and kissed her one more time, then he shifted then and she crawled onto his back again, suddenly utterly exhausted. As he darted through the trees, she was grateful to hide her face in his ruff and hold him tightly. But she was so tired, too. All she wanted to do was crawl into the furs with him and sleep until they could get their son.


    But she knew it wasn''t going to be like that.


    Gone would be the conveniences of the city and the poption around them who served their Alphas. Gone would be the warmth and friendship of their friends.


    They were alone.


    Sasha almostughed. Under different circumstances she would have been ecstatic. Two months alone with Zev in a beautifulnd with no interruptions? She couldn''t think of anything better.


    But deep in her gut curled a twist of fear.


    The humans weren''t going to take this lying down. They likely had only hours until the danger arrived at their doorstep.


    She curled her fists even tighter into Zev''s fur and held on to him. It was instinct. No matter where she was, or what storm she faced, it was always him that she wanted close. His strength she trusted. His smile she sought forfort.


    Which quickly reminded her of his words.


    He was right. They would do this. They would seed. The Creator had answered their prayers about being able to get through the Gateway together. When the time came, that would be invaluable. Why would He have given them that if He didn''t intend for them to seed?


    The thought was niggling, but as much with encouragement as fear.


    She couldn''t know the future. She couldn''t know the danger that wasing. But she could know for certain that she was with her mate. That their hearts were aligned, and their goals. And that they would both do everything in their power to save their son.


    Or die trying.

 Chapter 449 Three Alarms

    Chapter 449 Three rms


    ~ LHARS ~


    When the Gateway opened before him, Lhars sighed with relief.


    Once again he stood in an archway, the light of the Gateway''s guidance shing and pulsing around him. But he left one foot in the Gateway itself as he leaned out.


    He was back in that sterile, human habitation that he remembered from his life as a cub. And he was once again grateful that he hadn''t had to live there as an adult. The smell alone¡­


    At first he thought the room was empty. He saw only the couches, chairs, a television on the wall, and that wide, low coffee table between the seats. But as he leaned further out, the females appeared, one by one, staring at him, bleary-eyed, their faces puffy. They''d obviously been asleep.


    "Are you ready?" he whispered?


    They stared at him, different faces peering around two doors at the end of the room.


    "We have to go as quickly as we can!" he urged them. But none of them responded, they only stared, blinking, or looked at each other to measure their friends responses.


    He had to remember they were children¡ªat least some of them. He wanted to growl, but he didn''t want to frighten them. He tried to smile.


    "Sasha-don sent me," he murmured, trying to keep his voice calm and quiet. "She said the prophecy is fulfilled today. You cane with me and meet with the other females, and with Sasha-don. We''re going to take you away from here so you''ll never have to face the humans again. You''ll be safe. I promise."


    It had taken over an hour to convince them toe out from behind the doors, then almost another of conversation to persuade them that he wasn''t lying. Lhars became increasingly nervous, asking over and over when they expected to be interrupted by the humans.


    "They don''te in the mornings. We have food."


    Lhars was relieved to hear it, but unwilling to rely on a simple routine to keep them safe.


    "Please," he said, for what seemed like the hundredth time. "Didn''t Vayl or Sasha or someone tell you about this?"


    "Yes, but it was never supposed to be a male. We talked of it after you leftst time. We''re scared that you might be a trap."


    "I''m not a trap!" he hissed urgently, then closed his eyes to calm himself when the two closest jumped. He put his hands up, as if in surrender. "I''m sorry, I didn''t mean to startle you. It''s just very important that we get moving so we aren''t discovered. Tell me¡­ what can I do to make you feel more confident? I won''t be going through the Gateway with you¡ªthat''s entirely in your control. You choose where you go, and you will go without me. You''ll meet Kyelle¡ªmy female¡ªon the other side. And Sasha wille too. But¡­ we have to get there if you want to see them. If you want to be free! Your mothers¡­ if you have them, they''ll be there too." He hoped.


    There was another long interlude while one of them imed to scent him for truth, but it had the air about it of a child mimicking adult behavior.


    The female cleared him, though, which seemed to make the others morefortable.


    "Have you packed?" he asked urgently. "Are you ready?"


    Three of them produced bags which they walked across the room to drop on the floor near where he stood, but none of them approached him.


    "I can''t leave the gateway to help you, it will close. This is the only safe way to¡ª"


    Adrenalin shot through his system as loudly, but in the distance, screaming rms began their eerie cry¡ªthe kind that wound up from a wail that chilled, to one that pierced even through the secure buildings.


    The females'' eyes all went wide and they gripped each other.


    "That''s the rm!" Lhars hissed. "We have to go! Please! Come with me. We''ll find you clothing or food or anything you need on the other side, but you have toe before they realize we''re taking you. We can''te back after this. This is ourst chance! Please! Focus your mind on the safe ce¡ªwhere the other Chimera have gone. Where you will never have interference from the humans again. Lock your mind on that ce and run¡ªfollow the lights that guide you. PLEASE!"


    The females looked at each other, some of them visibly trembling. Then finally, the one that he''d spoken tost time picked up a bag and threw it over her shoulder. "I''ll go," she said quickly. "I''ll go first. You all follow me."


    Lhars nearly wept with relief.


    But then, as the female was breathing and blinking at the cave, gathering her courage, another rm, closer this time, began to wail.


    Lhars gestured at her frantically. "Please, we have to move, now!"


    Then he heard a roar that raised the hair on the back of his neck. So loud, it careened over even the rms to reach his ears.


    Yhet, he thought with dismay.


    Desperate, aching for his friend, as the female finally stepped up to the Gateway, Lhars met her eyes and bowed his head. "Focus on the safe ce, where the other Chimera are. Focus on Kyelle. She''ll get you there. Just¡­ don''t change your mind."


    The female nodded once, then licked her pale lips and stepped in past him.


    One down, ten to go.


    While Lhars cajoled and persuaded, reminded each female of their goal, and finally ushered them into the gateway, his mind was only ever half on the scared faces around him. He tried desperately not to hear what was going on outside, but even at this distance, it all reached him.


    Voices shouting over the loudspeakers of an attack at the gates.


    Vehicles roaring past the building where Lhars stood, stealing females out from under their noses.


    The whap! whap! whap! of helicopter des in the air overhead.


    And those terrifying roars.

 Chapter 450 Martyr

    Chapter 450 Martyr


    ~ LHARS ~


    Lhars had only seen Yhet truly angry once. But it was a sight he would never forget, and one that had made him wary around the male for a months afterwards.


    It was early after the females had been taken and there were still a dozen or so unmated females remaining in Thana. The males had be desperate and some¡ª


    especially the tigers¡ªhad started trying to dominate the females into taking mates.


    When Yhet, his own grief over the loss of his mate smarting even more after watching other males go through the same separation, had stumbled on a male trying to force a female to ept his disy, he''d snapped.


    Right there in the courtyard, Yhet had torn a tiger limb from limb without barely breaking a sweat.


    His calls and growls and roars during that conflict had been gut-clenching.


    But this¡­ Lhars had never heard anything like what he heard echoing across thepound now.


    Voices came over loudspeakers positioned on every corner of every building, screaming codes to inform their colleagues that there had been a breach at the gates, and that a "dangerous animal" was now loose and approaching thepound.


    Vehicles sped past the building, their tires crunching and engines whining as they were pushed to their limits. But the roar of more vehicles with deeper engines, and boom of guns, came across the loudspeakers as well, whenever one of the Team reported in.


    And over it all, Yhet could be heard in the background, screaming in a guttural roar that tore Lhars'' heart in two.


    "¡­took her from me! You took her¡ªall of them, from all of us! You will pay you bastards! You will pay!"


    A man who''d been listing units engaged, screamed and the connection cut off.


    Lhars shuddered, but there were still three females, all shrinking away from him.


    He wanted to weep. "Please," he breathed. "That is my friend, and he''se here to take their attention so they won''t know we''re reaching you," he said hoarsely.


    There was a deep boom that vibrated the building, and Yhet roared again.


    "Remove yourself. Surrender. We know you can understand orders, Ancient. Your presence is not required here. We will return you home. Stand down. Stand down!"


    There was another deep boom and Yhet''s roar turned to a scream of pain that sent a shiver up Lhars'' spine.


    Lhars tried to get a grip on himself, beckoning to the females. "Please," he croaked. "Please. That is my friend, and he''s doing what he can to save you. If theye in here, if they interfere, I have to leave. I don''t want to leave you. Please. PLEASE!"


    One of the females, sobbing in fear, her body shaking from head to toe, inched forward. Lhars gave her as much room as he could while he made sure she understood how to pass through the Gateway safely, he tried not to hear the deep booms outside, or the screaming voices, but his mind conjured the images of his friend, hair flying, teeth bared, tearing anyone and anything apart as he wed his way closer and closer to thepound buildings.


    The final pair of females finally approached, clinging to each other.


    "We''ll go through together," the taller one said, her teeth chattering.


    "You can''t," Lhars said. "Even if you enter holding each other, when you step through, you''ll find yourself alone. I''m sorry. You need to stay focused, to remember where you''re going and do everything in your power to reach that safe ce. If you do, I promise you, it will be worth it. Please¡­ please honor my friend''s sacrifice. Step in. Please!"


    He yearned to step out and grab them¡ªthey were barely out of his reach¡ªbut he knew the gateway would close if he did, and he couldn''t be left here on this side. Not with the army of vehicles and rms outside.


    "Please!" he repeatedmely.


    Crying, one of the females hugged herpanion tightly, then stepped into the gateway, nodding at Lhars'' rushed instructions. He prayed she had caught them all when he was filling in the others, because he wasn''t done when she blinked out of sight in the Gateway.


    Then there was only one.


    Lhars rubbed his face with his hands. What else could he say to convince this female who was terrified and kept being distracted by the vibrations and sounds from outside? She''d heard his every argument, his every plea.


    In the end he just stared at her, wincing against tears as one of the human voices crowed over the loudspeaker that they had the ancient down, though still conscious, The female''s eyes went wide. "He is truly your friend?"


    15:08


    Lhars nodded. "And he''s truly giving himself up to save you and the others," Lhars said. and a team was being dispatched to tranquilize him.


    Lhars'' stomach dropped. "Please, don''t let him be captured," he prayed.


    The female''s eyes went wide. "He is truly your friend?"


    Lhars nodded. "And he''s truly giving himself up to save you and the others," Lhars said. "If you could¡­ if you could step in here ande with us, you''ll be safe. And no other Chimera will ever have to make this kind of sacrifice again. Please. Please. What''s your name?"


    "Erda," she said quietly, barely more than a whisper.


    "Erda¡­ please," he breathed, reaching a hand out, palm up, towards her. "I know this is frightening. But it''s the best decision you''ll ever make. You''ll never be trapped again. We''ll care for you. Teach you. Help you to grow. Please, Erda¡­e with me."


    Yhet''s roar ripped through thepound, then the loudspeakers crackled as a human cried, "He''s down! He''s down! We have him!"


    Lhars grunted and the female sucked in a deep breath and her tears spilled over, trickling down her cheeks. But sheid a trembling hand in his just as the door into the apartment banged open and they both startled.


    There was a split second where Lhars stood blinking right at arge human male, almost as broad as he was, though not as tall, gaping at him, frozen in shock. The male was dressed all in ck and held some kind of strange gun or weapon in his hand.


    "Go! Now!" Lhars screamed, throwing the female into the gateway and diving after her as the human raised the weapon he held.


    Lhars tumbled into the rippled floor of the gateway panting, shaking¡­ and utterly alone.


    He felt the cold on his cheeks before he realized he was crying. Then, as he pushed slowly to his feet, checking himself for injuries and finding none, he wept in truth.


    "Thank you, brother Yhet," he whispered to no one. "Thank you."


    *****


    WE''RE ALMOST AT "THE END!" If you want more great shifter fantasies (or somethingpletely different) go to linktr.ee/authoraimee to find my seven books on WN, and four published elsewhere!

 Chapter 451 Almost Home

    Chapter 451 Almost Home


    ~ LHARS ~


    It was hard to move at first, then impossible not to. He was going home. To his new home. To the arms of his mate. And he had to make certain she was safe.


    Mind fixed on her in the safe ce, her surrounded by other Chimera and waiting for him, in thisnd that none of them knew, but where the humans could never reach them, Lhars stumbled forward, then as the Gateway zed with blue-white light to guide him, he sprinted through.


    He wasn''t sure how long he ran, but he knew when the Gateway urged him around a turn and into a side-tunnel towards a gateway.


    Heart pounding with excitement and fear in equal measure, he sprinted down the short tunnel andunched himself through the gateway¡ªstraight some of the freshest air he''d ever smelled as he tumbled out of the gateway¡ªwhich had opened about ten feet into the air¡ªand dropped to the leaf-strewn dirt.


    He''d had to catch himself, so he stayed crouched for a moment as the Gateway closed above his head and he took in his new surroundings.


    He was in a forest. A lush forest, thick with greenery and damp with recent rain, though there was no water in the air now. To his right, a massive tree loomed far overhead, to wide to see around without moving. Ahead and to his left, many more trees¡ªtrees, and vines, underbrush.


    He''d made an awkward grunt when hended and the forest was quiet nearby. But he could hear the leaves in the canopy overhead rustling in a fresh breeze.


    His furs weren''t needed. This ce was far warmer than Thana, and as he straightened, looking in every direction for Kyelle and the others, Lhars began to unbutton his fur jacket.


    Underneath he wore the ck uniform of the team. The temptation was there to rip it off and never set eyes on the thing again. But he didn''t know what he would face in this world, so he forced himself to keep it on, folding the fur over his arm as he turned a circle, taking it all in.


    Thick, leathery leaves,rger than his hand¡ªpeppered both the trees, and the dirt. But apart from this difference¡ªthere were no pines to be seen, onlyrge, leafy green trees¡ªthe forest felt like a familiarndscape. Perhaps tter than Thana, but no less wild.


    Yet, where were his people? Where was his mate? He''d asked to be taken to them, but he saw nothing.


    As if the forest answered his unspoken question, a breeze lifted in the trees overhead and the leaves apuded him¡ªand brought with that fluttering of air, the most delicious scent known to Lhars.


    "Kyelle," he breathed and turned to face the wind, trotting into it immediately.


    Following that scent for a bare minute¡ªthe wind growing stronger as the trees became more widely spaced and more sunlight began to filter between them, he circled anotherrge tree to find a clearing beyond filled with dozens of bodies.


    He froze, just for a moment, to be absolutely certain.


    But his heart was singing.


    Fifty feet away, Chimera clustered in groups and handfuls, some in families or packs, others in pairs of friends or mates.


    There had to be over one hundred of them there already, and more like himself, filtering in from every side.


    Even as he watched, half a dozen different males stepped out from between the trees, cautiously testing the air, before rushing forward to be greeted and embraced, sharing scents.


    Lhars started forward too, his heart pounding.


    They''d done it. They''d really done it!


    Then his name came alive in his mind and he snapped his head to the left to find Kyelle, gaping at him from between two males who''d been talking to her, their backs to Lhars.


    He shifted immediately and ran, galloping the distance between them, his furs ripping off as his body became something other, though the ck clothing stretched with him.


    Then he was human again and catching Kyelle, who threw herself into his arms, weeping with joy and saying his name over and over, in his head and with her mouth¡ª


    that beautiful mouth¡ªthose soft lips, that tongue that he tasted immediately, whimpering with need for her.


    "You made it! You made it! Thank the Creator!" Kyelle sobbed against his lips, clinging to him and wrapping her legs around him.


    *****


    An hourter, Lhars stood, dumbfounded.


    Over two hundred of the Chimera had reached them, and several of the hunters were already out scouting for others who might have forgotten to focus on being brought to Kyelle. Lhars hadn''t left her side, though he''d been forced to remember that he was her second and had responsibilities here as well.


    Kyelle had been focused on keeping the females calm and surrounded by safe males since they didn''t yet know what predators were in this ce. But he was indulging himself, holding her hand, or leaving a hand on her back when she had to turn away. And she''d called for everyone toe to her as needed, keeping him close to her side.


    Every word they heard from the scouts only raised their spirits.


    No scent of human anywhere.


    Some creatures, but so far nothing beyond the smaller mammals they would use for food, and a few of the Creatures from Thana.


    Just quarter of a mile from the clearing, a river ran through the forest, following the line of the mountains to the south. Mountains lined them on three sides, but Lhars wouldn''t have cared if they''d been surrounded by rock as long as food and water sources existed, and theck of human presence was confirmed.


    He was so distracted by both his mate, and his duties, it took him over an hour to ask Kyelle if he was thest one through.


    She dropped her chin and shook her head. "Not unless¡­ unless some others were dropped somewhere far away. But everyone seems to being to this general area."


    Lhars frowned. "Who isn''t back yet?"


    Kyelle rubbed his arm and looked at him with sympathetic eyes that just made him frightened.


    "Zev and Sasha," she said quietly. "We haven''t seen or smelled either of them yet."

 Chapter 452 Cave Called Home

    Chapter 452 Cave Called Home


    ~ LHARS ~


    By the time evening fell and the sun began to disappear behind the mountains around them, Lhars had learned of over two hundred of the Chimera already within their ranks.


    Many of the females were unwilling to move far, so nned to bed down together in clusters under the trees. But many more¡ªboth male and female¡ªwere excited to explore and had spent the previous hour or two looking for natural spaces to make themselvesfortable.


    Still uncertain about what predators might exist in thend, Kyelle warned againstrge fires that night, though they did light a few in the lee of rocks or other ces they were certain they could hide the light from potential onlookers.


    No one was quite ready to believe they hadn''t been followed, or wouldn''t be interrupted by the humans. Though hopes and moods were running high.


    Kyelle had been run off her feet dealing with both the females who struggled, and the decisions for how the Chimer would manage their first night in their new home.


    Lhars had put a word in Skhal''s ear, and the male was kind enough to both locate and obscure the entrance to a small cave, barely bigger than a bear''s den, for Kyelle and Lhars.


    His bag had been brought into this newnd by his pack members, and though his resources were few, he was grateful for the furs he''d rolled and tied to his bag, and the set Kyelle had managed to bring as well. They weren''t needed for warmth¡ªat least, not yet. But Lharsid them out to make afortable spot on the floor next to where he lit a small fire, more for light than heat.


    He''d gathered some berries and some of the males had managed to hunt down a boar and some birds. There wasn''t arge meal, but it was enough for everyone. And Lhars noticed that the females seemed much calmer after they''d eaten.


    Ignoring the looming dread about Zev and Sasha¡ªwho still hadn''t appeared, despite the fact that they were almost at their full numbers now¡ªhe kissed her desperately.


    But even with all that provision, it was well after high moon when Lhars finally tugged Kyelle away from the females and into their spot to rest.


    He''d barely spoken a private word to her all day, and his body quivered as he led her to the small cave¡ªbarely tall enough for both of them to walk inside without hunching.


    But when she saw the fire and the furs, Kyelle whispered his name.


    "Thank you," she said, smiling between him and the fire. "Thank you."


    He took her face in his hands and kissed her, unable to find any words that urately expressed his gratitude and disbelief that they were both there, and safe.


    Ignoring the looming dread about Zev and Sasha¡ªwho still hadn''t appeared, despite the fact that they were almost at their full numbers now¡ªhe kissed her desperately.


    Kyelle threw her arms around his neck and leaned into his body, both of them sucking in deep breaths when their bodies met.


    "Kyelle, I¡ª" he croaked, stroking her cheek, but Kyelle shook her head.


    "Not now. Right now I just want to enjoy you. We did it, Lhars. We did it." Then she began walking toward the furs, pulling him with her.


    Lhars knew they should talk, knew that there were so many decisions still to be made. But he also knew that they both needed this, to be certain of each other, to be connected. As Kyelle shucked off the light furs she was still wearing because she hadn''t taken time to change, Lhars yanked the ck shirt off from behind his neck, and shoved the trousers down. Then, still on their feet, they rushed into each others arms.


    Hands full of her softness, Lhars groaned and stroked and kissed, sucking at her lip, tickling her ear with his tongue, kissing her neck when she dropped her head back.


    He was tempted to simply lift her leg and take her standing, but he wanted to wallow in her. So he urged her down, to the furs. And crawled over her as shey back, smiling and beckoning him.


    "Lhars," she sighed, her hands stroking his back, her leg hooking over his waist as he slid up her body, kissing and licking, then took one of her nipples in his mouth.


    He arched over her, rubbing himself against her and she gasped, burying her fingers in his hair to keep him at her breast.


    She gasped his name again and again as he rocked against her and that delicious slide rippled through him, raising goosebumps all over his body as they found each other again and again.


    He couldn''t wait. He needed her too badly, and so he braced on the furs on either side of her, let his head drop back and arched, pulling himself over her and into her in one jangling slide.


    Kyelle''s breath stopped and her nails dug into his back as they came together. Then he lowered himself over her and they tangled, limbs with limbs, lips with lips, tongues with tongues. Holding each other so closely there was no real room to move, so their body undted, reaching for the joining, reaching for each other, skins slick and pebbled with pleasure.


    "Kyelle," he gasped. "Dear god, I love you. I can''t¡ª"


    "I''m here! I''m here! Oh!" Kyelle clenched around him, crying his name, and he didn''t even care if other males heard her. Let them hear his beautiful mate in her pleasure. Let them know the gift they''d turned their noses up at. Let them see what they''d missed.


    He had never missed her beauty, or her value.


    He thrust again, grunting, and his orgasm barreled over him, like being by a shocking wave. He stared down at her, head arched back, mouth open on his name, her breasts bouncing, and he held her so tightly, so afraid that somehow, this was the end.


    They both gasped, then slumped, rolling with thest of their releases, sighing each other''s names. And then finally, were still.


    For a moment neither of them moved. Then Lhars put his hand to her hair and began to stroke.


    He swallowed tears. And he might have been embarrassed, but he could tell that Kyelle, too, was ovee.


    When he had his breath back, he raised his head to look down on her again, to find her smiling up at him.


    He took an image of her in his mind and called it joy.


    And he decided that his goal would be to ensure he saw that expression on her face every day for the rest of his life.

 Chapter 453 Enemy

    Chapter 453 Enemy


    ~ ZEV ~


    When they left the cave he''d known, though he''d been unwilling to say, that their time alone was limited. Not only would Nick be certain to go back and raise the rm, but he suspected Sasha would have no realprehension of just how determined the humans would be about finding them again.


    While they may have threatened to end the project and kill the Chimera many times¡ªand Zev knew those threats were real. He''d seen the notes on the meetings¡ªhe also knew that the Team had new hope as a result of he and Sasha''s child. And that the Chimera were a rich resource that they would have stripped for as much money and power as they could.


    To have them all simply disappear one day was not a blow the team would take philosophically.


    He''d told her that they needed to be sure Nick actually left. And he knew he could easily hunt and provide food for them for the weeks they needed to stay.


    He was less certain of being able to maintain her safety if the humans truly decided to throw all their resources into searching Thana.


    So, when he began to run from the cave, instead of following the valley floor and the trail back towards the vige, and then the City, he''d turned east, across the valley, then back up into the foothills of the mountain on the other side.


    There was a ce he knew, one he rarely used because it wasn''t easy to reach, but it would give them both a view of the valley and anyoneing and going through it, and it would shelter them from the worst of the elements.


    When he''d finally climbed to the small clearing on a t divot out of the side of the mountain, Sasha had sighed with relief. She was exhausted¡ªand both of them were frustrated. He''d shown her the small cave at the back of the clearing, nestled into the mountain, and he''d shown her how he could see the trail to the cave mouth from here¡ªand anyone passing on it.


    Sasha said she could squint and see if there was something moving. But that she couldn''t see any of it clearly.


    "That''s okay, I''ll watch," Zev said, his voice colder than he''d meant it to sound.


    Sasha immediately frowned. "What''s wrong?"


    He shook his head.


    How to tell her he was angry because he knew that even without Nick, the humans were still going to be haunting their lives? Were already haunting their lives simply by holding their son¡ªbut they needed the Team at this point. They needed them to keep their son alive.


    He reminded himself of that. But it didn''t stop his anger.


    Although there were plenty of resources at the City and the vige, Zev didn''t want to risk travelling there until he was certain Nick was gone. So he hunted in wolf for and brought down two small birds that they roasted over a fire as the afternoon turned to evening, then twilight.


    Sasha had watched the trail while he was gone and was certain no If he''d known Nick was gone, he might have run to the vige to grab a few items just to make life a little easier.


    one had arrived on it, from either side of the Gateway.


    But that just set Zev''s teeth further on edge.


    If he''d known Nick was gone, he might have run to the vige to grab a few items just to make life a little easier.


    They''d sent their bags ahead with the pack, assuming they would be reaching the Safe ce that night. He hadn''t prepared for this eventuality, and that felt like a failure, too.


    Then finally, just as night was falling¡ªwhich must have meant he was desperate, Zev, sitting on the outcropping facing the cave¡ªsaw two figures. One a human, shuffling with a limp, the other somewhat human, but with several extra limbs, scuttling along behind him.


    Zev stood quickly, eyes locked on Nick''s back.


    Sasha tensed. "What is it?"


    Zev didn''t answer immediately. He lost sight of Nick behind a copse of trees for a moment, but then the bastard reappeared, on thest twenty feet to the cave mouth.


    "Just watching a coward run from the burning ship," Zev said through his teeth, finally.


    Sasha watched him, her face worried, but she just put a hand to his arm and didn''t say anything. He was grateful. He didn''t want to take his anger out on her.


    *****


    The next morning, Sasha woke in the cave alone. Zev had covered her in his furs that he''d been wearing, keeping himself just in the ck clothing from the Team. Her back ached and her shoulder hurt from the odd angle of sleeping with her head resting on her arm. But at least she was alive.


    Then she sat up because she also realized she was alone.


    The gray light of early, early morning was creeping in through the open mouth of the small cave, and she got to her feet slowly, groaning, brushing herself off, and pulling Zev''s jacket around her shoulders.


    He was outside, on his belly, on the outcropping. He''din with her for a while after Nick left¡ªwhen she''d fallen asleep. But obviously at some point he''de out here. Because it was clear he hadn''t slept.


    When she stepped out of the cave, he turned to look at her, his eyes were dark and puffy.


    "Stay down!" he hissed.


    That''s right. He''d warned her that while they were there they needed to stay low in the first half of the day because the light shone and would show their silhouettes to anyone watching from below. Sasha immediately crouched, looking around for intruders, but she couldn''t seen anything but trees, rocks, and Zev. And he was justying there.


    He looked out into the valley and shook his head, beckoning her to stay low, but toe to his side.


    She scrambled awkwardly towards him on hands and feet. He kept her low and urged her to stay on her belly as she crawled onto the rock next to him.


    "Did you sleep at all?" she asked.


    He shook his head.


    "Oh, Zev, you don''t have to guard me all the time. I promise. I trust you. You''ll hear if anythinges near¡ª"


    "No, Sasha, it wasn''t that. I couldn''t sleep. I had a feeling. My instincts. And look, I was right."


    He nodded out over the valley and Sasha pulled herself up to his side to look down. Then her mouth dropped open.


    The trail from the cave, and the valley floor were crawling with people.

 Chapter 454 Stinker

    Chapter 454 Stinker


    ~ SASHA (Two Weeks Later) ~


    She woke that morning with a groan and didn''t open her eyes immediately, though her heart was pounding.


    Even though they''d found plenty of grasses, and Zev had collected a couple of extra furs, she was still finding sleeping on the ground an adjustment.


    Thud, thud, thud, her pulse sang in her head. It had started the first morning after they''d seen all the humans arrive. Between stress and usually waking without feeling Zev''s warmth next to her, she''d woken up every morning with an adrenalin rush.


    Two weeks. For two weeks they''d evaded the humans. It had taken them that long to move slowly out, in long spirals, from the City and the Vige.


    Sasha grimaced just thinking about the hordes of people they''d brought through, rifling through the City and the dwellings in the vige. They''d crawled over the ce like ants¡ªand made her stomach twist in much the same way.


    Like insects, you always wanted to be able to see where they were. But they were being smart. Thana was arge ce, easy to hiderge numbers of people¡ªor Chimera. So the team were slowly searching, and leaving sentries anywhere they''d searched to make sure the Chimera didn''t move in behind them.


    That had been great for the first two weeks, but now, even though their numbers were a lot thinner since they were leaving people every half-mile in the forest, they had made their way almost to the cave from the vige.


    It had looked the day before like they''d be crossing the valley. At this rate they wouldn''t be in Zev and Sasha''s area for another few days, but it was like a ticking clock in her ear, threatening, always threatening.


    The humans wereing.


    The humans were looking for them.


    The humans weren''t giving up.


    Zev had thought when they didn''t find anyone in the settlements or nearby areas, they would have just destroyed the ce and moved on. But the humans must have been very convinced that the Chimera were still in Thana, because they were relentless.


    What were they going to do when they reached all the way to their hiding spot?


    They spoke only in their heads now, just in case. And even that, very little.


    Sasha was concerned about Zev. His eyes had be haunted. He still hunted every other day¡ªin fact, had hunted up enough food for several days yesterday in fear that it wouldn''t be safe to roam away from her soon.


    Neither of them spoke about what they would do if the humans found them. Zev just kept saying he believed he could hide her.


    But he wasn''t sleeping. Barely ate. He''d lost weight. And he''d be snappish.


    Sasha was more than concerned about him, she was downright worried. And still trying to convince him that they should try to sneak into the Gateway ande back to Thana at a time when Xar was Alpha and Zev was gone¡ªbecause things were at least a little peaceful then, right? Even if it was screwed up. They could hide in that time and no one would know.


    But Zev not only felt it was too risky to try for the Gateway when the humans were still using it every day, but also reminded her that while the humans couldn''t scent, Chimera could. He said if they went back to that time, they''d be scented by someone within hours. And while they might put Sasha''s scent down to an unknown team member, they''d know Zev.


    He''d never heard tales or had anyone ask him about that. He believed that meant they''d never done it.


    She had to trust his judgment, but it wore at her. What if he was wrong?


    Worse, what if he was right and they really had nowhere to go? Just sitting there waiting for a human to stumble on them?


    She sat up. It was still dark, but she knew from the way she felt that it must be almost dawn. She was falling asleep earlier every night, and waking earlier every morning.


    Stress.


    Also, there was little do when they couldn''t risk making fires or smoke once the sun went down.


    Well, they might have found ways to fill that time quite pleasantly, but Zev was¡­ shut down.


    Worried? Sasha was on the verge of panic. He hadn''t touched her in over a week, and sometimes when he looked at her she saw shes of that self-loathing.


    She''d tried to talk to him about it the night before and he''d gotten up and walked away.


    What the hell was happening to them.


    She got up, wishing her clothes didn''t feel like they were stiff and about to walk away on their own. She must reek, she knew. But she couldn''t smell Zev. She prayed his sensitive nose wasn''t offended by the stink of her. That he leaned into his animal nature on that. She was horrified.


    Hustling slowly out of the cave, hugging the wall the way he''d shown her until she could make sure the coast was clear, Sasha leaned out to find Zevying on the outcrop again.


    Zev, she said softly in his head.


    He turned slowly. His eyes were puffy and had circles that looked like dark bruises under them.


    I''m okay, I''ve just been watching. And I''ve made a n.


    His voice was t, even in her head, but he seemed a little less tense than he had beenst night.


    What do you want me to do? she asked hesitantly.


    Bring the furs. It might be a difficult night, but we''re going to need them as towels and to keep us warm while our clothes dry. We''re going to wash ourselves and our clothes, because it might be a while before we can again, and I''m worried about your skin.


    She was starting to get irritated patches of skin all over her body, but she was surprised he''d noticed. She hadn''t mentioned it and they hadn''t made love.


    Of course, his eyes were good in the dark as well.


    Okay, she said carefully. But, Zev¡­ are you okay?


    He narrowed his eyes. Of course I''m not okay. I''ve put my mate at risk, my people are gone, and my son is in the hands of the most fucked up people in creation. Of course I''m not okay! he repeated. Are you?


    Well¡­ when he put it that way.

 Chapter 455 Soothe

    Chapter 455 Soothe


    ~ SASHA ~


    He hadn''t exined what he''d meant. When he talked about getting ready that morning, she thought he''d meant they were going out that day. But he''d just kept them at the camp, eating and resting¡ªeven sleeping some, though he never seemed to sleep for more than forty-five minutes at a time. They were going to be upte, and moving around at night, he said. And it was a long hike, so he wanted her fed and rested.


    She touched him as much as she could, and he always responded, turning to look at her when she brushed his arm, or squeezing her hand when she grabbed his.


    He hadn''t gone cold. He''d just¡­ shut off. It was as if he did everything because it was instinct. The right response to the stimulus provided.


    But his mind was always elsewhere, and his eyes were often clouded.


    When he woke her from yet another nap in the now pitch-dark cave, she startled and he pped a hand over her mouth.


    There''s no danger, he said in her head. The humans aren''t moving at night. They keep lights on and stay in their ces, which makes them really easy to avoid. This is when it''s safest for us to travel.


    We''re traveling?


    I just meant, we''re going to be moving around. But, yes, I''m thinking about taking you higher on the mountain.


    He''d talked about avoiding that earlier in the week because of the cold. He was concerned they didn''t have enough furs.


    She didn''t question him, knowing he if took them higher it was because he was working to keep her safe.


    They rolled up the furs and the few items they had collected¡ªa few bunches of winter berries and the few leather straps and a flint that they''d found around the cave from previous inhabitants.


    Then Zev used the straps to tie the rolled furs together into a massive cylinder and loop straps over his shoulders so he could carry them without using his hands. He took Sasha''s hand, and led her out into the dark, reminding her again of all the ways she could move more silently in the forest.


    And so they walked.


    And walked.


    And walked.


    Up hills, and down, through creeks and streams in the low-lying areas, through snow in some of the higher ones. They crawled over boulders and used vines hanging from tree branches to pull themselves up ces where the earth had fallen away in the rain.


    Sasha was grateful that she''d been doing more physically since she came to Thana. Even so, her body was aching by the time they finally topped a rise then followed it back down into a little hollow where Zev finally sighed and spoke out loud for the first time in three days.


    "We should be safe here for a while," he said calmly.


    Sasha pulled up short and stared at him. "Is there a cave here?"


    "There is, just around the hillside, that way," Zev said, nodding off to her right. "We''ll go there before dawn. Right now, it''s time to get warm and clean. Along with our clothes," he said grimly.


    She wasn''t sure why this seemed like such a big deal to him, but she was grateful when he pulled her beyond a few trees and thick underbrush to a spot where there was anotherrge pool¡ªvery simr to the one he''d taken her to back at the vige. Larger than the one they''d shared near the City, this one was a half-moon shape and bubbled up under a thicket of trees.


    Sasha sighed happily when she saw the steam rising off the water.


    The temptation was to plunge in, clothes and all, just to get in, but she was adult about it, and waited for Zev to unwrap the furs so they''d be ready when they got out, then they took their clothes off¡ªSasha''s skin immediately pebbling¡ªand walked gingerly (for Sasha) on bare feet to the edge of the pool.


    They sank in slowly, carrying their clothes, and Sasha groaned when she finally had her whole body submerged.


    The next half hour was taken up with Zev quietly exining and demonstrating how to wash the clothes for the best result without soap¡ªsomething they didn''t have, and a scent easy to catch in the forest, even to a human nose.


    The little lesson ended with him standing behind Sasha as he taught her how to scrub the furs on a rock, half-submerged in the water to remove any kes or dirt from between the hairs.


    By this time, her body had rxed from the warmth of the water. So, when Zev reached around her to show her how to get a better angle on the fur and his chest pressed into her back in that perfect way he had of curling over her, her breath rushed out.


    They both went still, their hands clutched in her furs. She swallowed.


    "Zev¡­?"


    "We shouldn''t," he croaked. Sasha wanted to weep. He''d never had the control to say no like this.


    "Why don''t you want me anymore?" she whispered.


    "Shit, Sasha, that''s not it. I''m afraid of¡­ getting distracted."


    Neither of them moved. Every breath she took raised her back a little, so the skin of his chest brushed her.


    She let go of the fur and turned within the circle of his arms, looking up at him. She could barely see his features in the dark, though his eyes were white with ck holes, fixed on her. His breathing faster.


    Swallowing hard, she put one hand to his face, the other she stroked slowly up his thigh so he could stop her if he really wanted to, before she grasped him and began to stroke.


    He groaned and his eyes closed. He dropped his chin so their cheeks brushed while she slowly pumped him and he grew in her hand.


    "Zev, I¡ª"


    "Don''t talk," he whispered. "If we¡­ if we''re going to do this, there needs to be quiet, even in my head, so I can hear anything else. Just in case."


    She nodded and swallowed. Then she turned just enough to open her mouth on his and he gave another strangled groan.

 Chapter 456 Love in the Moonlight

    Chapter 456 Love in the Moonlight


    ~ ZEV ~


    He still had his hands fisted in the wet furs spread over the rock behind her. When he let it go, it stayed there, the weight of it keeping it stuck to the t rock.


    At first he resisted. She kissed him and he kissed her back¡ªenthusiastically, he''d missed her terribly, but he''d been terrified of missing something that put her in danger.


    Soon, though, he couldn''t think of anything but touching her. Fisting one hand in her hair and sliding the other to her waist, he pulled her in close and deepened the kiss.


    And deepened it.


    He wanted to devour her. Thankfully, she seemed just as hungry for him as he was for her, stifling her own groans and whimpers as she grasped at his chest and hooked a leg around his.


    Leaning down, he kissed his way down her neck, pulling her up, half-out of the water to rest her ass on the wet furs and bring them together.


    He''d meant to go more slowly, but she rubbed herself on him and had to break the kiss. She leaned back into his hands, her breasts fully out of the water and the cold night air prickling her already hard nipples to rivet points.


    She leaned back on the rock, both arms back to brace, arching to press herself into his sucking kiss, her heels nudging his ass to urge him against her.


    Zev groaned and gave up, rolling his hips and rubbing himself against her until he found her and almost took her.


    She sucked in again, one hand pping to his back to pull him in. She opened her mouth like she''d speak, but he took it in in a kiss as he thrust into her.


    There was a noise she made when he entered her that threatened to steal his control every time. Half-gasp, half-sob, it was as if she was ecstatic to find him, and marveling at the universe in the same breath.


    He understood the feeling.


    Yet, she''d thought he suddenly didn''t want her anymore? A growl rolled low in his chest and her fingers tightened on his back. Her mouth had fallen open when he entered her, but she was holding back¡ªnot even breathing.


    Something about the enforced silence made everything else feel that much more.


    He wanted to say her name, to tell her how stunning she was,id out in front of him, arched back over the rock, braced on one arm, but the other up to grab at his shoulder, her legs curled around his lower back, her breasts shining from the water, and bobbing in the low light until he had to look back at her face because he was going toe watching that.


    He couldn''t tell her how beautiful she was, but he could show her. Worship at the temple of her body, silently kiss his devotion into her skin, pray for her pleasure.


    He leaned down into her ear and rasped, "Hold on."


    She bit her lip as he curved one hand behind her neck, then grasped her thigh with the other and began to rock into her, leveraging his own weight against hers.


    Sasha''s breath caught with every thrust, but she didn''t make a sound that any human would hear.


    Zev, gasping with his own need, and almost weeping at the joy on her face, was overwhelmed. His body screaming for her.


    She pped a hand to his neck and clung to his rock behind her, her mouth open but not breathing as he slid deeper and deeper, then pulled all the way out to start again.


    Her head fell back, a silent cry on her lips, and he nipped at her throat, swallowing his own groan when her skin pebbled again, then opening his mouth over the spot to soothe it.


    Then, as their pleasure grew and their desperation with it, they settled into a rhythm. Sasha giving resistance by bracing, Zev pulling her onto him in thrusts that made the water ripple around his hips.


    A tiny, keen whimper broke from her throat. Her eyes were closed as she gave herself over to the pleasure of him.


    Unable to resist, he lifted a shaking hand from where he''d cupped her neck, to stroke her face, her neck, her breasts. Then he cupped her jaw and leaned in to kiss her so frantically, she trembled and sucked on his tongue.


    Zev!


    She gasped into his kiss, then stifled whatever else she''d been about to say in his mind, remembering hismand to be quiet.


    Sasha, he groaned in her head. Look at me.


    Her eyes flew open and he held her gaze, still loving her with his body more desperately with every moment.


    I love you. I will always want you. Always.


    I always want you too!


    Only you, Sasha, he rasped. Forever.


    I love you, Zev! she cried. Don''t stop!


    He bit his lip and pounded into her again.


    She went silent in his head again as he groaned and leaned over her, bracing on the rock, sliding his hand down to her lower back and pulling her against him. His thrusts were ragged, jolting, the water pping and rippling from the force of their movements.


    Her breath came short puffs, but she didn''t speak as she tightened around him again and again, her sweet heat calling to him.


    A minuteter, her breath was ragged, but she still hadn''t found her climax. He couldn''t leave her like this¡ªbut his body was screaming for release.


    So shifting slightly, murmuring at her to hold onto him and not let go, he reached between them, finding the spot where they joined with the pad of his thumb and pressing up, again and again, rubbing over that bundle of nerves until she not only clenched around him, but began to keen.


    Then, on his fifth pass, as he thrust, she sucked in to scream his name, and he took her mouth, swallowing her cries until she shuddered and went loose in his arms, just as his orgasm mmed through his body like an electric current.


    He made a strangled cry as he tried not to make sound, rocking and shuddering as the wave swept over him. Then they both copsed, boneless and shaking.

 Chapter 457 News of the World

    Chapter 457 News of the World


    ~ SASHA ~


    There was a quiet, perfect moment where theyy together, Zev''s weight pressing her into the wet furs behind her, but not ufortably so. His breath fluttered in her hair, and his fingers stroked her arm as they both caught their breath. She was warm from the time in the water and¡­ rxed for the first time in what seemed like weeks.


    Zev sighed but didn''t push up and away. Sasha turned her head to look at him and their eyes caught from just inches. She didn''t speak, just stared at him and prayed he could see the love in her eyes.


    His hand came up to trace away a couple of damp strands of hair that must have stuck to her temple.


    "I''ll always want you, Sasha," he said, his voice low and gruff. "Don''t ever doubt that."


    "But¡­ you haven''t touched me since we came back to Thana."


    "Because I''m terrified I''ll be distracted and they''ll sneak up on us," he admitted, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "I literally pulled you out here for a bath to try and get us far enough away that I could rx. But it feels wrong. Like I''m putting you at risk. There are no guards anymore, no one else to rely on."


    Sasha frowned, he was carrying so much. "Thank you," she whispered, putting a hand to his handsome face. "Thank you for always watching out for me."


    "I told you I''d protect you when I was eighteen years old, Sash. I haven''t forgotten," he said simply.


    She had to blink away tears. "I just don''t want you ming yourself if¡­ if something goes wrong. You can''t fight the whole world, Zev. If we get hurt¡­ it''s not your fault."


    "Are you kidding? I''m the one who even brought you here."


    "To protect me from them."


    He snorted humorlessly. "That doesn''t make me a hero. You would never have been in danger if it weren''t for me."


    "They''re the danger, Zev. Not you."


    He was about to argue when something cracked quietly in the trees behind them. Zev flew away from her, shouting in her head for her to STAY DOWN!


    Gasping, Sasha rolled over and let herself sink low in the water so only her face was above the surface, keeping herself low and close to the rock and underbrush behind it, praying whoever was there couldn''t see her.


    Zev leaped out of the water to his feet on the other side of the rock in a crouch. He was naked, his skin steaming from the warm pool, but he ced himself between her and the noise, one hand back to urge her to stay down and away.


    Hunched over his own knees, he peered through the bushes, his chest expanding and contracting quickly, but silently. Then he went very still, not even breathing.


    What is it? she asked in his head.


    Zev shook his head, then shifted into his wolf and slipped into the bushes, barely making them wobble despite his size.


    Suddenly alone and aware of her own nakedness, Sasha began to shiver from fright, not cold. Had the Team found them? Was she going to have to face some leering guy with a gun, watching her as she got out of the pool?


    Knowing that would put her in a position far too weak, and make Zev absolutely furious, she started slowly, slowly bobbing her way back through the pool to the other bank where they''d left the dry furs. But how to get out without making noise? Even if she moved slowly the dripping water¡ª


    It''s okay, Sash. It''s Horton.


    Sasha blinked but could breathe a little easier.


    Who the hell is Horton?


    He''s one of the creatures. He chose to stay here. He''s just¡­ stay in the water, I''ll go talk to him and find out what''s going on, then I''lle get you, okay?


    Sasha agreed and after a moment of looking around,y back in the water to try and breathe. Her heart was pounding and when her ears went underwater she heard it like timpani drums inside her skull.


    This sucked.


    She didn''t even want to cry. She wanted to scream. Her entire body shook with residual fear and they hadn''t even actually been in danger.


    How the hell were they going to do this for another two months?


    She waited, breathing in through her nose, out through her mouth, trying desperately to calm herself because she didn''t want to leap down Zev''s throat the minute he got back. But she wasn''t enjoying all the silence either.


    Reaching out to him in her mind, she asked him to show her what he was seeing and hearing.


    He didn''t respond, just¡­ shared what he could see.


    The creature in front of him made her shudder. He was once again almost human¡ªhe stood upright on two very thick legs, his entire body the same width from his shoulders to his hips and his feet nted, legs like tree trunks.


    His arms were also really thick and seemed too long. They bent the wrong way as if he had knees instead of elbows. But his face¡­.


    His skull was broad¡ªsupported by that thick body. And instead of a nose, he had a small trunk. It moved, probing the air as he talked. His voice was a low rumble. So low, she couldn''t really make out the words. But Zev was sharing with her what he was learning. And it turned Sasha''s stomach.


    While Sasha and Zev had stayed high in the mountain on the other side of the valley, the Team had overrun first the vige, then the City itself¡ªand the forest in between. Hundreds of them, like ants crawling through the trees.


    Most of the creatures smelled them before they got near enough to do damage. Some ran, hoping to hide. While others turned to fight.


    Whenever those brave creatures came face-to-face with the humans, there was no quarter. Weapons were raised. Strange weapons that Sasha didn''t recognize, though they looked like weird guns. But she saw it over and over again¡ªhumans not calling for peace, or asking questions. Just pointing weapons that made a horrible noise¡ªat least, that''s what it looked like to Sasha. She couldn''t hear or feel whatever they were sensing. But Horton showed Zev, over and over again, creatures crumpling to the ground, grabbing their heads, or screaming in pain.

 Chapter 458 Share the Pain

    Chapter 458 Share the Pain


    ~ SASHA ~


    Horton exined to Zev that as word spread that the humans were hunting to kill and some of the creatures became aggressive.


    They attack out of fear.


    He apanied the statement with images of creatures in full charge¡ªrunning towards their enemies, snorting their challenge¡ªand falling to the dirt in crumpled heaps, as soon as they reached twenty or thirty feet from the humans.


    And always, in the end, the humans made certain that the creatures were dead, then just left them there.


    The forests of Thana were littered with bodies. All strange. All unique. All guilty of nothing more than wanting to protect themselves and their friends.


    Sasha cried. It was so tragic and unnecessary. Then her anger rose to choke her and Zev murmured to her to stay calm. That he was struggling to control his own rage and he needed to stay in his right mind.


    Sasha nodded and did her best to breathe and calm herself, but it was hard. So hard


    Then she heard, in her head, Zev offer his feelings. She didn''t know a better way to say it. Like sharing scents, the Chimera gave themselves in empathy to others. They didn''t make a big show of it, but she felt Zev just¡­ be in the emotion with the Creature.


    "Thank you, Zev-dan," Horton snuffled. "But can you make the humans leave? Can you not convince them to go and leave the rest of us?"


    Zev sighed so heavily that Sasha felt it all the way back at the pool. In her mind, she reached for him, imagined rubbing his back and holding him as he tried to answer this male honestly, without breaking his spirit.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    He felt like he staggered under the weight of an enormous boulder of guilt. This male stared at him, pleading with his eyes.


    But Zev didn''t have hope to offer. Not real hope.


    "I''m afraid it''s toote, Horton. All we can hope for at this point is to avoid them. Tell them. Tell all of them to move as far from the humans as they can, as many miles away as is possible. And circle them if you see theming. Avoid. Don''t attack. They will leave eventually when they''re convinced the Chimera aren''t hiding here from them."


    "But they are sight-blind! How do we convince them of this until they''ve killed us all in the search?!"


    Zev dropped his face into his hands. How. That was the question. "I don''t know," he said honestly. "But I know that attacking them will only make them bring more people through¡ªmore weapons. Avoid them, Horton. Tell everyone to avoid them."


    "What have you brought on us, Zev-dan? What have you made them believe? They have always avoided us in the past!"


    Zev shook his head. "They aren''t looking for you, Horton. They''re scared of you. They''re killing because they''re afraid you''ll kill them."


    "We will!"


    Zev took a deep breath and met the male''s eyes. "It won''t work. There''s too many of them," he said quietly. "Please¡­ warn everyone to stay away."


    "But, Zev, you have to understand, most of them can''t move. They''ve found their homes. They''ve found the only ce in the world that''s theirs. They guard it instinctively."


    "I know, I know¡­" Zev raked his hand through his hair, awash with guilt. "I''m sorry, Horton. I can''t sacrifice my mate to them to get them to leave¡ªI don''t think it would even work anyway. By now they''re realizing that the Chimera really are gone and they''re¡­ they''re taking revenge, I think."


    Horton shook his head, his face tight with anger and dismay. "We pay the price for the Chimeran defection," he hissed.


    "I''m sorry." Zev couldn''t argue. He was right. He prayed the male wouldn''t be aggressive. But instead, Horton just red at him, then turned on his heel and began to walk away. "I will tell them your words, Zev. But I don''t think they''ll listen. They will not appreciate them."


    "Horton¡ª"


    "Goodbye, Zev. I pray you and your mate remain safe."


    Zev slumped as the male melted into the trees and was gone, his scent fading quickly. When he was sure Horton wasn''t going to circle around and try to harm Sasha, he turned around and went back to her directly, finding her still in the water, but crouched low, near the edge of the pool.


    "That was awful," she whispered, beckoning him closer.


    But Zev couldn''t take any morefort in her that night. He''d already given himself far too much ck. When that twig had cracked¡ªHorton''s attempt to warn him so that Sasha wouldn''t be embarrassed, apparently even the Creatures had heard about her feelings about being seen naked¡ªhis heart had almost climbed out of the top of his skull. He''d been convinced they''d somehow been followed by the humans and were about to fight for their lives.


    He''d been relieved to see Horton, but now¡­


    Now he just felt sick.


    And there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. He wouldn''t leave his son in thatb. He wouldn''t leave his mate vulnerable¡ªhe couldn''t! That meant he chose his own family over the Creatures and¡­ that sickened him. The kind of mercenary decision that the humans made all the time.


    But what choice did he have?


    None. That was the pure truth.


    Beckoning Sasha out of the water, he held up a fur, turning it hide-side-out to wrap her in to dry, then when most of the water had been absorbed from her pink skin, turning it around to the fur side to wrap her.


    Only her feet were left exposed.


    Which was why he''d left their fur boots out of the water and not washed them. They would need to find some way to clean them soon. But it was no use keeping her clean if she lost toes in the process.


    She stared up at him as he knelt to hold her boots out for her so she wouldn''t have to bend over and leave the fur gaping. He knew she got cold easily.


    She braced on his shoulder to bnce, sliding her feet into the boots as he held them. Then she pulled him into her fur and they stood, holding each other, for a very long time.

 Chapter 459 Come to Me

    Chapter 459 Come to Me


    ~ SASHA ~


    The following days were a blur of grief and worry. Zev led Sasha from the pools to a small, hidden cave on the eastern side of the mountain, believing that the humans woulde from the west when they approached, which meant they could safely build a fire inside.


    They''d lost their ability to watch the activity in the valley, and that was making Zev even tenser. After his conversation with Horton, he took to patrolling morning and evening, looking for any sign that the humans were approaching and they needed to move again.


    He admitted that he hoped they''d give up before they got that far, knowing the Chimera had never habited this side of the valley because of theck of food sources to support a society. But he always said the words with a distinct tone of hopelessness.


    Once, he took her high up the mountain¡ªthe climb took all morning¡ªto a spot where she''d no longer be able to see clearly and so the humans themselves would be unlikely to spy their movement. From there, Zev climbed a tree to scan the valley, because his sharp eyes could still see form and movement near the cave.


    He came down the tree and barely spoke, jaw flexing and hand tight on hers, he led her down the mountain as quickly as he dared.


    She kept asking him in his head what he''d seen, and he kept saying nothing new¡ªbut that was the point, he exined finally. They hadn''t stopped searching. They weren''t giving up. They were persistent. Like rats.


    His rage was white-hot and made Sasha afraid that he would be eaten up by it.


    When they finally made it back to the cave, she was exhausted, but Zev just paced and paced, like a caged¡­ well, wolf, she supposed.


    When she asked him a question twice because he didn''t answer the first time, he snapped at her to leave him to his thoughts.


    Sasha blinked and shook her head. Zev caught himself and stopped pacing, covering his face with his hands.


    "I''m sorry," he murmured a momentter.


    Sasha got to her feet and went to him. "Zev, you have to stop ming yourself. We''ll get out of here. We will!"


    He dropped his hands and stared at her, his beautiful eyes fierce and haunted. "How, Sasha? Do you realize we can''t even get to the Gateway right now? There are dozens of humans going in and out of the cave every day. If they don''t stop bringing people through, if they don''t stop going back and forth, we won''t even reach it without being captured. Have you thought of that?"


    Sasha swallowed. She hadn''t thought that far, actually. He was right.


    "We''ll work it out. We always do."


    Zev snorted derisively and shook his head. He opened his mouth, his lips twisting like what he was about to say tasted bad. But then he caught himself again and turned away.


    "What? What is it?" Sasha pressed.


    "Nothing," he growled and started for the cave mouth. "I''m going to go do a patrol and make sure no one''s showed up in the area while we were gone. Please stay here and don''t make any noise!"


    Then he stormed out into the evening dusk.


    Sasha sat down on the thick log he''d dragged in for them to use as seats in front of the fire, and she wept.


    *****


    Zev was always gone at least a couple of hours when he went on patrol, so Sasha made herself eat some of the berries and mushrooms they''d found, and put a new log on the fire. But she was exhausted from the hiking, and bored, and still felt like she could burst into tears at any moment.


    Her beautiful Zev was being broken by this. She could feel it in him. He was losing his sweetness and returning to the weapon they''d trained him to be¡ªalways focused on the danger, always looking for the out. It was ironic that it was the very threat that when he came back¡ªso she could offer him some support¡ªwas a good idea. He''d wake her when he came in.


    had made him, that now turned him against them. But that didn''t change that she felt like she was losing him, and they still had weeks in Thana before they could reach their son.


    How was she going to bring him back?


    Feeling depressed and frustrated, she stripped off and got between the furs to keep warm that way. Zev was at least an hour away, and sitting her angsting about it all wasn''t going to help. She needed to getfortable and rxed and be able to offer him some kind offort or joy when he got back.


    She took a deep breath. They needed to make love. That was part of the problem. If he''d just scouted and was feeling confident that they were still alone on that side of the mountain, hopefully she''d be able to convince him. They needed that connection. That sense of togetherness. And he needed to be reminded how much she loved him.


    Nodding to herself, confident that this was the best n and that as long as there wasn''t an emergency, she''d put all her effort into convincing him when he got back, Sashay with her head on her arm, staring at the mes as they crackled a few feet from the furs.


    Her eyes began to droop. At first, she fought it, but then she realized that being rested when he came back¡ªso she could offer him some support¡ªwas a good idea. He''d wake her when he came in.


    So she rolled over and let herself drift, thinking about all the delicious ways she could prove her love to him when he arrived.


    She sighed and her body drooped. As sleep crawled over her, she let herself dwell on the memory of their time at Yhet''s cav, and his joy at having her. His smile. His gentle hands and bright tone.


    She would bring that Zev back if it was thest thing she did. That was the true heart of her mate. He was losing it, but she was going to make sure he found his way back again. Or die trying¡­

 Chapter 460 Love You Here

    Chapter 460 Love You Here


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha woke to a scuffing footstep on the cave floor. Blinking, at first all she could see was the embers of the fire¡ªlow and barely ming now, though the coals were red-hot and glowing. The rest of the cave looked ck behind that.


    The shadow of Zev standing in the middle of the cave startled her at first¡ªthe moonlight just bright enough outside the mouth of the cave to cast him in silhouette behind the fire.


    "You scared me," she breathed, pushing up to sit. The furs fell to her waist, but she was warm and didn''t care.


    Zev barely moved.


    Sasha blinked and looked up at him, rubbing her eyes. "Are you okay? Was there a problem?"


    He shook his head and her heart sank.


    Zev, what is it? she asked in his head. I want to help you. Please, let me in.


    He stepped forward, circling the fire slowly, his face finallying into focus in the warm glow of the low mes. But his eyes¡­ his ice-blue eyes were shadowed. The low light of the fireing from under his chin cast the rest of his face in sharp relief¡ªhis high cheekbones looking almost pointed, his cheeks gaunt for the deep shadows in them. His brows were prominent and his eyes sunken. Except for those glowing blue orbs that seemed to pull light from the dark around them and shine out at her.


    "Zev, I¡ª"


    "I''m sorry, Sash," he said, and his voice was hoarse. "I''m sorry. I know I''ve been so dark. I''m just¡­ I''m so scared."


    "Oh, Zev¡­" She pushed out of the furs and to her feet as he hurried to her. She pulled him close, burying her face in his chest. His furs were freezing from the cold outside, but he wrapped her in his arms and dropped his chin over her head.


    "I''m sorry. I''m sorry," he kept murmuring.


    "Stop apologizing!" she whispered. Then lifted her head to meet his eyes again¡ªthat looked so haunted still. "Zev, you told me an Alpha just¡­ takes what''s necessary. What''s needed. You''re doing the right thing. They''re the ones to me for the death, not you. You don''t want people dead!"


    "I want them dead," he muttered, watching her for her response.


    "Well¡­ Yeah, I guess I kind of do, too. But you know what I mean. We aren''t hunting these people down to murder them. Not like they''re doing. Horton was hard on you. I wish he hadn''t done that. But I''m guessing he was scared too. We''re all scared. But let''s be scared together. Not¡­ not like this. Please. Stop shutting me out."


    He made a strange noise in his throat and pulled her tighter against him, but he was still tense, still holding himself back.


    Frustrated and desperate, Sasha grabbed his face and pulled him down into a kiss. He tried to back away, but she followed him until his shoulders hit the wall of the cave behind him.


    When he dropped his head back against the wall and closed his eyes, Sasha wanted to scream. She put her hand to his face and whispered his name urgently, until he let his chin drop and finally met her eyes.


    "Be here, with me. Let it all go, Zev. We can''t change it. Please."


    She could feel his arousal, but she focused on kissing him, unbuttoning his jacket, and pushing it off his shoulders. His breath hissed out between his teeth when she started on his trousers, but he tensed. She feared he''d pull away again. So once she''d pushed those down and he''d kicked them away, she reached between them and brought him up, palming him, stroking him as they kissed.


    Zev sucked in, and his kiss intensified, his hands fisted in her hair and at her back, his breath thundering in her ear. He trembled, but not the way he usually did when he was desperate. It was the shudder of fear.


    Zev, please¡­ she whispered in his head. Feel me. Be here with me. Please.


    She took his hand and ced it on her breast and he sucked in again, whimpering into the kiss, growing more desperate.


    Then he began to sink, his back sliding down the wall.


    At first she was dismayed, certain he was giving up, about to break.


    But when he got to the floor, her standing between his knees, he looked up at her, his eyes bright and terrified, but clear. He cupped the backs of both her calves and pulled her gently forward.


    "Come here," he rasped.


    Heart trilling with hope, Sasha stepped over his hips, then sank down to straddle him so they were brought together.


    Zev groaned and pulled her into a kiss that grew frantic quickly. But, knowing he walked a knife edge, Sasha forced herself to focus, to stay slow, so savor every touch, every kiss, every slide of him against her.


    It was difficult to stay quiet. Her entire body quivered with a need that was more emotional than physical, but there was no doubt she wanted him.


    His hips began to roll and her head dropped forward to rest on his shoulder as she ground against him.


    She wanted to tell him all the reasons she needed him¡ªnot just his protection. Not just his strength. She wanted to whisper her love. But every time she opened her mouth, he took it with his. But his touch got stronger too, more confident, needier. So she let her head fall back and just responded to his touch.


    She knew why he wanted quiet, so she kept herself to panting breaths and stroking tongues, instead of joyful cries.


    This angle gave her ess to him in a way she wasn''t used to. They''d done this once before, when he was hurt, out in the snowy valley below Yhet''s cave. But this felt different. More desperate in its way, but more¡­ connected, too. Sitting over him with his shoulders back against the wall, she could rake her fingers through his hair and, arching her back, let her nipples tease against his chest. Her breath came fast and shallow as Zev''s desperation for her grew, as he threw off the shackles of his fear and anger, and gave over to her, grasping at her hips and pulling her down and against him.


    For a long time they just rolled and rubbed, stroked and panted. Sasha could feel her cheeks heating, feel the low warmth of the fire behind her, but also the chill air.


    Zev''s eyes were hooded, heavy, watching her, his breath tearing in and out as she met him roll for roll, urging him to unhinge. But it was clear he wasn''t going to be the instigator tonight, so Sasha took their future in hand¡ªliterally¡ªreaching between them and raising herself to position him, then sinking onto him with a low, rolling groan.


    Zev jolted like he''d been electrocuted. A whine pierced the air of the cave, then she began to ride him and his breath shuddered as her head dropped back, mouth open in a silent moan. She had to hold her breath to stop herself from crying out when he finally began to really move, slowly at first, pressing into the peak with every thrust.


    With a low growl, Zevtched on her neck, sucking, holding her at her hips, pulling her against him as he pressed up, into her. And for Sasha, it was a shocking onught, both physical and emotional, as if he filled her every sense, and every hollow¡ªin her heart and her body.


    They found the rhythm filled with promise, and instead of seeking him, it seemed like he''d found her. They moved in harmony, the waves of pleasure increasing and easing, but never fading away.


    Sasha''s head dropped back and her hair brushed his knees, but she was struggling to stay quiet, so held her breath at every peak, until her skin came alight with a new intensity she''d never felt before.


    It was as if every cry she swallowed roared back down into her chest, her belly, to feed the mes between them, then urge her to call for him again.


    Zev''s breathing was desperate against her throat, his hands grasping as they rocked together again, and again, and again.


    Then, with a small cry, he sat up, his hands dragging down her back and pulling her hard against him as he drew his knees up behind her. Then, staring down at her through the dark tines of his hair, he pressed her back against his long thighs, until she arched back over his knees, her breasts pressed up.


    With a groan, he leaned forward to open his mouth over the peak of first one breast, then the other. Sasha gasped, her skin sparkling, fizzing, anywhere he touched. She breathed his name over and over, her fingers buried in his hair and holding him to her.


    Then Zev kissed his way up her chest, her neck, to her jaw, then her mouth, his breath hot and heavy, his tongue tracing hers in a pulsing slide that matched the roll of his hips.


    She could do nothing but hold on, clinging to him as he kept up that relentless pace, pulling her onto him, his hands, his limbs, even his breath shaking with restrained desire.


    Sasha buried her fingers in his hair, pulling him in and leaning her head aside to give him better ess when he dropped to kiss his way back down her neck.


    Then he sat up, shuddering, and she could feel him about to break. His hands became grasping, his strokes heavy and she loved it, arching into his touch like a cat.


    Then there was nothing left but sensation. Love. Desire. Passion.


    A strangled cry broke in his throat as he gripped her and began to pound into her so hard his hips lifted from the ground. Sasha rode him, gripping his shoulders, her breasts bouncing.


    And just as her body exploded, Zev growled her name, grinding into her, wringing everyst wave of heat and joy out of her.


    *****


    WE''RE ALMOST AT "THE END!" If you want more great shifter fantasies (or somethingpletely different) go to linktr.ee/authoraimee to find my seven books on WN, and four published elsewhere!

 Chapter 461 Stunned

    Chapter 461 Stunned


    ~ ZEV ~


    Chest still rising and falling as she caught her breath, Sasha was stretched out over his thighs like a cat, her breasts high, hands gripping his shoulders, breath heaving out of an open mouth, and eyes squeezed shut.


    She looked so perfect, so¡­ glorious, the moment crystallized for him.


    He dropped his forehead to rest right between her breasts, his breath tearing out against her skin as he wrapped his arms around her lower back and pulled her home against him with all the desperation of a man losing hisst grip on life.


    She was his reason for being. His purpose. He knew God wasn''t giving him another one¡ªexcept his son. His family. The two of them. They were life, to him. Sasha was his life. The fact that he might lose her to those human bastards¡­


    He shivered with the wave of hate that rolled through him and tightened his arms around her. She lifted her head, her hands moving to stroke his back as she whispered to him and even that tiny noise vibrated in her chest, right against his skin.


    He wanted to take her, to consume her, to brand her with his love.


    The memory of just seconds earlier shed in his mind¡ªhis hands sliding up her sides, then gripping her to pull her against him as he pressed into her, reaching depths he was certain he never had before, as if he''d sought her heart, as if he''d sought to be her.


    As if they were one.


    She had arched under his hands, gasping, her fingers fisting in his hair to the point of pain as she stifled a cry and tightened so beautifully around him, Zev wanted to weep.


    Now she looked at him with worry, fingersbing through his hair to push it back off his sweaty face. Her voice was so quiet, but filled with concern.


    "Zev, you''re scaring me. Say something."


    He blinked. She''d been talking. Asking him if he was okay.


    "Thank you," he croaked. "Thank you." It was entirely insufficient. Nowhere near what she needed to understand that she''d broken through. That he could see her again, and not just his fear.


    She was, as always, exactly what he needed. But how did he tell her that?


    He straightened to lean back against the wall again and Sasha sat up too, both of them groaning as he was still inside her. But then she cupped his face and stared into his eyes, searching them.


    "Zev, how do I help you?"


    "You just did." It was only the truth.


    But her forehead wrinkled. "How can I keep helping you?"


    "Keep getting close. Remind me that there''s more to this than just us winning, Sash. This is about more than just staying alive. This about living."


    She nodded, her thumbs stroking his cheeks.


    He hated seeing that spark of fear in her gaze, but it had been there for weeks, and it was only growing brighter.


    He knew he had it too.


    He pulled her into a hug and sighed. Sasha clung to him, her arms wrapped around his shoulders.


    "I''m sorry I''m scaring you," he whispered, then kissed her cheek.


    "I''m sorry you''re carrying so much. I wish I could do more."


    "You do."


    They sat there a long time together, but eventually they began to get cold. When they were finally wrapped together in the furs, Sashay with her head on his arm, watching him and stroking her fingers through his hair.


    It made his scalp tingle was the sweetest, most delicious thing he''d felt in a long time. His eyes began to droop and he fought it. But she leaned in to kiss him gently, thenid back and kept stroking through his hair.


    "Rest, Zev. Please. You checked. There''s no one around. We''re as safe as we can be. Rest. Please. I''ll watch over you for a while, okay?"


    He wanted to tell her that was ridiculous, that her senses weren''t nearly sharp enough, but his body was dragging him down. His mind beginning to fade. The darkness of the cave seeping into his skin, and soon he forgot what he''d been about to say. Then he forgot everything as he sunk into a deep sleep.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    She barely dared to breathe, afraid that she''d wake him. For a long time, she just watched the glow of the fire slowly fade behind him. His eyes, those dark circles underneath, were finally closed, hisshes fluttering slightly. But his breath was slow and even and his mouth wasn''t dragged into that frown anymore.


    Her heart swelled looking at him. She kept stroking her fingers through his hair because he had seemed to like it. But she grew slower with each pass until finally she rested her hand curled up between them and just¡­ watched.


    She wondered if this was something like how it felt to have a child. This pleasure to just watch them be. To feel such relief when they were at rest, to know they weren''t in pain.


    Or was that just love?


    All she knew was, something in her was fiercely protective. And even though she knew that if something went wrong and they were attacked, he''d have to do the fighting¡­ just then she felt like she''d stand between him and a tidal wave if she could.


    She loved him so much it hurt. But in the good kind of pain. The healing kind. The kind that you chose to endure because you knew, in the end, it was going to take you to a better ce than where you''d started.


    As the fire slowly died, and the cave grew colder, Sasha still didn''t move, except to snuggle even closer to his chest. And when he rolled in his sleep toy his arm over her waist and rest his forehead against hers, she almost cried just with the simple joy of holding him.


    But she knew this peace wouldn''tst. So she chose to stay awake as long as she could to enjoy it. And when she did finally sleep, it was with a smile on her face.


    A smile that was still there when they were woken by the sound of feed on the stone and a human voice rasping, "I knew it."

 Chapter 462 The Wolf

    Chapter 462 The Wolf


    If you like music while you write, try "I Ran (So Far Away) ¨C Epic Trailer Version" by Hidden Citizens (yes, it does need to be that version, lol.) It''s what I was listening to while writing!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Zev moved so fast the fur made a snapping sound as it was thrown back. Sasha didn''t even have time to register that he was moving before he was on his feet and starting across the cave.


    "You know who I am, correct?" Zev asked, his voice dead.


    "Yes. It''s time to give up, Zev," the guy said, his face serious. "If you don''t fight, you won''t get hurt. And neither will she." His eyes cut to Sasha, who suddenly remembered she was naked. She gasped as Zev shifted, his wolf hunched and prowling, head and shoulders low as he padded around the fire, a silent threat.


    "No need for that," the guy lifted his hands as if in surrender. "I didn''t even get my gun out so you''d know I came to take you in, not to kill you."


    Bullshit, Zev snarled in Sasha''s head. But all the guy heard was a low, menacing growl.


    The guy''s eyes went wide and he turned on his heel, grabbing some kind ofmunicator from his hip and pulling it up to his mouth as he started sprinting for the cave mouth. "Code Red! Code Red! I have¡ª"


    The guy''s scream as Zev hit his back in full flight, teeth in the back of his neck, was bloodcurdling.


    Sasha screamed, "Zev! Be careful!" but it was toote.


    Themunicator ttered across the stone floor unnoticed, as the guy screamed in terror and pain, arms and legs iling as he tried desperately to flee, but Zev was too strong.


    Don''t move!


    Zev''s voice boomed in Sasha''s head and she froze, halfway out of the furs as he snarled and shifted his grip on the guy''s neck, cutting off the screams with a strangled gurgle.


    Sasha stood in shock as Zev, teeth buried in human skin, turned his head enough to meet her eyes once, then bolted from the cave, dragging the guy, who was still alive but fighting weakly now. They were gone in seconds, leaving Sasha gaping at a blood-spattered floor, and smears that followed their path out.


    She couldn''t breathe.


    She needed to breathe.


    What the actual fuck had just happened? How had that guy found them?


    Zev. Oh, no¡­ Zev.


    Trembling so that she worried her knees might give, Sasha yanked on her clothes that she''d left next to the furs the night before. But as soon as she was dressed she froze again.


    What was she supposed to do?


    Zev was out there killing a guy. Had the guy given away their location? Had hemunicated with the others before he came into the cave? He must have, surely?


    Then she looked across the bloodied cave to the little ck device thaty innocuously on its side on the floor, nearer the cave mouth.


    There was a light blinking on it.


    She didn''t even question, just tore across the cave to stomp her foot down on the thing. The casing snapped and a piece shot out to smash against the cave wall. But Sasha kept stomping. Then, when her foot got sore, she picked the thing up and threw it against the same wall, as hard as she could.


    It shattered and one piece of it flew back, slicing her cheek while the other bits pattered around the floor of the cave. Sasha gasped and pped a hand to her cheek, crouching and covering her face. But a momentter, everything was quiet.


    She straightened, wiping the line of blood on her hand onto her thigh, and gulping at the air.


    What the hell.


    What the hell?


    She wasn''t sure how long she stood there, but eventually she needed to move or she was going to cry. So she turned on shaky legs and crouched to pick up one of the pieces of themunicator.


    A few minutester she thought she''d found everything. Including the chip or whatever the brain of that thing was. She threw it, along with the other pieces, into the embers of the fire, then ran to get more wood and kindling, throwing the small pieces on first, then putting one of therge logs over the top and blowing like Zev had shown her to make the mes pick up.


    It took a couple of minutes and she''d almost suffocated it before the wood finally took and the mes began to crackle and leap, pouring smoke up to the roof of the cave that collected like a cloud that slowly trailed up the cave towards the mouth.


    It wasn''t until she went outside to see if she could see Zev¡ªand saw the bloody trail instead¡ªthat she realized the smoke was pouring out of the cave in a long cloud¡ªand the morning sun was now up.


    That smoke cloud was a dead giveaway to their location.


    She almost screamed, but swallowed it back and ran back into the cave, picking up the tworge waterskins they''d brought, poured them over the massive fire, now roaring, spitting, and crackling, almost three feet high.


    The water doused the biggest of the mes but didn''t put it all out, and it seemed like there was even more smoke now.


    Panicking, Sasha ran outside and grabbed an armful of snow from a bank near the cave mouth, running back inside to dump it on the fire, where it hissed and whined.


    She did that three or four more times before there was no more smoke. But now the firepit was a soggy mess of wet ck ash, coals, and half-burned wood.


    Looking back and forth between it and the haze of smoke in the cave and outside, and the blood on the floor¡ªnow marked by her footsteps in and out and around the fire¡ª


    Sasha''s vision began to blur with tears. She backed up to the wall of the cave and then, in a parody of Zev''s crisis the night before, she slid down it, her ass bumping on the stone floor so her teeth ttered.


    And even though she knew it wasn''t what strong Alphas did, she pulled up her knees, dropped her face into them, and wept.


    *****


    IT''S ALMOST THE END! You can listen to the Author Q & As that were recorded live by visiting my YouTube channel "Author Aimee."


    THANK YOU SO MUCH for your support of me, and of this book. I am truly humbled. And I can''t wait for you to see Sasha and Zev get their happy ending!

 Chapter 463 New Day

    463 New Day


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev stood over the corpse he''d dragged into the forest, as far from the cave as he safely could. He''d allowed it to bleed out in a creek close to the cave, then dragged it through the water as far up the creek as he could until he reached the ce where it poured off a small cliff. Then he dragged it into the trees so there would be no blood trail.


    He was going to have to go back now and try to find a way to clear off the blood from the trail between the cave and the water.


    As he caught himself analyzing all the ways he could hide his trail and any evidence of the human, he froze.


    His heart was thudding hard and his adrenalin was still pumping. But he was standing over a bloodied body¡ªa dead human being¡ªand his hands barely shook. How was it possible that he was more concerned with the trail this guy''s blood left to the cave where Sasha was than the fact that he''d just ended a life.


    It was so wrong. So sick.


    Why didn''t he feel more?


    He wed a hand through his hair, then cursed himself. There was still blood on his hands, though most of it had been washed off both his wolf''s fur, and his skin, in the freezing water.


    He trotted back to the water and winced as he knelt down to wash his hands and forearms in it, even sshing some up into his hair to get out any residue of it there.


    He''d just killed a man and he was worried about his hair?


    Uneasy and sickened more by the idea of what he''d done, than the actuality of it, Zev found himself in that strange limbo again.


    He''d forgotten.


    It had been months since he''d been on any mission. But he''d always experienced this strange feeling afterward. Even when he''d been certain the killing was for a good reason. Even when he''d been so sure that he was right to have done it¡­ it was like his body went to war with his mind.


    For hours after a mission he''d walked around in a daze, his bloodstream pumped full of adrenalin and shock, but his mind crystal clear and functional.


    His wolf was easy in his mind, in his chest. No longer fighting for release.


    But his human heart thudded ufortably.


    As if there were two parts of his entire body and soul, and they were on opposing sides of the war. And so he was frozen inside. Numb. Strangely disconnected from the world, as if he observed himself in it, rather than experiencing it.


    He''d just killed a man, and his stomach grumbled.


    Something was very, very wrong with him.


    He took onest look back in the direction of the body. He''d torn it up with his teeth on purpose¡ª


    leaving generalized destruction, rather than feeding behaviors, hoping to throw off any human who might find him into believing he''d been attacked by creatures.


    Zev knew that even though they''d seen the creatures dying in Horton''s mind, the humans were convinced the Creatures were the true threat here. It wouldn''t be a stretch for them to believe that one of them had gotten lucky.


    He just prayed it wouldn''t bring more wrath on the poor males who only wanted to be left alone.


    Suddenly easy, Zev turned down the trail and started trotting. He was miles from the cave and needed to get back to see if Sasha was okay. She was likely very shaken.


    *****


    He''d heard the sniffing before he reached the cave mouth and his stomach dropped. He felt more in that moment, realizing that Sasha was crying, than he had for the past thirty minutes when he''d killed a man.


    Finally, something about his thoughts registered in his gut, and a sudden jolt of sickening dread coursed through him. But he pushed forward and into the cave to find Sasha sitting on the floor to his right, head buried in her hands, with her knees curled up, sobbing.


    "Babe, babe," he rushed forward. "Are you okay?"


    Her head snapped up and she looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears and face blotchy.


    "Zev! Are you okay?" she gasped and leaped to her feet, running to meet him. He pulled her into a hug.


    "You''re freezing!" she cried but didn''t let go of him. "Zev, are you okay?"


    Why wasn''t he just answering the question? Yes, he was fine. He just needed to tell her that so she wouldn''t worry. After all, he was freaked out about not feeling more, right?


    He squeezed her hard and opened his mouth. But then his eyes fell on the blood on the floor, and the little footprints she''d left running back and forth between the door of the cave and the fire.


    There was a mess in the firepit where it looked like she''d started arge fire, then¡­ doused it? But his eyes kept going back to the bloodstains. Small pools and stters were everywhere for a six-foot radius¡ªthen there were the drag marks that led right under their feet. His bare feet.


    He was standing in the mostly-dry blood of the man he''d just killed.


    Something inside him shuddered. Then cracked.


    He blew out a breath and tried to shake it off. But Sasha hugged him tighter, pleading with him to talk to her, and every time he opened his mouth he was afraid to speak in case something else came out.


    "I¡­."


    He swallowed convulsively.


    "Zev, it''s fine. You''re fine. I''m so sorry you had to do that. You''re fine, look at me. Zev, look at me, I''m here!"


    He finally tore his eyes from the blood and back down to look at her and looking into her gaze, the love that shone there, alongside the worry and turmoil¡­ it broke him.


    His chest huffed once, then twice. Then his vision began to blur.


    He wed both hands into his hair and had to look away from her again because it was all going toe out.


    But then it did anyway.

 Chapter 464 Self-Defense

    Chapter 464 Self-Defense


    If you like music while you''re reading, try "Oh Lord" by NF. It''s what I was listening to while I was writing this scene!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Seeing Zev so shaky, so off-bnce was horrifying. He''d returned to the cave calling her name, wanting to check on her. But his hands were trembling terribly. He waspletely naked and had been out in the snow¡ªand the water, he seemed damp all over¡ªand didn''t even seem to realize. He waspletely freezing but didn''t even notice as he hugged her and tried to check in. And then wentpletely mute.


    Sasha, who''d been crying herself, pulled herself together and rushed to reassure him, pleading with him to talk. He was bottling too much up. He was going to lose his mind if he didn''t start to find some kind of release!


    "You''re freezing!" she cried, pulling him closer, trying to give him some of her warmth, but he just stood there holding her, staring over her shoulder. "Zev, are you okay?"


    His brows pinched together, but his eyes were darting around the cave. Did he think there was another intruder? Or was it the blood? Or the fact that she''d wet the fire?


    She was about to ask when his arms tightened on her and she patted his chest, trying to get his attention. But his gaze dropped to the ground behind her again, and he went still.


    "Zev?"


    She felt something ripple through him. Then he made a tiny whine, and blew out a breath at the end, shaking his head side to side. Sasha hugged him tighter.


    "Zev, talk to me. please. What are you thinking? What''s going on? Is he dead? It''s okay if he''s dead, Zev. Just¡­ tell me¡­ Zev?"


    He still didn''t look at her, but he opened his mouth. "I¡­." Then his throat bobbed as if he''d swallowed the words.


    "Zev, it''s fine. You''re fine. I''m so sorry you had to do that. You''re fine, look at me. Zev, look at me, I''m here!"


    She''d broken through to him, she thought. He finally looked at her¡ªbut it stopped her breath because his eyes were so dark. Not in color but in¡­ it was as if he carried a devil on his back and he knew it.


    Oh shit, what had happened?


    His chest sucked in and out, twice, quickly, as if he was trying to breathe and couldn''t. Then his eyes silvered with tears and Sasha''s heart broke for him as he let her go and put both hands in his hair, gaping at the ground behind her¡ªthe blood, she was sure¡ª


    and opened his mouth, and howled.


    ******


    An hourter they bothy on top of the furs. He''d said more than once that they needed to move because the guy would have had a locator on him when he was moving towards them. And if it tracked vitals, they knew he was dead.


    But he didn''t move when he said it.


    Sasha was terrified. Zev had gone from sobbing like a child toying quietly, stroking her hair and staring at the wall. She wasn''t sure whether to push him to move¡ªwas it really a risk that they''d be found quickly?¡ªor whether that was only going to make him worse.


    "Zev, listen to me."


    Hey on his side, but Sasha pushed up to sit over him, to watch the cave opening, just in case. But also because she wanted him to see how serious she was.


    "You can''t me yourself for this," she said quietly. "He came. He was going to take us. Take me. You acted in self-defense. Even thew wouldn''t me you for that."


    He grimaced. "If it had been a real fight, if he''d pulled a weapon, sure. But when you''re a killer anyway, it''s not like I can im¡ª"


    "Zev, they turned you into a killer¡ªthat was their evil. And now you''re using those skills they gave you to protect innocent people and keep them and their fuckery away from people who can''t stop it. That''s the truth."


    His eyes snapped back up to hers. He wanted to believe her, but he couldn''t let himself.


    "Please, Zev. You have to listen to me. I know you were protecting me. I know if he hadn''t threatened us you would have just gotten rid of him. But¡­ you didn''t have a choice. I can see that okay? I know you didn''t have a choice. And¡­"


    And she was lying to him for the first time, but she couldn''t let him fall into this pit that he was fighting. He really believed he was evil. Condemned. Damned. If she didn''t let him believe he''d been justified in outright killing the guy, he was going to fall apart. And it really wasn''t his fault that they''d given him those deadly triggers. What did they expect?


    Zev sighed heavily, but for the first time since he''d broken down, he pushed up to sit. He pulled his knees up and rested his elbows on them and stared at her over his arms.


    "This is all ugly, Sasha. Really fucking ugly. And if we''re going to get through this for another seven or eight weeks, it''s going to get uglier. I can do it. I can get us through it. But¡­ I can''t lose you through that. If saving us, doing what''s needed is going to turn you away from me¡ª"


    "Never," she said emphatically. "Never, Zev. I weep for you. This is all on them, not you. If it gets uglier, that''s their sin to pay for."


    His face crumpled and he rested his forehead on his braced arms. While he breathed deeply and clearly did his best not to start crying again, Sasha kept stroking his back and whispering her words of love. And hope.


    They were going to get through this. They were going to get their son. And they were going to get to the Safe ce. They''d be reunited with their loved ones and give the big finger to the team.


    "They''ll never find us again, Zev," she whispered, kneading his shoulders. "We''ll live a lifepletely without them. Our kids will never even meet them. Won''t know what a human is. Isn''t that incredible?"


    She hoped he could hear it all. She hoped it got in. Because she didn''t have anything else.


    "They did this to you, Zev. They made you this way, do you get that? That is the past, and you can''t change that. But you can sure as shit change the future. That''s what we need to be looking at. The future. Come on, Zev, we can do this."

 Chapter 465 Searching for Security

    Chapter 465 Searching for Security


    ~ ZEV ~


    That day passed in a blur. That entire week, in fact. Zev felt like he didn''t really wake from his stupor for several days.


    They''d gotten lucky. He''d been in shock and not thinking clearly. They were lucky that the humans either hadn''t gotten their location or hadn''t had time to get a force over to them before he was able to move.


    Sasha had killed the fire already, so they grabbed the few things they had¡ªwaterskins, leather straps, the furs¡ªrolled them up and he put them on Sasha''s back. It was a heavy load for her, but he needed to get her out of there, and that was going to happen a lot faster as his wolf, with her on his back.


    It had been a tough day and night. He''d pushed to move her away from that cave, taking a twisting, turning route through the foothills on the back side of the mountain, then following a low running river until his wolf-toes were numb and he kept stumbling and almost dumping her¡ªand their dry furs¡ªinto the river.


    He kept thanking God that she''d thought to destroy the device the male had on him. Maybe that was why they hadn''t found them, he wasn''t sure. All he knew was that he could barely rest. As soon as they would stop to eat or sleep, he''d be on his feet again two hourster, urging Sasha back onto his back.


    For the first couple of days, he didn''t really think about the route, just followed his instincts. But over time a n formed in his mind.


    The humans were sight-blind and reliant on their technology to locate any other living creatures. But the technology only worked when it was pointed in the right direction. And he''d observed with humans that there was a tendency to lean into the most likely solution. Which was usually right, but not always.


    Over the course of three days, Zev traversed the back side of the mountain across the valley, then during the fourth night, they took the risk and crossed back over the valley¡ªbut behind the mountain whose foot contained the Gateaway cave. The forest was thick there, and the mountains craggy and full of rockslides and sheer cliffs. It was a natural barrier, and one the Boardughingly described as a "natural fence." None of the Chimera, that Zev knew of, had prated that range. All their settlements and activity had been in front of the cave, for the miles and miles of Thana that spread out before it.


    But Zev had heard rumors of Creatures flying into those ranges. That if you could get high enough, there was lushnd on the other side of the range.


    He''d never crossed and he didn''t intend to now. But he was taking a risk, making an assumption about the rtive stupidity of the humans.


    He was banking that they''d assume the Chimera were never going south from the Gateway cave, only north. For all time that Zev knew of, that would have been true.


    Did it mean the humans hadn''t guarded their backs?


    He hoped so.


    It was a hard week, wing his way up the side of that mountain, far enough back that they wouldn''t be seen by anyone in the valley, but then, on the eighth day after he''d killed the man, they finally reached a teau, half a mile up the mountain, and deep enough that they couldn''t be seen from the valley, or from the cave-mouth trail unless they went to its edge.


    It was a wild, nearly-barren ce. No food sources beyond birds and insects. But Zev didn''t care. He could sniff out birds to kill in their nests. They could only use fire during the night¡ªvery carefully shielded to ensure it wouldn''t be seen if anyone was on the opposite mountain.


    He needed to be positioned close enough to the cave to monitor it, but far enough away that the sight-blind humans wouldn''t detect them.


    He needed ess to thoseing and going without them realizing that he was there.


    And he needed a ce for Sasha to rest.


    When they finally bedded down that first night, it was with a huge sense of relief. Sasha had terrible red burn marks in her shoulders where the leather straps had cut in from the heavy load on her back being jiggled around by his movement.


    He was so sad when he saw them.


    He''d found a shallow cave in the rock of the frozen mountains and dragged a shield of scraggly, stunted mountain trees that normally clung to the crevices between rocks. There was a tiny stream¡ªlittle more than a thin waterfall down the side of the rocky mountain, with a puddle and trickling creek wending away from it. But it would keep them hydrated and rtively clean.


    They had six weeks. And Zev was going to use them. But he needed Sasha in a ce he could get to her easily¡ªand keep her out of sight.


    So that night, after he''d run for days carrying her, then made their little cave safe and hard to see, they bothy down in the furs, side by side and he kissed the marks on her shoulders.


    Sasha''s forehead crinkled and she pulled him into a hug.


    She was cold. He''d been right that their furs really weren''t enough to keep her warm when they were higher up. But they didn''t have a choice. He''d try to get his hands on some more trees and foliage to block the entrance to the cave and hold in more heat at night when they were able to make a fire safely.


    Until then, he rolled over to cover her body with his own, tucking her feet under his legs, wrapping her in his arms, andying his face in the hollow between her head and shoulder.


    "Rest," he whispered, kissing her temple softly. "Just rest. We''ll figure it all out tomorrow."


    She sighed deeply, but she was asleep in minutes. He didn''t move until she started to sweat, then he curled her onto her side and spooned her all night.

 Chapter 466 In Secret

    Chapter 466 In Secret


    If you like music while you''re reading, try "Walk Through the Fire" by Zayde Wolf + Ruelle. It''s what I listened to while writing the next couple chapters!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    A few days after they moved positions, Sasha sat in their little cave-hollow, shrouded by tree branches and bushes Zev had found and pulled closer to give them more instion. He''d gone hunting¡ªhe was always so scared to leave her, she had to promise not to move from the cave until he came back.


    The humans still hadn''t found them, though there continued to be daily arrivals of new people, and others leaving. Hundreds of humans were in Thana¡ªand the glimpses Zev had gotten of those leading the mission, they were frustrated and angry.


    It was beginning to be clear to them that the Chimera really had escaped, either leaving Thana or hiding sessfully.


    Though the activity for searches continued, both Zev and Sasha felt like the Team were losing their intensity, and hoped they would soon stop. They''d cleared thend for miles around the vige and City. Zev grieved the Creatures, but prayed that his message to Horton had gotten through and those that were being stubborn had decided to leave. He couldn''t risk moving into that area and being discovered.


    Though he knew he could evade a person or evenrge groups of people. Their technology could see and detect things that their human senses couldn''t. Though Zev doubted this many people all had the technology to detect him, he couldn''t know which of them did. It was just too risky.


    So, they''d hunkered down on this little teau above the Gateway cave and were waiting the humans out.


    Sasha got tenser every day when the number of humans using the Gateway didn''t ease. Zev was almost certain that they had guards posted in the cave itself, out of sight. He was concerned that when it was time for them to go, he''d have to kill again¡ª


    and even if they avoided other eyes and got into the Gateway, their presence would be noted as soon as the bodies were discovered.


    Sasha had told him not to think about that yet. That they''d face it when the time came. But it niggled at her more than she wanted to admit.


    Zev still wasn''t himself. He was doing better than he''d been doing the first couple of weeks, but she was aching to get him away from all this danger and all these people. Other than the time they had to wait, getting through the Gateway was their only barrier.


    She had curled up in the furs next to the embers fromst night''s fire. Zev had shown her how to bank them so that they didn''t really burn, but kept their heat through the hours of the day and could be used to more easily start the fire at night.


    Pulling the furs tighter around her neck as the warmth of the cave from the night slowly seeped away into the chill of the winter day, she wished Zev was there.


    While they were too close to the humans to risk actually speaking out loud¡ªSasha didn''t think she''d used her voice in days¡ªthe advantage to this position was that it was near impossible for anyone to approach without Zev smelling or hearing them. When he was at the cave with Sasha, he wasn''t rxed, exactly. But he was far less tense than he had been when they''d been buried in the forest.


    He''d started touching her again.


    For a moment her mind tripped back to the night before when they''d been eating their cold food¡ªit was risky to make cooking smells unless the humans nearby were also doing it¡ªand she''dined about the temperature dropping.


    He''d looked up from his food, chin still low, his eyes finding hers in the half-dark. His hair was growing longer, but the first thing she noticed was that he was losing weight.


    They weren''t getting enough food.


    The nerves that thought brought had initially blinded her to the look on his face. He''d raised an eyebrow when she hadn''t responded and she''d realized he had that delicious, lopsided smile that she loved.


    She hadn''t seen that smile in weeks.


    Is someone feeling saucy? she''d said in his head.


    He''d answered byying aside the handful of berries and strip of dried meat and leaning towards her, taking her mouth.


    I''ll warm you up, he breathed in her mind.


    She''d smiled a genuine smile because Zev was flirting and it felt so normal. So him. She hadn''t felt that from him in so long. They''d made love since they came to this cave, but it was always with a desperate edge, as if it might be thest time.


    It was such a relief to see his yful side emerge again. It gave her hope.


    And then he''d turned his attention to ying her body like a musical instrument, and her attention had shifted to keeping herself quiet.


    Sasha blushed, remembering. Then shook it off. There was nothing but frustration to be found sitting there, alone, in the dark, with that train of thought. She needed to wait until he came back before she let herself fall into that.


    But she would. She hoped he came back in a good mood.


    Sasha sighed. They''d had so much time alone the past three or four weeks, it should have been such a special time. Time truly in private. If there hadn''t been so much danger, if they didn''t have a baby to save, she''d never want to leave.


    As always, that thought gave her pain in her chest.


    They had a baby. And he was utterly alone. Growing and developing without the safety of her body. Without her voice and Zev''s to orient every new awareness.


    The Team had stolen that from all of them, and Sasha grieved it. And it made her rage.


    But they were going to do something about it. She set her jaw and red at the dark.


    Those bastards, Nick, Nathan, Horace, the rest of the Board¡­ they could all suffocate in their own urine as far as she was concerned.


    Nothing was going to stop her from getting her child out of their hands. Nothing.

 Chapter 467 Answers and New Mysteries

    Chapter 467 Answers and New Mysteries


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha knew focusing on the anger of it all only put her off bnce and made her unhappy, so she tried for a while to focus on the good.


    Under the furs she put a hand to her belly, wondering how it would feel if she''d carried him to whatever size he was now. Whether she''d be able to feel him kick yet. Whether anyone in that fuckingb ever touched him through the technology so he knew what love felt like.


    Then she shook her head again. She got fearful and sickened every time she thought of it. What were they doing to him? Or not doing?


    She got mad at God every time, too.


    But, she reminded herself, so far they were safe. And they knew about their son. And they were going to get him, she was certain of it.


    And they knew where the Safe ce was now¡ªand the Chimera were there! She had to hold onto that. They knew at least Skhal and Jhon had gotten away from thepound, presumably with the females with them. She''d been praying every day that Lhars had gotten his out too. That all of them were nestled safely in their new home, wondering where she and Zev were.


    Their worry was an ache in her chest, too. She knew by now they''d be giving up hope. She prayed it wouldn''t cause too many disruptions for the hierarchy when they showed up in a few weeks. But then she realized, they could go back to the time close to when the others arrived, couldn''t they!


    That made her feel better.


    Sasha turned her mind to the day toe. Zev had said if he was sessful finding some food, he''d take her to bathe and wash that night. They hadn''t done that since they''d traveled from the other mountain. He''d been watching the human routines and he was bing confident that they bunked down at night, and beyond their guards


    ¡ªwho didn''t move, were just positioned to see if others approached¡ªthey weren''t searching or hunting at night.


    They didn''t trust Thana''s inhabitants not to surprise them, it seemed.


    Sasha hoped they could do that. Her furs felt like they''d stand up on their own. But she couldn''t take them off because she''d get too cold. She knew it would be a cold night after bathing, but she was looking forward to feeling clean, even if it onlysted a day or two.


    Then she remembered what happened thest time they were at the pools, and that made her smile and blush again. If they got some time tonight, she definitely wanted to make the most of it¡ª


    Sasha!


    Zev''s voice in her head was quiet but urgent. The bushes at the front of the cave rustled. Her heart throbbed, but she got to her feet as Zev appeared, empty-handed, his face darkly serious and beckoned for her toe.


    Bring the furs. The humans areing. They aren''t close enough to hear us yet, but we need to get out of the way.


    Sasha''s eyes widened, and she leaped towards him.


    *****


    An hourter, they were crouched in another hollow hidden by trees and an outcropping of rock just a hundred feet or so above the Gateway cave, waiting for it to be safe to return.


    There had been teams criss-crossing the face of the mountain now and again while they''d been there. But Zev said those patrols were pathetic¡ªnot expecting to find anything, so ignoring all signs of movement or the presence of anyone else. That sight-blind didn''t even cover it.


    Zev had insisted that he''d found their blind spots¡ªthat there were areas so close to where they gathered, the humans just assumed they were clear of intruders. While Sasha''s heart pounded at the idea of being so close to them, she couldn''t fault his logic as they watched a group of guys walk a trail that Sasha was unfamiliar with.


    Where does this trail lead? she''d asked Zev.


    Almost due west, Zev replied, his eyes never straying from the gaps in the trees where they could see the men walking the trail below them. But then they stopped, and soon the forest reeked of cigarette smoke.


    It was a smell that Zev''s sensitive nose hated. Sasha didn''t like it either. But Zev had told her it was one more screen for them¡ªwith serious smells like that around, the humans were even less likely to detect something subtle.


    Then the wind shifted, bringing the voices of the men with it, and all other thoughts tumbled out of Sasha''s head. Because the men were discussing Nick.


    "¡­thinks he''s such a fucking hotshot, thenes crawling back, beaten like a pussy. I swear he was going to cry."


    "You were there?"


    "I was security for the Board that night. I was the one who had to hold him while they got the others there to hear him."


    "Shit. Was it an act, do you think? Some of them are saying he was in on it. He''s got some fucking obsession with Zev."


    "Probably," the first guy replied.


    The wind rose and the leaves rustling stopped Sasha from hearing them. But Zev shared what he could catch.


    Nick hadn''t been himself after he''d returned. He was staying in thebs. Suffering PTSD.


    These guys were mocking him. They thought Thana was beautiful, and the Creatures were easy to kill. They wanted to go camping here.


    They were going to get a chance if Nathan had his way¡­


    Then Zev''s thoughts went silent in her head.


    Zev? What is it?


    Zev was blinking, frowning. He raised a hand to quiet her¡ªit was harder for him to hear when she spoke in his head. Sasha watched his face¡ªwhich paled¡ªand the way his eyes darted left and right as if he was trying to remember something.


    She took his hand, afraid he''d sink into that awful, dark ce he''d gone earlier. But his attention never wavered from the males on the trail below them.


    It took twenty minutes for them to move along, then another five before Zev felt like they''d gone far enough away that it was safe for him and Sasha to move.


    Then another half an hour to creep back to the cave to make sure a second lot of humans hadn''t found their teau.


    It was lunchtime by the time they were back in the cave, and Zev could finally fill them in.


    I can''t believe¡­ it never even urred to me. Zev raked a hand through his hair.


    What? she asked. What were they saying?


    Zev took a deep breath and finally held her eyes. The guy who''d held Nick when he arrived back in the human world was showing off, saying he was finally going to get to go through the Gateway. If it was open.


    Sasha blinked. They''ve closed the Gateway somehow?


    No, Sasha. There''s a second Gateway. Apparently, it''s the whole reason the human teams have beening into Thana all this time.


    Sasha''s mouth dropped open. Another Gateway?!


    Zev nodded. But apparently, the other one''s been closed for a while. That''s why they used this one with us. I just couldn''t believe I never saw it. remember I told you how weird it was that whenever the teams came through, Xar would pull all the Chimera back to the Vige, and the team would go into Thana by themselves?


    I thought that was because they were trying to avoid getting attacked?


    Zev shrugged. Maybe. But these guys were saying it was so the Chimera didn''t find the other Gateway and the work they were doing there.


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    Listening to those malesugh and tease each other¡ªand Nick¡ªabout this second gateway had been a punch in the stomach.


    Zev''s only reassurance was that the males seemed to think there was some kind of block on it, or a problem with it.


    The youngest among this group, a red-haired guy who looked like he barely had to shave, had stared at the others. "Has it ever been open when you''ve been around?"


    The others all guffawed. "That one hasn''t been open in our lifetimes unless Nathan''s lying¡ªwhich is entirely possible."


    But the youngest wasn''t giving up. "Do you really think it will be open this time?"


    The dark-haired guy who''d been bragging at the beginning had sucked on his cigarette and shrugged. He''d made a lot of noise and empty words about his mission, but Zev had been able to see and scent the skepticism on the others.


    Zev was frustrated that none of them expected the second gateway to be open. It was a potential help to him and Sasha if that second gateway was less guarded than this one. Though the way they were talking about it, that seemed unlikely. And that was assuming the bragger''s insistence that there was a chance the Board had found a way to do it was even true.


    In the end, the guy admitted he was just looking forward to spending a few days in Thana without having to patrol.


    So¡­ Sasha asked him an hourter when they were still going back and forth about it. Do we try to get through this new gateway? Or stick with our original n?


    Zev bit his lip. That was the big question, wasn''t it? But the truth was, he didn''t trust gossip.


    No, babe, he murmured in her head, pulling her into his chest. Unless I hear something more concrete before it''s time¡­ I think we stick with our n. And we pray that by that time they''re rxed enough that we can get into it without raising the rm.


    But neither of them had spoken much that day, both of them turning over all the possibilities in their minds.


    If the humans had another Gateway¡ªif they were able to open it¡ªwould that one take them to the safe ce?


    Zev set his jaw and shook his head, mentally eyeing the Creator.


    He better not be setting them up for failure.

 Chapter 468 As the Day Approaches

    468 As the Day Approaches


    ~ SASHA ~


    On the fifth week of the humans being called into Thana, the patrols were finally called off and both of them could breathe easier. There''d been a very difficult week where the humans had brought in dozens of drones to search the forests.


    Zev knew that the exercise was ast-ditch effort. But the beauty of it was that the drones could only identify living creatures from positions directly above, or directly facing. By hiding in the cave, he and Sasha had sessfully evaded every set of digital eyes that passed over the mountain.


    It had been a hungry week, but by the end, Zev''s mood was noticeably improved. They''d thwarted the humans at every turn. If the guy Zev killed had been discovered, he''d never been spoken of within hearing of Zev.


    Zev admitted to her one night in the furs that he was actually feeling hopeful for the first time.


    Thana still crawled with humans, but they''d pulled all their sentries in from all over the valleys, apparently finally convinced that the Chimera had either escaped, or hidden themselves so well that they weren''t going to find them.


    By week seven, with the humans still not moving during the nighttime hours, Zev convinced Sasha they were safe enough to go to Yhet''s cave.


    Her heart had fluttered with both hope and nerves. Was he certain?


    Zev had smiled.


    "I''ve been circling the trails every day. Several times a day. They believe they''re alone. They''re not even trying to find us anymore. I''m sure they found Yhet''s cave, and it might be stripped out. But what reason do they have to go back? They aren''t going that deep into Thana anymore¡ªnot in that direction. Their interest is to the west, not that far north. They aren''t even going to the City anymore or the Vige, except for the ones who are using the buildings for shelter. Once we pass the City, I think we won''t see them."


    The idea of humans sleeping in her bed, in Kyelle''s, in the medical building, had made Sasha''s skin crawl. But she shook it off. She knew there was no point fighting it. The Chimera were gone. And she and Zev were leaving. She just prayed Yhet''s cave hadn''t been destroyed.


    So, deep in the ck of night at the beginning of the eighth week, they''d said what they hoped was goodbye to their little hollow on the mountain, and Zev had run her all the way to Yhet''s cave.


    She''d only thought of the sanctity of that ce. Of the beauty and peace they experienced there. She hadn''t thought about how it was going to hit her when she walked inside that Yhet was gone.


    But it had.


    When they finally reached the cave, Sasha exhausted, and her shoulders aching, she''d walked through the ice tunnel and waited for Zev to light a fire¡­


    When the warm glow appeared in the firece and the room was illuminated¡ªstripped, like Zev had said, but the furniture still there because it was all too big and heavy to move¡ªfor a split second, Sasha thought about how Yhet was going to be so angry when he saw that they''d stolen all of his things.


    Then she remembered.


    The tears hade thick and fast, and Zev had pulled her into a hug and held her for a long time, both of them grieving their friend.


    "I hope¡­ I wish¡­"


    "I know," Zev whispered, kissing her hair, his hand trembling as he cupped her head and held her. "Me too."


    They hadn''t made love that night, though Sasha had been looking forward to it. she''d been too sad.


    There was too much sadness! Too many defeats! Too many losses!


    They''d spread their furs on his massive bed, curled into each other, and slept even without eating.


    The next morning Sasha still had an ache in her chest with grief for her friend, and she knew Zev did as well. But when she opened her eyes to that ice-blue glow and high, arching ceiling, her heart leaped with joy.


    She didn''t even turn to see if Zev was awake yet, just stared at the sunlight seeping into the ice above them to make the walls glow and thanked God that they were safe and warm and¡­ and that their beautiful friend had been a part of keeping everyone safe.


    She prayed he''d taken out humans as he went. Made them shit their pants.


    She snorted with the idea of Yhet scaring people¡ªthough she now knew he absolutely could¡ªand Zev rolled over next to her.


    "What''s funny?" he croaked, his voice deep and rough with sleep.


    Sasha turned to him, beaming. "The idea of Yhet making Nick¡ªor others like him¡ªshit their pants."


    Zev''s lips curled up at the sides, putting those gorgeous smile lines into his cheeks. He nodded. "Yeah, I like that, too," he said roughly, then pulled Sasha close and rolled over to cover her, kissing her slow and deep.


    Sasha hummed in her throat as he nudged his knees between hers, then let himself sink down between her thighs.


    It was the most beautiful, calm morning they''d had in weeks, and Sasha almost wept with joy just because he was there, and she was there, and they were safe.


    The kiss deepened quickly and he began to rub himself against her, slowly at first, gently. But adding pressure with every rock, until Sasha was beginning to gasp and shake and plead with him to take her.


    He teased, nipping her neck and whispering to her to wait, but then as he rolled, she tilted her hips and braced against his shoulder so he slid into her.


    A strange, guttural gasp broke from him and his mouth opened with shock, as Sasha made a cry that should have been embarrassing, but she was suddenly too frantic to care.


    "Ze-ev?" she asked, her breath catching.


    "Yes?" His voice was so low it seemed to drag from the furs beneath her, his chest vibrating against hers. But he was bracing on his elbows so he didn''t squash her, and it felt like he was putting distance between them, even as he kept a slow, relentless pace that dragged desperation from her.


    "I love it when your weight is on me," she whispered, leaning up to kiss his jaw when he let his head drop down. "It feels good. Like you''re close. And I''m safe."


    Zev groaned and let himself rest on her, moving his elbows to the furs on either side of her head, fingers sped over her head, and he kissed her, as his lips danced, and his tongue teased, his breath fluttering across her cheek and in her hair, he didn''t stop, the roll of him inside wringing sensation from her as his body rippled into hers.


    Despite the urgency to be close, there was no thunderous pounding, or screaming cries this time. Only whispered promises, slow rolls, his broach back arching in a graceful roll as he sipped at her lips and nudged at her neck, murmuring her name.


    And even as they climbed, together, to the crest of that glittering wave, she wrapped her arms around his neck, hands pressing into his shoulders, so he couldn''t move away. Even when he grunted and sighed her name, she never stopped whispering how much she loved him, until he trembled and thrust into her and a deep, resonant call tore from his throat.


    Sasha was so overwhelmed, so desperately in love, that a tear escaped, sliding down her cheek.


    Zev''s brow furrowed, and he dropped his chin to kiss it away, then down her cheek, to her jaw, until he buried his face in her neck and sucked, and kissed, and made every promise and vow to be there for her.


    Please, don''t cry, Sasha. Please.


    All she could do was breath and cling, and thank God that they were together.


    They rolled together so perfectly, that she felt as if they truly had be one, and it made that piece of him inside her glow and fizz in her chest. But it was when they crested the wave together and tumbled over the edge of pleasure at the same time that her joy wasplete.


    *****


    They dozed together. Sasha didn''t know how long. But when she woke, she was still nketed with him, and his breathing was long and slow. Hugging his back, she prayed he''d stay there a while so she could just enjoy him.


    Laying there with only her own thoughts, though, and reying the beauty of it all in her mind, it hit her then that thest time they''d been there in Yhet''s cave, she''d conceived.


    It shouldn''t have been possible, and yet¡­ she knew it was.


    What had the humans done to her to make that happen? And were they somehow still doing it? She''d never taken the pills they''d sent for her. But she also hadn''t started a cycle yet since she''d returned. It had been two months.


    Was it possible she was pregnant again already?


    Did she want to be?


    No, she couldn''t answer that, and she wasn''t going to let that question steal away the simple pleasure of being there with Zev.


    She stroked his back slowly, letting her fingers y up the ripples of muscle on his back.


    They had a baby, and they were going to get him in two weeks. That was the important thing. That was what she had to hold onto.


    They had less than two weeks to go. So, the remainder of this¡­ their time here¡­ it was just rest. And one she nned to make the most of.

 Chapter 469 D-Day

    469 D-Day


    If you like music while you read, try "Right Where it Belongs" by Nine Inch Nails (trust me). It''s what I listened to while writing!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    In the end they waited almost eleven weeks from when their baby was stolen. While the Gateway seemed to be less guarded, Zev didn''t want to risk trying to go through, only to find that their baby still hadn''t been delivered, so they would have to step back into Thana without know who was there.


    "But we can''t leave him with them, Zev! Not even for a few days!" Sasha had cried.


    "We won''t, babe. We''ll make it take us back to the first day after he''s delivered that we can get in there."


    That had soothed her somewhat, but the sudden shift of her expectations had been hard to swallow. When they''d made the decision, it was only three days away from ten weeks. To have to wait another ten days had almost killed her.


    But the morning before the night that they would travel dawned bright. Sasha had barely slept, and woke before Zev again, her body already humming with adrenalin.


    She was going to meet her son tonight.


    She couldn''t quite take it in.


    She also couldn''t wait.


    The day crawled by.


    Mundane things like eating, making sure the fire waspletely out, bathing¡­. She wanted to rush through them all because it seemed likepleting tasks would make the moment to leavee faster. But in truth, it just left her with longer gaps of time to fill.


    But finally, finally the bright glow outside the ice cave began to fade and Zev started packing up. They were taking their bags and furs, just in case. They didn''t know what they would face in the Safe ce


    ¡ªor if they''d get stuck somewhere. Zev was insistent that they not make the same mistake asst time and leave themselves stranded.


    When they''d gotten everything together and stacked in the middle of the cave, when the fire was cold, and there was no light in the cave except from a single candle Zev had found rolled under the huge dresser, they stood there, staring at each other.


    It hit Sasha then, just how much of a toll this had all taken on him.


    He had to have lost at least thirty pounds since this started. He was leaner, which made his muscles even more defined. But it also hollowed his features.


    Staring up at him, her mate, Sasha felt a rush of love, and of fear.


    Dark circles cut under Zev''s eyes like bruises. With the hard light of the candle in his hand, the shadows in his hollowed cheeks made them look gaunt¡ªhis eyes sunken. The yellow me warmed his skin, but in daylight he was paler than he had been, she knew. Whether that was theck of sun because of their need to hide, or a health problem, she wasn''t sure. But she prayed that when they finally made it to the safe ce, he''d fill out again and find his joy.


    "Are you ready?" he asked softly.


    Sasha nodded, though she wasn''t sure at all.


    Zev took a deep breath, his shoulders rising and falling once, then he took her hand in his free one, bowed his head, and began to pray.


    Sasha blinked, but clung to his fingers.


    "We need help," Zev said bluntly. "If you''re real¡­ if you''ve been making all this happen¡­ we need help. We need to get past the humans without being caught. We need to get through the Gateway to the right time and ce to save our son. And we need to get him out of there without leaving a way for them to follow. We need to get to the Safe ce together, all three of us¡ª"


    Sasha''s breath caught. She hadn''t thought of that¡ªneither of them was bonded to their son. Would they even be able to bring him?


    "¡ªand we need to reach the Safe ce with him, to find our friends, and food and¡­ we just need a life again. A life that isn''t being manipted or full of deceit. Please¡­ please¡­" he breathed. He opened his eyes like he was done, but Sasha jumped it before he could say anything else.


    "And please¡­ show Zev that you love him. Show him that all of this is¡­ it has to be for a reason. Show him that you''re helping him, not hurting him. That he''s not condemned. Whatever we have to do¡­ please¡­ bring us all home together and with confidence. Please?"


    She bit her lip, watching for his reaction. Zev didn''t look at her, but he nodded. Then they were done.


    Then Zev picked up therge burden and hooked it over Sasha''s shoulders before shifting into his wolf.


    Before she climbed onto his back, Sasha looked around one final time and that terrible ache began again in her throat and behind her eyes.


    "Thank you, Yhet," she breathed. "Thank you for loving us, and helping us and¡­ thank you for being so brave." Then she looked skyward, though she felt kind of silly doing it. "I know he''s there, with you. Please¡­ give him a hug from me?"


    Zev made a strange huff, but Sasha just sighed, then climbed onto his back and buried her hands in his ruff to keep them warm, then they were on the move.


    That was¡­ really sweet, Zev said in her head as they walked out of the cave and onto the trail that would lead down to the crevasse, then the valley. He would love that if he heard that. He would have been tickled.


    Sasha gave a little sobbingugh. "I miss him so much."


    Me too.


    He walked down the trail, keeping his steps careful because it was difficult for Sasha to bnce downhill with therge bundle on her back. But then they were in the crevasse and Zev began to trot, then lope.


    This is it, he said in her mind. Do you want to stop at the City, or just cut straight through to the Gateway?


    It''s time, Zev. I''m done waiting.


    He gave a little huffing woof.


    Me too, Sash. Me too.

 Chapter 470 Carry Me On

    470 Carry Me On


    ~ ZEV ~


    It took longer to reach the cave than he''d anticipated, because a new group of humans were camped a mile from it, right in their path. He''d been distracted¡ªand frustrated with himself when he realized he''d been distracted. They''d almost been on top of the camp before he realized the wind was blowing in the wrong direction and he was about to step into a human encampment.


    He''d slid to a halt, still in the trees, soothing Sasha''s hurried questions in his mind. But he''d had to wait and make sure they hadn''t been seen, then figure out the best way around the substantial encampment.


    He should have patrolled this area in the previous days. But Sasha had been worried about the risk of him being caught¡ªand he''d been loathe to leave her alone.


    Now he wondered what else they might find before they reached the cave.


    But, thankfully, though he went more slowly through the forest, they didn''t run into any other groups of humans. And the guards were easy to find by their small fires or lights from devices. It wasn''t until they were within half a mile of the Gateway that Zev slowed to a walk and began to creep between trees, always checking around every corner and scenting the wind for any threats.


    He''d resolved that if there were guards in the cave he would kill them. He knew it was unavoidable. The devices they all carried tomunicate with each other didn''t leave them any room for allowing people mercy. But his stomach was sick at the thought.


    So when they were finally in the final steps up the trail¡ªfollowing the treeline, though they''d have to step out of it to get to the mouth of the cave¡ªhe was relieved to find only one male slumped at the front of the cave.


    He was supposed to be guarding, but he''d fallen asleep, his head slumped forward on his chest, the glow of his device making his skin turn blue.


    I''m going to try and sneak past him, Zev told Sasha in his head. Stay as still as you can, but stay on my back unless he wakes. I can be quieter than you. But if he wakes up, jump off and let me deal with it, okay?


    Sasha nodded, clutching his fur.


    When he''d checked the wind again and scanned the entire area, he stepped gingerly out of the treeline and onto the packed snow and stones of the trail to the Gateway Cave.


    Twenty feet. That was all. Twenty feet to pass the guy on the ground and step inside the cave, and as long as there was no one else inside, they''d be free.


    It seemed to take forever. Step by cautious step, Zev crept along the short feet to the cave opening, then stepped carefully past onto the stone floor of the cave, which was even quieter, giving a wide berth to the guy on the ground.


    They both turned their heads to watch him, Zev freezing when the guy sucked in a deep breath. But then he began a low, rolling snore and Zev''s heart stopped threatening to actually beat through his ribs.


    Zev kept up the silent walk until they''d cleared the round corner in the cave and could see that there were no more guards inside. Then he trotted forward as quickly as he dared.


    When he made it to the Gateway, Sasha slid off his back¡ªalmost losing her footing at first because the heavy furs dragged her to the side. But she grabbed him to steady herself, then he shifted back to human.


    They stared at each other.


    Are you ready? he asked her.


    Yes, are you?


    Definitely. Let''s do this.


    He offered her a hand, and Sasha took it with a deep breath, then together, fingers twined, they stepped into the Gateway.


    Just like before, there was that terrible tugging sensation, as if something suctioned to his skin and tried to pull them apart bodily, from every angle at the same time. But the feeling passed quickly and then they were standing in that rippled, sapphire tunnel that looked like frozen ocean-water.


    And once again, there was no light.


    Zev took a deep breath, holding Sasha''s hand so tightly, his knuckles were white.


    "Take us to thepound, into theb where our son was delivered. Take us there at a time when he''s alone, or if that''s not possible, when Nathan is with him."


    Sasha sucked in a breath as the tunnel lit up around and above, the zing light rolling down the tunnel and around the corner like water in the walls.


    They looked at each other, then started walking as fast as Sasha was able.


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    She''d almost cried when the tunnel lit up. Herst fear had been that they wouldn''t be able to get to him, their son. That he wouldn''t have been delivered, or Nathan would have stopped visiting him alone.


    But then they were walking, hearts pounding, breaths fast and shallow. Walking, and walking, and walking.


    The journey seemed longer than she''d expected, but with every sense tuned to the tunnel, perhaps it was just that she was hyper-aware of every passing second.


    Then finally, finally, the light led them around a corner into a side tunnel, and they faced another Gateway.


    Sasha rushed forward, but Zev held her back. "Let me go first," he said quietly. "Just in case. You stay in the gateway, keep it open. I''ll go in and get him¡ªno matter what, you don''t leave the gateway, okay?"


    Sasha looked at him but nodded. He was right, of course. He could take Nathan, but that didn''t mean there was no threat. So, she followed, almost crying out with joy when he stepped through the Gateway first and then she was in the opening and theb appeared in front of her¡ªa dark wall full of monitors and equipment. Tables and machines and equipment in neatly lined rows in the center of the room. An adjoining room that had beeping and other digital noises emanating from it, as well as a soft light.


    Sasha bit her lip. He was here. Their son was here!


    She was about to step out, when Zev looked back at her over his shoulder and squeezed her hand, indicating that she needed to stay there in the doorway so the Gateway wouldn''t closed.


    It took everything within her to stop, but she did, forcing her hands to fists at her sides so she wouldn''t reach for Zev as he continued forward, towards that door.


    But between one step and the next, the shadow in the adjoining room shifted and to Sasha''s horror, Nathan stepped into the wide, open doorway, holding a bundle in his arms.


    His eyes widened and he froze. "Zev," he said.


    Zev snarled and leaped forward. And from almost behind them, the other side of theb, another figure stepped into view, raising a gun.


    "Zev! Watch¡ª" Sasha screamed, as Nick pulled the trigger.


    The gun made a strange popping hiss. Zev took one step, then dropped to the floor like a felled tree, groaning, his arms and legs iling weakly.


    "NO!"


    *****


    WE''RE ALMOST AT "THE END!" If you want more great shifter fantasies to fill the void (or somethingpletely different) go to linktr.ee/authoraimee to find my seven books on WN, and four published elsewhere!

 Chapter 471 Sour Puss

    471 Sour Puss


    ~ SASHA ~


    "Zev! No!" Sasha almost ran from the Gateway, almost leaped towards Zev whoy on the ground, gaping like a fish out of water, his hands iling, head lolling. His eyes kept catching on hers, then rolling away as his body became less and less coordinated. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?" she screamed at Nick. "YOU¡ª"


    "Rx, he''s just tranquilized," Nathan drawled.


    Sasha whipped her head back to look at Nathan. "You bastard. You fucking bastard."


    Nathan rolled his eyes, then shook his head. "Make sure he doesn''t wake up," he muttered to Nick who had darted to Zev''s side and was examining the spot where she could now see a dart protruding from his shoulder. Nick nodded to Nathan without looking at Sasha.


    "You asshole, you fucking asshole¡ª"


    "Be thankful the asshole is here, Sasha. Without him, you''d be dead already. He convinced me that containing you both was more advantageous than killing you, though you both deserve it¡ªyou especially, you lying little bitch."


    "I don''t give a flying fuck what you think of me," Sasha hissed at him. "You are a fucking psychopath."


    "Sociopath, actually. I was made, not born," he said with a sarcastic smile that fell off his face immediately. His eyes grew intense and he took one step towards her. "Now, no more hysterics, please. Zev is still alive, and will be back to normal in an hour or so. At least, he will be if you step out of that Gateway and allow it to close. If you do not, I''m going to shoot Zev dead first, then your son, then you. And before you consider it: Studies have shown it''s definitely worse to go after watching others die, so¡­ spare yourself. Honestly. I''m a sociopath, not a sadist."


    Sasha gaped as Nathan stared at her calmly.


    He was still standing in the wide doorway between the two rooms. The bundle in his arms made a tiny noise and Sasha froze.


    "Do I need to repeat the only circumstances under which I will not kill them both, Sasha? Because, I do not make empty threats. And I find I have no patience."


    Sasha looked down at Zev, who had stopped moving. His eyes were on her, but hooded. She was uncertain he could hear anything anymore, but just in case, she whispered in his head, I''m so sorry. I''m so sorry.


    Then she stepped out of the Gateway and into the room, stumbling towards him. But before she could make it to his side, that tiny noise¡ªa peep, the smallest of cries¡ªsounded again and drew her to a halt like someone had yanked her chain.


    She didn''t look at Nathan''s empty, soulless eyes. She looked at the bundle in his arms. Her son. She would have bet money that was her son.


    "What are you doing to him?" she whispered.


    "He''s just had his bottle and I was about to put him to bed when you two arrived. Would you like to hold him?"


    Sasha felt those words in her belly.


    between her teeth and she was shaking.


    09:44


    Nathan nodded. "Yes, he is. Unfortunately."


    Would she like to? Like to?


    "He''s my son!" her voice should have been stronger, not so breathless, but she''d spewed the words between her teeth and she was shaking.


    Nathan nodded. "Yes, he is. Unfortunately."


    Sasha blinked, then frowned. "What does that mean?"


    "He''s your son, Sasha. Entirely yours. As human as you and I. Do you have any idea how disappointing that is?" His voice was thin, tightly reined fury.


    Sasha frowned. "I don''t care what he is. He''s mine. Give him to me."


    "Come get him."


    Sasha knew it had to be a trap. With a nce down at Zev that forced her to also see Nick¡ªshe bared her teeth at him¡ªshe took a step forward. Nathan was going to use this against her, she knew. But if she couldn''t save Zev, and she couldn''t save her son, she could hold him. She could let him know what love felt like.


    So she walked towards Nathan down the aisle of thergerb room, waiting for the trap. For the mock. For¡­ whatever it was he was going to do. But when she reached him, he only tilted his head. "Hold your arms out. You know you need to support his head, correct?"


    The gentle way this monster of a man held her son, so familiar, as if he''d done it a thousand times¡­. The way he gave her instruction, as if she needed to be told how to do it¡­


    She wanted him dead. She wanted him skinned alive, castrated, then dead.


    Instead, she held out her arms the way he''d indicated and bit her lip as her son was ced in her arms.


    For a moment, Sasha only stared. A soft, beige nket had been tucked around his tiny body like he was a little human burrito. His face, angelic in sleep, waspletely peaceful, his button nose turned up and eyes closed. Hisshes were dark blonde, barely visible in the dim light of theboratory¡ªwhy weren''t there more lights in here? Presumably because it doubled as a nursery, Sasha thought. But that was as far as she made it, because she was too busy staring at this perfect little bundle¡­ and wondering why she didn''t feel something.


    She swallowed and took in his perfect skin¡ªdarker than hers. His tiny lips, slightly open. The one ear that she could see peeking out from the nket, so perfectly formed it looked as if it had been molded by the hand of God Himself.


    "Zan," she breathed. "His name is Zan." She wasn''t sure where it came from. They hadn''t talked about names. But something told her¡ª


    A cold, hard click sounded right next to her ear and Sasha froze.


    "Fucking idiot," Nick muttered behind her.


    Sasha would have turned to tell him exactly what she thought of him, and only in the most colorful of terms, but she was too busy staring down the barrel of the pistol Nathan held to her temple.

 Chapter 472 Cold

    472 Cold


    ~ SASHA ~


    Nathan wasn''t smiling. He wasn''t the cartoon viin who took delight in scaring others. He didn''t seem to feel anything at all. He barely looked human.


    Sasha opened her mouth, but Nathan pressed the barrel of the gun harder against her temple. "I''d rmend keeping your mouth shut. You''ve already pissed me off one too many times. I''m still tempted to just kill the three of you and start over."


    "Don''t," Nick snapped. "She might be pregnant."


    "If she is, it''s likely imnted by now, so we''re screwed."


    "Not if you keep her alive."


    Nathan rolled his eyes again, as if they''d had this conversation several times already and he already knew the answers.


    Sasha didn''t move, just watched that gun and held her son as tightly against her body as she dared. Her heart pounded in her ears until she could barely hear the beeping of the equipment in that other room.


    "Sasha, give me the baby," Nathan said coldly.


    "No."


    "He''s not your baby. He''s a decoy¡ª"


    "I don''t believe you."


    "We''re expecting the board to visit tonight and I can''t show them your real son, so I needed to¡ª"


    "Let''s get one thing straight, Nathan: I will do as you say when you have a gun to my head. I will follow instructions. But I will not believe a single word thates out of your mouth."


    Nathan made a small growling sound and shook his head. "Fine, I''ll show you."


    Then, faster than she would have thought possible, his free hand shot out, grasped her baby by the skull and yanked him out of her arms, throwing him across the room so he was mmed against the wall behind him.


    Sasha screamed, "NOOOO!" and leaped after him, but even as the little body flew, she registered the unnatural il of the limbs¡ªas if the joints didn''t bend properly¡ªand when the head hit the wall, there was a tone to the thud, as if something heavy, but stic had mmed into it.


    Sasha froze again as the baby dropped to the ground, face first, it''s entire body bouncing like a single piece.


    It was a doll. A very beautiful, very realistic looking doll.


    Sasha gaped.


    "Perhaps you''d do well to remember that not every word that I speak is designed to deceive you," Nathan said, sounding bored.


    Sasha was trembling from all the adrenalin. Nathan stood at her side, that gun still pressed against her temple, while she stared at the doll on the ground, trying to breathe.


    "You lied to me¡­ and you want me to believe you don''t lie?" she said through her teeth.


    "I have your son, Sasha. And he''s all human and just as disappointing as I described to you. He just wasn''t the thing in my arms at the time."


    "Fucking bast¡ª"


    Nathan cursed and the gun barrel dug in against her skull. "I am losing my patience, Sasha. This has been an extremely trying few months¡ªand it''s all because of you. Everything in this program was going brilliantly until you arrived to fuck everything up."


    equipment behind the crib¡ªwhich was where the noises wereing from. But as they approached, 09:27


    Sasha''s eyes blurred, becauseying inside the crib, swaddled just like the doll had been, was a baby.


    "I don''t care."


    "Well, you should," real fury had crept into his tone, "because I am very tempted to simply remove the problem."


    "Nathan, she''s the only one he can breed with. If you really want to try again¡ª"


    "I''m never doing anything to help you. Any of you. If that means never have sex with Zev again, so be it."


    "You said you''d be our broodmare, Sasha. You said you''d cooperate!"


    "And you said you''d send the rest of the females over. We both lied."


    Nathan hissed another curse, but didn''t remove the gun. Sasha raised her hands as if she was cooperating, but her eyes darted left and right. She desperately wanted to lean around that doorway and see the rest of the adjoining the room.


    "Where is my real baby?" she asked finally.


    "He''s utterly safe and healthy and thriving. I''ve been taking a very personal interest in him."


    They were the creepiest words she''d ever heard.


    "I don''t believe you. Show him to me. Show me to him!"


    "You think you''re in a position to give orders here?"


    "No, I think you want me here for some reason, so¡­ if you''re going to target me, at least let me meet my son!"


    "Why would I ever give you anything you want?"


    "Because if I know he''s real, and I know he''s mine, he''s the best power you''ll hold over me in this world."


    Nathan went quiet. She could hear Nick shifting around Zev¡ªwhat was he doing to him? But she couldn''t see them from this angle, and didn''t trust Nathan not to get trigger happy if she tried to turn.


    "I can respect a logical argument," Nathan said and she could hear his smile. It made her skin crawl. "Nick, keep an eye on Zev. I''m going to take Sasha into the nursery."


    Sasha kept her hands up as Nathan took hold of her arm and steered her towards that empty doorway into the next room. As they approached, it looked like a smaller version of the first, but without the rows of work surfaces and equipment. There wereputer monitors and blinking lights, and a rhythmic beeping.


    But as they stepped through the wide frame of the door, another area in the room was revealed¡ªarge crib, in white, with yellow and beige nkets and a stuffed, ck wolf, there was a lot of equipment behind the crib¡ªwhich was where the noises wereing from. But as they approached, Sasha''s eyes blurred, becauseying inside the crib, swaddled just like the doll had been, was a baby.


    His skin was light brown, his hair andshes ck. His face was wrinkled and as she watched, he yawned, his little mouth opening so wide it seemed like it might crack his face in half.


    But then he closed it and his chin¡­


    It was Zev''s chin.


    She didn''t know how she could tell. But she could. He was Zev''s boy.


    This was her son.

 Chapter 473 Baby

    473 Baby


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha''s heart expanded until she thought it might fill the room. Completely forgetting the gun at her temple, or anything else, Sasha made a small cry and rushed forward, leaning over the lowered side of the crib to reach in and scoop him up. She''d only held babies a few times in her life, but she knew enough to support his head and lift him to the crook of her arm.


    "Baby, my sweet boy," she breathed.


    The smell of him was what she noticed first. Like milk and freshly bathed skin.


    He was a lot bigger than the doll had been, an armful for Sasha. When she lifted him, his eyelids fluttered, and his little eyes opened, squinting, and he made a tiny, indignant squawk.


    "Oh, baby, my sweet baby," Sasha crooned, and the moment she spoke, his eyes opened wide and he stared at her.


    Really stared at her.


    He blinked against the light and made moreining noises, but his eyes never left hers. As if he knew her face and searched it.


    That couldn''t be right¡­ could it? How could he possibly know her?


    Then he yawned again and the little squeaks and whines became a full-throated cry.


    Without thought, Sasha lifted his little baby bean to her shoulder and began to rock him slowly, resting her head against him, inhaling his scent, her tears dripping off her nose and onto his nket.


    "My boy, my boy," she breathed. And he settled. He settled for her. Sighing heavily, then going quiet.


    Sasha was stunned.


    "This is very sweet," Nathan drawled from behind her. "But we have work to do. And very little time. Our negotiations must be finished before your mate wakes up, because if I''m going to have to kill him, I''d really rather do it when he''s asleep. It''s just a lot cleaner. So let''s get to it."


    He was still behind her, so Sasha just stood there, stunned, holding her son, her mind spinning. How were they ever going to get out of this?


    Nathan didn''t seemed disturbed at all. "I want you to be clear that you will not be allowed to bring us all down. I will kill you before I allow you to leave, especially with a baby¡ªor babies, as the case may be."


    Sasha shuddered with a wave of hate, but turned her head and gently kissed his fat little cheek. "I understand," she breathed. "Just¡­ let me hold him. I don''t want to hurt him."


    "If you want to hold him while we speak, I''ll ask you to take a seat in that chair over there and I''ll strap your ankles to it."


    "Strap¡ªwhat?"


    Sasha turned to see what Nathan was talking about and found a thick, wide, metal chair with a faded burgundy seat-pad next to the crib. At the base of the legs, and on the wide arms, thick leather straps with wicked-looking buckles were riveted to the metal.


    She shuddered to think why it was there normally. Who had they forced toe here? And for what purpose?


    "You''ll be d to know, I''m sure, that we are not unaware of a child''s needs. We''ve been cycling females through every two hours to hold and nurture him. We know that those of our young that are allowed to bond with adults grow up far healthier and more robust. So, I guess you''ll take this shift. Take a seat, Sasha," Nathan said quietly.


    Her blood running cold, her baby pressed to her chest, Sasha prayed that somehow, somehow they''d get through this. Then she sat down in the chair and held her son as Nathan quickly and efficiently strapped her ankles to the chair legs.


    "Now, I''ll give you a moment just so you understand your motivation to help me, as you so wisely put it. But in a moment we''re going to have a conversation, you and I. We''re going to figure out how you can help me. And in exchange, I''m going to let you and your mate and your son stay alive."


    Sasha stared at the man with his slicked back hair and bright eyes and sighed heavily. "Okay," she said, her voice dead.


    Before he could respond again, Nick appeared in the doorway. Nathan straightened, still keeping the gun trained on her, but turning to look over his shoulder as Nick, looking tense, stopped in the doorway, the tranquilizing gun in his hand.


    "He''s waking up."


    "What? That thing''s supposed tost at least an hour!"


    Nick''s face went tight. "I told you, the Chimera metabolism¡­ anyway, I need to put him under again."


    "So do it!"


    "You only gave me one dart," Nick said through his teeth.


    With a frustrated growl, Nathan dug into the pocket of his pants and pulled out a cylinder that looked ss, and contained another feathered dart. He tossed it across the room to Nick, who caught it in one hand, but scowled.


    "Risky much?" he snarled, popping the top on the little tube and tipping it on it''s end into his hand, feather first.


    "It''s in a case, idiot," Nathan growled. "It''s not like it''s going to stab you through the ss."


    Nick''s lips thinned and he shook his head, but his eyes were on the gun in his hand as he reloaded it, then checked the chamber, blowing on the feathers of the dart.


    "Go for the neck this time," Nathan said as he turned back to Sasha. "If you can hit the jugr it will enter his bloodstream faster and work longer."


    Nick raised the gun, his eye on Sasha. "Will do," he said tightly.


    Then he pulled the trigger.


    Sasha sucked in a breath to scream. But the dart bloomed on Nathan''s neck. He pped a hand to it with a curse, his brows pinched over his nose.


    "What the fffff¡­. Wha'' the¡­."


    Nathan red at her, then his hand holding the gun dropped to his side. It ttered to the linoleum a second before Nathan crumpled to the floor like the bag of trash that he was.

 Chapter 474 [Bonus chapter] Saved by the Dick... I mean, Nick.

    Chapter 474 [Bonus chapter] Saved by the Dick... I mean, Nick.


    ~ ZEV ~


    Zev dreamed that he''d been bitten by a snake and then the world had gone dark. Strange shapes and sounds twisted through his head, taunting him. At one point there was fire. It started in his shoulder, but moved to his chest and became rage.


    There was a voice he recognized, but couldn''t make out. Something patted his arm.


    Then he was blinking and the dream and reality began to mingle.


    Zev had woken¡ªat least a little¡ªunable to hear. But a few secondster, he heard the beep of a machine, and that voice again. His eyes were thick and his tongue ck. His jaw didn''t want to move. He blinked again. He wasying on a hard floor that pressed hard into his hip and shoulder. It took a long moment of staring at the forest of metal legs andputer hard drives in front of his face to remember where he was. To remember anything at all. But slowly it all came back.


    He and Sasha had left Thana for thest time, and the Gateway had worked.


    He was at thepound. In theb.


    He''d been sight-blind.


    Something had bitten him¡­


    He sucked in a breath and tried to sit up, but his arm only iled.


    "Oh, thank god," Nick''s voice was low and hushed. Zev growled and Nick pped a hand to his mouth, leaning down to get in his face. "I''m sorry, but he had to believe that I was helping him. They''ve been suspicious of me ever since I came back. He had to believe that I am on his side. I gave you the antidote. It''ll wear off in just a minute, but until I take care of him, you have to stay down on the floor, facing this way so if he looks in, he thinks you''re still out. You have to, Zev!"


    Zev blinked, struggling to follow what had happened.


    They''de through the Gateway, him and Sasha together.


    He''d stepped into theb, there''d been no one in sight, but he could smell Nathan and Nick.


    He''d seen Nathan first, but then something hit him on the back. He winced and tried to roll his shoulder, but his movements were jerky. He couldn''t do it properly, and his shoulder ached terribly.


    "Just be still, please!" Nick hissed, looking over his shoulder towards the next room. "Please, Zev. I''m sorry, I had to do it. You''re going to be fine. And so Sasha. She''s already got your baby. We''re halfway there."


    But¡­ if Sasha had the baby, that meant she was out of the Gateway, right?


    Zev started to growl again and Nick leaned right down so they were eye to eye. "I''m going to die¡ªliterally die¡ªif he realizes I brought you out of that sleep, Zev. Do you get that? I''m putting my ass on the line here to save yours. Again. So do me a fucking favor and shut the fuck up for just one more minute!"


    Zev blinked, but he didn''t make another noise. Nick stared at him a second, then sighed and pushed to his feet.


    "I need to wait until you''re able to move on your own and support your own weight, just in case this goes bad," he muttered under his breath, so Zev could hear, but no human would be able to make out the words. "I''m going to try to take him out. But if I''m unsessful, you need to surprise him, okay?"


    Zev nodded. He was moving a little smoother now. He could flex his fingers and pedal his feet. He could feel his strength returning. He was going to be able to do this very soon.


    He red at Nick, but Nick''s jaw flexed and he shook his head. "I told you I was on your side," he muttered. "Wouldn''t fucking believe me after all these years."


    Zev wanted to spit that he wouldn''t trust Nick to light his birthday candles, but all he managed was a low groan.


    Nick shook his head again. "You''re forcing me to do this and prove this to you before you can move. You better pray I can pull this off. Because if you''re still out and Nathan There was a strangled, "What the fffff?"


    gets wind of this. She''s the only one who''ll pay¡ªand she''s holding your baby right now, Zev."


    Zev blinked. Sasha. Nathan had Sasha? And she was with their baby?


    "Yeah, that''s right. This isn''t just about you and me, Zev. So keep your fucking mouth shut and when you do get up, make sure your legs are steady before you let go of any support. I won''t be here to hold you."


    As Nick stepped over him, then started for the room behind him, Zev straightened his legs and found they were moving smoothly, that he could grip his hands again. He pushed down on the floor, pushing himself up to a sitting position, though his head spun for a moment.


    He could only see Nick''s back and the lighting from the other room. But by the time Nick was loading the gun, Zev was on his feet¡ªalbeit a little wobbly¡ªand starting down the aisle.


    Then he heard Nick say, "Will do," and that strange, popping hiss of the gun that made Zev''s skin prickle.


    Sasha gasped.


    There was a strangled, "What the fffff?"


    Then a terrible tter and thud.


    Zev was running, though his head spun. He caught himself on the frame of the opening into the next room, just in time to find Nick kneeling in front of Sasha, who was sitting in a chair holding a bundle of nkets to her shoulder and staring wide-eyed at Nick.


    Zev didn''t think quick enough. He was so relieved to see Sasha, so stunned to see their son, he didn''t take in the room the way he was supposed to. He didn''t think it all through. And before he could, Nick darted forward, around Nathan''s crumpled body, still twisting a little on the floor as the tranquilizers took hold, and picked up the gun that had fallen there.

 Chapter 475 No Time to Lose

    Chapter 475 No Time to Lose


    If you like music while you read, try "Whose Side Are You On?" by Tommee Profitt and Ruelle. It''s what I listened to while writing these chapters!


    *****


    ~ SASHA ~


    Sasha''s heart almost exploded when Nick raised that gun towards her¡ªthen again, when Nathan''s gun dropped, followed very quickly by Nathan himself. She was still gaping at his writhing form when Nick rushed forward and began unbuckling the bonds at her ankles.


    She stared at him, conflicting emotions roiling within her¡ªdistrust, fear, gratitude, hope¡­ it was all there.


    Nick looked up at her between moving to the next buckle and winked. "I told you I cared."


    She shook her head soundlessly.


    Then there was a sobbed, "Sasha!" from the doorway and Zev was there, awake and shuffling towards her, obviously still not entirely free of the effects of whatever was in that tranquilizer, but at least he was on his feet.


    He rushed to her as she pushed to her feet and stepped over Nathan''s prone form, then they were together, their son pressed between them as she sobbed into his chest and he held her, whispering her name, clinging to her head, holding her, his voice choked and rough with emotion.


    "You''re safe¡­ thank God you''re safe."


    "It was Nick."


    Sasha pulled her head up to look at him at those words. Zev''s forehead crinkled into lines like he didn''t know what to think of it either, but then the little body between them made a tiny squawk and both of them turned.


    Zev''s eyes went wide. "Can I¡­ can I see him?"


    Sasha, eyes already brimming with tears, nodded. "He has your chin."


    Zev''s eyes narrowed, but he smiled, looking back and forth between her and the little bundle on her shoulder. Stroking his chest once, Sasha smiled and took one step back. "Hold your arms like this. Don''t let his head drop."


    Then sheid their son in his father''s arms for the first time.


    And deep inside her, Sasha felt the bond tug, tighter and tighter, as if it drew them together. Tugged so tightly, she couldn''t resist. As Zev stared, awed, into the face of his son for the first time, and his son blinked back up at him, Sasha stepped right back into him, holding Zev around the waist, her chin only barely above the level where he held their baby.


    "He''s¡­"


    "Zan," she whispered. "Don''t you think it fits?"


    Zev blinked, then looked back down at their baby. "Yes," he breathed, then he huffed a halfugh, half-sob. "Yes, it does, Sash. It''s the perfect name for him."


    They both looked down at him then as his eyes began to droop again. Sasha brushed the top of his head while Zev reached in the nket and drew out the tiny, perfect little hand that clutched at the seam of his baby burrito.


    Zev''s mouth dropped open when their son''s little fist closed around his finger and held tight. Then he yawned and his eyes dropped closedpletely.


    But he didn''t let go.


    Sasha was weeping tears of joy already, but Zev''s eyes welled then, and he shook his head.


    "My boy," he rasped, his voice deep and heavy with emotion. "My boy. Zan."


    "I''m sure he''s great. But if we don''t get you all out of here pretty damn fast, there won''t be any more happy reunions."


    Zev looked up with a growl and Sasha turned to face Nick. "The gateway closed," she said quickly.


    "So, open it again with whatever little trick you''ve used to get here."


    Sasha shook her head. "I can''t. It was ourst shot," she lied.


    Nick looked over her shoulder at Zev, clearly skeptical. But Zev growled again. "You really think we wouldn''t just leave if we could? Especially now?"


    Nick raked a hand over his head and cursed. "Fine. Then¡­ we have to get you to the other gateway and pray to God they aren''t sending a shift back tonight. It''s not the usual day for it, but there''s been a lot of random stuff over there¡ªwhere the hell have you two been? Why didn''t they find you? And where are all the others hiding? This little Gateway trick is obviously how you got the females out¡ªthat was a power move, by the way. Sending Yhet to distract them. But fuck¡­ even I liked Yhet."


    "You didn''t even know him," Sasha said coldly.


    "I knew him enough to know he was sweet. And that''s not a word I usually use for a guy."


    Sasha''s anger about all of it, everything these people had done, came rushing back. But, she reminded herself, Nick had just saved them both. They did owe him, no matter what else had gone on. Nathan wouldn''t have let any of them out of here, she knew that.


    So, while Zev and Nick argued about the best way for all of them to get out safely, Sasha continued to stare at her son''s fist wrapped around her husband''s finger¡ªthat little fist so small the fingers didn''t even quite meet around it.


    And when they still hadn''t finished arguing, Sasha turned to look at Nathan, lying unconscious on the ground.


    In her mind, his was the face in front of everything that had happened¡ªher and Zev being separated. Her being taken to Thana and almost losing Zev. Her being brought here to thepound and their baby stolen. All those females who were sterilized and broken. And now this¡­


    Her chest burning with rage, Sasha squatted at Nathan''s head and looked at him there,pletely vulnerable. She picked up his wrist, and his limb was entirely limp.


    "I wish you hurt," she said through her teeth. "I wish you wereying here writhing in pain. I wish you experienced an ounce of the torment and fuckery that you caused in the lives of these people¡ªand they are people, Nathan, whether you can see that in your sociopathic fog or not. They''re people and they don''t deserve this!"


    Behind her, the voices of Zev and Nick went quiet.


    Sash?


    Zev''s quiet query rang in her head. He wanted to know if she was okay. He wanted to know if she needed help.


    Sasha swallowed.


    Could you hear? Or feel? When they tranquilized you? she asked him.


    I think I felt some of it, he said hesitantly. At least, I remembered feeling some of it. It was subdued, but it was there.


    Sasha grimaced, that coil of heat starting right at the core of her and lighting in her veins until, without thought, her hand flew out and pped him on the cheek.


    "That was for viting me¡­ and you deserve so much worse," she hissed. Then she remembered the few lessons Zev had given her about self-defense and how to hit. Her hand shot out again, this time the heel of her palm, right into his nose.


    He didn''t react, but a secondter a trickle of blood began to drop from one nostril.


    "That''s for viting all those poor women."


    She snapped that hand into his jaw next, and his teeth snapped together. She hoped his tongue was caught between them. "That''s for imprisoning Zev."


    Then she was on her feet, kicking him in the ribs, the back, the kidneys. "That''s for messing with his head and his body. That''s for making such unnatural decisions for everyone here. That''s for Ernie who¡ªfucking hates you. That''s for Yhet and killing his mate." Then she stomped on his head. "That''s for me and my babies. That''s for¡ª"


    A warm arm suddenly appeared around her middle and she was swung off her feet and around. Zev, still holding Zan in one arm, turned her and pulled her into his chest, holding her there. He didn''t say anything. Not even in her head. He just held her, stroking her hair, his nose buried in her neck.


    Sasha realized she was trembling.


    "Look," he breathed in her ear. "We''re a family, Sash. Look. We''re together. We''re healthy. And we''re about to be safe. And¡­ even though I hate to admit it¡­ none of this would have happened without him. Without these men and their ambitions and their fucked up priorities. They never would have made me and we never would have found each other."


    Sasha bit her lip against the tears that wanted toe and pulled back to look at him.


    "Maybe¡­" Zev breathed, looking at her like he was afraid to say the wordsing out of his mouth. "Maybe God knew what He was doing. Maybe¡­ maybe all this awful had¡­ some good mixed in?"


    Sasha''s face crumpled. She pulled him down into a kiss. "Yes," she breathed against his lips. "Yes. The good is you, Zev. The good is you. And Yhet. And Lhars. And¡­ everyone. The good is all of you."


    It was a heavy moment and one that left them both trembling and overwhelmed. But in the end, sniffing and wiping her eyes, Sasha turned away from Nathan and his blood on the floor.


    Because Zev was right. Killing him wasn''t going to change what had happened. So she was going to choose better than Nathan had. She took Zev''s arm and pulled him towards the door. "Let''s get out of here. Let''s go. Let''s do whatever has to be done to


    ¡ª"


    A massive bang startled them both and Zev snarled, whirling, putting Sasha behind him and holding Zan to his side, trying to protect them both.


    But then they both froze as they watched Nick cock the gun so the bullet shell spun out of the chamber and pinged on the linoleum floor.


    "Bastard," he muttered, then stood up and turned to find them staring at him.


    Nick''s eyes went wide and he looked between them. "What?"

 Chapter 476 Father-to-Son

    476 Father-to-Son


    ~ ZEV ~


    The following hour was the most frightening of Zev''s life. He and Nick had never really resolved their differences on how to get out of there. But the truth was, only Nick knew exactly where they were, and how to get in and out.


    Which meant he had to trust the man he used to call father with the future of his family.


    He and Sasha had both been really careful not to tell him where they went in the Gateway, or how they''d gotten one to open in the randomb.


    Zev realized they didn''t have any choice but to trust him because he''d seen the Gateway open. Short of killing him, there was no way to keep that secret anymore.


    Zev wasn''t sure how he felt about that.


    But there wasn''t time to consider it, because Nick was rushing to get them out of there. He swore the soundproofing was so good in theb that they wouldn''t have heard the gun go off. Zev knew that was possible, so there was no point arguing. But Nick was concerned about timing.


    Usually, Nathan would finish his time with the baby and be out within an hour, or ny minutes at most. They''d already been there for some time when Sasha and Zev arrived, so Nick was concerned that a staff member would soone looking to make sure they hadn''t missed Nathan''s call for staff relief.


    "We need to get you out of here, and now," he muttered, ushering them out of the back of the building.


    "Won''t security see us?" Sasha asked nervously.


    "Not out here. These experiments are the ones that even most staff aren''t allowed to know about. Surveince is recorded to be essed by Nathan or the board when they choose. But there are no human eyes on it live. Which is probably saving your life right now," Nick muttered.


    But when they got to the Jeep outside, he didn''t open the passenger seat, he opened the back end of the vehicle and gestured for all three of them to get inside¡ªin the back where there were no windows because the vehicle was designed to transport equipment¡ªor Chimera¡ªout from under human eyes.


    It would keep them safe, and also trap them blind if Nick was double-crossing them.


    Sasha jumped in immediately, but Zev balked. He handed Zan to Sasha who immediately pulled him to her chest in a picture of maternal concern that made Zev''s chest zing. But he forced it down to appreciateter and turned to Nick.


    Nick muttered a curse. "We don''t have time for this, Zev. If me waking you up and fucking killing Nathan didn''t convince you that I''m board for this, there''s nothing else I can do."


    "But why?"


    Nick''s eyes narrowed in confusion. "Why what?"


    "Why did you save me? Why betray Nathan? Why help us now?"


    Nick gaped. "I told you! Because I fucking care about you. I don''t want you in their hands¡ªand I don''t want your son in their fuckingboratory. He needs you and Sasha, not surrogate mothers who don''t know what he is."


    Zev examined Nick, who was about tounch into him again, but Zev shook his head. "You didn''t stop them hurting me in the past. You didn''t stop them from splitting me and Sash. You didn''t stop them from taking Zan away from us. Why now? Why help this time?"


    "I''ve helped you so many fucking times that you don''t even know about, Zev¡ªand dozens of times that you do!"


    "Yeah, and you always got something out of it!"


    "No, Zev. I didn''t. Most of the time I got a fucking headache. That''s why I had to pick my battles. If they stopped trusting me, I couldn''t help you anymore. You get that, right? That if I hadn''t shot you tonight, Nathan wouldn''t have left you alone with me so I could help? He wouldn''t have trusted me with the dart that took him down. They''ve questioned me every time I''ve helped you¡ªthey almost fired me when I got you and Sasha away. For fuck''s sake, Zev. What else do I have to do?"


    "But you lied! So many times!"


    "No, Zev, I hardly ever lied, I just didn''t tell you the whole story!"


    "People died, Nick! Chimera got hurt and sterilized, and lost mates and¡ª"


    "And if I hadn''t let them all get hurt so that they''d trust me and leave me close to you, you wouldn''t be here. It''s the choice I made, and I don''t regret it."


    "But I''m not worth all of that!" Zev snarled.


    Nick''s head snapped back. "You are to me," he said simply.


    Zev gaped as a hole, deep in his heart seemed to suddenly¡­ fill.


    Nick''s throat bobbed. "Look. You might not be my blood, but you''re the closest thing I have to a son. That''s what made me realize¡­" he tipped his head toward Sasha and Zan in the back of the vehicle. "I couldn''t take care of him. You had to. I was thinking I could protect him for you. But I realized¡­ no¡­ I wouldn''t want someone else taking care of you for me. So¡­ I needed to let you take care of him."


    "But¡­"


    "Look, it''s pretty simple. I''m an asshole. But an asshole who loves you." there was an odd vulnerability in his tone as he shrugged, which shocked Zev.


    Zev shook his head. "I don''t understand you," he said quietly.


    Nick shrugged. "Honestly, neither do I. But the good news is, you don''t have to. You just have to get in the fucking vehicle, Zev. Seriously."


    Zev took a deep breath, then leaned in and, after a moment''s hesitation, wrapped his arms around Nick in a hug.


    Surprised, Nick hugged him back, tightly.


    Then Zev whispered in his ear, "Thank you."


    "You''re wee."


    Both of them sighed, but neither of them let go. Then Zev cleared his throat. "Also, if anything happens to either of them and I find out you had any connection to it, I will hunt you down like the scared rabbit that you are."


    Nick chuckled, but Zev wasn''t smiling when he let him go and climbed into the back of the Jeep.

 Chapter 477 Goodbye, Nick

    477 Goodbye, Nick


    If you like music while you read, try "Stars" by Skillet. It''s what I listened to while writing this chapter!


    *****


    ~ ZEV ~


    The only truly terrifying part was when the security guards stopped the car at the gate. Nick had amunicator in the car and they''d heard chatter on the radios about staff questioning whether they should enter theb to make sure Nathan was okay because he hadn''te out. And they thought Nick was with him.


    Sasha and Zev held each other, both of them praying, as Zev listened to his sort-of-father lie like a professional when the guards stopped him before letting him through thepound fence. It threw his already twisted emotions into even greater turmoil.


    Nick snorted like their question was ridiculous. "Nathan''s workingte tonight. A sudden discovery¡ª


    he thinks the kid might not just be human after all. I''m taking the samples to our friends out of state."


    "Now?"


    "Nate doesn''t trust anyone else to do it."


    Apparently, that made sense to them because a few secondster, the car began to move again.


    Zev held his breath for what seemed like minutes. And then, just when he was beginning to breathe again, while he and Sasha stared at each other in the dark, every hair on their bodies standing on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop, the car slowed, then pulled over, the tires crunching on gravel.


    The front door thudded and footsteps started around the vehicle. Then the wide, back door opened and Nick was there.


    And he was smiling.


    "This vehicle doesn''t trace because it''s used to take samples to our otherb that they don''t know. We''re out kids. You might as well get into the passenger seats. You''ll be a lot morefortable."


    Sasha looked at Zev, who shook his head in disbelief, but a few minutester they were racing down the highway towards the Gateway.


    *****


    Nick insisted on walking them to the Gateway to try and smooth the path in case there were any guards posted on this side. He thought they''d removed them a couple of weeks earlier, but if suspicions were rising back at thepound he said there was no way to know for sure.


    But they met no one in the parking lot and no one on the path. Twenty minutester, Zan was safely in Zev''s arms, Sasha walking right at his hip, they reached the final feet to the cave itself.


    Zev stopped walking and turned to look at Nick.


    All three of them stood silently for a moment. It was Nick to spoke first.


    "I guess this is it. I mean, I''m guessing you won''t be back when the kid''s older so I can meet him?" There was a genuine hint of hope in his voice.


    Sasha snorted, but Zev shook his head. "No."


    They stared at each other for a long moment, and Zev''s heart began to pound.


    Before Sasha, Nick had been the only human Zev actually trusted. And he''d trusted him enough to follow him all the way to hell.


    For a moment he let his mind trip back to his childhood, his early teen years when seeing Nick had given him a sense of relief and security. He''d always seemed so big to Zev¡ªso strong. So smart. He''d always had more power. And for the longest time, Zev had really believed Nick was indestructible.


    Then Nick split him and Sasha.


    Then Nick deceived him into leaving his people in Thana.


    Then Nick made him an assassin.


    Then Zev watched Nick piss himself when he was faced with Ernie.


    But now¡­ now he''d saved them? Worked to be here, ready and prepared?


    Zev blinked and they were back here, in the present day and with so much water under the bridge.


    Nick was still staring at him, a hint of pleading in his eyes.


    Zev shook his head and sighed. "Thank you for saving us. Saving Zan."


    Nick''s eyes lit up. "That''s what you''re calling him? Zan?"


    Zev nodded. "I''ll always be grateful for your help, Nick."


    "Call me Grandpa."


    Zev didn''t even huff. "No, Nick. I''m grateful for the good you brought into my life, but that doesn''t mean you''re good. It means God used you in ways I needed." Then he leaned in until they were nose to nose. "But you are a fucking psychopath."


    Nick sighed and looked pained. "I believe it''s called a high-functioning sociopath? I mean, I have feelings. Just not all the time."


    Zev shook his head. Sasha crowded closer to his back, as if she didn''t want him to forget that she was there. Or maybe, she was using him as a shield between Zan and Nick? It didn''t matter. He''d happily die for either of them.


    And it was fucked up that the man he''d called father was the reason he felt like he might have to.


    Nick was peering around him, trying to catch sight of Zan in Sasha''s arms, but Zev just shifted his weight to make sure he stayed in the way. Nick''s eyes rose back to meet his. Zev could feel the tension in his face, but he tried to keep himself as expressionless as possible.


    "When he''s grown up, I''ll tell him about you. How you saved his life. Ours. But I''m telling him everything, Nick. He''s going to learn from me the lessons you should have taught me. What I learned the hard way, he''ll hear from the minute he''s old enough to understand. He''ll never be deceived by anyone the way you''ve deceived me. Ever."


    Nick''s throat bobbed and he nodded. "That''s good, Zev. You''ll be a good dad."


    Zev snorted, the desire there to growl, but he wanted to keep the peace, to keep Zan calm, and just so they could get out of there without any more drama.


    "Thank you, Zev," Nick said softly. He reached for Zev''s arm, but Zev pulled it away, a warning in his eyes and he nodded again. "I¡­ You kept me decent." Zev gaped at him until he pped a hand. "Okay, fine, you made me more decent than I would have been without you to take care of."


    "Newssh, Nick, separating a kid from everyone he loves, who loves him, isn''t love, you fucking¡ª"


    Sasha''s warm hand appeared on his back and he stopped himself.


    Let''s just go, she murmured in his head. It''s good that he thanked you and you thanked him. Let''s just go and start our new life. He''s not going to be a part of it, Zev.


    Zev sighed because the words were such a relief, he wanted to weep.


    She was right. She was almost always right.


    "It''s time for us to go, Nick," he said.

 Chapter 478 The Narrow Gate

    478 The Narrow Gate


    ~ ZEV ~


    Nick nodded but watched him warily. "I figured. That''s okay. That''s good. I''m d you kids are getting out together. Just¡­ think of me sometimes, okay? Not just the bad stuff."


    Zev didn''t answer. It would be one of his goals to think about Nick and the team as little as possible.


    They started to turn towards the cave, but Nick cleared his throat. "I''m going to let you go, but¡­ can you just tell me, out of curiosity, how did you get the Chimera out? I mean, obviously, you used the Gateway. But¡­ where did you send the rest of them? Do you even know? I mean, if you just told them to go that¡­ he ballsy."


    He nced at Sasha behind Zev and there was a hint of respect in his gaze that surprised Zev. But there was no way Zev was answering that question.


    He opened his mouth to say it was none of his business when the crunch of tires on gravel reached his ears from the distant parking lot. At this time of night, the only sound out here was the even more distant highway. If it had been a small vehicle, Zev doubted he would have heard it over the highway noise. But this was somethingrge, with airbrakes. And there was more than one.


    "Fuck. Trucks."


    Nick''s eyes widened. "Get going. Now."


    "What''s going on?" Sasha whispered.


    "Transports," Zev said. "Either they think there are people here to take, or they''ve figured out what''s going on and they''re sending a bunch of humans through to Thana."


    Sasha''s face paled and Zev nodded.


    "Goodbye, Nick," Sasha said awkwardly. "Thank you for your help. We won''t forget that. Despite¡­ everything else."


    But Nick was nothing if not practical. He was already pushing them to get into the cave and move ahead of him. "Yeah, yeah. I won''t forget your sass either, Sasha. Good job taking Thana and the Chimera by storm, by the way. Well done."


    Zev growled at him when he patted her shoulder, but Nick just rolled his eyes.


    He stopped at the entrance to the cave but watched them walk in, calling good wishes after them. It was the strangest moment in Zev''s life, but there was no time to analyze it because they had to get out of there.


    Secondster they were at the back of the cave. He and Sasha both stopped and turned to look at each other. Zev had taken Zan to carry through. Sasha swallowed hard and linked her arms through his lower elbow, putting one hand on Zan as well.


    "Please, God, please," she whispered, then looked up at him to see if he was ready. "Can you see it yet, Zev? The whole n? You aren''t out of his love. You aren''t condemned. But¡­ I kinda think it''s important that you believe that. It''s¡­ it''s not just about being kind. It''s¡­ understanding the truth."


    Zev blew out a breath. "I think I can," he said. Then he looked down at Zan. "I can''t see any way any God could make him and not care what happens to him."


    Sasha nodded, her eyes filled with tears.


    Tightening his elbow to pin her hand to his side, he turned to face the Gateway, but his words were pointed up.


    "Creator¡­ if you really love us, please¡­ keep us all together. Please¡­ hold our little boy safe with us. Let us take him through. All of us together. And get us there."


    Sasha breathed an Amen, then they stepped in together and the Gateway shed with light.


    *****


    The trip through the gateway passed in a blur. When the lights finally turned a corner into a tunnel, Zev almost cried with relief, and when they finally reached the gateway itself, they barely hesitated.


    "I''m going first," he said, his voice low and firm. "You follow with Zan. If there''s any kind of threat on the other side, you let me meet it."


    Sasha''s mouth dropped open. "But¡ª"


    "Sasha¡­ for real, just¡­ let me do this."


    She took a deep breath and nodded, rubbing his arm. "Okay. Okay."


    He didn''t want to let go of his son, but if there was any fighting to be done on the other side, he couldn''t let Zan be hurt. So he transferred him quickly to Sasha''s arms, then, still holding her arm, kept her behind him as he stepped through, Sasha holding Zan tightly, but also pressing into Zev''s back.


    Together, they stepped out of that rippled, indigo blue ss tunnel and straight into a lush forest, damp with recent rain.


    Then they froze, listening. Zev scenting the air.


    His entire body hummed with tension, his instincts on high alert¡ªnothing smelled the same. The trees. The dirt. Even the air seemed different. Fresher somehow. But with nothing recognizable, everything could be a threat, and he had a family to protect.


    But a slow scan of the trees and forest floor revealed nothing but more trees and more dirt, more underbrush. There were small animals nearby, birds and mammals, but all could smell the wolf that had just appeared and were remaining still to avoid his attention.


    Zev took his first real breath and turned a slow circle, motioning to Sasha to stay still.


    The forest was beautiful and wild andpletely unknown. Thick trees like tall buildings with massive, leathery leaves and branches wider than Zev''s waist, interspersed with every kind of leafy green tree imaginable¡ªbut no pine that he could see.


    There was a water source somewhere nearby, he could hear it gurgling, but couldn''t see it¡ªand he could smell the faint waft of mineral pools, too. A wee familiarity.


    Looking overhead, the tree canopy was thick and didn''t allow for a great view of the widerndscape, but through the gaps, he could make out mountains in the distance that looked browner than those in Thana. The sky was a wide, clear blue, the clouds bare puffs to skate across it.


    Then, somewhere to his right, at the edge of his hearing, he caught voices.


    Zev began to tremble with hope.


    Sasha stood at his side, looking left and right, clinging to him desperately. "Can you¡­ smell anything?"


    "Lots of things," he whispered. "And I can hear voices."


    Sasha''s breath got faster, but her lips twitched up. "That has to be them. Which way?"


    Zev nodded in the direction, frustrated that they would be walking with the wind and he wouldn''t scent anything ahead of them, but he opened his mind to search for his brother or any of the wolves if they were in range.


    He and Sasha smiled at each other. Then he took the first step forward into their new world¡ªand almost immediately a figure materialized out of the trees ahead.


    A figure they did not recognize.


    Adrenalin shot through his chest and he shoved Sasha behind him, taking a defensive stance and growling¡ªuntil he realized that although the figure was only a few inches shorter than him, it was female. And Chimera.


    Sort of. Her smell was both right and wrong.


    Zev froze on the trail, inhaling deeply, watching the female warily. Was it possible they''de back to the wrong ce?


    The female kept her chin down, her eyes¡ªa bright blue like his¡ªfixed and intense. Her nostrils red as if she was taking their scents as well. He could hear her heart beating quickly, but not out of control.


    "Who are you?" Her voice was rich and deep for a female and it urged him to submit. Zev was shocked by the strength of the Alpha authority she carried.


    Her hair, a burnished copper, shot sparks where the sun hit it. She wore leather trousers and a linen shirt and held herself in the way Zev remembered of the human rulers, but with the sharp air of precision poised for battle, like a Chimera. There was a de at her hip, and some kind of bag over her shoulder.


    While they stared, she gave a low whistle. Zev heard very quiet¡ªalmost silent¡ªfootsteps creeping through the trees towards them.


    He let his weight sink to bnce himself and prepare to fight.


    They wouldn''t outnumber her for long.


    "We don''t mean any harm," Zev said quickly, then sent to Sasha in his mind: if they attack, you take Zan and run! "We''re new. We just arrived. Have you always lived here, or did youe here through the Gateway like us?"


    The female''s eyes widened. "The Creator brought you here?"


    14:57


    "I believe so. Can we¡­ Can I ask who you are?" Sasha asked very submissively. Zev wanted to growl The female''s eyes narrowed and her body tensed. Zev recognized the stance of a warrior and immediately shifted his weight to the balls of his feet. She could definitely shift. He could smell it on her. But she was a species he didn''t recognize. Had the team bred some new animals recently and kept them among the females without his knowledge?


    "Gateway?" she said suspiciously. "I will ask you one final time before I take your throat, wolf. Who the hell are you, and how did you get here?"


    "The Creator brought us here. It''s our¡­ safe ce," Sasha piped up from behind him. "Aren''t our friends here, too?"


    The female''s eyes widened. "The Creator brought you here?"


    "I believe so. Can we¡­ Can I ask who you are?" Sasha asked very submissively. Zev wanted to growl for how she humbled herself.


    But the female dropped her chin in a nod of approval, and as a silver-haired male stepped out from the trees behind her, she smiled the smug smile of a person with the upper hand. But as she spoke her smile gained an edge of warning. "My name is Elreth and I am the Queen of the WildWood¡­ Now, who the fuck are you?"


    *****


    Got Questions? Want more? We aren''t done yet! (Well, okay, technically we are, but you know what I mean...) STAY TUNED FOR:


    1. Epilogue chapters AND bonus material at the end!


    2. Author Note, including loyal reader shout-outs!


    3. Author Q & As about the world, characters, and what happens AFTER The End (you can skip them by swiping right to bring up the chapter list, then scrolling through to the story chapters)


    ...and finally, if this is thest of your time here, visit linktr.ee/authoraimee to find my SEVEN other books on WN, or other four books elsewhere! There''s everything from fantasy knights, to CEO''s to teen romances! Literally something for everyone. Thank you for being a part of Zev and Sasha''s journey. It means the world to me!


    (This final note was added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words.)

 Chapter 479 Author Note & Reader Shout-Outs!

    479 Author Note & Reader Shout-Outs!


    Wow, I can''t believe we made it! You are amazing.


    For real, this book was a huge stretch for me. Despite the simrities of shape-shifter-goodness with Anima, the reality is that this book leaned heavily into contemporary thriller and tickled the toes of science fiction. When I first started writing it my husband asked me to describe the plot and I got as far as, "He''s a guy who can shape-shift into a wolf because he''s a scientific experiment run by the Bundaberg group and¡ª"


    And ever since my husband shakes his head every time something happens with Alpha and says "I just never expected your readers to want to go the CIA thriller route." (You and I both know that''s really only at the heart, but I kinda like surprising him, so let''s run with it.)


    Anyway, trust me, I had a LOT of apprehension about this story and whether readers would take to it. Publishing for the first couple of weeks was literally nail-biting for me. To my very genuine surprise, right from the beginning instead of screaming at me, "Where''s the romance?!" you kept talking about how breathless you were from the fast-pace and shifting worlds.


    INSERT MASSIVE AUTHOR SIGH OF RELIEF HERE. (Like, for real, I still go a little shaky when I think back to those first few days¡­)


    So, thank you for taking this very unique journey with me. Thank you for not giving up when things looked so dark.


    Thank you for having your theories and sharing them with me in thements (that''s a serious joy to me!)


    Thank you for loving Yhet with me, who remains my favorite character in this entire story (more on that in the Author Q & A that''sing next week) and for not going "WHY THE HELL DID YOU WRITE A BIGFOOT?" when he showed up.


    Thank you for hating Nick, and loving Ernie. (For real, it was a bellyugh surprise to me when y''all started calling for Ernie''ster appearances and torture of Nick.)


    Thank you for loving Zev even after he was deceived into so many despicable things. That is, perhaps, the most heartwarming part of this story to me, that he had taken steps and gone to lengths that in normal humanity we would often reject a person for, regardless of the circumstances. While I am, of course, NOT a fan of any of Zev''s extra-curricr adventures, there are people in my life who have been twisted into events and "sins" that they deeply regretted. I know how precious it is when someone will love them anyway, and I''m so thankful to you that you didn''t run screaming from this book after Zev''s past was revealed.


    And finally, just thank you for being here with me. For me as an author, literally the most satisfying part of a story is having it out in the world and getting to talk to people who love it. The fact that you do makes me feel loved. For real. So thank you.


    I''m going to answer your specific questions during the Live author chats, and post the brief, written versions hereter. But for those of you who''ve been here since the beginning (or close to it) I want to say thank you, personally. Now, I know many of you don''tment, or don''tment often, so you may have been just as loyal, or just as invested as these readers without me knowing or realizing. I want you to know that even if I don''t know your name, I know you''re there, and it means so much to me. Thank you! Thank you for being here, reading, and for supporting me as an Author.


    Now, without further ado, the reader shout-outs:


    Janell_Apple: Thank you for having as much emotion and investment in my characters as I do. For real, you are a gift to me. I pray God blesses you for the gifts you''ve given me.


    PBMamaRae: Thank you for being a sister, a helper, an encouragement, and just for helping me write better. (Or help me know when I don''t have to?) You are my safety, and it''s a balm to my soul.


    Sravanthi82: You''re a friend and I''m d to call you that. Thank you for being here for Zev and Sasha and everyone else! I''m so d I get to keep sharing my boys with you even when they''re not on Webnovel. Thank you for being so willing to go with me!


    Antte_Wiggins: My giggle-factory! (*Insert cue-dramatic-music GIF here*) I always anticipate yourments, both here and on Facebook and Discord. Thank you so much for being more than a reader.


    Kirstin_Peterson: Girl, you are my heart. Thank you for trusting me and for being a friend and not a fan. You remain in my prayers.


    Amanda_Tippey: THANK YOU for adding your eagle eyes to my arsenal before the judging for the werewolfpetition. That was a gift, and such a stress relief. You''ll never know what a blessing you were!


    Tessa_Whalen: I think you''re my spirit-animal. I''m just saying.


    DespinaNY: Your generosity and continued support have humbled me in ways you''ll never know. You''re an example to me, and I''m so grateful for ALL the journeys you''ve taken with me.


    Metal_Mom: You never fail to make meugh. Like, never. 1om: You never fail to make meugh. Like, never.


    Thank you also has to go to Melissa_Hayes, Cindi_127, Margaret_Mason_7304, Kendal_Michk, Nyx1663, April_Guerita, Kathleen_Blessing, Amy_Spicer_Szarek, CarolineBarkuloo, Rose43, Annachomer, Daoist1twLHF, Veraworks, Maria_Daris, T_Ray6, Michelle_Stephens_4041, Sharne Pretorius, Debbe_Phillips, KaitMarie2003, Aoi_hoshi_cath88, Mari_Valencia, and so many more of you who have continued toe back for more. (I am CERTAIN I have forgotten important people¡­) You bless my heart on a personal level just for being here and believing that I can take you on a journey. Thank you!


    If I left your name out, just be certain that when I see you next I''m going to kick myself. My brain has holes the size you could drive a truck through (writing 4 webnovels at oncest year aged me about 10 years, lol.) Please be certain that if you were forgotten, you weren''t truly. You are a part of my personal journey as a writer here on Webnovel, and I am grateful every time I see or think about you.


    Now¡­ it''s time. Time to move on to other things. There will be some new contenting in the next couple weeks. I hope you like it. But if you haven''t already, I hope you''ll visit linktr.ee/authoraimee and meet the two NEW heroes that I''m currently writing off of Webnovel (*cough* one of them is a lycan *cough*) But even if we never see each other again, if you made it this far¡­ thank you. You have been the most important part of changing my life in the past year and I will go to my grave being grateful for you!

 Chapter 480 Epilogue - Part 1 (Lhars & Kyelle)

    480 Epilogue - Part 1 (Lhars & Kyelle)


    ~ LHARS ~


    Lhars excused himself from the training circle when the others were busy and slunk into the nearby trees. Once he was out of sight and no one had called him back, he shifted and ran back towards the encampment.


    He''d told Kyelle to meet him in the cave for lunch.


    Lunch.


    He snorted to himself.


    Even in his wolf, his body responded to thoughts of his mate. His beautiful, incredible mate who had only stepped from strength to strength since they''d left Thana.


    Sasha had named her Alpha and Lhars her second, and while he''d apuded the decision for Kyelle''s sake, he''d had a niggling sense of disappointment that she hadn''t named him. And yet, he''d seen the wisdom in it almost immediately.


    The females who''d arrived from the human world were so weak byparison to their brothers who''d remained in Thana¡ªin body, at least. It was why they ran training every morning. Every female choosing the things that drew her¡ªhunting, fighting, gathering¡­ Kyelle had made the decree on the second day. The Chimera would not hide from this new world. The females would not shrink. Each of them would pursue something. Whatever would give them a reason to rise from their furs in the morning.


    She''d set males with skills in all areas of Chimeran life to the task of teaching and training. And even now, three monthster, it was what they gave most of their time to, serving the dual purpose of building their new home and equipping their females for life within it.


    Three months. Almost. He couldn''t believe it.


    He couldn''t believe Zev and Sasha hadn''t made it. His chest ached whenever he thought of it. He prayed every day that they were only seeking their son, or held up in some way that didn''t involve the human Team, or death.


    But if they could travel through time didn''t it mean that they would have returned to the time when everyone arrived? Wouldn''t they have focused on Kyelle just like the rest of them?


    A whine pierced his throat. He shook off the sad thoughts. He was going to find his mate. They were here together, and safe. If others had been lost in the pursuit of that¡­ he would live grateful to them. He would make certain that every Chimera living now, orter, knew their names and what they''d done to save their people.


    Yhet. Sasha. Zev¡­


    Lhars turned to pass between one of the massive trees and a boulder that had fallen from higher in the foothills where the cave was nestled in the darkness of the forest.


    As soon as he did so, the wind hit his nostrils and he could smell his mate, waiting for him. Even in wolf form he smiled.


    He shifted back before he reached the cave mouth, reaching for her in his mind.


    I hope you''re hungry, beautiful.


    He heard her snort and he grinned, then stepped into the darkness of the caves.


    The tree cover in thisnd was far thicker than Thana, it dimmed the light dramatically in certain parts of the forest, and here where the cave sat in the foothills of the mountain as well as under the trees¡­ well, it was always twilight here. Not that their senses struggled with that, but Lhars always had to be careful. Once he''d made love to Kyelle it would be easy to drift into sleep in the dim light.


    The cave curved, and she was there, gloriously naked and stretched out on the furs.


    This world was far warmer than Thana, and one of the joys of it was that his mate wore far less clothing in general. But especially when they were alone in the cave.


    With a dirty chuckle, he trotted across the space and threw himself onto the furs next to her, growling and burying his face in her neck as Kyelle cackled and pretended to push him off.


    But he refused to be budged, rolling her onto her back and taking her mouth with a low growl of pleasure.


    After minutes of kissing and touching, Lhars began to kiss his way down her neck when she tipped her head back and ran her fingers down his scalp, which was the most delicious feeling.


    "We don''t have a lot of time," she gasped, then her breath caught because he nipped at her throat.


    "You''re Alpha and I''m second. They can wait until we''re ready for¡­ whatever," he rasped against her skin, then took her mouth again.


    She giggled into his kiss, but not for long. Soon she sighed and pulled her head back again as he covered her and let himself sink between her thighs.


    "I''m serious though, Lhars. I shouldn''t even be here. One of the females is missing."


    He froze, his mouth open over her throat, his drive to take her suddenly doing battle with his sense of protection.


    He pushed up on his elbows to frown down at her. "Who?"


    "Harth."


    Lhars swore. "She ran again?"


    "I don''t think she runs to run away¡­ but she''s gone again, yes. And this time no one''s sure they''ve seen her sincest night. There''s a couple who thought they saw her at breakfast but they didn''t speak with her and¡­ we just aren''t sure."


    They stared at each other, both of them battling the selfish desire to stay close to each other while their sense of duty sprang to the fore.


    "She''s gone many times before and she''s alwayse back."


    Kyelle nodded and stroked his face. "That''s the only reason I''m here. I still hope¡­ I hope she just needed a break and she''s on her way back already. But¡­ I feel like I can''t just ignore this, Lhars. Something is building. She''s just a symptom of it. We''re going to have to start branching out deeper into this world. The hunters are already afraid they''ll remove too many of the wildlife if we don''t extend their boundaries. And the shelters¡­ they''re only temporary. We can''t be sure, but it seems like the season will change soon. We need more permanent shelter for everyone if it snows here, or there''s a rainy season¡­"


    With a heavy sigh, Lhars rolled off of her toy at her side, staring at the cave ceiling, one arm curved under his head.


    Kyelle rolled to rest her head on his other shoulder. "Don''t look sad," she said. "We''ve been here three months and everyone''s still safe. This is a good ce, Lhars."


    "I know. But I just¡­ I just wish Zev and Sasha were here to share it. I was just thinking about them on my way here and thinking how she knew we''d need you in this ce, Kyelle." He turned his head to look at her. "You''re a remarkable Alpha," he said quietly.


    Kyelle''s face pinched with emotion and she stretched up to kiss him¡ªmore slowly this time, but the heat built quickly and he couldn''t resist it. As she teased him with her tongue, he rolled over her again, his breath beginning to pant.


    "Kyelle, are you sure?"


    "Twenty minutes," she gasped, pulling him against her. "No one''s going to die in twenty minutes."

 Chapter 481 Epilogue - Part 2 (Lhars & Kyelle)

    481 Epilogue - Part 2 (Lhars & Kyelle)


    ~ LHARS ~


    No one''s going to die in twenty minutes.


    Lhars went very still, and Kyelle, kissing his neck, took a few seconds to catch up. When she did, she let her head drop back and looked at him, worried.


    "What? What''s wrong?"


    Swallowing the sudden lump in his throat, he reached up tob back a strand of hair that he''d dislodged from her braid, being too rough when he kissed her. He pushed it behind her ear.


    "I just¡­ I just realized that we don''t have to measure our lives that way anymore," he croaked. "And I''m so grateful."


    Kyelle searched his eyes. "What do you mean?"


    "No one''s going to die in the next twenty minutes, Kyelle. Probably not to day. Probably not this week. We''ve lived our whole lives waiting for death to walk in and point a gun in our faces and now¡­ it''s not. Kyelle¡­ we''re not waiting to die anymore. We''re living."


    Her eyes began to shine and her beautiful smile crept up. "You''re right, Lhars. You''re right."


    They smiled at each other, then she pulled him down into a kiss that started slow and deep and emotional¡­ but the more he held her, the more their bodies entwined, the higher his urgency rose, until his breath rasped and his hands were everywhere.


    He suddenly needed her¡ªnot just because his body drove him to it, but because his soul ached.


    Pushing himself back on his knees, he stared down at her, stroking her from her chest to her thighs, letting his eyes follow where his fingers touched.


    Kyelle whimpered, but it was through a smile and she reached for him, urging him toe back. When he put space between them, the cool air had pebbled her skin.


    "Are you cold?" he whispered.


    She shook her head. "I just want you," she breathed stroking up his forearms. But he paused for a second, sitting at her feet, and staring at her, warm and ready for him.


    "Lhars, what it is?" she asked, her eyes on his, concerned.


    He shook his head. "I don''t know. I feel like¡­ I feel like my skin is too tight," he said in a strangled voice. "Being here with you¡­ living. We''re actually living, Kyelle. Together. It''s literally my dreamse true."


    She sat up, reaching for his face, pulling him in to a kiss and inhaling quickly when he took it deep immediately. "You are my life now, Lhars."


    With a groan he cupped the back of her neck and urged her toy back down. But even though she shivered and reached for him, he took his time, kissing from the inside of her knee, then her soft thigh, working his way up, to her belly, her breasts, licking and kissing, swirling his tongue on her skin, then her nipples, and sucking until it made her cry out.


    "Lhars, please..."


    Still curled over to keep her breast in his mouth, he reached one hand up to brace on the furs beside her, the stroked her waist and pulled her against him.


    And when she began to arch and cry, he whispered, "I love you, Kyelle," into her ear, then entered her, slowly, so slowly it made him groan.


    Kyelle cried out and dropped her head back, gasping, holding her breath at the peak of each thrust as he began to move. To his delight, she met him stroke for stroke, their bodies rocking in a slow, steady rhythm that stole his breath, too.


    Time ceased. Thoughts beyond the beauty of her and his need for her no longer existed. All the noise in his head about the past and the future went quiet, then still.


    For some time, all he could do was feel her tighten around him, listen to her gasp his name, and marvel that she was really his.


    But when she started making those tiny noises at every thrust, he braced himself, fisting the furs as he reared over her and watched her seek her release.


    chapters. So you can skip the three following chapters (Author Q & A) if you prefer and jump straight 11:32


    to thest three chapters titled "When Worlds Collide." (These words added after publication so you Head back and mouth open, she groaned his name. Her knees high in the air, breasts bouncing as she undted beneath him. Seeing her like that, the always contained, always thoughtful Kyelle so abandoned, sopletely trusting... Something in Lhars''s chest began to bloom and expand, until it twisted between his ribs, and began to fizz in his veins. His heart pounded so hard he was afraid it might burst. And his mouth fell open on a smile of sheer joy.


    "I love you, Kyelle," he gasped, then thrust into her hard, so she cried out, then sucked in a heavy breath when he pulled out again.


    "I love you, so much, Lhars. So much¡ªoh!"


    As they joined again and again, as her hands explored his shoulders and back, and her body tightened around him, as their breaths echoed in the dark cave, Lhars felt his heart fly open.


    So many times in his life he''d reached¡ªopened himself and sought a friend, a responsibility, a position¡­ And every time he''d been turned back, or failed.


    But this time, instead of the sinking fear, or dead air of rejection, as Lhars'' heart reached for Kyelle, hers was already there, within him, a part of him. Her heart answered his. Embraced it, swollen with love.


    "Kyelle," he groaned. "You''re mine, my perfect. My mate."


    "Forever, Lhars!" she gasped. "I''ll never stop loving you."


    With a tormented moan, he took her mouth, still whispering all the things he couldn''t stop feeling. And when she arched into him, so beautiful, so right, he didn''t have any words left. So, he cupped her face with one hand, then pulled her knee over his hip and began to pound into her, bellowing with the rush as every nerve-ending in his body lit up at once.


    Kyelle''s head tipped back and she sucked in an open-mouthed breath as their bodies met again, and again, and again. No tentative touches. No gentle questions. He took her, desperately¡ªthen almost cried when she opened herself and weed him with equal urgency.


    Her hands pped on his back when she reached for him and she clenched around him, her voice climbing higher, thinner, as his kisses became broken and disjointed.


    This, between them, wasn''t simply love, it was need. They were not simply mates, they were entwined at the soul. And as Lhars called her name over and over, she echoed with his until they both shuddered and tumbled over the peak together.


    *****


    NOTE: Thank you so much for reading! If you''re leaving the story here, don''t forget to go to linktr.ee/


    authoraimee to find my other books!


    Or, you''re looking for the other three chapters of extra content, they will be posted after the Q & A chapters. So you can skip the three following chapters (Author Q & A) if you prefer and jump straight to thest three chapters titled "When Worlds Collide." (These words added after publication so you aren''t charged for the words)

 Chapter 482 Author Q & A - Part 1

    482 Author Q & A - Part 1


    THIS IS YOUR ONLY SPOILER ALERT DISCLAIMER! PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK! Even the questions included in this series are spoilers, and there''s some connections to easter eggs for my book, Taming the Queen of Beasts as well. So if you haven''t read Rise of the Dark Alpha all the way to the end, or if you n to read QUEEN, please don''t read this interview until you have!


    I REPEAT: If you haven''t finished the book, don''t read this interview until you have! LOL.


    *****


    WORLD:


    How did youe up with Thana? Why did you choose those animals?


    So, originally I had intended to enter a different book in the werewolfpetition. I was going to tell Lerrin and Suhle''s story, which would have started at the end of King, but filled in the gap between the two books, then ended alongside the ending of Queen. But by the time it was time to publish, there clearly wasn''t an (big enough) audience for another BEAST book. I had a couple readers read the blurb and even they weren''t super excited about it. But at that point I had already constructed this world of alpine animals that had been scientific experiments (it was originally a "sanctuary" here on Earth.)


    When I had to go back to the drawing board, it urred to me that I could use the world and side characters I''d already built, but put them in a different world, and tell that story from their perspective¡­ and so Zev and Sasha were born.


    Why does the sun rise in the West and set in the East in Thana?


    Because that''s how I did it in Anima and it''s really just to show the reader that they''re in a different ce than earth, BUT by the time the question was asked, I''d already decided to tie the two books together, so I couldn''t answer it in thements.


    Why is it that the only Chimera that can talk telepathically are the wolves and how is it possible that after forming a mate bond they can also speak in their mate''s mind?


    Because the link is create by the wolves themselves. It isn''t actually just mates, it''s just that usually the only others species that wolves get close enough to do that with are mates. Zev can actually talk with Dunken, though he can''t send all the images and emotions he can send to Sasha.


    What is the difference between Yhet (Ancient), Chimera (shift back and forth) and Creatures (a melding?) Is Yhet just always in his animal form?


    Yhet is ancient, which is a natural form. A supernaturally created being. The Chimera, including the Creatures, are all a result of being made by science (from the human perspective, the creatures are the ''errors'' that didn''t turn out the way it was expected.) Even the Chimera who were a product of scienceb Chimera reproducing, their parents were scientific experiments, so... Yhet is just Yhet. He is what he is. He was originally discovered by the scientists and he told them his name was Yhet, so they named the entire species after him here on earth.


    CHARACTERS


    Who is your favorite character to write?


    It''s a toss-up between Zev and Lhars. On one level, I could happily be in Zev''s head all day because I adore him. He has such a loving heart. But he''s also got a lot of really screwed up thoughts and feelings about himself.


    Lhars on the other hand was a voyage of discovery. When I first conceived the book, Nick was going to be my hidden good-guy, and Lhars was going to be the one that you''d never know until the end whether he was helping or hurting. But those roles flipped while I was writing the first volume, and that meant writing Lhars in the second volume was an unexpected treat. He''s a lot like Zev (very loving and giving) but for some reason, even though he''s technically younger, Lhars has always felt like the older soul to me. More solid at his core¡ªor perhaps just more confident in his own capabilities.


    Anyway I love writing Lhars and wish I could have done it more.


    SPIDERS? HOW DID YOU MAKE ME LIKE A SPIDER-PERSON?


    Honestly, that was an ident. I thought it would be funny to make a really scary creature with a fun/funny personality and use him on the "good" side. And since nothing on earth scares me like spiders¡­ that part was easy.


    Little known fact: I named Ernie after my father, who is the guy least likely to scare any stranger that I know. (I got to tell him I did this on his birthday, because he doesn''t read my stuff, so even though his birthday was weekster, by that time everyone liked Ernie, so it was even more fun to tell him.)


    Ernie was originally supposed to be a kind of "one and done" character. Showing up for a purpose, then disappearing. But I enjoyed him so much¡ªand you all did too¡ªthat I kept him around.


    What happened to Ernie after the book is over?


    Ernie chose to stay in Thana and sessfully captured and killed several humans from the Team using stealth webs. Over time, when they realized the shape-shifting Chimera were all gone, the humans left Thana alone. Ernie got bored and eventually went to the human world hunting Nick¡ªbut found the Sanctuary instead.


    Because he can build webs and pull himself up trees, etc, he''s be nocturnal and continues to haunt the scientific teams at the sanctuary. He kills a team member every few months, just to make things difficult for them, but he doesn''t force a confrontation, because he swears that if they ever start making Chimera again, he''s going to get each and every one of them out using webs.


    The scientists are all quitting their jobs because they''re all terrified of him.


    Were there any males in the sanctuary that needed saving?


    Very few. Most were returned to Thana very early on because the males didn''t do well in captivity. The ones that were made were mostly Creatures, who were also released into Thana.


    The reason the Team had be so fixated on Zev was because he''d been the most resilient male in terms of being connected to the humans, and because they kept seeing that the males could be left in Thana and controlled by keeping the females dangled in front of them. The whole set up was about control.


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 Chapter 483 Author Q & A - Part 2

    483 Author Q & A - Part 2


    CHARACTERS CONTINUED...


    What happened to the females who didn''t make it through the gateway with Sasha?


    There were five or six of them, and they were all taken to ces of safety. (Not the same safe ce as the rest, but each of them was distracted from their purpose by a true yearning for a different kind of life, and so the gateway took each of them to a ce that would fulfill their personal desires.) The only reason Patty ended up in a bad ce was because Nick had coached her to manipte her. He didn''t try to send her to the ce she went, he was just trying to put her off-track.


    Where did Patty go after she told Sasha about her baby?


    Patty was held by the Chimera until the order came down that they were all leaving. A couple guards took her to the Gateway and released her into it (before the Chimera went through.) They didn''t tell her where to go, they just made sure she left.


    Patty ended up back in the human world, but she avoided her employerspletely, moved states with the help of her family, and became an activist against Big Pharma.


    Why did you give Lhars a female who didn''t really want him? I feel like he drew the short straw.


    I''m sorry if you feel that way. It was a failing of not giving the readers Kyelle''s point-of-view, I think. Right from the beginning with Kyelle I knew she was so much better and so much more loving that anyone got to realize¡ªbecause Zev only saw her as a loyal friend, Sasha saw her as a woman and an ally, but one to be wary of, and Lhars only saw her through the filter of her rejection. But Kyelle is such a good female. She''s had serious issues and wounds, and she''s so strong¡ªactually stronger than Sasha in many ways. Definitely more mature. I wished you could have seen her from within herself, but she would have revealed too many secrets on too many levels if I showed you inside her head, so I had to keep her separate to maintain the tension first with Sasha/Zev, then with Lhars.


    I understand why many feel like she didn''t love Lhars as much as he loved her, but I can assure you it isn''t true. She was very confused, but once she got her head clear, Zev didn''t even register for her anymore. And I forget who said it, but they were bang-on: Part of Kyelle''s confusion around Zev was that there were gic links between the two and Lhars'' scent and Zev''s had a lot of simrities.


    Is Nick good or bad?


    Nick is the most ambiguous character I''ve ever written. The truth is, I''ve never hated him the way the readers did, because I always knew that as much as he was capable of love/could conceive of caring for another person, he loved Zev. But I also knew that he was so¡­ mercenary in the way he did that.


    The truth is, Nick takes no pleasure in causing hurt to another human being, or Chimera. The problem is, he also has no real empathy. On everything but Zev, his decisions are made based on what he needs or wants or what he thinks serves the best purpose. And he is ruthless in the sense that if, say, he knows 12 Chimera will die and two humans will lose their jobs when he chooses to help Zev get out of the human world, he''s fine with that.


    Sasha''s pain at losing Zev didn''t really register for him. Zev''s pain didn''t register. He wanted to keep Zev alive and in front of the board, so he did what had to be done. He didn''t enjoy it, but he really would have killed Sasha if that''s what it took to keep Zev safe back then. He''s that "practical."


    He doesn''t take pleasure in it, though. And to me, that''s true evil. True evil enjoys seeing someone else hurt¡ªeither emotionally or physically¡ªand that''s not Nick. He''s just¡­ indifferent.


    Are the team in Thana the same scientists as the ones in Taming the Queen of Beasts?


    Sort of. In the "real" time-space continuum there are several decades between the end of Queen and the end of Alpha. So the Board and Team that deals with Zev are the next generation after those that tried to take Anima. However, they are part of the same movement or goal. When Sasha told the Gateway she wanted to go to the ce that humans couldn''t infiltrate, it didn''t just take her to a ce that was safe physically, it took her back in time to a ce when the humans didn''t know Zev existed as well, to the safest ce and time in Anima (she just didn''t know that.)


    Why did you kill Yhet? Yhet was another character that was really supposed to be in the story more for a much shorter time, not to y as big of a function as he did. But I enjoyed him so much, and he rted to Sasha so well, it was natural to bring him into a much more central role. And then you all enjoyed him so much, it would have been stupid to get rid of him.


    He was originally supposed to die early¡ªSasha was supposed to be attached to him quickly, then see him die as a result of losing his mate, and that was going to be the way the reader came to understand what was really at stake when one of a Chimeran Mating Pair were killed (cue extra tension for Sasha and Zev as they face separation and potential death.) But in the end, it became clear that I could show those impacts in other ways, and Yhet was too good of a character not to use more fully.


    With that said, waaaaaaaay back at the beginning when he was introduced, and Thana was introduced, I made it really clear that the Chimera died within a few years (sometimes a much shorter time) when their mates died. The groundwork for Yhet''s impending death was always there.


    So¡­ I''m sorry that his loss was so heartbreaking, but I''ll be honest, I loved seeing him disy his heart and his fierceness by serving the purpose that he did. Be d you didn''t have to watch it in the flesh. I did. And it made me cry. In the end, I think Yhet was very best example to show the truth about how horrific it was that the Chimera were treated so ruthlessly.


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 Chapter 484 Author Q & A - Part 3

    Chapter 484 Author Q & A - Part 3


    Did the Team let Nick live after he killed Nathan?


    Yes, mainly because you''ll remember that there was a team arriving just as Zev and Sasha left? They had learne about the infiltration and were nning to enter Thana, thinking Nick had been kidnapped. When he ran into them, Nick convinced everyone that Zev was the one who killed Nathan and that he had held Nick at gunpoint and made him take them to the Gateaway.


    Those in power mostly believed him, but were never certain. And with Zev gone permanently, Nick decided it was time for n B. He disappeared (he''d always held aside money and resources in case he needed to disappear.) He''s in his own personal version of the witness protection program¡­


    Will the experiments end with Nathan dead and Zev/Zan/Sasha gone?


    Yes, and no. The Sanctuary remains, and scientific research continues. They''ve turned away from Chimera and are looking at gically modified food, etc, now instead. But they haven''t forgotten about the Chimera.


    The unfortunate truth about ambitious human beings is that even when their own decisions lead to their downfall, they tend to soon lose the impact of it and start turning back to old ways. I don''t believe this is thest you''ve seen of this kind of research. But none of it is happening right now.


    Did you always know you were going to take the Chimera to Anima?


    No! I always knew that the two worlds were linked (see the answer to the first question.) But I thought it was going to be a behind the scenes thing¡ªsomething I''d talk about in this kind of event, how they were linked. There''s a whole lore/history around this that I created, but it''s too long to write out. I n to answer this question in detail during the live event. So if you''re interested, you can listen to the recording of that. Look up my youtube channel (you can find it on linktr.ee/authoraimee or just search "Author Aimee" on YT directly.)


    Can Chimera and Anima live in peace? Or will there be conflict? (Especially between Sasha and Elreth)


    They can. The question is whether they will¡­ Just kidding. There will be many tensions and adjustments and efforts that will have to be made. But both groups have it in them to embrace each other without losing themselves. I guess we''ll have to wait and see¡­


    Is Zan really human? Zan doesn''t shift. But he is what I would call, "Human plus." There''s definitely some of his father''s wolf in him. So even if he can''t take wolf-form, he''s not going to grow up to be a normal guy.


    Will the female who were sterilized be "healed" by Anima?


    It will depend on why they were sterile. Some were sterile because of botched surgeries, or even hysterectomies, different things that injured their bodies. Those can''t be healed. But the ones who were simply unable to conceive, some of them may heal with time and a healthy environment¡­


    Who was the "Dark Alpha" who rose? Zev? Or Sasha?


    Zev. He was in the darkest ce before he got her back and took her to Thana (you got to see some of that towards the end.) This was his journey to find the way to the Creator and peace and love.


    Can you list your favorite moments in Alpha like you did for Queen of Beasts? Sure! But it''s important to remember: Webnovels aren''t just a single book the way your paperback romance on your shelf is a book. They''re actually a series of books under one title and cover. Rise of the Dark Alpha is over 550,000 words¡ªwhich means if it was in paperback it would be at least threerge, thick volumes. So I''m probably going to forget some important stuff. But when I think back over the course of the story, these are the moments that hit me the hardest:


    1.  In the first couple chapters, the first time Zev and Sasha are actually together, hiding under the stairs on the side of the street¡­ that''s a big one for me, even though it''s only brief in the book. I am in both their heads for that moment and it''s huge for both of them.


    2.  Yhet and the honey-pot jokes. Still make me giggle when I think about them to this day.


    3.  The moment Sasha became Alpha. I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing (talking to my husband about the book) when that idea came to me and it was one of those EUREKA moments that I knew were going to make the book so much better.


    4.  The Solitude. If I could only read one portion of this story over and over again, it would be that one. Bringing those two together fully was such an incredible joy for them both. I wish y''all could be in their heads and hearts like I am.


    5.  The moment Zev realized Sasha was going to go to the human world. Even though it was so hard on him, in my head, that''s such a massive moment and I don''t think the book really does justice to what he went through when he realized she was going and the others had to make sure he didn''t go after her.


    6.  This isn''t in the story so much, but¡­ the introduction of Ernie and the whole process of watching readers go from posting on my social media that I was a jerk for creating a walking nightmare, to the first time they started calling for Ernie to pleasee and eat Nick¡­ that was a real writer-fistpump moment for me.


    7.  Sasha getting the females organized and willing to get on the bus. I love her fearlessness in that moment and her determination. She''s going to save these women whether they realize it or not.


    8.  Zev and Sasha sneaking off to the hot pools after she''se back to Thana. For both of them, the sheer relief of being together and alone and reuniting was just beautiful for me.


    9.  The moment Lhars realized that Kyelle wasing for him¡ªkissing him. That was probably my favorite moment to write in the book (aside from the Solitude for Zev and Sasha.) I''d been envisioning that moment for weeks and hating how long it took to get there. And I was so, so happy for Lhars. (Oddly, I also super-enjoyed the moment when Lhars was headed to be reunited with her and Zev got in the way. Even though it''s a tense moment, I just adore those scenes where one of the males is so single-minded about getting to his female and the others have to try and keep him calm. I don''t know why that''s such a draw for me, but it is.)


    10. I wish I could have shown you Sasha going through the gateway on the way back to Thana and walking through that whole test and discovery to figure out how to get the females out of the sanctuary and finding Anima. It wasn''t possible to do without giving too much away, but I love her courage in that process.


    11. Sasha and Zev in the other hot pools (okay, okay, so I have thing for water. Shoot me.) when they''re trying to stay out of human hands. Before Horton shows up.


    12. Sasha seeing Zev hold Zan for the first time is about the most attractive and touching thing I can envision from the whole book. It happens so fast. I wish you could really be in her head and feel that moment.


    13. I wish I could have shown you in more detail how Zev''s heart shifted/healed when he realized that the Creator loved him and had been helping him all along. There was so much going on in the book, it didn''t really work to stop the moment and give him that epiphany moment. But I had to think it through¡ªwhat the catalysts would be and how he would piece it together. I wish you''d gotten that in more detail.


    14. The moment when Zev steps out of the gateway and into Anima (before they''ve met anyone) because I can FEEL his tension there¡ªhis fear that this is thest hurdle and is he going to fall at the final fence? It''s humming with tension for me.


    I know I''ve forgotten some good ones, and I could list dozens of little moments that I just love, though they might not be as meaningful to you. But if I''ve forgotten some, 15. WHEN ELRETH INTRODUCES HERSELF AND SAYS, "WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?" Seriously, though, that little scene came to me back in March and it gave me goosebumps. I was SO EXCITED when I realized it was the perfect ending, and it brought all my favorite people together. I could barely contain myself. My son asked why I was dancing around the kitchen. Andter when I told my husband, he didn''t get AT ALL why this was so cool and I was just like SHUT UP PARTY POOPER. Lol.


    I know I''ve forgotten some good ones, and I could list dozens of little moments that I just love, though they might not be as meaningful to you. But if I''ve forgotten some,ment on this chapter and tell me yours! Seriously, it''s so rewarding for me to hear from readers about the scenes and moments that stick with them well after the page. So feel free to share!


    ARE YOU GOING TO WRITE ANYTHING THAT SHOWS THE CHIMERA AND ANIMA TOGETHER?


    I kind-of, sort-of already have. I''m going to give you a few short chapters after this¡­ I would LOVE to hear what you think and whether you''d want me to pursue it any further. Regardless, I have ns to do some specials on both Alpha and Queenter on. There wille a time when my life isn''t so busy, and these are the fun projects I''ll do just for the joy of it (a little short side-story or handful of chapters just to show the fun stuff.)


    Well, I''m very sad to say that that''s the end of our time in Thana. Thank you SO MUCH for being a part of this book and these worlds. Your response to Zev and Sasha was such a joy to me, and helped me gain confidence as a writer (this book was a serious stretch for me.) So thank you for contributing not just to my support this past year, but to my development as a writer, and fulfillment in my work.


    Thank you for believing in me, even when I doubted myself. And thank you for taking this whole ride with me (AGAIN, for those of you who''ve finished the other big books.) You truly do humble me every day with your generosity, and your kindness towards me as a person.


    Now¡­ as a token of my thank you, I''d like to introduce you to someone¡­


    Keep turning the page and when you get to the end of these chapters, let me know what you think, okay?


    Okay¡­. phew. Here goes!

 Chapter 485 [Bonus Content] Worlds Collide - Part 1

    Chapter 485 [Bonus Content] Worlds Collide - Part 1


    ~ TARKYN ~


    Tarkyn grunted, pain stabbing through his chest and arms as he swung the spear, but he pressed on. The dirt and gravel crunched under the dry soles of his feet, the dust and sharp stones cutting and splitting the skin. But he ignored the pain as he stood tall once again, brought the spear upright to the guard position and breathed deeply five times before widening his stance and beginning the forms again.


    The blindfold he wore stopped his sweat running into his eyes, but covering his ears as it did, not only made his entire body warmer, but muffled his hearing in a deeply disturbing way. But that was the point. The ritual traditions were clear. When Tarkyn had entered the Hallowed Grounds the day before, he''d put himself in the Creator''s hands. He brought his plea to the feet of God, and he sacrificed himself for the answer.


    Either the Creator would reveal his mate, or Tarkyn would fall prey to the ends of his physical limits. After over a full day of the forms in the beating sun, even his warrior body was exhausted. He wondered if that was to be his fate.


    There was a part of him that would be relieved.


    When he turned, his head spun and without his sight, withoutndmark or horizon to focus upon, his bnce went with it. He stumbled sideways and had to catch his weight with a stutter-step to his right.


    The blindfold hadn''t left his eyes since he found his ce in the Hallowed Grounds the previous morning. He had no idea how much he''d travelled in the forms in the hours between. But his body was beginning to fail. He recognized the signs.


    He didn''t know the hour, only that his skin burned after two afternoons in the sun without food or water.


    He didn''t know the answer to his plea, only that if he didn''t receive it soon, he likely would meet the Creator and be able to ask him face to face.


    "Please¡­ I beg you¡­" he breathed. Then returned to the forms, though he knew his movements were slowing.


    "The blindfold because I am blind," he panted as he stepped to the right and swung the spear as if clearing a path through enemies. "My ears blocked because I am deaf," he mate."


    grunted, thrusting, then twisting it as if an enemy died under the de of it. "Every ounce of breath and sweat because my efforts are for naught."


    He turned, swinging the spear back up to the defensive position, then thrust again, "I am nothing¡­" then turning his head as if to hear something behind him, yanked the butt of the spear sharply back as if to catch an ambusher.


    "I am nothing. I bleed myself dry. Please¡­ show your n. Show me the face of my mate."


    Tarkyn was the greatest living warrior in a people of warriors. The Captain of the Queen''s guard. Aplished, strong and fit even among the Anima people. But he was still mortal. And for the first time in his life, his body was¡­ dying.


    "Please..." he whispered as he drew himself upright again, but his foot dragged, the sharp gravel biting into the dry cracks in his skin. "Please... I..."


    He what?


    For a moment, blinking under the blindfold, Tarkyn couldn''t remember what he was doing.


    But his limbs began to move, as if programmed¡ªstep to the right and swing. Turn and thrust. Forward, then behind¡ªand he was reminded.


    The Hallowed Grounds.


    The Creator.


    The Ritual.


    He hade to plead for his mate.


    For the first time he wondered if perhaps he was not blind. Or deaf. Perhaps his solitude was the Creator''s n? Perhaps the Creator had always intended for him to spend this life alone?


    Despair, thick and choking crawled into his throat at the thought.


    He had fulfilled his duty for decades! Serving first the great King Reth when he was yet a cub! And now he had led the Anima soldiers in battle, overrun their enemies, the humans, and honored his Queen, Elreth, in clearing thend from threat.


    He''d shared his soldiers with the Queen''s brother, and embraced the Protectors. He had walked the people through invasion and loss and grief and now they were safe.


    They were all safe. And happy.


    Except him.


    He had done everything asked of him. Everything! Why would the Creator deny him this? It was every Anima''s deepest desire to find their True Mate¡ªor any mate¡ªand build a family.


    Why would Tarkyn be deprived of it when he had been so faithful?


    His head spun. His body shuddered. He was no longer sweating, he realized. His head ached.


    Instinctively he turned his eyes down to look at the skin on his arm, though he knew it was dry. But he was blindfolded. And it was as if the earth under his feet shifted. Turned. The Hallowed Grounds lurching to flip him onto his aching head.


    He tried to catch himself as his weight shifted and he toppled,nding with a grunt when his dry skin scraped on the gravel.


    He had fallen. An embarrassment. But it was no matter. Soldiers fell often. They just got back to their feet and pressed on...


    But he''d lost his spear. And when he tried to hold the weight of his upper body on one braced arm, to search with the other, his strength gave out.


    He sprawled in the dust, dirt and heat in his nostrils, the sunbaked pebbles under his cheek searing his dry skin.


    He could not stop! The ritual demanded that he continue until his plea was answered, or he received his death. He had vowed to the Creator Himself¡­


    Was that the n, though?


    The niggling thought wouldn''t leave him. Had he reached the moment of his death? The moment he would stand before the Creator and answer for his life? Had it trulye?


    Spiraling fear twisted his guts. It couldn''t be¡­


    He tried one more time to feel for his spear, but his arm iled uselessly at his side. His body unable to follow his instructions.


    The pain in his head increased, and yet he seemed to swim away from it. Darkness much deeper than the blindfold sank over him to grasp him in its ws.


    The wind¡ªusually so damp and full of life in the forest¡ªrushed over him, shockingly dry, carrying with it what little sanity he had left. He tried to push up on his arms and failed. Tried to reach for the blindfold, but his fingers couldn''t grip.


    And so, Tarkyn the Warrior, the Captain of the Queen''s Guard, the Protector of the Royal Family, and the male who had sought his mate with everything within him, gave up.


    As the breath of wind rushed by leaving only the searing sun and barren earth of the Hallowed Ground beneath him, Tarkyn couldn''t even identify the scents in its tendrils as it faded.


    Terrified as he felt his death prowl towards him, he tried to call for his mate, the yearning in his heart given voice for the first time. But his throat was too dry, and his tongue was beginning to swell.


    Sprawled in the dirt, unable to move more than his fingers, Tarkyn reached finally for his beast¡ªthe massive lion that lived within him. But even his beast had gone silent.


    He would have wept if he had tears.


    Tarkyn had remained faithful. He had tried. And he had failed. He was utterly alone¡ª


    even without his Beast.


    He hadn''t found his mate, and he was dying.


    The Creator was going to have a lot to answer for when Tarkyn stepped into the next realm. But perhaps it was for the best.


    What life could he truly have without ever hearing the match for his soul''s song?

 Chapter 486 Worlds Collide - Part 2

    Chapter 486 Worlds Collide - Part 2


    ~ HARTH ~


    Dawn was just creeping up over the distant mountains when Harth crept out of the encampment. Although the hunters and cooks would be up, thendscape of this strangend offered a great deal of cover. Once she got out of the tent town it was never difficult to avoid the eyes of her brothers and sisters.


    It was, in part, why she''d gotten away with her subterfuge for so long. Still, Kyelle wouldn''t be pleased. Harth''s stomach tingled with nerves at the thought of what might happen if she was caught travelling again. Kyelle had nearly shiftedst time¡ª


    her talons were razor sharp, and that hooked beak!


    Harth knew she shouldn''t be leaving. Had resolved the night before that she wouldn''t! Then she''d once again woken with that undeniable knot in her stomach.


    Something was wrong, but she couldn''t know what.


    It was the most terrifying and frustrating feeling of her existence.


    She had endured the separation from her people. She''d lived through experimentation, and the threat of being harvested like a crop for the good of a human poption that didn''t even know she existed.


    Sasha-don and Zev-dan had found this perfect ce for them, and though it was strange, it was full of life¡ªand more importantly, empty of humans.


    She should have been ecstatic. And yet, from the moment she''d arrived, something within her was driven forward. Always forward. Always away.


    Mae had spoken up for her the first time they''d discovered her running through the forest, far beyond the boundaries that only hunters were allowed to cross, and with great caution.


    She''d heard Kyelle-don''s concerns, and agreed.


    They still didn''t know this world. Still hadn''t found all the creatures who''de through the Gateway first. Still didn''t know if there were other inhabitants of thisnd. And Harth, having spent most of her adult life in the "sanctuary" of the humans, was not the Chimera to find out.


    She was supposed to stay within the three-mile territory they had imed around the encampment. Never out of earshot of one of the guards, just in case.


    None of the others seemed to have struggled with that.


    But Harth felt as if a piece of her was missing. As if a chunk had been torn out of her heart, but was still connected by a steel thread that dragged her out of this ce.


    Go, it said. Go. Go. Go.


    So, go she did. She fled. First one mile past the boundary. Then three. Then five. Some days she resisted. Some days she could distract herself. But thest two days had been painfully, desperately hard.


    Go.


    She had to go. And she didn''t know why. She didn''t even know where. Only that it was far from here and her soul bled with the aching for it.


    And so, having slept fitfully for only a few hours, just as the light of the sun began to creep up and turn the mountains purple, she''d donned the stretching bodysuit the humans had made them that would allow her to shift without tearing her clothes, clipped two waterskins to her belt, and slipped out of her tent, darted between the trees and weaved her way through the forest on the path that she knew would avoid any eyes. She sloshed up a creek for thest mile out of the territory to hide her scent and avoid the patrols, then leaped back onto dry ground, shifting into her wolf mid-flight,nding on paws instead of feet, and then she began to run.


    Run like the wind.


    Guilt fluttered behind her like the fur on her tail. She shook her head so hard her ears snapped, but she did not slow. The urge within her ached so acutely, she worried it might make her sick.


    Something was wrong. Something was desperately wrong.


    But what?


    Harth didn''t know. Couldn''t know. Didn''t even know where she was going.


    This world was unfathomable to her. Where Thana''s winterscape turned green for a few weeks a year and thend exploded with bounty that would keep them for the nine months of winter, this ce was¡­ abundance made flesh.


    Thick, green leaves everywhere. Damp earth springing seedlings and underbrush that prickled or bushed and seemed to grow almost so quickly it could be observed.


    There was clear, healthy water at every turn, and the rains came briefly, but regrly in mountains, sometimes all the way down to the foothills, but even when they stayed dry, the water ran from those heights to swell the streams and rivers.


    The ce seemed as fertile as the Chimeran females were barren. And perhaps that was what drove her? Perhaps something within in her yearned to flee the destion of her body and be absorbed by this impossible flourishing?


    Something is wrong. Go. Go!


    Questions still unanswered, Harth went. Running as fast as her four paws could carry her, darting between trees and through meadows, reaching ever-farther. For a moment she pictured what would happen when Kyelle discovered that she''d run again, and her stomach clenched in fear.


    But they''d never found her out here. They never came this far themselves. When they''d caught her, it was always that they learned about her disappearance, or stumbled on her return.


    Harth blinked, her tongue lolling, pping in the wind of her passage as she darted through the trees.


    She could hunt¡ªcertainly the smaller mammals here. She could drink the streams, and sleep under the leaves¡­ she could keep herself alive. Perhaps¡­ Perhaps this time she wouldn''t return until she''d found whatever it was that her heart sought?


    She blinked, huffing.


    Those thoughts were desperately near treason. Kyelle had been very clear. None of them were to explore on their own. As they settled and strengthened, the leaders among them would begin to reach out and discover thend. But while they were still finding their feet in this ce, they would take the blessing of the bounty and stick close to each other.


    But Harth ran on, and as she did, her resolve strengthened.


    Whatever drove her forward refused to be denied. And so¡­ she would pursue it. She would follow this scent-trail until she found its source, or it died on the wind. But she would not spend another night in that tent, aching from her soul.


    *****


    She''d been running for hours, stopping only for water and to quickly swallow a small rodent. The sun was high now, and despite that wing drive in her chest to keep going, something within her was more at peace now that she''d decided she wouldn''t return.


    The wind rose around her, a strange scent on it¡ªdry, cracked earth, dust. Something much more barren than any of thisnd that she''d seen before.


    Looking ahead between the trees, she saw the light growing as they thinned. Had she finally reached the end of the forest? She didn''t think so. Lars had seen thisnd from the air. He''d told the tale countless times of viewing it before they all went through the gateway. The forest was days-travel across, he was certain of it. The mountains curling around a massive swathe ofnd peppered by meadows and canyons, but still forest.


    So what could she smell that seemed so¡­ dead in this ce so full of life?


    And then, a bare breath¡­ the smallest hint on the wind of a scent that had every hair on Harth''s wolf standing tall. It was there, then gone, but it called to her. Sang in her bones.


    This was what she sought!


    Nose high to meet the wind, Harth pushed for greater speed, her heart pounding.


    Go.


    Go.


    Go!

 Chapter 487 Worlds Collide - Part 3

    Chapter 487 Worlds Collide - Part 3


    ~ HARTH ~


    Harth stood on a pointed, shale rise, eyes wide, waiting to see if the figure would move.


    Nothing.


    Her throat closed convulsively. The wind had changed and ran at her back so she couldn''t scent the male one hundred feet away, sprawled in the dry dust and stones of this strange ce.


    She''d been running when the forest suddenly gave way, and all its lush, damp beauty stopped as if fire had drawn a line on it.


    Thend here was dry, barren, and overwhelmed by this huge amphitheater of rock and dirt. She''d climbed the strange wave ofnd that shoved, pointed, towards the sky, to discover that it was a massive oval ringed on three sides and broken only in one spot¡ªas if the Creator Himself had stomped a foot into thend and it rose, disced, piercing the air.


    And dead. The air itself was bone-dry


    Nothing lived in this circle.


    Not even the male?


    Go. Go. Go.


    Harth swallowed again and looked around. Could it be a trap? She didn''t think so. Despite the beating sun, the male''s skin was dry, caked in dust. He''d fallen in the dirt with his head turned away from her so she couldn''t see his face. But she''d stood there a full minute, the wind at her back and taking her scent to him, yet he had not moved.


    Was he dead?


    Something about that thought froze her insides.


    Breath hissing between her teeth, Harth took her wolf and used its superior stealth to creep down the shifting shale and rock into the great bowl.


    She''d been wrong, she discovered. The wind blew up the side of this ce then over her head.


    She took human form again just feet from his head, then hesitated.


    She''d thought his hair was thick, but this close, even with his head twisted away from her, she could see that he''d wrapped a thick, dark scarf around his eyes and ears.


    Under it, the sides of his dark hair were shaved, but the length long enough to be pulled back into a tail¡ªthe pieces that hadn''t escaped to flutter around his face and catch on the stones under his cheek.


    His jaw was wide and square, peppered with two days growth, and a long scar emerged from beneath the cloth, marring his cheek.


    She took one step closer with her human feet, the stones and dirt giving only the slightest crunch under her. His body twitched, and his mouth worked, but he didn''t move. Didn''t use those massive arms to push himself up.


    She had a vague impression of tattoos covering one shoulder and that side of his chest, trailing down his ribs, but he sprawled in an awkward position so she couldn''t see what they were.


    And then Harth realized¡­ she''d stopped feeling the urge to run. To move. To pursue.


    Her soul no longer called her to go.


    Harth couldn''t breathe.


    "Who are you?" she breathed.


    The male groaned and the fingers of one calloused hand¡ªtendons standing proud¡ª


    closed as if reaching for her, then went still.


    Harth took the final steps to close the space and, trembling, knelt at his side. She reached for the blindfold on his face, slipping it up and over his high forehead to reveal a face, rugged with that horrible scar and the growth on his jaw.


    Golden brown eyes fluttered open, bloodshot and clouded with pain. But they rolled slowly up to find hers and Harth was frozen again.


    "¡­ My¡­" His voice was a bare wheeze, dry and so quiet she almost missed it.


    "I have water," she said, reaching for the skin at her belt. "Are you injured?"


    "¡­ My¡­ mate¡­"


    The word prated her chest, piercing skin and the cage of her ribs to loop around She reached for him to roll him onto his back, hissing when she felt his skin¡ªburning and dry. "You need water, and shade and¡­" but his eyes dragged closed. As Harth her heart, which promptly stopped. "What did you say?"


    He opened his cracked lips, his eyes locked on hers. Harth''s entire body went rigid as his pupils dted. But when he tried to speak again, he only coughed¡ªa terrible, dry sound that made Harth''s heart leap back into action, hammering with fear.


    She reached for him to roll him onto his back, hissing when she felt his skin¡ªburning and dry. "You need water, and shade and¡­" but his eyes dragged closed. As Harth hurried to get the cork off her waterskin, she looked quickly around, cursing the dry, barren earth of this ce, when just beyond these tall sides she knew there was a thick forest with shade and rivers and¡­


    She had to get him back to the waterway she''d passed just a few minutes before she broke out of the forest and into this desert-like area.


    Harth swore as she leaned down to trickle water into his mouth, but all he did was cough it back into her face. And he didn''t open his eyes.


    "What are you doing out there alone?" she hissed, adrenalin flooding her veins.


    Mate. He''d called her mate. Was it just delirium caused by the heat stroke?


    But no. She''d been drawn out here. Driven to it. And the moment she''d gotten close, that drive had¡­ eased. It must have been him all along, pulling at her from the moment she entered thisnd.


    With a frantic whine she tried again to trickle just a tiny amount of water into his mouth. He spluttered again, but seemed to actually swallow some this time.


    Yet, the sun beat down on them, and when she judged that he''d had as much as his stomach could likely take without bringing it back up, she tied it back at her waist and shook his shoulder.


    "Can you move at all? Sit up? I can help you. We need to get you out of here¡­"


    But even though he swallowed again, he didn''t respond. And when she lifted his arm, it was a deadweight.


    Even his arm was heavy, though manageable. But how was she going to lift all of him when he couldn''t even help her? She was strong, but the river she''d crossed had to be at least a couple of miles away. And it was quickly bing clear¡­


    If she didn''t get him out of the sun quickly, he wouldn''t live much longer.


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