Ch. 311..320

Chapter 311

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 you coming anywhere near the compound. 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—

No, Zev. Listen to me. They believe that our offspring—you and I—they 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 plan, 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—

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—but 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'm coming!" 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—"

"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—

"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—"

"Don't play dumb, Sasha. They're monitoring everything. Your heartrate, your blood pressure, your—for god's sake, every alarm on the tech is screaming right now. Where is he? How did he get here?"

"He's not here!"

"But your bond—it'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 the comfort 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—"

Just as Nick turned back to face her, reaching as if he might take her by the shoulders, Sasha screamed, literally screamed—until 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 hot lava 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—"

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—wheezing, groaning with it—until 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

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 to launch 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 explanation 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—

Two steps into the lighted path through the gateway the pain hit him like the claws of a bear, piercing, blazing, 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 clawing 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—but 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…

Clawing 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 blaze white, then flicker and fade, then blaze 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 place 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 to come 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 cave later, 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 would come.

Or…

Was it possible they'd already done that? Was that how Nick had known? Had he been watched?

Had they let him come through and not taken him?

Why the hell would they do that?

 

Chapter 313

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 explain 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—" 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 have come 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 eyes lasered 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 plan. 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 balance, 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—then left. They'll think you two are playing a game if he has to work it out of you."

"That's a risk," Sasha said slowly. "I don't want them getting too comfortable, 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—and 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 moment later 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 been laying 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 glared at Nick, but he was watching that door, his eyes alight with anticipation.

A couple minutes later 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 flatly. "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

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 your last shot. It's the last 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 explained patiently. "We learned a lot tonight."

Could this be real? Or was it some kind of trick?

But no, they hadn't known Zev was coming. 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… relax."

Nathan's face tightened. "We'll send half the females with you now. If you become 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 Horace last 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 go last."

"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 glasses 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—it 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 glasses.

"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 glass, 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—but 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—

"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

"You fucking idiot."

Zev startled awake. Bald sunlight blazed 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—"

The slap was open handed and left his ear ringing. "Skhal! What the fuck!" Zev clutched it with a hiss and glared 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 leave last 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—"

"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—and 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—judgement, compassion, irritation, indignation.

Once Zev had the last 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 flat. "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—again—when 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 really late.

*****

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 flatly. "That's the problem. I don't want to tell him that he's healing quickly, because it seems like rewarding stupidity."

Skhal snorted. "Too late."

Zev glared 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—mental rest is as important as physical, Zev. You have to heal. That comes 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 place for their plan 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

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—

"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 flapped one hand, but he looked away when he answered her. "Relax, 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 flat 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 blankets 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 black 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—her 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 relax 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—if 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

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 clans and positions as they were when we left!"

"Our numbers have changed—and 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 was last 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—unlikely 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 him coming 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 declared 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 become 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 success 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 clasped his arm and leaned in to share scent, then trotted off, presumably to find the largest 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 place. 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 clans, submitted, but looked at each other suspiciously. Zev snarled again.

"You are brothers and allies—our common enemy is the humans and their plans, 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 succeed."

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 village, 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—and he wasn't allowing the hierarchy to collapse 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—concern, 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—any at all—you tell me first, if I'm gasping my last 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.

 

Chapter 318

Half an hour later, Zev stood at the foot of the oddly named Square—the deep amphitheater the ancients had made for gatherings of the City's population. 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—and 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 place. 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—and 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 her lack. 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 conclave 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 male come, he'd defeat him, or die trying. He was done being cautious.

In the end, Kyelle had been first to offer her clan, but even Gheet had submitted.

Zev had nodded and laid out his plan to all of them: He would address the Chimera, acknowledge the disruption and uncertainty, establish the hierarchy, invite challenge and then—if there were no challenges, or those challenges were won—he would choose the positions of the clans 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—a 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 the last 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—young, 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—as his second—had 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, the last 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

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 replaced 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—and even when leaders emerge, they come 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 her commitment 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 has come 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 succeeds, 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 clans 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 clans 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 claws. 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—their 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, she comes like a child to us—except this child wasn't made by the humans. Wasn't primed for their leadership. She comes as their equal. She comes as one of their kind—and she speaks for you. She works for you. She works to defeat them.

"Sasha of the Wolf Clan 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.

 

Chapter 320

Zev took a deep breath, watching the gathered clans. 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 insular. 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—and 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 accountability 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 gateway last night. The humans have means of communication that don't require being in the same place. And I used… I used a resource available 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 she commanded 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 the last word off, reminding them of his own sacrifice in letting her go—not 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 the compound? 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 nothing compared 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—not just your family, your clan."

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!"