Ch. 321..330

Chapter 321

3An hour later, 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 clans to come alongside.

But there had still been murmurs. There were still sidelong glances, and fearful eyes.

Zev knew he couldn't expect to bring every mind and heart with him—especially 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 plans, 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—a declaration 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 successful, 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 explained… resisting their cynicism, resisting their weariness, he'd shown them the New City.

No clans 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—hopefully—united 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 Clans 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. With compassion? 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—but 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 clan 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 and comments 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 Clans, standing in the Stead of Sasha of the wolves… Do you bring a challenge?"

Zev held his breath alongside the entire Chimeran population, 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

Sasha stood at the edge of the arena completely 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 the largest 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—if 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, stopped completely, 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—and 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 can communicate quickly and send orders—"

"Who are you to tell us what is needed?" One of the females, a tall brunette 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 to come, 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 brunette 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—some 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 blame for these assholes and all the ways they play God." She pointed at the sawdust under their feet. "This place is not your home. This is a stable. For animals. You are not animals. You are strong, powerful women—so 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

Sasha spent fifteen minutes with that group of females, finally lighting on the idea of appointing mini-alphas. She asked the brunette, and the female she'd been speaking to when Sasha arrived, to split the group into two parts.

"Each of you will form a clan," 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—whenever 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 brunette—Pysa, she learned—caught 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, explaining over and over again that the humans claimed 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—effectively 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 be completely 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, calculating group? Nick had said they'd send someone medical along—that 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 someone lacing 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—some of them looking a little less stressed now. Some still huddled together in fear.

These were real people. However they had come 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

For the first time, Sasha recognized faces, but it took her a moment to place 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 black 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 alarm 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 black 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 placed there to undermine the entire thing.

"Thana?" the black 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, a large wolf named Mae was sharp and strong. She'd challenged Sasha, but backed down when she scented Zev and Sasha showed her the claiming 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 it come 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 flattened, 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 more comfortable, not quite so wary as they spoke with some of the others.

Sasha stalked away to gather up the last 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 the large, 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 a large truck, or several horses to walk side-by-side. And it clattered 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 gate completed 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 flashed.

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 a large vehicle." She took a deep breath.. "Chimera, I think our ride has arrived."

 

Chapter 325

"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—and 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—and 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—and what is not—for 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 successful 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 black 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're coming 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 relationships 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—and 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 off lamely, 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—"

"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—and I'm not going to let you play 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

Late that night, Zev stood in one of the largest rooms in the City. It was on the second floor of one of the main buildings. But there were large, 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 successful 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 place to be together. Perhaps even sleep together.

Zev didn't really believe Sasha could bring them back, not this quickly. But he needed the Clans to see that he believed in her. And he did. He believed she would return with a plan. 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—ones 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 village to sleep in his cave, but he was exhausted. His body clawing at him for rest. So he planned 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 places 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—the 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 declaring that the males would spread through the City—make their homes and caves wherever they wished. No clan 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 clan to gather. He'd ordered them to surround themselves with those not of their own clans, and declared 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 clans. 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 to come in here without Sasha, but now it felt like anywhere else wouldn't serve her power—or 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 a large 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 glad 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 clarifying his position on housing as the males all reluctantly found their places.

"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 the last 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 platform 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 was comfortable. 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

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 place 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 clawed 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 becoming 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—none 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—there were two—were all enclosed behind a glass 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—"

"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 delay 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 glaring 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 clanged 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—a plush, expensive vehicle with padded seats in three rows, like an airplane. 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 slaughterhouse.

But, ignoring the fascination of the others—now quiet enough that the rumble of the bus engine could be heard clearly through the cabin—she 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, but compassionate, and waited.

When she made it up, her body flinching at the hollow clang 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

"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 clawed the other. They stood on the stairs, staring at the dirt outside, trembling.

"You can remain here in a place with stables and breeding arenas. Or you can come with me, back to Thana, and the males, and your clans."

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-alphas come 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—he sat in one of the two front passenger seats next to another staff member—a 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, blank 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 blank as well.

She wouldn't drop his eyes, couldn't let herself do it. If he was challenging her—but 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—including the main building that they passed last—before 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'd come from where the warm lights punctured the dark and gave away the location of the human beings here who tried to play god.

And all the Chimera at their mercy.

"I will come back for you," Sasha vowed under her breath. "This isn't the end. This isn't the only chance. I'll come 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 plan she had to get the others out would work.

Prayed that whatever the humans who were going with them planned 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—which 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—another 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 a combination 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 will come."

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—she knew the Chimera could scent them—and 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—or to whatever place Nathan had sent them instead.

But they did reach the highway in the time she thought it should have taken. So as the vehicle accelerated and the reflective strips of the highway began to flash past, all she could do was pray.

So that's exactly what she did.

 

Chapter 329

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 had come 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—a nurse practitioner. Patty. The woman reminded Sasha of a bug on a rock, with glasses 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 black 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—use the time to practice focusing on your destination. And encourage each other. This is real. You're going home. Your mates and clans 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—and 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—as long as you kept your distance you'd be fine.

"If you're so terrified of them, why are you coming?" 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—not 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—one minute you're all cold calculation, 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 feel compassion 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—and 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 the last couple years. But it was necessary. And if I'd fought it, they would have removed me—so 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—you were just congratulating 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—so 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 accepted 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 manipulate things better and faster."

Nick made an angry noise and whirled on her, catching her arm.

 

Chapter 330

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 would come to help her.

"Seriously, Sasha?" Nick exclaimed. "You think I just want to own Zev? He's a person, not a lawn ornament. You think my ownership of him is why I got him connected back with you—and 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 how completely fucking serious she was.

"First of all," she said through her teeth, "Don't ever lay 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 plan 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—from 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 glanced 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'll come through and that's your chance over, Sasha. You know that. Nathan's not playing 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—and I'm guessing they do to Zev as well."

She glanced 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're coming 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—and 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 manipulative person I've ever met, Nick, and I don't believe anything that comes 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 only language I know," Nick seethed. "Quid pro quo. That's how these people work. There is no other language 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 glad 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 the land 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.