Ch. 331..340

Chapter 331

The females milled around on the flat land around the outside of the cave, and within the mouth of the cave itself.

Nick on her heels, Sasha pushed through the crowd, reminding them all to stay in their groups and to be focusing. When she got to the Gateway itself, Patty stood there waiting patiently, her own bag over her shoulder. She looked relieved when she saw Sasha and Nick.

Sasha was about to tell her to lead in, when it occurred to her that the Chimera didn't know they were coming. Not exactly. And she couldn't afford for Nick or Patty to get attacked, or set up any kind of trap by going through the gateway first.

She blew out a breath. She'd come so close to making a stupid mistake—what if she didn't catch herself next time.

Clawing a hand through her hair, she turned. "Change of plan," she said quickly to both of them. "We'll let the females go first. Then me. Then you two come through after. Let me warn the males that you're coming and they're not to touch you before you get through there."

Nick nodded, though Patty frowned. "I think it would really be better—"

"Trust me, everyone over there is on a hair-trigger right now because I disappeared. You don't want the guards thinking you're coming through to take more. And I don't know how the females are going to react to being back there. Give us half an hour to get them settled and on their way to the settlement before you come through."

"No, absolutely not. The entire agreement was that we watch over everything, observe and monitor everything with the females," Patty said firmly, though her eyes cut to Nick more than once. "I'll agree to go in the middle so that the guards can be warned, but as soon as they're in Thana, we need to be there, too."

Nick winced at that. "It doesn't really work that way," he said quietly. "But yes, we'll follow you through immediately."

Sasha sighed, but agreed. She didn't have much choice. They were going to be here alone after she left. It wasn't like she'd have a way to delay them anyway. Better if they thought she was being reasonable, working with them. So she nodded, then called the nearest little-alphas and warned them to prepare their lines. They were about to go through.

She clapped her hands and got everyone's attention, warning them all to keep their focus, to remember Thana if they knew it, or to think on those they knew who would be there, or just the desire to be in the world itself if they hadn't visited before.

She asked Nick if he had anything to add, but he was leaned into Patty's ear, explaining something, and he shook his head.

Tension boiled under Sasha's skin as she turned to face the females. This was it. This was what she'd been aiming for. This was the moment. Were Nick and Patty here to screw it all up somehow? Or was this really going to happen?

She realized then that everyone was watching her, waiting.

She blinked and took a deep breath. "Who wants to go first?"

*****

When the first female—one of the alphas—stepped into the gateway, Sasha was suddenly blinking and swallowing tears. By the time half the females had filed inside, all of them reminded to keep their minds focused, she had tears on her cheeks. But she wiped them away and tipped her head for Patty to go after the next group.

"You know how to focus on Thana? Have you been there before?"

"No, but I'm certain I'll be fine," Patty said, her eyes bright with anticipation. "Nick's given me very clear instructions. I'll see you on the other side!" she said.

Sasha nodded and prayed that the alphas would have the presence of mind to warn the guards before Patty arrived.

She stood back. The crowd on this side was beginning to thin. They had arrived with over sixty females and only about twenty were left when Sasha walked to the back and let the groups handle themselves while she watched, her heart beginning to trill.

She was going to see Zev! And she was bringing back females to Thana! The males were going to be over the moon.

She just prayed Zev had remained healthy and hadn't been doing too much. She was dying to touch him again and be close and… gah.

She shook her head. Only an hour or two, she reminded herself. Once she was through the Gateway it was just the hike to the village, then she'd finally see him.

There was only two groups left to go—ten females in total, including their Alphas. Sasha smiled at Mae who acknowledged her before stepping into the Gateway and being swallowed by the wall.

Then there were five. Then only two.

Sasha hadn't realized she was holding her breath until the last female strode carefully into the Gateway, and a cry of joy broke in her throat.

Sasha clapped her hands and leaped forward, but Nick's hand caught her elbow just as she moved.

She whirled on him, face twisted in a snarl, but he released her and put his hands up. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—I just need you to tell me something before you go through!"

"What?!" she snapped.

"I need you to… to promise to protect me," he said, swallowing. His face was pale, she realized. That sheen of sweat back on his brow.

He was terrified.

"I need you to tell me you'll order them not to… to eat me, or whatever. You need me over there, Sash. Nathan won't leave you alone unless he's hearing regularly from me. You have to keep me safe!"

Sasha shook her head. What a fucking coward.

"I will order them not to touch you physically, Nick. They won't kill you. But I don't have any control over Zev," she said, trying not to smile. "And I can't control what the creatures will do if you start roaming around outside the village. So my advice is to stay close."

Nick nodded quickly. "I will. I will. I just need to observe and make notes. That's all."

Sasha rolled her eyes. "You really are a coward, aren't you, when you don't have all your tech and control of the situation."

"No," Nick spat, his hands clenched to fists. "But I've lived to witness enough death that I'm not looking forward to my own. Or Zev's. So I'm asking you to help me keep us both safe."

"I'll give you what protection I can, Nick. But the rest is up to you and God."

"I don't believe in God."

"Well, you better start," she said, then stepped into the Gateway.

 

Chapter 332

It was his third day in the City and he hadn't had a chance to leave yet. But he was almost ready. He hadn't had more than five hours sleep every night, yet he woke stronger every morning. And that morning, though he felt the weariness of sleep deprivation, when he pushed out of the furs and planted his feet on the floor, he twisted and swung, trying his body out and found… nothing.

He was healed.

Thank God.

Yhet, who'd taken to guarding him while he slept, then disappearing during the day, yawned, then smiled. "You look well, Zev."

"I feel well, Yhet. It's the day. Or should I say, the night. I'm getting my mate back today."

Yhet rubbed his hands together. "I'll come with you. I would love to get my fingers on the throat of a human or two who's holding Sasha—"

"You know I can't let you do that, Yhet," Zev said sadly, walking to put an arm to his friend's shoulder. "I can't risk that they'll see you. It's so dangerous for you to be over there, Yhet. You know that."

"But, Sasha—"

"I know, but I'm thinking what I need is for you to be here on this side when she comes back. You're the first person she'll want to see, Yhet, you know that. And besides that, if the humans try to come through… you're welcome to put your hands on those throats."

Yhet gave a slow, wicked smile. "I can do that," he rumbled.

Zev shivered. Yhet was true to his breed. The ancients were peace-loving, hunting only for food. They were slow to anger, and quick to celebrate and make friends. But when their anger was inspired… Zev pitied the person who tried to stand between Yhet and Sasha if the male felt she was under threat. He'd already been beating himself up for being too slow to protect her during the Alpha fight. Zev had no doubt the male would be hyper-vigilant now. And he was glad for it. He had no idea under what circumstances they'd be returning. Having a fierce guard on this side of the gateway to protect her when they came through separately…

Zev swallowed hard. He prayed they could both move into the gateway at the same time, so even though they'd be separated it, wouldn't disconnect the bond again. He feared his body's response if that happened.

Yhet handed him a bowl of warm oats and Zev thanked him. He was starving all the time—a response, his healer said, to the infection burning through his reserves. He'd lost some weight, mainly in muscle. But that morning for the first time, despite his tiredness, he felt strong.

He wasn't going to wait another day.

His plan for that morning was to do a final walkthrough of the City, ensure that all the petty squabbles had finally been stifled, then gather his crew—including Dunken, and Kyelle—and cross the Gateway as the sun went down.

Lhars was struggling with the need to remain in Thana, but he'd taken the instruction. He'd returned to the village when Zev remained in the City, just in case the humans came back. They were cycling males through the village, always a different couple dozen of them in attendance so if the Team showed up there were signs of different males, and new ones would appear.

They would hide the defection to the City as long as they could.

After eating he dressed quickly in the suit the humans had given him that would allow shifting without taking off his clothes. Just in case. He didn't want to have to come back to the City once he'd left if there was no need.

Then he left Yhet, who was off on another walk before he'd take some sleep himself, Zev walked through the City and let himself just observe. He greeted males and even answered a couple of questions. But it was very satisfying to see that the place seemed to have returned to peace. The hunters had brought down a huge bull the day before and there had been fresh meat for everyone for dinner, which had lifted spirits.

Seemed like many had slept in that morning. Though he'd risen with the dawn, Zev was already accustomed to seeing males up and working when he came down into the central spaces. But as he climbed the stairs to check the hall they'd prepared for the females one last time, there were few in sight.

Sure enough, the hall was completed—the open air windows covered in thin hides. The piles of furs in each corner. Small tables and a variety of utensils spread throughout. Someone had even thought to place a couple small mugs with bunches of hand-picked flowers.

They really were hoping for the return of their females, Zev realized. His stomach clenched.

Though he'd done his best to keep expectations low on that score, the males were clearly excited. Zev struggled to see how they were going to get Sasha out of the compound alone, let alone with companions. But he refused to let himself dismiss the possibility. They would be prepared in the event that Sasha had done the impossible.

"Is it all to your liking?" Zev turned around to find Dunken staring at him from the doorway.

"It's… I feel like I'm just trying to kill time at this point. Everything seems ready and… right."

"Then maybe we should just go?" Dunken replied, one hand on the hilt of his sword.

Zev felt like he should protest, but he didn't want to. What harm if they crossed early? They could travel through the forest in daylight without risk. Then even have some time to rest before they had to try to get into the compound when it great dark.

"You know what, brother? I like the way you think. Let's go get the others."

They trotted down the stairs together, Zev's heart pounding faster than was necessary, because he'd just had a vision of finding Sasha and finally being able to hold her. Dunken sent a messenger to notify some of the males who he said were still sleeping, and would meet them at the village.

Then they walked out of the City and onto the trail.

They walked in companionable silence for a time. Zev considered shifting and running, but the truth was he really did have time to kill. So they continued walking and he watched the forest around them, praying it would soon be welcoming Sasha home.

"Zev?" Dunken asked hesitantly a moment later.

"Yeah?"

"When Sasha talked about bringing some of the females back… was it all wolves? Or were there others from other clans?"

"I know she wanted to bring them all. But… I don't know what she'll be able to do, Dunken. I think we just have to wait and see—"

Suddenly the ground was trembling under their feet. Zev stopped dead, then relaxed when he realized it was just Yhet running—probably excited to join them. He gave a chuckle. His friend could be so like a child in his enthusiasm… but then he realised, the footsteps were coming from ahead of them on the trail.

Zev and Dunken looked at each other, then back as Yhet tore around the corner in the trail, his hair flying in all directions and eyes so wide they showed the whites all the way around.

"Zev! ZEV! The females are here. THEY'RE HERE!"

 

Chapter 333

Kyelle was in the kitchen when Lhars leaped to the porch and opened the door into her tree house. Hesitantly. He opened it hesitantly. Lhars wanted to snap at himself. He'd never done anything around Kyelle timidly. He'd never avoided talking to her. He'd never watched her from across the clearing and not approached. He'd never peered around a door looked for her, waiting to see what her reaction would be to his appearance…

She was one of his best friends, and since Zev left they'd become allies as well.

Now, outside of organizing and discussion of Alpha business, they hadn't spoken in days, and tonight she was supposed to go with Zev as part of the team to bring back Sasha and as many of the females as they could safely free. In just a few hours Kyelle would be walking into the dark surrounded by males whose priorities centered on other females, not on Kyelle. She'd be expected to handle herself like an Alpha, and a male. She had a job to do. And from the Chimeran perspective, if she died in the doing of it… that was life sometimes. She would be grieved—genuinely. Her flock would be disrupted until she was replaced.

But no one else's heart would ache with unfulfilled desire.

No one would grieve her as a mate.

Would he? Could he? Would he be allowed to? Would he allow himself? He was certain she was his One, but if they'd never mated and she died… where would that leave him? Would the darkness take him? Or would he just be... empty for this life? Hollow.

Lhars snorted the air from his nose in disgust. Regardless of the bond, regardless of anything else, if she was gone his life would be less. Just less.

Since Zev had made the call the night before that they were definitely going—with a knowing and sympathetic glance at his brother—Lhars had been fighting the urge to go to her.

He'd intended to pull her aside after that meeting, but he'd been held up with Pack business, and when he finally turned, she'd already fled the City. Or, at least, to the part of the City where he was.

Then Zev had asked him to return to the Village, just in case the humans came through before they left.

So now it was dawn and he'd seen a light on in her tree house, which meant she was awake. And likely already preparing to leave.

She either hadn't believed him, or hadn't cared, that if something happened to her it would kill him.

The thought kept stealing his breath—like a blow to the ribs. It would take him from nowhere and he'd have to recover. Then his mind would move on. Then it would come screaming out of the dark again.

Kyelle was walking willingly into the hands of the humans. So was his brother. So were many of his friends and Chimera he admired. But somehow… somehow it was different when he thought about the danger she'd be in.

Kyelle must have smelled him, because when he paused, his head around the door, but didn't open it, she had her back to him, leaned over something on the opposite counter in the kitchen. "Come in," she said softly. "Do you have a message from Zev?"

Hearing his brother's name on her lips lit white-hot anger in his chest.

It was all just so fucking unfair.

"No, I wanted to talk to you," he muttered, walking in before she could retract the invitation.

There was a quiet intake of breath from her, but she put down the knife she'd been using and picked up a towel to wipe her hands before turning around to face him, gripping the stone counter behind her and staring at him like she was afraid of what he might say.

"Are you hungry?" she asked when he didn't speak immediately.

Lhars shook his head. Then he swallowed and looked down at his feet, blowing out a breath before he raised his chin to meet her eyes again.

"I need to tell you that it… it hurts me more that you would avoid me, than that you rejected my advance," he said, his voice low and gruff. "Apart from any… feelings I might have, you're one of my best friends Kyelle. Having you turn away from me, look at me like you're frightened… that's worse than never having you. There's so much that could go wrong tonight, or in the coming days. I don't want you to leave when we're like this. So, please… pretend I never said anything."

Kyelle blinked, her eyes a trifle wide. She shifted her weight and bit her lower lip, her eyes never leaving his. "What if I don't want to forget that you said it?"

Lhars' heart pounded, slamming faster and faster. Was she saying—?

"What if I just need some time to think?" she added carefully.

Lhars' breath came quick and shallow. She stared at him, but didn't move closer. Didn't smile.

"I… I don't understand?" He cleared his throat because his voice broke like he was reaching sexual maturity all over again. "Are you saying—?"

"I'm saying, I don't want to forget your words, Lhars. But I'm also not sure I'll ever… I don't know if I could… return your regard. I need time."

"Time like this? Where you avoid me?"

Kyelle grimaced and flipped her hair back over one shoulder. "I don't know. I don't know! I just… why didn't you ever say anything? Why wait all this time?"

"Because you were in love with my brother," he growled.

Kyelle folded her arms. "He wasn't even here for the past three years."

"And you want to try and rewrite history now and say you weren't pining for him like a stolen mate?" The words came out of his mouth far more bitterly than he'd intended. But one thing he'd always appreciated about Kyelle was that she wasn't easy to offend. She took a male at his word—but wasn't scared to call him on his bullshit whenever he proved to be full of it.

Her jaw twitched at the accusation, but she didn't deny it. "I never knew I had… other options," she said and her eyes flickered away from him, as if the admission shamed her. "I never even considered—"

"Well, that's my point," he said sadly. "It never even crossed your mind."

She pressed her lips thin and dropped her eyes to her toes. Then her eyes screwed tightly shut and she looked like she was in pain. "I just… I'm afraid that…"

He was still standing just inside the door, the whole living area and kitchen yawned between them. Seeing her face crumple like that, he twitched with the overwhelming urge to rush to her, to gather her up and try to soothe her. But what if she fled him again?

Just as he threw caution to the wind and stepped forward, the whole house began to tremble, and voices rose, calling for them.

"Kyelle! Lhars! Come quickly! They're here! The females are HERE!"

 

Chapter 334

At Yhet's news, Zev had sent Dunken back to the City to notify the guard and any warriors that weren't already patrolling. And to have Oska get the news out to anyone else who might not hear the announcement.

Then, racing to the Village to gather the last of the team who'd planned to go with him across the Gateway, they found Lhars with Kyelle. Zev vaguely registered a strange mix of emotions on them both, but there was no time to analyze it.

Yhet relayed his story to them—he'd been running to the Gateway to join the guard in preparation for Zev's crossing, only to find a group of females, half of them in shock, and more coming through every few minutes. The moment she heard the males had already been notified, Kyelle leapt into her bird and was flying for the Cave.

Zev and the others shifted and ran, covering the ground faster than he thought he ever had. Zev's heart almost exploded when they ran up the trail towards the cave mouth and found females, bewildered and milling around the cave entrance and the trailhead. Zev shifted back, staggering to a halt as his nose filled with the scent of Chimera females.

He couldn't believe his eyes. Females... dozens of them. On all sides.

It had been three years... Heart skipping and racing, he breathed, "Sasha?" and inhaled deeply, searching for her, but he couldn't catch her scent—and then he realized there was no bond in his chest, no warm bloom of her return.

His blood ran cold. But there was no time to let himself consider what might be happening, because there were already thirty or forty females there, most dressed like humans and not nearly warm enough for the Thana winter.

How had Sasha gotten them all free? How had his magnificent mate achieved the impossible?

And where the fuck was she?!

Zev started walking among them, searching. They milled around, some in clusters and groups, others just standing, turning around and staring. Some with their eyes closed and inhaling the scents…

One knelt in the snow on the trail in nothing but a t-shirt and jeans, her hands buried into the snowbank, sobbing and staring at chunks of snow she pulled out of it as if she couldn't believe them, the skin on her hands and arms a brilliant red from the dangerous cold.

The Chimera were better equipped for the cold than a human, but if her system was in shock. Zev hurried to her, pulling her to her feet.

But when he touched her, she shrieked and pulled away from him, snarling and snapping into her wolf-form before he could even say a word.

They ended facing each other, Zev's hands up and open in surrender, her lips curled back from her fangs, a snarl rolling in her throat.

"I'm sorry I startled you," he said softly. "It's me, Zev. You're here. You're safe. We won't hurt you. You're safe!"

Her wolf nostrils flared and she blinked and licked her lips, her ears coming slowly forward.

Kyelle appeared from nowhere, back in human form, and she approached the female slowly, murmuring, cutting a glance at Zev and tipping her head for him to move on.

So he did. But he found himself just walking up the trail slowly, turning, hands in his hair, staring at the females and trying desperately to believe that any of this was real.

And where was Sasha? Where was his mate?

It was chaos. The females seemed rudderless, alternating between staring at Thana with wide eyes and open mouths, and huddling together for warmth, their heads ducked low.

Zev came alive suddenly.

The females were here. They needed help. And Sasha wasn't, but he would find out… were they still arriving? Might she still show up?

He began to weave between them, murmuring assurance to any that met his eyes, and avoiding touching any that flinched away. Kyelle raised her voice to call them all to gather with her, together, to keep themselves warm and put those who were dressed in the center.

Then he was in the cave where there were fewer females, but the ones that were there seemed truly disoriented—some hanging onto a wall. One frozen at the center of the cave, staring at the light and apparently unable to move toward it. A handful speaking to two of the spluttering guards that had been in the cave—and four more of the guards gathered around another near the back.

Zev rushed forward. "Don't hold any of them, they're in shock—"

"She stopped breathing, but she's back now," was the reply from the Lieutenant among them, and Zev slid to a halt next to them.

Behind the guard who'd spoken he saw a young female—a goat, he thought—laying on the stone floor of the cave. One of the guards had placed his jacket over her. She was staring at him, nodding in answer to his questions, but her eyes were wide, as if she didn't quite believe he was real.

Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. They were really here.

And they were seriously hurt.

"Where's Sasha?" he blurted, but the males all avoided his eyes. Except the Lieutenant.

"She hasn't come through yet. But we're getting new ones every minute or two. So it won't be long," he said encouragingly. "We need to get them back to the village. I assume you want the guard to stay here in case humans come through, but you're going to need—"

"There's a team here. Coming," Zev corrected himself, frowning at the Gateway, willing it to open and reveal his mate. "The males we'd prepared to go through tonight. They're here. Or on their way. We'll get them back. I mean, yes… yes you're right."

Zev growled at himself and closed his eyes. He needed to focus.

Sasha wasn't here. Yet. But she would be. He would hold onto that.

"She's coming after the humans," the female said quietly, being helped to her feet by the guards.

Zev whirled. "What did you say?"

The female looked at him and smiled, pride and disbelief in her eyes. "She convinced them to let us come home," she whispered, tears welling. "She's coming. There's two humans and she didn't trust them, so she was going to come through after them, I think."

Zev's throat convulsed. "She was at the Gateway with you?"

The female nodded. "She's coming, Zev. She's amazing. She got us all here. Thank you for bringing her. Thank you." And the female threw herself into his chest, sobbing. "Please, don't make us go back. Please!"

Zev gaped at the guards who stared back at him, stunned.

The females thought he'd sent them through?

 

Chapter 335

Zev's heart wanted to shatter into a thousand pieces, shards that would tinkle to the floor and stick in his skin when he was forced to walk over them.

He cleared his throat and forced himself to calm down.

"I would never ask you to return to the human world," Zev said with quiet authority to the female that was staring at him, her eyes pleading. "This is your home. You're here and we're going to protect you. Please, rest. We won't send you back. Ever."

The female began to cry, but she smiled and thanked him. Zev shook his head.

The females thought he'd made them go to the human world? Was that how the team had convinced them?

Suddenly all the things he'd considered that had driven those days three years ago looked different. Was it possible the team had truly convinced the females that he'd called for them to be taken?

The thought turned his stomach.

Rage simmered in his chest, but Zev forced himself to focus. He couldn't solve those problems right now. Right now they needed to get all the females to safety. As far from the Gateway as possible. If this female was able to travel she needed to be out with the others. If she wasn't, they needed to send someone for a litter and transport her to the medical building. He wasn't sure how quickly any healers would get out there.

He spent a few more minutes organizing the trembling guards—the realization hitting him that the females really were returning to Thana!—and headed back out to start his search for Sasha in a more methodical way. He had to be certain.

But fifteen minutes later, having woven his way through the entire crowd gathering outside under Kyelle's eyes—and noting the tension between her and Lhars—and scanning the few that were still milling around near the opening of the cave, he had to accept that she wasn't there.

He needed to lead. He needed to get these females moving back to the City. But his head just kept screaming for Sasha, that gap in his chest hollow and aching as if a cold wind blew through it.

"Anyone else?" he asked the guards at the Gateway again.

They all shook their heads. "No one for the last five minutes."

Which was apparently three minutes longer than they'd had for the past hour or more. He thanked the male and was about to turn back, to force himself to find a way to help the females start moving towards the village when the gateway flashed in his peripheral vision—the sign of someone moving out of it.

Zev whirled, Sasha's name on his lips. But the bond didn't light up.

Instead, Zev found Nick, trembling and staring at the guards, a bag slung over his shoulder. When his gaze caught on Zev, his face lit up, eyes wide and smile beaming.

"Zev!"

He dropped the bag to the ground and rushed forward, throwing his arms around Zev, the black suit he wore that matched Zev's making his blue eyes look even brighter.

"Zev! I can't believe it! You're safe! Thank God!"

Zev stood frozen as the man he'd thought of as a father for most of his life squeezed him in an embrace, rubbing his back and laughing. "It's so good to see you! Did the females all make it? There should be fifty-eight in total, plus Patty and Sasha—"

"What are you doing here?" Zev growled, stepping out of Nick's arms.

Nick blinked and went still. "I'm here to help you guys… didn't Sasha tell you?"

Zev felt his entire body go rigid with a wave of rage and disgust. Then he grabbed Nick by the front of his suit, twisting it in his fist and pulling the man to his tiptoes. "Where the fuck is she, Nick?"

"I—who? Sasha? She's here. She has to be. She came through before I did—she was dying to get back to you!"

"LIAR!" Zev roared and shoved Nick back, hard against the wall just to the right of the Gateway.

Nick's hands came up in defense. "Zev, no, I'm not lying, she's coming—"

Zev growled at Nick, reminding himself that this man was no longer the one in control. No longer held the upper hand. He shook Nick, desperate to beat him senseless, but aware of the already shaken females all around. Then again, maybe they'd see Nick's murder as a plus?

"Zev! Stop! Listen!"

"You fucking coward—"

"No! Please—she's coming, she must be behind me—"

"I'm going to kill you, you motherfucking liar. What did you do to her?!"

"Zev, I'm serious—fuck!" He ducked as Zev feinted right, then swung an uppercut to his jaw that Nick only just managed to dodge so it glanced off his ear. "You can't hurt me, Zev! If I disappear the team will come through and take her!"

"THEY ALREADY HAVE HER YOU FUCKER—" Zev grabbed Nick's arms that the man held up to defend his face and chest, yanking him forward, then throwing him back into the wall.

Nick groaned as his head bounced off the rock. "No…" he mumbled, covering his head in his hands and arms and curling forward, bringing a leg up to guard against Zev's right kick. "No, I'm not lying, Zev, please—"

Zev was holding Nick in place so he couldn't escape and was about to bring his knee up to the asshole's face when that space at the center of his chest suddenly bloomed to life, as if the sun had just risen inside the cave.

He sucked in a breath and whirled, to find Sasha stepping out of the Gateway, pale and panting, looking like she might cry. But her face lit up when she saw him.

"Zev?! Zev!" She threw herself across the few feet between them.

Nick muttered, "See, I told you."

Zev gaped. "Sasha?" The words were barely a whisper on his lips.

"Oh, Zev, thank God." She rushed forward, but Zev was faster, practically tackling her, taking her off her feet, and pulling her into his chest. His chest that throbbed with the aching, fizzing bond, now overflowing with warmth and thrill.

Thank you, God. She was back.

Thank you, God.

Thank you.

 

Chapter 336

Sasha wasn't sure if she was laughing or crying. Zev felt thinner in her arms, but just as solid, just as warm. His face when he'd seen her… shit. She could have lighted a room with that look.

I love you, she whispered in his head. I missed you so much.

You're here! He cried in hers. You're really here. I was so scared, I thought—

Unable—or unwilling—to wait, Sasha pulled back from the hug to take his face in her hands and kiss him soundly and when their lips met, he whimpered in his throat.

His hands splayed at her back, pressing her tightly to him as they kissed. Tears of joy and relief pressed out from under her lashes to trickle down her cheeks, but she didn't even care.

It didn't matter that Zev had been about to kill Nick. It didn't matter that she almost hadn't made it back. All that mattered was that she was here and in his arms again.

Their kiss was deep with longing and a desperate need for reassurance, so it wasn't until Nick cleared his throat, that they pulled apart. But Sasha didn't look away. As Zev slowly lowered her back to her feet, she kept her hands on his precious face.

"Are you okay? Are you healed?"

"Yes," he croaked. "I was planning to come for you tonight—"

Sasha cursed. "I told you not to! That I was handling it! I'm so glad you didn't, that would have been a disaster."

Zev chuckled, then leaned down to kiss her one more time, and in her head he whispered, I love you, Sasha. And I'm so grateful that you're safe.

When they pulled apart that time she knew she had to let him go or she'd end up pulling him out of the caves into some sheltered corner while the rest of Thana went to hell, so she straightened her clothes and hair and stepped back, but never let her eyes leave his. Zev followed her, his gaze intense and piercing as he positioned himself between her and Nick.

She put a hand to his chest so he would give her a little bit of space. But then she left it there because it felt so good to touch him.

"The females need some space and time, Zev. We need a place they can all go and stay together if they want to, away from the humans."

"We've been preparing a place for them in the City—one of the big open rooms, but we closed the walls and—wait, did you say humans?"

Sasha glanced at Nick, then back to Zev. "Yes."

"Plural?"

"Yes. Nick and Patty—the woman. The scientist. She came through earlier…?"

Zev's lip pulled back from his teeth and looked around at the guards, but they were all shaking their heads.

"Nick's the only human here, babe," he said quietly, his voice rolling into a growl on his surrogate father's name.

"That's impossible. Patty went through before I did! Where is she—?" Sucking in a breath, Sasha turned on Nick. "What were you telling her before she went into the Gateway, Nick? What did you do?!"

Nick shook his head, his face pale and tight. He was edging away from the other Chimera that were all beginning to eye him suspiciously. "I just gave her the same advice I gave you, Sasha. She hadn't been through before. She heard your speech as well. If something went wrong, that's on her."

Sasha realized she was gripping Zev's arms—hard—and made herself release him. But he only stepped back into her, one hand at her waist, the other coming up to cup her face. She put one hand to his wrist and held it, as unwilling to be apart from him as it appeared he was to be separated from her.

"We have to help them, Zev. They're freaking out," she said, her voice heavy with regret. She wanted nothing more than to be there with him, to be close—closer. But she was uncomfortably aware of the audience they had, and that Nick was staring…

Zev took a deep breath, then nodded and Sasha turned away, immediately issuing orders.

"Have any of them started traveling yet?" she asked the guards, who all shook their heads.

"We just moved them outside, Sasha-don, so that there was room here for new ones to arrive."

Sasha nodded. "Keep at least four guards in here with the Gateway in case Patty comes through. If she does, she's to be stripped of any weapons and devices, then bring her to me—and anything you took from her."

The males all saluted, but she was already walking, Zev right at her shoulder as they headed out of the cave and out into the snow.

It was chaos.

Females spread out in groups and singles, some crying, others utterly silent. Some hugging themselves, others turning circles with wide eyes and nostrils flared. Even the little Alphas stood to the sides, watching everyone else and seeming confused about what to do. None of the females had shifted, she noticed, but a few seemed like they might be about to. She needed to do something before their instincts kicked in and they started fleeing. Although the Chimera knew how to look after themselves, from what she was seeing on this side of the Gateway, the stress of this day—being penned in the Arena, the bus ride, waiting to find out if they were indeed being freed—made her concerned that the already fragile females may have been tipped over the edge.

"We need to get them focused and moving. Give them a chance to clear their heads and figure out that this is real and that they're safe… or as safe as we can make them," she whispered to Zev.

He nodded, his chest warm on the back of her shoulder.

Then she saw Kyelle, standing near a small cluster of the females, speaking quietly and rubbing the back of the female next to her.

Calling the female close—and aware of Lhars appearing suddenly from alongside the road where he'd obviously been squatting, out of the way, but ready to help—Sasha leaned in so they could speak as privately as possible.

 

Chapter 337

"Can you lead them back to the village if I get them moving?" Sasha asked Kyelle quickly.

The woman nodded, her eyes fierce and darting to all the faces around them. If she'd been in her bird, Sasha suspected she would have puffed up her feathers—and screeched at something.

"Get them as far as the village, then stop to rest and see how they're doing. We can take all day getting them to the City if we need to, but I want them away from Nick and Patty as quickly as possible.

"Lhars, can you run ahead and arrange a fire—a bonfire, something big enough that they can all gather around. They haven't seen the village before, remember. So they won't be expecting it. We'll tell them it's just a rest stop, okay?"

Lhars nodded quickly, but Sasha was already turning back to Kyelle.

"I had them assigned to groups, each with a little-alpha at its head, and a second. They have a chain of hierarchy to ensure that everyone gets every piece of information, but it looks like they've kind of abandoned that on this side. I'm going to get them focused again. Once I do, keep them in their groups. Don't let them get split up. They know who they're with then and who to watch out for. Then we won't risk anyone wandering off."

"Good idea."

"You know, they could shift and run to the City," Zev offered. "They'd get there a lot faster."

Sasha considered it but then shook her head. "You said your instincts are stronger in your animals. I'm worried some of them are going to lose control and run, then they'll get split up… no. Let's all work together. Let them get their bearings. Once we've made it to the village and they're a little more settled, maybe some of them can shift and move ahead of the others? I don't know. Let's just… let's do one thing at a time."

She hadn't even thought about giving the orders, making the decisions. They were all submitting to her, and she was certain what the females needed.

"Zev, is Yhet here?"

"Yep. Dunken too. I think they're just staying out of the way so they don't scare anyone. The females were pretty shaken when we showed up."

She opened her mouth, but before she could even call for them, Yhet stepped out from behind a tree above the cave mouth, and Dunken straightened from where he'd been squatting near the place Lhars had appeared.

She started speaking before they even reached her. "Can you two walk patrol outside the females—make sure no one approaches unexpectedly? Warn them if someone's coming, or… tell the Creatures to leave them if they come?"

Both males nodded and submitted.

Then Sasha called the females to attention and those that had been dazed or turned upwind called to her and rushed to be closer until she and Zev were surrounded by a ring of females four deep.

Zev shifted uneasily, obviously wanting to protect her since all the Chimeran females were larger and stronger. But none of them challenged her, they just crowded in. She put a hand to Zev's forearm when he started twitching.

"We're going to get you to a place where you can take a short rest," she said calmly. "Then after something to eat, if you're ready, we'll return you to the City. Those of you who don't feel like you can be out, we'll have help for you at the first stop. You're home now," she said, smiling. "I know it's overwhelming. But you're really here. And we're going to do everything to make sure you're safe."

She quickly called the little alphas forward and had them gather their groups—each five or six females strong.

There was a short panic when a couple of groups discovered one of their members missing, but Sasha stepped in. "A few haven't come through the Gateway yet. This isn't uncommon. We have guards waiting to escort them when they do. Don't fear. If they make it here, they'll be protected. But for now, we need to get you all fed and clothed."

She could have slapped herself for not thinking about what the females were wearing. It appeared many had either lost their bags in the Gateway or never brought one to begin with.

"If you have an extra fur—or fleece—please pass it to a sister who isn't fully covered. The walk is going to take about an hour."

Soon, they were all in place, the females huddled or lined up, the alphas becoming more confident, finding their bearings.

Sasha moved between the groups, here reassuring an alpha, there refocusing one or two others. And the entire time, Zev stayed at her back, like a bodyguard, hovering at her back.

His presence was steadying. And she needed it more than she was willing to let on. But she couldn't let herself think about how close she'd come to not making it back at all. The important part was that she was here. She was back in her mate's arms. And the females were here, too.

Then, just as the females began to inch forward, Nick appeared out of the cave mouth, followed by two of the guards.

Sasha and Zev had been talking to one of the alphas, so their warning was when Yhet stepped between Sasha and Nick, growling.

Sasha had never heard a sound like it—deep and resonant, the growl that erupted from Yhet's throat sounded like he'd swallowed a lion.

But she caught Yhet's arm. "We have an agreement, Yhet. Nick stays safe, do you hear me? No one touches him!" she said, raising her voice to any of the males who were watching on. "He has to be able to do his job—but he is not to be trusted. So do not harm him unless he draws a weapon or goes after someone else. Understood?"

As everyone grumbled but moved ahead, she turned to Zev. "Was he searched?"

Zev's eyes flashed, then he turned on his heel and stalked over to Nick who smiled at first, then his face went blank as Zev reached him and turned him around bodily, frisking him.

A growl shook the air around them when Zev yanked a gun out of the back of his pants, under his jacket.

 

Chapter 338

"Here to help us, huh, Nick?" Zev growled over Nick's shoulder, shaking the man he'd called father like more guns might fall out of him.

"Those aren't for you," Nick said through gritted teeth. "I need to protect myself from… the others, since you won't."

"You heard her order them all to leave you alone."

"I didn't know if she'd do it."

Zev whipped him around and stared down at him, his lip curling up to reveal his teeth. Nick met his eyes and didn't waver, but he was trembling.

"My mate is the most honest and good-hearted person you will ever meet—and she's going to treat you better than you deserve. So you will be protected, Nick. But the day she tells me you aren't anymore? I'll be the first to take your throat you lying, thieving sack of pus."

Nick's forehead pinched into lines. "Zev, what happened? I've always been your advocate. I've always been the one to help you, why would you turn on me?"

Zev shook his head. "The fact that you can ask me that with a straight face just proves my point," he muttered and ignoring the man's pleading, continued to search Nick—locating a blade at his ankle, and a taser in the inside pocket of his jacket.

Shoving Nick away, he turned to offer the weapons to Sasha, who frowned at them. "Destroy them," she said quietly. Then looked past him, to Nick. "I don't trust him. Check his devices and his bag."

Zev turned back to Nick and reached for the bag the man had brought out, but Nick grabbed for it first, clutching it to his chest. "You can't remove this from me, if I don't have these things I can't report and then they'll come through and we're all dead!"

Zev snarled and grabbed the handle of the bag, but Nick came with it.

"Listen to me, Zev!"

They stared at each other, nose to nose, the bag crammed between them. Zev trembled with restrained rage. He couldn't believe after everything else they'd been through, he had to deal with Nick. Here. In Thana!

He grabbed Nick by the jaw and started walking him back towards one of the larger trees. Maybe one of the branches would be broken off and he could impale him—

"Zev." Sasha's voice was quiet, hushed—pleading, almost. But also firm.

He stopped pushing Nick back, but didn't let him go.

"Nick, let go of the bag," Sasha said with quiet authority. "You know you can't fight all of us."

Nick stared murder at Zev, but he released the bag and Zev yanked it out of his hands, turning his back to show Nick exactly what he thought of this man who had lied, cheated, and then stolen his mate away.

Fuck. He needed to be with Sasha and just… breathe.

Digging through the bag, he pulled out several devices, one he recognized, two he didn't. There was a box of tiny packets that felt like they contained pills or some other small pieces. And a handful of tools that either had medical purposes or were designed for medieval torture.

He wouldn't put it past these bastards.

"That's his tablet," he said handing the device he recognized to Sasha. "He uses that to log intelligence, communicate, and in the human world, it would track, too. I don't think they can do that here."

Sasha looked at the small tablet, the thing he'd been using when they were at the compound. But when she tapped the screen it stayed black.

"It's turned off," Nick scowled. "Gotta save battery power, and we aren't sure how the Gateway affects them."

"What are these?" Zev asked him, holding up what looked like two small, but overly narrow cellphones.

"Communicators," Nick said reluctantly. "They'll allow two people here to communicate with each other from a distance. But only if your retina is already cleared for security. So don't get any ideas."

Sasha's eyes snapped to Zev's and he asked in her head.

So, he doesn't know we can do that?

No, she replied, but looked back to Nick. At least, I don't think so.

"What are those?" she asked, pointing at the metal tools Zev had dropped in the snow next to the bag.

"Medical tools. You'll have to ask Patty. I was given them to carry."

Patty was the scientist who hadn't made it through the Gateway. Given what Sasha said, Zev guessed Nick had played with her head and diverted her somewhere.

Cold, fucking murder, that's what that was.

"Why does the team need medical tools here, Nick?" Sasha asked more calmly than he would have. Fuck she was beautiful.

"I told you, you'll have to ask Patty. My orders are for information. But in her defense, I'll say that we are tasked with making sure if there are any needs here, medically, that we provide them."

"And the pills?" Sasha asked, pointing to the box Zev had placed on top of the bag.

"Those are yours, Sash," Nick said as if the answer should have been obvious.

Something inside him snapped. Zev snarled and grabbed Nick by his jacket again, bearing him backward.

"Zev!"

"Let go, Zev, she knows it's—"

"You do not call her by my nickname you foul fucking pig snout!" He slammed Nick backward into the tree, forcing the air out of his lungs, but the older man wheezed, then sucked back in and grabbed Zev's shirt in both hands.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I want you dead, that's what's wrong with me!"

"Why, because I got your mate back for you? Because I got her here intact when they wanted to implant her? Because I convinced them that her fucking wholesome idealism might actually work? Get your head out of your prick, Zev—she wouldn't be here if it weren't for me and you know it! She wouldn't have lived through last year, and she definitely wouldn't have made it out of the compound in her right mind. For fuck's sake, where's your critical thinking? I taught you better than this!"

The snarl that ripped out of his throat came from the belly of his wolf. He heard several gasps from the females behind him, but he just slammed Nick back against the tree again, cursing that there definitely wasn't a broken branch to impale him on.

As Nick croaked and wheezed, his eyes watering while his body tried desperately to suck in oxygen, he leaned into the male's ear and snapped his teeth. Nick froze.

"I discarded everything you taught me the day your guy shot a bullet at her," he breathed in Nick's ear. "The only reason you're alive is because she's ordered it. It'll take one word from her, Nick. Just one." He paused, letting that sink in. "You can't run fast enough. Remember that."

Then he patted his former surrogate father on the shoulder and left him there against the tree, wheezing, while he returned to his beautiful mate, whose mouth was frowning, but her eyes… her eyes shone.

"Let's go," he said, letting her feel the heat that roared in his gut just because he was looking at her.

She glanced once at Nick but then turned to fall in step with Zev to trail the group of females just about to wind down the mountain trail.

"Wait!" Nick rasped behind them. "You can't…. leave me… unarmed…. Ernie!"

"Better grab your bag and get moving," Zev called back. "It's survival of the fittest here, Nick, remember?" Then, as he put an arm to Sasha's back just to be in contact with her, he looked back over his shoulder. "Welcome to Thana... Dad."

 

Chapter 339

At first Lhars had been overjoyed to see the females. But that joy quickly turned to grief as they shrank away from him—even those he knew. Even the wolves, though he saw less timidity in them, more of a willingness to fight.

What had been done to their proud females? Lhars saw faces he didn't know at all, several that he recognized but had never been close to, and one or two that, under different circumstances, he might have rushed to share scents.

All of them looked at him with haunted eyes, keeping themselves facing him when he walked among them, some submitting—but trembling while they did it.

What the fuck had happened to them?

Kyelle's words echoed in his head—that the females returning might not trust males. Might need a female touch. Stopping in the middle of them and turning to meet so many pairs of suspicious or fearful eyes, it had become apparent that his very maleness was a terror to them. Unwilling to cause them any more stress, Lhars had slipped to the side of the trail, squatting between the trees to make himself small, backing off to leave Kyelle to manage them.

But Kyelle was struggling, too. There were too many of them for just one of her. As she settled one group, or got one leader focused, more would arrive and begin the process of unsettling everyone again.

Then, suddenly, Sasha was there, Zev hovering at her back like he was tied to her.

A pang of jealousy cut through Lhars' watching the two of them together—Sasha utterly certain of his brother, his brother consumed with standing by her. Their unity was… admirable.

He could smell Sasha's unease. He suspected if she hadn't had her hands clenched they would have trembled.

He prayed that whatever had happened to these females hadn't happened to Sasha. That she was just overwhelmed with having done the impossible.

He shook his head. She'd brought the females back. He couldn't believe it. Not all of them, too be sure. But… if she could do this, what else could she manage?

He had to stifle the urge to throw himself at her feet and bare his balls. She deserved that kind of devotion. He understood why Zev stood over her like an Enforcer. He was her Enforcer, Lhars' realized.

A vision bloomed in his mind then, an impossible one, of himself watching over Kyelle—despite their different Clans, different species, his heart was there to do it. It would never happen of course, but… he turned to watch her, her blonde hair swinging as she leaned into speak quietly with one female, then turned quickly to approach another.

She held herself with the quiet dignity he'd always admired. She was a female of strength that wasn't… flashy.

Lhars knew he was seen as a peacock. A show off. Before the females had been taken he'd enjoyed a lot of interest and signals from the younger females. But he'd been so full of his own resentment and ambition, he'd always assumed he'd go about finding a mate once he'd established himself properly as Alpha.

Instead, he'd been forced to play clown and messenger for Xar. He'd watched Kyelle struggle first to take Alpha of her own Clan, then to hold her people together in the growing chaos after the females were taken—and then Xar's downward spiral.

His focus had finally changed from licking his own balls, to lifting his head to protect others. He'd had a plan, and had yearned to bring Kyelle with him when the wolves defected. But he hadn't been sure she'd be willing. Then Zev arrived and he knew she'd never leave him.

Now…

Lhars swallowed as Kyelle strode over to one of the females, underdressed and trembling, and pulled her to a cluster of females, some of whom had brought bags.

He watched her nurture, control, guide, and show compassion—and he saw her instincts keep reminding her to check her back.

He ached to stand behind her, to allow her to give her whole focus to the good she was doing. But he knew it would make her uncomfortable—and even more so, would disrupt the females.

It struck him then that bringing these females to the city where they would be outnumbered by males three to one might be a disaster.

The males would be devasted. He couldn't imagine their faces when their friends, sisters, and mates walked in…

But were these females even those females anymore?

His chest ached.

But then Sasha appeared, slipping through the crowd to approach Kyelle. Lhars leaped to his feet, but then caught himself and moved slowly to join them, keeping his eyes down so the females didn't feel hunted.

As he reached them, Sasha gave Kyelle the order. "Get them as far as the village, then stop to rest and see how they're doing. We can take all day getting them to the City if we need to, but I want them away from Nick and Patty as quickly as possible."

Then her eyes lifted to him. "Lhars, can you run ahead and arrange a fire—a bonfire, something big enough that they can all gather around. They haven't seen the village before, remember. So they won't be expecting it. We'll tell them it's just a rest stop, okay?"

Lhars nodded quickly, but Sasha was already turning back to Kyelle, speaking with the quick efficient expectation of a true Alpha, Zev watching her with such pride Lhars almost rolled his eyes. But then he thought of his own admiration of Kyelle just moments before and decided under the circumstances, he could forgive his brother's emotional demonstrations.

When Sasha turned her attention to the other males, Lhars plucked at Kyelle's sleeve.

"Are you okay?" he murmured.

Her eyes were shadowed and her face tight, but she nodded, her gaze sliding from one female to the next, one by one. "I just… feel so bad for them."

"The best thing we can do is give them a safe, warm space, right?" he encouraged her gently. Kyelle nodded again. "I'll get the fire going, and some food. I'll stay nearby, but not push in. I think you were right. They prefer not to have us males crowding them."

Kyelle turned then to look at him, examining him closely for a moment. "Thank you, Lhars," she said quietly. "Thank you for being thoughtful even… even when…"

He waved her next words away, not wanting to hear them. "I'll see you in the Village. If there's a problem, send one of the others and I'll come meet you."

Kyelle nodded and he turned to run ahead as Sasha called the females, most of whom had been so preoccupied, they hadn't even noticed her arrive.

As the tidal wave of females sucked towards their Alpha, Lhars began to run. He would make sure that when they reached the Village they felt welcome and safe. As much as he was capable, anyway.

And perhaps, just perhaps, in this, Kyelle might see that he could care for her as well. Help her to help the others.

He shifted into his wolf, head still spinning with all that was happening. But over it all, in the back of his mind, there was still the image of Kyelle watching him so carefully.

"What if I don't want to forget that you said it?"

A very, very dangerous flame of hope flared to life in his chest and he ran faster.

 

Chapter 340

Kyelle led the females down the trail. Sasha watched closely from the back, but was relieved to see the little-Alphas finding their balance again and doing what they'd done back at the compound, keeping their groups in check, ensuring every Chimera had someone to watch over, down to the weakest in their group.

It was easy to see how many of the females—including the alphas—were shaky, and she understood. Her own blood pumped mercilessly, nerves trilling in her stomach. Her hands wanted to tremble, but she kept them gripped.

It had come so close. She'd come so close to not making it back—

At her side, Zev grunted, then spoke into her head.

You stink of fear, Sasha, but not of weakness. What's going on? Tell me what's wrong. How do I help?

She looked up at him to find his eyes, bright and piercing, fixed on her. She put a hand to his arm.

You don't need to do anything except be here. With me. I need you close, Zev. This whole thing… it's been a nightmare and I'm just… I need you.

She felt how those words hit him. Felt him tense and stop breathing. Through the bond she felt the rush of conflicting emotions—fear, heat, anger, joy…

"Sash…" he breathed, those flames flaring in his eyes that made her stomach twist deliciously. Then he looked over his shoulder to where Nick was struggling through the snow behind them. His face went tight, but without a quick finger to his lips, he turned her quickly and pressed her off the trail and into the trees and undergrowth off to their right.

Sasha bit her lip, torn. She knew she couldn't leave the females for long, needed to be there in case anything went wrong. But now that she was there and Zev was there and…

She needed him. Her own fear and stress from everything that had happened in the past few days was rearing its ugly head. She'd been successful! She'd done it! And she was so happy.

And totally walking a knife-edge, like she might actually fall apart.

So when he nudged her through the undergrowth and into the trunk of a tree, she let him, her eyes on his face as he checked around, making sure they couldn't be seen.

Then he turned back to her and stared at her for a long moment, his thumb stroking her cheek.

"I was terrified," he whispered.

Sasha nodded. "Me too."

He tore his eyes away, scanning her body, his hands following his gaze, sweeping down her sides, trailing back up, his gaze soft and hot in the same breath. And always, underlining it all, the thrum of the bond between them, pulsing, humming.

Swallowing tears because she couldn't let herself break, Sasha put the flat of her hand to his chest and felt his heartbeat hammering under her palm.

They both stood there, breathing, as their hearts slowly shifted until they beat in time. Then Sasha closed her eyes to fight the tears, because it was so… beautiful. And yet…

Her mind flashed on those females that were caged there, waiting for him. On the cry of pain when they'd understood that she was his mate and they would never…

"Sasha, what? What just happened?"

She opened her eyes and for a single, hot breath, she wanted to slap him. To scream, to claw at his handsome face, to demand that he should have said no! He should have refused! That their manipulation shouldn't have worked!

That he hadn't been protecting her at all, that he'd been betraying her!

But when she opened her eyes with those words climbing her throat, she met his bright blue gaze, the worry lines on his forehead and cheeks. The warm hum of the bond and…

He loved her. She couldn't deny it. He loved her as much as she loved him.

Maybe more.

Yanking her eyes away from his, she forced herself to recalibrate. She squeezed his upper arms and kneaded his shoulders, watching her own hands.

"Sasha, you're scaring me."

"Don't be scared, Zev. I'm just…" she swallowed convulsively. "I'm just trying to put everything together in my head."

"Everything… what? What has to be put together?" he asked, leaning into her. "Tell me."

"We can't do this now, Zev."

"But just tell me what you're facing. Let me in, please, Sasha. I've been so—"

"I met the females, Zev," she said, the words breathless and desperate in all the wrongs ways. "I met the females the team… mated with you and… and they're broken. They're dying. They… their hearts bonded to you, even if yours didn't to them and they're ruined now." She looked up at him then, seeing the shock and dismay in his face. "They're destroyed, Zev. And all I could think was… that I was glad I was me and not them. And that's so ugly—"

"No. No, Sash, it's right, it has to be right," he rushed to say, to reassure her. "You did nothing wrong. You just loved me. It was me who was wrong. And I'm sorry… I'm so sorry—"

"Don't. Not right now," she said, her voice quavering, looking left and right. "I have to keep it together for them. We have to get them back. We can talk about this later."

But Zev shook his head and put his hand to her face, making her look at him. He held her gaze, searching her eyes and pressing her back into that tree.

"You know I love you, right?"

"Yes." And she did. No question.

"I'll never go back, Sash. I'll die first. I mean it. I'll never let them take me back to that. I'll never do that to another female. I understand it now. I understand what it did and… fuck, if I could change anything that would be it. But not you," he said fiercely. "You're… necessary."

She nodded, biting her lip, trying to keep the tears in. "I know. Me too."