Ch. 341..350

Chapter 341

Zev nodded down at her, his stomach churning with so many emotions he didn't know which to react to. He wanted to hold her close and comfort her. He wanted to snarl and race after Nick and bite out his throat. He wanted to weep and plead for forgiveness. He wanted to push everything that had ever happened before this moment out of his mind and just take her.

He settled for staring into her eyes and stroking her hair. "Sash," he croaked. "I know there's a lot to forgive. I get it. And not just you. They have… I hurt them. I know that. I wish… I wish I'd understood and thought it through. I wish I'd said no. For both our sakes. I'm going to use the rest of my life making that up to you. But… we need each other. I couldn't… when the bond was broken it… I thought I was going to die when I came back through the Gateway—did it hurt you too? Like that?"

"Yes," she breathed, her eyes wide and he felt her flinch away from the memory of the pain. "That scared me."

"Me too. We can never cross the Gateway without each other. Promise me, Sash. It was worse the second time. What's going to happen next time?"

She sucked in a breath like she was bracing at the thought. Fear and uneasiness twisted into her scent and her entire body tensed. "I don't know," she whispered, her eyes pleading with him. He was about to ask her what she was thinking when voices rose back on the trail and they both felt the pull of duty, but resisted it for themselves.

Then Sasha put a hand to his chest and gripped his top. "I just know that… that I need you like I need air, Zev."

He groaned and kissed her then, a desperate, gasping kiss, his hands clutching at her sides, his entire body pressed into hers, knees to shoulders, keeping her pinned against that tree.

Sasha whimpered and his entire body lit up at the sound. Maybe they could just—

Then Nick's voice rose. "Zev? Sasha? Where the fuck are you?!"

With an entirely different kind of groan, Zev pulled out the kiss, just barely because he couldn't stand to feel the cold air between them yet. Sighing, he closed his eyes, then inhaled deeply, taking in her scent, reassuring himself that she was really there. This wasn't a dream. Then he tipped his forehead to hers. "Tonight," he whispered. "I don't care what else happens… tonight we're alone."

Sasha nodded quickly.

They clung a moment longer, but Nick's voice was getting frantic and he was afraid the asshole would upset the females.

"We need to go," he breathed.

Sasha nodded again, but she made him be the one to take the first step apart.

It felt like tearing off the top layer of his skin when he finally forced himself to push back and away. But he took her hand and twined their fingers, leading her quickly back out to the trail, trotting when the snow would allow, until they approached Nick from behind—then passing him to put themselves between him and the females.

"Oh, thank God," he panted.

Zev just growled and didn't even turn to meet his eyes.

This man… this man had been at the center of everything wrong Zev had ever done. Every regret. Every desperate wound he'd inflicted on another Chimera or human being.

He'd thought Nick was his father. He'd thought he could trust him. He'd thought Nick had his best interests at heart, even when things were bad.

But now…

Now he just wanted him dead. Nick and the board—especially Nathan. That asshole was a psychopath. He was desperate to be alone with Sasha and learn everything that had happened, but he was terrified too.

Knowing that she'd put herself in their hands, what if…. What if they'd… done something to her?

Nick had been honest, he thought, when he defended himself saying he'd stopped them from implanting her.

Zev prayed that was true. But regardless, he didn't want Nick anywhere near any of them. Zev didn't want Nick in Thana period.

He looked down at Sasha who hadn't let go of his hand, but her face had gone dark. She was watching the females ahead of them, frowning.

He opened his mouth to tell her in more detail what they'd prepared, when a horrified scream rose from behind them, echoing off the mountains and trees.

They both whirled, Zev stepping between Sasha and Nick, then relaxing with a chuckle.

Ernie had appeared on the trail, scuttling behind Nick. Zev wasn't sure how long he'd been close, the wind was blowing the wrong way. But Nick had clearly just seen him and was sprinting forward to close the gap, clawing at the air as he tried desperately to get away from the monster at his back, pleading and screaming for Zev's help.

He and Sasha stopped walking and he felt Sasha's grin before he saw it, but she straightened her face when Nick reached them and stumbled behind them, panting, pleading.

"Sasha, you said you'd protect me! You said you'd stop them—"

"Oh hush, you fuckwit. I'm not going to eat you," Ernie said, his voice that odd, needling tone, pinched and almost painful to Zev's ears. "I just wanted to… keep a few eyes on you. Make sure you're behaving yourself."

If he'd had eyebrows Zev knew Ernie would have waggled them. He had to fight a smile. Ernie was a strange creature and usually very unsocial. But Zev liked that they had so easily discovered Nick's weakness here.

Ernie was going to come in handy.

Sasha wasn't smiling though. "Ernie, did you hear? He doesn't get harmed, okay? No wounds. And you definitely can't kill him. Unless he's pulled a weapon on someone, or is actively trying to hurt them, he doesn't get touched."

"Who needs to touch?" Ernie said slyly.

Zev snorted. He could tell Sasha was trying really hard not to laugh as well, but her own body leaned away from Ernie.

The human distaste for spiders was an odd thing. Zev was far more uncomfortable around serpents than arachnids.

"I promise, Nick… he's more scared of you than you are of him," Zev added with a derisive snort.

But all in all, they had bigger fish to fry. "We're on our way to the Village. You're welcome to join us for the walk if you want to, Ernie," he said mischievously. Sasha squeezed his hand but didn't argue.

Nick swallowed audibly behind him. Then Sasha turned to look at him. "I told you I would keep you safe as long as you don't hurt anyone. And I will. But you're in Thana now, Nick. You don't get to dictate who goes where, or what they can do anymore. So buck up, buttercup. And be grateful I don't kill you myself for what you've done."

Then she walked on, tugging Zev with her, who laughed with joy at the beauty of his strong, certain, magnificent mate.

Now if only he could help her lose that thread of fear in her scent…

 

Chapter 342

Sasha gave Ernie a look—she needed to focus on something other than Nick—and he sank back into the trees. But she had a feeling he wasn't going to be far away.

It was a small pleasure in a much wider pain.

Zev held her hand as they walked, but his face was tense and she knew he was thinking about what she'd said. What she'd faced.

A part of her wanted to push it aside and pretend it hadn't happened. She knew he hadn't wanted those females. But… she also knew it would fester in her heart if she didn't talk to him about it.

She gave a little groan and shook her head. Why couldn't things ever be easy for them? Why couldn't they ever just… be?

Her mind tripped back to Yhet's cave and those days before his infection. Her heart thudded for very different reasons, and her stomach fluttered. She wanted that time back. She wanted to do it again.

Zev cleared his throat and looked back over his shoulder at Nick, following them, his eyes darting and hunted, obviously terrified about seeing Ernie again.

Frankly, Sasha couldn't blame him. She'd always been far more afraid when she saw a spider, then it disappeared and she didn't know where it was, than when she could follow its progress up the wall…

"So," Zev said carefully, with another dark glance back at Nick. He walked so close their arms brushed, even though they were holding hands.

Sasha's skin prickled where they touched, but she tried to ignore it. She had to focus.

"I'm thinking that everyone's settling down. The sun's up. Kyelle can lead them to the Village… I need to run ahead and warn the males to stay out of their way for now. I'll make sure Lhars got that fire going so they've got somewhere to settle and rest, and then we can figure out if they should carry on to the City right away."

Sasha nodded her head sadly. She had just come back to him, she didn't to be separated again!

Zev squeezed her hand. "I'm thinking you should come with me, so the males know you're back, and—"

"Zev, I can't run fast enough. I'll barely beat them."

"Not if I shift and you… ride me."

Sasha held back a smile, her stomach tingling at the slightly breathless tone he'd given to those words.

"I mean…" she said, biting her lip, "if it's for the good of the people."

Zev huffed a little snort. "Definitely. I mean, you'll need to get there first and figure out how you want to prepare for those that can't travel further—and for those that do. Do we bring males to guard them?"

"No!" Sasha said quickly, all flirtation gone from her tone. "No, we definitely need to just… let them have some space until they get their bearings."

"Well, I think the males should hear that from their Alpha," Zev said quietly.

Sasha was pretty sure he was just making excuses for her to go with him and she wanted to say yes. But she felt guilty.

Then she looked ahead and saw the females, all walking in small clusters, peering at the forest, only a few of them moving freely as if they were happy to be there. Most seemed overwhelmed and afraid.

She was going to have so much to do in the coming days, so many problems and obstacles to navigate—not to mention Nick.

She'd just been through one of the most frightening experiences of her life. And she needed a break.

A little time with her mate might help her to help the other females better, she told herself. Right?

She swallowed. "Okay. I think that's a good idea. But Zev… we can't… disappear."

He nodded. "I know," he said, gripping her hand tighter. "Like I said, tonight." He turned to meet her eyes and his were ablaze with need. Desire coiled in her stomach and she immediately doubted her resolve to wait.

But Zev didn't give her a chance to think. He turned to tell Nick that they were going ahead.

Nick got very jittery, but Zev just growled at him. "If you're going to be here, you're going to have to find your balls," he snapped. "I have enough to do here, I'm not playing bodyguard for you."

Sasha wanted to laugh when Nick blinked, his head snapping back. His face went tight, but he nodded once. "Fine," he said, though his voice was shaky.

Zev tipped his head towards the females. "You give them space. They're struggling. You leave them alone."

Sasha nodded to back him up—the last thing the females needed was interference from Nick. But Nick put up his hands. "I told you, I'm here to help. I'm not trying to—"

"Whatever, Nick," Sasha said, shaking her head. "The point is, we're going ahead and you're staying here and if you don't make trouble you'll be fine. But if you do…" she let her eyes stray to the forest behind him. Nick tensed and turned his head, looking over his shoulder for Ernie.

A soft chuckle rose from the underbrush, but Sasha couldn't see him.

Then Zev shifted and got down on his stomach. Sasha nervously climbed onto his back, burying her hands in the thick fur of his ruff. She wobbled when he stood, but he walked slowly at first, to give her a feel for it, then when he began to lope and she found the rhythm of his gait, she dropped her face into that thick fur and just breathed him in.

She didn't want to see the forest flashing by.

She didn't want to think about everything she had to do.

She just wanted to be close to him.

She plastered herself to his back, touching him with every part of her body that she could, soaking in his warmth and strength and reminding herself that they couldn't disappear.

Zev's breathing became labored while they were running—was she that heavy? He was so fit! She decided if it was that bad, she just wouldn't ride him again. But when they broke through the trees at the edge of the village and he slowed to a halt, the moment she climbed off his back, he shifted back and took her in his arms, his breath rasping as he clutched the back of her head, and her waist and pulled her into a deep kiss.

 

Chapter 343

A tiny noise broke in her throat as her body responded to Zev's frantic kiss. She needed him. Needed him desperately. The drive-in her gut… but she was bleeding and they had females and—

Zev broke the kiss, his shoulders heaving, but leaned his forehead on hers. "Fuck, Sasha." He clung to her, his fingers trembling.

"I know," she whispered, stroking his face and trying to ease her own driving need.

He kept stroking her hair, his fingers drawing tingling lines down her scalp. "We'll go talk to the males in a second," he said, his voice low and gruff. "I just needed a minute with you."

"I know, me too," she sighed. He wrapped his arms around her and she fell into his chest, a shudder rocking her frame from head to toe.

"Sasha…" he said nervously, "Did they… hurt you?"

"I don't know," she whispered honestly.

He pulled back and his eyes were dark and alarmed. He held her face. She gripped his wrists, meeting his gaze. She was being honest and she needed him to see that.

"You don't know?"

"They didn't do anything to me while I was awake," she said.

Zev's jaw tightened. "They drugged you?"

She nodded. "Nick said it was to do tests. But they did tests on me when I was awake and I did what they asked. So what did they do that I needed to be asleep for?"

Zev started cursing under his breath, his fingers clawing, his eyes searching hers.

She could feel his fear and anger.

"I'm fine, Zev. And… I'm not pregnant," she said, slightly embarrassed.

He raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I noticed."

Oh shit. His sense of smell. So embarrassing. She dropped her head to rest against his chest. But he put one hand to her chin and nudged her back up.

"Hey, hey, don't Sasha, don't hide from me. Ever."

"It's embarrassing!"

"Why?"

"Because… it just is."

Zev shook his head. "No, Sash, it's part of who you are and what makes you… you."

Sasha didn't want to talk about it anymore so she flapped a hand at him. Then she went still. He waited as she swallowed and gathered her courage. "I was glad when I wasn't pregnant," she whispered. "Because it's why they let me come back to you. And it just felt too… off. I didn't want them to know we were having a baby before you did. But that doesn't mean I don't want that, Zev, you know that, right?"

"I know," he whispered, pulling her into a hug and laying his cheek on the top of her head. "I know, Sash. They make everything sick. But this isn't sick. You and me… this isn't wrong. At all. Don't ever let them make you feel that way, okay?"

But she could feel the tension in his back where she gripped him.

"You either," she whispered, and found herself on the edge of tears. She couldn't give in to that now! She had to get through… all of this day. And these conversations. And help the females. And stop Nick and…

Zev kissed her again, but softer this time, and quickly. Then he straightened with a sigh. "God, help me get through this day without tearing your clothes off," he said dryly. Sasha giggled, but her stomach trilled.

"Okay," she said. "First things first."

"The males."

"Right."

Zev took her hand and walked her into the Village. "There's only a few of them here—even less since we took some with us. I think Yhet and Dunken were going ahead to the City to let the males there know—I'll send a guard to make sure they stay there and wait for us."

He caught her up on everything he'd put in place while she was gone, and Sasha heaved a sigh of relief that he'd dealt with the ridiculous conflicts between the males over housing and status.

She couldn't believe they'd thought this was the time to fight those battles! She wanted to groan, but she just nodded, asking quick questions as they walked into the deserted village square, and through towards the Trough and then the clearing where the medical building sat under the trees.

The males they ran into rushed to greet her and Sasha found herself the recipient of several brushed cheeks and quivering bodies.

Zev only growled once, she was proud of him.

To every male they gave the same message—the females were coming, but they'd been traumatized. They needed some time to get used to the idea of being back, so the males were to stay at their stations in the Village.

Zev appointed two of the sentries to become guards for Nick, and sent them down the trail with warnings to avoid the females, go wide, then come up behind and follow Nick, making sure he didn't get into any trouble.

"Ernie's already keeping an eye on him, but just to be safe."

The males saluted, then turned and shifted, running off towards the trail.

All of the males looked pained when Sasha warned them to stay away.

"I know, I know," she said. "And I'm hopeful that really soon they'll be ready to see you all. But for now… please. Let them rest."

Zev cleared his throat and Sasha blinked.

That's right. Take control. Expect obedience.

She cleared her throat. "There's no room for mistakes here," she said, clipping the words off. "You don't touch them, you don't talk to them unless they approach you, and you don't follow them. Give them space."

The males all submitted, but some eyes flashed to Zev, who backed her up.

When they got to the medical building clearing, they found Lhars with a fire already crackling, organizing a group of males carrying benches and stump seats from the trough to put around the fire.

"This is great," Sasha told him after they greeted warmly. "But there's not going to be time, or enough seats. Let's pull out some blankets and furs. They like to be together anyway, so they'll probably just sit in their groups."

Zev stayed right at her back as she and Lhars worked through what would be needed, and how wide of a perimeter to require of the males.

"They're going to know they're here," Lhars said, referring to the female's ability to scent.

"I know. Maybe that's a good thing—they can get used to smelling them and seeing that they're safe before they have to interact?"

Zev and Lhars looked at each other and shrugged.

"Trust me," Sasha said sadly. "Just… give it time."

Lhars nodded and got to work, but Sasha hadn't missed the slump to his shoulders and the dimness of his eyes.

"I take it things aren't going well with Kyelle?" she whispered to Zev.

Zev shrugged. "I don't really know. We haven't really talked about it. He told her and she rejected him. But… I don't know where they are now. They were together when we found out you were coming through," he said, his handsome face lighting in a smile at the memory.

Sasha indulged in another hug, just for a moment, holding him and putting her ear to his chest, listening to his heart. Feeling hers beat in response.

She was home, she was finally home. And no matter how ugly it might get, she swore she was never leaving unless it was to get away from the humans forever.

 

Chapter 344

When the females walked into the village, it was quiet, and no males in sight—they'd all sunk into the surrounding trees to watch from a distance.

Sasha breathed a little easier when she saw them. Most of the females looked a lot better than they had a couple of hours earlier when they'd arrived.

Their heads were up, their eyes brighter, and searching their surroundings instead of downcast.

But there was a lot of tension and a lot of clasped hands. Sasha knew they were going to have a long road to walk.

Lhars and Kyelle helped her and Zev pass out some food—the males staying to the edges, eyes down, and letting Sasha and Kyelle do all the talking. By the time they were all settled and eating, Lhars and Zev had backed away and Sasha had a chance to walk among them, checking in. There were a few she was worried about and met Kyelle's eyes when she spoke to them. The female nodded. She understood.

Sasha decided to tell them all the plan and see how those shakier females reacted.

"I want to tell you what's happened while you've been gone," she said, all of them quiet and listening to her. "And what we're going to do."

She took a deep breath. "I wasn't here then, but when you left the males were… bereft. And with Xar in power, the humans took a much greater hand in what was happening here in Thana. The males moved here, to this village. Homes and dens circle us for a mile in each direction. They've lived here for three years. But right before I came to you, I learned about the City, and I ordered them to go back there while I was gone. They have," she said, with soft satisfaction.

"Those of you who were here before will remember the City, though your housing may have changed. Zev tells me they've prepared one of the halls so if you wish to, you can all bed together there until you find the place you're comfortable to return to… to your families or… mates," she said hesitantly, uncertain how many of these females even had mates.

"I think that for now, you should all keep eating, drinking, maybe have a small rest. The males have been ordered to give you space here. They won't approach unless you invite them to. I've had guards put on Nick, and he's been taken to one of the buildings. You won't see much of him if there's anything I can do about it," she said firmly. "So what that leaves is… where you want to spend tonight.

"Without shifting, we're still an hour or two away from the City. If you feel comfortable shifting, if you feel safe enough to do that without fleeing, you can be there faster. But I think it would be good for all of us to arrive together. It's going to be a challenging and exciting time for everyone and I believe we should share it."

Most of the females, the ones with the brightest eyes, nodded and murmured agreement. But a few began to tense and become more anxious.

Sasha looked to the little Alphas to soothe those who were struggling, but Kyelle stepped in among them, kneeling to speak quietly to a couple. When she stood, she came straight to Sasha, her eyes worried.

"I think you're right about taking them to the City together," she said quietly. "But we have a few that just aren't ready. Two have never been to Thana before and are very nervous about the males in general, and three others that have just… I think their minds are… shaky."

Sasha's chest ached for them. "If I take the others to the city, could you stay here with the ones that need help? We only have male healers. They'll need someone else to be nearby and help them."

Kyelle nodded quickly. "I was going to suggest the same thing."

Sasha took the female's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you. I don't think we would have gotten even this far without you. Zev told me that you were going to go and be there to help us. Thank you, Kyelle."

The female didn't smile, but she nodded. "I interacted with the humans for a while early on. I know how… difficult it can be."

Sasha frowned. She wanted to know the woman's story, but there wasn't time.

"I'm sorry to hear that," she said gently.

Kyelle shrugged. They discussed the plan quickly, then Sasha turned back to the wider group.

"We'll stay here another hour. Eat. Rest of if you want to. Breathe the air. I'm going to talk to the males and organize a few details, then I'll return and take you to the City. And… I want you to know, even though this has been very difficult, please be certain: You are loved here. You are wanted here. You will be helped, not harmed."

A murmur of gratitude and "Sasha-don" rippled through the females and many of them submitted. Sasha turned quickly, not wanting them to see the grief on her face. With Zev at her back, she headed to the medical building to talk to the healers that she'd warned to stay out of the way. But now she wanted their input.

She hadn't thought about this. She'd been so focused on getting them back, excited to think about making Thana more complete, that she hadn't thought about how disconcerting and difficult it would be for them all to be thrown into this new place after what they'd been through. She needed to know how to help these females get back on their feet and find their hearts and their strength again.

She hadn't expected them to feel weaker here when they were free.

But twenty minutes later, she felt only more frustrated. The healers believed they were already doing everything right—let them have boundaries, let them gather, let them talk about their experiences if they needed to. Let them keep space from anyone or anything that made them unsafe until they were feeling stronger.

Sasha had had such hopes for a reunion of joy with the males and a City full of celebration. Now she wondered if she was pushing too fast.

But Zev put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed when the healer said, no, that finding their boundaries was going to be part of the process. That they could only move and change as they knew what needs were in place.

"You can't anticipate this, Sasha-don. You have to let them tell you when they're ready—and when they're not."

She'd thanked him and stalked out to find Oska's messengers, sent to see if there was news.

Sending the two young males back to the City with instructions on keeping things quiet and calm, on giving the females space when they arrived, on sentries to keep the males in the city so the females could gather outside and enter together…

When she was done, her stomach twisted with nerves.

"Hey, hey," Zev said quietly when she turned as if to go back to the clearing and the females. "You told them you were going to be an hour or more."

"So?"

"So… we've still got half an hour," Zev said with a wicked smile. "And I think maybe my Alpha could use a little bit of decompression herself?"

Sasha stared at him, feeling guilty because she wanted nothing more than to ignore the other females and just shut herself away with Zev.

Could she take half an hour? Would that hurt anyone?

But Zev growled and took the decision out of her hands, leaning down to pick her up and swing her into his chest, then turn towards her house.

"Thirty minutes," he said, holding her to his chest and beginning to jog.

Sasha threw her arms around his neck and sighed. "I don't know, Zev."

"I do," he said.

 

Chapter 345

As he carried her towards the house she'd been given, Sasha was still protesting, but her lips kept brushing his neck and her heart was pounding. Her scent was full of desire, and the bond glimmered and sparkled, so he kept walking, then running.

She laughed when she was jostled by his running, but when he turned her, urging her to put her legs around his waist and hold his neck so he could pull them both up to the porch of her house, her laughing turned breathless.

The bond sang within his chest and his heart raced. He cupped her ass and held her to him as he opened the door and carried her inside, turning the lock on it, then rushing her through the chilled living space to the bed.

The last time he'd had her here he was undressing her after their ritual. The memory made his groin twitch.

Without breaking stride, he threw her onto the bed, following her up, kissing his way up her neck, his breath already panting.

"Zev!" she gasped, pulling her shoulder up against the tickle and scratch of his unshaven jaw against her throat.

"I need you, Sasha, please." He buried his face in her neck, then pushed back on his knees, frantically tugging at the waistband of her black tech shirt to pull it up and over her head.

She sat up and raised her arms to help him and shook her hair out in a way that made her breasts jiggle, and made Zev growl with approval, but instead of laying back down, she braced herself on her arms and stared at him like she was a little uncertain of him.

He stopped suddenly. "Are you… what? Are you okay? We don't have to, Sash. If you're… if you're not ready—did they—?"

"I'm fine," she said quietly, putting a hand on his shoulder, though her throat bobbed. "I just… I'm bleeding."

"I don't care."

Her brows rose. "Are you sure?"

He took her face in his hands and pulled her in, kissing her with every ounce of heat and desperation that skated through his veins.

Her breath caught and she dropped her head back when he started kissing his way down her jaw and neck. "I'm certain," he whispered against her skin.

When she arched into his chest and her scent bloomed with desire, he growled again, then pushed back, practically sprinting to the bathing room to grab a towel, then tugging his shirt off and shucking off the fitted pants that would stretch or contract to fit his body in any form.

Sasha looked at the towel gratefully and shifted to lay on it when he spread it on the bed. She'd taken off her pants and opened her arms, pulling him in, her heart racing.

The bond howled that piece of her pulsing and turning in his chest as their limbs entwined and he fisted a hand in her hair and took her mouth again.

He'd wanted to be careful. To savor her. To reunite and show how he'd missed her. But the moment their skins came together, it was as if fireworks exploded in his chest. He came alive, his blood rushing in his veins, the bond throbbing, every breath and whimper from Sasha lighting a fire in his chest that was pumped out through his veins until his very skin was on fire.

Sasha, hesitant at first, caught his thrill and her kiss became desperate—she sucked his tongue into her mouth, then bit his lip, her arms around his neck, then hands clawing down his back to grip his ass and pull him closer.

He covered her with his body and she hooked her heels behind him as they became desperation together—cries, grunts, rippling skins.

Then his mind was alight with the sensations in her skin as she opened her mind and called for him. Zev shuddered, his own desire pushed to even greater heights when he felt the prickle of her skin down her neck, the aching thrill of his mouth on her nipple, and the hollow need within.

"Oh god, Sash!"

"Please, Zev!" she gasped.

Hands slapped on skin, teeth clinked, fingers tangled in hair—Sasha's voice was high and reedy, desperate and pleading. Zev trembled, fighting to keep himself in check as his body sought and sought, burning for her.

Then Zev rolled against her just as she lifted her hips and he entered her.

They both threw their heads back with twin guttural groans as they came together, Sasha's cry a jagged plea. Zev shuddered as he pulled out, then plunged back in, arching his back as his body was overwhelmed with a wave of tingling electricity.

"Yes, Zev, oh…. Yes."

The bond soared, twisting within his chest, fizzing in his veins as they rocked together again and again. He let his teeth graze and nip, sucked at her neck, kissed her, and delved within her mouth with his tongue flickering and alive.

She'd wrapped herself entirely around him, taking, her legs wrapped around his thighs, her hands gripping his back and shoulders, her face in his neck. AS he thrust, he held her so closely there was no room between them, no way to touch or stroke, so he fisted her hair and tugged her chin back. And when she offered her throat he groaned and opened his mouth on it, sucking and tasting the beauty of her.

Thank God. Thank God. She was back. She was his.

The bond remained.

Thank God.

Pulling almost all the way out, he thrust into her again, groaning and for a moment she tensed.

Dark thoughts chased themselves through his head, but Sasha was already gasping his name, rolling her hips, pulling him closer.

He pushed the questions, the images away, pushed away what he knew of the compound and Nick and the Board, and made himself focus on her. His Sash. His mate. His beautiful Alpha.

On that staggering bond that pulled them closer, ever closer, until his entire skin prickled with heat and joy.

 

Chapter 346

Sasha's entire body tingled with heat and joy. She whispered his name and tried to pull him closer, but there was already no space between them.

She'd never had sex during her cycle before and had initially been apprehensive. But as soon as he started kissing her, as soon as they were touching, she'd forgotten everything else in the rush of being close to him—the smell of his skin, like earth and rain, the sound of his deep voice vibrating against her chest. The growl that puttered in his throat when she dropped her head back to give him easier access to her throat.

They were slathered together and everything in her wanted more—she clawed at his back, grabbed his ass, and pulled him closer, gasping, panting, kissing his neck, and nipping at his earlobes.

He whined in his throat and whispered her name and the sound of her name on his lips immediately followed by those lips on her skin were a shivering thrill that she'd never felt.

She'd meant to tell him how precious it was to be close to him again, to show him all the ways she'd missed him, to explain… but the moment they touched it lit a fuse within her that demanded to find its release.

"Zev… I…"

"God, Sash."

Then he entered her and her entire body responded, waves of tingling pleasure chasing themselves up and down her spine. As they threw their heads back in tandem, groaning cries erupting from both of them, she forgot everything except the weight of him pressing her into the furs, the delicious slide of his hands in her hair, his lips on her neck, and the sound of his voice, calling her name.

There was some pain at times, tight muscles stretching to accommodate, but it barely registered as their bodies called for each other, and they climbed the heights of pleasure, each stepping on the other's shoulders as they climbed towards the summit.

Then Zev, his back growing damp under her hands, braced his elbows above her shoulders, wrapped his hands over her head, dropped his forehead to hers, and began to pound, calling her name.

Sasha cried out and gave herself up. Clinging to his biceps that had become steel under her palms she met him stroke for stroke, barely breathing as he pressed and slid and invaded, pushing her closer and closer to that edge.

The world sucked in and disappeared until there was nothing but his hot breath mingling with hers, his frantic cries, his lips hovering over hers, his tongue flicking.

Then he tilted his hips found that perfect spot deep within her. Sasha cried out and dropped her head back as her entire body was consumed, her orgasm washing over her like water down her skin, at the same moment her blood went hot and cold, and the bond spun in her chest, shooting through her veins to reach for him.

Zev cried out a moment later, back-arching, the tendons on his neck standing proud as he gasped and shuddered, clinging to her as his jaw went slack and he groaned her name.

Then he slumped over her, both of them sweating, panting, limbs tangled and hair sticking to their faces.

Sasha found herself emotional with the sheer joy of having him back and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him close, despite the heat.

He'd dropped his head next to hers while he struggled to recover, his breath rushing over her shoulder and raising goosebumps there that he kissed away.

And she was so happy, so relieved, humming with the joy of the bond, that she could finally relax. For the first time in weeks, she just breathed.

Zev didn't move, his back rising and falling with his panting breaths. Sasha just held him and thanked God that they'd found each other again.

There was so much they would have to face, so many things that would try to tear them apart, but at that moment, she felt only the certainty that she was for him, and he was for her. And that she was safe in that.

She laid back on the furs, drawing a hand up and down his spine until it stopped of its own accord and she drifted off into blissful sleep.

*****

A few minutes later, Zev sucked in a breath and raised his head, startling Sasha back to awareness.

Her body felt delicious—tingly but relaxed. She didn't want to let him go. She didn't want to get up, or deal with the females, or even leave the house, but Zev's heart was pounding as if something had frightened him.

"What is it?" she asked quickly, putting a hand to his face. He looked around the room as if he was disoriented.

"Nothing," he said quickly. "I just… we need to get you cleaned up and back out there." He was tense under her hand, but he looked down at her with love in his eyes, and stroked her face. "I can't believe you're back. I can't believe they let you come back," he murmured.

She shook her head. "I'll be honest, it kind of shocked me too."

He tucked a strand of sweaty hair behind her ear and smiled. "My beautiful Alpha," he murmured. "You did the impossible."

"That's the thing, Zev, I don't feel like I did. I feel like… like I played into their hands somehow. But Nick said I persuaded Horace and… I don't know. I'm just glad we're here. I really don't ever want to be away from you again. Ever."

"Me either," he said softly, kissing her, then stroking her cheek with his thumb.

Soon, they got up and went to the bathing room together. Sasha's heart squeezed, when Zev took the soap and thick cloth and started washing her—not only where they'd had sex, but all over her body, his face pinched in concern and protective care.

It made her want to weep. But not as much as when they both sighed and started to dress.

"Tonight I'm taking you to the bathing pool I know near the City," he said, his voice dark with promise. "We're going to wash the stink of that place off you, and I'm going to love you and…" He made a strange noise in his throat, then pulled her into another soft, lingering kiss. "I don't want to let you go," he sighed a long moment later.

Exhausted, but happy, Sasha leaned into his chest and inhaled him as he held her. With her eyes closed, and not letting her mind drift, she could find that peace again, just from being in his arms.

And she was very, very grateful.

 

Chapter 347

When they were dressed and had reached the door, Zev caught Sasha's elbow before she opened it, turning her to face him.

Her cheeks were still a little flushed, and her eyes bright. But he could scent—and sense—the tension hanging over her. He took her face in his hands and kissed her.

"I don't want to be apart from you," she whispered, her eyes closed, and clinging to his forearms. They had agreed that he would shift, go ahead, to the City and make sure the males understood how important it was that they didn't press the females when they arrived. Sasha didn't trust that a simple message was enough.

It was a good idea. And the right thing. And would let him prepare the Alpha bedchamber for her. But his stomach clenched at being apart from her even for a couple of hours.

"I don't either," he said, his voice low and gruff. "But when you get there, it's going to be amazing, and I want to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible."

He prayed she didn't notice the tremble under his skin. He needed to get out of this house, but when he did, he'd be getting away from her, and he didn't know which was worse.

"Thank you, Zev, for pulling me away. I needed that."

"You and me both," he growled softly.

Sasha giggled and leaned up to kiss him one more time. "Two hours," she whispered.

"Two hours."

They embraced, then she turned and opened the door, stepping outside and taking a deep breath.

Zev watched her climb down then start back towards the medical building clearing before he jumped down, then shifted and started running to the trail towards the City.

But there was a rumbling tension in his skin so it seemed like his bones ached. He kept snorting the air from his nostrils.

Despite washing her, the scent of Sasha was on him. Normally he would love that. But now his skin crawled, itching, ratcheting tension in his back and neck that made him want to bite something.

She smelled like Nick. And the compound. And all the smells he'd prayed he would never smell again.

He had been so desperate to be close to her, he'd been pushing it away, filtering it out. But now… now she was painted all over his skin, and even the scent of soap couldn't cover it completely.

The scent of that place hung in her hair and painted her skin, and until he got her completely doused in water and scrubbed from her crown to the soles of her feet, it was going to keep turning his stomach until he wanted to vomit.

Being close to her had been wonderful. He'd been able to push the darkness aside when he was so consumed with her. But he'd dozed off when they were done, and sunk into a nightmare immediately. He'd taken several seconds to come awake properly, to be utterly certain that Nick wasn't there, that the board hadn't just ordered him away from her to be caged. That they were both still free.

He wanted to be next to her, at her back, supporting her, doing what was needed—he didn't trust anyone else to anticipate what she needed faster, or better than himself. But there was a tiny corner of his heart that was relieved to get away, both from her and from Nick.

His guts were twisted up like a horse with colic. He wanted to throw up.

As he ran for the City, pushing himself despite his weariness, ready to be distracted, ready to have something else to think about, he pleaded with the God that Sasha was so certain would hear him that he could be free of all this. Free of the way his body tied up when he was inside walls for too long. Free of the way the smells of that place turned his mind into a dark cave. Free of the gut-wrenching fear that Sasha had been changed by her trip—either that they'd interfered with her, or that they'd manipulated her somehow so that she would betray him. Fear of Nick somehow getting inside his head again…

Nick was here. In Thana.

Ugh.

Zev snorted the air from his nostrils again.

He'd been so sure that would never happen. That Nick would never find anything that motivated him more than his fear. And yet, here they were.

And Sasha was protecting him?

Zev shook his head until his ears snapped. Then he ran on.

He couldn't change any of these circumstances. He couldn't change what had already happened, only prepare for what was to come and hope to bring the others with him safely.

His mind swung back and forth throughout the trip, teasing him with the beauty and heat of his mate and how wonderful it would be to take her to the Alpha bedchamber tonight. Then dousing him in cold water with thoughts of Nick, the compound, and what might have happened to her there—or to the other females.

They'd all lost their sparks. They'd lost their confidence.

They'd lost themselves.

He shouldn't be surprised. He'd been the same. Nick and those fuckers had kept him trapped in his own mind for three years—they hadn't even held him at the compound the whole time! He'd become their dog on a leash… that's how confident they were.

He couldn't believe he'd fallen for it.

When he turned the final corner towards the City, he pushed all thoughts of Nick and his past away. He couldn't do anything to help that now. But he could help the females. He could make up, at least in this, for all the ways he'd failed them.

So as he ran, he lifted his chin and howled—and was immediately answered by the males within, excited barks and snarls rising. They probably hoped he had the females with him already.

They were going to be disappointed. But he ran on and when he reached the City walls and stepped into the courtyard, he shifted back to stare at the milling crowd of males—mostly wolves, but from all the Clans—all babbling and shushing each other as they waited to hear what he had to say.

They went silent, staring wide-eyed.

Zev forced himself to smile.

"She did it," he said. "She's brought fifty of the females back. They're here. They're really here!"

The courtyard erupted around him, and Zev piled into the fray, sharing scents and howling.

He would have to tell them the bad news soon. But he wanted them to have this moment. This was the heart that the females needed to see.

 

Chapter 348

"What do you mean… hurt?" one of the Tigers growled. "What's happened to them?"

"Their minds, mainly, I believe," Zev said apologetically, looking at the males, almost two hundred of them, packed into the courtyard and in the buildings that overlooked it, all listening with hard faces. "They've been… controlled, and not given their freedom. So now, suddenly, they're free and they aren't sure if they can believe it. They aren't sure if they're safe. A few come from the Compound and were made, so they've never been in Thana before. This has just been a lot for them.

"What they need is for all of us to be calm and not overwhelm them. The healers said they may seem frightened or defensive for a little while, and that's okay. Give them space. Let them approach you. Stand back. Let them know you're happy to see them and want to be closer, but let them be the ones to approach. Think of… a mother when her pups are first born," he said. "Give her that time to grow accustomed to her new life and new demands."

"But, aren't they eager to see us?"

"Some are, I'm sure," Zev said. "But right now most of them are just trying to process that they're even here. Plus, part of the deal was that Nick come with them, so his presence is unsettling to them."

"Nick?!"

The crowd babbled and growled, a few snarls and snorts, but Zev raised his hands for quiet. "We've put him under the guard and he's going to remain at the Village. Once the females are here we need to ensure that there's a continued presence there. We'll continue our shifts of hunters and guards—keep giving Nick something to observe and manage. But just be certain, he will not be given control. Sasha has only allowed him to come with her teeth gritted—they claimed they wouldn't send the females at all if she didn't allow him in."

"She's negotiating with the humans? I thought we were cutting them out!"

"We are!" Zev said sternly. "She's working with them for a few months to try and get the rest of the females out of the Team's grip—as many of them as we can, anyway. Trust me, she's not any happier about it than you are."

There was a rumble of disgust and disapproval through the crowd, but Zev kept his chin down and let them see him and smell him, utterly certain of both his mate's motives, and her ability to see this through.

"Do I need to remind you that she's done in a few days what Xar didn't do in three years?" Zev snapped.

"Do we need to remind you they wouldn't have gotten the females in the first place if you hadn't left?" a voice growled from the back of the crowd.

Zev let himself feel his power, scanning the crowd for the voice that wasn't an Alpha's, he would have recognized it.

"No matter what you think about me, I'm no longer—"

A gust of wind rattled through the trees and whipped between the doorways and buildings, and they all caught the scent.

Females.

Dozens of them.

One of the wolves raised a howl, and the rest of the pack joined him, while the others began to call and scream, celebrating again, though it all had the edge of tension.

When they settled, Zev took a deep breath and forced a slight smile. "It's happening, brothers. They'll be here soon. I promised Sasha-don that we wouldn't leave the City, that we'd be here to welcome them, but let them approach when they were ready. So please… none of you leave. And when they come in, don't rush them. Let them come to you for greetings."

"But what about our mates?"

"I don't know how many of those who came through have mates. We'll find out very soon, I guess," Zev said. "What I do know is that we all have to stop looking back. We can't heal from everything that's happened by looking back. We can only look forward. Aim for the life we've sought all this time—the females returned, our clans rebuilt, offspring…"

His own heart swelled and fluttered at the idea. "We have to let go of our anger and resentment, stop blaming. The females need us to be calm and to help them. Can you do that?"

The response wasn't as eager as the howls had been, but Zev saw the Alphas among the males cautioning their people and standing firm.

He turned then, calling the Alphas forward and organizing. They needed more space for the females to actually enter the City—and they needed any males that might be erratic to be contained by their brothers.

He wouldn't risk a bad experience for the females on such a crucial day.

Within minutes they had a plan and the males darted off to get help to manage those they thought might struggle, while Zev encouraged many of the males to move into the buildings overlooking the Courtyard to leave more room at its entrance and center.

The scent of the females was rising. They would be here soon. And he, for one, couldn't wait.

*****

~ SASHA ~

Outside the City walls, where the trees still obscured the trail, Sasha came to a halt and turned to face the females who had followed her through the forest in a straggling line. The little Alphas were doing well, keeping their groups together and watching over any whose anxiety was increasing.

Several of the females were starting to get their confidence back, some even looking eager to walk into the City and see the males. Sasha was relieved. It would happen more and more, she was certain. These women just needed time. Time and… no unpleasant surprises.

When they'd all gathered close together she smiled. "For those of you who haven't been to Thana before, we're here. When we push through these trees, you'll see a thick wall on the other side. A big archway. We'll walk through it and the males will be waiting for us."

Sasha had asked the females closest to her if they could scent the males, but they said the wind moved in the wrong direction.

Which meant the males could scent them.

Just as she opened her mouth, the wind gusted from over the females, back towards the City, and howls and calls rose, echoing through the forest.

Some of the females smiled, but many went very still. Like prey under the eyes of a predator.

Sasha sighed. So much for a quiet entry. At least if they got it out of their systems now, they might be able to hold back better when the females walked in.

"Don't be nervous, they're just excited to see you," she said.

"We know. We know what the calls mean," one female said baldly. Sasha swallowed. Fair enough.

"Well then, are you ready?" she asked. Some of them nodded.

Sasha prayed the rest would get through this without breaking, then she turned on her heel and pushed through the branches overgrowing the path to the City.

And even though things weren't perfect and they had a lot to navigate yet, her stomach fluttered with excitement.

It was finally happening. The females were here.

She'd done it.

 

Chapter 349

As they approached the City, Sasha looked back over her shoulder, biting her lip.

The females were having very mixed responses. Some pushed forward, eyes bright, but nervous. A couple seemed to nearly vibrate with excitement—or was it fear? There were several with furrowed brows and wide eyes whose expressions made Sasha want to reach out and hug them. But that wouldn't help, she knew.

The howls rose again but were cut off and shushed as they entered the shadow of the large archway. "Here we go," Sasha breathed to herself, grateful when Mae appeared at her shoulder and reached for her hand, squeezing it once.

There was a low murmur of voices that even Sasha could hear, but she could hear the wind rustling the leaves in the trees overhead, hear the footsteps of the females as they crossed out from under the building and into the main Courtyard that had seemed so beautiful and so alien to Sasha when Zev brought her here.

Then the sun blazed and Sasha's eyes pinched, her throat closing as she led the females into the wide, oval-shaped space the males had left in the Courtyard.

They were all there, she realized breathlessly. In lines and groups, peppering the windows and open spaces of the buildings around the Courtyard, and hemming the entire space on the ground where they entered.

Males poised… for flight, or to take, she wasn't sure. But all of them leaned in as if they couldn't get close enough. They stared at the females searching their faces wildly as the females walked in slowly, holding each other and looking around nervously.

It seemed like the entire City held its breath as they filed in. Sasha saw Zev near the front at the end and stepped quickly over to him. He took her hand and she could sense his relief—she felt it too—as she turned to face the females who were walking in slowly, far more cautiously. Most of them.

A few strode in, hands clasped under their chins, or to their chests, tears in their eyes.

Then they were there and came to a halt in front of Sasha, looking around, the males staring at them with sad, hopeful eyes.

The females looked at Sasha, and suddenly she wasn't sure what to do.

But just when she cleared her throat to invite any of them forward who were feeling confident, a quiet, pleading voice, said, "Pysa?"

Every head in the Courtyard turned to see a male, a little older than Zev, Sasha thought, pushed forward, his eyes wild and uncertain, welling with tears.

"Allory!" A dark-haired female, quick-moving but grace, who reminded Sasha of Kyelle, pushed through the females towards him, throwing herself into his arms.

He stumbled back, curling himself around her and babbling through tears.

The entire Chimeran population watched this reunion of male and female and Sasha, squeezing Zev's hand, had to wipe away tears.

It was the moment she'd wished for, seeing two hearts, so clearly adoring of each other, aligned and unified again.

Allory was taller than her and he bent her backward, his arms around her back, swaying her back and forth, saying her name over and over again, rubbing his face against her shoulder, sobbing, his wide shoulders shaking.

A ripple ran through both crowds, both male and female, voices hushed, but happy, cheering the two on in their embrace.

And at that moment, Sasha thought that perhaps all hope wasn't lost. Perhaps… just perhaps, this would have a happy ending.

Then another male stepped forward. He'd been standing on the low wall at the side of the Courtyard and he leaped off, pushing through the males to get to the front.

"Mae?" He was a wolf, Sasha realized. She'd seen him at the display, though he hadn't tried to tempt her. And he was calling for Mae.

Sasha turned, bright and joyful, to the female she hoped to soon call friend… only to find the female staring, her brows pinched over her nose, and her nostrils flaring.

She watched the male approach and didn't speak. He caught her expression and slowed as he darted alongside the crowd of females to reach her.

He stopped in front of her, just feet away, and held out a hand, swallowing hard. "Mae? It's me… Chet."

She nodded and looked at his hand, lifting hers from her side as if it was reflex to touch him, but then she pulled it back to her stomach, flattening her hands against her belly and sucking in a breath.

But then her tears spilled over and she shook her head, pushing backward towards Sasha.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed, turning in panic. "I can't. I just can't." She turned towards Sasha, panic in her eyes, and Sasha nodded, taking her arms.

"You said there was space for the females," she whispered hurriedly to Zev.

He nodded. "Open the way. Let the females through to the hall. Open the way. Clear the stairs!"

The males pulled back and away, making a path that Mae darted down almost as soon as it cleared.

Sasha wasn't sure whether to go after her and turned towards the other females, just in time to see the male who'd been waiting for Mae slump, his shoulders rolling forward, drop his head into his hands. And he looked so devasted, Sasha's tears returned.

She wanted to scream. She wanted to find Nick and shoot him. She wanted to rush back to the human world and torture Nathan and Horace and everyone else who'd had any hand in destroying these people, breaking their hearts and their spirits.

As the male's friends gathered around him, trying to reassure, but looking up at the way Mae and run, and to Sasha, the females ducked their heads and hurried after Mae, through the crowd and up the covered stairs.

Sasha watched them go, despair burning in her chest.

How were they ever going to fix this? How were they ever going to find their joy again?

But then she saw Allory and Pysa, both still clinging to each other, their faces alight despite the tears wetting their cheeks.

And then Zev stepped up to put his hand to her shoulder.

Sasha took a deep breath, and ushered the last of the females through the gap towards the stairs, feeling the eyes of the males following them as they walked.

They would get through this, she told herself. They would. They would not allow the humans to steal love from them now. Not after they'd gotten this far.

 

Chapter 350.

He'd been in and out of the female quarters all evening, but he'd been called away to deal with a conflict between Alphas and two males who believed their mates were with the females, despite already being told that they hadn't come through.

By the time he was done, it was high moon and the City was quiet. Three of the females had ventured out to find their mates and been reunited. All mate pairs were being provided solitude in one of the more remote buildings since there was so much space.

His heart was full—and also cold.

He hadn't seen Sasha in hours. He knew she was there, and safe. Dedicated, and helping her females. But he needed her. He needed to touch her and know that she was more than safe—she was with him.

So after checking that no more females had left the quarters, he hurried up the stairs. A guard had been placed at either end of the hall to stop any males from entering after one of them tried to run in, searching for his sister. But the guard saw Zev and submitted.

"Has there been any more disruption?" he asked quietly. There was little noise coming from the hall and he hoped most of them were asleep already.

The guard shook his head. "No, we took food in, but other than that, they've been unbothered."

"Good job. Thank you." Zev opened the door and crept in.

Inside, lanterns were lit, low at each end of the long, wide room. The massive, wide windows—open spaces, usually—were entirely covered in thin hides that had been stitched together. Females were sprawled along the edges of the large room, each with more than one fur, some with heads hidden under furs or pillows, others sleeping peacefully, despite the remaining lights.

Sasha sat on a thick puff near the center of the room, alongside a female Zev didn't know, and Mae, a wolf, who'd taken hours to stop shaking after seeing her mate. She'd told Zev she wasn't sure what had held the female back, but she wasn't going to push her.

He stood there a moment, none of the females aware of him, and watched her.

Sasha sat, slumped over, clearly exhausted, her eyes underscored by deep purple bruises of weariness. But she reached out to Mae and rubbed her arm, nodding in understanding.

The other female was quiet, but she noticed Zev first and her eyes widened.

He raised his hands, palms forward, and rolled his shoulders forward, submissive.

Sasha must have been really tired. She didn't notice him approaching until Mae looked up. She didn't seem afraid of him and gave a small, hesitant smile when he reached them.

"You should go to bed, Sasha," she said quietly. Seeing the lines on her cheeks left by tears made Zev's stomach clench, but he was desperate for his mate—and certain that she did need a break if she was going to help these females in the long run.

He looked at her, but Sasha frowned at Mae. "I don't mind if you need—"

"No, trust me," Mae said with an uneasy chuckle. "If I could spend this night in the arms of my mate, I wouldn't let anyone stand in my way. And I refuse to be an obstacle for yours. Go, Sasha. I'll still be here tomorrow, I'm sure."

Sasha talked to them both quietly, reassuring and telling them she'd be back in the morning, but they both bid her goodnight, and she finally got to her feet, almost tripping when she took the first step.

Zev caught her as she hunched over with a puff, but then straightened immediately, waving off his concern as he offered her a hand to step through the pillows and furs scattered over the floor.

"It's just cramps," she murmured when she'd reached his side and he put an arm around her back, worried she was ready to topple over from exhaustion. "I'm fine."

He disagreed, but he wasn't going to argue with her if it could be avoided. So instead he kept his arm around her, just in case.

"Have you eaten?" he asked carefully as they started down the stairs. She frowned like the movement hurt, but she didn't say anything.

"I know I did at some point. But I'm not sure how long ago it was."

Zev took a deep breath. "Sasha, I know this is important, but if you're Alpha, you have a responsibility to keep up your own strength. Your people will not be helped by seeing you get ill or injured because you aren't taking care of yourself."

"I know, I know."

"Remember the lecture you gave me when I got sick?"

"Exactly," she said dryly, but with a smile. "That's a little rich coming from you, Zev."

"Well, I'm recently reformed. I learned the wisdom of my mate when she told me I wasn't invincible and needed to rest."

Sasha rolled her eyes and mumbled something under her breath, but he chose not to hear it. Instead, as they stepped out of the building at the bottom of the stairwell and into the Courtyard, she drew to a halt. "Do we have to go all the way back to the village?"

"No," he said, finally smiling. "But I am going to make sure you eat something before you go to sleep."

He took her through the Courtyard to the building that watched over the gate, and up the stairs to the highest level, smiling when they stepped into the Alpha bedchamber and her eye went wide.

"This is ours?"

"Technically yours," he said, seeing the tall ceiling, massive bed, and thick furniture with new eyes, wondering how it appeared to her.

Then a massive shadow separated itself from the dim wall and Sasha was startled, until she saw him and her mouth dropped open.

"Yhet!"

Zev had to swallow a lump in his throat watching the two of them reunite. Sasha had no fear of the massive male anymore, and even though it burned to see another male stroke his mate's hair, Zev knew that Yhet had the mourning for his own mate, and after all, in his own words, he had no attraction to Sasha whatsoever.

Zev snorted at the memory.