Ch. 431..440

Chapter 431

Zev trembled, looking for the courage. Would she look at him differently if she knew? He'd avoided even asking himself that. Didn't want to doubt her. But now… she already suspected. He needed to be honest with her.

Sasha looked up at him, took both his hands, squeezing them. "Zev, what is it? What haven't you told me?"

His heart hammered in his chest. "I, uh, haven't told you about the training they gave me," he muttered. "About the operational stuff. The reason I didn't have to stay at the compound. The stuff Nick trained me to do."

Sasha waited, watching him.

Zev swallowed hard. "The thing you need to know, Sash, is that I still believed them for a long time. I kind of had to. Even when doubts crossed my mind, to believe those doubts meant accepting that I'd been wrong. Like, really wrong. I had to admit to myself that I was a fool. And… it took me a long time to do that. Then, even when I did, it took some time to get out from under them."

Sasha stepped closer, still holding his hands. "I love you, Zev. Just tell me. Get it out. It's eating you up—and I… I don't want to see you that way again. You can't heal if you don't bring it out into the light.

Zev sighed heavily. He looked down at the ground, his shoulders rolling forward. He suddenly felt fifteen again, and ashamed. Sasha continued to murmur her encouragement, with words and in his head. He was worrying her. But she needed to understand what they were dealing with, he realized.

"I told you that I believed for a long time that they were trying to help people, right? They'd convinced me that I was special. That I had a purpose, and… and I don't know. They made me feel important."

Sasha nodded, but she was blinking a lot. "Is this to do with the mating stuff?"

Zev huffed a cold laugh. "No. No, I've told you everything about that. This is… this is why I had a life that most of the others don't. Didn't."

"Okay, so tell me. I'll still love you, Zev." She sounded relieved.

Would she still feel that way?

He cleared his throat. "When I left you, they brought me to Thana while I kind of… grew into myself," he said gruffly. "There's a transition our bodies go through around twenty. I hit peak strength three years ago. And that's when they tricked me with that whole sickness thing. Brought me back to the human world. The breeding started then too—probably for the same reason. But I wasn't in the breeding arena all the time. For the first few months, I did a ton of training that they called tests… they told me it was designed to find out what my limits were. And I was into it. It made me feel like a badass—especially when I started being able to beat the trainers and Nick… After that, most of the time I wasn't even in the compound. They'd just take me there for certain meetings and… stuff. Most of the time we were in the city. That's how I could keep tabs on you."

Sasha watched him, wary, but concerned. Empathetic.

"Just say it," she whispered.

Then Zev cleared his throat again and told her the thing he'd never told another living soul.

"We'd been doing missions in the city—tracking and surveilling. They were using my wolf senses to see how I could navigate the urban environment. See if I could follow people in human form without being seen, that kind of thing.

"And one week it was this guy. He was kind of fat. But he had a lot of money, and I guess he was important. A big business owner and… they told me he was a liar. They said that he was trying to bring our entire project down. That he'd found out about it because he'd been approached as an investor, and now he was jealous and trying to start up his own—but he knew they were ahead of him, so he was trying to take the Board down.

"He was a threat. And an evil one, they told me. They said he was going to kill all the Chimera except a couple—and Adam and Eve thing—if he could get us taken down. But that he wasn't going to use what he learned to help people, he was going to use it for profits.

"He sounded like an evil bastard. And the next thing I knew, my surveillance operation was becoming a… an assassination."

He'd never said those words out loud. He couldn't look at her when he said them. He swallowed hard, again and again, staring at where their hands were linked and her knuckles were turning white, gripping him.

Sasha swallowed too. "Did you kill him, Zev?" she asked quietly.

Zev nodded. "I killed five different people before I figured out what was going on, Sash." His voice trembled and broke. He swallowed again, heart pounding. He couldn't look at her. "They convinced me these people deserved it, that I was keeping my people safe. But they fooled me. I know that now. I saw… A couple of months before I grabbed you, they relaxed with me. They thought I was deep enough in that I wasn't turning back. And they were almost right. But when they took me into one of the labs I hadn't seen before and I saw the Chimera hooked up to machines… and they started talking about a new mission. Another hit. And I just… it all clicked. I looked around at the men that surrounded me and I realized, we weren't the good guys… we were the villains. And I'd… I'd been helping them.

"That's when I knew I had to get you out, and I knew I had to get out. But I didn't know how. They had made on such a leash. Every time I'd take a step towards cutting it, it seemed like my mind just… shut down. It took months, Sasha. Months for me to break loose—and even then, I didn't know I was going to do it that night. If you hadn't turned around and seen me. If they hadn't come for you… I don't know where we'd be right now."

Then he finally met her eyes—wide and shining and filled with sad horror.

"I'm a murderer, Sasha. That's why I keep telling you, I'm condemned."

 

Chapter 432

Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god, ohmygodohmygodohmygod…

Click, click, click, it all fell into place.

Zev's self-loathing.

That cold brutality he'd displayed with Nick.

The Wolf. The serial killer they'd been hearing about for two years that Police claimed set dogs onto his victims, yet no one ever heard or saw anything.

Zev was a killer?

Zev shuddered and his hands clamped on hers painfully. She realized he was afraid of how she was going to react.

"Oh, Zev," she breathed, her heartbroken and mind reeling.

And hate for these men and what they'd done to him, all the ways they'd used him... it burned in her chest like embers under a fire. Tears pressed out from under her lashes and she caught her breath. She couldn't be weak right now. He needed her.

Holy shit.

"I didn't see it, Sash. I didn't see any of it. They blinded me and I didn't see it, I'm so sorry—"

She stepped into his chest and pulled him down as he shook and choked, wrapped her arms around his neck, and held him as his massive body shuddered with his grief and self-loathing.

All those hours he'd spent, not being able to sleep. All the ways he jumped to the belief that these men would kill her—or anyone else. His utter conviction that they were ruthless. He knew it from both sides. He knew that it wasn't empty words with them.

He knew that even good hearts like him could be led into this.

Holy fucking shit.

She shook as she held him, crying even as she sought to comfort him. How did she make this better for him? How could she possibly help him? How could she tell him he wasn't ugly when he'd seen himself do such ugly things?

"It's not your fault, Zev," she blurted because she didn't know what else to say. "It's not your fault. They did this to you. It's not your fault."

He straightened, pulling his head out of her arms and dropping it back. "Sash, don't you get it?" He opened his eyes and looked down at her with the heaviest breath she'd ever heard him take. "They had me kill people who were trying to bring them down. They set me on men who were trying to do exactly what we're trying to do—finish this whole damn thing. And I helped them! If I hadn't… If I hadn't listened to them, the females would never have been taken and maybe… maybe those men would still be alive, and maybe they'd have defeated the Team already? I mean… Sasha, we might not be facing this if I hadn't believed them!"

She was shaking too. Overwhelmed. She knew this was big. Too big. So big. But she also knew they couldn't fix it now.

She pulled back only far enough to look him in the eye. "You were The Wolf?" she asked carefully.

He nodded and his eyes were so sad.

"This is… Zev… you have to stop holding all this in on your own. It's going to break you. It's going to make you hate."

"It already does," he snarled.

She shushed him, and kissed him softly, stroking his face and rubbing his arms when he straightened, eyes reddened, but not spilling tears.

"I love you, Zev."

He nodded and looked down, murmuring his love too.

"No, Zev," she snapped. "Look at me. Hear me. I love you. And I know I can't just make this all better for you. Especially not right now," she said with a heavy sigh. "But you need to hear that I love you and… and the full blame for this goes on those fuckers."

She had to stop herself from giving in to hate then, because even beyond the ruthless way these men conducted themselves—which she would have hated, but just wanted to defeat—the fact that they'd dragged Zev and his gorgeous heart into this… she hated them. She hated them for hurting him. For making him hurt other people. For traumatizing him so he couldn't sleep. For convincing him that he was damned.

No wonder he'd always argued with her. No wonder she hadn't been able to reassure him.

"I love you," she whispered fiercely. "And I know you aren't responsible for this. I'm going to figure out how. I am. I'm going to… I'm going to figure out how to convince you, Zev. Because you need to know that. You were a child in the hands of men, and they fucked you up, and that's not your fault. All you can do now is look for the truth and walk in the light and… and… keep being willing to change. That's it.

"You're the best male. They follow you for a reason. The Team wanted you in that position for a reason. All of this is just sick, and it's why we're going to beat these fuckers. We're going to beat them, Zev. We're going to defeat them. We're taking away what's most important to them, and we're going to live long, happy lives with each other and as leaders and… and…" she trailed off as Zev's eyes locked on hers, pleading. She swallowed. Help me say this right, God. "No matter what happened before, the thing that's important is what you do now, Zev. What you do tomorrow. And why. Nick does things that are good sometimes, but he does them for bad reasons. We're not going to do that, right? We're going to do good things for the right reasons. We're going to take care of the innocent and make them safe. And we're going to trust that God wants them defeated too and… we'll figure it out. I know we will. We have to."

Zev nodded, his hand coming up to cup her face. "I don't deserve you," he breathed.

"Shut up with that," she snapped, and Zev blinked. "That's them talking in your head. Just… stop. This isn't about us deserving each other, this is about us loving each other. And I love you, Zev. I love you with my whole heart."

"I love you, too," he croaked and kissed her.

Both of them struggled to breathe.

 

Chapter 433

They were both trembling and Sasha felt like if she got one more piece of bad news her legs might literally give out. But she had a vision, too. And as Zev kissed her with all his gratitude and love, as he murmured how thankful he was for her, she pulled away, shaking her head.

"We're going to do this," she said firmly, as much to convince herself as him.

He nodded. "Yes, we are. We're taking them down."

"And we're getting our baby back and making sure they never have a chance to do this to him, right?"

"Right," he rasped.

"Okay, okay," she said holding onto his forearms as he held her face. "So…" she swallowed. "Right now, you're talking to the wolves and telling them that it's time to get everyone moving. No more holding back. We're getting everyone through that Gateway and into the Safe Place. Right now."

"Okay."

"Then you and me… once everyone else is gone, we're going to show Nick that they've gone. That they'll never be here again. We're… setting him loose. We're going to let him take the news back. He's… he's going to tell them that they lost." She smiled for the first time in what seemed like forever at the thought of Nick sitting with the Board and having to tell them that the Chimera were all gone

—not just the females that had been stolen. But all of them."

Zev grinned too, though it faltered quickly. "Okay."

"Then we're sending him through and telling him that… well, I haven't figured that part out yet. All I know is, we're going—you and me—we're going to get our son, then we're going to the Safe place, and we aren't going to let anything stop us."

Zev nodded once, tightly, his hands still cupping her face. "Yes, Ma'am," he breathed.

Sasha rolled her eyes, but then he shook his head. "I'm not allowed to hate myself, and you're not allowed to undermine yourself, Sash. We're going to do this. And you're going to lead the charge."

She huffed a strangled laugh. "This is ridiculous," she said, her voice high and thin. "We're… this is impossible what we're talking about, but we're going to do it."

"Yes, we are. And I'm going to take care of you, Sasha. If God gives me the chance to keep going, I'm taking care of you. I promise."

Sasha sighed and threw herself into his chest. "Me too," she whispered, wishing she had any clue how to help him. "Me too."

*****

~ ZEV ~

It became clear to both of them, very quickly, that they were walking in the wrong direction.

Zev contacted every wolf he could find through the link and snarled at them to get moving, now. To take what they'd packed and leave everything else behind. To get the females out of there, and they all started to move. Then he asked Sasha about shifting and running the rest of the way to the City, but she stopped walking and looked at him.

"Are Lhars and Kyelle together. Can Kyelle get the females moving without me, or does she need me there?"

Zev found his brother quickly—and apologized for the intrusion. But it was quickly determined that he'd already told Kyelle and with the help of Mae and the others who'd ventured out of the hall, the females were already moving. That the promise of getting to Sasha was helping to motivate them.

"They're coming," he said a few minutes later.

"Great. Get someone to grab our bags and let's go back to the village. The only question is, do we talk to Nick at all, or just leave him in the dark."

"Definitely in the dark. Preferably with Ernie," Zev muttered.

Sasha spluttered like the joke was a lot funnier than it actually was, but Zev's lips twitched toward a smile as they both turned and headed back.

She continued to ask him to pass on messages to specific wolves, or get the wolves and hares to run messages as they walked.

A few minutes later, though, she sighed. "Maybe this rush is wrong. Maybe we're just setting ourselves up to fail—are we really going to have the females get through safely when they're pushed out of their furs and into this?" she groaned.

Zev squeezed her hand. "The Chimera will surprise you, I think," he said quietly. "They've definitely surprised me. They just keep going, Sasha. Look at what these females have been through already and they got here. Give them hope and I'm certain they can do this."

She nodded. "You're right. I'll feel better when I see them."

"Did you get all of them out of the hall?"

"Yes, but some of them only for a few minutes, and only into the Courtyard."

Zev shook his head. "They really did a number on all of us, didn't they?"

Sasha looked up at him, her eyes clouded. "I hate them for that, Zev. I really do. I want you to know when I'm telling you not to hate it's not because I don't feel it. I just… I don't want to turn into them, you know? And I'm so afraid if we become ruthless, we're no different than them."

Zev snorted the air from his nose. "I know you care, Sasha. I never doubted that."

She took a deep breath and made him look at her. "Then never doubt this either: Whatever you did, I don't hold you responsible for that. And no—before you start arguing—I don't think if you'd resisted they would have defeated the Team. Nathan would have just found someone else to do it. So don't you carry that, Zev? Do you hear me? We're shifting our focus for now. For the next couple of days, all we're focusing on is getting ourselves, the females, and our son out of that place. We're going to defeat them that way. And whatever happens, once we're in a place where we can breathe… I'm going to show you that I still love you. And you aren't dark inside. You didn't do this, Zev. They did. And they're going to pay. We're going to make them pay, okay?"

He stared at her as they walked, shaking his head. "You're beautiful when you're angry."

Sasha gave a small smile. "And you're fucking hot no matter what mood you're in," she quipped.

And Zev actually laughed.

 

Chapter 434

They'd only had a couple of hours together before Zev's voice ran in his head, frantic. Something about Nick and the humans. But it all added up to no more time. They had to get everyone moving. Now.

He'd gone still when Zev started talking and Kyelle, laying next to him, hugging his arm, with her chin resting on his shoulder frowned. She knew that face.

Lhars sighed.

"What is it?" Kyelle asked quietly, though her tone said she already knew.

"We have to go get everyone moving. Right now. Zev's already telling all the wolves. You need to go wake the females. Everyone. We're going."

They stared at each other for a long moment. Lhars wondered how they looked together—his hair so dark, while hers was light. Her eyes so bright while his were piercing. Her skin was lighter than his—

and when she was in her owl she was a beautiful blonde color that looked white in dim light. While his wolf was almost black.

They needed to move. His chest tingled with the adrenalin beginning to flood his system. But he couldn't take his eyes off of her. And she didn't seem ready to let go either.

"I love you, Kyelle," he murmured, then cleared his throat. "I trust you. You'll need to trust me, too."

"Of course I trust you!" she exclaimed, pushing up on one elbow to lean over him. "It's not you I don't trust, it's the humans."

"You need to trust me to keep myself safe and come back to you," he said, though everything inside him clawed for release when he even thought about walking away from her.

"You don't want to go."

"No, I don't. Which is why I need you to be okay with it, because if you say no, I… I'm not sure if I'm strong enough."

Her brows pinched together. But she put her hand to his face. "I trust you," she whispered, belying the tears welling in her eyes. "I trust you."

He kissed her with a soft groan, rolling her over onto her back and covering her with his bulk. He wanted to do that—both literally and figuratively—every moment. He didn't want to draw a breath where he wasn't there and ready to step between her and any threat.

But they both knew this wasn't the time.

So only seconds later he pulled back and met her eyes again. "I'm coming back," he said softly. "So that means it's up to you to get there safely and be waiting for me."

She nodded, combing her fingers through his hair. "I will," she whispered.

He kissed her again, then had to force himself to let go before he buried her in the furs again and didn't come out for air.

*****

Kyelle ran to the female hall while Lhars went straight to the Courtyard. It had only been minutes since Zev's call to them all, but the City was bustling—males rushing back and forth, carrying bags, rations, or shifting into their animal forms to rush messages to others.

As Lhars walked through them he wondered if this was really it. Would this really be the last time he'd see Thana? Part of him grieved the idea. But the larger part of him thrummed with hope. If only he and Kyelle could both reach that beautiful land unharmed.

If only the females would trust him and come.

If only the humans would be caught unaware.

So many wishes. So few hopes.

Lhars shook it off and sought out Dunken who'd positioned himself not far from the stairs that went up to the female hall.

He was certain that wasn't an accident.

Chet was there too, not even pretending to be doing anything but waiting for Mae to come down.

"Hey," he said to Dunken, who turned and nodded, his face hard as rock. "There's to be no delay," he said quietly. "Something's going on. They're worried the humans might be coming. It's going to be chaos for a while. Can you… I'm sorry, brother, but can you take the lead to the Village? Call the guards as you go. We need everyone. No matter how unprepared. This is it."

Dunken's jaw flexed. He glanced toward the stairs, but he nodded. "Okay," he said quietly. "But I'm staying close to her crossing."

Lhars nodded, speared with jealousy that even if Dunken couldn't cross with the female he thought was his mate, at least he could keep her in sight for the entire time until they entered—and immediately afterward as well.

Shaking off the ungenerous thoughts, Lhars thanked the Captain and hurried back towards the City entrance. He had brought his and Kyelle's bags down but left them at the entrance to the main building since they'd pass it on the way out of the City.

The time had come. It had finally come. They were not only going to snap the leash of the humans but take their people to an entirely new life.

Watching the Chimera rush around, the barely contained chaos as over two hundred males tried to do a dozen things at once, Lhars sighed. This was only the beginning. If their prayers were answered and they reached this new land, there would be an entirely new hurdle to navigate—building a home, a society, an entire life for their people in a new land.

Who knew what threats might exist there? What shortages or adjustments might be required?

For a moment he wished he and Kyelle had more time in a normal routine here. But then he scoffed at himself. Enjoying the simple pleasures of his mate wasn't a reason to keep her—or others in danger.

No… he had to see this night—this morning, he corrected himself with a glance at the graying sky—

as nothing more than a journey that would bring them to that place of contentment and peace.

He had to stop focusing on the danger and focus instead on the goal. The life that the danger led them to.

It would be worth it, he reminded himself. All of this would be worth it in the end.

 

Chapter 435

He was near the front when they reached the village. He'd been communicating directly with Zev the whole way as their progress seemed so teeth-grindingly slow.

The females had been difficult to get moving, but once they were walking, seemed to settle some. Lhars had taken his wolf form and run twice as many miles as the others walked, crossing back and forth from the back of the pack where Kyelle brought up the rear with Mae and a couple of others of the stronger females, and the front where Dunken and half the wolf-pack scouted, ensuring there were no hidden traps or intruders attempting to ambush them.

But while it was a slow trip with so many in human form, they made it to the village safely. Lhars found his skin humming with anticipation.

He ran forward to find Sasha and Zev standing on the large mound in the center of the square, near where the trail led away towards the Gateway cave.

When he shifted back in front of them, Sasha was biting her lip, while Zev was being filled in by Dunken.

Soon the females joined the males who'd arrived first and the square was a rippling mass of tension and anticipation. Most of the females were unwilling to mingle directly with the males, so hung back on the western side. But at least they weren't cowering this time. They watched the males warily, but none shrunk away.

Once he was certain there were no responsibilities for him in the moment, he pushed through the crowd to stand as close to the females as they would allow. Kyelle stepped out of them and came to stand at his back, one hand flattened to his spine.

They just… stood. He inhaled her scent and prayed.

Soon enough everyone was there and Sasha called for quiet. It was difficult to settle two hundred and fifty Chimera who believed they were about to change worlds, but she did a wonderful job of carrying herself while she waited.

When it was quiet enough, she nodded. "Don't worry, I'm going to let you keep moving very soon. But I want everyone to know exactly what's happening. We've had some new information and have had to change the plan slightly—Alphas, I'll need to speak with you before you move.

Then she looked at Zev and her face paled.

Lhars looked at Kyelle—did she know what had happened, but she just shook her head.

"We have learned that the humans… the humans took a baby from me," Sasha said, her voice ragged and tight.

A gasp rippled through the crowd and many growled or roared in protest. Sasha raised her hands for quiet and everyone settled quickly—not least because Zev stood at her shoulder, glaring at them.

"When you leave, follow the instructions of your Alphas. Remember, you're looking for the Safe Place

09:43

—a land that can provide for us, but where the humans can't reach us. Many of us have had a glimpse Lhars cursed. A precious offspring, taken from their Alphas? He growled, wanted to bite something, and heard similar protests from those around him.

These humans were evil!

But Sasha collected herself and continued.

"We keep learning of deceptions and manipulations by the humans and we aren't going to risk any more. I'm sending you through as planned—right now. I need to be utterly certain you're safe.

"When you leave, follow the instructions of your Alphas. Remember, you're looking for the Safe Place

—a land that can provide for us, but where the humans can't reach us. Many of us have had a glimpse of this place, but now… we're going. We're leaving Thana and the human interference behind forever!"

There was a ripple of applause, punctuated by roars and howls, but Sasha kept going. "Listen to your Alphas. They know how to prioritize, and where to place everyone so we can be certain you'll reach the new place with the Chimera you need to stay safe. If you are the first through, don't panic. Stay where you are and let others arrive. Keep your wits about you. Don't move from your spot until you're certain you can scent or see more of our kind, do you understand?"

A murmur of affirmation rolled across the square. Lhars took Kyelle's hand and gripped it tightly. She hugged his arm.

"I'm sending my most trusted males to bring the females from the Compound. We will free them—or die trying, I vow that to you!"

There was another ripple of calls and howls, but Kyelle made a small noise in her throat and she gripped his arms so tightly his hand began to tingle.

"When all of you are through and we're certain the males have had time to retrieve the females, we're going. Zev and I."

Growls and protests rose.

"Our Alphas can't leave! It's too risky!"

"You said you wouldn't abandon us!"

Sasha's face went hard and Zev snarled, silencing them.

Sasha swallowed but kept her face set. "We go to save our… our son," she said breathlessly. "He's been torn from us, and we can't leave his fate in anyone else's hands. It's simple… too much to ask. I pray you all will understand. There is literally nothing else that could convince me and Zev to be separated from you."

The air crackled with tension and grief, but no one made a sound. Sasha blinked back tears. "In the event that we're… unsuccessful… we can't afford to have a broken hierarchy when we have such an important job—to build the foundation of our society in our new home. So… once you step through that Gateway today your Alpha will become Kyelle. And when he arrives, Lhars will join her as her mate and second. They remain your leaders, with our full support, until or unless Zev and I reach you. Please… if anyone has any protest against this, any word that could cause dissension, please raise it now! We have to meet the coming hours and days with one mind. Are there any concerns about the leaders we have chosen?"

She waited, jaw set, her eyes scanning back and forth across the crowd. But no dissension was raised. Even from the back of the crowd, Lhars could see her relief.

He wished he could feel more glad for her.

 

Chapter 436

"Thank you," Sasha said, her eyes warm for her people. "Your Alphas remain your Alphas. Your seconds remain your seconds. Listen to them. They've been a great support to Zev and me in determining how to do this as safely as possible. Please… please, everyone, this is a time for coming together. We have met an enemy that seeks to destroy us. They lie and cheat and steal from the Chimera. And I refuse to give them one more opportunity to do so again.

"You will never have your families removed. You will never have your offspring harmed. You will not be experimented on, or used as a resource. You are a people. And you are loved. Love each other. Support each other. And us. Let's all make it to the new world and finally find our peace!"

A roar rose from the crowd, cheering and calling, some even shifted in their excitement. Sasha wasn't smiling, but under the circumstances, Lhars wasn't surprised.

His heart went out to Sasha and Zev, seeing the new weight on their shoulders—not because of their people, but because of their desire to protect their own.

"Nick will be freed," Sasha said suddenly and the Chimera went still—then began to rumble with growls and snarls of protests. "He'll be freed to take our message back to the humans after our males have saved our females. We won't allow them to have any questions in their minds, except that we have taken our own back—and we will not return.

"Without their knowledge, they have provided us our means of escape. Let that soothe your hearts as you step into the Gateway, friends. Remember that the humans brought us to this place—and now we use their own against them."

Another cheer rose and Sasha looked relieved.

"Thank you. Thank you for understanding. And for your belief in us. I am certain, brothers and sisters, this is a new day for the Chimera. We will look back on this day that is just dawning and we will know it was the moment the Creator brought us to a new destiny!"

"You are Alpha and Mother!" a thin, high voice called from behind Lhars. "We honor you!"

Suddenly a chorus of voices rose—a high-pitched hum with a wavering howl and the putter of growls. The sound was strangely resonant and eerie, raising the hair on Lhars' arms. He turned to find the females, all of them, with their heads tipped towards the sky, keening in a chorus of tones.

"We honor you and your offspring, Sasha-don!" Mae called, her voice strong and clear—and Lhars was touched to see Chet standing, as he did, just feet ahead of the females. And Mae was within arm's reach of him. "We honor you! You carry our hearts and our prayers! Go quickly! Return quickly! We honor you!"

As the female voices slowly undulated, then faded, Sasha clasped her hands in front of her mouth, her eyes shining with tears as she nodded. Zev clasped a fist to his chest in a salute to them. There was a frozen moment when everyone realized that this was happening, then Sasha took a deep breath and clapped her hands.

"Everyone, please stay together and walk as calmly as you can until your leaders reach you. Alphas! I need to speak with you and the team before you go. Quickly!"

Lhars' heart sank. He and Kyelle had only moments left. And that time would be taken with the logistics of leading the people.

As the crowd began to murmur and shift, everyone starting towards the trail in a relatively orderly way, Lhars looked at Kyelle, pinning her arm to his side as she hugged his.

"Not yet," he whispered.

She shook her head and they walked forward, towards their Alphas, together.

*****

"I'm sorry to throw this change at you at the last minute, but we truly can't risk being separated ourselves, or sending someone else to save our son. We don't know what exactly will be involved in bringing him out—and we'll be relying on the Gateway to take us to the right time. So, please… take care. All of you."

Sasha spoke quietly, thought the crowd was still close enough that if they were listening they could likely hear her.

Then she turned to Kyelle, gripped at Lhars' side.

"Kyelle, I'm going to ask you to go through first—for exactly the reason I was going to do it. You're needed there to make certain there is someone to greet them and make the decisions. We don't know if the Gateway will drop everyone out at the same place. So just… please… be careful. And… thank you, both of you," she said quietly, her eyes drifting back and forth between her and Lhars. "I know what this is costing you—we've been in this position. I hope you are certain that if I saw any way around it, I wouldn't ask it of you."

Lhars' mouth tightened, but he nodded. Kyelle did as well. But both of them gripped each other even tighter.

"Okay," Sasha said, and she suddenly sounded so weary.

Zev must have noticed too because he put a hand on her back and looked at her in concern, but she ignored it.

"Nothing else changes," she said quickly. "We'll put each of you through in the same order, with the exception of Kyelle. Space yourselves between the people. Make sure your clans are correctly focused before they step in. And as soon as you arrive, make it your priority to find your own people and bring them together."

She looked down for a moment with a small smile on her face. "I keep reminding myself," she said quietly, "that this is only a matter of hours. Our separation from each other, our pain, our travel… it's all very short. I pray for the safety of each and every one of you. Every one of them!" she said, gesturing towards the crowd that was slowly filing away.

"I meant what I said: We are a people and we are finally, finally going to be free!"

The Alphas nodded. Even Lhars heart lifted. But then Sasha blessed them and turned to Zev before catching eyes with Skhal, Jhon, and Lhars.

"I'll need to speak with each of you quickly, but the others can go."

Lhars' stomach twisted. That meant it was time for him to say goodbye to Kyelle.

 

Chapter 437

If you like music while you read, try "Stay" by Thirty Seconds to Mars. It's what I was listening to while writing this scene!

While the other Alphas moved away towards the crowd that was slowly curling out of site on the trail, Kyelle looked up at him.

Sasha was speaking quietly with Zev, so Lhars pulled her aside, away from the others, though he knew they'd be overheard.

Kyelle put her hands on his chest and fisted his shirt, opening her hand and smoothing it, before gripping it again. He held her arms and stared down at her, but she wouldn't meet his eyes.

"This isn't it forever, Kyelle," he whispered. "I'll see you at the cave and then—"

"No," she whispered back, her throat bobbing. "I have to focus on the females, on getting them through safely," she said, her voice tight with regret. "If I turn to you in that… it's not fair. None of them have mates to hold them."

Lhars thought of Pysa and Mae but didn't say anything. He knew what she meant. But that made his stomach feel like lead.

They were saying goodbye now? Here?

When he didn't respond, Kyelle finally lifted her eyes to search his. Their gazes locked and emotion welled up in him.

"You're going to be safe," he said firmly as if it was an order. "And I'm going to get my group of females and meet you in the Safe Place in just a couple of hours."

Kyelle nodded, but her forehead lined. Her eyes were pleading.

"I love you, Kyelle. I'm desperate for you. This has happened too fast, I don't want you to have any questions, any doubts—"

"I don't," she broke in, shaking her head. Her chin quivered. "And you can't have any either, Lhars. I know I was sight-blind. I'd do anything to change that now. But see me. Feel me. I'm here. For you. Only for you."

She took off his hands and placed them at the center of her chest, flat, over her heart.

He could feel it racing against his palm—and feel his own, also pumping too quickly, shifting to align with hers.

"We're in this together," he said, nodding. "So this, right now… this is just a… a delay."

She nodded, but fear sparked in her eyes that made him want to growl.

Then Lhars went very still. Kyelle froze, searching his gaze. "What is it?"

Lhars cleared his throat. "If it takes time, Kyelle, if I'm held up… please don't give up on me."

"Lhars, you're my mate. I would never—!"

"No, I mean… don't stop believing that I'm coming. Don't give up hope. Please."

She tilted her head, frowning sadly, cupping his face with her elegant hands. "I will never give up, Lhars. You have me, body and soul."

A huffing call broke in his throat and he couldn't stop it. He took her in a kiss, fisting his hand in her hair and pulling her in, desperate and clawing.

Kyelle wasn't one for public displays of affection, but she clung to him, whimpering. They both sucked and Lhars stumbled into her.

Someone behind them cleared their throat and Lhars was suddenly reminded that they were waiting for him. Sasha was waiting. He had to let her go.

The thought threatened to make him weep.

Tipping his forehead against hers, he broke the kiss, but still didn't let her go.

Kyelle had circled his waist with her hands and was still pulling him in.

"Wait for me," he breathed. "Even if I'm late. Even if I'm… just wait for me, please. Don't give up."

Kyelle shook her head and adrenalin speared through him. But she raised a hand to stroke him. "Lhars, I will wait the rest of my life for you. Never give up. I won't. Just… come back safely. Please."

He couldn't resist another kiss. But the sinking feeling in his stomach, coupled with the silence behind them meant the moment was lost. Lhars straightened and stroked her hair.

Kyelle tried to smile, but then her eyes drifted over his shoulder and he realized Sasha was approaching them.

"Sorry," he said, turning, though still holding Kyelle's hand. "I didn't mean too—"

"You're fine," Sasha said with a sigh. "I hate that we're putting you two through this. But I'm so glad that you're here. I know you're going to be fine, Lhars—and Kyelle, both of you. I'm more worried about what happens when you reach the Safe Place. There's going to be a lot of pressure on you both if we aren't there right away. But I want you to know, I have complete peace about leaving the people in your hands. If anything happens to us…"

All three of them tensed, and Zev, a few feet behind Sasha, speaking with Skhal, turned and frowned. She looked over her shoulder at him, and his eyes warmed with gratitude, and Lhars' heart thrummed.

His brother looked at his mate the way Lhars felt about Kyelle. It was… surreal.

"We're all going to make it back safe," Lhars said gruffly, still holding Kyelle's hand. "Perhaps at different times. Perhaps with challenges. But we will all be safe."

Kyelle and Sasha looked at each other. He wasn't sure what passed between them—something shrouded in the mystery of females—but Sasha smiled and leaned in to hug first Kyelle, then Lhars himself.

"Let's do this and get it done," she said quietly. "Let's do this and save the Chimera, and never have to think about the human intervention again."

Kyelle's smile broadened so that even Lhars was grinning. Then Sasha turned away with a wink at Lhars. "We'll be over here when you're ready."

Watching Kyelle's back as she walked away with her chin high and her shoulders back was a bittersweet beauty. He didn't take his eyes off of her even when she took two running steps and then launched herself into the air to fly to the front and be at the cave first so that she could lead the females through.

As he watched her graceful form swoop through the sky, she banked, her broad wings wide and beautifully white in the dawn light, as she circled high over his head, screeching another farewell before she flapped away.

Lhars turned to the others then, grateful that they simply made room for him in the circle, but didn't comment.

 

Chapter 438

"…remember to focus on the females that you met last time—not their location, in case they've been moved. If there was a leader among them, or a presence, focus on that one. You need the Gateway to take you to the place where the humans won't see you, and where the highest concentration of females is present. Be so careful, guys. Please."

Lhars, Jhon, and Skhal all nodded. The other two were tense but seemed poised with anticipation. Lhars was eager to get his females out of the compound, but even more eager to get back to his mate and the others.

"Remember, you have to tell them that I sent you, and this is the fulfillment of the prophecy. That's crucial. That's our trigger. That's what they've been waiting for. Who spoke with Vayl last time?"

"That was me," Skhal said quickly.

Sasha turned to him. "She's an asset. Listen to her. If she gives you caution, heed it."

Skhal nodded. "She was very quick to understand what was happening. I don't think we'll have any struggles."

Sasha nodded, then looked at the other two. "Your groups are small, but those females have been wounded deeply. I know it's hard, but please be patient with them. If they're tense they're more likely to panic—especially if they're young," she said, with a pointed look at Lhars, who nodded.

Then Sasha sighed. "I think… I think don't tell them that I won't be there immediately. Just tell them I sent you and this is the fulfillment. If I'm not in the Safe Place soon after you, at least they'll already be there safe and Kyelle can help them."

The males all nodded.

Sasha was grim. She hated the idea of the females being even more frightened by being surrounded by so many females. But she had hope that the others who were coming from the compound were more robust. If Zev was right and they'd been sent the weakest, those closest to death, then hopefully the others would fare much better when they arrived.

And even with their trauma, there would be more of them too. They wouldn't be so heavily outnumbered.

Zev had warned her that many of the females had died in the preceding years—too many for the humans to replace. It was why the team had become even more focused on reproduction. She prayed that when they were all together and in a place with no human interference, the females could truly return to themselves.

"If any of you are identified or interrupted by humans… get out of there. As many as you can take with you, do it. But don't risk everyone for the sake of an individual. It breaks my heart to even say it, but that is a command. You do not risk the humans entering the Gateway with you. We don't know what they know—whether they could follow someone through it. We just… we don't know enough. It can't be risked."

The males all murmured their agreement and Sasha raked a hand through her hair. Behind her, Zev leaned in, adding his presence and reassurance.

"Thank you for being willing to do this," she said to them. "Thank you for the risks you're taking for others." Then she dismissed them.

Zev stepped forward to share scents with each of them and cupped the back of Lhars' neck, the two of them staring, obviously speaking through the link. It was touching to see the brothers support each other like that.

Then, as the three of them finally turned away and started after the rest of the Chimera, a deep shadow appeared over Sasha's shoulder.

For a moment her heart pounded, suddenly convinced Nick had shown up. She gasped and whirled—

and immediately discovered why none of the males had been on alert.

Yhet stood behind her frowning sadly.

"Yhet!" she threw herself into his chest and he caught her up, holding her for a long hug, his deep voice vibrating in his chest under her ear.

"You are doing well, Sasha-don," he rumbled.

He let her down, but Sasha didn't stop holding him when her feet were on the ground. Yhet petted her hair hard enough that her head was forced forward, but she smiled through the tears.

"Yhet, I—"

"I'm sorry I left my post, Sasha-don. But I wanted to see you before you left. Besides," he muttered, "Ernie stayed and Nick won't go anywhere when he's around."

To Sasha's eyes, Yhet's dear face blurred. She tried to blink away the tears, but they tumbled down her cheeks, only to be replaced by more.

"I'm not angry, Yhet. It's fine. I wanted to see you too. I want to thank you for being my friend since the moment I arrived. For accepting me just because Zev did. I… I wouldn't have made it this far without you." She put one hand to his massive chest and smoothed it as if he had wrinkles in his furs.

Yhet grumbled some kind of protest but didn't meet her eyes. Then he swallowed. "I have a thought," he said carefully. "But first I need to know, what's your plan?"

"They're all going now. Right now, Yhet," she said, her voice husky. "Lhars, Skhal, and Jhon will go through when everyone has gone to the Safe Place—they'll get the females from the compound, then join the others. But Zev and I… we'll wait a few hours so that we won't raise the alarm if we get it wrong. We're going to get our son. Then we'll join them. Will you come, Yhet? Please? Even if… even if it's only for a short time, I would be so much happier if you were with us. We could help you—"

"No, Sasha. Thank you, but that's not what I meant," he said quietly, glancing at Zev.

"What is it, Yhet?" Zev asked gently.

Yhet cleared his throat. "I… owe the Team something for taking my mate as they did. I'd like to go—"

Sasha sucked in a breath.

"—but only to the human world. I'd like to… make a distraction for you."

 

Chapter 439

"What are you talking about, Yhet?" Sasha asked, sounding very wary.

Zev's heart broke for her. She wasn't going to like this. But he appreciated the male. If Yhet meant what Zev thought he meant, it was an excellent idea. He never would have asked Yhet to do it, but it showed the male's heart that he thought of it himself.

Yhet, obviously aware that his friend was worried, took both Sasha's hands. His were so large they engulfed hers, like a human father with a tiny daughter. Zev's throat pinched.

For the first time he'd ever seen, Yhet seemed to suit his title as Ancient.

"Sasha-don," he said carefully, "The humans are crafty. They have many systems—many strong systems. But their systems work on the basis that we all—human, Chimera—flee from pain or death."

"What are you saying, Yhet?" Sasha asked, her voice dark. Zev moved to stand behind her, to be there when she realized.

Yhet sighed, his eyes sad, but fierce. "I want to take as many of those fuckers down with me as I can, Sasha-don. Please don't take this from me. I will distract the humans, let them believe the darkness has taken me and I've lost my mind. I will divert their attention to the entrance of the compound while the males are taking the females."

"Yhet, no—"

"Their technology is advanced, Sasha," Yhet said as if she didn't know. Zev had to stifle a smile. "They can see things when they aren't present. Sense things their limitations cannot. Unless their human eyes and ears are taken with an emergency, there's a risk they'll alert to what is going on and the females won't get out. We can't let them keep anyone, Sasha."

"I'm not going to—"

"You told the males, rightly, that if they were at risk, to leave. Even if they hadn't gotten them all out."

Sasha frowned. "I don't want that, Yhet. It's the last resort—"

"And a good order, Sasha-don. You lead well. I submit," the male said, clasping a hand to his chest and bowing his head. "But I want to help. I want to give the humans something to focus on so that any alarms around the females might go unnoticed until it's too late."

Sasha's forehead pressed into deep lines. "But… Yhet… you're—"

"I am so tired, Sasha. My mate… she's gone from here. And from there. But I feel her and it pulls at me. I… I want to do something to avenge her—and to help you and the others."

Sasha swallowed audibly. "Nick said there are ancients there—or they have some, somewhere. Perhaps she's—"

Yhet shook his head, his face crumpling. "She's gone, Sasha. I can feel it. There is a… gap where she should be."

A small noise broke in Sasha's throat. Zev put a hand on her shoulder. He suddenly had to touch her. They both knew exactly what he meant.

Sasha's shoulder sagged. Zev was glad the others had gone. She looked very weak, suddenly.

"But, Yhet—"

"The ancients Nick referred to, they aren't like me," Yhet said, his voice little more than a growl. "I was taken to them once. They aren't like us, Sasha. Their minds… they are animals. They choose to stay close to the humans because they hope for food and shelter. They are mindless… it would be a kindness to kill them, but I will not do it. The only lives I will take are the humans."

Sasha frowned. But Yhet continued. "I don't go to save others myself, Sasha. I go to distract the humans and to show them the truth of what they've done—to help you all escape them. I will not see them win this if there is anything I can do to help.

Sasha's face crumpled. "But Yhet… I want you to be safe."

"Can't you see, Sasha?" he said, and his voice was higher, cracked in a way Zev had never heard it before. His heart went out to his friend. "I cannot be happy here anymore. I… I need to trust that the Creator has a place for us. That my mate is there, and that I can join her. There is no hope left for me here," he croaked.

Sasha gave a little cry, then threw herself into his chest again. Yhet rumbled reassurances to her, continuing to stroke her hair. But his eyes came up to meet Zev's.

Zev nodded once, a salute to the honor of his friend who would willingly give his life to save others.

"I honor you, Yhet," he whispered below Sasha's hearing.

Yhet's face tightened and he blinked, but then he dropped his chin to look at Sasha, clinging to his furs. His think fingers ran through her hair in a gesture of such gentleness, Zev's stomach clenched. Had it been any other male, he would have snarled and torn her away to set the boundary. But Yhet… Yhet loved her with the purity of true friendship.

Zev cleared his throat as Yhet whispered to her, words of love and joy and hope—for her and the Chimera. And reassurance of his own feelings. Sasha's shoulders shook, but she pulled herself together quickly, wiping her eyes and forcing herself to meet her friend's eyes until she was commending him and reassuring him in return.

When they finally pulled apart, they were both smiling faintly.

Zev followed as they turned and began to follow the others. Sasha asked Yhet to go ahead of Lhars and the others and Yhet agreed.

Zev was overwhelmed again. So much loss. So much pain. And yet, so much hope. His heart didn't know how to feel. As the three of them walked slowly—Yhet could always run to catch the others if it was needed—Zev focused on listening to the wolves as they communicated about locations and plans.

There were few creatures left in the forest. Those that wanted to had already gone through the Gateway, and those that didn't were disappearing deeper into Thana in the hope of being left alone.

Then Yhet's low rumble broke through his thoughts.

"Please don't tell the others that I don't plan to follow them to the new world," he said quietly. Sasha looked up at him, frowning, but Yhet shook his head. "I don't have the energy to say goodbye to everyone. Let them focus on their journey and I will focus on mine."

Sasha blew out a breath and hugged his arm. "Okay. I guess I understand."

But Zev reached past her to clap Yhet's upper arm. "You're a good male, Yhet. The best kind."

The male rumbled a protest, but they all kept walking without commenting further.

 

Chapter 440

If there hadn't been such a sense of dread hanging over their heads it might have been a very pleasant morning. Yhet was quiet, so Zev and Sasha discussed their plans through the mind link.

Lhars took about four hours last time, Sasha said. But I hope he'll be quicker this time. And besides, we don't want to wait too long, in case the humans do try to follow—in case they can do things we don't know about and locate us or something. I say we get everyone through and wait about three hours. That should be enough time for them to get the females out, but not so long that some huge force of humans could be in place.

Zev winced internally. She highly underestimated the capabilities of the Team when they were on alert. But in truth, that meant there was no time they could step in without being at risk if the humans knew something about the Gateway that they didn't. So he shrugged.

But we're moving into the future, remember? He said gently. Is there any need to wait at all?

They went back and forth on it, eventually deciding that they would take a short time when everyone was gone, then step in.

They walked on quietly and Zev drank in the sights of his home.

Walking through Thana as the sun rose to make the snowy mountains glow was one of Zev's favorite things to do.

For a moment his stomach clenched in fear—what if this new land wasn't beautiful? What if they got there and couldn't find that same peace from Creation? But he shook his head. Lhars had sent images of what he'd seen, and the land truly was beautiful—clearly warmer than Thana. But lush and green and with mountains, though green and brown instead of purple and blue.

No, Zev didn't need to worry that the Chimera would have an unnatural world. And he was grateful for that. Once they got through—

His mind stopped, snagged on the image in his mind of stepping out of the gateway into the new world with Sasha and their son.

Both of them.

Awake.

Wait.

They'd were only minutes from the cave and they'd caught up to the back of the crowd—moving slowly now as the Alphas ahead organized and assigned the Chimera different spots. Lhars sent him an image suddenly of some of the females balking—a warning that Sasha was needed. But Zev's heart was pounding in his ears so he could barely think.

Yhet had melted into the crowd, moving ahead to see if he could help with anything while he waited to go through at the end, ahead of Lhars.

But as Zev turned to tell Sasha that she was needed at the front, he found her staring at him, concerned.

What is it? she asked in his head.

The plan, he replied, swallowing. We missed something.

"What?!"

"We were going to knock you out. But if we do that, you can't hold the Gateway open while I get our son," he said, frantic. "Sasha, how are we going to do this?"

Sasha's eyes went wide. But there was a shriek ahead of them, one of the females and they both turned.

When Zev looked down at her again, they both knew she had to go up there to help the others.

"You stay here," she said quietly. "I'll help them get through. We'll talk about it after."

"But—"

"Zev, there's nothing we can do. We have to go ahead. We'll figure it out when everyone else is gone. We have to just… pray. Pray that the bond—which clearly doesn't want us apart—will somehow keep us together?"

He stared at her, chilled as his mind threw up every kind of death and destruction that could happen to either of them as they walked into this. But Sasha just leaned up on her toes to kiss him quickly. "Don't worry," she said. "We'll figure it out."

Then she darted into the crowd and let the Chimera give her space to walk through quickly so she could reach the females at the front.

Zev was left there, gaping at her back, staring at the milling crowds of Chimera, as fear washed over him in waves.

They couldn't go through separately. Even if they were able to open the Gateway together, that separation had almost killed them last time. They couldn't risk it again now—and certainly not twice!

But he'd never heard of anyone crossing in pairs or groups without being separated by the Gateway.

What the fuck were they going to do?

Zev had to turn his back on the others, to glare his anger and fear out at the landscape around him so he wouldn't cause tension.

What the hell?

What the actual hell?

He turned his chin up to stare at the sky, to snarl at the Creator Himself.

I get it. I know I was wrong—and a fool. But you know that I try to protect her. That I want to save our son. Why bring us this far if you'll stop us—is this a game to you?

I'm doing everything I can to fix the things I broke, not just for her, but for everyone—all the Chimera. To make myself good enough. I'm doing everything I can to… to be good. To love and care and protect. And it's as if you want to destroy me! But you'll take her down too if you do! How can that be right? Why would you destroy the one who is good? Is this punishment for me? Is she doomed because I'm condemned?

He growled in his throat, clawing both hands into his hair as he gazed out at Thana. The beautiful land he was willingly leaving to give them all a chance to live in peace.

You've let them steal our son. You've made it impossible for us to cross apart. Now you'd kill us just when we're so close?

If you want me dead, just do it! Stop toying with me!

But if you do… save her. Please. If you take me… save her. Save both of them.