Ch. 61..70

Chapter 61

Sasha spent a very, very uncomfortable hour after Zev disappeared being led around by Yhet trying to find a place for her to settle with her things. As they walked he explained that if Zev had been there, his position within the pack would have meant that other wolves would have made room because he was higher ranked. But as an unmated female—human female—she was both desired, and unranked. No one knew her position. And those that wanted to offer their spaces were males hoping to catch her eye.

When the first of them approached, Sasha had been touched.

The guy was probably in his mid-twenties, strong and dark-skinned. His teeth flashed when he smiled—which he did a lot. But the most striking thing about him was his light-green eyes.

"If you seek shelter, I would offer mine," he said, reaching for her arm as she passed at Yhet's side.

She'd paused out of habit, to be polite. Someone was addressing her and that meant she should respond.

But Yhet tsked and clamped his hand on her other wrist, tugging her forward, gently but firmly. "You have to ignore them," he said, his voice so low it seemed to come from the dirt beneath their feet. "Especially the ones that approach in the beginning. They know they're not strong enough to hold your attention. They're just trying their luck."

"Trying for what? He was offering to help me. It was very thoughtful."

"He was offering to share his space with you," Yhet muttered, glancing back over his shoulder at the male. "He would seduce you if he could and keep you away from the other males. There will be a lot of competition until you declare your mate. You have to ignore it until the very end. When the two strongest males begin to display. Then you have to give them your attention. If you pay attention to the young ones, you'll be making yourself look weak. Know your value, Sasha."

She frowned. "What is my value?"

"Zev," Yhet said with a wink. "Anything less than that and they got a bargain."

Sasha spluttered, but Yhet didn't laugh. He carried both her and Zev's bags, the thick straps clutched in a single hand. And the weight seemed nothing to him. Zev hadn't been too bothered by the weight either, but Yhet was so huge, they looked like child's backpacks in his hand. She shook her head.

Every few minutes she would catch sight of something—a man turning into a wolf, or one time, a goat like Dunken—or Yhet himself and her brain would just… refuse to believe any of it.

Her clothing—the slick, waterproof surface of the snow jacket, and the crunch of her boots—made her feel very out of place when everyone else wore furs or woven fabrics. But when Yhet caught her fingering the front of her jacket and comparing it to the thick furs he wore, he had waved it off. "The humans all dress like you, don't worry about it. No one cares—except if you stink."

"Stink?"

Yhet shuddered. "Some of the human fabrics are sin… syn… sythnetics I think Zev called them. They smell," he wrinkled his huge nose that somehow managed to fit his face just right and shook his head until his hair fluttered behind him a like a flag.

"Synthetics," she said with a little laugh. "My jacket is, too."

"Well it is not an offensive one," Yhet said with a sniff. "And I am grateful for that."

He wove her back and forth around the village, peering into different shelters, but always shaking his head or muttering an apology before pulling his head out of the darkened doorway and walking on.

Sasha was fascinated. The buildings she'd observed at the clearing were continued throughout the village—though here the trees hadn't been cut off and they were under the shadow of the forest canopy.

Then they pushed through some bushes, and Sasha's mouth fell open.

Here, as if it were now outside the village altogether, there were no more buildings leaning against trees, or built alongside bushes on the dirt. If Sasha kept her eyes low, she'd have thought she was just walking through forest.

But here and there, scattered through the trees, always where a thick trunk branched and massive boughs splayed out, homes had been built within the trees themselves.

Sasha gaped at the strange and wonderful beauty of these homes that first reminded her of giant wasp's nests. The sides were rounded and unevenly textured, as if many different kinds of materials had been rolled into the clay, or whatever was used to make the structures.

"There aren't… wasp chimera are there?" she squeaked.

Yhet frowned at her. "No. That would be creepy." When she gave him a look he shrugged. "I suppose it's a fair question. It isn't as if the humans haven't made other abominations before now. But no, there are no insect Chimera."

Sasha sighed with relief, uncertain she'd ever be able to see a human-sized insect and not scream, no matter how friendly they might be. But Yhet was already striding on.

"No, these are the nests of the birds. Owls, mainly, though there are a few hawks and one eagle family."

"Birds?"

"Yes," Yhet said, frowning up at the trees, then striding on, beckoning her to follow. "They had more females until recently, so I'm hoping they also have some empty homes and might share one with us."

Sasha stumbled at the word, "Us." While the homes she could see were sizeable—spilling out over thick branches in wide, rounded shapes that looked like a massive football had been blown up around the trunk of the tree. Each one was about half the size of her apartment back home. None of them looked big enough to easily accommodate someone of Yhet's size.

Then, as if he'd been searching for something and he found it, Yhet's eyes lit up and he trotted forward, the ground under Sasha's feet trembling with every step as he raced away from her. She was about to call him back and had just started to run, when he stopped at the base of a tree with a smaller nest home and reached up to tap on the arch that was made of a thick slab of bark that had to be its door.

As Sasha caught up to Yhet, her breathing heavy, more from fear than from keeping up with him, the door swung open, and the first female face Sasha had seen since entering this place, leaned out.

The woman looked older than Sasha—but her face was smooth, so Sasha couldn't tell if it was just because her hair was brown and lush, but peppered with white that aged her. She wasn't pretty, but had a pleasant face that made you think she laughed easily.

She looked out of the door, then down, and when her eyes landed on Yhet, her eyebrows rose and a smile broke on her face that made Sasha rethink the idea that this woman wasn't pretty.

"Yhet!" she chirped. "What are you doing here? I wondered what had caused the earthquake!"

She threw herself out of the door and into his arms, and he laughed and caught her, hugging her for a moment as her fingers played in his hair, then setting her on her feet.

"It's good to see you, Kyelle, but I'm not here for happy reasons, I'm afraid," he said slowly.

"What? Oh no, has something happened? Or…. Oh." She noticed Sasha then and her brows rose again.

"I'm helping Zev," Yhet said, his face suddenly very serious. He opened a hand towards Sasha. "Kyelle, this is Sasha."

Kyelle's head snapped up and she stared at Yhet, her eyes flashing in despair.

 

Chapter 62

Sasha stood there awkwardly as something passed between the two that she didn't understand, but that clearly reflected on her. How would this woman know her name?

Well, to be fair, it seemed everyone here knew of her.

She wasn't sure whether the fact that Zev had told all of them about her should make her feel warm, or angry.

"Hello," she said to the woman. "It's nice to meet you." She held out a hand.

It took the woman a moment to look away from Yhet's face, but when she did, she wiped her hands on the apron she wore over long, thick robes before taking Sasha's hand in a way that indicated she knew how to shake hands, but wasn't particularly practiced at it.

"I… good morning, Sasha," she said, clearly off-balance. "I never imagined… welcome to Thana."

"Thank you," Sasha said, then turned to Yhet, who was still watching Kyelle carefully.

"Zev is back?" Kyelle asked quietly, as if she were afraid of the answer.

Yhet nodded. "Just this morning. I found him and Sasha outside the cave."

"Shit, is that what all the roaring and barking was about? I thought the Alphas were fighting again."

"No, unfortunately, that was Xar… he declared Zev an outcast."

"He did… what?!" The woman glared. One thin, birdlike hand shot out and fisted on Yhet's shirtfront.

Yhet had his hands up, though he didn't look afraid. "Xar said that Zev was a traitor and cast him out. Poor Sasha had only just arrived with him. Before he got rid of him, Xar had her agree to take a mate before her next bleeding. She's… the males are circling Kyelle. I'm sorry, I didn't know where else to go."

Kyelle dropped his shirt as if she hadn't meant to hold on, brushing her hands distractedly down the front of it to smooth out wrinkles, but she was frowning at his chest like she wasn't quite ready to turn and meet Sasha's eyes.

What was going on?

"Sasha. That must have been frightening. You'll… You'll need a space," she said, swallowing hard.

Sasha nodded. "A male offered one as we were walking out of the village, but—"

"You can't take anything from any of them before you've chosen!" Kyelle snapped.

Sasha blinked, but nodded. "Yes, that's what Yhet said."

Kyelle smoothed her hands down her apron again. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. That was very rude of me. I know humans are different in how you speak to each other. I didn't mean to startle you. I only… only…" she swallowed hard, "If you are meant for Zev and he is going to fight, you cannot make it harder on him by welcoming another."

"Can you teach her, Kyelle?" Yhet asked softly. "Or recommend someone else that would do as well? I'm afraid I don't pay enough attention to the politics. I might steer her wrong and then…"

"It will hurt Zev," Kyelle said softly.

Yhet nodded, but his face was sad.

Sasha looked back and forth between them, utterly confused. But the woman had dropped her chin was biting her lip.

Then she turned and gave Sasha a small smile. "It sounds like you've had an… interesting introduction to Thana," she said carefully.

Sasha nodded, "It's been a little difficult," she said, surprised to need to blink because her eyes had suddenly begun to sting.

"How did you come to be here? I mean, I realize Zev brought you. Has he taught you anything of our people, or the customs here?"

"There wasn't time," Sasha said, swallowing the pinch in her throat. "We ran into each other, then these men started chasing us and he almost killed a couple of them, then we just kept running. I fell asleep, then we were in the cave and… and Yhet found us. It was… he had planned to explain everything when we were alone."

Kyelle gave a huff. "Typical Alpha male," she said with smile that was half-frustrated, half-amused, "expecting the world to bend to his needs, rather than planning to work within it."

"I don't think—"

Kyelle raised a hand to wave off the thought. "I mean no harm," she said. "I'm very fond of Zev and glad to hear that he's returned. Though this outcast business…" she shook her head, muttering something Sasha suspected was a curse. Then she took a deep breath and met Sasha's eyes. "Will he fight? For you?"

"Yes," Sasha said without hesitation. "He spoke in my head after that man told him he was cast out and said he'd work to fix all of this and I wasn't to worry, but—"

"Zev can speak in your head?" Yhet gasped.

Kyelle's face went blank, though Sasha had the feeling she was bracing herself for the answer.

"Y-yes. Can't he do that with everyone? Isn't it part of the… the wolf thing?"

Yhet looked at Kyelle, an apology on his sweet face that Sasha didn't understand. "It's something the wolves can do with each other. But outside of the clan it's… rare. Very rare," he said. "But that's good. That's a good sign. For you," he added. Then he shot that sorry look at Kyelle again.

"I'm sorry," Sasha blurted, "I feel like I'm missing something. What is going on? What aren't you telling me? I came here for Zev—because he told me this was where I'd be safe and we could be together. He said he'd never leave me again, and now he's already gone. And you two are talking like you know something I don't and… I'm sorry, but can you please tell me what's going on?"

She watched as Kyelle closed her eyes and a tiny shiver rocked the woman. Her hands had clenched in the folds of her robe, her knuckles standing white and proud. When Sasha looked at Yhet, his brow was deeply furrowed and he watched Kyelle, as if following her lead. But when she didn't speak, Yhet cleared his throat and turned to Sasha.

"It's been a strange time since Zev left—" he began.

But Kyelle made a tiny noise to interrupt him, raising one of her hands. "It's okay, Yhet," she said, then put her hand on his arm.. "Thank you, but… I'll tell her."

 

Chapter 63

Stomping his feet in the dried out leathers, Zev shook his head and scanned the destruction that had greeted him. It had taken close to an hour to pick up all the pieces of leather and fur, linen and down, and figure out what he had that was still usable.

He'd been left with two blankets that each had only one hole, and a single set of clothing, with an extra shirt. But no hood.

Zev cursed again as he piled the rest into a small space at the back of the cave to be used for mending, or rags.

Fucking Lhars.

It was as if his brother had known he would be back here one day and need these things. The destruction was meaningless and spiteful. A knife had been used to cut the thicker fabrics and leather to shreds. He wasn't surprised the food was gone—the creatures of the forest would have discovered it eventually. But if they had found or needed the warmth of the clothing or blankets they would have dragged them away.

This… this was destruction to remove the items so they couldn't be useful. Why not just steal them?

Because it was his brother, and his brother wanted him to hurt.

Zev swore under his breath again, pushed the last of the ragged fur into the little hole in the cave wall, then turned around and put his hands to his hips.

He needed food and water—enough to help his body heal quickly if it was required. And he needed to start pursuing and challenging wolves at each level of the pack, forcing them to face him. Until he had worked his way through his own people, he wouldn't be acknowledged by the wider Chimera at all.

He was going to have to be careful. All the fighting he was about to do would give Lhars and Xar both an opportunity to watch him. He would have to hold back some, appear not quite as strong, not quite as skilled as he actually was.

Sweat prickled his brow at the thought of fighting Lhars. The two were so evenly matched… but Zev's Alpha strength had always been greater. Would he still feel it, knowing the people didn't see him? He was about to find out.

He was going to have to hope that he could sniff out his bag. If he had to shift suddenly, he'd lose even this set of clothing. And while he might be able to cobble something together from the rags he'd just bundled up, it wasn't ideal.

He was about to match wits and bodies with the strongest, fastest, and most capable of the Chimera. More than one of them, over several days. To make it through the ranks in time he would have to find and fight several per day. All while staying out from under the eyes of Xar or Lhars as much as possible.

Shaking off the nerves that wanted to flutter in his stomach, Zev reminded himself there was nothing to gain in waiting. He'd visit the creek for a drink, then return to the outskirts of the village and see if he could gather some supplies, or find one of the low levels wolves. Some of them would likely submit if they were cornered anyway. But he couldn't take the risk of underestimating them.

Even the weakest of wolves was stronger than a human, and it had been over a year since he'd trained with a Chimera.

He took a deep breath and, with teeth clenched against the injustice of it all, strode back out into the light.

*****

He hadn't even made it to the outskirts of the village when the ground began to tremble under his feet. Hoping it was his friend—and praying it wasn't, because if Yhet was travelling that quickly, what had happened to Sasha?—he sank into a thicket of small trees and bushes just off the trail to wait and try to catch the scent before whoever it was reached him.

Sure enough, a minute later, as the ground began to actually shake, Yhet appeared on the trail, hair flying behind him and slapping his shoulders as he ran.

His strides were so long, Zev had to leap out of the bushes to give him a warning that he wasn't alone, or he might have streamed past before he caught Zev's scent.

"Zev!" he exclaimed, sliding to a halt just feet from his friend. "You're okay. Good. Here's your bag." He threw it down on the ground at Zev's feet. "I would embrace you but I'm not sure I can cover that scent just by saying I carried the bag."

"It's fine," Zev said. "But if you're here, where's Sasha?"

Yhet scratched the back of his head. "I left her with Kyelle," he said quietly.

"You… what? Why Kyelle of all—"

"She was the only female of high enough rank that I could find, Zev," Yhet whined. "The males were already circling, and Sasha is completely unprepared for our ways! She almost stopped and thanked a male who offered her shelter!"

"Shit!" Zev closed his eyes for a moment. There were so many ways her human manners could trip her up amongst the Chimera.

"Shit is right," Yhet growled. "Kyelle is… I told her what I knew. That Sasha was with you and you were claiming her, and—"

"You told Kyelle I was claiming Sasha… then left her there with her?"

"I didn't have a choice, Zev! I had to get the bag to you, and I was afraid I might forget something important. Kyelle is going to help her because it will keep you safer."

"But—"

"Tell me who would have been a better choice, Zev? She's only ranking female left. The males will have to listen to her if she refuses them access to Sasha. Who else could, or would, do that?"

Zev cursed again, but his friend was right. There were no other choices. It was just so… "Kyelle, though," he groaned, raking his hands through his hair.

"She's a strong female and a good teacher. She'll help Sasha understand how to keep herself out of… entanglements. But now that I've gotten your things to you, I have to get back to them. Even with Kyelle there, I don't want her to have to deal with half the wolf pack without some support.

Zev nodded grimly. "Thank you, brother. I mean it."

Yhet slapped his chest in salute and turned on his heel. But before he could launch back into a run, Zev called him back. "Tell her… tell her I said seven days. That's all I need. A week. She can't give up on me inside a week. Tell her what it will be like. She'll be frightened when she sees it."

Yhet nodded sadly. "I will. She… she's unhappy that you have left."

"Did you explain?"

Yhet gave him a flat look. "Of course. But she is overwhelmed I think."

"Yes, yes, she would be. Just make sure she knows I'm coming, and not to be frightened when she sees it happen. Explain that I won't kill them unless they force me to. That worries her. Death is different in their world."

"I'll tell her," Yhet promised. "Be well, Zev. Come back quickly.." Then he was gone, and Zev picked up the bag and began running it back to the cave.

Chapter 64

While Sasha waited for an explanation, it was agreed that they should speak inside, where it was warmer. Kyelle told Yhet she would shelter Sasha and teach as much as she could about the Chimeran's traditions in a mating season while Yhet took Zev his bag. Then, Yhet had picked Sasha up bodily and placed her on the small ledge in front of the open door.

Kyelle took her elbow and pulled her over the threshold quickly. "I don't want you to get shaken off the ledge," she said in a low voice.

"Shaken off how?" Sasha asked, but a moment later the entire house trembled, swaying slightly. Sasha squeaked and grabbed for something to help her stay steadily on her feet—and ended up holding Kyelle's arm.

Sasha had been in a highrise once during a tiny earthquake. She had the same, surreal feeling and slightly nauseating sense that everything was moving now.

"Yhet is running," Kyelle said as they stood there. "It won't shake for long. He's heavy, but the impacts only travel a short distance, especially when the ground is frozen.

Sasha gaped at her. "That's from Yhet?"

Kyelle grinned. "He's a lot of male," she said. But her smile faded quickly.

Half a minute later, the shaking stopped. Sasha blew out a breath and wiped her brow. Then she let go of Kyelle and turned to look at her home, intending to compliment her. But her mouth dropped open.

The inside of the tree house was a marvel.

The home was wide and round, probably thirty feet across. The floor was solid wood planks that opened only where the trunk of the tree grew through it. The ten foot ceiling made the space look much bigger than it was, but what Sasha couldn't get over was the furnishings.

Rich furs, a leather couch, a solid-wood table polished to a shine, and all of it glowing from the light that came from windows on every side.

This level of the home was all one room, with a small kitchen to Sasha's right, a dining space right next to it, then couches, chairs, bookshelves and a strange pole that rose out of the floor—a large branch that grew almost straight up just for a foot or two, then bent to a right angle and extended several feet parallel with the floor, just inside the window.

Everything in the room was made from something organic. No plastic. No metal. No rubber. It was all wood, leather, fur, and cotton.

"This place is beautiful!" she breathed. Although the room felt strange because it was round, everything in it felt like something out of a décor magazine—one of those rustic lodges or vacation rentals that would be titled, "Life as it was Meant to Be" or something like that.

Sasha walked toward the fat couch and buried her hand in the soft, thick fur that was thrown over its back. "It's so soft! I have a big blanket on my couch, too. I love to curl up in it…"

And then it hit her.

She wasn't home.

This wasn't a dream.

She wasn't playing a game.

She was in a stranger's house, touching strange things, being judged by strange rules… and none of that was going to change. She wasn't going to wake up in the morning to discover it had been a dream.

Or that Zev was next to her.

She was here alone and completely unprepared. And Zev was nowhere to be seen. She put her hands in her hair and forced herself to just breathe for a moment. "I think… I think it's time for you to tell me whatever it was you were going to tell me."

Kyelle sighed. "We should sit. This might take a while. Can I get you a drink?" she asked carefully. "I have water, milk, or eldertea."

"I… just water is fine," Sasha said faintly.

What the hell was she doing? Where the hell was she?

Kyelle began to cross the space, probably to get one of those mugs from the open cupboards on the wall above her kitchen block. All of her movements were short and swift, yet somehow graceful. "Are you warm enough, Sasha? I have a fur you could wear if—"

"I don't wear fur," she said without thinking, then spluttered a laugh. Then another. Oh no. She was cracking up again.

Kyelle gave her a strange look from over her shoulder, but didn't say anything. She urged Sasha to take a seat on the couch, which Sasha did because she didn't know what else to do. She was left sitting on an oversized couch, staring out a window of slightly rippled glass, but that gave her an unbroken view of the cold forest beyond.

Her hands were shaking.

Kyelle was gone for a minute or two, then returned quietly to stand at her side and passed her the water. There was a strange expression on her face as she watched Sasha sit there, staring at a mug. She needed to drink, she knew. And probably eat. And who knows how many other things. But all she could do was sit there and blink.

"Sasha—"

"I don't know what's going on here, or why you and Yhet were talking around something in front of me. But I'm sitting here right now, holding onto my sanity by a fingernail. I walked out of my friend's apartment last night to find Zev in front of me for the first time in five years. Then suddenly men were shooting at us and we had to have a pretend argument in my apartment that wasn't really pretend, and then they chased us in a car. I would have sworn he killed someone. Maybe two someone's. Then just when things were calming down, he… he turned into a wolf in front of me. And then he gave me something that helped me sleep. And then I woke up in a cave and I met… the largest man I have ever met and learned that, by the way, he isn't really a man.

"Then we met a goat. Then another wolf. Then all these men—one in particular who seems to hate Zev—and now I'm alone again, except this time I'm who knows how far away from civilization and now I'm sitting in a living room that is gorgeous, but I feel like I can't trust you. Are you going to try to kill me too? Was this whole thing a set up? Because, seriously, I can't take any more surprises at this point. So just tell me and let me get on with losing my mind."

When there was no immediate answer, she looked up at Kyelle, whose eyes had gone wide. "Well?"

 

Chapter 65

Kyelle took a seat on the couch next to her. She sat oddly, with her feet pulled up onto the couch yet her arms at her sides. She wasn't holding a drink. She stared out the window as if she, too, were somewhere else in her head.

Sasha watched her, waiting for the attack… or whatever was coming that made this woman so tense.

"I'm sorry you felt we were speaking over you," she said finally. Sasha just waited since it was clear Kyelle was about to tell her why. "We were not trying to hide anything from you, only… only be sensitive. You are… special to Zev. I did not want to give you any reason to question that."

A lead weight appeared in Sasha's stomach. She swallowed. "Why… how would you?"

"I wouldn't," Kyelle hurried to say. "But Zev and I are… were close. And Yhet was aware of that. He was warning me that you were the one I had heard so much about. He was trying to spare my feelings."

Sasha's eyes closed. "You were one of his breeding partners?" she asked, her stomach churning.

"What?! No! I cannot mate Zev, the offspring would be…" Kyelle shuddered and her hand fluttered up from the couch. "No, that is not what I meant," she said finally.

"Then you're going to have to spell it out for me because I think my brain is incapable of keeping anything in perspective right now."

Kyelle sighed and her hand fluttered again. She shifted her weight as if she might get up from the couch, then resettled. "Yhet knew that I had been praying for Zev's return. That I had hoped he would come back and return to me."

Ah. She understood. This woman harbored feelings for Zev. "But… you said you two couldn't have children. What kind of relationship would that be?" It was a lot easier to talk about that, than to ask whether they could have sex. Who knew how these people's bodies worked?

"I cannot have offspring at all," Kyelle said, her voice heavy with grief.

Sasha turned her head to watch the woman, torn between compassion and fear because of what that meant Kyelle and Zev could do… if they wished.

"It is why the humans leave me here. Why I can live in relative freedom," she said. "I should be grateful for it."

Sasha felt like she was walking a minefield. "I'm sorry to hear that. I can't imagine—"

"No, you can't," Kyelle said. "And I thank you for being kind about it. Not all Chimera are. In any case," she went on, her voice stronger and a little too bright, "Yhet knew that I would have preferred to be warned that Zev was back, and you were here. He felt bad to tell me that in front of you because he cares for my feelings. Yhet is a good male."

Sasha smiled. "He does seem to be." They were both quiet for a minute, then Sasha bit her lip. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry you had to hear that in front of me, too."

Kyelle waved her away, but turned her head. "It doesn't matter. I have known for years his heart would never be mine. Not truly. You are his mate, whether the humans believe it possible or not. No one can break that bond."

Sasha warmed for a moment. She'd always thought of Zev as hers. But he'd been gone so long and had changed so much…

Then she remembered the declaration of the King, or whatever he was. "It isn't the humans who need to believe that, it's your alpha king guy," she said, her stomach clenching.

"Xar? Tell me what he said. Word for word, if you can."

Sasha thought back. "I'm not sure it's word for word, but he agreed to protect me if I became Chimera. He said that meant that I needed to declare a mate before my next bleeding. And something about males of rank? It all seemed fine. I mean, Zev didn't look worried about it until Xar cast him out."

Kyelle nodded. "Zev is a male of rank. And our former Alpha. Even though he left, he has not weakened. If he were eligible within the Clans, he would have the confidence and the power to win you."

"He doesn't need to win me," Sasha said without thinking.

Kyelle flinched.

Sasha dropped her face into her hand. "I'm sorry, that was thoughtless of me."

"No, no, it's fine," the woman said in a pinched voice. "You are both here now. I will need to become accustomed to that."

"Except we aren't," Sasha replied. "Zev is cast out. I don't understand how this works, but Yhet said it would normally take him months to work his way back up the pack. But I've got maybe ten days, tops?" Sasha looked at the woman, pleading. "I'm sorry to ask this of you, but—"

"We have no control over what Zev does, or how quickly. But you must understand how you will relate to the males until he is strong enough to fight for you. If you do the wrong thing you will make it harder for him."

Sasha blew out a breath. "Can you teach me?"

Kyelle stared at the ripple window, her mouth pulling down at the sides. The fact that she didn't answer immediately made Sasha deeply uncomfortable. But then she realized if the woman had rushed in to say yes, she would have been more suspicious of her answer.

"I will help you because if you get this wrong you could get Zev killed. I am sure you are a wonderful female—Zev has always spoken of you… so highly," she said faintly. Then she swallowed and her jaw got hard. "But you should know, my willingness to help is for his good. He deserves to be happy. I want him to be happy," she repeated, as if she were convincing herself.

Sasha nodded. "Thank you. I'm sorry that this hurts you."

Kyelle raised one shoulder. "Life is never easy. But I accept what I cannot change." Then she finally turned to look at Sasha, her eyes sad. "Now, do you need a rest before we begin?"

 

Chapter 66

An hour later Sasha's head spun and nerves tingled in her stomach. It was going to be so, so easy to go wrong and make this harder for Zev. She'd had no idea.

"I can't even speak to them without them thinking that I'm receiving their interest?" she asked, incredulous.

"Not one on one," Kyelle corrected. She had become brighter and warmer as she'd warmed up to her subject and they'd moved away from Zev. She seemed to truly want to help Sasha understand. Sasha just hoped she could remember it all. "If you sit at a meal or a gathering, where a group is discussing something, you are relatively safe—though it's probably better not to smile at anyone. And definitely don't meet their eyes if they preen."

"Preen?"

"You know, show themselves off. Display their bodies, or feats of strength. Or if they bring you something they've made."

Sasha's mouth fell open. "Display their bodies?" she repeated dumbly, her mind suddenly filled with images of walking into the village to find a herd of tall, muscular men stripping their clothes off and flexing. A snort of laughter broke in her throat and she tried to swallow it, but just ended up making spluttering noises.

Kyelle grinned. "Surely males have preened for you before?"

"Well, sure," Sasha laughed. "But the human guys are a little more… subtle." Only a little, when she thought about it. Her laughter died quickly, though. "I just… I'm so worried I won't think and I'll accidentally give someone a signal. Are you certain I can ignore them without offending them? Maybe that's the best way to make sure I don't slip up. I'll just ignore all of them?"

"All of them but the Alphas," Kyelle reminded her. "Those have to be acknowledged, but you can simply meet their eyes and nod, then turn away. Don't smile or speak to them unless you want to encourage the interest."

"But… how will I know if they're an Alpha?"

"You'll know because the other males will submit to them. When an Alpha displays the others will remain behind him."

Sasha shook her head. "I just feel so out of my depth. I never thought I'd have to navigate this without Zev," she said, then could have slapped herself for the startled look that crossed Kyelle's face—followed by the woman averting her eyes again and turning away.

She was about to apologize again when Kyelle stood and wiped her hands on her thighs. "Well, I know that Zev is strong enough to fight his way back for you," she said finally, still not meeting Sasha's eye. "So… perhaps your focus should be not on how difficult it is to learn quickly, but on being the female who is strong enough to deserve him."

Then she turned and locked eyes with Sasha, who was completely off-guard.

For a moment her stomach twisted exactly the way it had back in high school when the popular girls would corner her and ask her how she'd held onto such a hot boyfriend. For a split second she wanted to cower as she had back then—because their questions were her questions too.

But then something in her chest flared.

She was a grown-ass woman. She had held onto herself even in the loss of Zev. And he had come back for her. If he'd been close to this woman, well, she'd been close to a guy since they broke up too.

But not anymore. Now she was here—wherever "here" was—and she needed him. And it sounded like he needed her, too.

"You're right," she said, standing. Kyelle was several inches taller than her, but Sasha held her gaze. "I am strong enough to do this. Thank you for your advice. I need it. If you know anything else that might help me, tell me, I'll listen. But other than that… you're right. He's mine, and I'll protect him, and myself, as best I can until this all plays out. Thank you. Sometimes I need a swift kick up the ass."

Kyelle blinked, then a smile grew on her face. She really was quiet pretty. She nodded and turned for the kitchen, breaking eye contact as Sasha stood there, heart pounding.

"You must be hungry," she said gently. "It's lunchtime. Can I get you a—"

A hammering knock sounded on the door, startling Sasha. But Kyelle just looked towards it, rolling her eyes. "He really doesn't know his own strength," she said with an affectionate smile. Then she hurried across the room to the front door, pulling it open. "Yhet!"

"How are you doing?"

"We've covered the basics. I think she will be able to handle it. Did you want some lunch?"

"Thank you, Kyelle, but I think I need to take her to the meal so there's no accusation of her trying to find him."

"Yes, that's probably wise," Kyelle said without any hint of sadness, Sasha noted. "While you two eat I'll see about a home. I'm assuming you'd like your own space?" Kyelle said turning to face her.

"Yes," she said thoughtlessly. She always preferred to live alone. But did she really want that here?

"Can you see if there's anything on the edges, Kyelle? I don't want to make it easy for them to find her—and that way I can move around some without bothering people."

"Of course, of course," she said, leaning out the door to pat Yhet's shoulder. "You're a good friend, Yhet. Zev must be so grateful."

The man's already rugged face reddened, and Sasha grinned. He really was a sweetheart.

Then Yhet beckoned her forward and she walked to Kyelle's side at the doorway.

"Are you ready?" he asked pleasantly.

Sasha nodded. "Were you able to find Zev and give him the bag?"

"I did. He is well and prepared. He's set up in the cave," Yhet said with a cautious glance at Kyelle. "But I imagine we'll be seeing more of him before too long. Once he's eaten."

Kyelle nodded.

Sasha was confused. "But I thought he wasn't allowed in the village?"

"He can go wherever he wishes, but he won't be acknowledged," Kyelle explained.

"Until he forces one of them to see him," Yhet said darkly.

They both gave little sighs.

Oh, right, Sasha remembered. The fighting.

Then she sighed as well.

 

Chapter 67

Yhet ushered her back towards the Village, their footsteps crunching on frozen leaves and twigs as they wove through trees.

"It will be faster to walk as the crow flies. Are you comfortable if I lead you off the trails?" Yhet asked carefully.

"Sure." The truth was, she wasn't comfortable anywhere here, but what else could she do? Having Zev's presence removed so swiftly meant she was rudderless. Yhet seemed like a big enough port for the storm.

He led her through the trees, pulling back branches to allow her to walk through easily, then letting them go when she'd passed—and the branches were so large, the entire tree shook as it returned to its natural place. Sasha shook her head.

Yhet didn't seem to notice her awe of his strength, pointing out small birds and wildlife as they walked—reminding her of Zev all those years ago.

Was this place why he'd been so aware of nature? Well, of course, it must have been. She tried to pay attention, but she struggled to concentrate.

"I'm sorry, Yhet," she broke in finally when the sweet man asked her a question and she wasn't even sure what he was talking about. "I'm struggling to concentrate on anything except… where is Zev? You saw him? Is he okay?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Sasha, I should have told you as soon as we were out of earshot of Kyelle," he rumbled, looking concerned. "Zev is fine. I gave him the bag, though we couldn't embrace so I wouldn't stink of him. He was going to eat, then return to begin challenging the males. It may take some time, but I imagine we'll see him this afternoon."

Yhey swung his great head around as if they might see Zev right then, and Sasha's heart lifted. But the lovely man was just looking. He continued forward, pointing Sasha through the undergrowth to a point where more light was beginning to push through the trees.

"Where are we going?" she asked once she was certain Zev wasn't about to appear.

"To lunch. There's an area we keep and we take turns cooking and cleaning after everyone. It's more efficient with the sharing of food, and it gives us a chance to see each other. Especially those of us who spend a lot of time working outside the village itself.

"Those noises you can hear are the males who are on duties this afternoon. They eat first, then the rest of us."

Sasha listened carefully, but the only thing she could hear was the wind in the trees above, the occasional twitter of a bird, and her own footsteps.

She blinked, then looked at Yhet's feet.

Like Zev earlier, he was clothed in thick furs and his were natural, moccasin-like boots, the soles thick, but pliable. Sasha frowned. Despite Yhet's massive weight, she couldn't really hear it when his foot hit the ground. She had earlier when he was running, but now?

"How do you walk so quietly?" she asked, pointing at his feet.

Yhet looked down, frowning at his own feet as he took another long, slow step over a fallen log that Sasha would have had to leap or crawl over.

"Oh! You haven't trained, of course," he said with a deep chuckle. "Don't worry, the longer you're with us, the more you'll learn to navigate the forest silently. It helps with hunting and… avoiding unwanted attention."

Sasha wasn't sure she wanted to hear whose attention she needed to avoid, but she was about to ask anyway, when Yhet looked forward and smiled. "Mmmmmm, it's Parritch today. One of my favorites." He rubbed his hands together, then looked at her quickly. "The males are already there. They'll be eager to see you. But you must ignore them—sit with me and only speak to any that I tell you have already mated, or are too young."

Kyelle had mentioned that. How Sasha was supposed to tell between the males, she didn't know. But she was resolved not to do anything that might make things worse for Zev. So she nodded.

"You might have to give me a little signal?" she said, "So I can know which males are safe to speak with?"

"Excellent idea," Yhet nodded, frowning thoughtfully. "Something subtle… how about I scratch my nose if a male is safe. Unless I do that, you don't speak to them?"

"That sounds perfect, thank you, Yhet."

The man's cheeks pinked and Sasha was touched.

A few steps later, Yhet stopped behind a large bush. At least it looked like a bush when she was standing back watching Yhet, but as she approached it she realized it was nearly as tall as her. Yhet, able to see clearly over it, was staring, scanning the other side where Sasha could now hear the murmur of male voices, laughter, and the raised voice of commands and greetings.

She stopped at Yhet's side and his eyes narrowed.

"What are you looking at?" she asked him after a moment when he didn't move.

"Lhars," Yhet said darkly.

"Why are we looking for Lhars?"

"Because he's trouble and I always want to know where he is if—"

"Then you should have looked behind you, Yhet."

They both whirled, Sasha with a hand to her chest. A low sound rumbled in Yhet's chest, but he didn't jump.

"There's no need for your tricks, Lhars," Yhet growled.

Lhar's eyes brows rose. "Who was using tricks? I could hear her walking for the past several minutes. You really need to teach her to do better if you're going to be dragging her through the woods for the next few weeks."

"Weeks?!" Sasha squeaked. "Who said anything about weeks? Zev will be back and—"

Lhars snapped his head, his gaze wide and surprised, but also much warmer than she would have expected as he gazed at her like she'd startled him. Yhet hurriedly motioned to her to stop talking and she snapped her mouth closed. But both of them were staring at her.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that? What did I do? I haven't learned to walk quietly yet—"

"No, no, don't trouble yourself, Sasha," Lhars said, his voice warm and curled around her name. "You aren't Chimera. The humans are always clumsy and loud. It's fine. I could teach you, if you like. To navigate the forests."

"I, uh… I'm not sure—" She looked pleadingly at Yhet who had his face in his hands as if something terrible had happened.

What was wrong?

"We can discuss it later," Lhars said, smiling as he glanced at Yhet as well. "I'm sure you're hungry. Perhaps we'll speak later, after you've eaten and rested? I would be happy to show you the sights. That is how the humans put it, isn't it?"

"I… thank you, but—"

"Stop talking to him!" Yhet hissed.

Sasha's mouth dropped open in horror.

She'd been talking to Lhars. Privately. Acknowledging him.

Eyes wide with fear and steaming mad at herself for so quickly and easily forgetting everything she'd just been told, she turned to stare at Zev's brother, but clapped her mouth shut and looked away when his smile broadened.

"Later, then," he purred, then turned and seemed to fade away among the trees that still stood between them and the villagers.

Yhet groaned.

 

Chapter 68

The dining area—Yhet had called it the Trough, but that felt just a little too… animalistic to Sasha for such a normal space.

Well, almost normal.

It was a true clearing—no trees at all. There were cook fires at both ends, each bracketed by thick, green, forked branches stuck in the ground. A pole swung between them, the thick body of what looked like a massive chicken to Sasha, threaded over it. A young male stood next to each one, turning the roast, and tending the fire.

It smelled like barbeque.

The space between the two fires was peppered with tables, benches, and some individual chairs. And the entire span was covered overhead by what seemed to be tree branches, but branches tied together like a massive blanket laid over a central line that crossed the whole space.

It made a natural roof, a guard from sun or rain.

She sat at the table where Yhet had pointed, keeping her eyes down on the tabletop and her hands in her lap. She was determined not to look at anyone. She wouldn't even listen to their conversations so there was no chance she'd be distracted and look up or speak to someone. She'd apologized to Yhet as soon as Lhars disappeared. But even though he'd given her a sad smile and squeezed her shoulder gently, she had the distinct feeling that he was even more frustrated than her.

A plate appeared under her nose then, held by fingers so thick they seemed like sausages—and made the plate look like a child's toy. But as soon as the steam rising off the thinly sliced meat hit her nose, she realized how hungry she was.

"Thank you!" she said, then looked around for silverware… only to come up blank.

She sat at a wooden table that reminded her of a picnic table because of the benches either side. But there was nothing on the weathered tabletop, or in Yhet's hands.

She watched as the man took the bench across the table from her, pulled it feet away from the table, and then sat down, his long knees pinched up against the tabletop.

Without noticing her confusion, he dropped a cloth on the table next to each of their plates, took one of the thin slices of meat in his fingers, wrapped it around a long, green vegetable that looked like a flat green bean to Sasha, then opened his mouth and took the whole thing, chewing with gusto, his lips smacking.

"I do love Parritch!" he said around the mouthful. "Have you tried it before?"

Sasha shook her head, but followed his example and wrapped a piece of the meat around one of the beans, and took a tentative bite.

Surprising flavors burst on her tongue—not unlike chicken, though stronger and sweeter, or maybe that was from the crunchy bean? She wasn't sure. All she knew was that as soon as she put food in her mouth, her body suddenly ached for more, her stomach growling audibly so that Yhet grinned and motioned towards her plate with his next roll of meat and bean.

"Sounds like we should have fed you earlier," he said with a grin. "Next time tell me if you're hungry. I can get you something."

"I'm fine," she reassured him around her own mouthful. "I just skipped breakfast this morning.

He opened his mouth to respond—by the look of his grin, to tease her—when there was a guttural snarl, followed by a quick yelp on the other side of the dining area.

Sasha's head snapped around instinctively. Yhet was on his feet, the bench falling down behind him, and the sound of many bodies rising from their seats echoed around the space.

Sasha wanted to curse—she couldn't see past all these tall men! "Yhet, what's—"

"Shhhhh, Zev's found one already," Yhet whispered.

"Zev?" Her voice was far higher than it should have been, but she immediately started around the table, heading for the other side of the dining area where she'd heard the noise. But Yhet didn't even have to take a step to reach past the end of the table and catch her arm.

"You won't help him by being close enough to distract him, Sasha," Yhet rumbled, tugging her back to his side of the table. "And you won't help yourself by acknowledging him before he's climbed high enough. If you give him space now, the lower level males will believe they have a chance with you."

Sasha looked in the direction where the noise had come from. Oddly, all the males that had leaped up from their chairs, were settling back down, turning their backs… ignoring whatever had caught their attention.

"What are they doing?"

"Zev's caught the lowest ranking wolf and forced him to see him," Yhet breathed, nudging her back down to sit on the bench on his side. "Now the male has to either fight him or submit."

Enough of the men had sat by then that Sasha peered around to see if she could catch a glimpse of him, her heart aching to be close to him—it would be such a relief.

But Yhet gave her a flat look and turned her back to face the table so her back was to that side of the clearing. "You can't acknowledge him yet," he said, kindly but firmly. "Don't worry, he's not going to fall to these wolves."

"Wolves? They're fighting as wolves?"

Yhet shrugged. "They'll fight in whatever form they choose. But Zev has to force his pack to accept him before he can dominate the other Chimera. So he starts with the wolves." His eyes unfocused for a moment as if he were relying on his hearing. Then he gave a small smile and nodded, returning to his food.

"Be happy, Sasha. The male has submitted. Zev won't even have to fight him."

Yhet took another large bit of meat and beans. Sasha found her appetite suddenly gone. "Can I look for him now?"

"No," Yhet said, shaking his head so his hair fluttered around his shoulders. "Not until he's taken the wolf-Alpha."

Sasha sighed and picked at her food, her ears peeled for any sign or sound of Zev. But the men around them had started talking again and there was too much noise for her to make anything out. Her heart dropped.

"Who's the wolf Alpha?" she asked quietly after a few moments and only one mouthful of food.

Yhet sighed and his lips twisted. "Lhars," he said tightly. "Zev will have to fight his brother to take Alpha of the pack if he wants to regain his rank."

Of course it was Lhars.. Of course it was.

 

 

Chapter 69

Zev clenched his jaw. This was going to be the easiest, but the most distasteful of the things he had to do in the coming days.

The pathetic mess of a Chimera that was the lowest wolf in the pack, cowered in front of him. His name was Grahm. He was a male who'd been one of the Poor Ones—made with a higher percentage of human DNA than wolf, but with the wrong gene exchange. And in his case, the already flawed recipe they'd written for him was founded on weak human DNA and low-level wolves. His body was weak, and his mind not much better.

Before, when he'd been Alpha, Zev had always gone out of his way to be kind to the poor soul. All the marks that should have made a wolf-warrior were there—the kid had the bright blue eyes rimmed in near-black. He moved with grace. But while all the other wolves came into their majority in their early teens, at eighteen, Grahm's arms were still narrower than a twelve-year-old's, his hips slight. He lacked the pure strength that was needed for respect among the wolves—and the mental sharpness that might have made up for any physical flaws.

He had always struggled to keep up with the others, but had found his place tending fires and food. He was a hard worker with an honest heart, accepted by the pack, though treated with minimal respect because of his position.

But Zev knew it wasn't his fault how he'd been made.

It also wasn't Zev's fault that Grahm was the lowest on the wolf hierarchy, and therefore he had no choice but to begin with him. Grahm had tried to ignore him when Zev caught him hauling water back for the washers, but he was too easily distracted, and too easily flustered.

Zev would apologize to him when he'd regained his rank.

He'd slammed the poor male up against a tree, tossing his bucket to the side and snarling the challenge as soon as Grahm's eyes met his own.

The poor thing shook like he might wet on himself.

"Submit," Zev growled at him, checking over his shoulder that they were out of sight of the those in the Trough. "I don't want to hurt you, Grahm, but I will if I must."

The male kept his chin down and hunched, lowering himself in front of Zev so that he was below Zev's chest. "I… I s-submit," he breathed. "Please don't hurt me, Zev. I have to help with the dinner tonight!"

Zev sighed and clapped his hand to the back of Grahm's neck. "Of course I won't hurt you, brother," he whispered. "But you must remain submitted, you understand?" When the boy nodded, he sighed again. "I'll walk you back to the fire."

He stepped back and turned, Grahm moving after him, head still down. He'd grown since Zev last saw him—his shoulders were thicker, as was his hair. But he was the same, sweet kid he had been.

"Does this mean I can talk to you now?" he whispered.

"Yes," Zev said. "I've forced you to see me. You can look at me."

"Great!" The kid raised his head, beaming. "I wanted to see you, but you were already cast out! Now we can talk!"

Zev nodded, but his eyes were on the trees ahead. Those gathered for the meal. No point telling Grahm that talking to Zev wouldn't help his standing among the pack. Few bullied Grahm anymore. At least, they hadn't under Zev's rule.

He made a mental note to check with Yhet about what had been happening under Xar.

He exchanged small talk with the boy until they broke through the trees and into the Trough clearing, then he set his teeth and watched. He wouldn't put it past those who were loyal to his brother to try and put an arrow in his back—accidentally, of course.

Talk at the tables near where he appeared came to a standstill, but no one looked up. Zev let them all feel his glare, warning them with his eyes and his scent that he was not to be pushed—or dismissed.

He walked the boy back to the fire, only to find Rori, the Firemaster, standing over the flames, glaring at them, his thick jaw twitching.

"Where have you been, Grahm!" he snapped, never letting his eyes fall on Zev. "Where's the water?"

"I… oh," the boy said, stopping and turning to look back where he'd come from. "I'll go get it."

"You will not! You'll do the carving. I'll go for the water," the older man snapped, snatching another bucket from the pile near the fire. "You keep your eyes on the meat, and serve anyone who comes. I don't have time for more mistakes!" Then he stormed off in the direction Zev and Grahm had come from.

The poor kid flinched, but rushed to the task of turning the meat. When a moment had passed, he glanced up at Zev with a half-smile. "I guess I better go back to work. It was good to see you."

"You're a good wolf, Grahm," Zev said quietly. He would have embraced him, but more of his scent on the kid was only going to hurt him further when he walked through the village tonight. They all had to know Zev was going to fight his way back. But they'd still punish any wolves that gave in. "I'll see you around, okay? And don't worry, I'm coming back. We'll get this all sorted out—"

He was turning away as he spoke, preparing to go in search of the next wolf, when he slammed into a thick, heavy body that grunted at the impact.

Zev whirled to find the massive Rayf, a wolf several steps up the rankings, standing in front of him, spitting curses and flicking the gravy off his tunic that had been plastered there when Zev ran into the plate the male was carrying and apparently flattened it against his stomach.

"What the hell were you—" Rayf's eyes snapped up to meet Zev's for a split second and the words died on his lips.

Zev smiled and flexed his hands. "Good to see you, too, Rayf."

"Well, fuck."

 

Chapter 70

A murmur rippled through the men at the tables around Sasha and Yhet. With a warning look at Sasha not to move or speak to anyone, Yhet turned to scan and see what was happening. Sasha kept her eyes on him.

Then his brows rose.

"You can watch this part," he rumbled quietly, nodding to something behind them. "He's been acknowledged by Rayf."

Sasha whipped her head around, but had to stand to see over the men seated behind them.

Just as she got to her feet, a thick-set older man near the fire spat a curse and tossed aside a metal plate that clanged on the ground, wobbling on its rim until it hit a rock and slapped to the dirt, ignored by all the men around it.

Zev stood in front of him in a strange, black outfit—skin tight so it showed every ripple and ridge of his body in a way that made Sasha's heart beat faster. Even his feet were encased in something that looked like black socks with soles.

"What's he wearing?" she whispered to Yhet.

He shrugged. "My guess is something the humans gave him that will help him fight."

Zev said something to the older man and sank into a half-crouch, shoulder and hands loose, but held in front of his chest as if he were readying to block a blow—or throw one of his own.

The male in front of him growled a reply Sasha didn't catch and raised his hands as well and two began to circle each other.

Sasha's heart was in her throat—what if this guy had a knife? But then Zev flowed forward and Sasha's mouth went slack for an entirely different reason.

Zev fought like he was dancing, his body flowing from one movement to the next with a grace that belied the strength of his blows. Sasha heard the thwacks and thuds of fists finding their aim, but both men moved so quickly, limbs flying so fast they blurred—when she could see them move at all—that it was almost impossible to know who was being hit, and who was doing the hitting.

Zev's entire body looked slick in the strange black clothing. But as the two men darted forward and back, one advancing, then the other, the purpose of the thin, skin-tight clothing became clear.

The older man reached for Zev with a lightening hand, but Zev ducked and weaved so his opponent wasn't able to find a grip. Yet, the moment the older man was off balance, Zev got his hands fisted in the man's thick, fur jacket, and snapped him down as he brought his knee up in a swift strike.

The man groaned, but twisted out of Zev's grip, his hands looped around Zev's thigh and pulling up on his leg.

The two tumbled and twisted, their fists pummeling, both of them grunting as blows landed. Then they almost tripped into the fire and Sasha gasped.

Yhet took her wrist in his massive hand that covered half her forearm and tugged her back.

"You can watch, but you can't… support him."

"Why not?" she hissed.

"He isn't part of the pack again, yet. The wolves have to prioritize pack members. They'll be waiting until one of the higher wolves sees him. Until then… until then you have to just watch."

"But he's getting hurt!"

Yhet snorted. "That's nothing. He'll heal those bruises in hours. Don't worry about this one, worry about the fights to come with the higher ranked wolves. Rayf is older and not as fast as he used to be. He was always one of Zev's supporters. He's done Zev a favor by seeing him early—it lets Zev not have to work his way through the lower wolves. But it also means Rayf has to fight for real. He can't let Zev win. The pack needs to see him punished."

Sasha gripped the cuffs of her jacket and turned back just in time to see Zev thrown to the dirt. She gasped—and clapped her hands to her mouth when Yhet glared at her.

The following minutes were gut-wrenching. When Zev misjudged a swipe and got too close, his head snapped back as Rayf got a solid strike to his temple. Sasha felt every blow like it landed on her. Her eyes swam with tears before Zev finally flipped in an arcing kick that took Rayf at the chin and the older male fell to the dirt—and this time, didn't get up.

Zev stood over him, his shoulders heaving, hands loose at his sides, poised to move again. But the gray-haired man just rolled onto one elbow and shook his head, growling something Sasha couldn't make out.

Zev straightened, then took the final steps to stand right before the man, over his chest. Rayf dropped his chin and nodded and a moment later, Zev extended one of his hands to help him up.

Soon they were both on their feet, though the older man was clearly favoring one leg as Zev slapped him on the upper arm.

"Is that it? Are they done?" Sasha asked, her voice hushed in case she wasn't supposed to talk about it. But Yhet just nodded, his lips twisting up on one side.

"Yes, Rayf submitted," he said, getting to his feet. "Which is going to help Zev."

"Does that mean we can speak to him now?"

"No," Yhet said firmly, folding his arms across his chest. "Some of the lower-level wolves will acknowledge him, but he hasn't regained his standing. Now that we've witnessed the submission, we have to pretend he isn't here, Sasha. Turn away. Now."

Sasha was staring at Zev, silently begging him to look at her, but he never turned her direction. "Why won't he… why isn't he looking at me? Can he smell me from there? Does he know I'm here?"

Suddenly, Yhet was pulling gently on her arm, forcing her to turn away, and leaning down to speak to her in a whisper that sounded like a field of bumblebees swarmed around her. "He won't look at you, Sasha, because it would put you at risk. He wants to give no male any reason to lower your value in the hierarchy. Do you understand? He's helping you right now."

She took a deep breath, and nodded. "Okay."

Yhet's face got sad and he pulled her close, petting her hair again. It was something like being patted by a massive steak, though he was gentle. "Don't worry, Sasha. You've made him so happy coming here. It's what he always wished for. He'll get through this and he'll claim you. Don't worry."

She wasn't sure about the claiming part, but she prayed he was right about Zev getting through this. As Yhet let her go and she scanned the area, she was reminded of the time she'd been alongside the practice field full of a professional football team—everywhere she looked she had seen large, incredibly strong men who all stood and walked with that air that some men had where their strength was just accepted. A part of their lives, nothing to be remarked upon. She'd never been able to put her finger on it before, except that some men were so athletic, they moved differently. But now she saw it.

These weren't just men. These were warriors. And they were everywhere.

And Zev had to fight his way through them.