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n~ ZEV ~

nEvery part of Zev's body fizzed with conflicting emotions—his grief and self-loathing over what he'd done warring with his joy at touching Sasha and the hope of what was to come for them. He had to focus there. She was right. He had to be free himself if he was going to free others. And she was incredible to make that commitment to him—to help these females and the chimera in the grip of the humans!

nShe was a true Alpha and that only made his joy in her more complete.

nHe whispered her name, held her face, the physical connection allowing him to share not just his thoughts, the images that filled his head, but the sensations.

nSo he showed her everything he waited for. Everything he hoped.

nHe showed her how she looked to his eyes—the way his heart fluttered when she smiled, the way his body jolted when he let his eyes linger on her body.

nThe awe he felt when she offered even the simplest touch.

nThe heat that boiled in his veins when she kissed him.

nHe showed her what he saw for them—what it would be like to have her alone, naked, and swallowed by the furs, her skin flushed and rosy, her eyes sparkling.

nShe gasped as he took the memory of that glorious afternoon they'd shared and lived it—but here, now, in the dim light of a cave instead of her sunny childhood bedroom.

nThe contrast of his olive skin against her pale cream. The way he'd soften his touch to make sure he never hurt her—the roughness of his palms on her soft, soft stomach, her breast.

nHe showed her the crackle of electricity that jolted him when he imagined kissing his way up her body until he had her nipple in his mouth and—

nSasha whimpered and clung to him, her breath coming faster as he assaulted her with ideas, thoughts, images—all the ways he would worship her body, all the ways he would prove himself to her. Her heart beat faster and faster and she licked her lips, her eyes glazing as her eyes stopped seeing him in front of her, and only saw the images he offered to her mind.

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"You'll be mine,

" he whispered, fisting her hair and tugging her head gently back so he could lay his mouth at her throat.

nTo his delight she arched back easily, offering herself, trusting him even when he let his teeth drag on the column of her throat.

nHer eyes closed, her lashes fluttering as she clasped her hands behind his neck and gave herself over to him.

nZev's stomach ached with unquenched desire for her, but he pushed it away.

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"Two days,

" he whispered.

"Two days, and you'll be mine forever.

"

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"Oh, Zev,

" she whispered back, a single tear sliding from the corner of her eye, back to her temple because she was still arched back,

"I'm already yours. I always have been. That's the entire problem. My life doesn't work without you.

"

nWith a groan, he pulled her back up, into his chest, cutting off the scenes playing in his mind and wrapping her in his arms, holding her tightly to his chest, wondering if she could hear his heart pounding, too.

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"There is no life without you, Sash,

" he murmured into her hair as she clung to him.

"I was dead inside without you. Being close to you… it's lighting everything on fire again. Just… just don't give up, okay?

"

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"Never.

" She squeezed his waist and pressed her face into his chest.

"Never.

"

nHer conviction was plain. Whatever had scared her, or angered her was gone. She'd given over to him and wanted nothing more than to be close to him. She stank of desire and love and… And for the first time in five years, Zev's heart found peace.

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"Two more days,

" he whispered.

n*****

nThey stood together, doing nothing but hold each other, for a long time. But as the fire began to die and the cave cooled, Zev knew they would have a huge day and it was already late. They needed to sleep.

nWith a soft sigh he straightened, combing her hair with his fingers as he met her reddened eyes and smiled.

"Will you sleep here with me tonight? Just sleep?

"

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"I've waited to sleep in your arms, Zev. You'd have to fight me off.

"

nWith a smile of delight, he took her hand and led her deeper into the cave, stooping to grab a couple of the furs they'd spread around the fire as they walked.

nWhen they reached the back he spread the thickest of the furs on the ground, knowing she was going to struggle with the firmness of sleeping on rock, despite the cushioning of the furs.

nWith a second thought, and a hushed bid to her to stay there, he returned for the other furs they'd spread around the fire as well, placing four thick furs on the ground, then turning the two widest over them to act as blankets. He threw the small cushions he'd brought out here to use as pillows, then turned to face her.

nHer throat bobbed, but her eyes sparkled when she looked up at him. Holding up one finger, he darted over to his duffel bag and pulled out one of his long t-shirts, shaking it out and smiling as he remembered how she'd loved to wear his shirts and sweatshirts in high school, claiming they smelled like him and made him feel closer when they were apart.

nTension fizzed between them when he handed her the shirt and murmured to her to change, that he wouldn't look until she told him it was safe.

nThe sultry smile she gave him made his breath catch, but he put his hand over hers on the shirt she'd just taken and shook his head.

"We have to wait, Sash. I can't give them any reason to doubt my loyalty, or that I'd break the traditions, even for you. Two days,

" he said quietly, the promise in his eyes and flashing a quick image of what it would be like for them when those two days were done.

nSasha sucked in, but nodded.

"Fine,

" she pouted, and he loved her for it.

nThen, a few minutes later, he turned back to face her, to find her curled under the furs, staring up at him, hope in her eyes. And he sank into them with her, pulling her into his side and kissing her temple, in a fulfillment of a daydream he'd had every day since he left her.

nJust being close, holding her, being together in the quiet of a firelit cave.

nSomewhere in the back of his head that little voice reminded him that he didn't deserve this. That the Creator was likely only giving him what he wanted to set him up to lose it all. But that just made the experience of her warmth next to him even more precious.

nAs long as she was there, it was worth it. It was all worth it. He prayed that she felt the same way.

nAnd as they turned to lay on their sides and she used his arm as a pillow, as they stared at each other without speaking, her hands soft and trailing up and down his chest, Zev sighed with the sincerest pleasure and peace of mind he'd ever experienced.

nSasha was here. She was back. And she was his.

nIn two days they would mate, and begin their lives together. They would make a home, have babies, and…

nZev tensed and so close, Sasha felt it immediately and froze.

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"Zev?

" she whispered.

"What is it?

"

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