~ SASHA ~

Zev woke Sasha early, his hands and skin freezing from being outside all night. When he touched her face she'd startled from the shock of the cold.

"Oh gosh,

" she gasped, grabbing his hand as he leaned over her on the bed.

"You're freezing!

"

"I'm fine. I don't feel it, honestly,

" he said, smiling wide. He waited a moment while she sat up and rubbed her eyes, looking around.

"Good morning,

" he said, a moment later, his voice gruff with lack of sleep.

"Good morning.

"

Zev sat down on the edge of the bed and she put her arms around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder. He chuckled and pulled her closer, stroking her hair down her back.

"It's going to be a big day,

" he said quietly.

"Are you ready?

"

She pulled back to meet his eyes.

"Yes, but, Zev, we need to talk about—

"

"Not now,

" he said, his smile faltering. He looked down, taking her hand between his and playing with her fingers.

"I'll talk to you about it, but not today, okay? Today is a celebration. And we have to concentrate. Let's take one thing at a time.

"

She frowned at him, scared he was deflecting, unwilling to speak and so using the busy day as a reason not to. But he didn't hide his eyes from hers when he locked gazes with her again.

"Sash, I've been waiting for this day since I was eighteen. I want to focus on that today, okay? We've got a lifetime to worry about the rest.

"

Sasha's stomach trilled. A lifetime. He'd said it, and her smile grew. And Zev mirrored her joy, pulling her into a gentle kiss, then groaning when he pulled away.

"Okay, Kyelle's going to be here soon, so you should get cleaned up. Yhet's already outside. He's very eager to play his part.

"

Sasha shook her head, grinning. Yhet was playing father of the bride—which in Chimera terms was just a male who was chosen to watch over the female until she was united with her mate. Sasha was touched that he'd gotten so excited when she'd asked him.

"He's already here?

" she giggled.

Zev nodded.

"You have a fan.

"

"He's such a sweetheart.

"

"He is,

" Zev said, eyebrows up,

"But for goodness sake, don't ever piss him off. There's a whole side to that monster you never want to see.

"

She couldn't tell if he was joking, but she didn't have time to think about it, because Zev was tugging her out of the bed.

Kyelle would be there soon with that gorgeous dress that Sasha was still torn between aching to wear, and feeling like it was violation for her to do so. But Kyelle had been insistent the day before, and had even made some minor alterations on it so it fit perfectly.

She ran to the bathroom, but she rushed, because Zev had to leave and she wanted another moment with him alone before things got busy. Once again, Zev was the one who had to be out and doing things, running all over the village and Thana getting them ready, while she sat at home getting pretty and… waiting. But, she supposed, at least after today there would be no more concerns of an unannounced challenge, or her saying or doing the wrong thing and accidentally inticing some male to challenge Zev.

Because after tonight… after tonight when they would finally be together, everyone would know and that would be the end of any questions in any Chimera minds.

"It can't come fast enough,

" she muttered as she rushed back into the living room, spluttering at her own unintentional double-entendre.

"What's so funny?

" Zev said, turning from the window at the front of the house.

"Nothing, I was just looking forward to tonight,

" she said, skipping up to stand between his feet and hug his middle.

Zev's eyes flared with heat and he cupped her face.

"Me either.

"

"If you can stay awake that long,

" she said, shaking her head.

"I told you, don't worry about me. We're going to get there, Sash. Be excited with me.

"

"I am. I just want you to be okay.

"

"I've never been better,

" he growled, then tipped her chin up with one hand to kiss her. They were still wrapped together when a knock sounded at the door, and Sasha realized she was still in Zev's t-shirt. She yelped and pulled out of the kiss, but Zev just grinned and walked to the door.

"You go get dressed, I'll let her in.

"

Sasha hurriedly grabbed the robe he'd given her the night before, shaking her head as she threw it on and tied the belt at her waist.

"I'm not leaving your side minute earlier than I have to,

" she said firmly.

Zev smiled and his eyes twinkled.

"Damn, I love you, Sash,

" he murmured.

Sasha sighed and hugged him again.

A moment later, still buried in his lips, the knock sounded again.

"You guys know we can hear you, right?

" Lhars unimpressed voice rose on the other side of it.

Zev immediately frowned, his head snapping up and towards the door.

"What is Lhars—

"

"I forgot to tell you!

" Sasha gasped.

"But… we'll talk about it later. Trust me. It's not what you think.

"

Zev gave her an uncertain look, but left her to open the door and usher in Lhars and Kyelle, who smiled at him, but quickly dropped her eyes, then walked into the house and hung the dress in the closet of the bedroom area.

"Good morning, Sasha, how are you feeling this morning? Did you sleep okay?

"

Sasha glanced at Zev.

"I'm great,

" she said.

"I'm… it's all good.

" But Zev was staring at his brother warily as Lhars walked in with a large basket of what smelled like freshly baked bread, and a bag hooked over his arm that was obviously Kyelle's.

"Go ahead and glare, brother,

" Lhars said dryly.

"I'm only organizing your mating. Definitely something you should over-analyze and become suspicious about.

"

Zev's lips thinned, but he took the basket from Lhars and walked it to the counter in the kitchen.

"Thank you.

"

"You're so very welcome,

" Lhars said.

"Now, who's ready to become a mate?

"

Zev's eyes snapped to Sasha and her belly coiled with desire.

She was ready. She was very, very ready.

*****

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