~ ZEV ~

As he sat there, surrounded by the Alphas, his body hidden mostly under the furs, trying to relax, trying to give his body every opportunity and help to heal, Zev wanted to scream. It felt like the ceiling of the building was pressing down on him.

He'd been needed little for the first half hour while the Lhars and the wolves who'd been at the intersection of trails, and those who'd attended the meeting with Zev when he took Alpha, filled all the others in. Made sure everyone was on the same page.

Zev was grateful that they testified to everything the wolves had seen and shared between themselves. Because he was having real trouble staying focused.

He had to get out of there, to be in a natural space so he could breathe and rest. But he also needed to heal. And natural caves weren't known for their clean environments, convenient for health care.

Zev, pay attention!

The words bloomed in his mind and Zev snapped his head from staring out the window to find his brother sitting to his left. If Lhars' expression was any indicator, he'd missed something important again. He cleared his throat and rubbed his face.

"I'm sorry, I'm still struggling to focus,

" he said honestly.

"Say that again.

"

"I said,

" Gheet, the goat Alpha said through his teeth,

"None of us has an issue following you into this, Zev. We've been waiting years to get active about getting the females back. But that means following orders. That means doing what's needed to get the job done. It doesn't mean following you into the human world.

"

Zev frowned.

"Why not?

"

Skhal, there as his advisor, spoke up from his right.

"You said you'd never leave again,

" he muttered darkly.

Zev turned to gape at him.

"I meant I'd never leave the Chimera. Never abandon the Alpha position. How can any of you think I'd get the females back without entering the human world?

"

"This isn't about all the females, this is about yours. You said you'd never leave, that we could rely on you now. And yet, you're planning to get out of here in days.

"

"Only to bring her back—just as I would for any of you!

"

"No, you'd send a team to help any of us. You're leaving yourself. Our Alpha is leaving us again and this time, even if you are doing it by choice, even if you mean to come back immediately, there's no guarantee you'll be able to. You're choosing her over the safety of your people.

"

"I never—

"

Lhars, looking distinctly uncomfortable, spoke up for the wolves.

"When we asked you to answer for the past, you shared it all with us. Told us the story that it was plan of the humans using the temptation of Sasha, that removed you from us last time. And we understood. Any of us might have made the same mistake under those circumstances. But we all watched Xar for the past three years—three years placed on us by your decision. And now you're planning to do the same thing. That's not a mistake, or a deception… that's your choice.

"

It hit him then. These men were saying that they feared he cared more for Sasha, than for the rest of them. And in many ways he did. But for the loyalty of his people? For the decisions about who would live and who would die…?

All eyes were fixed on him. His head felt thick, foggy from the painkillers, the lack of sleep, and the effects of the infection. But he could feel his strength already beginning to return. He was confident if he stood then, he'd be able to do so without leaning on the bed.

He'd be exhausted afterwards, but he could do it.

You have to bring them with you, Lhars said quietly in his head. Everyone feels so uncertain, things are changing so fast.

Zev nodded, as if to himself. But then he forced himself to scan the circle of males, and Kyelle, all the way around his bed.

"When we were in the solitude,

" he said carefully,

"Sasha and I discussed our goals for the people. We discussed the Alpha position and what it meant, and what she and I would both do to help Thana and our people. Sasha and I were agreed: The most important focus has to be cutting our ties with the humans, but that we couldn't do that until we got the females back to Thana, then we'd need a way to keep the humans out forever.

"We didn't know how we were going to do it, how it might happen. But I'm confident Sasha left today for two reasons. The first was to keep me safely here with you, so that I could lead while she was gone. And the second was to go gather information that might help us get the females out.

"My mate is brave and smart. She saw an opportunity, and she took it,

" he said tightly.

"If any of you want to tell me that attempting to aid her when she is in grave danger—danger that she placed herself in knowingly to help the rest of us—then you are not the males I thought you were,

" he growled.

"No one denies the value of returning the Alpha—unless she has gone willingly. We cannot ignore that possibility.

"

"Willingly?!

" Zev growled.

"I am her mate—soul bonded!

" That gap in his chest ached. He prayed it was still true.

"She has no desire to be anywhere except at my side, and me at hers!

"

"We do not deny that!

" Skhal repeated sharply.

"But you can't know what her plan was when the human showed up. You weren't there. She might have gone willingly. She may not wish to be here, but wish to tempt you into her world and keep you there with her. She is human after all—if she prefers to be in her own environment, it would be natural that she'd wish for you to join her there.

"

Zev's upper lip curled from his teeth, and he felt the jolt of adrenalin as the Alpha power coursed through him. He felt as if he could leap from the bed, shift, and tear out the throat of anyone who accused Sasha of deception. His hands fisted in the furs.

"Are you saying,

" he snarled,

"that my mate, the Alpha, is a betrayer? A liar? That she would steal me from Thana just like Nick did?

"

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