n

n

nSINCERE APOLOGIES: Last weekend my son and husband both came down with covid (they're fine, getting better now) but now I'm coming down with it. This happened at the one time of the month when my stockpile of chapters was almost dry, and because I haven't been able to write much this week, I'm behind. Unfortunately, ALPHA will drop to 1 chapter per day for the rest of March, but then return to 2 per day in April. I appreciate your patience and I'm sorry!

n*****

n~ ZEV ~

nZev had promised the healers he wouldn't shift until they'd cleared his wound, that the tissue was strong enough to withstand the process. So he walked in human form, all the way back to the Village, teeth set against the delay, but knowing if he didn't do as he'd promised they'd hobble him further.

nHe did go to the Trough first, to eat before he had to submit to being prodded and tucked into a bed again.

nDespite the early hour, normally the Trough would have been half full of hunters and others with long days ahead. Yet only a handful of tables had bodies at them when he walked in. Zev frowned, but didn't have time to consider it as Dunken caught him just as he sat down with a plate, then Yhet's booming greeting made the trees shake as he entered the Trough and had to slide the bench halfway out to fit his long legs under the tabletop.

n

"It's good to see you on your feet, brother,

" Yhet beamed at Zev.

nZev grinned back.

"It's better to be on my feet, I can promise you.

"

n

"But you won't do too much, right?

" Yhet said worriedly.

"I don't want to have to fight the Alphas to get out you out of here and back to Sasha.

"

nZev's jerked with surprise.

"You'd do that for me, Yhet?

"

n

"I'd do that for Sasha,

" the man rumbled.

"I promised her I would care for you, but I also promised her I would watch over her. I failed her once, during the ritual, I won't do it again. I don't trust the humans, Zev. We need to get her out of there as quickly as we can.

"

nZev nodded, swallowing a sudden pinch in his throat. He couldn't agree more, but he understood the caution too. Even the walk this morning had made his limbs feel weary. While it was just a lagging tiredness, he knew if he had to fight…

nHe clapped a hand to Yhet's back.

"Thank you, brother. I'm going to be wise—I promised her that I would. But the first moment I'm certain the time is right, I'll ask for your help.

"

nYhet nodded as if that only made sense.

n

"If you two are finished growling at the trees, perhaps we can discuss the actual plan? I've set more guards along the path between the gateway and the village. To ensure both that Sasha doesn't enter without us there to help her, but also in case the humans have gotten clever with their weapons.

n

"All accounts are that Nick believed the humans could enter and take down any force we leave in the cave. We needed to have a greater presence—not to fight, but to raise the alarm in case the humans do actually attack. But that means our forces in the village are strained—especially now that half of them have already moved to the City.

"

nZev stopped eating. How had he forgotten that? He'd been so surrounded by the healers and the Alphas, he'd forgotten she'd given the order.

"Has anyone spoken with the twins?

" he blurted?

n

"They're uneasy, but engaging,

" Dunken said.

"They didn't cause problems for anyone showing up, and they're helping the leaders identify centers for each Clan.

"

n

"Centers?

"

nDunken sighed.

"I wasn't comfortable with everyone just moving en-masse when we don't know how or if the humans will step through again. So we've set up an alarm system. But it requires central notification for each Clan—a buddy system of sorts. If the alarm is raised by the guards, the City will know from our sentries within an hour, and everyone within the city will be notified in less time than that.

"

n

"Thank you,

" Zev said, feeling disappointed in himself.

"I was so focused… I hadn't thought about… thank you.

"

nDunken's face was blank, expressionless as he nodded.

"There's a lot going on, and you're not at your best, Zev.

" But he never met Zev's eyes.

nA sick pit opened in Zev's stomach. He couldn't let himself become so focused on Sasha's safety that he forgot everything else. Clearly Sasha hadn't done that when she'd decided to leave.

nZev muttered a curse under his breath and turned his mind to the rest of the Chimera. It was good if most of them were out of the Village already. That would make it easier to guard, and harder for the humans to interfere if they did show up. But there would be stresses and conflicts occurring in the City, too. They couldn't let the hierarchy there fall over while they fought the humans. That would only harm the clans in a different way.

nHe needed someone to show strength in the City, but run communication with him as well.

nLhars arrived then, face drawn and eyes shadowed. He barely greeted the others, but took a seat across from Zev and began shoveling food into his mouth.

n

"Lhars,

" Zev said quietly.

nHis brother nodded a greeting, but barely took his eyes from his food.

nZev sighed.

"I'm afraid I have another request for you.

"

nLhars stopped eating and his eyes rose to find Zev's nerves and an edge of anger in his scent. Why? But he was waiting to hear what Zev had to say. At least he wasn't giving in to it.

n

"Can you visit the City this morning and… curb any conflicts that might be arising as everyone finds their place? Then come back and tell me what you think is needed there?

"

nLhars nodded, but his blank expression didn't change.

nZev watched him as Dunken and Yhet began to discuss what would be needed to infiltrate the Team Headquarters. Then he reached out to scratch at his brother's mind. Lhars opened to him immediately, but didn't look up from his food.

nAre you okay? He asked Lhars hesitantly.

nNope.

nWhat's going on?

nLhars was chewing a mouthful, but he just met Zev's eyes with a flat look. Seriously?

nZev rolled his eyes. I mean, what's going on with you personally?

nLhars dropped his gaze again and took another bite before he answered.

n