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n~ ZEV ~

n1

nAs the sun climbed higher and the numbers of Chimera slowly dwindled, Zev began to pace. This was taking hours longer than they'd anticipated. If Nick had been right to be nervous about the Team they could show up at any moment.

nBut there was nothing they could except wait and hope. And pray.

nHe watched his brother grow more and more tense—then deflate when he was told that Kyelle had gone through hours earlier.

nHe watched Sasha, exhausted, move immediately from leading one group of females into the cave to returning, only to walk straight to the next and begin preparing them while the next group of males went through.

nHe watched Yhet stand guard over the mouth of the cave, his eyes narrow and stance fierce, like he would personally tear any human limb from limb who dared appear from the Gateway.

nThen finally, when the sun was high in the sky, Sasha emerged from the cave, her face pale and haggard, but she stopped just outside, scanning the trail.

nThere were no more females.

nShe'd done it. She'd gotten them all to go through. She turned to find Zev, her face pleading.

nHe was at her side in seconds, folding her into his arms and holding her, his heart thudding uncomfortably, but eased a little by being close to her.

nThey didn't speak—even through the mindlink. They just held each other as the last of the males milled around them, awaiting the last wave with their Alpha.

nIt was Goats—they'd chosen to send the wolves through first because they could communicate with each other over distances, and hopefully find each other if they were dropped out of the Gateway in different locations.

nBut Sasha's idea—about sending Kyelle through and having everyone concentrate on getting to her—was Zev's hope that there wouldn't be the uncertainty of that kind of separation on the other end.

nFor a moment as he held her, the temptation was there to just knock her out and take her through. To get them to safety and never have to think about this particular danger again.

nBut then he thought of his son—helpless and weak—held in that lab and watched over by Satan himself, Nathan, and… no. He couldn't do it. They couldn't do it.

n4

nThey had to go get him.

nSasha pulled out of his arms finally, wiping her eyes.

"They're gone. They're all through. I just hope… they were so scared…

" she whispered.

nZev stroked her hair and just listened as she unloaded all her tension about the females and the fears that some of them hadn't heard her. That they might get lost in the Gateway.

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"They've all been through before, Sash,

" he reminded her.

"They'll remember what they need to do. You've done what you can. This is it. Now we focus on our family.

"

nShe snapped her head up then to meet his eyes, surprise and joy and fear crowding each other in her eyes.

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"Our family,

" she breathed.

nHe nodded.

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"We have a son, Zev.

"

nHe nodded again, but he knew his face was grim. He hadn't communicated his fears to Sasha. He knew from experience that while the Team did everything in their power to keep the young alive—they were precious to them, too, though for all the wrong reasons—there was every chance that their son hadn't survived.

nThe survival rate in the labs was fifty-fifty at best. And lower for males than females, from what Zev had been told.

nHe'd tried, while he was waiting for Sasha, to reassure himself that if their son had died, Nick would have been told.

nBut then as he scanned back through the conversation they'd had with the asshole, he couldn't remember either of them actually asking him right up front whether their son was still alive. He'd said he would take them to him. He'd said where he was being housed. But had they actually asked if he was alive?

nNick had said he was thriving… right? Or had he only mentioned the Team were waiting to see if he was healthy?

nZev growled, he couldn't remember. His head spun with too many questions, too many worries.

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"What is it?

" Sasha asked quickly.

nZev blinked. Right. He'd growled.

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"Nothing,

" he said, forcing a smile for her.

"I'm just feeling protective.

"

nShe tried to smile too, but sighed. Yhet, Lhars, Skhal, and Jhon were gathered at the mouth of the cave, while all the others that were still on this side now all fit inside the cave.

nIt would be minutes until they were alone.

nZev looked at his closest, most trusted friends and brother. And suddenly their power seemed so small.

nThese four males were all they had? Their forward guard? Everyone else had gone. Everyone else was on their way to safety. Only these four stood between the humans and freedom for the rest of the Chimera.

nWhat were they thinking, sending so few? Why hadn't they made a better plan? With more back up?

nHe tensed and Sasha, always perceptive of his mood, looked at him sharply.

"What, Zev? What is it?

"

nBut he turned away and shook his head.

"Nothing but a little panic,

" he muttered when he realized she wasn't going to relax until he'd answered.

"I'm just… I'm just ready for all this to be over.

"

nSasha sighed again.

"Me too.

"

nA few minutes later a pair of guards appeared in the mouth of the cave, looking for him and Sasha.

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"We're the last,

" the dark-haired one said.

"Everyone else has gone except for your team.

"

nSasha clasped her hands at her chest.

"Focus, brothers. Kyelle is there with the females. It's the safe place—where the humans can't interfere. Ask to be taken to where they're gathered.

"

nThe males both nodded. Sasha walked toward them—was going to hug them, Zev thought, and a growl began to putter in his throat. But both males submitted, saluted, then turned on their heels and walked into the cave.

nWatching the shadow climb down their backs until they were deep inside and hidden from view. Zev sighed.

nThis was happening. This was really happening.

nSasha turned to the other three.

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"Your turn.

"

nThe source of this content is n0v

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