n

n

n~ ZEV ~

nThe response from the crowd was mixed—some cheering, some growls. A lot of chatter. The males didn't know what to make of this. But Zev's wolves remained loyal. So far.

n

"No one?

" Zev asked through his teeth.

nXar's smile widened.

"She is human. We are all human. So she is not restricted to clan—she could take any of us without concern for the babe.

"

nZev rolled his jaw. If he wasn't so certain she would choose him, he might have challenged the male on the spot. Normally the competition over a female who reached adulthood would only occur within the clan of her birth. The forests of Thana were thinly populated by the horrific results that occurred over the past decade when the humans had made the undeniable mistake of mixing already split DNA. Those creatures—not Chimera, but something entirely other—were pitied by the Chimera, and treated as brothers deserving of compassion. The Chimeran tradition was that mating pairs stayed within clans to ensure their offspring were not harmed.

nXar was right, as a human, Sasha could safely mate with any Chimera, because she would only add additional human genes.

nBut that meant creating conflict between the clans as the males fought to demonstrate dominance—not just within the clan that had the female, but between all, because this female was a potential mate for any.

n

"You would send your people into chaos over one female?

" he growled.

"With so few females, surely the honor of displaying for her should go only to those highest ranked?

"

nXar tipped his head.

"You wish to see only the strongest make an offer to the weak, human female?

"

n

"Of course! She is not weak for a human. Her stock is strong,

" Zev said emphatically.

n

"You, who brought her here, want me to protect her from the advances of males too low in the Clans?

"

n

"Do I need to repeat myself?

" Zev snarled.

"You are the leader here, Xar. Why would you send all of the clans into chaos? What would you gain?

"

nXar shrugged and raised his hands.

"Our former Alpha has spoken. The female will only be approached by males in the highest tiers—Alphas and their seconds, the unmated masters.

"

nMost of the males around them muttered, but those who were leaders began to smile and eye each other.

nZev was torn—relieved, because this would stop the inevitable bloodbath that would only reduce their numbers further. But distinctly uneasy. Dunken had been right. Something was wrong with Xar. The wild light in his eyes when he smiled and…

nWhy was he so pleased to give in to Zev's demand?

n

"Are you satisfied, Zev? Or do I need to welcome your challenge so we can move on?

"

n

"I didn't come here to challenge you.

" Though it was starting to look like he might not have a choice.

n

"Excellent, then we turn our attention to the problem of you.

" Xar's smile brightened.

nZev's upper lip curled back from his teeth.

"Discipline me as you see fit. But I am not the problem here, Xar, and you know it. The females were not taken under my watch. The humans were not allowed into Thana without warning under my rule. We did not move to make ourselves more accessible to them at my command!

"

nXar snarled, snapping his teeth, his scent telling Zev that if he'd been in Tiger form, his ears would have flattened and his fangs exposed.

nCats were so **ing obnoxious.

n

"You know nothing of what happened here after you disappeared!

" Xar hissed.

"You want to see the clans kept from chaos? What do you think occurred the day we woke and our Alpha was gone? What do you think occurred in the following days as we waited for him to return and sought him? What do you think happened when it became clear you weren't returning and someone else would need to take control?

"

nZev held his ground, but his heart thudded painfully. He'd known the problems it would cause. But at the time, he believed staying would have created worse.

n

"I said, discipline me for the choice I made,

" he growled.

"But do not try to tell me that the choices made in my absence were my choices.

"

n

"We tore each other apart!

" Xar hissed.

"There was no peace, no chance to provide while the hierarchy was reestablished—you did that! And while we fought, everyone was in danger. A pregnant female was thrown aside when the Owl and Hare Alphas fought, and she lost the babe. Everyone mourned!

"

nZev shook his head.

"Truly a sad loss—

"

n

"That is what brought the humans, you **wit! To keep our families and clans safe, we males agreed to move our conflicts to the outskirts of the city, to the amphitheater. But it took weeks! When the humans learned that a female had been harmed, that an offspring was lost, they came while we fought and stole the females and babes away from us!

"

n

"There should have been some left to watch over them, to protect them!

"

nXar's face twisted with rage,

"There was no Alpha in place to make the order! Our Alpha abandoned us to ourselves, and the humans removed our females to keep them safe!

"

n

"And yet, you continue to allow them here! You continue to submit to their needs!

" Zev snarled.

n

"I submit to assure them the females can be returned! I submit to keep those left under my care safe from their weapons! You were not here! You cannot judge—you left us unprotected from them until someone clawed their way to the top. That someone was me, Zev. I am Alpha! I am Clan Leader! And you will not walk away from your choices and the harm they delivered to all of us!

"

nZev half-crouched, ready to defend if they remained in human form, or to shift to wolf and battle. He regretted what had occurred—could see how he'd been manipulated. But he would not let Xar tell himself, or anyone else, that Zev had made those choices. He would regret killing Xar if that was what was needed. But he would not back down.

nXar's eyes were wide and shining with rage, his hands in claws at his sides. But then, just as Zev prepared to shift and launch himself, the old Tiger relaxed. Rocked back on his heels and shook his head.

nAnd he smiled.

n

"I'm not going to fight you, Zev,

" he said calmly.

"I don't have to. You are a traitor, and the bane of the Clans. I do not need to notice you under my feet.

" He put his hand to Zev's shoulder and Zev flinched but allowed it. Xar shook his head.

"You betrayed our people, and left us to die. You are stripped of your rank. You will not compete for the attentions of the female you claim—she belongs to the Clans.

"

n

"I am of the clans,

" Zev growled, his voice rising with his fear.

"I am of rank!

"

n

"Not anymore,

" Xar hissed, his voice a slithering, creeping joy.

"You are cast out.

"

nThe village exploded in protests and cheers.

n