n

n

n~ SASHA ~

nXar called for anyone who knew anything about Zev to speak up. Then he told them that Zev had stolen their females from them—as if Zev had anything to do with the disappearance of the female Chimera—Sasha wanted to rush out and defend Zev, when he couldn't defend himself. But she knew it was a death sentence to let any of them know that she was there. So she ground her teeth but stayed still.

nThere was quiet, but no one stood or called out to tell Xar where Zev was, and Sasha's heart began to bubble with hope that perhaps they knew they were being manipulated, and they weren't immediately ready to believe it.

nBut then Xar spewed more hate, and their howls and snarls rose again, and Dunken shook his head.

n

"They aren't speaking up,

" she whispered.

"Does that meant they don't really believe it?

"

n

"I don't know,

" Dunken said.

"Certainly those he was closest to will be skeptical, but… but there's no denying that removing Zev gave the humans more access. Even those that don't like Xar will struggle to argue for Zev when they mourn the loss of a mate, or of the chance to mate.

"

n

"Then why isn't someone talking?

" she asked nervously.

"Are they waiting to do it in private or something?

"

n

"Possibly. But since the humans will rarely be alone with Chimera, I think it's more likely that they simply hate the humans more than they hate Zev. At least, right now.

n

"They are angry—I can smell it on them. They are listening to Xar and many will decide to stand in Zev's way now that perhaps wouldn't have before. He will have to fight more…

"

nSasha dropped her face into her hands. She knew Zev was strong. But there was a limit to anyone. All these men were so strong, so capable. If he fought over and over again, he'd be worn out. And if the fights got harder as he went, he'd end up being taken down.

nAs Xar—with an edge of impatience—urged the males to speak again, to tell the humans were Zev was, Dunken made a strange noise.

n

"What is it?

" Sasha asked.

n

"He isn't betraying Zev himself,

" Dunken said, an edge of confusion underlying his toneless voice.

"Why? Why wouldn't he just tell them himself and be done with it? It's as if he needs someone else to be the one to betray Zev. But why?

"

nXar went quiet as the crowd discussed his latest rant among themselves. Sasha prayed that Dunken was right—that they hated the humans more than they did Zev, even under these circumstances. That Zev wouldn't be stolen from her.

nFuck—she'd be left here in Chimera alone.

nHoly **.

n

"Lhars doesn't speak, either,

" Dunken said thoughtfully.

n

"Wh-what?

" Sasha said faintly, trying to turn away from the mental image of herself stuck in this world, surrounded by aggressive males and no females… and no Zev.

"

n

"I find it curious that Lhars doesn't take this opportunity to betray his brother,

" Dunken said quietly, still staring out of the hole.

"He hasn't hidden his revulsion for his brother—or his own ambitions for power. This would be the perfect time to align himself with the humans and gain their trust. Why doesn't he speak?

"

nSasha peered out of the hole and searched the crowd for the Lhars, but couldn't pick him out anywhere.

n

"It must demonstrate where he truly stands,

" Dunken said quietly.

"Perhaps… perhaps this is Xar's attempt to ensure Lhars is truly at his side—and the cunning wolf isn't giving it to him?

"

n

"So, Lhars really hates Zev?

" she asked.

nDunken shook his head.

"I don't believe so. I believe Lhars is very jealous of Zev and that colors his feelings about his brother. If he truly held only malice for Zev, he would have spoken already. He would have led to the humans to him, just to remove him. They couldn't scent Zev out, but Lhars can.

"

n

"So… he cares about Zev?

"

nDunken shrugged again.

"I think at least we can be certain that Lhars hates the humans more than he is jealous of Zev, and that's better than I would have thought,

" he said, his hands clenching to fists at his sides.

nIt was a cold comfort to Sasha. So many unkonwns, and so many angers and jealousies… Zev had always inspired those kinds of feelings in other men. She'd seen it even in high school. Despite his friendliness and warmth, there were always guys who just couldn't stand to be around him—and always because they didn't want to compete for the attentions of the girls, or maybe they didn't feel as strong when he was near, or something.

nOr maybe… maybe it was just that deep down they'd all been able to sense that wild creature inside him. Maybe they felt inadequate around him because they were. Maybe it didn't have anything to do with how gorgeous or strong he was.

nIt certainly hadn't had anything to do with her back in those days. Everyone had been baffled when Zev chose her—and worse, stuck with her. She'd heard the rumors at the start, that he just wanted to sleep with a virgin, which she was known to be, because she'd been outed in ninth grade, and everyone knew she hadn't had a real boyfriend since.

nIt was hard to attract a guy when the thing you were most known for was winning Battle of the Books in middle school, and then being a self-admitted virgin at a time when most people lied.

nSasha shook her head. Back in those days she'd been no prize at all—Zev had taken a lot of teasing and questions about it. And it had pissed him off royally. He'd always stood in defense of her whenever another guy questioned why he'd be with her.

nWhich made all the hot girls swoon—and become even more jealous and pissed off that he was sticking to her so closely.

nIt was odd, now, to realize that somehow, here, she was seen as the prize. That didn't make sense to her at all.

nBut she didn't have time to figure it out as a scrape sounded behind them and they both turned to find Zev's midnight-dark head popping up under the tree trunk.

n

"Sasha,

" he whispered,

"Thank God.

" His eyes were sunken and dark. There was dirt on his cheek, and his hair was mussed.

nHe was gorgeous.

nEverything inside her tore in two directions—half of her ecstatic and overjoyed to see him. The other half ready to tear off his face.

nThe question was, which side would she give in to?

n