Chapter 169: Almost Out of Here

~ ZEV ~ 

Sasha sucked in a breath has he leaned closer to her, willing her to understand his meaning—then made it very clear by placing images in her head. Images of the two of them entwined on furs, their skins slick and licked by firelight, Zev's hands on her, following every curve—

Sasha gulped and hissed at him to stop.

Zev grinned.

Sasha took a moment to look away and compose herself, but her cheeks were still flushed when she turned back, a warning in her eyes. "So, I tell them who's in charge, and what I want them to do. What if it doesn't work? What if they all start fighting anyway the second we walk out of the village?"

"Only one way to find out."

Sasha eyed him from under her lashes, but he knew she knew he was right. They had no control over what occurred after their backs were turned. But she didn't understand, that was what the hierarchy was for—to give the Chimera clear direction when they weren't under the eyes of authority.

Sasha's eyes went distant and she chewed her lower lip again. He wanted to put his thumb up and tease that plump pillow out from under her teeth—

"Who should be in charge… Lhars? Or Dunken?"

"You choose," Zev said, shaking his head. "I don't think I can answer that without bias." The truth was, Lhars made the most sense because he'd already been a mouthpiece for Xar. The tigers were far more likely to listen to him than Dunken—who, though strong, was technically still prey. But Zev was struggling to put his brother into perspective.

"Do you trust Lhars? Do the people trust Dunken?"

"Either is capable. But Lhars is better known to them. And… and I think the Tigers would be less likely to challenge him," Zev admitted.

Sasha nodded. "Okay then, how do I start?" she whispered, looking at the bonfire and all the men now gathered closely around it, the orange light of the fire making their faces glow warmly in the half-dark of the falling light.

"Just… tell them," Zev said. "Be who you are, Sash. Lead as you will lead. The rest we'll figure out when it happens."

She looked at him like he was making things too simple, but the only way for her to see was to see. Until she took the steps, there was no way to prove to her that they would listen.

But, his beautiful girl, strong and courageous raised her chin and turned to face the fire, scanning them with her eyes. Zev, his stomach trilling with desire, put a hand to her lower back to demonstrate to any that might be suspicious of her, that he stood with her.

Yhet rose from his crouch to stand behind her, and Kyelle appeared at her left. Sasha turned when the female moved to next to her, and they smiled at each other. But Zev was sure he wasn't the only one who noticed that Kyelle's eyes looked a little bloodshot.

Sasha reached for her hand and squeezed it once before dropping it and turning back to the crowd.

"Thank you for being here today, and for feeding us. It's been a big day, and we still have to travel to our… for our solitude," she said, the strange phrase not quite rolling off her tongue. "While we're gone Lhars will be in charge," she called, looking back and forth across the crowd of men. "And he'll have Kyelle's help if he needs it."

Kyelle's eyes widened, but she didn't say anything. Zev swallowed. It was a strange choice, but appropriate for a female Alpha to name a female second.

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"My greatest concern is that you be at peace while we're gone. Use this time to rest and… and feast."

Zev almost spluttered a laugh. He knew to Sasha this seemed like a simple instruction. But the Chimera would hear it differently—and celebrate it. She was genius, and she didn't even know it. "When Zev and I get back, we'll meet with the Alphas and… we'll figure all of this out. But until then I ask only that you keep all information about what happened today to yourselves. Share nothing with the humans if they show up. We'll be back in a few days after we've had our solitude. Until then… just live your lives. Hunt. Eat. Rest."

Sasha's scent—which had become stronger as she'd spoken—was suddenly strangled by insecurity. But, hoping to distract them, Zev lifted his chin and howled. The wolves joined him, and soon the others were cheering as well.

Sasha was looking a question at him when he dropped his chin.

He smiled broad and pulled her into his side, covering a wince when his ribs and back screamed. "You just gave them a vacation," he said with a wink. "Good start."

"I… what?"

"Telling them to feast. That means they have reason to celebrate, and should give their focus to it. And since you've told them to do it while we're gone, they'll spend the days… partying," he chuckled. "You probably just became the most popular Alpha of all time."

"But… will they still do their… whatever it is they need to do?"

"Oh, they will," Kyelle said dryly from her other side. "Half the problem with these males is that they're so focused on their tasks, they forget that they have lives to live."

"But at least you're here to remind them," Zev quipped.

Kyelle gave him a small smile… but then her eyes dropped to Sasha and she looked away quickly.

While he grieved that his friend was being hurt by this, he was so grateful she was accepting of his choice and not punishing Sasha for it.

Sasha was going to need Kyelle's advice in the coming weeks and months.

Dear Lord, his mate was Alpha. How the hell had that happened?!

As the males around the bonfire continued to talk and laugh, teasing each other, in high spirits because she'd called a feast, Sasha turned him and shrugged. "What now?"

Zev's let his smile grow and heat, until Sasha's throat bobbed.

"Now we get our things and take our solitude," he said with a growl of promise. "Now you're mine."

*****

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