~ SASHA ~

"I am not here for him," Lhars spat, stabbing a finger back towards the building where Zev lay sleeping. "I am here for the people who believe in him and need him to be strong and… and need a leader that won't walk them into the den of the lion!"

Sasha swallowed hard. "Well, regardless, I'm thankful—"

"Oh, stop with your fucking human manners and etiquette. You're Alpha. Your mate is Alpha of the wolves. You hold what opinions you hold. Stop inviting admiration with your words, earn it with your actions!"

Sasha bristled. "Why do you think I'm even talking to you about all of this? Because I want to make sure I'm measuring HOW to do this that's best for everyone!"

"Then talk to your mate! No one is admired more than my brother," Lhars sneered bitterly. "I'm only the second, remember?"

"Second to an insane tiger who was leading these people straight into that lion's den you were talking about! You can't expect him to forget that!"

Lhars stalked up to her. Sasha stood on the top step so even though he was on the dirt below, they were eye to eye. The rage burning in him, fists at his sides, Sasha had a flash of fear, realizing he could kill her with a blow.

But he stopped at the base of the stair, eyes narrowed, and didn't reach for her. His voice was low, snarling, but coldly controlled.

"No matter what my brother has decided is true about me, the reality is that I kept this people together and alive while our Alpha slowly lost his mind, and the humans played games with our lives. Zev can sneer at me all he wishes, but when I stand before the Creator, I know what was in my heart and what I achieved when he wasn't even fucking here."

Sasha took a deep breath. "I know that can't have been easy—"

"Stop fucking submitting, Sasha!" Lhars snarled. "Fight for what you know! Own it! If you are wrong, admit that you're wrong and change it. But cease with this endless… needling for approval!"

Sasha's head snapped back like she'd been slapped. "Needling… for approval?"

"Yes," he snapped. "I may not admire my brother as others do, but one thing I will always give him, he has owned his choices and his positions since he was a cub. He is a true Alpha in that way—he does not pretend to be cowed, or seek approval. He places the truth before others as he sees it and stands by his word. You could learn something from him. Admiration is worthless if it is founded in manipulation."

"Manipulation? Because I'm being polite? Thoughtful?"

"No! Because you have something to say and a plan to determine, and instead you speak in ways that are designed to make me offer to agree with you, rather than presenting your plan and pursuing it, and asking me to come with you—or the others."

"I… I did not…"

"You do not need my opinion, Sasha. You do not need my approval. You need me on your side, to lead in your favor. I will do that if your intentions are right, and your plan is good. I will follow my fucking brother if it gets us free of the humans. But I will not follow you because I LIKE you."

"Is that right?"

"Yes, it is."

"You think I should own my opinions and not care what you think?"

"Yes."

"Great," Sasha said, leaning closer so they were almost nose to nose. "Then stop resenting Zev because Kyelle is in love with him. Either she'll get over it and finally value your love for her, or she won't. But either way, it's not Zev's fault. You're being petty and childish. You KNOW he didn't encourage her feelings. You feel inadequate next to him because YOU care about what others think, so you can think twice about criticizing me for it."

Lhars blinked. Then blinked again. A shudder rocked through him and his eyes flared with the heat of that anger. But Sasha was impressed by his self-control.

He straightened, slowly folding his arms, and regarding her with narrowed eyes.

Sasha wanted to hide her head and apologize—it was true, but harsh, and harshly said. She licked her lips, but Zev's words—and Lhars'—echoed in her head. Instead she raised her chin and let him see in her eyes that she dared him to contradict her.

"What my Alpha says might have merit," he seethed. "I'll give that some thought."

"Good!" Sasha said, a little too forcefully because she'd expected him to refute her, and there she was, braced for a fight that wasn't coming.

She didn't know what to say after that. There was an awkward pause where neither of them spoke, then Sasha cleared her throat and tried to relax, rocking back on her heels and watching Lhars as his jaw twitched, but he didn't storm away.

"You're right about one thing," she conceded. "Zev doesn't trust you to have grown. At least, not as much as he should. I'll encourage him to… reevaluate."

Lhars' lips pressed thin. "Thank you," he said quietly.

"You're wrong about why I asked you, though. I really can see that you're honest, and I knew you wouldn't tell me what I wanted to hear. So… I meant it when I said I needed to hear your thoughts about my proposal. About how to do it. Because… Zev will always swing to extremes with me. He means well, but he doesn't see me clearly. He's too…"

She had been about to say "in love," but under the circumstances that felt like a blow she didn't mean to land. So she trailed off, frowning.

"A Chimera never sees their mate clearly," Lhars growled, turning his head away finally. Sasha sighed with relief being out from under his eyes. "The bond… from what I understand it… softens the heart and makes the eyes smile."

"That is… a wonderful way to put it," Sasha said, slightly stunned. Then it dawned on her. "Oh… you're… you have the bond with Kyelle?" she asked, hushed. "Is that possible? That she wouldn't feel it, I mean?"

Lhars gave a tiny growl and turned away, shaking his head. "Not every story is so… simple as yours and Zev's," he said.

Sasha gaped.

*****

If you're a King of Beasts fan, it's Reth's Birthday (Anniversary?) this Sunday! If you'd like to join me for the LIVE voicechat with Reth Merch giveaways, and some fun surprises, visit linktr.ee/aimeelynn and join my discord chat.. The event will be there at 1pm PST, Sunday, 6 February (Los Angeles date and time!) See you there! (This message added after publication so you aren't charged for the words.)