~ LHARS ~

Holy shit. The soul connection was real? His mind spun.

And he couldn't… he couldn't stop wondering… if his brother could soul connect with a human… could he, a wolf, connect that deeply with an owl?

He forced himself not to think the words. To wrap them up and put them away on the highest shelf, in the darkest corner of his mind. But the question would keep asking itself.

Zev was asking about Sasha, making sure he'd understood all of Lhars' memories. That Sasha had been safe. And free. And she'd walked into the cave willingly.

"Nick was about to piss himself," Lhars said, shaking his head. "I don't know what he did in the other world, but here he was a quivering foal, barely able to stand on his own two feet."

Zev shook his head. "I can't believe he came—and alone. It's a measure of how desperate he was. He's deathly afraid of the likes of Ernie. I just worry… worry that he'll get in her head like he did in mine."

"I'm not saying he's not good what he does," Lhars said carefully. "But she was smart. She remembered what we'd said about the hierarchy before, and she made sure it was taken care of. And when I guessed that you two could talk in your heads, she made me understand. She didn't even say anything. I just knew. I couldn't tell.

"If she wasn't telling us, she's not going to tell them. And she knew to hide without any of us telling her. Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret. You're going to have to be more careful though. You almost revealed that to the entire pack with that stunt this afternoon."

Zev grimaced. "I'm truly sorry about all that. But… You don't understand, Lhars… she's gone. She was a part of me. And as soon as she stepped into that gateway, she was suddenly gone. It's like someone's cut off a limb."

Lhars looked up then, met his eyes and they held gazes, both their nostrils flaring for each other's scents.

"I'm sorry, brother," Lhars said eventually. "I thought… I always thought you had the easy road."

Zev huffed. "No. But then… yours isn't easy either, is it?"

Lhars shook his head.

They were both silent with their thoughts for a time again, but eventually Lhars straightened and put his hands to his knees. "If I take your bonds off, do you promise not to try to run."

Zev sighed. "I can't promise I won't leave before they tell me it's safe. But… I won't run now."

Lhars stood and moved to Zev's side, unbuckling first his ankles, then both wrists. He watched as Zev, suddenly looking even more exhausted, raised his hands and rubbed his wrists.

"So…" Zev said when he was more comfortable.

Lhars raised an eyebrow.

Zev tried to smile. "I guess you're Second again."

Lhars let one side of his mouth slid up in a smug smile. "Only barely."

Zev huffed a laugh and Lhars chuckled too.

Zev held out his good hand and held Lhars' gaze. "Brothers?"

The gesture twanged a string in Lhars' heart. He'd always been the younger brother. The irritation. The less-than wolf. To have Zev offer his hand, as if they were equals… it made his throat pinch.

"Brothers," Lhars said, though he hadn't quite kicked the dark underline out of his tone.

But when Zev met his eyes and smiled, for the first time he could remember, Lhars didn't feel that pinched heat of envy, right at the center of his chest.

His brother had finally realized that he, Lhars, had in fact been crucial to the Chimera coming this far.

"Thank you for helping her this morning," Zev said quietly.

"I will always help her, Zev," Lhars said seriously. "And you too. As long as you're both working towards freeing our people, I will do anything I can. I vow it to you."

Both of them had to clear their throats then.

*****

~ ZEV ~

Lhars went out then to call the Alphas, who he'd asked to congregate nearby, until Zev was ready. While he was gone, Zev talked to the healers again, explained what he needed—and made himself listen to the answer.

"I need to be safe to cross the gateway, bring Sasha back—possibly carrying her—and likely others as well. I may need to fight. And I'll definitely be running low on sleep… how long? How long until my body can take it without failing?"

The healer shook his head, "I'd say two weeks, Zev. But I know you won't accept that. It's possible you'd be ready in a week. But not resting? It's going to send your body backwards."

Zev growled. There was no way he was waiting two weeks. Who knew what they'd do to Sasha in that time?

"It's possible it will take longer," the healer warned him. Zev only growled again. "You can't expect to function as usual until you're body's gotten rid of the infection, and recovered any lost muscle or … Zev, this isn't a little thing you're asking. You lost blood. You have an infection. Even if that passes in a day or so, healing is going to take time."

"So what can you do to help me? Help my body?"

"There's herbs we can give you for healing. Good, rich food that will replenish your blood. And plenty of sleep."

Zev wasn't sure how he'd go with that last one, but he nodded along. "Let's do it. Anything you can think of. I'll take anything, do anything. You just tell me. Whatever will help me. I need to get over there, and I need to do it strong."

The healer looked skeptical, but he went into the next room to bring back some mushrooms and herbs that he began mixing on the small table next to Zev's bed.

Soon, Lhars returned, and chairs were brought out for the Alphas who filed in, one by one, while Zev was being treated.

The sense of vulnerability he felt as all the strongest, fastest, smartest Chimera filed into the room, one after another. Including Kyelle. But Zev knew if he was going to get over there, he had to give his body the best chance to do it. And that meant they'd been right to tackle him, to tie him down.

He would do everything in his power to aid his own healing. And then he would go. He would find Sasha, and get her away from Nick. And together… together they'd win this. He was certain. He just needed enough time to get to her. That was all. Just a little bit of time.

*****

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