~ SASHA ~

Sasha stood there awkwardly as something passed between the two that she didn't understand, but that clearly reflected on her. How would this woman know her name?

Well, to be fair, it seemed everyone here knew of her.

She wasn't sure whether the fact that Zev had told all of them about her should make her feel warm, or angry.

"Hello," she said to the woman. "It's nice to meet you." She held out a hand.

It took the woman a moment to look away from Yhet's face, but when she did, she wiped her hands on the apron she wore over long, thick robes before taking Sasha's hand in a way that indicated she knew how to shake hands, but wasn't particularly practiced at it.

"I… good morning, Sasha," she said, clearly off-balance. "I never imagined… welcome to Thana."

"Thank you," Sasha said, then turned to Yhet, who was still watching Kyelle carefully.

"Zev is back?" Kyelle asked quietly, as if she were afraid of the answer.

Yhet nodded. "Just this morning. I found him and Sasha outside the cave."

"Shit, is that what all the roaring and barking was about? I thought the Alphas were fighting again."

"No, unfortunately, that was Xar… he declared Zev an outcast."

"He did… what?!" The woman glared. One thin, birdlike hand shot out and fisted on Yhet's shirtfront.

Yhet had his hands up, though he didn't look afraid. "Xar said that Zev was a traitor and cast him out. Poor Sasha had only just arrived with him. Before he got rid of him, Xar had her agree to take a mate before her next bleeding. She's… the males are circling Kyelle. I'm sorry, I didn't know where else to go."

Kyelle dropped his shirt as if she hadn't meant to hold on, brushing her hands distractedly down the front of it to smooth out wrinkles, but she was frowning at his chest like she wasn't quite ready to turn and meet Sasha's eyes.

What was going on?

"Sasha. That must have been frightening. You'll… You'll need a space," she said, swallowing hard.

Sasha nodded. "A male offered one as we were walking out of the village, but—"

"You can't take anything from any of them before you've chosen!" Kyelle snapped.

Sasha blinked, but nodded. "Yes, that's what Yhet said."

Kyelle smoothed her hands down her apron again. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. That was very rude of me. I know humans are different in how you speak to each other. I didn't mean to startle you. I only… only…" she swallowed hard, "If you are meant for Zev and he is going to fight, you cannot make it harder on him by welcoming another."

"Can you teach her, Kyelle?" Yhet asked softly. "Or recommend someone else that would do as well? I'm afraid I don't pay enough attention to the politics. I might steer her wrong and then…"

"It will hurt Zev," Kyelle said softly.

Yhet nodded, but his face was sad.

Sasha looked back and forth between them, utterly confused. But the woman had dropped her chin was biting her lip.

Then she turned and gave Sasha a small smile. "It sounds like you've had an… interesting introduction to Thana," she said carefully.

Sasha nodded, "It's been a little difficult," she said, surprised to need to blink because her eyes had suddenly begun to sting.

"How did you come to be here? I mean, I realize Zev brought you. Has he taught you anything of our people, or the customs here?"

"There wasn't time," Sasha said, swallowing the pinch in her throat. "We ran into each other, then these men started chasing us and he almost killed a couple of them, then we just kept running. I fell asleep, then we were in the cave and… and Yhet found us. It was… he had planned to explain everything when we were alone."

Kyelle gave a huff. "Typical Alpha male," she said with smile that was half-frustrated, half-amused, "expecting the world to bend to his needs, rather than planning to work within it."

"I don't think—"

Kyelle raised a hand to wave off the thought. "I mean no harm," she said. "I'm very fond of Zev and glad to hear that he's returned. Though this outcast business…" she shook her head, muttering something Sasha suspected was a curse. Then she took a deep breath and met Sasha's eyes. "Will he fight? For you?"

"Yes," Sasha said without hesitation. "He spoke in my head after that man told him he was cast out and said he'd work to fix all of this and I wasn't to worry, but—"

"Zev can speak in your head?" Yhet gasped.

Kyelle's face went blank, though Sasha had the feeling she was bracing herself for the answer.

"Y-yes. Can't he do that with everyone? Isn't it part of the… the wolf thing?"

Yhet looked at Kyelle, an apology on his sweet face that Sasha didn't understand. "It's something the wolves can do with each other. But outside of the clan it's… rare. Very rare," he said. "But that's good. That's a good sign. For you," he added. Then he shot that sorry look at Kyelle again.

"I'm sorry," Sasha blurted, "I feel like I'm missing something. What is going on? What aren't you telling me? I came here for Zev—because he told me this was where I'd be safe and we could be together. He said he'd never leave me again, and now he's already gone. And you two are talking like you know something I don't and… I'm sorry, but can you please tell me what's going on?"

She watched as Kyelle closed her eyes and a tiny shiver rocked the woman. Her hands had clenched in the folds of her robe, her knuckles standing white and proud. When Sasha looked at Yhet, his brow was deeply furrowed and he watched Kyelle, as if following her lead. But when she didn't speak, Yhet cleared his throat and turned to Sasha.

"It's been a strange time since Zev left—" he began.

But Kyelle made a tiny noise to interrupt him, raising one of her hands. "It's okay, Yhet," she said, then put her hand on his arm.. "Thank you, but… I'll tell her."