Rise of the Dark Alpha

If you like music while you read, try "Stay" by Thirty Seconds to Mars. It's what I was listening to while writing this scene!

*****

~ LHARS ~

While the other Alphas moved away towards the crowd that was slowly curling out of site on the trail, Kyelle looked up at him.

Sasha was speaking quietly with Zev, so Lhars pulled her aside, away from the others, though he knew they'd be overheard.

Kyelle put her hands on his chest and fisted his shirt, opening her hand and smoothing it, before gripping it again. He held her arms and stared down at her, but she wouldn't meet his eyes.

"This isn't it forever, Kyelle," he whispered. "I'll see you at the cave and then—"

"No," she whispered back, her throat bobbing. "I have to focus on the females, on getting them through safely," she said, her voice tight with regret. "If I turn to you in that... it's not fair. None of them have mates to hold them."

Lhars thought of Pysa and Mae but didn't say anything. He knew what she meant. But that made his stomach feel like lead.

They were saying goodbye now? Here?

When he didn't respond, Kyelle finally lifted her eyes to search his. Their gazes locked and emotion welled up in him.

"You're going to be safe," he said firmly as if it was an order. "And I'm going to get my group of females and meet you in the Safe Place in just a couple of hours."

Kyelle nodded, but her forehead lined. Her eyes were pleading.

"I love you, Kyelle. I'm desperate for you. This has happened too fast, I don't want you to have any questions, any doubts—"

"I don't," she broke in, shaking her head. Her chin quivered. "And you can't have any either, Lhars. I know I was sight-blind. I'd do anything to change that now. But see me. Feel me. I'm here. For you. Only for you."

She took off his hands and placed them at the center of her chest, flat, over her heart.

He could feel it racing against his palm—and feel his own, also pumping too quickly, shifting to align with hers.

"We're in this together," he said, nodding. "So this, right now... this is just a... a delay."

She nodded, but fear sparked in her eyes that made him want to growl.

Then Lhars went very still. Kyelle froze, searching his gaze. "What is it?"

Lhars cleared his throat. "If it takes time, Kyelle, if I'm held up... please don't give up on me."

"Lhars, you're my mate. I would never—!"

"No, I mean... don't stop believing that I'm coming. Don't give up hope. Please."

She tilted her head, frowning sadly, cupping his face with her elegant hands. "I will never give up, Lhars. You have me, body and soul."

A huffing call broke in his throat and he couldn't stop it. He took her in a kiss, fisting his hand in her hair and pulling her in, desperate and clawing.

Kyelle wasn't one for public displays of affection, but she clung to him, whimpering. They both sucked and Lhars stumbled into her.

Someone behind them cleared their throat and Lhars was suddenly reminded that they were waiting for him. Sasha was waiting. He had to let her go.

The thought threatened to make him weep.

Tipping his forehead against hers, he broke the kiss, but still didn't let her go.

Kyelle had circled his waist with her hands and was still pulling him in.

"Wait for me," he breathed. "Even if I'm late. Even if I'm... just wait for me, please. Don't give up."

Kyelle shook her head and adrenalin speared through him. But she raised a hand to stroke him. "Lhars, I will wait the rest of my life for you. Never give up. I won't. Just... come back safely. Please."

He couldn't resist another kiss. But the sinking feeling in his stomach, coupled with the silence behind them meant the moment was lost. Lhars straightened and stroked her hair.

Kyelle tried to smile, but then her eyes drifted over his shoulder and he realized Sasha was approaching them.

"Sorry," he said, turning, though still holding Kyelle's hand. "I didn't mean too—"

"You're fine," Sasha said with a sigh. "I hate that we're putting you two through this. But I'm so glad that you're here. I know you're going to be fine, Lhars—and Kyelle, both of you. I'm more worried about what happens when you reach the Safe Place. There's going to be a lot of pressure on you both if we aren't there right away. But I want you to know, I have complete peace about leaving the people in your hands. If anything happens to us..."

All three of them tensed, and Zev, a few feet behind Sasha, speaking with Skhal, turned and frowned. She looked over her shoulder at him, and his eyes warmed with gratitude, and Lhars' heart thrummed.

His brother looked at his mate the way Lhars felt about Kyelle. It was... surreal.

"We're all going to make it back safe," Lhars said gruffly, still holding Kyelle's hand. "Perhaps at different times. Perhaps with challenges. But we will all be safe."

Kyelle and Sasha looked at each other. He wasn't sure what passed between them—something shrouded in the mystery of females—but Sasha smiled and leaned in to hug first Kyelle, then Lhars himself.

"Let's do this and get it done," she said quietly. "Let's do this and save the Chimera, and never have to think about the human intervention again."

Kyelle's smile broadened so that even Lhars was grinning. Then Sasha turned away with a wink at Lhars. "We'll be over here when you're ready."

*****

Watching Kyelle's back as she walked away with her chin high and her shoulders back was a bittersweet beauty. He didn't take his eyes off of her even when she took two running steps and then launched herself into the air to fly to the front and be at the cave first so that she could lead the females through.

As he watched her graceful form swoop through the sky, she banked, her broad wings wide and beautifully white in the dawn light, as she circled high over his head, screeching another farewell before she flapped away.

Lhars turned to the others then, grateful that they simply made room for him in the circle, but didn't comment.