Chapter 321-330

Chapter 321
3An hour later, Zev was more confident, but still uneasy. The Chimera had heard his call, and eventually given themselves to it. When he called for them to stand, they did so with bodies and voices, popping up one by one to tilt their heads and howl and call, calling to each other, urging the other clans to come alongside.

But there had still been murmurs. There were still sidelong glances, and fearful eyes.

Zev knew he couldn’t expect to bring every mind and heart with him—especially given what some of them had lost. Their fear was understandable. But he needed them to work with him, and believe the picture he painted as they moved from inspiration, to action.

Bringing the Alphas alongside to describe their plans, he had given them the picture of the City, now inhabited again, prepared for the return of females, and ready to face humanity at arms.

“The humans will not be allowed into the City,” he’d snarled—a declaration that brought more thrill and excitement from the Chimera than anything else he’d brought them so far. He had had to raise his voice to be heard over them. “We came here to take our lives back, and we will fight to do that. Look around you, Chimera! This has been the home of our brothers and ancestors for all of living memory, and even before. Our brother Yhet stands as a testament to the ancient ones. There will be a day when we are remembered among them, but only if we work together to protect ourselves and each other.

“Soon, you will be called to measure me, and if you choose to submit, we will walk into this future together. I trust my mate. I trust our Alpha. If she works to bring the females home, we have to prepare. If she is successful, they can’t walk into the chaos and back-biting that we’re choosing now!”

He had let that idea sit with them, sobering, for a long moment. Then he’d explained… resisting their cynicism, resisting their weariness, he’d shown them the New City.