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~ JAYAH ~

Jayah was stunned senseless. Her chest tightened, thrumming with a fizzing that unfurled like a fern right at the center of her heart.

Then the male shifted, his human form crouched, hands on the ground, knees bent under him, all refined and marbled muscle. He was broad through the shoulders, but there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him-every tendon and ridge of muscle appearing as if carved from his skin. He was dark haired and dark eyed, a trimmed beard framing his face and mouth that feathered into the first peppers of a silver that matched his wolf’s coat at his temples.

He stared at her, open-mouthed, but every line of his body poised-for flight, or fight, she wasn’t sure. Yet, another whine broke in his throat.

He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing, but never took his eyes from her. “What’s your name?”

Jayah’s breath came out in a little rush. His voice... it lit something inside her, warming and thrilling her in a way she’d never experienced before.

“Jayah,” she breathed.

.....

“Jayah...” he said her name like a prayer, then shook his head in disbelief. “I’m Skhal.”

A smile broke on her face that she couldn’t stop. His name was Skhal... her mate’s name was Skhal.

“Skhal...” she said breathlessly.

He nodded, his eyes bright. “Are you...?”

“I’m Anima,” she said quickly. “But I was coming... there’s conflict. Your Alphas and mine-I was coming to try and make peace. To open lines of communication or... something.”

He nodded, but the first hint of a shadow clouded his gaze. “They have Zev? And Sasha?”

“Yes. And their son.”

Skhal’s entire body sagged and relief washed his scent.

His scent. Jayah inhaled deeply and her chest warmed again.

Pine trees and a mountain steam. Fall morning air.

He smelled like her favorite places to be.

Jayah put her hands to her mouth and had to swallow a girlish giggle. She was far too old for it, but it was coming home to her, suddenly.

She’d given up years ago. She’d accepted her fate. Had never been driven to forge a bond with a male that hadn’t been made for her. She’d given her life to her work, and been content in it-only wishing on cold nights for a warm body to cuddle... or a pair of arms to hold her as she grieved. But she’d never expected that it would come.

She pushed to her feet, and Skhal followed her up, both of them staring, scanning each other.

Her view was rather more revealing than his since he was naked-the Chimera shifted differently than the Anima. When Jayah shifted her existence... moved. Her wolf came to take her place in this world, while she was elsewhere.

But when the Chimera shifted, their bodies changed. She’d suspected-watching Zev shift after he’d been bound. But this confirmed it.

Instinctively she took a step towards him, but he tensed, so she stopped.

Then he muttered something and shook his head. “Don’t ever be afraid of me,” he growled, and prowled towards her, his voice lighting a fire in her chest.

He stopped within arm’s reach, still drinking in the sight of her. Jayah stifled another giggle. She opened her mouth to ask him what he was doing when a small shout sounded out in the ravine.

They both flinched, and Skhal grabbed her, pulling her behind him as he half-crouched, watching the entrance to the cave.

But the sound was followed by laughter, and teasing voices.

The patrol was out there, but they thought they were alone.

Jayah breathed a little easier, but neither of them moved until it had been a full minute from the last sounds.

Then Skhal turned, straightening and they faced each other again.

“I was on my way to... to try and find our Alphas,” Skhal said, his voice rough and still laced with awe.

Jayah nodded. “Of course you were.” Then she smiled.

His face, rock hard angles and weathered by decades of sun, softened as he watched her.

“I came to find your people because I’m afraid... afraid if there isn’t a bond of peace created that our peoples will destroy each other.”

Skhal’s forehead creased. “They are... conflicting?”

Jayah nodded. “A great deal. But my Queen is good. Her King and her Captain... they are good. All of them are afraid. They don’t understand how you came to be here, or why. They need answers. We are... brothers and sisters, I think. Different, but the same in here.” She tapped her chest.

Skhal frowned. “I didn’t know what was happening-we didn’t even know Zev and Sasha were here until I caught traces of their scents. But it was already days old, I couldn’t be sure...”

“They’re here. And for now they’re safe. But I worry, Skhal. I don’t know how to bridge the gap.”

Skhal let go of a breath and took a step closer, reaching for her hand. “It all has a purpose,” he said. “It has to. The Creator brought us together for this.”

Jayah smiled, wetting her lips with her tongue when his fingers, calloused and thick, entwined with hers, sending goosebumps all the way up her arm.

She looked down at where they touched, then back up to him.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he breathed. He still hadn’t taken his eyes from her.

For the first time in her adult life, Jayah blushed. Then it hit her. All the things she’d heard, all the troubles over the bond-the uncertainty of it, the difference in Tarkyn’s bond to the others, the difference in Harth’s body...

Jayah’s smile faded. “Our people are different, Skhal. Our bodies are different. Our bonds are different. There are things... Harth-do you know Harth?”

He nodded quickly.

“Harth is the mate of our Captain of the Guard. But there are things happening in their bond that make the other fear-”

“I don’t give a shit,” he said frankly. “You’re my mate, Jayah. The rest... the rest is in the hands of the Creator, because I’ve waited my whole life for you. I will never give you up.”

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