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Elreth stared at Sasha, anger for her mate—and fear—made it hard to breathe. But she showed nothing. Sasha was human and couldn’t hear her heart hammering, though the Chimera nearby likely did.

So she kept her face blank and her hands planted on her hips to stop them from shaking.

“There’s a tradition in our people,” she said quietly, eyes only on Sasha. “When we reconcile or agree… we offer—and receive—the hand of peace.” Elreth took a deep breath. “I wish to extend the hand of peace to you, Sasha. But I cannot do it while my mate is caged.

“If you release my mate, I will draw back the guard patrols to the boundaries of the Tree City territory—” she hurried on as Sasha opened her mouth to speak. “We keep watch at the boundaries of our territory for the bears, for Silent Ones, and for any other unknown threat. But as you know, those patrols do not extend into the outlying areas unless we have reason to travel. If you will release my mate, I will give you my word that we will not patrol the peninsula, we will not hamper Chimera in exploring Anima. And I will extend the hand of peace to you. We will share a feast and agree on further details as needed. You will be welcome… welcome among my people, even within the territory of the Tree City. And I will make my healers and our knowledge available to you as if you were our brothers.”

Sasha blinked. She stared for a shocked moment, then turned to the guards at Aaryn’s cage. “Free him.”

Relief washed through Elreth that Sasha hadn’t even hesitated. But as the guards turned to work on the cage door, the woman turned back to her, and for the first time Elreth saw the true light of Alpha in her eyes.

She stood before Elreth, utterly fearless. “I am showing them, I’m showing my mate—everyone—that you are good. Don’t make me a liar, Elreth. We talked about the difference when we spoke alone. I am trusting that woman to be honest with me.”

Elreth nodded. “You won’t regret it,” she said. She might normally have smiled or reached for the woman, but her entire body was rigid as she fought a war within herself not to simply become her lion and eat these people who had taken her mate—whether he’d crossed their lines or not…

.....

But she couldn’t. She knew she couldn’t. She’d jumped on a trigger weeks earlier and now they were here. If she did it again…

There was a small scuffle as the guards opened the cage door, then rushed back when Aaryn leaped out—still in his wolf. But he tore straight to Elreth’s side, shifting only when he was two steps away, then throwing himself at her.

And she finally snapped, trembling in his arms, her face buried in his shoulder, breathing deeply so she wouldn’t cry because there was still so much for her to do here today.

When they pulled apart—reluctantly—her mate’s silver eyes locked on her, shining with all the possession and strength of his wolf. “Trust,” he whispered. “You’re doing good, El. Trust.”

She nodded, her breath coming too fast and shallow, but what could she do. This day had already been overwhelming and it was still barely past high sun.

But then she turned back to Sasha—neither of them had turned their backs on the Chimera, keeping them in peripheral vision. She swallowed hard and offered her arm to the woman to clasp. “For peace,” she said hoarsely.

Sasha gave a grim smile and clasped her arm in return, both of them nodding.

Aaryn looked, but Zev was gone. Disappeared. He growled, but Elreth shot him a look.

It wasn’t ideal that this peace was struck only with one of the Alphas… but as she and Sasha let go so Aaryn could clasp her arm as well she breathed a little easier.

The people around them were cheering lightly, watching with barely concealed hope—and not a little fear.

Elreth understood. They had seen so much and heard so much… how to make them certain that she meant what she said?

She turned to Gar. “Go back. Tell the patrols they’re on leave. The shift commanders can draw back completely, to the edges of the Tree City territory. No scouts or patrols beyond the trails to the bears unless Aaryn or I are notified of them first.

Then she turned to face the Chimera who were slowly inching forward, away from the trees, clearly uncertain what would happen next.

“From this day on this place will be called The Valley of the Drums. The Anima will mark this day on the calendar as a feast day—to remember the day the drums beat for peace. You are invited to our City if you wish it. We will share a meal to demonstrate peace. There are some Anima among you already—they are welcome to stay with you, or return to our home. And you are invited to come with them when they do. We will celebrate with music and dance. Tomorrow evening. But even before then… you are welcome. We will call you allies and friends.

“Already some among us have found True Mates within your people. I hope… I pray that we will find more. I pray that we can look forward to the day when Anima and Chimera walk together, and our children play. But until then, please… please be at ease. You are safe here.”

A stronger cry went up from the people—especially the Anima.

But El found herself struggling to smile.

Because one very important wolf, and another very important lion were nowhere to be seen.

She turned to Sasha. “Will Zev agree?” she asked under the level of the murmur of discussion and hope rising around them. “Can we rely on his… discipline?”

Sasha nodded, but it was once and tight. “This isn’t going to be easy. But I’ll find him. We’ll bring Zan over to the city. We’ll… be seen with you and Aaryn. Or whoever. We will make them see that this is real.”

Elreth nodded. “A good plan,” she said shortly. “When you enter the City limits, just tell a guard or messenger that you’re there. They’ll give you directions where you need to go, and make sure I’m able to greet you.”

Sasha smiled for the first time. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

A strange tension descended then.

What would happen? Neither of them knew. They both carefully avoided speaking about how their people might react if someone lashed out or got aggressive… and if there were new females on both sides, the chances for that kind of conflict were rife.

Trust, Elreth told herself. Demonstrate trust to receive trust.

If their hearts were good, they would get through it.

Now she just needed to see that wolf submit to his mate and clasp hands.

Then she would be able to breathe.