Tryson turned back to Levi and waited, knowing the tension would be too much for him.
The Sasquatch looked back and forth, nervously, between him and Diane. Then he threw up his hands. "When you left, the researchers came just a few weeks later. Lina had only just established dominance. He wasn't… he hadn't found his way yet. The researchers removed most of the females and offspring."
"What?!"
Levi winced, but he nodded reluctantly. "Our numbers… we're down to a couple hundred, I think? Mostly male. And mostly in mourning." Mourning was what Levi called the loss of a mate that brought any Chimera to their knees within years. "We're dying, Tryson ," Levi rumbled quietly. "And Lina blames you."
*****
~ Diane ~
It was heartbreaking to watch. Tryson had been alight since they'd arrived
