Falling in Love with the King of Beasts

ELIA

Elia had intended to find Gahrye at breakfast, but Reth had kept her in bed far too late that morning. She had a feeling it was on purpose, that he hadn't wanted another confrontation so soon. And she was still trying to get her mind around this dominance thing that the Anima had. But she would not shrink from it this time. She would meet it head on.

And that meant talking to Gahrye.

So, mid-morning, she walked through the Tree-City, towards his stall, praying he was working today. But she hadn't even reached the stall, was still on the trail to the trade region, when she saw him in a cluster of other young people, all of them walking in the same direction as she.

"Gahrye!" she called, picking up her pace.

He stopped quickly and turned, smiling when he saw her, though his friends all dropped to one knee as she approached. She was about to assure them that they didn't need to do that, when she remembered Aymora's words.

…When an Anima tells you they are honored, it is disrespectful to deny—it denies both your own value, and that which they believe you bring to them…

Inwardly sighing, she waited for the people to stand again before she spoke.

"Good morning, Gahrye, and all of you."

"Good morning, Queen Elia."

"Please, call me Elia," she said hurriedly, hoping that wouldn't offend. Thankfully they all seemed pleased. They were a very different bunch, which struck Elia as odd. While the Anima seemed very comfortable with each other and the tribes mingled in crowds without issue, she'd noticed that their social groups usually tended to be within their tribes, or with other predators or prey types.

Yet, she was certain that one of the females next to Gahrye was from the Lion pride, and the very thin young man hanging back was an Avaline, a bird. There was even one she thought was a wolf. The others she couldn't quite place, which probably meant they were sheep or goats. She still struggled identifying those.

But these weren't just a mix of tribes, but also ages. One of them looked like she probably wasn't older than sixteen. While the Avaline could have fathered her.

"How are you all this morning?" she said, realizing they were all waiting patiently for her to speak.

There was a general murmur of assent, but they looked back and forth at each other as if they were uncertain whether to speak up.

Gahrye rolled his eyes. "We're well, Elia, we were just… going for a walk. Did you need me?"

"I—yes, but I don't want to take you from your plans."

He shrugged. "It's fine, I can catch up with the others later." He gave a pointed look to the one Elia thought was a wolf, then they all bowed to her, and turned to continue where they'd been going. Elia watched them, glad that Gahrye had friends, but uneasy about the exchange for a reason she couldn't pinpoint.

She turned to Gahrye, intending to ask, but as soon as the others were out of earshot, he turned to her with a beaming smile. "I have a great idea about the Festival. I didn't tell anyone because I think you want that to be a surprise—it will make everyone very excited."

"I—thank you! I mean, that's great. But can we talk about last night first?" she said.

Gahrye's eyebrows rose. "Sure… about what, exactly?"

"The… conflict, between you and Reth."

Gahrye ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. "Yeah, that's why I was nervous yesterday morning. I knew he'd be touchy. The Claiming is intense—so I've heard."

Elia grimaced. "I'm so sorry he put you through that, Gahrye. And that I had to leave. I wouldn't have, except that Candace and Aymora both gave me the nudge, that it was important. But I want you to know—"

"Why are you apologizing?" he said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Because… Reth was… overbearing. He shouldn't have made you humble yourself that way—you hadn't done anything wrong!"

"I wasn't humbled," Gahrye said, frowning. "It was just what needed to be done."

"What… what are you talking about?"

"Hasn't Reth explained the dominance hierarchy to you?"

"Yes, but… I mean, of course he'd see it that way—he's the one on top! I know it can't be easy being on your face like that in front of the entire city!"

Gahrye shrugged. "Any male would have done it. He didn't even touch me, Elia. I wasn't hurt. And even if he had, I would have deserved it. It was thoughtless of me. As your Advisor, it's important for me to be an example to the others around you, so—"

"Wait, wait." Elia screwed her eyes closed. "You aren't mad at Reth?"

"Why would I be angry with him for doing what it's his job to do?"

"It's not his job to threaten his own people!"

Gahrye tipped his head, watching her thoughtfully "Elia… yes it is. How do you think all these people, all these males especially, live in such close quarters? And in peace?"

"This is peace?"

"Yes! The WildWood has the highest concentration of Anima the world has ever seen—that is directly related to Reth's command over the people—especially the males. Without his sheer dominance, the others would be at each other's throats constantly. But because he is so clearly the strongest, the others fall in line."

"Except the wolves," Elia grumbled.

Gahrye snorted. "Trust me, for what it could be—how it's been in the past—our wolves are very… restrained."

Elia hadn't noticed, but they'd started walking at some point. Gahrye led her down one of the back paths, towards Aymora's cave, deeper in the forest.

"This is very important for you to understand, Elia. No Anima—except perhaps a wolf-alpha—would ever feel angry about being dominated. Having Reth so strong makes the rest of us sure that we are safe. And even though there may be tussles for power here and there, in the last ten years he's ruled the most peaceful Kingdom in Anima for generations. From what I remember, even his father—who was extremely successful—wasn't as strong. Aymora could tell you more but… don't ever be upset with Reth for dominating us. Especially a male. It is what makes us successful."

Elia gaped at him.

*****

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