Falling in Love with the King of Beasts

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RETH - Anima

When they'd fareweled Gawhr and agreed to send scouts to lead the way around the Tree City and through the WildWood into the portal region, Reth sank into a chair at the table and ran a hand through his hair.

Aymora squeezed his shoulder, then returned to her kitchen to continue working the healing herbs they would likely need in the coming weeks.

There were so many things Reth knew he needed to do, but all reports were that the wolves had fallen back to regroup after yesterday's sorties, and he found himself suddenly, utterly spent.

Aymora dropped more of the foul syrup in front of him and he grimaced.

"Drink it," she snapped.

He did. Then he just… sat there. Grateful for an old friend who didn't push when he was at his limit.

Behryn took longer, arranging the scouts and a messenger to run between himself and Gawhr, but eventually he too, joined them at Aymora's cave.

As soon as he entered the cave he took the seat across from Reth, frowning.

"Not right now, Behr," Reth said gruffly.

"You shouldn't have done that," Behryn said anyway. "It wasn't wise."

Reth's lip curled up, but he rubbed his face. "I didn't see another choice."

"You will put us out of the frying pan, into the flames, Reth. I know you're worried, but it was far too early to make such a deal—we don't even know if the wolves know what they have. They might have simply left the land with time when they needed the males."

"Would you?" Reth said, meeting his eyes out from under his brows.

"What? Give up the land?"

"Yes. If you'd taken the land where the Ruler disappeared, and your own was killed, would you give it up easily?"

"Not easily. But I can't say it wouldn't happen. It would depend entirely on—"

"These are the wolves we're talking about. And even if strategically they might have considered it later, we can't know how much later. And besides, I doubt it. This is personal for Lerrin now. He sees me as having taken his family. He's going to hold mine away from me."

"Or worse," Behryn muttered.

Reth shot him a look. "Exactly why I couldn't afford to let him keep the territory."

"Exactly why we shouldn't be giving it to the bears—especially after telling them she's there! Gawhr has leverage on you now!"

"Yes, he does. And he appreciates it. I was serious about building a bridge between our peoples, and I pray these efforts will do it."

"Or it will split our attentions—we cannot afford to fight wars on two fronts, Reth."

"Gawhr isn't going to declare war on us."

"No? It's going to be a thin winter, Reth. Despite our good harvest, we're at war. We had a lot of equipment and supplies stolen, and more taken by those we allowed to leave. What happens if the Bears take the territory, go to sleep, then wake up hungry and we have nothing to give them? Will you starve the Tree City to keep them calm?"

"Of course not," Reth growled.

"No, so what happens then? Gawhr holds your mate hostage—effectively—until you're willing, or worse, able to help him. And that's assuming he can still think straight—you know what the bears are like when they come out of the sleep. Grumpy doesn't even cover it."

Aymora sing-songed something about Alpha-male bullshit, and Reth shot her a look that she didn't catch because her back was to him.

"You realize they can't get out of the valley without effectively running over the Tree City?" Behryn said, his voice sharp. He leaned over the table, eyes on Reth.

"I'm aware, Behryn. But the deal is done, and I could not see a better option, so deal with it!"

They stared at each other, then Behryn's lips tighten. "And if they join forces with the wolves, instead?" he said quietly.

Reth's stomach dropped. It wasn't that he hadn't considered the point. It was that… he couldn't afford to. He had to believe that Gawhr's distaste for the wolves was greater than any concern he had for Reth's people.

"Next time speak to me first," Behryn muttered. "We have to think these things through—"

"I did!" Reth snarled. "I thought and I thought and I knew and I decided, because that is the job the Creator gave me. I know the risks, and I know that they're dire—but so is… I can't…" he raked a hand through his hair and turned away from his best friend's intense gaze. "I have to be able to get her back, Behr," he rasped. "This is my only hope right now. And I need hope. Desperately. Please."

Behryn sat back in his chair, huffing, but he didn't press again. And Aymora didn't add anything.

They all sat there, quietly, in their own thoughts, until a few minutes later Aymora brought plates over to the table and set them down in front of the males, offering them cheese, vegetables, and more dried fruit.

"Eat," she said gently. "You work on getting Elia back, I work on keeping you alive until you do so she won't skin me alive."

Reth huffed, but there was no humor in it. "Thank you, Aymora," he said.

But as he ate, his thoughts turned again to his mate and his stomach twisted so the food was little more than sawdust on his tongue.

He was desperate for her. Just to know that she was safe. That Elreth was well.

They needed to get someone over to her, someone to help Gahrye.

Could they sneak someone over before the Bears took the territory? Someone who could tell Elia about Candace so she could… could accept the loss.

But no, perhaps it was better this way. She was already going to be struggling to keep her spirits up. Perhaps it was better she didn't know, after all.

The light in the cave was dimming by the time he'd finished eating.

Behryn, still irritated, but at least no longer glaring, got up from the table and excused himself. He had to speak with the guards for that night. He patted Reth's shoulder. "I'll see you in the morning unless something goes wrong."

Reth nodded and watched him walk out, his entire body suddenly tense.

He was still staring at the cave entrance when Aymora walked around to stand in front of him, her face soft. Her gold-and-gray hair flowed down her back and despite the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, she was still beautiful.

And alone.

For so many years, she'd been alone.

He suddenly wanted to ask her how she'd done it. How she'd stayed… alive.

As if she knew what he was thinking her smile turned sad. "If you'd rather, I can make a cot for you here?"

Reth grimaced at being so obvious, but shook his head. "No, thank you. It's very thoughtful, but… I want to go home."

She nodded, but her face was sad. He got up to hug her and as she wrapped her arms around his waist, she murmured. "You'll get her back, Reth. You two are the Creator's hope for the rest of us. That true love is real and worth fighting for."

Reth swallowed the lump that suddenly appeared in his throat and rubbed her back. "Thank you, sister."

He didn't look back as he walked out.

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