Falling in Love with the King of Beasts

LERRIN

The murmur that came in response shook him to his bones, coming as it did from both the voices of those standing around, and the minds within. 

WE DO.

Lerrin sucked in a breath and was suddenly grateful for his bonds that held his hands close so none of them would see them shaking. Those to either side of him had taken his elbows and he was grateful, certain, suddenly, that if they'd held his hands, his heart might have broken for the sheer beauty of the moment.

'Follow me in the vow: I vow to be of one mind, to bring my strength and intelligence to bear for the good of my pack, my family, my tribe, and all of Anima. I vow to be of one heart, to see the failure of any Anima—wolf, equine, pride, serpent—as my own. To weep with those who weep, to rejoice with those who rejoice.

'I vow to forgive. To walk into a new future without the resentments of the past. I vow to uphold any commonly held goal—to walk forward in step with the Pride, and any leaders among the Anima that hold the wolves interests in heart..'

The murmur rocked him to his core and he was almost swept away as the Creator took the wolf mind, the pack mind, and made it one, sweeping them all into central truths. The understanding of their purpose, and the surety of their strength. 

He continued with the vow, and the others repeated it, but none of the words registered any longer, because Lerrin had realized.

When finally they all raised their heads and began to embrace, he searched and he was not shocked to find her, three rows away, but in eye-line.

Suhle, staring at him, hood down, her hair bare, and her incredible eyes bright with tears. And because he was open, she was able to speak to him before he caught himself.

'I told you that you would lead us to our best, Lerrin. I knew it. Thank you. Thank you for not giving up even when you were hurt. No matter what, I will always be grateful to you for returning everyone to—'

He cut off the contact like a knife through a string. Suhle's mouth dropped open and the hurt on her face eviscerated him. 

The pain was tangible. Yet she didn't look away.

Lerrin closed his eyes, and closed his mind, turning himself away from her tears that cut him like any razorblade.

Instead, he turned his back on her to join the others and received the embrace of peace from his brothers and sisters who all stood with steady resolve now. He allowed them all to touch him and hug him and whisper peace in his ear. Each of them filled with purpose and certainty.

Aiming for their best.

Just like she'd said.

And every moment, every touch, every smile, every whispered word, he wished it were hers. 

He almost turned at one point. The ache to see her, to be close to her, to feel her embrace was so strong it was a physical thing.

But even though he shuddered, he didn't give in. He couldn't.

He could never trust her again. He'd let her in. He'd given himself completely, in a way he'd never given to any wolf before. And she had lied to him.

He'd never get past that. It would whisper in his mind for the rest of his days—the question whether his mate spoke truth, or held things from him. 

The question of her loyalty.

With another naked shiver, he turned from the wolf female that was gripping his elbow and murmuring her thanks to him that she would dine with her son that night. And he very carefully turned in the opposite direction from the one that would take his eyes past Suhle.

He needed to get out of there. The job had been done. He'd brought the wolves home and under Reth's rule. Even if they had some dissenters hidden among them, even if the infection remained, it was for Reth to address now. Reth and the Lupine elders.

He could rest, finally.

He could sleep easily. He had done what he'd sworn he would do.

He just wished he'd come through it with a heart intact.

***** 

RETH

He caught the moment Suhle and Lerrin locked eyes—and he didn't miss that Lerrin was the one to break the contact.

Poor Suhle deflated like a popped bladder. He wanted to go to her, to offer comfort, but she was immediately embraced by another female next to her, and then the entire tribe spent minutes greeting and affirming each other. 

For a moment, Reth wished to have their unity—to be able to link with others, to know for certain where they stood, or how they might work together. 

But then he caught Behryn's eyes, and Aymora's grin, and he had to smile. He wouldn't give up anything in his life. He was as blessed as a male could be.

And it was time for him to go get his mate. 

Raising his chin to get Behryn alongside, he waited until everyone was consumed with the wolves reuniting with their number that had remained at the Tree City, then he leaned into his best friend's ear. 

"You got the message to Gahwr?"

"Yes," Behryn said, though reluctantly.

Reth nodded. "Thank you. I will need four guards and whatever back up you think is  necessary to hold the Portal while I'm on the other side. I'm going to get Elia."

"When?"

Reth frowned. "Now! When do you think?"

"Reth—"

"We've just watched the wolves vow peace, Behryn. They're embracing their friends and family from the Tree City," he growled, throwing a hand wide towards the evidence. 

"The danger of this conflict isn't entirely—"

"I don't care. It is resolved enough!"

"There are lone wolves still in the WildWood."

"And you have guards following them, do you not?!"

"Yes, but—"

"Reth," Aymora piped up from Reth's other side. He startled and turned his head quickly to find her. Her eyes were sad and full of sympathy. Which he hated. She laid a hand on his thick arm and squeezed. "Reth, you know it's too soon. There's still so many things that need to be arranged before we can be certain. Give it a few days."

"No."

"Reth," Behryn snapped. "You are King first. Alpha of All, remember?"

Reth glared at his best friend, but Behryn only stared back. 

"You have a responsibility to them first, Reth," he said quietly.

Reth looked around at all the people—some ecstatic, others happy, others nervous, then turned back to his friends. Aymora's eyes held even more sympathy than before. It made him want to bite her.

"Tomorrow," he said. "I will wait one more day. I will ensure the wolves have reentered the City and the peace has held. Then I'm going."

Behryn sighed, but Aymora nodded and patted his arm. "A good decision," she said quietly.

"Are you serious?" Behryn asked her, gaping.

Her smile fell from her face as she turned to Behryn. "I would give anything—anything!—to be close to my mate one more time. I will not begrudge my dearest loved ones the chance to take advantage of something I would kill for!" she snapped.

Behryn's face fell. "I'm sorry, Aymora," he said quietly.

She shook her head. "Don't apologize to me. Apologize to your mate who yearns for you and fights others rather than risking greater distance from you, Behryn."

Behryn frowned deeply and Reth spluttered. "What? Hollhye is here with—"

"Fucking males and their fucking blindness to anything that doesn't make their cocks stand up," Aymora muttered and turned away from both of them. "Fucking Alpha male bullshit."

When she'd stormed off into the crowd Reth gaped at Behryn. "Do you have any clue what she's talking about?"

Behryn shook his head, but he kept frowning in the direction Aymora had disappeared.