Falling in Love with the King of Beasts

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PRIVILEGE BUYERS: (This was added to the chapter after publication so you aren't charged for these words) I am getting so many comments from readers who feel like they're being charged to "upgrade" for "nothing." I am so sorry that this system is complicated and you aren't receiving what it feels like you should be receiving. I know how frustrating that is. Please, PLEASE read the author note at the bottom of chapter 560. The SECOND HALF of that note explains what you receive in your second/ongoing resubscription months. 

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*****

RETH

Reth and Behryn parted at the intersection of trails where it broke to return to the center of the Tree City, or continued towards the Royal meadow. Reth should have gone into the City and let himself be seen, but he felt… off balance.

Behryn leaving his service? It seemed like a bad dream. He shook his head.

There was an awkward moment before they parted when they stared at each other, then Reth pulled his own friend into an embrace, clasping his forearm, and clapping him on the back. "You just tell me when you need to," he said gruffly.

"Thank you, Reth. And I hope you know—"

"Don't even say it, Behryn. I know. This isn't… I know you wouldn't choose it."

"It's more than that, Reth. I have fought it because I do love you. I just…"

"She's your mate," Reth said quietly.

Behryn nodded.

Reth sighed. "As I said, I'll be praying the Creator has some kind of miracle in store. But if not… Behryn you are always welcome in my cave. You are my brother. Whatever else comes, that will never change.

They parted then. Reth didn't turn to look, he didn't trust himself not to show his brother some of the anger and fear he felt.

Losing Behryn as Captain—as his most confident advisor? As second? Reth's heart pounded faster just at the thought.

He picked up his pace, though, as he walked, because he was going back to Elia and he had already been delayed.

What if she was having contractions again? What if Gahrye had left her, or Aymora hadn't returned and she was alone? His breath caught and he tensed, about to leap into beast form and run the rest of the way, when his name rose in the air behind him, echoing between the trees.

He almost ignored it, almost became his beast and ran—because he recognized Suhle's voice immediately and she wouldn't be able to keep up since she didn't shift.

But there was a high, urgent tone to her voice. And if she was seeking him out personally… Suhle didn't get urgent when the danger wasn't real.

With a prayer for patience, and a heart that beat a jagged rhythm in his chest, Reth turned to face her, and was immediately glad that he hadn't ignored her.

Suhle raced towards him, her hood bouncing on her shoulders, her face somehow bright with joy, and pale with fear at the same time.

"What is it?" he asked her quickly, taking her by the upper arms when she got within reach.

As she slumped to a halt in front of him, panting because she'd run so hard, she shook her head.

"Don't panic," she said through her heaving breaths. "There's not need to fear. Not yet, anyway."

Reth swallowed the tingle of fear in his chest and ignored the stab in his heart. "Well, I'll believe you that perhaps danger isn't immediately imminent, but you don't run up on me in the forest for a whim, Suhle. What's going on?"

She took a deep breath and pushed her shoulders back. Reth was struck for a moment how… open she seemed.

She'd always been wise, thoughtful, and subversively funny. But she also lived in an attitude of… quiet. She wished to ignored. She desired to be outside of notice.

But here she was, racing through the forest, calling his name, and her eyes… her eyes sparkled despite the lines of worry on her face.

Reth would have bet his left testicle that she'd seen Lerrin.

"We need your help," she said simply, still breathing heavily.

"We?" he asked, one brow high.

Her cheeks reddened. "Yesterday the wolves got to Lerrin. They attacked him. Six of them. They almost killed him Reth."

Reth blinked. "How did they reach him inside the prison tree?"

"The normal guards weren't assigned and whoever was there let them in. Lerrin said they sent in a female to try to seduce him first," Suhle's eyes glittered at that, "but when he turned her down, she opened the door and five males joined her. All of them were fighters. And… they were from the Tree City, Reth. They weren't rebels."

Reth's lower jaw sagged. "From here?"

"They said they were there to make him pay for revealing their secrets. The mind meld…"

Reth clawed a hand through his hair. But Suhle went on.

"He… he called to me and I went. They were leaving as I arrived. I don't know if the guards scented me approaching, or if it was coincidence. He was… he was near death. He has been injured. Inside."

Reth swallowed. For a split second he calculated the number of problems it would solve if Lerrin had been killed. Then he shook the evil thoughts away. The Creator kept saving Lerrin's hide. That wasn't a coincidence.

"I am helping him," she said quietly, without meeting Reth's eyes. "He is… letting me help him now."

Reth smiled. "I'm glad to hear it."

Suhle looked up at him, to measure his honesty, and when she saw his smile was real, she beamed back at him. It was almost worth his delay just to have seen that smile.

But it fell away quickly. "You have to protect him, Reth. Until… until you decide… if they come to him again in the next few days he won't be healed. They really will kill him."

Reth growled. Citizens attacking without their King's approval, and outside a rite… there was no honor in it. Bloody wolves!

"I'll talk to Behryn," he said, an image of his friend's grief and anger flashing through his head. "We'll figure out what happened and we'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

Suhle sighed. "Thank you," she said, putting a hand to Reth's arm. "But… there is one more thing."

Reth nodded, trying not to show his impatience. "What is it?"

"He… he wants to know if you would consider… banishing him from the Tree city. From WildWood. He would go willingly. Alone… mostly alone. He has no heart to raise power, Reth. Truly. He wishes only to be free and alone and…"

"Alone?" Reth asked, unsurprised by the request, but curious about Suhle's role in it.

She clasped her hands at her waist and looked down again. "I would… also go… if you were to approve this."

"Does Lerrin know this?" he asked carefully.

Suhle snorted. "He has asked me to go with him. And I wish to, Reth. If you could… If you would… I would go." She looked up then, from under her lashes, her eyes wide and afraid. Reth's heart went out to her. Every step of her life had been difficult and her victories hard-won.

He hoped he could make this happen for her without any further obstacles.

Reth sighed and put a hand to her shoulder. "I am happy for you, Suhle. Truly."

"Thank you." She was still waiting for his answer.

"We're in discussions about what to do with Lerrin, and this is one option," he said. "I cannot tell you where this will end. My first priority has to be to keep him safe until we have decided. But… I'm not saying no, Suhle."

She sighed heavily, nodding to accept his decision, but disappointed.

"I will say this," he whispered, looking around to make sure no one else was close, "There's a very clear prophecy in the old writings… "Let no Anima pull asunder those the Creator brings together,"" he said.

When she looked up at him, he winked.

"Now," he went on. "Since you're here, I want you to come to the cave with me. There's someone I want you to meet."

***** 

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Zev prowled towards her, all shining, brutal beauty, his chin low and those incredible, piercing eyes fixed on her. He didn't stop until they were toe-to-toe and he blocked her view of every other male in the circle. 

His eyes dipped to her mouth as he leaned in, his whisper playing on her skin. 

"You. Are. Mine." 

His deep voice twanged in her belly as the howls of the wolf pack rose from behind him to echo across the mountains of Thana, while the other Chimera protested his claim. 

Fighting the urge to stroke his broad, bare chest with her shaking hands, Sasha forced herself to tilt her head and raise an eyebrow. "So bold for a pup who just found his fangs."

The other males hooted with laughter.

Ignoring their taunts, Zev's eyes sparked and he leaned even closer, the scruff on his jaw tickling her cheek as he smiled. "So bold for a human who already knows the pleasure of gasping my name."

She shivered when his teeth grazed her ear. 

(SEE THE FULL SUMMARY IN THE AUTHOR NOTE BELOW)