n

n

nRETH

n

"You threaten me, Reth?

" Lucan finally said. No one else spoke.

n

"I speak true, Lucan. As Ruler of the Anima, and as your Alpha.

"

nLerrin tensed next to his father, but Lucan didn't flinch.

"So quick to call yourself Alpha over all when you cannot even rule the heart of your wife.

"

nReth smiled smugly,

"Somebody hasn't been paying attention this morning.

"

nFor the first time Lucan looked uncertain, but he recovered quickly.

"Perhaps. You know how it goes, Reth. You've been a touch distracted the past couple weeks…

"

n

"I wouldn't have been distracted if the wolves weren't making trouble.

"

n

"My people do not make trouble, they fear! They are concerned for their futures, and the future of WildWood!

"

n

"Then you, as their alpha, call off their 'concern' and control your people,

" Reth growled,

"or I will do it for you, and I assure you they will be far more fearful of that! If they need a demonstration of their King's strength to bring them back into line, it can be arranged!

"

n

"Is that a threat, Reth? Against your own people?

"

n

"That is a promise—I will not risk WildWood for the sake of Lupine pride.

"

n

"Pride? Pride, Reth? Really? You accuse me of pride?

"

n

"I accuse you of inciting your people to treason because you lost what is little more than a game of chess.

"

n

"You call the future of Anima, a game of chess?

"

n

"No, I call the wolves' manipulations a game of chess. What if it had gone as you'd planned, Lucan? What if Elia had been killed and I'd mated Lucine. Would we still be standing here?

"

n

"Of course not—!

" There was a small noise near the front door, but neither of them turned.

n

"Then do not tell me this has nothing to do with the wolves and their power.

"

nLucan was on his feet.

"This isn't purely about power—it's about having a Queen that cannot be bested by a ten-year-old, who doesn't create a social **-show every time she opens her mouth—who could offer something to the strength of the people, rather than applauding the weak!

"

nA small feminine gasp sounded and Reth whipped his head around to find Elia standing just inside the door. The men all turned and got to their feet—only to drop to their knees when they saw the claiming.

nElia's eyes were wide and disturbed as Lucan, two breaths after everyone else, cursed and dropped to a knee, saluting her. A murmur of acknowledgements of the Queen rose in the room, but Elia just stared at Reth, her eyes pained and embarrassed. And he could only stare back, his eyes pleading with her not to listen.

nThen she swallowed, her eyes shining and in a clear voice, told the men to stand up.

"Thank you, all of you,

" she said.

"But I didn't realize you'd be here. I didn't mean to disturb you. Please, continue. I'll… I'll go to the other room.

" And she disappeared.

nReth gazed after her, his heart leaving the room in her wake, but with Lucan there and his accusation of distraction… he couldn't risk it.

nSo he forced himself to turn back to face the man he was quickly beginning to see not as a combatant, but as an outright enemy in his ranks.

nThen he caught the expression on Lucan's face—the sheer malice and contempt—and his beast roared, and begged for release.

n

"Take your eyes off my wife!

" The snarl began in his toes and rolled through his whole body as every man in the room turned, slowly, to put themselves to the floor before him.

nExcept Lucan.

nEven Lerrin knelt, but Lucan only bowed his head, hands fisted at his sides.

nReth's entire body trembled. When he spoke, it was with the growl in his throat, and eyes he knew would shine in the dark. Behryn shifted nervously and tried to catch his gaze, but Reth stayed focused on Lucan.

n

"You have only one choice, Lucan. One: You put your people in their place. No more whispers behind hands, no more stalking the Queen, no more attacks, no more plots on me or my mate—or the inhabitants of WildWood.

"

n

"There are no plots,

" Lucan snarled.

nReth tensed, every hair on his body raised.

"Either there are plots, Lucan, or you have lost control of your packs. So which is it?

"

n

"The only control that has been lost is yours, Reth—

"

nReth roared and the men yanked Lucan back, away from him as Behryn stepped between them, calling Reth down.

"Breathe, brother. Breathe. He isn't attacking. He's disagreeing with you. No one here challenges you, or your mate, Reth. Ease, brother. Ease. Please.

"

nReth stood, his breath heaving, his back rippling, Behryn knelt in front of him, but spoke smoothly, confidently, hands raised to try to stop him and he walked the line.

n

"Speaking of losing control,

" Lucan muttered.

nReth felt his body surge, but with a stifled roar and a puttering growl, he fought it back. His eyes still glowed, he knew, but he didn't move from his place in front of Behryn, and he didn't shift.

n

"Get out of my house,

" he said in a voice so dark even Brant blinked.

"Get out of my city if you cannot live in peace.

"

n

"I've touched no one! Nothing!

"

n

"You have aided your people in violence and you will admit it, or you will be watched, corralled like a common dog, is that what you want Lucan?

"

n

"You cannot banish me for doing nothing!

"

n

"Oh, I won't,

" Reth said, and smiled the smile of a predator on prey.

nThe two sheep in the room dropped to a knee at the sight of his smile, but he let it stay.

nLucan didn't back down, but his eyes grew wary.

nThen Lerrin stood.

"I'll take him out and we'll get it under control,

" he said reluctantly and Reth blinked.

n

"What was that?

"

n

"I'll take him. And we'll talk to the people together. The wolf packs… they don't challenge for control. There's been some factions that were getting out of hand and… and we should have stopped them before now.

"

n

"Hush, Lerrin!

" his father hissed.

nBut Lerrin's jaw was tight and he faced Reth.

"He didn't make the plans, but he enjoyed them. And I can… I can talk to the people. We can settle things down.

"

nReth turned his head slightly, measuring the man for deceit. But wolves were excellent liars. So, was it a trick? Or genuine?

nLucan growled like he was furious with his son, but that meant nothing if they'd planned it. Reth turned to Behryn, who'd gotten to his feet, but was standing close.

n

"What say you?

" he asked, tipping his head toward Lerrin.

n

"I say at some point we have to give them a final warning, and let them show us if they're going to say in line.

" A couple of the others murmured their agreement, so Reth nodded.

n

"Very well, Lerrin, this is your shot. The one and only—you can thank your father for that. The next time I catch a wolf creating trouble for me, or my wife, pack discipline begins. Do you understand?

"

n

"Yes, Sire.

"

n

"And if you're able to bring your people through this, it may be time for Lucan to have his own challenger.

"

nLerrin didn't answer that, though Lucan snarled. But the men began moving them, escorting them out and back to the wolf pack, while the eldest of the elders shuffled in their wake, until only Behryn remained.

nHe waited until the last of them was out of the cave mouth and into the clearing, then he folded his arms.

"That could have—

"

n

"Not now, Behr, please,

" Reth said wearily.

"I need to go comfort my wife.

"

n*****

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