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*****

LERRIN - Anima

Lerrin yearned to be out of this space away from his sister's scent, away from the eyes of others. But this woman had clearly cared for his sister and she looked… afraid?

"Yes, of course. What do you need?

" he said abruptly, wincing at his own bluntness.

"I… I am a trained servant,

" she said, her head still tipped down and eyes away from him, her shoulders rounded in submission.

"Yes, and you clearly served my sister well. I'm grateful—

"

"You carry a great load now, Sire, and I have… no responsibilities. Perhaps… perhaps I could serve you instead?

"

Lerrin frowned.

"That's very kind of you, but I have no need of a servant. I am very self-sufficient.

" He turned away again, but she didn't stop.

"I am certain that you are, Sire. Your sister spoke of your… lack of arrogance. It commended me to you when you became Alpha. But, while you may not have need of a servant, perhaps… have you considered that, as one of your people, I have need of a master?

"

Her scent was untangled. There was no guile. Yet, he'd never heard such a ridiculous thing before.

"No wolf has need of a master…

" He turned back to face her, frowning.

"What is your name?

"

"Suhle,

"

"Suu-lee?

"

"Yes, Suhle,

" she said, then spelled it out, pulling her hood back and raising her eyes as it fell. Lerrin's eyebrows climbing as she did so.

She was, perhaps, the most beautiful wolf he had ever seen—even more so than his sister. Though he shuddered to think of his own flesh and blood that way, he was not blind. His sister had been desired since her first breeding season for a reason.

Lucine had been the golden light, to his midnight dark. But this wolf… he had heard of her. Whispers among the males—even those of his father's generation. Many had held back only because she was disformed. Had she been able shift, even without noble birth, she would have rivalled Lucine for desirability as a mate.

She was beautiful, and a hunter.

"You are disformed?

" he said thoughtlessly, then wanted to bite his own tongue. Grief had shattered his filters.

But she faced him, unwavering.

"Yes.

"

He swallowed. The disformed were relatively rare among the wolves, though he didn't hold his father's opinion that that was because there was something wrong with the disformed, and wolf-blood was too strong to let the pack be weakened. Lerrin suspected the cause was far more practical.

"Well, Suhle, fear not. I do not hold the old ideas about the disformed. Under my rule, you will not be limited by anything beyond your own ambition. So, you do not need a master, you simply need a purpose.

"

"I have found my purpose, Sire. I am… suited to service,

" she said firmly.

"It is truly a joy to me to find ways to ease the burdens of others. It is what the Creator made me to do.

"

Lerrin frowned.

"You have no need to debase yourself out of shame. In my Kingdom—

"

"No! That is not what I am saying!

" she snarled. Her cheeks were pink, only adding to the allure of her soft, golden beauty.

"I do not wish to… raise criticism, Sire. I only wish to ask for your patronage. I have need of a master. A strong master. Your sister saw my need and offered her cover—for which I was truly grateful. But now, with her gone…

"

"Cover? What cover? Why do you need a strong master?

"

Her lips pressed thin.

"I have taken the old covenant,

" she said tightly.

"The old cov—?

" Finally, the pieces clicked into place.

She'd chosen not to mate at all until she had found her true mate. A choice that was commendable, but not common among the wolves. And with her beauty…

Suddenly, the scene he had interrupted when he stepped into the tent took on an entirely new meaning.

"Hold… when I entered here—

"

"I was avoiding the attentions of that male,

" she said plainly, staring at him, daring him to… what? Mock? Criticize? He wasn't sure. But whatever it was, she clearly assumed he would take a poor view on her keeping herself from males.

He'd been half-turned towards the door, but now he came back, stepping right up to her, watching her shoulders roll and her chin drop, but her hands at her sides were clenched to fists.

He opened his nose and scented her. Sure enough, spikes of anger and fear rose, twisted into her scent that reminded him of the sweet, juicy, darkberries that only fruited in the fall.

"You have no need to fear me,

" he said, frustrated, standing over her.

"Yes, Sire…

" She hesitated.

"I hope you are true,

" she said quietly.

At first, offense rose in him. But as she held herself so still, and he loomed over her, he suddenly became aware how he'd come at her. If she had had difficult experiences, was it any wonder she stood there now, defensive?

He stepped back to give her more space and noted when she relaxed a hair.

"You have no need to fear me,

" he said, more softly this time.

"I would have hoped you had no need to fear any male under my watch…

"

She remained silent.

Lerrin snorted air through his nose. He looked longingly at the tent-flap, then back to her.

"You truly have chosen servitude?

"

"Truly,

" she said firmly.

"Even before my first breeding season I knew.

"

"Why?

"

"Because it gives me joy,

" she said simply.

"It is my purpose to help others meet their purpose. I do not see weakness in it, Sire. Even the strongest among us need help sometimes. In my service, I strengthen my master so they may… meet their potential.

" Then she let her eyes slide up to meet his.

"Your sister understood both my purpose and… my need for a master. She offered her cover. I was grateful.

" Her eyes were an incredible jewel blue, the outlines of the iris's so dark they were almost black.

"Do you know your purpose, Sire?

" she asked softly.

He didn't even hesitate.

"To kill the traitor King and avenge my family,

" he growled.

Her brows pinched together and she didn't drop his gaze.

"That is a task, not a purpose. A purpose drives you ever-forward. What will you do when this task is completed?

"

"Ask me when it's done,

" he snarled.

She didn't balk at his aggression.

"What do you believe you will achieve through this task?

"

"I will cleanse the WildWood of the influence that has oppressed my people for generations. I will raise the wolves to the heights so their strength might be recognized. I will bring honor to my family, and remember them.

"

Her lips pulled up in a smile.

"Your purpose is to bring your people to the best of themselves. A noble purpose indeed, and one that mine can support wholeheartedly. So, I ask you again, Sire. Will you let me serve you? Will you offer the protection of your cover?

"

It was a path few chose, but there was great honor in it to those who were devoted. If she was being honest and not ambitious, Lerrin would admire her.

He eyed her warily.

"Do not believe that by putting yourself in my proximity you will encourage a mating relationship. I do not warm my bed with those who work for me. If you would seek power through that, it will not work.

"

She sucked in a breath and shivered.

"I assure you that is not how I seek power. It relieves me greatly to hear that you do not expect those… attentions, Sire. They are not part of the service I offer. I find no joy in those activities.

"

He frowned, thinking again about what he had interrupted. At how she had not answered when he asked after the conduct of his men.

A growl rose in his throat.

"Have you been mistreated, Suhle?

" Rape was rare among the Anima, but not without precedent.

But she once again dodged the question.

"All of us have experiences we would rather forget, have we not? Will you allow me to serve, Sire? I can make your life easier, and you can make mine more peaceful. A… joint endeavor, if you will accept me and claim my service as your own.

"

Lerrin rubbed his eyes and sighed.

"I may say yes,

" he said, eyes closed.

"But under one condition: Stay out of my head. I will not desire to join minds, except in dire circumstances. When I am alone, I wish to stay alone.

"

She nodded, and her smile broadened.

"I am happy to respect that wish.

"

"Then, very well,

" he said.

"Move your things from this tent because it will be taken by Asta. Find a place near mine. I will put it about that you'll be serving me. And only me.

"

Her eyes, the blue of the sky on a clear spring day, locked on his and sparkled.

"Thank you.

"

It was strange the way that lifted his heart in his chest.

He grunted and left.