GAHRYE

"She needs to know she's safe,

" Kalle said from directly behind him. Her hand suddenly resting on his back, right between his shoulder-blades.

Gahrye jolted. He thought she was leaving with Shaw?!

"Kalle, get out of here. Beasts are unpredictable even for experienced Anima. Elia doesn't have the control and I don't have the experience to help her. Please you have to go—

"

"I read about this,

" she whispered.

"She needs to feel safe.

"

"Good luck when she's in this house, pregnant and without her mate. Kalle, please.

"

"I think… I think you need to leave, Gahrye. Let me talk to her.

"

"Not on your **ing life!

" he whipped his head around, to let her see how serious he was, but Elia growled and he turned back immediately, hands up.

"I'm not hurting her, Elia. I'm just… I need her to be safe so I can help you.

"

"I am safe, Gahrye. Her beast is female, right?

"

"Yes, but—

"

"Don't you get it? When a woman is surrounded by men it's an insecure feeling sometimes. Seriously. Go into the kitchen or something. Let me talk to her.

"

"Kalle there is no **ing way I am leaving you alone with a lion. You need to leave!

"

Elia growled at him again and he blinked.

"See, she agree with me,

" Kalle said smugly.

"Look, I can prove it. Elia, if you just want to be alone with me, or even by yourself, when I step out, you turn to face me, okay?

" Kalle said quietly.

"What, no—!

"

Gahrye tried to hold her back, behind him, but he could turn to see which way she went, and she simply side-stepped him.

And when Kalle slipped around him, she immediately put herself down on her knees with her head bowed.

"I recognize you,

" she said softly.

Elia's beast's nostrils flared but… she turned to face Kalle and made the deep whining putter Gahrye had heard others make when they were complaining.

He shook his head.

"She can't be… it can't be…

"

"She's pregnant, scared, and lonely. She just got challenged by a male. And you're here being all aggressive.

"

"But—

"

"I know you meant well, and believe me, I love the dominance thing. Like, anytime, for real, Gahrye, you give me tingles when you do that. But right now she doesn't need to be dominated, she needs to be comforted. And you can't do it.

"

"I'm her best friend!

"

"You also have a penis. Trust me, there's a time a girl just needs girls.

"

Gahrye huffed, uncertain whether he should laugh or be offended. But Elia made that noise again, and shook her head until her ears flapped.

"Please, Gahrye,

" Kalle said without lifting her head.

"I'm not guessing. I read about this… about how it's different for males and females getting back from their beasts. So… just leave, okay? I'll be safe. I promise.

"

"You can't possibly know that!

"

She turned her head then, slowly so she wouldn't startle Elia, and she met his eyes with a wicked grin.

"Trust me, I'm surviving this so I can find you and you can do that protective thing again because that was hot, husband. That was **ing hot.

"

He blinked at her, a smile threatening. But Elia growled and he tensed again.

"She's growling at you and your penis,

" Kalle said, biting her lower lip before she added.

"Please, Gahrye. I can explain it all to you later, but we were trained for this since I was kid. This is just my first chance. I will be safe.

"

"But…

" he didn't want to admit that he thought she was probably right, but the idea that there might be even the slightest threat to her was turning his bowels to water.

"Kalle.

" He swallowed convulsively.

She reached out and put a hand to his shin, squeezing it.

"I'm coming back to you. I promise,

" she said quietly.

"I promise, Gahrye.

"

Elia shook her head again, but she'd come half out of her crouch and her tail wasn't lashing so furiously.

Gahrye shook his head and blew out a breath.

"I'll go, but I'm going to be right there. If there's even a hint that she's stalking you… you just scream. Do you understand me?

"

"Yes, I do, mate of mine. And—just a note—I do enjoy it when you give orders,

" she said with a smile.

"Now leave us alone for some girl time.

"

Gahrye backed slowly toward the door to the kitchen where Shaw had left. Apparently Elia's beast couldn't navigate latched doors. But did that only mean he was locking his mate away with a lion?

He looked at Kalle, still kneeling on the floor, her hand still on his leg, but her head and eyes down in submission.

She was so confident. She had to be right. She had to be.

Reluctantly, slowly he pushed through the door and closed it. But he stayed there, listening. He would run back in if there was any sign of violence. Any at all.

He just had to pray he wouldn't be too late.

*****

KALLE

As soon as Gahrye disappeared behind the door, Elia made that groaning whine in her chest again and began to pace.

Kalle kept her head down and her hands clasped in her lap so Elia wouldn't see them shake. She was just glad Gahrye was tense enough that he hadn't noticed.

"I… I see you, my Queen,

" she said quietly.

"Elia, I recognize you. I know you are truly a Ruler in Anima. Shaw was only trying to bait you. He uses that tactic sometimes to learn things. People will often give away information when they're unsettled. He didn't realize you were capable of this. I'm sorry we haven't found any help for you yet, but I hope… I hope I can help right now. So just… be calm.

"The only staff that are at the house this early are the cook staff and Shaw's just had them leave, so they're gone. The house is empty. I want you to know that I see you. And I'm here in peace. And I will happily help you if you need it. Or I can bring you through the house to your room so that you can be in the dark and find your calm there. I know you were challenged, and I know this whole place is frightening.

"I hope… let me help you now, if I can. Come back. Be calm. Come back. No one is here to hurt you. Let me help you. Gahrye cares for you so deeply, and you've been so good to him, please, Elia, let me help you.

"

"You already have,

" Elia said faintly, then sobbed.

*****

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TAMING THE QUEEN OF BEASTS: Elreth is about to challenge her father for dominance--and win! But as the Anima's first ever Alpha Female, she has a difficult road ahead. Her best friend, Aaryn, is a disformed wolf. Definitely not the people's first choice for the new Queen's mate. Can love conquer all? Or will their bond be the end of Elreth's rule?

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