RETH

He was suddenly pressed down by the immense weight of a massive lioness who growled and twisted back onto her feet and stood, ears back and tail lashing, but didn't attack.

"Love,

" Reth said, his voice rough with emotion.

"My love.

"

Her ears came forward and she stared at him, then took first one, then two steps forward to press her broad head into his chest. Her chest expanded with the force of her sigh as he gripped her head and nuzzled her.

When they both pulled back, he didn't take his eyes off hers as he spoke, low and quiet, to Gahrye.

"I'm going to run with her, get her back to the cave as quickly as she's able,

" he said.

Gahrye shifted On his feet behind him.

"Good idea.

"

"I am… so grateful, Gahrye. You brought my mate home to me, just as you said you would. You have fulfilled your blood vow. You have all my gratitude. When things have settled down we'll discuss your honor.

"

Gahrye swallowed audibly.

"I don't really care about honor anymore, Reth,

" he said, his own voice rough with emotion as well.

"I… I need—

"

Elia's beast grunted and sank down, hissing, as her stomach clenched. Reth tsked and shook his head.

"We'll speak of this again when my mate is safe,

" he said.

"I promise you, Gahrye. I owe you. You have my gratitude. Anything you need, you just ask.

"

"Thank you, Reth.

"

"Sorry to leave you out here alone.

"

"It's okay. Unless… is it safe to go to the Tree City?

"

Reth sighed.

"Yes, but the peace is brand new. Only established today. Step carefully. And do not speak of your travels to anyone but Behryn until we've had a chance to talk.

"

"Okay. I won't.

"

Reth finally took his eyes off Elia and turned to meet Gahyre's.

"I know you won't. You're a male of honor. Elia did well, choosing you.

"

Gahrye blinked at him in shock, but Reth got to his feet and shifted…

His mate was the best scent in Creation.

His mate was in pain.

He rubbed his face against hers, groaning the mating call, which she returned, though weakly.

He shook his head, his ears flapping against his skull, then he started down the path, turning to make sure she followed. Groaning to her when she seemed hesitant.

They needed the den. The other inside would help if they just got to the den. He trotted a few more paces, then waited for her to catch up. She was tense and smelled afraid. But he rubbed her face again, licking her fur.

She huffed and kept walking.

She would come to the den where she could rest.

But her body was tired and in pain. The little one was coming.

His instincts screamed against it, but she must walk. He had to get her to safety. So he walked alongside her, moving into a stiff trot when she could. He called his encouragement and kept himself right at her side, his heat to warm her, his strength to protect her.

She would come to the den. She would rest.

He would keep her safe.

*****

Far too long later, they trotted into the Royal meadow and Reth wrestled back control, shifting back into human form to open the door of the cave.

Elia made a low yeowling in her throat, but trotted through, head low and rear tucked in as she darted through the Great Room and immediately around the corner to the bedchamber. The lanterns would be lit, but he could blow them out. She would be more comfortable in the dark.

Aymora better not be long.

His tension was ratcheting up with every passing moment. And it got worse when he entered the bedchamber to find her already curled on the furs, panting, on her side. Rolling and turning, as if she couldn't get comfortable.

She acted like a female in labor. A female near to delivery.

This was not good.

"Hold on, Elia,

" he said quietly, joining her on the furs to scratch behind her ears and shoulders.

"I'm here. You're safe. Hold on.

"

*****

When Aymora finally arrived, Reth was beside himself. Desperately stressed and even more desperately trying not to let Elia know how stressed he was.

Aymora called out as she came through the door into the Great Room—likely just in case Elia was naked—but she hurried through.

Reth was on his feet at the side of the sleeping platform.

"Thank the Creator. I'm worried, Aymora. She's acting like she's actually—

"

He broke off as a second figure came through the door in the same moment the scent of wolf hit his nostrils and a snarl erupted from him instinctively.

Aymora and the second female—Jayah, he knew her name. She'd been part of the wolf council, though she was young for it—both dropped their heads and rolled their shoulders.

"Reth, she's extremely skilled in pregnancy and delivery. And she's delivered mixed tribe pups. I believe she can help.

"

Reth gestured for Aymora to go to Elia, but his eyes didn't leave the young female as she straightened and waited for his permission.

"Mixed tribe babies?

" he asked.

Jayah nodded her head.

"We had a wolf who gave birth to a serpent, and I helped a bird give birth to a wolf.

"

Reth frowned. Why hadn't he heard about these? Likely they hadn't had complications and the offspring had simply been absorbed into the appropriate tribe. But with the recent events in the wolf tribe…

"Did you support the rebel wolf strategy for breeding?

"

"No,

" she said firmly.

"It is part of the reason I was so eager to return here.

" Her eyes said there was much more to the story, but she understood the urgency of the current situation.

"I am trusting you with the life of my mate. Wolf or not, I am not comfortable doing that with anyone.

"

Jayah nodded again.

"I vow to you I will do my best to help her, and the cub.

"

"We don't know for sure it's a cub,

" he said, hesitantly, though Elia's scent made him almost certain that it was.

But Jayah just shrugged.

"Baby, Cub, I do not care. My goal is only to help her stop the labor if she can, and deliver safely for both of them, if she can't.

"

Reth eyed her a moment longer, but Aymora was up on the sleeping platform, hissing at him to let her help.

"Very well,

" he said, his voice as deep as the rocks beneath their feet.

"But do not take risks with my mate's life.

"

"No, Sire,

" she said simply, and hurried past him to Aymora's side.

*****

(POSTED 16

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