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nWINNERS! Thank you to EVERYONE who purchased top tier privilege last month. You are incredible supporters of my work and I wish I could give everyone a paperback. Don't forget, the draw is happening again here in November. So if you have purchased the top tier of privilege already (Ruler tier, 1200 coins), comment

"I want a paperback

" in the most recently published chapter of each book you hold that tier for!

nCONGRATULATIONS to the winners for October:

nQUEEN OF BEASTS: T_Ray6

nKING OF BEASTS: DespinaNY

nIf you can both email me on email protected and send me the address you'd be happy for me to send the paperback to, I will get those in the mail to you! THANK YOU

n*****

nRETH

nGahrye had closed the door when he left, for which Reth was grateful. The conversation left him sick—and the way Elia's beast reacted to Gahrye as opposed to how she's responded to him left him uneasy. But there was nothing he could do until his mate came back to him.

nElia's beast was clearly angry—and probably uncomfortable. Pregnant, tired and scared.

nReth could relate.

nHe couldn't risk doing anything that would take her back into labor. He had to try to keep her calm and bring her back. He stepped forward, intending to take her face in his hands and ask her to return, but Elia's beast took a lightning swipe at him, claws unsheathed and her fangs open wide with a low, but menacing roar. Reth jumped back only just in time, his heart pounding.

nShe'd almost caught him. Elia had almost taken his arm off.

nElia. What the hell was happening?

nFor a moment he wanted to rage. Did she think he took pleasure in saying no?! Did she think he was careless of the consequences of his decisions? His decisions led to nothing but consequences!

nDid she think he'd been flippant in making that agreement with the bears, that it was convenient for him? No! He'd wanted to cross himself and had held back. And now he wished he could allow Gahrye to go. But he couldn't bring the entire Anima back to war for the sake of one Cohort! Gawhr would have ways to discover if he was betrayed, Reth had no doubt. The male was cunning and strong.

nIf he allowed Gahrye to cross, he would have broken the vow and that would give the Bears the portal territory forever, unless they fought a war over it.

nDid she really think he wanted to say no?!

nHis scent must have betrayed his anger, because her ears went flat back against her skull and she lowered her chest to her forepaws, as if she would pounce.

nOh him? She'd stand to protect the disformed equine, but claw him?

nWhat was happening to them? Reth raked both hands through his hair and dropped his chin, shaking his head. He couldn't be angry with her. She'd been through so much and she was so scared…

n

"Please, Elia,

" he said, his voice low and soothing.

"I never meant to hurt you or Gahrye. I will help him. With everything available to me, I will help him. Just… just give me time, please.

"

nThe lioness growled and when he took a step toward her, she hissed again, but at least she didn't try to harm him this time.

nIt was strange, the grief that broke open within him, then. She'd been back what, a day? And he couldn't keep her calm and happy for that long?

nWith a heavy sigh, he held her gaze until she stopped hissing. But she didn't raise out of her half-crouch, and her tail continued to flip back and forth.

n

"I'm sorry, Love,

" he breathed.

"I'm going to shift to be close to you—but I won't press. I just… I just need to be near you. Feel me, Elia. Come back. Please. Come back to me. We will work this out. We will. The Creator has a way, I know it.

"

nShe blinked at him, but she'd stopped growling. So he gave over to the shift…

n*****

nELIA

nShe was home. The air was fresh and the smells entirely natural. None of those harsh lines, no prison. The cave smelled of her and him and their love.

nHim.

nThe Mate was here! But angry. It wafted off him like dust in the air. He was hard. He had hurt the prey that was kin.

nNothing was as it should be. But the mate was here in the strange body with the added scent… but then he appeared as himself, and everything within her relaxed. He was fully here. His calming, scent, his strength, his power. He was finally here. And no longer angry. He gave her his eyes and his scent and she could breathe again.

nHe would protect her. Protect the cub.

nShe began to pant, her body reminding her of the tension within. The ache. And the ticking clock. There wasn't much time. The cub would come soon. But until then… she was so tired. Her body yearning for sleep and food. The gnawing within her would be over soon, once the cub was born.

nBut she needed to be protected. It would not be easy. Something within her was not as it should be.

nHer mate prowled before her, displaying himself, to remind her of his presence. When she didn't hiss, he rubbed himself against her chest, his dark mane thick and deliciously wrapped in his scent. His tail ran under her chin and she breathed him in.

nThen he gave the call that reached her heart. He gave the call that spoke of their bond and she huffed, then called him back.

nHe called again, a question, and she responded, coming out of the crouch to meet him when he turned. They met noses first, smelling each other, taking each other in, then she rubbed on his face, owning him, asking for his cover, his protection for her and the cub. Giving herself, if he would have her.

nAnd he called again, walking alongside her, rubbing on her fur to leave his scent, licking behind her ears and on her face.

nSoon she took the low jump up to the soft space and settled. Her body ached. The cub would come soon, and she was tired. She needed rest.

nToo much rest.

nShe groaned and laid flat.

nHe groaned too, and shook his head, pacing back and forth over her for a moment, huffing. He nudged her head, but she didn't move. She was tired. So tired.

nThen he circled her to lay at her back. Not flat, as she had, but to stay upright, to watch. He would watch over her while she rested. Protect her and the cub.

nShe groaned her thanks.

nHer mate was needed.

nHer mate was here.

nNow she could sleep. Now she could rest.

n*****

n(POSTED 16

/17 October) LIVE Monthly Voicechat and HUGE announcement tomorrow, starting at 1pm Pacific (that's Sunday in the US

/Monday in Southeast Asia)! If you can't be there, ask me your questions in the comments and I'll answer them live, then you can watch the replay later on my Youtube channel (Author AimeeLynn). Or make sure you've

"liked

" my author profile on WN to receive the announcement later in the day.

nIf want to be there live, join my discord TODAY by downloading the discord app on your phone and clicking the sign, then entering these characters: 92g42X4nRv

nSEE YOU THERE!

n