WINNERS! 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!

CONGRATULATIONS to the winners for October:

QUEEN OF BEASTS: T_Ray6

KING OF BEASTS: DespinaNY

If 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

*****

ELRETH

Huncer shifted in her seat, her eyes bright and unflinching.

"You have not offended me, but I fear the future if we are to be handed over to a pair of inexperienced rulers. If you do not attend, if you are ill, or you give birth, does Aaryn become our Ruler for a time, as a Queen would?

"

"Would there be a problem if I said yes?

"

"That would depend on how he handles himself. Your mother was always careful… respectful. She held reins of power loosely and didn't invite them. Aaryn is… stronger in his ambitions than she was. Would he take advantage? Will he reform our society to the advantage of one tribe over another?

"

She didn't use the word

"disformed

", but everyone in the room knew what she meant.

"Aaryn is a good male, with a good heart. He listens—usually more than I do.

"

"He is also a male with ambitions and goals for our society,

" Lhern said, more gently than Huncer had.

"Her concerns are not unfounded, Elreth.

"

"I agree. So, explain to me, how you see those dynamics working in a health way. Let us predict the potential obstacles and clear the path and determine the way! All I wish from you now is your knowledge and experience. I cannot understand why that makes you uneasy.

"

"Because our knowledge and experience tells us that if you give any leader—male or female, disformed or not—too much power too quickly, it is a recipe for disaster.

"

"Then let us avert disaster together,

" Elreth snapped.

"That's why we are here, is it not?

"

They all nodded, though some were slower than others. Huncer watched Elreth with wary thoughtfulness.

Elreth addressed her directly.

"Tell me what potential conflicts or… or problems you see. Let us look ahead and determine how they should be managed. That is the only way forward safely. There are too many other things we have to address for this crucial part of our society's framework to be… vague.

"

Huncer sighed and looked around the circle.

"Very well,

" she said.

"Begin with the numbers of the disformed. If they are given a voice as you have proposed… how will we ensure Aaryn does not allow them to overpower the other tribes?

"

Elreth's heart raced. Although this would be tricky, she was so glad that they would finally get into this. This was where the true path forward lay, she was certain of it.

She leaned forward in her chair, let them see her excitement, and began to examine the details of how she and Aaryn would reform the Anima society—with time, and patience, kindness and mercy. And an unflinching pursuit of equality.

*****

AARYN

Gar had barely spoken since Aaryn had pointed out that they were all submitting to him. The temptation was there to stay and try to smooth the transition for him. But in truth, his heart was heavy—and Gar needed to step up. So, when Gar was distracted by several of the females offering to go get a meal for him, Aaryn pulled Robbe aside.

"Can you let me know if there's any real issues? I mean, he needs to just find his feet. But if there's a problem—people not respecting him, or in-fighting… we can't afford any additional problems in the disformed right now. Can you come find me if anything comes up?

"

Robbe smiled at him and put a hand to his shoulder.

"Its your job anymore, Aaryn,

" he said gently.

Aaryn blinked.

"I wasn't… I mean, I just—

"

"Remember when you took Alpha from Jherad?

" Robbe said kindly. Aaryn nodded. His friend shrugged.

"You did things differently, and it was an adjustment for all of us. But that's life. Go. You're still the Queen's Cohort, right? We'll look forward to seeing you kick ass and take names there. But for now… rest, brother. You've been carrying a lot. Seems like you're carrying even more right now. Leave Gar with us. He's already got his feet in this tribe. It doesn't matter whether the elders recognize us or not, we're a people and he's one of us. You can trust that, I think.

"

"But if he doesn't—

"

"If he abandons the role, the Creator will bring someone to fill it,

" Robbe said, his voice deep with conviction.

"This is your chance to live your life, Aaryn. Take it.

"

Aaryn gaped at his friend. Robbe squeezed his shoulder.

"I guess…. Thank you?

" Aaryn said softly. But something dark and ugly was twisting in his gut.

He wasn't sure how much life was going to be left for him soon. It seemed like everything was crumbling. He was failing on multiple levels. Maybe the problem wasn't the world. Or the tribes. Or Gar.

Maybe the problem was him?

"Don't do that to yourself, Aaryn. You've been the best Alpha we've had. Gar's going to have a tough act to follow. But I think… I think it was all going to be too much for you in the end, brother. So this is the Creator's way of freeing you. Don't see it as a defeat. See it as an opportunity.

"

Aaryn nodded and forced a smile.

"That's good advice,

" he said carefully.

Robbe snorted.

"I know when I'm being ignored,

" he said good-naturedly. Aaryn opened his mouth to reassure his friend, but Robbe shook his head.

"It's fine. I know this is going to be difficult for you, brother. Just don't let it get you down, okay? If you need anything, if you need someone… come find me. I've got your back, okay?

"

Aaryn smiled and patted Robbe's shoulder in return. He knew his friend was being wise and thoughtful, and likely if the roles had been reversed, he would have done the same thing. But he couldn't escape the sting of feeling suddenly… unnecessary.

The thought made his skin crawl. Made him want to weep.. But he just winked at Robbe, thanked him and, with a last glance at the stunned face of Gar, surrounded by disformed and apparently struggling to get his head around what had just happened, Aaryn turned and walked out of the cave.