AARYN

Aaryn watched Gar carefully, praying that the male wouldn't vent his frustrations on his sister—or hold back secrets—but would give her what she was asking for. He was seeing a new softness in Gar around his family, but it still came and went. He wasn't sure how the male was doing this morning after the emotional events of the day before.

As the silence lengthened, he considered speaking up himself. Aaryn understood some of what came after this for the disformed, though he hadn't realized why. He'd always believed that they were teaching their people to think independently because of the pressure they came under within their tribes at times. Many of the disformed lived lives tainted by anxiety, or a sense of inadequacy. Aaryn had believed they were strengthening their people to meet that so they could walk among the rest of the Anima, equipped to deal with the bigots when they showed themselves.

But Gar had turned to look at the trainees on the field behind him. When he turned back, he kept his voice low.

"The things you're asking for we need to discuss privately,

" he said.

"None of the disformed are aware—and even Aaryn's knowledge is limited.

"

"You aren't hiding things from me anymore!

" Elreth insisted.

"No, I'm not,

" Gar growled.

"I'm asking you to be discreet and let me tell you when we're on our own. If anyone hears what I'm going to tell you, then the entire system will no longer work. It's only because they don't know that we can be confident in the results.

"

Elreth looked at Tarkyn who shrugged.

"We have aspects of our training that are kept confidential as well,

" he said.

"I'm happy to go somewhere else to discuss this.

"

Elreth was clearly frustrated. He could scent the tension in her and recognized the shakiness she felt whenever she wasn't sure how to pursue a solution. As a strong and confident female she was unaccustomed to not knowing the best way forward. She often struggled more when she couldn't identify a solution, than when a solution seemed challenging to achieve. This situation was forcing her to walk through every day uncertain of which direction the best future lay.

It was moments like these he wished he could speak into her mind as a wolf. But instead, keeping himself behind Gar and Tarkyn, he signed to her,

"It is not weak to question. You're doing well. Keep going.

"

She dropped her head, but her lips curled up.

"Is there anything else I need to see here—anything we haven't seen this morning that would be important for me to know, to understand the rest?

" she asked Gar.

"I don't think so. You've observed how we approach training differently. But the physical aspects are standard stuff. It's the other side that differs, I think.

"

Elreth nodded.

"Okay then, let's go.

"

They all turned and started for the trail that was at the other end of the field. But as they passed Elia and Reth, the former King standing with his feet shoulder-width apart, and his massive arms folded over his chest, they paused when Elia called out.

She hurried over to Gar, pulling him aside, though they could all hear what was said.

"Your father's offering to help,

" she murmured with a glance at Reth.

"He's good at this, Gar. You know that. And I think he needs something to put his energy into. I don't believe we should say no.

"

Gar looked up at his father and Aaryn held his breath, waiting to see what would come. Gar hadn't mentioned to the group whether he and his dad had spoken further the night before. And Aaryn hadn't been able to get him alone to ask.

"That would be good,

" Gar said finally, nodding at his father, who nodded back.

"I'm going to be busier with the Alpha stuff and filling in Elreth. That would be good,

" he repeated.

Elia smiled and reached up to put her hand to her son's shoulder.

"Thank you,

" she said, her eyes bright. Aaryn couldn't tell if she was near tears, or laughter. But one thing was clear, her scent, shining and pure, danced with joy.

It wasn't until then that Aaryn considered what a burden it must have been for Elia hiding this from Reth for all these years. He was glad to see that they were coming together over this, not being pushed apart further. Reth had been quiet all morning, clearly thoughtful. But also interested and engaged. Aaryn thought they'd avoided El and Gar by evaluating the training, but maybe it wasn't that. Maybe it was just that they needed time to come together?

Whatever, he was glad to see Elia return to her mate, her smile beaming and Reth's stance relax. He gave Gar another look and they both nodded again, then Gar continued forward, El in his wake.

She looked at Aaryn when they reached the other side of the training field and signed, 'did you catch that?'

Aaryn flashed the sign for 'yes,' and 'relieved.

"

Elreth nodded, but then Gar spoke up and they were both distracted.

"I don't want to give you the whole picture while we're out here. Maybe we should go to the Cave? I can't think of a better place to be certain we won't be overheard.

Elreth sighed and looked at the height of the sun through the trees.

"Okay,

" she agreed.

"But let's get our meals brought there. I need to get to the bottom of this, and I still have to meet with the Elders tonight and fill them in. Tarkyn, can you have any reports brought to us there? If any sign of that human shows up I want to know it immediately.

"

Tarkyn nodded.

"I'll need some extra time to change the orders, but I could shift and run ahead—

"

Aaryn wanted to grimace. None of them would even have mentioned the shifting if he wasn't there. They would have just done it.

He knew what he needed to do.

"No you won't,

" he said.

"Why don't you guys shift and go ahead to the cave and get into it. I know the basics. I can catch the rest in an hour. I'll go to the market and tell them to send meals. And Tarkyn, you can tell me who to pass the orders to for the reports.

"

It grated, just a little, the gratitude that appeared on Elreth's face then. He knew she didn't resent him for being slower than those who could shift. But he also knew she noticed. And he hated that.

At least in this instance he could be useful while he was slow.

"That's perfect,

" she said, putting a hand to his arm.

"Thank you.

"

After a few instructions from Tarkyn, they all shifted and leaped down the trail, while Aaryn pushed into a jog and started east of them, towards the Tree City.

This was what a true leader did, he reminded himself. They took the job that was right for them, even if it wasn't pleasant. They set an example.

His mate needed his help, and he was right to give it and free her to pursue the greater good.

He kept repeating that to himself as he ran, pushing away the thoughts about his weakness, and questions about what role he might play if things got bad.