RETH

Ordering the others to stay several spans behind him, Reth circled around until he’d be downwind of the Silent One. Almost immediately, the lion began to huff, the calls resonating in his massive, barrel chest and echoing off the trees. Reth didn’t call back, didn’t entertain the challenge, just let himself feel his position, his dominance, and his desire for his mate.

The male would scent the certainty of his position, and though he was unlikely to simply walk away—the scent of the females was strong here—he would be wary, feeling Reth’s power and strength before they met.

Surprisingly, the male didn’t move towards him. The calls didn’t come closer any faster than Reth’s confident pace toward it. Reth frowned. Any male who challenged dominance should automatically approach. Why did this one stay where he was?

The hair on the back of his neck standing up, Reth stalked toward the clearing, now making his own growls of dominance.

When he finally reached the line of trees at the clearing, on the opposite side from the shade the lion had been resting in, the beast was pacing back and forth as if some kind of wall stood between he and it, something stopping it from coming for him. But when Reth stepped out, it stopped, suddenly, standing evenly on all four paws—head down, not in submission, but its eyes piercing. Measuring. Its tail lashing back and forth… in anger?

Nothing about this creature was normal, Reth realized as he stepped into the sunlight and the roared his challenge—let all of WildWood hear their King and know he stood between them and danger!

In every clash he’d had with a Silent One, they followed the traditions of the animal—first scenting, then calling, then the roar of challenge, then they circle to measure each other. Then Reth would transform so his appearance matched his scent.

Usually, that was all that was needed. Usually the animal understood his superiority, and reluctantly submitted.

Twice before in his life, the animals had still circled for a long while, calling their challenge, then physically attacked him, trying to win dominance.

Reth expected that with this one. He could see the animal wasn’t going to back down.

What he hadn’t expected, was the complete lack of warning.

He was still twenty feet away, the lion’s eyes following him, when he took the first step to the side, to circle, to allow the male to watch him move. Soon he’d give in to the itching in his skin and take his beast form. He started to smile—that moment always surprised them.

But instead, it leapt forward.

No roar.

No growl.

No crouch to the dirt first.

It took him so completely by surprise, that Reth felt his side open under its claws before he made the shift into his beast form and began to fight for his life.

*****

ELIA

Two days blended into three and Elia remained awkward and miserable. Candace was always kind when they ran into each other, and would often sit with her for meals. But she could tell the birdwoman didn’t want to be a daily tutor, so Elia didn’t push for her company.

Twice during the day she’d seen one of the wolves she knew—either Lucine, or the male who’d challenged Reth in the circle—watching her, or standing nearby, their postures menacing.

Behryn or one of his men always showed up in those moments, finding reasons to be close by. But they’d also always disappear when the wolf moved on.

Every time she left the city and headed down the path towards their cave, it was mere seconds before she noticed one of the guards in the trees nearby, or walking the path ahead or behind her. She had no idea how they knew where to be, and when. But she never made that walk alone.

She also never made it with a friend. The guards didn’t chat, or offer introductions. They just… guarded her. She knew she should be grateful, but somehow it just made her loneliness more stark. As if there was a bubble around her that no one cared to pop.

No one, except Gahrye.

Sitting at dinner that night, she’d seen Gahrye as she walked into the market, and even though she didn’t know if it broke custom to invite him to the podium with her, she decided she didn’t care. She beckoned him over when she caught his eye and asked him if he’d like to join her for dinner. His eyes widened, but he said yes without hesitation, so she took that as a good sign.

As they ate, she continued to pick his brains. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about the tribal cultures?” she said. “If they expect me to have these good manners, or know how to approach them, why don’t they just tell me?”

Gahrye ate like a starving man. He was nineteen, she’d discovered. Only a couple years younger than her, though he looked younger—and felt older. It was an odd combination. But Elia was just glad to have someone to talk to who wasn’t either treating her like a child, or like they’d rather be somewhere else.

“We all have to learn the different tribes and their rules,” he said around a mouthful of some deliciously tender, dark meat. “But we learn those things as young. They kind of come naturally—we can scent each other’s ancestry, after all,” he said with a grin. “And when we made mistakes as kids, there would always be someone around who knew the right way to do it. And they’d do it, right then, in front of us, so we could watch and learn. I’ve seen people try to do that for you—step in after you’ve done something. But you usually flee. I don’t think you noticed. The problem is, when Anima refuse to learn—if, as I child, I threw a fit and ignored what an adult was trying to show me—we’d be disciplined. They can’t discipline a Queen,” he pointed out. “But they also aren’t sure you are Queen. It’s all very confusing.”

Elia snorted. “They think they’re the ones who are confused?”

“Yes, they are,” he said frankly. And even though his tone—that she should understand that and be compassionate towards it—rubbed at her pride, she appreciated that he looked her straight in the eye and spoke to her like she was an adult. And that he didn’t pull any punches. It was uncomfortable—sometimes brutal. But he also didn’t seem to judge her for it. Elia was so grateful he’d been there the day before.

And she was grateful that she now had someone who was willing to answer all the questions she had.

So she took a deep breath and started asking.