AARYN

It was a relief to reach the cave and find most of his strongest friends there. The disformed were generally overlooked by their tribes when it came to roles of significant responsibility, so they often had time on their hands. The cave was where they congregated to get out from under judgmental eyes. Or just because they were bored.

It looked like either the bigots were out in force today, or everyone was bored. When he walked in, the cave was bustling.

Myrth saw him first, bouncing up to him, her tiny frame always making him feel like she needed to be caught and held in case she fell over and shattered. "Where have you been?" she chirped. "Your friends are eyeing your chair." She tipped her head to the crowd at the back where some of Aaryn's friends were clustered, laughing, near his seat.

"Good to see you, too, Myrth," he said dryly. "Still trying to stir up trouble, I see?"

"Only because you've been gone. It's like, when the cat's away, the mice will play. I wouldn't mind the chair myself. It would be fun to order Kinn around a little."

Myrth was young, but fearless. As an Avaline who couldn't shift—and therefore, couldn't fly—she suffered the most out of all of them. The Avalines relied heavily on flight for their wares and traps, and most of their trade and roles were based around it. The strongest fliers had the most status within the tribe, and were often treated like Alphas even when they weren't. Most of her tribemates treated Myrth like a child who hadn't yet learned to take wing—it wasn't helped by how short she was, among a people who generally were the tallest, with the exception of the horses. She'd subconsciously adopted a childish air and way of speaking that Aaryn was trying to break her of, to help her deal more effectively with the disformed, as well as her own tribe. He'd observed that she didn't realize how often she used her small stature and high voice to seem younger even than she was—and how that played into some of the prejudice she experienced.

"The chair is mine," Aaryn growled, referring to his seat as Alpha—which was signified in the cave by the thick, leather armchair he used whenever he was there.

He'd never told the others to stay away from it, but they had. The use of it—or threats to use it—were a running joke. But Aaryn was very aware that his role required him to maintain a certain level of separation. He had many good friends among the disformed, but in the end, they still submitted. They needed to. None of them could survive without order.

The noise in the cave lowered as those present became aware of him. He walked towards the back, greeting people and answering greetings as he went, but his focus was the group of males standing behind his chair in a cluster, obviously discussing something—and as yet unaware that he had arrived.

Aaryn eyed them as he raised his voice to call to the whole cave. "Gather up, everyone. I need your help. We've got some shit going down."

The noise in the cave came to a halt as everyone turned and started towards the center of the cave where the seats, rugs, and furs were scattered. Many would sit on the arms of chairs, or the floor, on cushions thrown from the two couches. But they'd all find their place.

The males behind his chair—including his friends Kinn and Robbe—looked up, surprised, but they called greetings to him, and hurried around to be close.

He couldn't see Garthe anywhere. He would have to ask the other males if his former second was spending time with the disformed or not. He didn't like putting Garthe out of the hierarchy like that, but it had been necessary.

Which reminded him, he needed to appoint a new second. Just in case.

Before they found their seats, he caught Kinn's elbow and murmured in his ear, "Have you seen Garthe in the last day or two?"

Kinn shook his head, his odd eyes—a brown so light it was almost yellow—darting around the cave to make sure no one was paying attention. "I haven't even seen him at meals," he said with a pointed look, his dark hair falling, scattered over his forehead. He was shorter than Aaryn, but still very strong. A charmer—the females loved him—but highly emotional. When he got angry, things got ugly fast. If he'd had more restraint, Aaryn would have appointed him second. He was a good male. Instead, he often ended up relegated to something like Aaryn's spy among the people. He was highly social and very intelligent—most of the goats were—so he made the perfect center for information. If he would stop chasing females long enough to find a trade, he likely would have done well among the tribes since the goats didn't shift often, so his lack was less noticeable. But since so many of the goats had revolted in the War of the Wolves, following their rebel Lupine friends, the goats that had remained in the Tree City had closed ranks and avoided any association with anything different, trying to avoid association with the rebels. But now, twenty years later, the culture of isolation and hyper-awareness of reputation was part of their herd. Kinn was far too outspoken and aggressive to be celebrated in the herd, even if he could shift.

"Can you maybe ask around and let me know tomorrow what you find? I want to make sure he isn't planning trouble—or getting himself hurt."

Kinn nodded and they clasped arms as Aaryn turned to make sure everyone was settled before he took his seat.

Scanning the full room, Aaryn still couldn't quite believe this was about to happen. His friends—his people—were going to have pups. He waited to sit. Many of them were still trying to find seats, but those who were already settled gave attentive eyes, focused on him, curious and wary. Aaryn was struck for a moment about what he was about to do. What he would be a part of. He shook his head, overwhelmed.

Unaware of his thoughts, his friend Robbe, the white-haired Equine that Elia had always said reminded her of Behryn—in temperament, not looks, Robbe had a shock of thick, white hair and blue eyes that were almost chillingly bright—clapped him on the back. "How's it going, Blue Balls?" he said with a grin and a wink.

Robbe had been the first to discern Aaryn's feelings for Elreth and had teased him ruthlessly for years. He was kind enough not to make Aaryn a target of the others. But he showed no mercy when they spoke in private.

Usually Aaryn just rolled his eyes, but this time he smiled. "Oh, you have no idea," he chuckled.

Robbe's eyebrows popped up. "Don't say she's gone proper Anima and started strutting around naked in front of you? Put yourself out of your misery, man! Tell her!"

Aaryn held his friend's eyes and waited.

Robbe was chuckling to himself, but then went very still, waiting. When Aaryn didn't say anything, but continued to smile, his eyes went wide. "Wait, did you—"

"Okay, listen up everyone," Aaryn called, cutting him off. Robbe spluttered and swore, muttering about how Aaryn was going to pay for leaving him hanging. But Aaryn just clapped his hands and turned his attention to everyone gathered before him.