AARYN

"Who have you been speaking to?" Aaryn snarled. "Not only do they lie, but they create problems for other Anima, not just me if they spread this."

"Lies? Is it a lie that you lead the disformed, a recognized Alpha of their pack?"

"No," Aaryn said baldly. "It is a lie that no one knows of this. And an even greater lie that I did so with some intention to manipulate or use Elreth."

"Did you know of this?" the male spat at Lhern. "Did you know the disformed followed him in secret."

"Yes, we did," Lhern growled. "But even if we had not, you are not the petitioner, and have no right to speak here without the request of an Elder, or your Alpha, so you will step back and shut your mouth, or you will be removed."

The male blinked, then his jaw twitched. But he didn't speak again—just stared at Tobe with a warning on his face.

What was going on among the horses? Tobe was a strong male, and one with integrity. How had he ended up here, with these angry males at his back?

"Do you have an accusation or question to bring for this, Tobe?" Lhern asked dryly.

Tobe sighed. "I do… I do wish to ask how the Elders learned of Aaryn's role, and whether you have confirmation that he has not used this position against Elreth? Do you know for certain that he is not working on a plot, of sorts, to strengthen the disformed in the Tree City?"

"I think I should answer that," Elreth snarled. "I would formally request, Lhern, that I am given a opportunity to answer that."

Lhern gave her a warning look, but nodded. "First, I would tell you Tobe, that the elders have been aware of the organization of the disformed for some time—well before Elreth's dominance, or this announcement about her mating Aaryn. In fact, before that announcement we have explored these issues with both the Queen and her Mate.

"If you wish to understand more of that, we can perhaps arrange a deeper discussion. But I do not wish to see this meeting derailed. The Queen would like to address part of your question, I believe?" he said, looking to Elreth with one eyebrow up.

Her lips pursed. Aaryn flashed her the sign for caution, but he wasn't certain she'd seen it from the side. But when Lhern gestured for her to speak, she did take a deep breath before she did so.

"I understand that I am both young, and a female, and that this is a new kind of rule to which we must all become accustomed," she said to Lhern and the Elders, then she turned to Tobe. "But I will not accept this… dismissal of both my will, and my intelligence. If you truly believe me so easily swayed that a male could demonstrate his interest to me, and I would then simply hand over the reins of power you are…" she blew a breath out of her nostrils. "Deeply mistaken," she snarled.

Tobe's eyebrows popped up, but Elreth wasn't done.

Aaryn found himself half-terrified, half-ecstatic to watch her stare the older male down.

"That you would allow such a heinous accusation against my Mate without speaking to me, without even investigating the accuracy of what was brought to you… it was poorly done, Tobe. You have known me since I was a cub. You have known my family even longer. How could you possibly mistake me for some misled, flighty female? Especially now?! I am not the leader in this room being manipulated."

She snorted the air from her nostrils and Aaryn had to clear his throat to cover a laugh. Even Lhern's eyes had grown wider as she spoke.

"The truth is that I have already met with the disformed, to hear their plight, discuss their needs, and consider strategies to improve their position in the Tree City. They came because I asked them to do so. I took dominance because I believe they have been mistreated and I did not wish to see it happen again.

"I have never hidden or in any way obscured how I feel about the disformed and my intention to integrate them fully into the Tribes. If you believe me manipulated, then you believe that runs as far back as when I was eight years old."

"He has been your friend for that long? You cannot in good conscience say he has no influence over you—we are all influenced by those close to us. Especially those who have been near for so long."

"Yes, we are agreed on that point," she scoffed. "And I have to say I am not impressed with the choice you've made in the company you keep and are allowing to influence you. But that is another discussion for another day.

"You suggest Aaryn has influence over me—of course he does. We Anima have always used the hierarchy and relationship lines to feed information and influence the direction of our lives. But the truth is, Aaryn has not only never sought power from me, he has actively turned it down when I have offered it to him. Not only did he turn me down for the Advisor role, but if he'd had intentions for power, he could have influenced me to give him the Second, and I would have done it. But he did not. He has done nothing but support me and my rule—and when you watch him work, you will see the truth. And you will find us both and apologize."

"But the disformed—you admit he leads?"

"Yes. And I asked the same questions you do about that, which is why I have already met with them to hear their stories and measure them for truth. But I can tell you this: Aaryn's natural strength is why the disformed choose to follow him—a strength that I see, and admire, and yes, will listen to. As my mate it is only right that he speak into my life. But as his mate, I also speak into his. And as the Queen, make no mistake, the choices I make are fully mine. I will own them, I will enact them, and if they fail, I will take responsibility for that."

She turned back to the elders then. "There are other things I would wish to say, but not as the accused of a petition. Are there other questions to be answered?"

They looked at each other and at Tobe. When one of his companions leaned forward as if to whisper in his ear, he shot the male a look and shook his head.

"We have no further questions," he said firmly. "It is clear the bond is real, and that Aaryn has demonstrated his reluctance to rule by not jumping at chances given to him."

Lhern caught eyes with Huncer and she nodded. "Very well," Lhern said. "If you have been satisfied with these answers, then so too, have we. This petition is deemed baseless and will not be held in record to the Throne. The accused may leave, and the petitioners will not speak of these things again, or risk discipline."

One of the males with Tobe scoffed, but the other remained quiet, along with Tobe himself.

"We are done?" Elreth snapped.

"Yes, you are free to go," Lhern said. "Thank you for coming so promptly."

"Oh no, I am not leaving," Elreth snarled. "I am Queen, and it is time that all of you listened to me as one."

Aaryn's stomach clenched at the dominance suddenly wafting from her, the spike in her scent, and the fire in her eyes.

That was his mate, he realized as he fought the urge to submit to her fully. And she was extraordinary.