272 Bloodlines

RETH

Gawhr sat at the end of the table, still side-ways to the door so he could see anyone who entered, still staring at Reth with that single eye, his face a blank mask. Behryn watched the Bear Alpha carefully from his side, and Aymora, sitting next to Reth, didn't move. The Bears were different among Anima, and they'd both had unexpected conflicts. They would let the Bear lead the conversation.

And, as usual, he went in a direction Reth hadn't anticipated.

"Why?" he growled, finally, his fingers tapping on the tabletop.

Reth blinked. "Why… what?"

"Why us? Why ask us, the bears, to do this? Why help us? Why bring us in—which you planned to do from the beginning, yes?"

Reth tilted his head. "Why not? You are strong. I know you are smart. The wolves are scared of you. I've been looking for a way to tie our peoples together since I took the throne, you know that Gawhr. Did you think I was lying to you?"