The Weight of War

RETH

Reth sat with his back to the wall of the tree, staring at the mangled body, his breath still too fast and quick despite how long it had been since he'd wrestled back control.

Reth wasn't a liar. He really hadn't let his beast hunt in months, precisely because he really did struggle to regain control when he did.

He'd told the prisoner that. But he hadn't believed him. Now they were here.

Reth felt sick.

Movement in the corner of his eye made adrenalin shoot through his system and he almost startled. But it was just the guards.

"Sire, are—"

"Leave me," he said hoarsely. He needed time to accommodate this. To prepare for the next one.

There was a hesitation. "But—"

"LEAVE ME!" he roared.