Taming the Queen of Beasts
[COMPLETE - Bronze $2,000 Winner WSA 2021] Elreth is a Princess in the world of Anima—where humans can shift into the form of their animal ancestors. As the Lion King's daughter, Elreth breaks a thousand-year tradition when she challenges her father for dominance—and wins. But as the first known dominant Alpha Female, she faces a lonely, and dangerous Rule. Aaryn, Elreth’s best friend, has always secretly loved her beauty, and her strength. But as a member of the wolf-tribe, and unable to shape-shift, he is not viewed as the right Mate for Anima's first Dominant Queen. When events force Aaryn to admit his feelings, for the first time, Elreth's eyes are opened to Aaryn not just as a friend, but as a male--and her True Mate. But Aaryn also has secrets. Secrets spanning decades, that open Elreth's eyes to the threats against her people, and threaten to tear down the royal family, and the Anima as a whole. Can love really conquer all? Can Elreth convince a prejudiced people to accept Aaryn as her mate before these secrets threaten not just her rule, but her life? [Mature Content: No sexual violence] ***** Then, as Aaryn stared at Elreth, his scent changed. Which only confused her more, until something flashed behind his eyes. Something she’d only ever seen in her father’s face when he was staring at her mother. Desperation. Joy. Hunger. But that was crazy. Why would—? And suddenly, like a cub tumbling down a grassy hill to land on its feet, everything fell into place. Everything. Her mouth dropped open. She blinked. And blinked again. And for the first time in a very long time, she looked at him. Not at her confidante. Not at her closest ally. Not at the friend who’d been present for every major milestone in her life. She looked at Aaryn. The male. The wolf. She stared at his silver-white hair, that scattered over his ice-blue eyes, fixed on her, and created a barrier between them. She looked at the strength in his jaw, shadowed because of the late hour. She let her gaze drift down the cords of his neck, and his broad shoulders and the wide, smooth expanse of his chest that rose and fell rapidly. And she let herself remember the ladders of muscle that painted his torso—hidden by the white shirt he wore. She swallowed. She’d seen every inch of him at some point. Well, almost. Her mouth went dry. (Cover Art used by paid copyright permission. Illustrated by Aenaluck--see more gorgeous art and support them on DeviantArt and www.patreon.com/aenaluck)
Surprise
AARYN
He was outside the market and just stepping onto the trail when the small voice rose behind him. "Aaryn, wait!"
He turned and his heart sank.
Pretty Gwyn, her cheeks slightly flushed, followed him, trotting across the space between them, her blond hair bouncing.
She had to have excused herself as soon as he'd turned to leave. Which meant Elreth knew he'd been there and hadn't come to talk to her.
Shit.
"Why are you leaving?" Gwyn said, slightly breathless as she slowed to stand next to him.
Gwyn was small for an Anima and barely reached his shoulder. She was strong, but she had no… spirit. No light. Aaryn didn't mind quiet females—sometimes, after too many hours with Elreth, he preferred them. But Gwyn lacked that spark that made his stomach clench.
He'd made a terrible mistake one night, a year ago, and mated with her after a feast. They'd both been drunk and she'd made the signals and he'd thought, why not?
Now, he knew why not. It saddened him that he'd used her as he had. He'd apologized the next day and she'd been good about it. But she'd pined after him ever since. And he didn't know what to do about it.
She was blinking up at him and it took him a second to realize she'd asked him a question.
"I just… I was just making sure Elreth wasn't alone," he said honestly. "I'm not actually hungry. So…" he shrugged.
"You should come up though, she wondered why you were leaving."
His lips twisted. "I don't think she'll want me there. We're fighting again."
"Yeah, that's what she said. She thought you left because she was there."
Shit.
"If you want to come back in, I'll sit with you down at the tables if you want. I don't really like sitting up there where everyone can see anyway."
"No, I'm fine. Thank you. I really was just checking that she was okay. These first few days…"
Gwyn nodded and looked down. She folded her arms and for a moment he thought she was going to say goodbye and leave, and he would feel relieved.
Then, she blinked and seemed to… stiffen. When she turned back to him there was no wariness in her gaze. She held his eyes very directly. "She doesn't deserve all the ways you're good to her, you know," she said in what had to be the darkest tone he'd ever heard her use, though it was really little more than irritated.
"I'm… what?" His jaw dropped.
"You are good to her in ways she's not good to you," Gwyn said firmly. "I know, because I watch. You're always looking out for her. And she's just… doing what she does."
"Elreth looks out for me, plenty," Aaryn said.
"And she overlooks you even more," Gwyn shot back.
It hit him like a punch to the chest. "I… where is this coming from, Gwyn? Elreth and I have been friends since we were cubs. We fight all the time. It'll blow over. It doesn't mean I'm going to abandon her to the wolves," no pun intended, "on the most important morning of her rule."
Gwyn took a deep breath, like she was steeling herself. "All I know is, you were in there checking on her, and she was in there pawing another male."
Aaryn tried to dismiss it, but his stomach felt sick. "We're just friends, Gwyn, she can paw whoever she wants."
"And you can too."
"Yes, I can."
"So, why don't you want to paw anyone but her?"
Aaryn blinked. And blinked. No one had ever said it to his face. Not like that. Oh, they joked, or make sly comments. But no one had ever just… said it.
He looked at Gwyn with new eyes. He was speechless.
She held his gaze and sighed again. "I thought because she was so strong, you needed someone around who would just… be there. And not push you. But obviously I was wrong. So here you go, Aaryn: She doesn't deserve you. She cares about you, but she doesn't love you. And you're going to waste your entire life waiting for her when… when someone else might give you what you deserve. So just… think about it, okay? She isn't the only female in the Tree City."
Aaryn gaped as she nodded once, then turned on her heel and stalked back into the market.
What the hell just happened?