Chapter 576: Found Wanting
RETH
Reth raised an eyebrow. He hadn't heard the "at pain of death" part. Of course, it's the line he would have drawn. But hearing it from Lerrin's tongue….
Clearly the male was truly committed to this idea. Desperate to get away with Suhle.
Reth wasn't sure whether to celebrate that, or use it against the wolf.
"Wait, Lerrin has a mate?" One of the younger elders asked.
"The bond hasn't been completed, but yes," Reth growled without taking his eyes off of Lerrin. "I'll admit, Lerrin, that I had thought of this option, and even raised it here with this council. But there are concerns. And I thought it was important for everyone to hear you speak to it with your own words, and scent you true. Because we will test you. What you describe, after what you've done, is an immense mercy."
"Far too merciful," someone muttered, but they both ignored the male.
Lerrin nodded in agreement with both. "I fully understand—"
"No, Lerrin, I don't think you do," Brant said, his voice clipped and angry. "You were here only to see the resolution of the pain you wrought on this people. You did not live the agony before it."
"You think I lived no agony?" Lerrin said quietly, too quietly. He cleared his throat and rubbed his chin to give himself a moment to stem his anger. "My people lost everything. No matter how you might view the reasons, the truth is, as a Tribe we lost far more—in loved ones, time, resources, and status—than any other group in the WildWood. I returned them to you knowing what I was bringing them to. That they will be disadvantaged for generations. I can tell you that was not an easy conclusion to draw—that they would be better under you, Reth, and marginalized, than not."
"Why would you make that choice?" Behryn asked suspiciously.
"Because the wolves are—were—infected," he replied immediately. "The depth of the darkness within my tribe had been hidden from me. But once I became aware of it… bringing them back was the only way to save those who hadn't fallen to it yet, and to ensure that the darkness would be rooted out of them. I couldn't do it alone, it was already too entrenched with my hierarchy."
"So you brought them here, so they might infect others?" Huncer raised from the back.
Lerrin shook his head. "I spoke with Reth during our battle to ensure he would eradicate the darkness from among us, and protect those that weren't infected. As it happens, most of the problem was burnt on the pyre at the Hallowed Grounds. But I do not doubt the most cunning among them still remains within the people. Reth gave me his word he would deal with them."
He looked at Reth then, who didn't turn away from his gaze.
"There are dangers hidden among your people, as well as mine, and if you don't do something about it, they will kill your people from within. I do not tell you that as a threat. That is to equip you. Do not make the mistake I made and dismiss the danger signs."
A moment of understanding passed between them—and something of respect. Reth was stronger, Lerrin was submitted. But Reth recognized a formidable male in Lerrin—and appreciated what he'd done. The leadership he'd shown.
Lerrin could see that he didn't appreciate Lerrin raising this here to make him accountable… as if he wouldn't fulfill his word without that. Lerrin clenched his teeth. It was necessary.
"So, what we are left with," Reth continued for him, "is a former Alpha and rebel King who no longer leads towards rebellion—which has thrown his people into confusion. Uncertain who they follow or why. And that has led to some among them—in good conscience, believing themselves right—taking vengeance on their former leader."
"They're upset that I broke tradition and revealed the mind-meld. It's a secret that has been kept for thousands of years."
"Mostly," Reth countered. "But whether we agree with their stance or not, the truth is, you are danger not only from the Tree City Anima, but also from your own."
"No, the wolves that came for me weren't a part of the rebellion. There are still dissidents among your people, Reth. I wish it weren't so. But this has revealed that you cannot trust even your own wolves. The mindmeld will stop them from active treachery of your guidance or laws. But it will not stop them where they believe their actions are for good."
There was a lot of muttering and shifting in seats following that.
"I think we're in agreement," Reth said, "that there's no need to highlight this… opening to the people. It is only because they believe the wolves are restricted by the mindmeld that peace is even possible."
"They are restricted by it," Lerrin was quick to jump in. "Especially where it applies to you and the WildWood. They cannot defy the Kingdom. But if they believe you would support an action, or if they deeply believe that their actions would be good and right for the whole of the Anima… well, you see." He indicated his own body and swollen face. "This wasn't done by wolves that are infected. This was done by wolves who believed their actions were righteous. Their motives seemed… right to them."
"Then what is the point?" one of the elders hissed. "If they can still commit violence simply by convincing themselves that it's the right thing to do—"
"The point," Reth jumped in with a glare at the male, "is that the wolves have demonstrated their willingness to be allied, to be a part of our society, by taking the mind meld. While it is not a perfect solution, it is still the best possible outcome for us, I believe. So unless you have another that can be applied in its wake, our focus today is not on whether or not the wolves are leashed. Our focus has to be on how we move forward in the best possible way to maintain the peace and strength we have found so far. Not erode it."
"That's all well and good," Behryn said darkly, "Until we learn that, perhaps, there's another hole in this mindmeld. That our people are not as safe as we think. First the leader of the rebellion, but then what? What if they come to believe killing you—or me—is good for everyone? What then, Reth?"
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