81 Friends & Foes – Part ~ HARTH ~

Although Suhle hadn’t experienced the physical ravages that Harth had at the hands of the humans, she’d been tormented and harmed by the humans at times that were, in some ways, worse. And her mate had been banished from among the Anima by Elreth’s father-and yet, Suhle gushed about the love of this male lion, Reth. His wisdom and fairness, his mercy.

Harth struggled to put those two pieces of the woman’s story together, but Suhle assured her that had she been in the King’s shoes, she would have done the same thing.

“He saved my mate’s life at cost to himself as a ruler and leader. I live in his debt,” Suhle said, her eyes downcast and shining with emotion. But then she smiled. “And his children’s hearts are just as big... if a little more abrasive,” she laughed.

Harth had struggled to share that joke.

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She was yanked back to the present by Suhle touching her leg again, looking concerned. “Are you well?”

“I’m fine!” Harth reassured her-surprised to realize the statement was true, at least for that moment. “I’m just... thinking about it all.”

Suhle nodded. Her hand still rested on Harth’s knee. “I know this is frightening, Harth. But I can see that your heart... fits here. You are just the right female for our Tarkyn. I’m surprised he could be drawn from your side at all.”

“He didn’t want to leave,” Harth admitted, smiling to herself even as she remembered her own nerves about him leaving her alone. “And I didn’t want him to.”

.....

Suhle sighed quietly. “I know that feeling. Separation from my mate in those early days... it was a sharp yank on my fur that wouldn’t stop.”

“Yes, it does feel like that,” Harth admitted, tapping her chest. “Like someone is tugging at me, right here.”

“You’ve completed the bond clearly, because your scents entwine. Can I ask why you were left here?”

“The Queen doesn’t trust me,” Harth said, her anger beginning to simmer again. “No matter what Tarkyn said, or what I said... she just wouldn’t hear it.”

“Well, I trust you,” Suhle said easily. “I have a talent for... sensing hearts. Yours is good, Harth.”

Harth was surprised by the pinch of tears closing her throat. “Th-thank you.” Then she sucked in a breath, praying she wasn’t wrong. “I trust you, too. And I don’t usually do that.”

Suhle leaned in to hug her. “I’m blessed, the Creator often soothes people around me. It makes me... less tense,” she said with a wry smile.

Harth nodded. “I can see that. And... are you close to these people? Tarkyn, the Queen? Can... can I bring you to my Alphas? I’d like them to meet you. I think if they know Anima like you exist they’ll be more likely to listen to Tarkyn.”

“I’m close enough,” Suhle said, nodding quickly.

“I’ll tell them to trust you.”

“Thank you. I’ll do the same.”

Harth snorted. “Anima don’t trust.”

Suhle frowned. “They do. And they love. Deeply.”

Harth frowned. “I haven’t seen that-except in Tarkyn. Everyone seems like they’re just... waiting for a fight.”

Suhle sighed. “There may be some truth to that, but it isn’t our way, Harth. I assure you. Tarkyn is a good male but not the only good male among our people. I told you my story-my mate betrayed the people decades ago, and yet here he is-first in mercy, and now returned to the Tribe. The Royal Family are good and wise-”

Suhle cut herself off when Harth sucked in a breath, pulling away from that idea. She frowned. “Harth, I know this has been very difficult. And it likely won’t be healed quickly. But please know... Elreth has been through a lot in the past year. I wonder if-”

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An insistent knock on the door made Harth startle. But Suhle only shook her head then got up from the couch to hurry gracefully to the door and open it.

“What is it?”

“Tarkyn and the Queen are asking for Harth. We’re to bring her.”

Harth got to her feet, her heart racing. “They were supposed to come get me themselves,” she said, her voice high and thin.

The soldier leaned around to look at Harth over Suhle’s shoulder. “I have an order from Tarkyn directly, at the prison with the Chimeran Alphas. He wants to forge a link with the wolf and they need you to do that.”

Harth glanced at Suhle who turned, but didn’t open the door wider to allow the soldier in, which Harth appreciated.

“I’ll go with you,” she said quickly. “We’ll walk together. I’m certain he isn’t lying, and Tarkyn sends for you, Harth. Your mate. He’s a good male.”

Harth braced, that knot appearing in her stomach again.

‘Tarkyn?’ she scratched at his mind, uncertain if he was open to her. ‘There’s a soldier here.’

‘Please come, Harth. I’m sorry, I keep forgetting about the link. I would have warned you. Please come. We need your help.’

He reassured her several times that it wasn’t a trap, sending somewhat foggy images of the Anima leaders standing outside the prison looking burdened. Suhle watched her for a response and she realized there was no reason not to go. Tarkyn needed her. She’d be more comfortable surrounded by danger at his side, than there in safety alone.

So she nodded, wiped her hands on her thighs, and walked around the couch to join Suhle and the soldiers.

As they started out of the house, the older woman linked arms with her in a way that one of her pack sisters had used to when they were young, and Harth found those tears threatening again.

Suhle squeezed her arm and when Harth turned her head, she was startled to feel Suhle nudging at her mind.

The link, when Harth opened to her, was slightly hollow. But it was there.

_{𝑓r𝘦𝘦𝘄eb𝒏𝙤vel.c𝙤𝙢}

‘Don’t worry,’ the older female said with a reassuring smile. ‘I won’t let them get near you.’

Harth almost laughed. Suhle was short for a wolf, and older than Harth. Had she even trained?

Suhle flashed her a wicked grin, and her eyes gleamed. ‘Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness,’ she murmured good-naturedly in Harth’s head. ‘Many an enemy has fallen to underestimating me.’

Harth did give a breathless laugh then. And she clung more tightly to the woman’s arm, her hope rising just a little higher as they walked.

*****

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