“Don’t touch her again,” one of the Dranark growled.
Dodlin’s eyes went wide. They darted between Alaya and his henchmen. He stood taller, trying to assert himself. “Don’t you speak to me like that or I’ll throw you to the wolves as well!” he shouted.
Alaya started walking toward them.
Dodlin reached out to try to grab her again.
The Dranark who had spoken whipped his spear through the air, singeing Dodlin’s arm.
Dodlin shrieked.
Bereg turned toward the commotion. “Don’t!” he said, eyeing the Dranark who’d burned Dodlin.
Thanred saw his chance. He lunged forward, dropping low and through the row of confused Dranark in front of Dodlin. Before anyone had a chance to move, he was on him, their bodies locked and tumbling toward the cave. He landed on top of Dodlin’s chest. His eyes went wide as his body readied itself for the kill. He raised a claw, ready to break Dodlin’s ribs and sink it into the soft chest beneath.
“No!” Royla screamed.
The pain in her voice pierced through his anger. Thanred froze, Dodlin cringing beneath him, unable or unwilling to open his eyes and accept his fate. He heard her footsteps.He heard the commotion behind and around him, saw other females emerging from the cave, stepping quickly toward her.
For a moment he wondered if he’d made a mistake. Had he moved too soon? Would this cost a life, or more? Fear gripped him by the throat.
The clatter of the spears falling on the ground behind him drew his attention. But he didn’t dare take his eyes off Dodlin. He held his hand raised, ready to deliver the final blow.
A soft hand fell on his shoulder. He knew instantly that it was Royla’s. He exhaled the breath he’d been holding, knowing she was safe.
“Don’t,” she whispered, her breath warm on his cheek. “It will do no good.”
It took some effort to lower his fist. He rose, climbing off of Dodlin but still eyeing him in case he got it in his mind to try to be brave.
Dodlin didn’t move off the ground.
Finally, Thanred turned to look at Royla. She was standing behind him, surrounded by the females that had emerged. Their shoulders were drawn up, hands opened into claws, eyeing each and every one of the Dranark males. As if daring any of them to try to harm his Royla.
This he hadn’t counted on, the instinct that lived in all Dranark females to protect the weakest and most vulnerable. It warmed him, though he felt shame at underestimating their reaction.
“She is one of us now,” Ayala said, turning to look at each of the males.
No one dared meet her gaze.
She lifted a hand and let her pointed finger wander over each of the males. “Touch her and there will be blood spilled.”
They all nodded, still staring at the ground.
Ayala put a gentle hand on Royla’s back. “Come,” she said softly. She led her to the mouth of the cave, the otherfemales forming a protective circle around their newest sister.
Thanred turned to stare at Bereg.
Bereg looked away.
He looked down at Dodlin, who was now shaking in fear on the ground. “Up,” Thanred said.
Dodlin scrambled up, eyes darting to those who’d been faithful. But by his expression it was clear he knew he was defeated.
“Go,” Thanred said, his voice a low growl. “So, you can know the loneliness of life among the trees.”
Dodlin opened his mouth to protest.
One look from Thanred made him reconsider. Hunching his shoulders, he trudged toward the tree line and disappeared into the forest.
