When Amaruk’s warriors freed the prisoners and stepped away, Lannahi ordered the hunters to return to the city. She wasn’t amused when none of them moved until Lorikk did and he listened only when Ashared growled at him.
Bloody wolves.
Amaruk seemed to see nothing strange about the situation and said, “I will send compensation later. Three deer are enough?”
Lannahi nodded.
“Settled then.” The alpha regarded her carefully. “Has your previous offer remained the same? Patrolling the forests and warning of danger in exchange for supplies?”
“Define the word ‘supplies.’”
“Food, clothes, tools.” He hesitated. “Books.”
Lannahi restrained her surprise. She’d forgotten that reading and writing weren’t common skills among wild tribes. If Amaruk could read and write and that put him in the minority, it was no wonder that his kin viewed his ideas with suspicion.
“Do you have specific requirements?” she asked. “A list of items?”
Amaruk beckoned over a gray-haired man nearby who sat down next to him with a piece of paper and a pencil, and the next half an hour was devoted to trade negotiations.
When Lannahi’s legs grew stiff to the point where changing position was no longer optional but necessary, the alpha asked, “For your part, do you have any more conditions?”
“I want a vow that you won’t interfere with our hunting.”
He gave her an amused look. “Of course.”
“And you? Are these all your conditions?”
She hoped that this was the end of the negotiation, but it turned out that Amaruk was just getting started.
“The contract will be between you and me,” he said.
Lannahi forgot about her discomfort for a moment. “You want a personal agreement?”
Several people in the room moved uneasily.
“Yes.” Amaruk’s gaze rested on Lizaar. “I don’t want anyone to mistake the forest for a city district.”
Although the man redirected the attention of those present to the landshapers, Lannahi, taught to constantly question other people’s motivation, soon saw another aspect of his request. Amaruk was currently the alpha, but he may not be one forever. If someone from his pack challenged him and he lost, he would lose his title just as she might lose hers in the Royal Duel. However, if the shapeshifters became accustomed with working side-by-side with Goldfrost, due to his efforts, his rivals would be less likely to challenge him for his position.
Amaruk was securing his future…
…and, consciously or not, was strengthening her power in Goldfrost.
Their eyes met.
“Agreed.”
Amaruk surveyed her face. “Kiss me then.”
For a moment, Lannahi stared at him completely bemused, but before she could respond a low growl emitted from beside her.
The corners of Amaruk’s mouth lifted slightly, but he remained silent, not taking his eyes off Lannahi.
“I thought it was a serious conversation,” she said coolly, shaking off her surprise.
“It is a serious conversation,” he reassured her.
She sent him an irritated look. “Amaruk…”
