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She wasn't certain what drove her to seek out Yakuti. All Sasja knew was that she wanted to cause the other lioness some discomfort. She wanted to shake up Yakuti's world, turn it upside down, make her raw and uncomfortable. Sasja hadn't been feeling herself since Yakuti's betrothal to Bruten had been announced, and it really infuriated her.

Bruten infuriated her, as well. She'd never been a second choice to anyone, and she knew how pridal politics worked. Bruten was making a good choice, choosing Yakuti. It was probably best for all of them. Bruten and Sasja would only destroy one another in the end, after all.

Even still, the feral urge to claim that which had once been hers was strong, and it drove Sasja to Yakuti's den.

Yakuti was sitting outside of her home, enjoying the sparse pillars of sunlight that broke through the clouds. It was unusually cool for the season it was, but Yakuti was not one to complain. She would take the cooler weather as it came, for it was a nice change from the otherwise stagnant heat.

When she caught sight of Sasja, her heart lurched. She'd wondered how long it would take the lioness to come to her, and Yakuti wasn't certain that she wanted to face Sasja right now. The small, lithe lioness was undeniably beautiful, pale and exotic where Yakuti was not.

"Sasja."

She refrained from using the traditional Stormborn greeting. Surely it would come across as a challenge or a threat, and that was the last thing that Yakuti wanted.

"Yakuuuuuti."

Sasja's voice was a low purr, and she did not stop when she came up close. Instead she brushed against Yakuti, her tail lashing to tap against the other lionesses chin. It was a demeaning action, and as Sasja circled around Yakuti, she paused to give the dark lioness a dark, toothy grin. It was not a pretty thing at all. It was not a friendly gesture.

"How are you, dear Yakuti? I've come to congratulate you on your betrothal."

Her voice sounded anything but sincere.

She stopped circling Yakuti and sat down directly in front of the other lioness. Close. Very close.

Gods, but Yakuti was certain there had never been a more off-putting lioness. She'd certainly never had the displeasure of meeting a lioness that put her on edge the way that Sasja did. She fought the urge to lean back. Doing so would only prove Sasja to be the stronger of the two, and that was not something that Yakuti wanted to deal with. It would be inviting a whole separate set of issues, and Yakuti had the feeling she'd have her paws full as it was.

"Thank you, Sasja. We'll be married after Breytast Vindar. Bruten hopes to become Captain of his own band."

Sasja tilted her head to the side, that smile on her muzzle broadening.

"That sounds wonderful. Will he claim your bastards as his own? I think Bruten will make a fine father. He's strong and capable. It's a shame that you're raising a litter of your own now, and won't be able to provide him with cubs right away."

Sasja leaned in, her eyes narrowing in cold, calculated mirth.

"I think he's a fool. You're not even of old blood. I know Brynja says you are, but we both know you are not. You're worthless, Yakuti. It's a shame, really, because you're quite lovely."

Yakuti remained silent as Sasja spoke. She couldn't hide the hackles that rose involuntarily along the ridge of her spine, but thankfully Sasja was at her front and couldn't see the obvious proof of her annoyance. What a b***h Sasja was. Yakuti knew that Sasja and Bruten had dallied long ago. Most pride members did. There was something strange about the two of them, but Yakuti chose to ignore it.

"He won't. I'll give him his own sons by the years end, though, and I've promised him this already."

Yakuti forced a smile.

"It doesn't matter, my blood being old or outlander. What matters is that Bruten has chosen me. Not anyone else."

Not you.

Sasja wasn't expecting that bit of venom from Yakuti. She'd thought the lioness to be a little meek, a little simpering. A little stupid. It became strikingly obvious that Yakuti was nothing of the sort, and that brought a sick smile to Sasja's face. A worthy adversary was something that Sasja craved, and Bruten had been the only one for quite some time.

"You can have him. I no longer have any interest in him, Yakuti."

It was a lie. There was a swirl of putrid anger that surged in Sasja's gut, black and hot and sludge-like.

Bruten would have to suffer. Sasja would not allow any other to have him, not on a permanent basis.

If he did not belong to Sasja, he would not belong to anyone.

Yakuti wasn't sure how to take Sasja's softly spoken words. The tone she used made Yakuti want to believe her, but the darkness that slowly crept into those eerie blue eyes led Yakuti to believe otherwise. It was more than a little terrifying, and Yakuti cleared her throat.

"It was nice seeing you, Sasja. I'm glad we've had this conversation. I really would hate for there to be any ill feelings between us."

Polite lies, nothing more. The sooner Sasja left, the better. Yakuti had no plans to discuss this conversation with Bruten, not ever. Doing so would not benefit her in any way.

Sasja gave a low, dark laugh and rose to her feet. The sound was not filled with humor, but a deep destruction that was echoed in the pale blue of her eyes. Sasja had great self-control, however, and would rather leap from the cliffs than show how furious she truly was.

"Very pleasurable, Yakuti. Do take care of yourself, won't you?"

Offering the other lioness a smile that showed far too many teeth, Sasja rose to her feet and slowly ambled off with a grace that belied the surging need for destruction.

The forest. She would go to the forest. Nobody would bother her there.

Yakuti did not breathe until Sasja had disappeared from her sight. Exhaling a shaky breath, the dark lioness moved back into her den. If she never saw Sasja again it would be too soon. Far too soon. Yakuti wanted to scream at the sky, but she did not. She wanted to tell Bruten about the conversation, but she would not.

No. Control was crucial now more than ever. She could not let on how much Sasja had affected her. Doing so would show weakness, and that was something that Yakuti could not allow. She could only believe that all would be well.