The black opal encased voodoo looked Hecate over after he introduced himself, as if trying to pick apart who she was. What did not help was the fact that she appeared to pause, perhaps a moment of hesitation, before nodding at his introduction. Anubis noted her eyes darting around at the others as he stepped back into the circle that was starting to form. Her stare did not look like one of fear – that kind he had seen multiple times, often just at his appearance at his own home. The brute’s presence typically was seen as an omen in his homeland. That was related to his prior duties, of course. A shallow exhale, Anubis adjusted his body to make himself a bit more comfortable. He felt so…contained with these ribs of black opal encasing his bodice. They certainly would have made him really feared.

His golden eyes flicked under his jackal skull as he watched others arrive. Another black furred voodoo such as himself, a krustallos with her mineral embedded in her fur, a firey winged flora male, and a planet ethereal. He silently observed, looking back at the spirits around Hecate every once and a while. Would they show their true shape? He wondered, spacing out in contemplation, only coming back to the current moment when Hecate began her announcements. ”Thank you everyone for coming. I am Hecate, some of you know me as I was King Cato’s sister. Cato, unfortunately, is nowhere to be found. Amalthea and I have taken lengthy searches in trying to find him, as well as Kalon, my mate. There’s not a single sign of them anywhere. Amalthea has informed me she does not feel comfortable leading Nightingale alone and bestowed the crown to me instead as the sister of Cato and the one who dethroned Irina after her treacherous slaughters in Phobus’s war. I will be your new Queen.” Anubis gave a curt nod at the last statement. The rainbow, black and white ess paused, her hot pink eyes closed. The spirits that his glittering eyes caught onto before appeared to become brighter next to the Queen. A small, momentary smile crossed his lips, but this would not be seen by many except those next to him, due to the coverage of his jackal skull. They must be related to her in one form or another. Proud of her, for stepping up to the plate.

When she reopened her eyes, Hecate spoke once again, stating the rules for the many newcomers, himself included. ”Those of you that are new to Nightingale, I would like to restate our laws, as I will be keeping my brother's laws intact. My mother and my brother Typhon were slain in war by Irina, the previous Queen of Nightingale. My father was slain in the same war by Irinas Beta, Belladonna.” He was right, in that they were family, looking to the spirits for a moment before looking back to meet Hecate’s eyes. If he had to guess, they were her parents. ”They are a kill on sight in Nightingale territory. Any who bear their blood are forbidden from these lands and will be forcibly removed, as well as any who fled after Irina was dethroned. That in place, rape is not permitted on these grounds, neither is laying with minors. With the plague gone as well, we are allowing allies on our soil so long as they are accompanied by one of our own.” Anubis acknowledged the laws, appreciating that they were fairly standard, the norm.

Hecate began to announce roles, Anubis waiting to be assigned his duties. While he did not prefer any specific role, the judge of death certainly didn’t expect for every name to be called except his own. Confusion fogged his mind – what was with the hesitation, both at his introduction and now? It was not the fear he was so used to, therefore, what was it? ”Our final business of this meeting happens to be the most important. Peace. Tarben and Sabertooth have initiated a peace treaty of marriage that will tie children of each pack together. As I no longer have a mate, and I bear no children, I’m left to ask the most difficult of favors of finding someone so soon to father children with me to keep Nightingale safe.” Wait – his mind paused, his eyes starting to widen from under his jackal skull as the realization hit. Why there was hesitation. ”If I could choose, I would choose Anubis, if you will have me. This comes with the stand in ranking as Beta, to keep close with a possibility of moving up to King. It is your choice, Anubis, if you decline then I will be taking offers after the meeting.” Anubis felt as if time had slowed because of how fast the thoughts in his head whirled, but he had to speak. If one thing was for sure, the brute knew to follow the requests of an alphess. Quickly standing to his feet, he lowered upper body into a bow, looking up at Hecate while dipped at the lowest point. ”The honor would be mine, Queen Hecate.” His baritone voice spoke, trying his best not to rush his words much like the thoughts in his mind.

Once he accepted, Hecate made one more statement, indirectly asking if there were other questions or concerns, and then releasing everyone from the meeting. Anubis took the time then to address his thoughts, mulling over them a bit more if other members had questions for his soon-to-be mate. This was heavy, sudden news. The judge of death was, frankly, scared to bring new life into the world. This was not because of him never having laid with a woman, while true, no, it was because of his past and his ties with death. Anubis always aided the passage into the afterlife, sometimes having to take life from wolves who were suffering. Sometimes he had to deal with souls that deserved to rot in the depths of oblivion, be fed to the demons, whatever punishment that could atone for the horrible acts they may have committed during their breathing days. Anubis also questioned to himself why he was chosen, out of all the other males at that gathering. Surely, one of them was more apt to lead. Anubis had little experience with combat. He was the outcast in his homeland because of his reputation, so he was not the most sociable, let alone friendly. The brute knew respect, certainly, but that really was the only positive trait that he observed in himself.

Anubis looked to Hecate a few moments after everyone else had cleared out. "Queen Hecate,” He spoke, his baritone voice slightly hesitant. He then cleared his throat to attempt to make his next words more confident in tone. If she had not made his way over to him yet, he would move towards her, stopping where there would be a respectful distance between them. "Thank you for choosing me.” His voice was curt, spoken as he bowed his head once more, rather than his whole torso as he had done at the meeting. "Pardon my prying, but I am curious as to why…?” His golden eyes gleamed from underneath his jackal skull of black opal, awaiting a response.