Page 35 of Feast

The meal was a fucking masterpiece. The best he had ever cooked. Muk’s heart swelled with pride at his accomplishment. Meanwhile, his cock swelled with other feelings as he pictured that food going into Ika’s pretty mouth.

The extra effort that Muk had put into the meal was not lost on his companions.

“What’s the occasion, kid?” Gunnar said with a smirk as Muk carefully arranged Ika’s platter.

Normally Muk would have some humorous retort ready to go, but right now his mind was elsewhere. While the other ukkur tucked into their meals, Muk carried the special platter across the cave to Ika.

To his disappointment, Ika was none too enthusiastic about the offering.

She stayed curled up in a ball and turned her head away.

Had Muk made a mistake? The food that he had prepared was very appetizing to an ukkur. That fact was proven by the loud munching sounds coming from the other side of the cave where his pack brethren were digging in.

It now occurred to Muk, however, that he had no idea what one was supposed to feed an Ika.

Still, this food was basically all they had on hand, and he had spent a great deal of time and effort preparing it.

“Come on,” Muk said, making his deep voice as gentle as possible. “You need to eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

Ika’s voice was quiet and flat. Her delicate little features were set in an expression of cold displeasure.

Was that true, Muk wondered? He and his pack brothers typically ate one large meal every day. Sometimes, when the weather or habitat was particularly difficult, they might be forced to fast for several days on end. But under normal circumstances, one huge meal a day with lots of meat was the preference.

Was Ika different? She certainly wasn’t as big as they were.

But her belly betrayed her.

A low, hollow growl came from her midsection. Her face instantly flooded red at her body’s treachery. Muk had seen that response in her several times before, and it pleased him greatly. His stick throbbed behind his belt, and a few drops of his pre-sap leaked from his tip.

“Eat,” he said, trying to sound more commanding like Thusar. After a moment, he added. “You’ll feel better once you have something hot inside you.”

Ika’s blush had faded to a rosy pink hue. She turned her head and looked at him through her strands of hair. Without even thinking, Muk reached out and brushed those locks aside, clearing her face.

“Careful lad,” Gunnar’s voice came from across the cave. “Don’t forget, she’s a biter.”

Now it was Muk’s turn to redden slightly. For a moment, looking into Ika’s dark, wild eyes, he had almost forgotten that they were not alone. Ika must have noticed his embarrassment, and her expression softened a little.

Still, she did not accept the tray.

Her fingers were toying nervously with the ring hanging around her neck. The one that Thusar had recovered from the nith vehicle. Muk wondered what the significance of that item was for her. Clearly more than a decoration. She had been quite upset when she thought it was missing. And quite relieved when it was returned to her.

Her fingers moved higher, touching the leash around her throat.

“Is this really necessary?” she whispered to Muk.

There was something conspiratorial in her voice. As if she expected Muk to sympathize with her in ways the other, older ukkur could not.

To an extent, Muk did sympathize. It pained him to see Ika tied up like an animal when she clearly was not. And he knew as well that it pained her to be separated from Rolf. Muk felt bad for holding her captive, but at the same time, he was unwilling to give her up.

Briefly—only briefly—he conjured in his mind a fantasy of freeing Ika from her bonds and fleeing with her out into the snowbound forest. She would be his and his alone. His to protect. His to feed and clothe.

And his to do something else with.

Something else…

Muk quickly shoved that fantasy back where it belonged in the dark places of his mind. He made his voice as stern as possible and repeated what Thusar had said before.