How long have I wanted a mate? A family? And to think of letting another male touch her? I know that three-pairings have happened in our tribe in the past, with two males agreeing to be the pleasure-mate of the same female. I watch Stay-see as she walks, her back stiff, her hips swaying. I cannot imagine how it must have been to touch her.
But I know I would never share.
I tamp down the urge to fling myself at Harrec, horns first. I must not. He meant no harm. The last thing I need is anotherhead wound. And still, the thought of him touching Stay-see fills me with possessive rage.
“Why do you walk so slowly, Pashov?” Harrec asks after a few moments have passed. “We are falling behind the others.”
Clearly he does not sense my foul mood. I watch Stay-see as she walks, a good distance ahead of me. If I catch up, she will march even faster, angry, and she is already exhausted. I do not wish to tire her more than she already is. “I have my reasons.”
Bek sighs, the sound exasperated. “He is a fool, Harrec, just like you.”
Eh? I glare over at Bek, who has not changed in the slightest. “Me, a fool? What do you know of this?”
“I know that you have a mate,” Bek bites out. “And a kit. And you should be with her right now. Protecting her. Walking at her side.”
“Let me handle this,” I snarl at him. Is everyone going to harass me about my mate?
“You are pissing this away,” Bek retorts, the look on his hard face cold. “You have a mate. A resonance mate. A kit. It is everything any hunter has ever wanted. She is your heart. You should not throw her away.”
“Advice from you? What do you know of mates?” I scoff.
Bek’s nostrils flare. He storms away.
Harrec coughs, though it seems as if he is trying to hold back a laugh.
“What?” I ask. Is there something no one is telling me? “Did Bek resonate and no one has told me?”
“No, he has not resonated,” Harrec says. That is all he says, though. He grins at me. “I think I shall go talk to the chief, see how long we will be walking today. The humans are already growing slower by the moment.” He jogs away, ever full of energy. I watch him, and my eyes narrow as he approaches Stay-see. He slows his steps and talks to her for a moment. I cannot see her expression, her face hidden by her large fur hood. Harrec glances back at me, grinning, and then continues forward, heading toward the front of the group.
Which is good, because now I do not need to throttle him.
I resume my steps, keeping my pace slow so I remain carefully behind Stay-see.
Still…was she pleased to have him talk to her? She has fallen behind all the other humans and walks alone. Would she enjoy company? Should I move to her side?
I decide that perhaps I should. I pick up my pace, watching her as I surge forward. Her steps are always careful and measured, even though it is clear she is tired. She holds on to the straps on her pack, and as I approach I can see Pacy’s round face swathed with furs, his small mouth slack with sleep. A fierce surge of pride rushes through me. Strange that I should feel this way at the sight of a kit, sleeping.
Not just any kit, I remind myself. He is mine.
My sled bounces over an ice-covered rock, making a loud cracking noise. Stay-see turns, surprise on her face. “Everything all right?”
I move to her side, straightening my sled. It pulls a little harder on the left now, but nothing I cannot handle easily. “A little mistake, nothing more.”
She nods slowly, then turns away, concentrating on the trail in front of her. A short distance ahead, there are a few of the heaviest sleds, Aehako dragging one behind him as he talks and laughs with his father. Farther up the snowy hills, more sleds and more fur-covered forms stagger along in a thin line. If this was a hunting party, our chief would be ashamed. But these are families, females, young children, and much more gear than any hunter could ever think to bring with him on a hunting run. The travel will not be the same.
My footsteps crunch in the snow, and it is the only sound other than the quick rasp of Stay-see’s panting breaths. She is breathing heavy, I realize. This must be difficult for her. “Do you need to stop for a time? I will keep you company.”
She turns to me, surprised. “What? No, I’m fine. I’m just…not used to all this physical labor.” She pants between words. “I forgot I’ve been sitting in a cave for almost two years now. I’m out of shape.”
“Your shape is appealing.” I have been staring at it all afternoon. It is a good shape, for all that she is small and human and solid in places the sa-khui females are not. I am still deciding if I like the differences, but I think I do. I am especially intrigued by her round, full teats.
Her face scrunches in a curious expression, and then she laughs, the sound breathless but pleasant. “Thanks, I think?”
I smile at her. This is good. We are talking. She is not upset. In fact, she laughed, and I feel the warmth of it down to the tip of my tail. I want to do more. I want her to say more, but she is struggling to keep her breath. “Shall I take Pacy and carry him? You seem tired.”
“No, I’m all right. I don’t want you to wear yourself out.” Hersmile is faint and apologetic as she looks over at me and the sled I’m dragging. “You’re already carrying a lot of stuff.”
And she thinks a tiny kit will somehow cause me to collapse in the snow? The idea is laughable. “I can carry him easily.”
