WARREK

As the healer fusses over me, I think about Vektal. My chief looks grimmer than I have ever seen him. Over the seasons, as our tribe has grown, his high-spirited smiles have given way to thoughtful glances, and I know he and his mate Shorshie worry over all of us. It is clear that leadership is a mantle that weighs heavily upon Vektal’s shoulders.

I am glad it is his shoulders and not mine.

The tribe is celebrating our return, and with the evening, a large fire is built at the front of the longhouse. Harrec stands near it, gesturing with wild hands and telling the story of Suh-mer’s courageous rescue as Stay-see cooks her treats for everyone. Suh-mer’s courageous rescue, I mull. I think of it as her rescue of the others, not mine. She was the one with the ideas, the plans, the daring. The chess. I was simply her helper. I look for my small, brave mate, but I do not see her by the fire. Kate is there, beaming up at her new mate, and her small snow-cat is being petted by every kit gathered near the fire. The little animal is patient, at least, and appears to enjoy the attention. Who knew the ferocious creatures could be so affectionate?

There is a thread of worry for those still at the ship, and I have watched others move to the chief’s side to speak to him more than once this day. With every conversation, his face seems a little more lined, a little more tired.

It is not easy being chief, and I worry it will be too much for him and Shorshie at some point. No doubt it was easier when there were only ten or twelve hands of us. Now there are kits everywhere, more on the way, and people have been counting the empty houses at the edge of the village, thinking of where the newcomers will live. It is a lot of mouths to keep fed.

I think of the houses, the small, stone huts that were here long before we arrived. There are yet several that can be fixed up, ready for new couples. Harrec and Kate will be occupying one, I think, now that they are mated. Shail and Vaza will move in together as well. That leaves Suh-mer and Buh-brukh alone in their hut, and myself, Taushen and Sessah in the hunters’ hut.

I wonder if Suh-mer will share furs with me permanently, if I ask? I already think of her as mine, but she might have different ideas. She might wish to wait for resonance. The thought is a startling one, and even more startling is the jealous surge that rushes through me. I am a calm hunter. I do not let things bother me.

But the idea of another male—Taushen or Sessah—touching my Suh-mer? It makes me growl and bare my teeth at the night.

“You are well enough,” Maylak says, lifting her hands from my shoulder. “Your khui is strong and bold yet.”

I nod. I knew this to be the case. I was not harmed by the aliens, nor did I injure myself in the rescue of the others, but Maylak still insisted upon checking me over. It is the mother in her, I suppose, because I have no family left to care for me.

I think of Suh-mer. She would fuss over my wounds, I think, and the thought makes me smile to myself. I imagine her endless chatter as she bathes a minor wound, and the thought of her hands on me makes my cock harden. She has wanted to put her hands on me for days now, but I have distracted her from such things. We did not have the time.

Now, it seems, we have all the time we could possibly want.

Maylak gives me a little pat. “If you see Ell-ee, send her to me. I think Bek is hiding her away.”

“He will bring her to you, I imagine.” The overprotective hunter would not wish any harm to come to his fragile mate. “But I shall look for them.”

“My thanks. You can go rejoin the others now.” She indicates the emptying group near the bonfire, where a few have trickled away to put their kits to sleep. Others remain, and the skins of sah-sah are being passed around. I glance at Vektal again. He does not drink and wears a distant expression. The newcomers weigh on him heavily.

“Have you seen Suh-mer?” I ask, because I do not see her near the bonfire with the others.

“Mmm, she was here earlier.” She gives a little shrug and yawns. “Her khui is a strong one.”

As it should be. My female is fierce and brave. “My thanks.” I get to my feet, stretching, and then head toward the bonfire. Perhaps one of the others there knows where she has gone.

But on the way to the bonfire, I see Bek and his mate emerging from the chief’s hut. I pause and speak to them, indicating that they should visit the healer, and Bek tells me that he was visiting Shorshie, who is still in her furs, sick to her stomach. He wants her to convince Vektal that destroying the ships will protect us all. And he wants me to speak to Shorshie about this as well.

“The more voices, the better,” he says, his arm around Ell-ee’s shoulders. She leans against him, her eyes haunted, and I feel a stab of pity for her. Out of all the humans, she seems the most damaged by her experiences. Perhaps that is why Bek is so fiercely protective. I think of Suh-mer and the way she grabbed the light-spear and charged forward, killing her attackers. Is she brave and bold because she was not held captive as long as Ell-ee? Or is she just brave and bold because that is who she is?

“Warrek?” Bek snaps. “Did you hear me?”

“My thoughts were elsewhere,” I admit. “But I will speak to Shorshie when I have made up my mind about the ships.”

“The humans are not safe as long as they exist,” Bek exclaims. “What part of that do you not grasp?”

“I do not wish to make a hasty judgment,” I tell him. Even as I do, I pause. I think of Suh-mer. She handled herself well against the enemy, but I remember her burned face and blistered fingers. I think of her eyebrows that were singed off. She had not even realized she was hurt. She acts as she speaks—immediately and without cautious thought.

It would be very easy for another to take advantage of that, to entrap her and enslave her once more. I think of Suh-mer and her bright smile, her endless stream of words. I think of her clever mind. I think of her as broken as Ell-ee once was, covered in dirt, a hunted expression on her face.

The thought makes my gut churn. “I shall speak to Shorshie in the morning.”

Bek nods at me, pleased. “It is a wise move.”

I do not know if it is a wise move, but it is what I will do. If Mardok and Har-loh must be disappointed in the loss of the ships, I find it does not matter to me as much as Suh-mer’s safety. I will tell Suh-mer my decision, wait to see what she says, and then I will speak to Shorshie in the morning. “Take your mate to the healer,” I tell Bek. “I must find Suh-mer.”

“Be ready for tomorrow,” he tells me as I step away.

I turn back to him, frowning. “What is tomorrow?”

“If Vektal wishes to go to the ships, we will likely leave right away. He will need many strong hunters with him, especially if we are to bring the humans back to the tribe with us.

I ponder this. It is not something I considered, and yet it makes sense. If we need to move to protect the tribe, we must do so immediately. I do not like the thought of leaving Suh-mer, but I like the thought of her being captured even less. It must be done. I nod at him. “I will be ready.”

For now, though, I wish to be with Suh-mer.