Chapter Forty-Three
The Apisi lands contained more wildlife and ancient forest than the Payami. A deep river ran through it, fed from the snow-capped mountains.
Kele followed Peder toward a carved wooden gate set in the mountain. Her legs trembled with exhaustion. How would she ever climb back through the pass?
Peder jogged a steady pace but his tongue lolled from his muzzle, and he stumbled every once in a while. He never complained, though a slight droop bent his shoulders and ears. His will strengthened hers. He’d run a greater distance than she. All the way to the castle to rescue her then all the way back here. More distance than the two hunters they’d left at the Temple. For an omega, he bore responsibility well.
The doors opened as they approached, and three hunters in feral form met them. “Who’s this, Peder? Did a stray follow you home again?” One of the guards offered the omega a leather kilt.
Her ears perked. She didn’t like the idea of other females touching the omega. But, of course, they must have. She wasn’t that naïve. With his handsome face, soft voice and willing body… She shook her head. What was she thinking? His offer the other night in the bedroom didn’t mean anything to someone as experienced as Peder. He had just taken pity on her.
“She’s not a stray.” Peder shifted to his civil form and took the kilt.
The other two sniffed at her.
Her spine stiffened involuntarily as a nose came too close. She cuffed the guard. It was a reflex she’d developed living in her own den. She needed to set her dominance now before they found out she couldn’t shift. One never knew who they would meet in the future.
He jumped away and rubbed his offending snout. “A Payami bitch?”
“Sorin’s given me permission to accompany Peder.” She held out her wrist. “I carry his mark.” Squaring her shoulders, she met their gazes, mimicking her mother’s usual behavior. “Get the medicine, Peder.” She shoved past the guards into the Apisi den.
Her heart raced as she waited for a hunter to attack from behind. She’d heard many terrible stories about this pack.
The den was set in a canyon. Caves lined the two sheer walls that only went up another story with small landings and stairs. She glanced around. The guards watched by the gate. “I’ll wait here for you.”
“Sure, as long as you don’t challenge my pack mates anymore. Smacking the guard was foolish. I can’t defeat him if he were to challenge you.”
“Who asked you to fight for me? I don’t bend over for anyone. I can’t afford to.” Her father always told her to act like the biggest shifter in the room. Most wouldn’t call her bluff. One day, though, someone would.
“I’d be disappointed if you did.” He grinned. Dark circles hollowed his eyes.
She wanted to hug and shake him at the same time for tying her emotions into a knot. She was a daughter of alphas, yet an omega brought her to heel. How pathetic.
A pretty female carrying a basket of laundry paused on her away out the gate and waved at Peder.
He smiled and nodded in her direction.
Kele growled and turned her back to him. How many lovers did he have, anyhow? And she thought Ahote a terrible flirt.
“The medicine is kept in the kitchen. This way.” He led her along the single corridor to a dead end of the ravine. The den was so much smaller than hers.
They entered the kitchen where a stunning, strong female worked with—moldy bread?
“Peder?” She set her work aside and hugged him. “Where have you been?”
“Lailanie, we’re in a hurry. Susan is ill. Sorin sent me to fetch some penicillin for her.”
The female’s expression fell flat. “Susan? Did she return?”
“No, they’re at the Temple.” Peder explained what had transpired in the last couple days.
The attentive female nodded as he spoke and stroked his arm.
Kele couldn’t tear her eyes away from their touch. She swallowed the lump in her throat. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.
Lailanie retrieved a bottle on the shelf above the hearth. “Take this one. It’s the first batch Susan made and should be the strongest.” Tears spilled from her eyes. “It’s all my fault. Sorin will never forgive me.”
“You made Susan sick?” Kele asked.
The female sniffed. “No, I convinced her to leave the den. It’s not fair. I’ve done everything expected of a good alpha female, and he doesn’t see me. She makes one potion and now she equates the Goddess.”
Drama grew in all packs apparently. It sounded as if Susan had not had a dull visit in the Apisi den.
Peder sighed. “Sorin mated Susan.”
Blinking her tears away, Lailanie nodded. “Good.” She wiped her face and avoided their gazes.
“We have to go, Lanie.” Peder squeezed her shoulder. The gesture shot another jolt of jealousy through Kele.
“I’m all right.” She gave them a thin smile.
Leaving Peder behind, Kele stormed from the kitchen and headed toward the gate. He didn’t belong to her. These emotions twisting her gut didn’t have any place within her body. Peder was not Payami and worse, he wasn’t a hunter.
Omegas were generous with their bodies. It was their position in the pack to ease stress, and the omegas needed dominant mates to protect them, to possess them. She cared to do neither for a male. She wanted to be the one that was desired.
Peder caught up with her. He carried a back satchel.
Against her will, she glanced at him. He appeared happy. No signs of guilt or—or, what was she expecting?
An old female waited by a cave entrance. She waved at them to approach. Unable to deny the elderly anything, Kele did as asked. Others from the cavern gathered around her.
Peder hurried to them, hugging his pack mates. “You all look so much better.” His voice cracked as he spoke. “I’ve been so worried.”
Better? They looked like death.
“We heard you’ve been off adventuring with the alpha.” A hunter ruffled Peder’s hair. “Having fun?”
“I’m surviving.”
Most laughed.
Warmth spread through Kele at the sight. Many around them were pale and some needed assistance walking, but all smiled. These were the sick that Susan had saved. If only they could do the same for the human. They needed to hurry.
“This is Kele. She’s from the Payami.”
His introduction froze her heart.
She opened her mouth but nothing came out. Even though Sorin’s temporary mark should protect her, one didn’t dangle bait in front of a hungry lion and not expect it to bite. Sore feelings had existed between their packs for ages. “I’m Susan’s friend.” It was the only good thing she could think to say.
“That’s a fine female to be friends with.” The elderly female patted her cheek.
A huge weight lifted off Kele’s soul. She took a deep breath. They wouldn’t eat her.
“We have to go,” Peder whispered in her ear.
She blinked and broke eye contact with the elderly female. “Yes.” They had to return to Susan.
Her parents would have a fit when they heard of her visit here. Unguarded, she’d been an easy target. She sighed and glanced at the omega male as he undressed to shift. Not completely alone though.