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Talia giggles amused and pushes Richy away again, "Go sit down over there. How am I supposed to help Otter make lunch with you under foot? …Now stay put or I'll put you outside with Big Boy and the kids. Right, Grey-Pa?"
Walter, Richy's grandfather tells him good humoredly, "Women are in charge. They just let us think we're in charge." Walter is usually here at the estate, not that his family likes it. They're not happy about him accepting Richy as his grandson legally and publically. But DNA doesn't lie, Richy is his grandson.
Richy looks outside at Clam and Sh.e.l.l getting Big Boy to go down the slide. He likes it best when there are a lot of children out there playing on the playground he and the other men here built together. He misses Beaver, Minnow, Howl and Talon when they're not here. And he likes it when Greywolf has his children here visiting. They're good kids, very likeable and smart.
"Hey, we're getting company," announces Richy spotting Roar first because of his size. But he knows Roar's not alone. He always has Zenith the baby and the boys with him. But as they come out of the forest, Richy sees that Stinger from Dragon Tribe and her two children are with them. But there's no sign of anyone else from her tribe with them which means Stinger has left her tribe.
Leaving your tribe is a bold move for a woman like Stinger. Besides the fact she's giving up her status within her tribe; the fact that she's not a guardian, makes traveling alone with her children more dangerous for her. She can't fight a bear or a mountain lion. Those may not even be animals she can do. They're certainly not animals that people from her tribe can usually do. Then there's pa.s.sing through other tribe territories which can be problematic for a woman traveling without a grown male companion. Water is small and Fjord still hasn't returned so Richy knows she didn't have any trouble pa.s.sing through Water Tribe territory. And Roar won't detain her or allow any of the males in his tribe to detain her. But since she's with him, she must have asked for his help.
Richy's sure Stinger must be headed for Air Tribe territory up in the mountains. Air lives high up in mountain caves. She won't have any trouble pa.s.sing through Amazon territory. They wouldn't detain her for any reason. But after Amazon territory, she'll have to pa.s.s through a section of Night Crawler Territory. And Night Crawler males are known for not just detaining stray females they find in their territory, but keeping stray females that pa.s.s through their territory. Females do not travel alone in Night Crawler Territory.
Roar's boys and Stinger's two children join Clam, Sh.e.l.l and Big Boy. Stinger's second child is a girl Sh.e.l.l's age, so Sh.e.l.l has another girl to play with for a while. Roar lets the two women enter the house ahead of him. As he's greeting Richy and the other men with hugs, Talia greets Zenith with a hug and then Stinger telling her, "Stinger, welcome to our home." Then she kisses her niece, who's sleeping on her mother's shoulder.
"Where's your mate, Cougar," inquires Stinger.
"Working," answers Talia, "he'll be home in a few days."
Roar comes over and gets his hug from Talia. Then he greets Otter which involves tasting her neck, squeezing a breast along with pressing his c.o.c.k against her bottom making sure she knows he's happy to see her. When Bob's home, he's not so overtly s.e.xual with Otter, but Bob's at work. Only Richy, Wildcat, Greywolf and Walter are at home with Talia, Otter, Clam and Sh.e.l.l.
Otter smiles as she tells Roar, "I'm trying to cook."
"Me too," says Roar. He nuzzles her neck and then backs off so she can finish what she's doing.
Talia, along with everyone else in the room except Walter can smell Roar has mated with both Zenith and Stinger this morning. But Talia gets right to what she's sure is going on, "So Stinger, Roar is escorting you into Air territory to help you find your mate."
"Yes," confirms Stinger. "I'm so glad Roar has agreed to help me. I was very nervous about trying to make it through Night Crawler territory by myself."
Night Crawlers are the most reclusive and the wildest of all free people. They're basically nocturnal, usually sleeping in and hiding during the day. All free people have excellent night vision. But Night Crawlers have large owl-like eyes that are especially excellent at night and make them a little light sensitive during the day. They usually keep stray women and children they find, even when they don't want to be kept.
"That's understandable," Talia tells Stinger. "I wouldn't want to cut through there by myself either." Talia only remembers Night Crawlers coming to one tribe gathering when she was a child. Their large owlish eyes had seemed spooky to her. It's the one territory she has stayed well away from.
"Is it okay if Zenith, the baby and the boys stay here while we escort Stinger through Night Crawler territory into Air," asks Roar.
Talia knits her eyebrows concerned at Roar, "Of course, we love having all of you here. I don't even know why you felt the need to ask."
"I think we should go with them," says Zenith. "Women and children with you while you travel mean you're not looking for trouble. Once Stinger and her children are with her mate, you won't have a woman and child with you on the way back."
Roar sighs, "Zenith, you're an Amazon. You can have a baby strapped to your back and another propped on your hip and still peg a target a hundred paces away with a dagger."
"Night Crawlers are especially antsy around Amazons," adds Wildcat. "They like their females completely submissive, and Amazon women are anything but that. In their eyes, you're more dangerous than a man."
"Wildcat, I'ld like you with me for this trip," Roar informs him. "It's been a long time since we've had contact with Air. And even longer since we've had contact with Night Crawlers, not since Talia and I were kids. They only come to tribe gatherings when they're looking for mates. Is there anything I really need to know about them for this trip?"
Wildcat shares thoughtfully, "They don't operate anything like a normal tribe. They live in packs like wolves. Each pack has an alpha male and female. They don't have a true chief. So when they come to gatherings, the most alpha of all the packs and the most senior male of the packs will interact with the chiefs and elders on behalf of their tribe… A lot of those crazy things domesticated folks believe about free people are actually true when it comes to Night Crawlers."
"You mean like baby s.n.a.t.c.hing," Walter asks with raised eyebrows.
Wildcat shrugs, "No, they don't s.n.a.t.c.h. But they do keep what they find be it man, woman or child, it's finders keepers with them. If a domesticated person gets lost out here and Night Crawlers find them, they won't be returning to domestic society."
"Haven't any of the chiefs tried explaining to them that they can't keep lost people like they're stray animals," asks Walter. He may technically be a Water Tribe elder, but no one has ever mentioned Night Crawlers to him. He didn't know they existed.
"h.e.l.l no," responds Wildcat. He takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly. "They can't be returned to domestic society after living with Night Crawlers. Domesticated society can't know about Night Crawlers."
"Night Crawlers are different," states Walter, "I get that. Now, how are they different?"
Wildcat explains, "They're basically feral even by free folks' standards. They don't erect any types of dwellings. They have caves that are hidden behind water falls that they sleep in during the day. They hunt and gather by night… I'm pretty sure they're human because they can breed with us, other free folks and domesticated folks. That's what they do with the people they find, keep them as mates. They take good care of them. Yet they're different…"
"Go on," Walter encourages Wildcat.
Wildcat sighs. Walter sure can be persistent, but he continues, "You know how when we become animals, our eyes stay human, and how guardians' eyes change when they draw upon their gift… But Night Crawlers… They don't have any animals they become. And they don't have human eyes like you're used to seeing. They're nocturnal, so they have big round owlish eyes. They can choose to look human except for their eyes. I think they're what domesticated folks in the past mistook for big foots, yetis or sasquatches. I think they're where those notions came from. My speculation is that on the rare occasion one of them got separated from their pack during hunting and gathering, and while trying to rejoin the pack, a hunter, camper or hiker got a split second glance… If domesticated authorities knew about them, they'ld come here and blow us all away."
Being domesticated himself Walter knows how paranoid domesticated people can be. But he's very intrigued, "So are they dangerous? Violent in any way?"
Wildcat shakes his head, "Naw, a lot less dangerous and violent than the average domesticated person. They're actually quite gentle. They usually run from a fight. But like most anybody, they'll protect themselves if they have to."
"So are you with me, Wildcat," asks Roar.
"Of course," answers Wildcat, "I'm still your number one elder advisor so I'm with you."
"And Talia, I'ld like you to go with us," request Roar.
"h.e.l.l no! Absolutely not," declares Richy. "You don't want to take your own mate and children. But you want to take mine. No way!"
"I don't want to take Zenith because she's an Amazon," Roar being truthful. "Many tribes are terrified of Amazons. An Amazon woman isn't less dangerous when she's pregnant or has children. They're actually more dangerous because they'll protect first and asks questions later. I just want to escort Stinger and get back as quickly as possible. So no extra kids or anyone that could make the journey more complicated than necessary… Talia is small and non-threatening. Plus, she's pregnant. She's not showing much yet, but she still smells pregnant. That's just like having children along. Her presence aids in helping them understand we're just pa.s.sing through and don't want any trouble."
"But you'll have Stinger and her two kids with you," Richy points out.
"But he won't have them on the way back," interjects Talia. "I'll go. If all goes well, Stinger and her children will be remaining with Air. He'll need me for the trip back, so I'm going."
"No," insist Richy afraid for Talia's safety. "You're not going. I don't like it."
"Richy, I'm not a ghost like you. I have tribal obligations," Talia reminds him. "This is a small thing that will help keep Roar safe, and he keeps our tribe functioning properly and safe from more opportunistic tribes… I'll go Roar and be at Wildcat's side as I should."
"And I can tag along too," volunteers Greywolf.
Richy knows Greywolf will protect Talia. But he still doesn't like it and lets out a frustrated sigh as he asks, "When will you be leaving?"
"I'ld like to leave first thing in the morning if that's not too much trouble," request Stinger.
"That's fine with me," responds Talia agreeably. Roar, Wildcat and Greywolf all nod their agreement.
Stinger hugs Talia gratefully, "Thank you. Thank you so much."
"I've hardly done anything," Talia smiling as she responds. "No one should have to suffer for so long without their mate. We'll get you there safe and sound."
Richy's unhappiness wafts off of him in his scent for the rest of the day. Wildcat tries to ease his burdened mind by telling him, "Mist, we'll only be gone about a week, give or take a day at most."
"But it's dangerous," states Richy unhappily. "I've never met a Night Crawler. I don't know what to expect of them. But they make everyone nervous, even you. And no one has seen hide nor hair of Air since the rock slide."
"Well, at least she won't be bee-boppin around out there by herself like she used to do before she met you," Wildcat tells him. "She's hardly ever alone now. I may not be a guardian, but I still have respect and authority as Roar's number one elder advisor."
"Yeah, but what if one of those alpha males or a guardian from Air decides he wants to keep Talia for himself," asks Richy and it's a legitimate concern.
"Mist," Wildcat tells him a.s.suringly, "you're her true-mate. No one can break that bond. No one can take her from you. They'ld be foolish to try. They wouldn't be able to keep her from returning to you. Besides, Greywolf will be with us too. He's just as powerful a guardian as Roar. And Roar would never leave behind his baby sister."
This doesn't change Richy's mood. He's quiet through dinner and even keeps his distance from Talia. After dinner Talia is watching Richy brood off by himself. Roar steps up beside her.
"I'm sorry," Roar apologizes to Talia. "I didn't expect him to be upset like this."
"It will be alright," Talia responds softly. "He'll be over it by the time I get back."
Richy has work in the morning so he heads up to bed without a word to anyone to get ready for bed about eight o'clock. Wildcat puts an arm around his concerned young mate and tells her, "Greywolf and I will give you and Mist some s.p.a.ce tonight." He kisses Talia deeply, "Now go to him."
With a nod of agreement, Talia heads up to their master suite. Richy is in the shower. He's standing there with his hands on the wall in front of him letting the water beat down over top of him, hoping his frustration will disappear down the drain with the water. Talia undresses and steps in the shower behind him. She slides her arms around him and rest her cheek on his back as she hugs him.
"This isn't something I can just order you not to do, is it," asks Richy.
"No," answers Talia. "Is it really your wish to have a mate you can order around like a mindless robot?"
"No of course not," answers Richy turning around and lifting her face. He runs a thumb over her full lips, "What if I just asked nicely?"
Talia smiles sadly, "Would you really ask me not to help my own brother? And what if it was me trying to get to you? Wouldn't you hope I would get the help I needed to find my way back to you?"
Richy hugs Talia and rest his chin atop her head, "You've become part of me so quickly. I would be lost without you now… You're going to have to be social too, aren't you?"
Talia squeezes his b.u.t.t, "Is that what you've been moody about all day? My possibly being social with other males." She sighs, "It's just part of the territory. I didn't choose the way it is. So is there a likely hood I'll have to be social with some males for this trip? You already know the answer is yes."
Richy sighs, "I know. I guess I just don't like the idea of you being social with males I don't know."
"Well, I know you," Talia kisses him. "Is it okay if I'm social with you tonight?"
So Talia and Richy are social with each other in the shower before they go to bed. Then he and Talia get to sleep together without anyone else. Then they're social again before he gets ready for work. They have breakfast together and Talia walks Richy to his sheriff's vehicle. They share a long kiss and hug.
"Be careful," Richy tells Talia. "Call if you run into any trouble. Cougar and me, we can track you."
"I'll be fine," a.s.sures Talia. "Now get to work," she gives his b.u.t.t a playful swat. Then she gives him another quick kiss and watches him drive off. She goes inside, when she steps into the kitchen, she finds the rest of the household and guests are up and seeing to themselves.
Talia gives Wildcat a kiss, "I need a nap. Wake me when it's time to go."
Wildcat gives her a nod, "We won't forget ya."
Talia wakes up cradled in Greywolf's arms. Instead of waking her, Greywolf scooped her up and carried her. Talia asks sleepily, "What time is it?"
"We're stopping for lunch," answers Wildcat as Greywolf kisses her forehead.
"Why didn't you wake me," asks Talia.
"Pregnant women need their rest," answers Wildcat. "Now go ahead and relieve yourself while I make you a plate."
Talia eats quietly as she listens to the easy conversation between Roar, Stinger, Wildcat and Greywolf. Stinger's two children tease each other. There was a time when such things came easily to Talia. But now she usually just watches and listens and wishes those simple everyday interactions other people take for granted still came easily to her.
"Are you alright Talia," inquires Stinger.
Talia looks at Stinger and blinks, "Yes, Fine. Why?"
"You just looked so far away," answers Stinger.
"Did I? ..." Talia shrugs, "I suppose I was."
"Where do you go Talia," asks Roar. "You always look so sad when you look like that."
Talia shrugs and chooses not to answer his question, "I'm ready to go." She hands Wildcat her empty plate.
"If you're still tired, I'll carry you," volunteers Greywolf.
Talia shakes her head, "I'm stiff. I need to walk." She stretches. "About when should we reach Night Crawler Territory?"
"Around dusk," answers Wildcat.
And by dusk, they're in Night Crawler Territory. They can feel themselves being watched as they set up camp for the night. Even Stinger's two children are silent and still. Their young little eyes and ears wide open watching and listen warily and cautiously. They feed the children first and put them down to sleep. Then they sit down to eat themselves.
"Do you think they'll approach us," ask Talia in a whisper.
They all look to Wildcat for an answer because he knows the most about Night Crawlers. But Wildcat shrugs, "Don't know. Most likely no, but we should still be cautious. Stinger and Talia are both breeding females. Stinger, you come with two children. And Talia comes with a bun in the oven. It's been a long time since they've visited any of the other tribes. Maybe if they need to add new blood, fresh DNA to their tribe, they might approach us to try to trade for y'all or to offer to let us men mount their females. Of course, they've been known to slip into a camp while everyone's sleeping and make off with the women and children in the middle of the night."
"What do you suggest," Greywolf asks Wildcat.
Wildcat suggests, "The women sleep with the two kids between them. We men sleep in s.h.i.+fts. That way they can't sneak off with the women and children because one of us men will be awake."
"Has that ever really happened," asks Greywolf.
Wildcat nods, "They are stealthy. They won't creep into a domesticated camp, too risky. It would attract too much unwanted attention. But a free camp on or very near their territory, they'll investigate.
When I was a young man, another tribesmen and his family had been on their way to visit relatives in Amazon territory. They were camped near the northern edge of Night Crawler Territory. He woke up in the morning and his mate and children were gone. He never heard a thing. The Amazons were closer so he went to them for help. They tracked them to the cave of the pack that had them. There wasn't any fighting, just a lot of arguing. They were able to recovery his mate and two younger children. But his daughter, Runner, was fifteen and had already been claimed as a mate by two brothers. Trying to take her from them would have caused too much trouble so they got to keep her."
Talia yawns, "I don't need any more mates. If they manage to make off with me while I'm sleeping, they'll be sorry shortly after I wake up."
Stinger takes Talia's hand, "Let's get some sleep. The men will keep us safe."
"I'll take the first s.h.i.+ft," volunteers Roar.
"I'll go next," volunteers Wildcat leaving Greywolf with the last s.h.i.+ft. Greywolf nods his understanding as he lays down on the available side of Talia before Wildcat can, leaving Wildcat a little disappointed as he lays down on the available side of Stinger while Roar stands guard.
Roar wakes Wildcat for his s.h.i.+ft, but he doesn't go straight to sleep. Instead he wakes Stinger and mounts her. Wildcat watches them. Roar pretzels Stinger beneath him and pummels her full throttle which Stinger is thoroughly enjoying. Yet Wildcat finds it strangely funny how quiet people can manage to be during s.e.x because they don't want to wake other people up, especially not the children. Then he looks at Talia with Greywolf spooning her. He can feel they're still being watched. But shortly before he wakes Greywolf, the feeling they're being watched goes away.
After waking Greywolf, Wildcat rouses Talia. He knows he should let her sleep, but he often takes a backseat to the younger men. He could use their respect for him to his advantage. But he doesn't because he knows he's Talia's third and he accepts that.
It's late in the afternoon when they cross from Night Crawler Territory into Air Tribe Territory. The rest of the afternoon until late in the evening is spent hiking up a steep mountain path. They end up spending the night in a well-used shallow cave. They are very grateful for the generous pile of wood kept in it. It may technically be summer, but up here in the mountains, the wind has a wintery bite to it. After a quick breakfast of deer jerky, nuts and dried berries, they continue up the trail.
By mid-afternoon, they have finally reached the mouth of Air's main network of dwelling caverns. A short walk down a hallway size tunnel, then they slip through some skins that keep out the chilly mountain air and are standing in a cavern a bit bigger than the size of Animalistic's long house, but it is basically a welcome area. The Air Tribe members that are pa.s.sing through the cavern pause to stare at them. It's been at least a decade since they've received visitors. As for their visitors, they've never seen so many blonds in one place. Plus it seems Air Tribe is larger than they believed, at least as large as Animalistic. Yet despite their lack of contact with other tribes, they seem to be doing quite well. Everyone is well clothed and well fed.
A mature woman, roughly Wildcat's age approaches them and introduces herself, "Welcome, I am Snow, number one elder matriarch of Air. How may I a.s.sist you?"
"I am Roar, son of Black Bear, Chief of Animalistic. This is my number one elder advisor, Wildcat, his mate and my sister, Talia, her consort and one of my guardians, Greywolf. We have escorted Stinger of Dragon, along with her two children, Strong Wind and Honey. Stinger desires to be reunited with Strong Wind's father, Breeze."
The Air matriarch steps up to Stinger and her two children. She gently lifts the boy's face by his chin to have a good look at him. His platinum blond hair screams that he's Air Tribe, and his scent confirms for her that Breeze is his father. The little girl's scent, Honey, tells the matriarch that Fjord is her father. She remembers Fjord because Water only had two guardians, Chief Shark and his nephew Fjord, who she's sure became Water's chief because he was their only other guardian.
"Please," Stinger implores with tears in her eyes, "is Breeze available," she asks afraid he may be dead.
The matriarch, Snow, request of all of them, "Please, follow me."
They follow Snow through a few tunnels and rooms. It's a nice comfortable temperature inside these caves. She leads them into a room where there's a tall, muscular Air male working on bows and arrows. He lifts an arrow and eyes it carefully to make sure it's straight. His platinum blond hair is pulled back into a leather thong.
Stinger doesn't wait for the woman to announce them. She's too excited and quickly steps over to the man and says hopefully, "Breeze."
He turns toward her and puts down the arrow. He blinks surprised and questions, "Stinger?"
Stinger nods with her eyes welling up with happy tears, "Yes."
"Stinger," repeats Breeze pulling her into his strong arms and hugging her tightly. He inhales her scent. She's the best thing he's smelled in a decade. He touches her face tentatively. Then he kisses her.
"You still want me," questions Stinger. His touch and scent tell her he does, but she needs to hear it from his lips.
"Of course," Breeze answers. "I love you. You're my mate. I've missed you terribly. I've wanted to come for you, but I…" He sighs sadly, "We'll have time to catch up later. Now who is with you?"
"Our escorts: Roar, chief of Animalistic, his number one elder advisor, Wildcat, Wildcat's mate and Roar's sister, Talia, and her consort, Greywolf. And this is my daughter Honey, and our son, Strong Wind," Stinger informs him.
Breeze squats down in front of the two children. He touches Honey's cheek. He clearly smells who her biological father is but it doesn't matter who fathered the adorable little girl. Stinger is his mate so he will be her loving father. He pushes platinum blond hair away from his son's face, a son he didn't even know he had. He hugs both children and picks them up.
Breeze turns to Roar with his children in his arms, "I don't know how to thank you. Not only have you returned my mate to me, but a family I didn't even know I had. I will forever be in your debt."
"We're happy to help," responds Roar smiling happily. "Besides, we're overdue for a visit."
"Well, you must be tired," says Breeze smelling that they're hungry and in need of rest. "Follow me. I'll show you to a room where you may rest and freshen up."
They follow Breeze with the matriarch, Snow, heading up the rear. The room he shows them to is lighted like most of the other rooms and tunnels, oil lamps with mirrors mounted behind them to reflect the light out along with candles perched on stone pillars. In this room there's hot water jutting out of a hot spring high up in one wall. It runs into a shallow pool. Then it runs out in a small stream under another wall.
"You can shower here," Breeze informs them motioning toward the hot spring. "There are towels here, furs piled over here for resting, table and chairs…
Snow, get them some food please. Make sure they have everything they need. I need to show my mate and our children to our room."
With a nod of agreement, Snow leaves the room to get food for their guests.
"If you need anything, just let me or Snow know," Breeze informs them. "For now, try to relax. I'll be back to check on you after I've settled in my mate and our children."
Roar is showering when Snow returns with two other women, each carrying a platter. One platter has a ewer of cold water, cups and dried fruit.
"Thank you very much," says Talia with an appreciative smile.
"You're quite welcome," replies Snow. She and the other two women look the showering Roar over, admiring his dark skin and well-muscled physique. Talia can smell the arousal of all three women.
"Your brother is a beautiful man," compliments Snow.
Talia glances back at Roar and shrugs, "He's just my goofy older brother to me. But he's a good man and a good chief."
"So about how far along are you," asks Snow, "nearly six months?"
"A little over four," answers Talia popping a meat cube into her mouth.
Snow tilts her head as she looks at Talia's swelling tummy, "Perhaps you're carrying twins."
"There was only one in the ultrasound the doctor did," Talia shrugging and pouring herself a cup of water. "Wildcat… Greywolf…, can I get you anything?"
Wildcat and Greywolf both look over at Talia. They're busy arranging the furs so they can all lie down and rest without squis.h.i.+ng together. Wildcat answer, "We'll help ourselves in a minute. You just feed that baby, Dearest."
"Do you think your brother would be willing to service some of our women while you're visiting," Snow asks Talia.
Talia nods, "I don't see why not. But you'll have to ask him."
Wildcat is holding Talia as she naps. Greywolf is napping next to them on the plush pile of furs. Roar is servicing one of the women that helped Snow bring them food and water. He has her bent over the table as Breeze steps into the room. And since Roar is busy, he steps over to Wildcat.
"How are you getting along," Breeze asks Wildcat.
"Just fine," answers Wildcat, "thank you for your hospitality. My mate needed a good meal and a good rest."
"It's the least I can do," says Breeze gratefully. Then he asks curious, "Who impregnated your mate? I don't recognize his scent."
Wildcat understands Breeze's curiosity, "Her true-mate, Mist of the Water Tribe, is the father. He's her first mate. I am her third."
Breeze nods his understanding, "I've never met him. I thought Fjord was the only guardian Water had left. But I can smell he's not. So who's her second mate? Anyone I know?"
"My son Cougar is her second," answers Wildcat.
"Your son," says Breeze surprised. "That's unusual."
Wildcat shrugs, "Long story, but we're what she needs."
Breeze nods his understanding, "Yes, she's special. It's in her scent. While most won't recognize it because it's a subtle thing in her scent, many males will still desire a child with her. But they won't understand why they desire it so badly. So she needs extra protectors.
We're going to have a welcome home feast for my mate, Stinger, and our children. We of course want you to come and be guests of honor. It'll be in the main gathering hall. Anyone can guide you to it. Kite there can guide you if Roar doesn't leave her too worn out. Come as soon as your mate is well rested."
"Will do," confirms Wildcat with a nod.
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"My elder brother, Chief Windwalker, is looking forward to speaking with you and Roar. Join us soon," Breeze getting ready to leave the room.
"Windwalker is chief now," states Wildcat.
Breeze nods, "The elders came up with a few candidates they felt would best replace our father and the tribe voted. He's a good chief like our father."
"I'm sure he is," says Wildcat. "We'll join you as soon as Talia wakes."
An hour later, Kite leads them into the main gathering hall, a large cavern with a cold spring. A large chandelier made of deer antlers hangs in the center. Its candles giving off a warm glow adding to the glow of the mirror backed oil lamps lining the rock walls. Tribe musicians are at one end of the cavern. At the other end is a large stone chair sitting three steps up carved right out of the rock wall. On both sides of the huge stone chair are two long benches. To Talia it looks like some sort of mid-evil thrown.
Talia has one arm laced through Wildcat's right arm. Her other hand is holding Greywolf's hand. Talia releases Greywolf's hand long enough to wave at Stinger and her children sitting on one of the stone benches. Smiling, Stinger waves back as her children hop down onto the steps to talk and play with some other children sitting on the steps. Then Talia's fingers lace back through Greywolf's.
"Let's visit," says Wildcat patting the hand Talia has laced through his arm.
Talia nods her agreement cheerfully. They greet and return greetings happily. Roar gets pulled aside by Breeze. Stinger stands and hugs Talia when she, Wildcat and Greywolf reach her. Afraid they may break some rule or accidentally show disrespect, they sit at Stinger's feet instead of sitting on the bench with her.
Breeze, Roar and a third Air Tribe male that looks nearly identical to Breeze, only taller, are talking nearby. Even though it's been years since she's seen him, Talia recognizes the third male as Windwalker, Breeze's older brother and Air's chief now. Talia was fourteen when she met Breeze and Windwalker and was still only speaking when spoken to at that time. She remembers Breeze is Roar's age and Windwalker is only a couple of years older. The three men come over, climb the stone steps and stand before the big stone thrown.
Windwalker speaks to everyone, "It's been too long since we've had visitors. And these visitors were kind enough to escort my brother's mate along with my niece and nephew to him… I am very grateful for this… It is good to see my brother smile again. So we have honored guests. Tonight we celebrate the reuniting of my brother with his family. Everyone, have a good time."
The music restarts to play and Talia laughs at a joke one of the children tells her. At the sound of her laughter, Windwalker looks in her direction. He looks at the woman he hasn't seen in nearly two decades. Talia wasn't present for the last tribe gathering Air attended when the rock slide occurred. She's even more beautiful than he remembers. And she seems to have overcome what he believes was painful shyness, as she leans back against her mate and pats her consort's knee. He got the basics from his brother: three mates and a consort. She looks about six months pregnant and the pregnancy has her glowing.
"Enjoy yourself," Windwalker tells Roar. "We have many beautiful women that would love attention from you and your men."
"Thank you," responds Roar cheerfully. "What about that tour you suggested? Want to do that now?"
"Sure," Windwalker agreeable. "Do you think your sister and her new men would like to come along?"
"Let's find out," says Roar stepping over to Talia, Wildcat and Greywolf sitting together on the stone steps. There are little hands on Talia's belly hoping to feel the baby move. "Talia," calls Roar cheerfully. Windwalker's gonna give me a little tour, show me around down here a bit and let me in on some of Air's inner workings. You guys want to come along."
Wildcat and Greywolf let Talia answer. They'll do whatever she's inclined to do. Talia unconsciously avoids making eye contact with Windwalker, an old habit with males that are large and imposing like her father that she doesn't do with Roar because he's just her goofy older brother to her. Her answer is gracious and flattering, "Chief Windwalker has already been a kind and generous host far beyond what is required. We are honored and overjoyed at such an offer and more than glad to accompany you and Windwalker on such a fantastic opportunity as a tour of Air's home."
It's really not unusual for free people to lay on the flattery nice and thick for another tribe's chief. Especially if they don't really know much about the chief; or if they're trying to placate an angry or moody chief. Talia simply doesn't know Windwalker well at all. Greywolf and Wildcat help her to her feet. Then they follow behind Roar and Windwalker, listening intently as Windwalker talks.
"As you see," Windwalker tells Roar, "we're a much larger tribe than most believe. Maybe not quite as large as Animalistic, yet not nearly as small as Water or Dragon like many believe. But it's fine with us if they think that. It keeps them from thinking we're any kind of a threat. We may be nearly all guardians, but we desire a peaceful existence as I'm sure you do too…
I'm sure you're wondering how we exist up here in the mountains where we have snow nearly all year round. We still trade with Night Crawlers on the regular basis while other tribes prefer to avoid them which doesn't seem to bother them because they don't want any trouble with anyone else either. Plus we have three different herds of mountain goats."
Windwalker points down a tunnel, "As I'm sure you can smell, down at the end of that tunnel is the room that houses our rabbit hutches. And if you follow me down here, I'll show you our gardens."
At the end of the tunnel, Talia steps out from behind Roar into a ma.s.sive cavern with plants almost as far as the eye can see. Instead of stone beneath their feet like everywhere else they've been, there's earth with a cobblestone path in it. And overhead, very high overhead, at least a hundred meters up are plant lights, not candles or torches nor oil lamps, giving the plants the light they need to thrive here in this cavern.
"You're grandfather helped us with this," Windwalker informs Talia. "Before either of us were born, even before your mother was born, he was a friend to all tribes. My father and grandfather considered him an invaluable friend… The lights are solar and wind powered. Your father would have put lights in every room and hall we have if my grandfather would have asked. But he said it was a great blessing just to be able to grow most of what we need for ourselves and we shouldn't be greedy and take advantage of a real friend… We have a couple of different types of fruit and nut trees, tomato plants here, strawberries there. Waste from ourselves and our animals are put into a compost room there… The lights can be run for twenty-four hours a day for decades, and your grandfather made sure we had plenty of replacements stored, but we give the plants a twenty-four hour cycle: twelve hours of dark and twelve hours light."
Talia nods in understanding as she steps away from them to marvel at the room. She spies a ladybug on a leaf and steps closer to look at it. Then a flock of flutterbies suddenly swirls up around her. She squeals with delight like a child as she twirls around in the flock of flutterbies. None of the men, not her brother nor her mate, Wildcat, has ever seen or heard her do such a thing before, not even as a child had she ever been so delighted by anything.
"Did you see that," asks Talia excitedly as she throws her arms around Wildcat's neck. "Weren't they beautiful?"
Wildcat hugs her tightly, "Yes, Dearest, they were beautiful," and he kisses her lovingly.
Windwalker is touched by Talia's pure childlike delight and smiles as he shares, "The insects we have in here are all about keeping our plants healthy. They keep out the harmful insects and pollinate the flowers. In that room through there, we have a bee colony. They pollinate and provide us with honey."
"This is immensely impressive," compliments Roar. "You can grow what you need all year round."
"We couldn't have done it without Reynold Devons.h.i.+re," replies Windwalker gratefully. He turns to Talia, "I heard of your grandparents pa.s.sing, Talia. I'm sorry for your loss. And I'm sorry we didn't come pay our respects properly. It was comforting knowing that if we needed anything, we could go to him."
Talia tilts her head and tells him as if he should already know, "Now if you need something, you just come to me." She shrugs as if it was obvious. It's as simple as that for her.
"Thank you, Talia," then Windwalker leads them back to the celebration. He sits in the big stone thrown and watches. He watches Talia dance with the women, watches her dance with her mate and consort. He watches her.
"I'm so sorry my mate's not here with us," Roar tells Breeze as they're conversing amiably. "Stinger has been very generous with herself with me. I'ld share my mate Zenith with you, but she's Amazon. I didn't want to cause a panic with the Night Crawlers by bringing her through their territory."
"That was wise," Breeze informs Roar, "Night Crawlers are made very nervous by Amazons. So don't worry about it. I'm simply over joyed that you brought my mate and children to me."
"What about Talia," asks Stinger. She suggests, "She can stand in for Zenith in this situation."
"If Talia doesn't mind," responds Breeze, "because it certainly isn't necessary. They've done enough in getting you and the children here to me safely."
Roar doesn't say anything. Talia was listening politely as they talked so he waits for Talia's reaction knowing she's still not big on socializing like this. But as his sister, it would be proper for her to stand in for his mate in this situation. Talia looks at Wildcat and he nods to her. She releases a small sigh. She knew it was highly unlikely she would get through this trip without being social with any males she doesn't know, but she had hoped. Besides, everyone here has been generous and kind. She doesn't want to ruin the evening by being anti-social.
So Talia smiles at Breeze as she rises from Greywolf's lap, "Where would you like me?"
Breeze glances around, "I guess you could just lean over this table for me."
"That's fine," and Talia positions herself over the round table.
Breeze touches her gently. He pushes her hair over one shoulder and touches her name tattoo on the back of her neck and the mark of her true-mate. The tattoo below her name resembles Air's tribal tattoo and he tilts his head curios as he traces it lightly. Then his hands glide over her shoulders and around her to feel her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Then his hands slide down her to her waist and he finds her tribe tattoo on her lower back. He lifts her skirt, runs a hand over her firm heart shaped tan bottom. Then he explores between her legs, finds her feminine folds and caresses her c.l.i.t. After bringing her to an o.r.g.a.s.m by stimulating her c.l.i.t, Breeze slides a finger inside her to make sure she's sufficiently wet and loosen her a bit. Then he mounts her slowly, taking his time to work his c.o.c.k all in her.
Windwalker didn't hear the conversation, but it's good to see his brother being social. Breeze has been sad and moody without his mate the past decade and he's been worried for his younger brother. He'ld like to try Talia himself, so he leaves his stone chair planning to mount her next.
Talia's eyes are already black and her claws are biting into the underside of the table as she holds herself steady for Breeze. Windwalker likes the sounds escaping her mouth as he approaches. He's anxious to have her beneath himself making such noises for him. Then he stops in his tracks for a moment when as Breeze pounds a powerful o.r.g.a.s.m out of her, her eyes go white.
There are a few surprised gasps from some Air Tribe members nearby that also witness her eyes go white. Windwalker's eyebrows rise in surprise. Breeze's eyes have gone white too but that's not a surprise as Breeze pushes extra deep into Talia as he c.u.ms. Then he helps Talia right herself and straighten her clothes. And when she turns around, he sees her eyes and pauses surprised.
"What's wrong," asks Talia. "Have I done something wrong?"
"No," answers Windwalker stepping forward and gently touching Talia's cheek, "just something rare. Rare even here in Air, especially rare for a female." Then Windwalker turns to Wildcat, "I request the company of your mate for the night."
"For the night," repeats Wildcat surprised. It's an unusual request even for a chief. But Windwalker has been a kind and generous host. He doesn't want to be rude by flat out refusing.
"Yes," confirms Windwalker, "for the night please."
"Where will she be," asks Wildcat feeling like this is a bad idea.
"My room of course," answers Windwalker. "I'll show you. She'll be perfectly safe." He takes Talia's hand and leads the way anxious to be alone with her. Windwalker looks back at Wildcat and Greywolf who are right behind them.
"This is my living area," Windwalker informs them motioning into his open room. "Please, I would like her company for the night. She'll be right here with me and perfectly safe."
Wildcat doesn't like it and he can see and smell Talia doesn't like it either. But he doesn't want to be rude. He sees exactly where she'll be, so it's not like he won't know where she's at for the night. He glances at Greywolf who doesn't like it either, but Wildcat reluctantly agrees, "Very well then."
Windwalker smiles extremely pleased, "Thank you, Wildcat… Please, Talia, right this way," showing Talia into the room ahead of himself.
Talia steps into the room slowly and cautiously and scans the area ahead of her. It's a nice sized room about the size of an extrlarge master bedroom. The oil lamps that line the two outer walls are set on low. But with her white guardian eyes, the dim light is more than bright enough. It could technically be pitch black and she would still see just fine.
Towards the back of the room is Windwalker's bed. It's at least the size of a queen size bed or larger, Talia decides larger. Its headboard and base are part of the stone room itself. The headboard is stone that rises up and becomes the high stone ceiling overhead. Then back down to become the stone base of the bed rising out of the floor. The stone base of the bed has been piled high with furs to make it comfortable to sleep on. There are covers of mountain goat yarn along with rabbit fur pillows. There are four chandeliers with unlit candles hanging from the ceiling, and two large full length mirrors mounted to the stone headboard. There's a table with a plant on one side of the room. On the other side is a table with food. And by the table is a small cold water spring. At the back of the room, behind the thick stone headboard is a hot spring for showering and a water closet. Talia knows the other Air Tribe residents don't have the luxury of their own water closet. She was shown to the community water closets earlier.
It only takes Talia a few seconds to register all of what she sees and smells in the room ahead of her as she steps inside the room. She hears Windwalker step in behind her. Then she hears a disturbing sound, the sound of stone moving. She turns and sees Windwalker rolling a huge stone disc shaped stone over the doorway.
"No!!!" Talia shouts as she runs for the doorway.
"Talia!!!" Wildcat yells as he and Greywolf lunge toward the closing entryway.
But none of them are fast enough. It was an expected move and Talia finds herself cut off from Wildcat and Greywolf.
"Wildcat!!! … Greywolf!!! …" She can barely hear them yelling her name as they pound on the other side of the huge immovable stone disk.
Talia looks her blocked exit over carefully. Part of the floor pushed away for the disk as he rolled it into place so she hadn't noticed the grove in the floor for the disc. Of course she was also busy looking at what lay in the room ahead of her, not the floor or behind her. The thick stone disc sits in two grooves; besides the groove in the floor, there's a groove in the ceiling too that runs across the front of the entry way. But it won't budge for her.
"Why have you done this," Talia demands of Windwalker. "I heard it click. Why have you locked me in here with you away from my mate and consort?"
"I asked to have you for the night and I don't want any interruptions," Windwalker answers as he fills an ewer with fresh cold water. Then he begins lowering the chandeliers and lighting the candles.
On the other side of the stone disc Wildcat orders Greywolf, "Get Roar and Breeze!"
Greywolf runs as fast as he can and returns barely a minute later with Roar and Breeze.
Roar puts his hands on the stone disc as he asks, "What is this? What's going on?"
"After he got Talia in the room, he rolled this in the way," Wildcat informs Roar, "and the blasted thing won't move."
"Breeze," Roar questions, "what's the meaning of this?"
"Please, don't be alarmed," request Breeze.
"Don't be alarmed," repeats Wildcat outraged, "My pregnant mate is in there alone with a strange man. Do you have any idea how terrified she must be? How do we get this thing open?"
"We can't," Breeze answers the second question.
"What do you mean can't," demands Wildcat who's finished being nice.
Stinger asks as she approaches, "What's going on?"
"Windwalker has locked himself in there with Talia, that's what," answers Wildcat angry and afraid for Talia.
Breeze releases a strong sigh, "It's like a… What do you call it? … A panic room. It can only be opened from the other side… Please, try not to be alarmed. I a.s.sure you, she's perfectly safe. Windwalker won't harm her in anyway."
"But then why this," asks Stinger motioning to the blocked doorway. "Wildcat said he could have her company for the night, right?"
"Regrettably yes," answers Wildcat.
"Then why would he lock her in with him," asks Stinger. "Wildcat agreed. This wasn't necessary."
"He just wants privacy," Breeze explains. "He simply doesn't want any interruptions."
"Why," ask Roar afraid for his sister.
"Her eyes," says Greywolf. "There were gasps from some Air tribe people when her eyes turned white while Breeze was with her. Windwalker was surprised. And you were surprised too when you saw, Breeze, even though your eyes turned white too."
"He said something about being rare," recalls Wildcat. "A female whose eyes turn white… What's so rare about that?"
"There are only a hand full of males in Air with this ability," shares Breeze. "If the chief generations ago had known the female he gave to Animalistic's chief carried this ability, he would have kept her for himself."
"So her eyes turned white," says Roar. "What's the significance of it? Why lock her in there with him?"
"There's something else," realizes Wildcat. "Her eyes turning white… it's a sign of some other ability, isn't it?"
"I'm not chief," responds Breeze. "I can't share anything else with you. I can't discuss it with you."
"Would have kept her for himself," Greywolf repeats to himself softly. Then he puts his hand on Wildcat's shoulder and turns the older man toward him. He repeats to Wildcat, "He would have kept her for himself. They gave away a female that was valuable and if the chief had known how valuable she was, he would have kept her for himself." Then he looks at the stone door keeping them away from Talia.
"Oh no," says Wildcat looking at the stone door too. "Windwalker doesn't have a mate yet, does he," he asks Breeze.
Breeze shakes his head as he answers flatly, "No."
"But Talia already has three mates," states Roar, "including a true-mate. You don't really think he's going to try to attach himself to her as her mate too, do you?"
Wildcat sighs frustrated, "He can't take her from us. But he can still attach himself to her as a fourth."
Talia turns away from the giant stone disc and regards Windwalker with her white eyes. He lights the last candle on the final chandelier and raises it. He hasn't answered her question. She tries again, "Why have you done this? Wildcat agreed. I may keep you company for the night. But he has the right to check on me, make sure I'm alright. Now he, my consort and my brother will worry about me."
Talia turns back toward the stone disc as Windwalker steps over to her. He gently touches her cheek, "I'm not going to hurt you. You have no idea how truly special you are. But tonight I will show you exactly how special you are. And for that, there can be no interruptions."
Talia tries to step away from him, but he pulls her against himself. Then he tries to kiss her, something she knows he doesn't have permission for.
"No," Talia tells him trying to push him away. Except Windwalker is a big man, not quite as big as Roar, but still much taller than Richy. Mantis hadn't been that much taller than herself and she still hadn't been able to fight him off and it took her a couple of days to recover. She doesn't even want to think about how badly Windwalker could beat her as she pleads, "Don't please."
Windwalker immobilizes Talia's head by getting her by a big hand full of her hair. Then he forces his mouth down over hers. Talia whimpers helplessly as tears start to flow from her eyes. She watches as Windwalker's eyes turn white instantly.
"Bet you didn't know you could skip black and go straight to white," Windwalker tells her.
Talia shakes her head, "No… I didn't."
"There's much you don't know," Windwalker cups her face in his large hands, "I have so much to share with you."
Except Talia doesn't want him to share anything with her. She jerks away from him angrily and runs. Only there's no place to run to, but she does manage to dodge him for a short time. Yet Windwalker manages to finally s.n.a.t.c.h her off her quick little feet and tosses her onto his bed. She tries to scamper back off the bed, but he catches her by her ankle and pulls her to him.
Windwalker ignores her pleas and protests as he rips her clothes off. Then he immobilizes her by biting into her shoulder, also marking her as his mate as he mounts her. Then Talia endures hours of Windwalker pounding himself into her. But he finally gets the result he wanted.
As he pushes Talia's body over the edge, she screams in pain as a pair of magnificent black wings explode from her back. She collapses face down on the bed, trembling. Her white eyes stare at nothing. Her untried wings stretched out to either side of her trembling.
Windwalker strokes her hair as he says softly, "There, there… just rest for a few moments. It only hurts the first time. When I saw your white eyes, I knew you had two guardian forms. This is your second guardian form. We have kept this a secret for countless generations that some of us in Air have two guardian forms. But it's only a few of us. And there hasn't been a woman among us with a second guardian form for a few generations."
Talia's too exhausted to reply. Instead, she falls into a dead sleep. When she wakes up, she can't tell how long she's slept. There's no daylight or moonlight to give her a clue, just the dim light of the mirrored backed oil lamps on the two outer walls. The huge stone disc still sits blocking the exit. Windwalker is asleep beside her. He really is a beautiful man. But she's furious with him. His lightly tan skin, his platinum blond hair, his perfectly defined, if a little too on the bulky side for her taste, muscles, and his eyes the color of a clear blue sky when they're not white, are not softening her heart to him. He had no right to mark her as his mate when the mates she already has haven't agreed to share her with him. She's the most concerned with how Richy is going to react. He's her true-mate and more than a little possessive. Plus, he didn't want her to go on this trip in the first place. Of course, he had been worried about Night Crawlers, not anyone in Air.
Talia slowly and carefully slides out from under Windwalker's arm. She catches sight of herself in the full length mirrors mounted to the stone headboard. She quietly moves closer to her reflection. At least with her white eyes she can see her reflection even if it is a negative image. She touches her hair. There's something different about her hair. She still has retractable claws. She hasn't gotten taller like with her regular guardian form. Her ears are different, but not cattish, more elfish. And instead of her teeth being more feline or canine, they're more vampirish.
Talia spreads her wings wide. She didn't know it was possible to have more than one guardian form. She leans closer to the mirror to have a closer look at her sore, bitten shoulder. Windwalker bit her much harder and deeper than was necessary to just mark her as his mate. The bite is bruised and swollen.
"Beautiful," says Windwalker startling Talia. He gets her wrist before she can hop away from him, "Please," he implores, "Don't fight me anymore."
Talia hadn't fought him half as hard as she could have. She was too afraid of ending up like she did with Mantis or worse. She stops trying to pull away from him because she can't get away anyway. But she can't force the tenseness from her body.
"You must be parched," says Windwalker sliding off the bed. He puts fresh cool water in the ewer. Then he brings Talia a cup of water.
Talia drinks the cool soothing water straight down.
"More," asks Windwalker.
Talia nods and he refills the cup for her. She drains it again.
"Better," he asks.
Talia nods yes and hands him the cup. She doesn't take her eyes off of him. His white wings are folded against his broad back. He returns to the bed, climbing on next to her on his knees and facing the mirror with her.
"Spread them wide," request Windwalker.
Instead, Talia folds her arms and clamps her wings tightly to her back and looks away from him, "I'm not going to live here with you."
"I know," he responds sadly.
"And I'm not going to be trekking all this way to visit a mate I don't want," she informs him firmly.
Windwalker nods his understanding, "I will come to you." He gently touches the shoulder he bit, "I'm sorry I was so rough. I didn't mean to hurt you… I've just waited a long time for a woman like you to walk into my life. I know the way I went about this is not proper. But I have to be your mate. I don't care if I have to share you with three other men or a hundred others. And I don't care that I'll have to come to you. It's a small price to pay to be mated to you."
Talia doesn't respond to him. She just stands there on her knees with her arms crossed over her swelling belly. He places a hand on her swelling belly. He hopes one day it will be swelling with his child. Then he licks the wound he inflicted on her shoulder. Talia wishes the licks weren't soothing to the bruised swollen bite, but they are. And to top it all off, he scent marked her too. She can only imagine how angry Richy is going to be when she gets home.
Windwalker's mouth moves from her wound to her neck as one of his hands cups a breast. Talia lets her arms fall to her sides and sighs defeatedly. There's no point in putting up a fight. She's not getting out of this room until he lets her out. So she lets him have his way with her. He showers with her, insisting on was.h.i.+ng her hair for her. Then he coaches her on coming down from this guardian form.
Talia's not happy as she looks at herself in a mirror. Everything's basically back to normal, or as normal as it can get since Windwalker scent marked her and bit her to mark her as his mate. And her hair is different. There are now several platinum blond streaks in her hair. She wraps herself in a blanket because he ruined her clothes. They're just rags now. Of her hair she asks him, "Is this permanent?"
Windwalker shrugs, "I don't know. There's nothing in our history about anything like this that I'm aware of, sorry."
Talia releases a frustrated sigh. She's been held hostage for a night. At least she thinks it's only been a night. He scent marked her and bite marked her as his mate, yet he can't tell her if this change to her hair is permanent, "Great, just wonderful… Are you going to let me out of here?"
Windwalker nods sadly as he answers meekly, "Yes my mate."
Talia throws a frustrated hand in the air. Now he gets compliant. She follows him to the stone disc, watches as he steps on some sort of lever in the groove in the floor, hears a click and watches him push the huge stone disc from in front of the doorway. Wildcat, Greywolf and Roar all jump up off the floor to their feet. They've been waiting outside the room all night.
Once the disc is out of the way, holding the blanket in place around her with one hand, Talia steps out of the room just as Breeze and Stinger arrive to check on the three men. They all pause to stare at her. Roar with his mouth agape touches her hair first as Greywolf steps closer to her slowly. Wildcat steps up in front of her. They can all smell Windwalker's scent mark loud and clear. Wildcat begins a careful inspection of Talia starting with touching one of the platinum blond streaks. He doesn't know what to make of it. He looks her face over, first turning it one way and then the other looking for signs of beating. He's relieved to find that Windwalker didn't beat her. But there are hickies on her neck in addition to the huge bruised swollen bite on her left shoulder.
"How are you," Wildcat finally asks her.
Talia looks up at him and nearly sobs, "I want to go home… Can we go home now please?"
"Yes Dearest," agrees Wildcat, "we'll go home now."
"Here," offers Stinger stepping up to Talia and putting an arm around her, "Come. I'll help you get ready. There are many Air tribe women your size. It will be easy to find you clothes." She leads Talia away.
Windwalker is watching Talia walk away with Stinger and doesn't see Wildcat's fist coming. He stumbles back into a wall holding his jaw. The wall keeps him from falling on his b.u.t.t.
Wildcat steps in front of him and tells him fearlessly, "You had no right."
Windwalker straightens up to his full height which is nearly seven feet, and responds, "But what's done is done and cannot be undone."
"What's the point in making a woman who won't live with you your mate," asks Wildcat. "You'll be sharing her with three others, and she will probably never return here after what you've done."
"I understand the circ.u.mstances," responds Windwalker. "I have my reasons."
"It has to do with her eyes, doesn't it," asks Greywolf.
Windwalker takes a deep breath as he continues to rub his jaw, "Air is allowed it's secrets… That's quite a punch you've got there old man." He knows he earned it and more. His actions disrespected Wildcat's authority and the Animalistic tribe after they were generous enough to help Stinger and her children get here safely.
"Humph," Wildcat wishes he was guardian himself so he could take on the much younger man, "You deserve more than that pup. True-mates can be very possessive. When we get home, her true-mate Mist may punish her for this."
Windwalker hadn't considered such a thing and looks at Wildcat with wide eyes. Then he looks in the direction Talia went with Stinger and says, "Certainly he wouldn't. She's not defied him in anyway. I made myself her mate against her will. She has not marked me in return."
"He'll smell your scent mark on her before she's had a chance to explain," Wildcat tells him angrily.
Greywolf gives Wildcat's arm a tug, "Talia needs us. Let's go. I'll fight Mist if I have to."
Wildcat doesn't need to be told twice. He goes with Greywolf to Talia.
Roar steps in front of Windwalker, "I don't know what to say to you. We go through the trouble to guide your brother's mate and children safely to him… And you repay us with this selfish act of disrespect." He shakes his head and turns and walks away.
"My brother and chief," Breeze says putting a hand on his older brother's shoulder.
"You saw her eyes," Windwalker reminds his younger brother. "What are the chances I'ld ever find another like her? You know I've tried every available female in our tribe and none have the extra ability."
"But you should of sought approval from all her mates," Breeze reminds gently, "gotten their permission, made sure they were willing to share her with you. Now there will be anger and resentment."
"And what if they said no," asks Windwalker. "I could not take that chance… I love her… When I took them to the garden, flutterbies swirled around her. Her reaction was so delightful. I wanted to be one of her mates at that very moment before I saw her eyes go white. She kissed Wildcat and I wanted those lips to touch mine. I want the swelling of her belly to be my child growing within her. I wanted all this before I saw her eyes turn white. Before I saw her eyes turn white, I had intended a social mount and to seek a place as her fourth mate properly… Then her eyes turned white while she was with you and I knew she was the one. No other woman will do. I could not chance they would not accept me… Come for me when they are ready to depart so I may say good-bye to my mate."
Breeze nods his agreement and walks off to check on their now disgruntled guests. He finds them in the room he put them in after they arrived. Roar is sitting at a table with Stinger talking. Greywolf is packing the rations they'll need for their trip back. Breeze understands that the others are giving Talia and Wildcat time to comfort each other as they sit together on the furs. Wildcat is gently and lovingly laving the sore bruised swollen bite mark with his tongue. Talia's eyes are closed, but her hand unerringly slides up Wildcat's thigh to find his erection for her.
Talia looks Wildcat in his electric blue eyes and asks him afraid, "You and Cougar won't leave me will you?"
"Never, Dearest, never," Wildcat a.s.sures her.
"Richy," Talia's afraid to even ask the question.
"Mist won't ever leave you either," Wildcat a.s.sures her. "He'll be mad, but his anger will pa.s.s. There are advantages to being Windwalker's mate. From now on when a male wants to be social with you that you're not interested in, you can refuse without it being rude. You can just tell him that they need to get permission from your mate, Chief Windwalker. You won't have to submit to anyone you don't want to again, not even another chief."
"May I keep Greywolf as my consort," asks Talia.
"Of course, Dearest," a.s.sures Wildcat. "Greywolf come over here please."
Greywolf joins them on the thick soft furs, "Yes, Wildcat."
"Your lady needs your attention just as much as she needs mine," Wildcat informs Greywolf, "So we're going to make love to her."
Greywolf's a quiet man who doesn't have a lot of confidence, "She doesn't need me like she needs you. I'm not a mate, I'm just her consort."
Talia's bottom lip trembles, "But you're not just a consort. I love you too. Yet I can't make you mine. It wouldn't be fair to you to be tied to a woman who already has more mates than she can handle, who cannot give you the time and attention you deserve. So I leave you free, free so you may find someone who can be the proper mate you deserve."
Greywolf wipes a tear from Talia's cheek. He knew he loved her, but he thought she was just tolerating his presence as her consort. He hadn't known she loved him in return and he tells her, "I don't need a proper mate. I love you. And you always manage to give me the time and attention I need."
"Then you will stay with me," Talia asks Greywolf, "even if you're not an official mate to me?"
"I'm not going to leave you Tali," then Greywolf gives her a rea.s.suring kiss. Then he and Wildcat make love with her.
Breeze retrieves Windwalker when they're ready to leave. They meet them in the welcome area and walk them outside. Breeze and Windwalker breathe in deep through their noses. They don't get outside enough, but that's going to change because Windwalker will soon begin to visit Talia.
"Thank you, once again for bringing my mate and children to me," Breeze very grateful, "Maybe one day I'll find a way to repay you."
Roar shrugs, "We're family now, brother. Families take care of each other. We'll see you soon, brother." Then he hugs Breeze. For Windwalker, Roar has a sad sigh and a handshake.
Breeze hugs Talia who rubs his broad back as she returns his hug, and he tells her, "We'll see you soon."
"I look forward to your visit," and Talia kisses Breeze's cheek. She tenses up when Windwalker steps in front of her. Her eyes flash white with anger for a second.
Windwalker inhales her scent as he touches her hair. He gently cups her face in his large hands and lovingly kisses her forehead, her temple, her cheek and finally her unyielding lips and tells her "I'll see you soon my heart."
Talia's eyes flash white again as she tells him way too calmly, "I hate you."
Windwalker manages to only flinch internally at the sting of her words as he straightens to his full height and watches her whirl away from him.
"Stay with her," Wildcat orders Greywolf. Then he turns to Windwalker, "She's angry. She isn't actually capable of hating anybody. If the love in her heart was an ocean of water, the world would drown in it… Give her time, her anger will pa.s.s.
I wish you would have gone about this properly. Mist would have objected initially. But he wants what's best for her. Cougar and I would have been able to talk him into seeing how this will benefit her. Instead, now there are angry painful wounds of the heart that need to heal." Then he and Roar turn and jog to catch up with Talia and Greywolf.
Windwalker marches straight to his room. He rolls the stone over its entry way. He takes a few steps backward away from the stone, turns and releases a frustrated roar as he raises his fists high in the air. He's finally found a mate, even if it's one he has to share, and she hates him. He smelled the truth of it in her scent as she told him to his face with a flash of angry white eye, she hates him.
