by Eve Vaughn
Trina thought this was a stupid custom but didn’t want to be insulting. “It seems like they’re doing more than just testing me. Some people act as if they hate me. I don’t understand why because they don’t even know me.”
“Of course some of them are going to be reserved at first, but they’ll come around.”
“Yes, you said that a couple weeks ago.”
“Give it a little more time. You’ll see. Things will change around here.” He placed his hand on her shoulder and locked eyes with her. “Trust me.”
She had the sudden urge to shrug off his touch and didn’t know why. Maybe the heat was getting to her. Laiocean was hot and muggy. Her poor hair didn’t stand a chance in this humidity. She wore it in two large plaits pinned to her head. She pretended to fix her hair as an excuse to pull away from Reyo.
There was something else she needed to know. “Reyo, could you tell me something?”
“Anything.”
“Were my mates involved with Nika before I came here? I heard it whispered behind my back that she should be the Alpha fem. Whenever I see her, she gives me a nasty look like she wants to kill me.”
Reyo grimaced. “Well, there was talk that she’d mate with the Alpha Triad. We all assumed she’d rule by their sides. I suppose we took it for granted. She’s built up quite a following for herself.”
“But what I’m asking is… well, did she uh… you know?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Are you asking me if she fucked them? Of course. Quite often. It’s permissible for any unmated female to fuck anyone she wants. Nika has been with many Triads, but she certainly made no secret about who she preferred.”
Trina’s heart sank. She knew where this conversation was going, but needed to hear the truth anyway. “And did… did they prefer her?”
“Of course they did. She’s the most beautiful woman in our tribe, that is until you came along.”
Her cheeks grew warm. It had been a while since someone had said something kind to her. “Do you know why they didn’t choose her? Why did they go to Chimera instead of deciding to mate with her?”
Reyo placed his finger under his chin as though in deep contemplation. “Hmm. Well, I don’t really know to be honest. I mean no disrespect to you, but they were all very taken with her. They showered her with gifts and I do believe they may have made an offer for her.”
“But if she was so fond of them and they of her then why didn’t she choose them?”
“That’s our Nika. She probably thought she could hold them off long enough to have a little more fun because once a female is mated, she can only mate with her Triad. She loved the attention. I think the Alpha Triad was trying to teach her a lesson when they went to Chimera. The look on her face when they introduced you as their mate was funny.”
“Are you trying to say that they only went to Chimera to get revenge against Nika?”
He sighed. “Trina, I really like you. I think with a little more time, you’d make a wonderful leader.”
She gripped his arms, tears stinging her eyes. “That’s not what I asked. What do you think?”
“I think it must be true. What other conclusion can I draw?”
“But… they told me I was their true mate,” she whispered, feeling as if her heart were breaking into several pieces.
“Did they? That’s odd.”
“Why?”
“Well, that was the reason Tegor, Rain, and Geho gave for bringing another human among us.”
“That’s another mystery that needs clearing up. Who the hell are they?”
“I’m sure you’ve probably seen them around. They’re the ones who walk around with their heads down in shame.”
“Why would they be ashamed?”
“Their mate dishonored them and our people. She made a mockery of our ways, was unfaithful, and caused dissention among us.”
“Where is she now?”
“She was banished. The last I heard she was somewhere in the woods. She was pretty useless so it wouldn’t surprise me if she’s dead.”
Trina gasped in horror. “She didn’t leave Laiocean?”
“This is an island. She can’t get off unless one of us were to aid her. Once someone has been banished, they no longer exist to us.”
“That’s horrible.”
“Yes, but she brought it on herself.” Reyo didn’t sound a bit sorry about the woman’s plight at all and that bothered Trina.
“Is that why people don’t like me, because of what someone else has done?”
“She’s the only other human who has been here so we don’t have much else to go by. You have a challenge ahead of you.”
“What was her name?” For some reason, that bit of information was important to her.
“Shelby.”
Trina shuddered to think what would happen to her if she didn’t fit in soon. The thought of being banished to a remote part of the island, left to fend for herself, was scary. She trembled.
Another thing that bothered her was Reyo’s revelation about how close Nika had been with her mates. Deep down Trina knew they loved her. But with the widening divide between them lately, it was becoming harder to feel that love. Now she knew winning over the Manani people wasn’t the only thing at stake. She had to fight for her men.
“You’ll help me, won’t you?”
Reyo placed his hand over hers and smiled. “Of course I will. What are friends for?”
* * *
Talh looked at him with censure in his eyes. “You shouldn’t have done that, Roar.”
“Don’t you think I know that? I only meant to talk to her, but she was naked and her pussy smelled so good. I had to have her.” Roar sighed, inwardly cursing his weakness.
A wry smile twisted Bayoh’s lips. “She has that effect on all of us, but the question remains. Where the hell is she?”
Roar shrugged. “I’d like to know that myself.”
It had surprised them all to find her missing when they came home. Where could she have gone, especially when she didn’t have any friends they knew of? Bayoh pounded his fist in his hand. “I think we should go look for her.”
It was on the tip of Roar’s tongue to reply when someone knocked on their door.
“Trina?” Talh asked.
“Why would she knock? This is her home,” Roar answered, marching to the door. He was surprised to see Nika on the other side, a concerned look in her green eyes. “Nika? What are you doing here?”
She gave a slight smile. “Is that any way to greet a friend? I thought I’d always be welcome in your home… if not as your mate then at least as a friend.”
Roar wasn’t in the mood to parry words with her, but she was a member of the tribe and it was his duty as part of the Alpha Triad to see to the needs of their people. “What can we do for you, Nika?”
She fluttered her eyelashes at him, a thing that had half the Triads in the village lusting after her. It left him cold, however. “May I come in?”
“Of course.” He stood back, allowing her entrance.
From the looks on Bayoh and Talh’s faces, they weren’t that happy to see her either. “Nika.” They nodded their heads, greeting her in unison.
She shot them a broad smile, her tail dragging across their floor in slow seductive movements. Roar grew annoyed.
The more time they wasted with Nika, the less time they had to look for Trina. “What is it that you’ve come for?” he snapped, his voice coming out sharper than he’d meant.
Nika’s face fell, a pout forming on her lips as she twirled a strand of silvery blonde hair around her fingers. “I don’t know why you’d talk to me like that, especially when I’ve come as a concerned friend.”
Roar let out a deep breath and silently prayed she’d get to the point. “I apologize for snapping at you. What is it that brought you here?”
“Well, I see Trina isn’t here and that’s what I’ve come about.”
Bayoh stepped forward and grabbed her shoulder.
“What about Trina? Have you seen her?”
“The whole village has. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but your mate was seen going into Reyo’s hut. She’s been there for a long time now. It’s been whispered among the people that they’ve been spending a lot of time together when the three of you are tending to your duties. I’m sorry you had to find out like this.” Nika didn’t sound the least bit sorry.
Bayoh’s hand fell away from her shoulder. “Liar,” he hissed.
Nika placed her hand against Bayoh’s chest. “I know it must be hard to accept that she’s making a fool of you, but she is a human. As it’s been proven before, their moral standards aren’t as strict as ours.”
Bayoh pushed her hand away. “What are you trying to get at?”
Nika laughed, encompassing them all in her gaze. “I thought it obvious. You’ve chosen her for a mate, but if things don’t work out, you’re not allowed to choose another. No mate, no leadership positions. That is, unless another female does the choosing. I think you know by now that I would make a much better Alpha fem. I’m a wee bit mad at you for going to that silly little island and bringing Trina back, but I’ll forgive you if you do the right thing.”
Did this woman have a death wish or was she just incredibly stupid? “That will be enough, Nika. You’ve said plenty and I think you should leave.” Roar pointed to the door. The knowing smirk fell from her face, only to be replaced by a scowl. She didn’t look so pretty now.
“What is it about that woman that makes her so special? She’s just a human. She’s beneath you -- beneath our people -- yet she walks around the village as if she’s too good for anyone. Several people have made overtures of friendship to her, but she only turns her nose up at them. Didn’t you learn anything from the other Triad who dared to bring that human scum among us?” she sneered.
“You go too far, Nika. She is your Alpha and there will be consequences if we ever hear you speak so disrespectfully like that about her again!” Roar yelled.
Nika’s eyes filled with tears, her lips quivering. “But I was supposed to be your mate. Now you’ve brought her here to Laiocean when everyone knows I should be the one by your side. It’s one thing if she were making an effort, but it’s obvious she holds everyone in disdain. I wonder if she even lets you touch her. I bet she doesn’t satisfy you like I can, like I have,” she sobbed.
“Get out. There’s much we need to discuss, in private,” Talh said quietly enough, but the underlying menace in his voice spoke volumes.
Nika’s eyes narrowed. “You mark my words. She won’t last.”
Bayoh grabbed the angry woman by the tail, the ultimate sign of disrespect in their culture, and dragged her to the door, pushing her out none too gently. “The bitch,” he hissed when he closed the door. “What did I ever see in her?” he asked, self-disgust dripping from his voice.
“She was a willing body and beautiful, but she’s poison,” Roar sighed.
“Do you believe what she said about Trina?” Talh asked.
Roar shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’m damn sure going to find out.”
* * *
“Reyo, I don’t know how to thank you.” Trina smiled, standing up. He stood up with her.
“You don’t have to thank me. Just seeing how you handle your leadership role is thanks enough.”
Trina felt overwhelmed all of a sudden. She never considered herself an overly emotional person, but it was good to be able to talk to someone and not be looked down on. She threw her arms around his neck and burst into tears. He held her tightly against him, rocking her body back and forth.
She wished Roar, Bayoh, and Talh’s arms were around her, but they were so distant lately. Nothing was going as she thought it would.
Suddenly the door of the hut slammed open.
“Get your hands off our woman now!” Roar stormed through the door breathing fire, Bayoh and Talh following closely behind. They all had murderous looks on their faces.
Trina jumped away from Reyo, feeling guilty although she’d done absolutely nothing wrong.
“Trina, get over here!” Bayoh thundered, not waiting for her to comply before walking over to her and pulling her to his side. “As for you, Reyo, we’ll allow you to choose the way you wish to die.”
“No!” Trina shouted.
Chapter Five
Trina could imagine what it must have looked like when they’d entered the hut, but how could hugging someone warrant death? She jerked herself out of Bayoh’s tight grip. “This isn’t what it looks like,” she protested, knowing how clichéd it sounded, but it was the first thing out of her mouth.
“Stand aside, Trina. We’ll deal with you later,” Roar said through clenched teeth.
“No, listen to me, please. We didn’t do anything wrong. I only came over here to talk.”
“It looks like you were doing more than talking from where we stood,” Bayoh said, his eyes shooting daggers in Reyo’s direction. Trina turned to Reyo and wondered why he was silent. Why wasn’t he defending himself or her?
There was an unreadable expression in his eyes. “Reyo, say something,” she demanded.
Reyo shrugged. “What would you have me say? They’ll believe what they want, although we both know the truth in the matter.”
“I don’t understand why you’re just standing there and taking it. Maybe it’s another one of your customs, but I for one will not be maligned.” She faced her angry mates, placing her hands on her hips. “We were only talking. I came here because --”
“That’s enough. I said we’ll deal with you later,” Roar yelled, his face turning bright red.
“I’m not a child to be dealt with. I --”
In one swift movement, Bayoh lifted her bodily and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The shock sent the breath whooshing from her lungs. She was so surprised she couldn’t speak. He marched out of the hut. When she wiggled to break free, he brought his palm down on her behind with one hard swat.
That stopped her. As Bayoh marched down the road through the village, Trina felt several pairs of eyes on her. Her face burned with shame. How could they humiliate her like this? They didn’t even let her speak.
Bayoh didn’t put her down until he dumped her unceremoniously onto their bed. He looked so angry and she didn’t know where to begin, but she had to convince him of her innocence.
“Please listen to me, Bayoh. I’ve done nothing wrong. I went over to Reyo’s because he’s the only one who’s been nice to me since I’ve been here. In case you haven’t noticed, your people hate me and I’ve tried. I’ve really tried.” She pleaded her case, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. His lips tightened and he folded his arms across his chest. “Please say something.”
When he spoke, his voice chilled her to the core. “What would you like me to say? Your actions speak louder than any words you could possibly utter.” He sounded so cold. Trina preferred his anger to this.
“I’m telling the truth, dammit! Why are you treating me like this? You humiliated me in front of the entire village. You promised you’d never hurt me! Why?”
A muscle twitched on the side of his face as if he were grinding his teeth together. “Trina, you’ve been here for a month now and despite your protests to the contrary, we’ve seen no evidence that you’ve made an effort to fit in. If you walk around with your head held any higher, you’re likely to stumble over your feet.”
She gasped at the unfairness of his statement. “But you said I’m the Alpha fem. I have to show everyone who’s in charge or they’ll never respect me, at least that’s what…” She was about to tell him what Reyo had told her, but decided that mentioning his name wouldn’t be a good idea.
“What were you about to say?”
“Never mind. The thing is, in any relationship there has to be trust and it’s quite obvious you don’t trust me.”
“Should we trust you when we find you in the arms of another male? I’ll tell you what; you tell me exac
tly what you and Reyo talked about and I just may be inclined to believe you.”
This conversation was starting to wear on her nerves. “If you trusted me, you wouldn’t have to ask. I already told you he’s just a friendly person to talk to. Real trust doesn’t mean I have to explain my every action to you.”
“If you don’t want to be fodder for the gossipmongers, you will. Trina, do you realize what you’ve done by visiting his hut without one of us?”
She rolled her eyes. “Obviously I don’t.”
“Any mated female who is proven to be unfaithful to her Triad can be banished. There were many witnesses who saw you go into Reyo’s hut.”
“But nothing happened!”
“I want to believe you, Trina.” The message was clear.
“But you obviously don’t.”
He looked away from her. “We’ll discuss it later. I’m going back to Reyo’s to deal with him. Would it be too much to ask that you stay here until we return?”
She nodded in agreement, not trusting herself to speak. She was either going to burst into tears or curse him out. For a moment he seemed to relent. Walking over to sit on the bed next to her, Bayoh grasped her chin between his fingers, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“I don’t want things to be like this between us. Whatever the problem is, I believe we can work things out. The feelings we have for you and you for us are still there. I know they are.”
He leaned over, pressing his lips against hers. His anger and coldness had not penetrated her defenses, but his tenderness did. Tears fell down her cheeks. She felt like a perpetual water pot.
Bayoh pulled her into his arms. “Don’t cry, Trina,” he soothed, rubbing her hair. This only made her cry harder.
“Then why are you treating me like this? I don’t think I can take anymore. I believed you three wouldn’t hurt me, so why is my heart breaking?” And it was true. She’d thought Tim’s betrayal was the worst thing that happened to her in a relationship, but she was wrong. Her hurt was threefold, because she’d believed their words, thought they’d always be there for her, and now she felt rejected.
