by Lily Thomas
She opened her mouth, but he shook his head. “Ezi will be fine with Tor looking out for her safety. I trust him.”
“I’m more afraid of what Tor will do with Ezi while we’re gone.” She confessed.
He looked like he wished he could just shake her. “Do you not have a positive thought in that head?”
“My clan was killed in front of my eyes. How much more positive can I get?” Her eyes narrowed at him.
He let out a growl and stomped away from her through the snow. He grabbed his pack and walked away. “You can stay with us to rest, or you can start walking back on your own and without your supplies.”
Was he being serious with her?
“I don’t need you to get back there.” Aiyre walked off. She’d been living out here for years. It would be hard without supplies, but she could always turn to her pronghorn form for assistance with the cold and with making progress through the snow.
Predators would be a concern, but if she played it safe and kept her nose sniffing, she might just be able to avoid them all.
She passed by the area Eron and Daerk were making camp at and kept on walking. He didn’t know her as well as he thought. When she was determined to do something, nothing but force would hold her back.
Ezi had to be worried about being left alone with a sabertooth shifter. She just had to be, and Aiyre knew she had to get back to her as soon as she could. Her friend was in a delicate state… or maybe she was only saying that because she was the one in a delicate state.
Hefting her spear with one hand, she made her way through the snow. A few minutes passed with no incident. The small camp Daerk and Eron had set up was now in the distance.
Maybe he wouldn’t stop her after all, and she was glad of that. Ezi was traumatized enough, and she didn’t need a sabertooth sniffing around her injured friend.
Then Aiyre heard a roar tear through the air from behind her.
Turning on her fur booted heel, she took a glance back at where the small camp had been set up and found a sabertooth cat barreling right for her. Even though she knew it was Daerk coming after her, it still sent her heart into a flutter of panic, and the blood flushed through her system.
Her pronghorn begged to be released so they could bound through the snow and run, but she refused, knowing it would get them nowhere quick.
His muscled legs rippled with the power of his cat’s form, and he quickly ate up the distance between them.
Aiyre leveled the spear at him. She had no intention of killing him, but she couldn’t help the defensive posture when she saw a sabertooth heading straight for her. To say it was intimidating would be an understatement.
“I’m not going back!” She hollered at him. Ezi needed her when she was in such a delicate state.
Daerk sprinted right up to her and rolled to the side as he dodged a stab of the spear she sent in his direction.
He let out a growl that shook the very ground she stood on, before lunging at her and knocking the spear out of her hands as he landed on top of her. His massive paws held her arms down by her head, and the rest of his body straddled her legs.
“I’m not going back with you.” She growled up at him.
He shifted above her, back into his human form. “Good thing you won’t have a choice in coming back with me.”
He rolled off of her and jumped back onto his feet. Aiyre tried to scramble away, but one of his hands latched onto her ankle and pulled her back across the snow. She felt some of the icy crystals work their way into the crevices of her clothing. She shivered as the snow met her skin.
“It won’t be that easy.” He growled.
“There’s no reason for us to make camp.” Aiyre grumped.
“We should have your leg checked by Eron. I don’t want it getting infected and having you die. I’ve waited all my life for my mate, and I’m not about to lose her to her stupidity and stubbornness.”
“I thought the other night you were proud of my stupidity and stubbornness?” She shot back.
“I can only take so much stupidity and stubbornness.”
“We should get back to Ezi.” Aiyre reached out her gloved hands but couldn’t get a grip on the snow as he pulled on her leg.
“How many times do I need to tell you that Tor will take care of her?” He looked completely exasperated with her. “You need to trust me, and that means trusting my judgment. I’ve known Tor all my life, and he would never do anything to Ezi. At least, not without her permission.” He winked at her.
She rolled her eyes. “And that’s what I am worried about. None of you know what she’s been through, and what she lost in the attack on our people. If Tor pursues her now… he’ll just push her away.” She sent him a stern glance. “I’m helping you as much as you’re helping me. Ezi isn’t ready for another partner.”
Daerk paused and seemed to take in the information but shook his head. “Tor will know how and what to do with his own mate. His instinct will guide him true.”
Aiyre gritted her teeth together. He was so thick-headed that he believed this matehood would guide them true. She could only imagine Tor’s anger when Ezi inevitably refused his attentions.
Daerk pulled her over the snow and towards him, causing more frozen crystals to bunch up inside her furs.
Lashing out with a foot, satisfaction soared through her as she heard her foot connect with his jaw, snapping his mouth shut. It stunned him for a brief second, and she used the opportunity to dash away from him.
What was she thinking? She had no idea. She wasn’t used to being bossed around, and she wasn’t enjoying the experience, so she’d decided to fight him back. It was also kind of… thrilling. She wanted him to growl at her, and she had no idea why.
Daerk swooped her up in his arms, pressing her firmly against his chest, trapping her arms by each of her sides.
“Let me go! What is your problem?”
“You are my problem.” He growled in her face.
“Then let me go!”
“As much as you frustrate me, you still make my balls ache with need. And the more you squirm, the more you turn me on.” He leaned in towards her.
Aiyre froze in his grasp within a split second.
Looking up she found him smiling like an idiot. If only she had her spear, so she could mar that ridiculously handsome face of his. He frustrated her as well… and turned her on in return.
He marched through the snow, not even flinching from the cold that had to be bombarding his feet and bare skin.
Eron watched them with a smirk on his face as they marched past, probably remembering memories of when he was young.
“Come take a look at her leg. We don’t need her falling down with illness and infection.” Daerk instructed Eron.
“I’m right behind you.”
Daerk plopped her on the ground of the tent, and then stormed out, allowing Eron inside. The tent was really only big enough for maybe two people, and she was glad for that.
Eron kneeled beside her, and Aiyre watched the tent flap fall shut behind him.
“Does he have to behave like an animal?” Aiyre asked, glaring at the tent flap.
Eron shrugged, as his hands unwrapped the leather from around her leg. “We sabertooths are driven to find our mates, and once we find them, we then have the drive to keep them safe and fill our tents with offspring.”
With the passion with which Eron said those words, it had her heart nearly breaking in half. There was a deep sadness in there that she could only wonder about.
“Have you found your mate then?”
Eron heaved a sigh, as he wiped the older mixture of herbs off her wound. “I have waited my entire life to find her, but she has eluded my grasp for all these years.” He met her eyes. “I fear I will never be lucky enough to find her.”
Aiyre was shocked to the core. “Some don’t find their mates?”
“It’s one reason why Daerk will never let you out of his sight if he can help it.” Eron nodded his head. “
If I ever found my mate, I wouldn’t let her leave my side lest she disappear and leave me to finish my life alone.”
Aiyre grimaced.
“You don’t want Daerk?” Eron asked a little surprised she wouldn’t want him.
“It’s not that. Tor and Ezi shouldn’t be left alone. He won’t understand what she has gone through and pursuing her will only push her out of his grasp.” Not that she was worried about that. She was just worried about the stress his attentions might put on Ezi’s mind.
“Why?”
Aiyre shook her head. It wasn’t her place to spread Ezi’s life out for others. “You’d have to ask Ezi about her past. It’s not my place. I just need Tor to understand she lost a lot more than a clan the day we were attacked.”
He nodded as though he understood. At least someone understood why she wouldn’t want to share anymore.
“Give Daerk a chance.” Eron urged her.
“Your clan killed my friends and family. I need time to learn to trust a sabertooth.”
“Have you explained to Daerk?”
“I’ve tried, but he is too thick headed to understand.” Aiyre sighed as she leaned back on her hands. “He thinks Tor’s instinct will lead him correctly, but a frightened, injured woman won’t want the attentions of a sabertooth.”
Eron put some new herb mash onto her wound, which was looking much better. Then he wrapped the leather strip around her thigh and tied it off. “Give them both some time. Persuading a sabertooth to not win over his mate would take more energy than you have.”
She watched him pack up and leave the tent. She’d do her best, but Daerk was so frustrating with his matter of fact way and his mate claiming. Aiyre sighed once more. She supposed she’d leave it to Tor, but it wasn’t like anyone could say she didn’t warn them when Ezi refused Tor. It was only a matter of time, not an if, but a when.
“How’s her leg?” Daerk turned as soon as he heard the tent flap shuffle behind him. While Eron had been tending to his mate, he’d slipped his clothing back on to guard himself against the cold.
Eron walked up to him, placed a hand on his shoulder, and guided him a little further away from the tent. “Perhaps you should be more patient with your mate.”
“Because you are an expert?” It came out before he could think about it. Eron’s face flinched a bit but held firm. “I didn’t mean that, Eron.”
Eron sent him a sad smile. “I know you didn’t mean anything by it and perhaps I don’t know what I’m talking about, but she doesn’t have the same instinct screaming inside of her. You say rash things sometimes, and she needs to see the side I know. She is also anxious about her clanmate.” Eron shrugged. “I’m finding myself agreeing with her. Ezi is young and injured, and I can see Tor’s interest scaring her away.”
“I know this.” Daerk relented. “It’s part of the reason I want her by my side. Finding someone that loyal to their clanmates can be hard to find.”
“Then maybe you should help her, instead of standing against her.” Eron quirked an eyebrow.
“Tor will know how to behave with his mate.” Daerk was starting to doubt it though. Maybe his friend would come on too strong and scare his mate away. It wasn’t like they were dealing with another sabertooth. They were dealing with pronghorns who’d lost everything in one night.
Eron scowled. “Are you sure of that when even you are having trouble with your own mate?”
Then he left Daerk alone to think about that. Eron might be an older man, but he knew how to make his words just as sharp as a spear. But he could be right. Daerk might be pushing his own mate away. Giving in to her needs might make her more receptive to his own advances.
He was reluctant to give in and admit defeat… but if it helped him win her over, then so be it.
Crunching through the thick snowfall, he opened the tent flap. “You want to get back to Ezi?”
Her head perked up, and her soft brown eyes zeroed in on him. “Yes.” Her face was guarded, as though she expected him to be tricking her.
“Then get up and help me get everything packed.” He moved out of the way of the entrance.
Aiyre rose and walked out of the tent. She looked adorable in her fluffy fur clothing. The only visible part was her round face, which was framed by the fluffy fur of the cloak hood.
“Are we taking this down?” She asked, jarring him back to reality.
He could daydream about her at another time. First, he had to get her back to her friend and prove himself to her. They were on the same side when it came to doing what was best for Ezi and Tor. He just hoped he was right about instinct guiding Tor correctly.
“We are.” Daerk stepped forward to help her with the folding of the tent’s wood structure. After he tied it up, he placed it on top of his pack and slipped his gloves on over his hands. The only skin left to the harsh winter air was his face.
Eron already had his tent down and packed the moment he realized they were leaving the temporary camp.
“Thank you,” Aiyre whispered over at him. It was barely audible, but his ears were able to pick up on it.
Maybe Eron had been right about making sure Aiyre knew he was on her side. Eron might be mateless, but he had good advice after watching everyone around him make mistakes and good choices. He’d make a woman a good mate if only he could find her. He might be older, but he deserved to find happiness. It was never too late.
They made their way through the snowy environment, and as they passed the area where he tackled her, she picked up her spear which had been laying on the ground.
“This saved my life when your clan attacked.” She stated simply.
Daerk’s heart lurched in his chest at the thought that she’d been so close to being taken away from him. One of his clanmates could have taken his mate away, and that alarmed him to the core. Brog could have taken away his one chance at a lifetime of happiness.
His people were good, he knew it. It was just Brog that was leading them wrong as he created a village full of fear. Brog had to be taken care of, but Daerk wasn’t ready to challenge his leader.
Daerk wasn’t sure he would be able to lead his people any better than Brog. He’d hate to take control only to lead them to their deaths this winter. Brog hadn’t prepared them correctly for winter, and now it was up to them to survive by the skin of their teeth.
He glanced over at Aiyre. “I’m glad you made it out alive.”
“Barely.” She supplied. “It was pure luck. Your clanmate had been hunting me in his sabertooth form.” He watched her shiver. “It was close, but I somehow got the upper hand in the fight.”
Daerk couldn’t help the growl that rumbled up and out of his mouth as his sabertooth threatened to shift. He shoved the beast down. His mate wasn’t in danger right now and shifting would do nothing.
Her eyes went wide, and she gave him a wary look as she caught the growl and the lengthening of his canines.
“I was so close to losing you, and I wouldn’t have ever known.” The words were hard to say without his sabertooth adding a growl of frustration. He could have lived his life without ever seeing her or knowing she existed. It made him want to throw up.
“Where were you if you hadn’t been involved in the attack?”
Though he was sure he’d told her before, he was happy to tell her again. He hoped this would be an important moment for them when it really sunk in that he had nothing to do with the attack. That there really had been no way for him to get involved.
“I was out hunting to restock my clan’s meat tent before winter came full force.” He told her honestly. “Tor and Rir came to find me the moment my clan leader led the attack. There was no way for me to get back in enough time to interfere with the plan.”
“And you would have interfered?” She turned to look at him.
He had to think about the question for a few footsteps before he could answer with complete honesty. “If I hadn’t known you, my mate, was down there, most likely not. Brog would’ve killed
me, and then still killed your clan. If I had known you were down there?” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not sure. I would’ve at least seen to your safety, if not challenged Brog right there and then.”
She studied his face for a moment, and he hoped she saw what she needed to see. He had to prove to her that he’d meant her people no harm. He just hoped his words wouldn’t put more distance between them, but he wasn’t about to lie to her.
They continued to walk in silence for most of the day until he noticed Eron beginning to drop behind them slowly.
He knew she wouldn’t like the words he was about to say, but there was no choice. “We might have to make camp tonight. I don’t want to push Eron through the night. He might act young, but he hasn’t traveled outside of the village for a few years now.” It looked like she wanted to argue with him when he noticed her mouth opening. “I’m truly saying it for Eron’s health.”
Aiyre pursed her lips, but then she gave a nod from under her thick fur hood. “We can stop for the night then.”
“Ezi will be fine for one more night, and then you can be reunited with her.” He reassured his mate who he knew was eager to get back no matter what.
As he looked over at her, he couldn’t help but be sucked in by how lovely she was. She had a cute nose poking out past all the long fur along her hood that had him wanting to place a kiss on the tip. She wasn’t just pretty though.
Her confidence with her spear had him wondering about her ability to hunt. She might be a great asset to their clan, and a fantastic partner for him. If he did take over the clan… she might just make a great leader by his side. Their clan needed strong leaders and good hunters. She could be someone he’d feel proud to have by his side and help him lead his clan through the harsh winter.
It was something he would have to think about. If he took over the clan, he could assure Aiyre of her safety. Brog was a loose arrow. He and his men would be sure to kill his mate and Tor’s mate as well. There was no way he could bring either of the pronghorns into the clan with Brog around.
There might still be problems bring Ezi and Aiyre into the clan, but Brog was the biggest threat to their lives.
