Chapter 33

Taylor

I laid in bed the next morning feeling worn out in all the best ways possible. Brexl made love to me over and over again as if he were making up for lost time, and I had no complaints.

My mate was off getting breakfast for us while I cuddled under the furs.

When he returned, he wore a grim expression on his face that made me sit up.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as he handed me a meat filled pastry.

He sat down next to me and patted my leg. “Sozu scouted a solete nest, and he said they are sleeping. They’re nocturnal birds, so they shouldn’t wake again until tonight.”

“Oh, I guess that means you’ll be going on your hunt soon, right?”

“It’s been decided that we’ll head out after breakfast,” he replied as he got up and grabbed his pack from the shelf.

I watched with a heavy heart as he filled his satchel with his hunting supplies.

I did not ask Brexl if he was sure he needed to do this. I’d already asked him that last night and his answer had remained the same.

But I could ask him to be careful. If anything, it would remind him that his life was valuable and not to be easily discarded.

“You will get out of there if things get too dangerous, right?” I bit my lower lip.

Brexl looked up and warmed my soul with a smile. “I will not risk my life to kill the birds, I promise.”

He cupped my belly with his hand, and I knew what he was thinking. That our child might already be growing inside me. That was the whole purpose of knotting, was it not? To aid in reproduction.

“You’re sure you want to carry my child?” My mate looked up at me with worry on his face. We talked about this last night. How our activities could lead to a baby.

I put my hand over his. “Yes, I’m sure. I want to start a family with you.”

“You alone are reason enough for me to want to make a safe return, but the thought of you carrying my child makes me want to return even more. You do not need to worry about me. I will not risk myself more than I need to.”

“Okay,” I sighed, feeling slightly satisfied with his answer.

“Brexl,” I said his name as he continued to fill his pack.

“You are not a monster.”

He stopped what he was doing and turned his full attention to me.

“I am not a monster.” His voice was low and barely audible, but I heard it. I heard all of it. Every hard-fought victorious word.

“You are good at killing, and that is a gift, not a curse.”

He nodded his head and whispered, “A gift, not a curse.”

Brexl set down his bag and held me in a long embrace until Rhaz knocked on our door, letting us know it was time to go.

We made our way to the entrance, where the other three hunters were gathered, along with Tarak and Sozu.

“I’ve scouted ahead and the solete are alseep in their nest on the mountain ridge.”

It was a quarter of a day’s walk to the east mountain where the solete made their nest, and I hoped their hunt would be a quick success so Brexl could come back to me before the day was over.

“Thank you, Sozu,” Tarak clapped his hand on the young sirret’s shoulder. Sozu puffed out his chest with pride. He had only recently been allowed out on the trails alone. He was considerably smaller than the rest of the males, not just in height, but in build as well. He was still taller than the humans, however. Everyone but Talia.

“It’s time to go then,” Rhaz announced, looking ready for a fight as always.

Brexl nodded his head in agreement and Axon led the way outside.

I walked with my mate through the clearing all the way up to the treeline. I would have walked further if I thought Brexl would permit it, but I knew he wouldn’t. I didn’t want to let him go. I wanted to go back to our furs and feel his knot inside me, locking us together in the most intimate way possible.

We’d spent so much time misunderstanding each other’s desires that it felt cruel to be parted so soon after we’d officially mated.

“I must go now.” Brexl ran the back of his knuckles down my cheek. “I will return by the end of the night. You have my word that I will be joining you in the furs before the sun is fully set.”

“Promise?” I tried and failed to keep my voice even.

Brexl pulled me into his arms for a tight embrace, and I rested my head on his chest.

“I promise.”

Eventually, we let go and Brexl looked back one last time before he took off in a jog to catch up to the others.