Epilogue

Rojtar

Various aches linger in my body as I stride through the forest that runs alongside the human settlement with my sparring staff in hand and a sword slung from a belt around my waist. More than half a lunar cycle has passed since Kyler said I could return to hunting. A mellenje calls out and receives an echoing sound in return. Even the winged creatures are taunting me with their mating, reminding me that I am alone as always. I have no keeshla to laugh with or to share my furs with at night. Instead, I sleep in a large tent with other unmated warriors—most of whom are several seasons younger than me—and dream of the turn when Deeka provides me with a mate.

Except that turn may never come. Not when all the human females of age who belong to our tribe are already mated. Life would be easier if one of the few unmated Tavikhi females was mine, but I have touched them all at their request and not a single one triggered my mating marks. I am not lucky like Zedam or our Bohnari brother and have my mate fall from the sky and crash land here.

My shefira has said that some unmated females remain at the human settlement. But in all the lunar cycles since the humans have been arriving on Tavikh, none have shown any interest in becoming part of our tribe. Not even after the Krijese who used to live under their King Armik’s rule attacked and killed their people. I have been to the humans’ gated village many times while escorting Sage back and forth during her apprenticeship with Kyler and not one female ever caught my eye.Zander and Zydon both said that a sinew cord tugged them toward their mates even before their marks were triggered by them. I have not experienced any tugs. Not once.

I scan my surroundings, staying alert for any signs of prey. Warm season is fully upon us, which means game should be plentiful soon. We made it through the cold season with our stores despite the increase in the number of tribespeople. After the attack that brought our shefira and her tribe sisters to the village, additional humans joined us as well. Mostly mated pairs with kits. We will need to spend the warm season replenishing all our supplies. Especially now that there are more kits on the way.

A shuffling sound draws my attention, and I freeze. My grip tightens on my weapon so I am prepared for whatever may come. More shuffling occurs, but with it comes voices. Human voices. I cannot tell who they are or how many are present. Despite the tentative trust that has been established between our two tribes, there are still humans who do not like the Tavikhi. Being careful not to make any noise or disturb any brush, I move forward keeping my steps light and soft.

“No, you have to do it this way.” That sounds like a kit.

“This isn’t my first snare, Carter. I know what I’m doing,” a feminine voice replies with a hint of impatience.

Through the trees, I finally make out the two forms kneeling on the ground in front of a small burrow that probably housed a den of leburin at one time, but it is clear from the dirt around the opening that it is empty and has been for quite some time. Still, I watch and wait as they maneuver the string around. Or at least as the adult female moves it. The kit is a male and much smaller than her.

I study them and it is clear from their features they are related. They both have hair color similar to Jodah’s mate, Sage, although the kit’s is a brighter shade. Their nose structure matches and they have the same point beneath their lips. It is difficult to tell for sure from this distance, but they appear to have the same eye color as well. Is she the kit’s Nene?

While her technique is fine, there are much better ways to set a trap. Although it does not matter which way either of them do it, they will have nothing to catch from an empty burrow. I should interrupt and let them know they are wasting their time, but I am curious about the couple. They are not familiar to me despite my frequent trips here to escort Sage back and forth between our village and the human settlement. Although I have not returned since the night the shefira and her tribe sisters escaped the Krijese attack many lunar cycles ago.

The female finishes setting up the snare and then she and the kit back away and hide behind a trendafili bush. A whispered exclamation of pain comes quickly as well as a sound to be quiet. The sharp leaves of the flowering bush do hurt a bit, which is why we all take great care to avoid them. It would not have been my choice for a hiding place.

As the sun slowly moves across the sky, the female and the kit remain where they are. Their eyes do not stray far from the burrow entrance as they wait for prey that will never come. The sun has passed its zenith when the female loosens a curse.

“You’re not supposed to swear,” the kit lightly scolds.

The female glares and rises from her crouched position at the same time a male steps into the clearing. He is tall—although not as tall as a Tavikhi—and has broad shoulders and meaty arms. His leg coverings hang below a belly that sticks out slightly and is held up by a piece of leather. The male is much bigger than the female who appears to come no higher than the middle of my chest.

“What are you two doing out here alone?” he asks, coming closer before stopping a short distance away from them. “I told you I’d come along.”

“I didn’t want to inconvenience you. You have more important things to do.” The female places a hand on the kit’s shoulder and guides him slightly behind her. “Carter and I are doing just fine. I appreciate your offer though.”

My gaze takes in the female and kit. Despite the even tone of her words, both are rigid—the female more so—and eye the male with a hint of distrust. I study him harder. There is something in his gaze I do not like. Especially in the way he looks at the female.

“It’s not safe being outside the settlement walls,” the male tells her. “You need someone to look after you, Abby. A protector.”

Abby . I repeat the name in my head and enjoy the way it sounds.

“I’ve already told you Lewis, I’m more than capable of taking care of myself and don’t need your protection,” her voice is firm. “It’s perfectly safe as well. Those creepy aliens stopped attacking months ago and you know the purple alien leader told Gary and Adam that most of them had been killed anyway.”

This Lewis takes a step forward and another. “What about wild animals? You know there are any number of predators out here who are just looking for easy prey to snap up.”

Abby and the kit—Carter—move backwards away from the male trying to put more distance between them, but he continues creeping closer. A scent carries on the breeze. It is bitter, unpleasant, and familiar. I have often smelled the same odor from a small creature right before it is overrun by a larger one. It is fear and it comes from the female and the kit.

I step out from behind the tree. “The female is correct. They do not need you as a protector because they already have me.”

As one, Abby and Carter whirl to face me with a screech and she places herself directly in front of the kit. The male—Lewis—narrows his eyes.

“What the fuck are you doing sneaking around out here, alien?”

Ignoring him, I turn to the female and kit. “Is all well? Would you like me to escort you back to the settlement?”

“Hey, I asked you a question.” Lewis stomps closer with his fists clenched. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

I do not take my eyes off Abby who has not relaxed her stance and still keeps herself between me and the kit.

“We’re fine,” she says. “Both of you guys can go home.”

The male reaches her and Carter and grabs her upper arm. My vision goes dark.

“Let’s get out of here.” He tugs her harder than he should because she winces and tries to remove herself from his grip but he doesn’t release her.

She makes a pained sound and flinches. Carter hits the males arm repeatedly.

“Let her go,” he cries out.

My sword is out of my belt and at the male’s throat before he can blink. “Take your hand off the female.”

He does not move fast enough for me so I jab the tip into his neck to prick his skin and draw blood. Fear and hatred flash in his eyes and in less than a beat he releases Abby with a shove. She stumbles away, but steadies herself and drags the kit to her. She wraps her arms around him and holds him close. Her breathing is loud in my ears.

“Unless you want another taste of my blade, I would suggest you turn around and return to the human settlement.” He will not get another warning. No one lays a hand on a female with intent to harm.

Lewis glares at me with pure hatred and then shifts his gaze to Abby and Carter before returning it to me. He walks slowly backward without taking his eyes off me. He jabs a finger in my direction and then in the female’s. “You’re going to regret this.”

I do not move until he disappears from view and I can no longer scent him. Only then do I sheath my sword and turn toward Abby and Carter. I expect to be met with thanks and appreciation. Instead, fire spits from the female’s gaze.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?” she raises her voice and throws up her hands.

Confused at her anger, I blink. “I stopped that male from abusing you. His intentions were not good.”

Abby scoffs. “No shit they weren’t good, but now they’re going to be worse. I had things handled, but then you had to come in and ruin everything.”

I do not understand why she is upset. “That male grabbed you. Hurt you. He would have done worse if I had not intervened. No Tavikhi with honor would have let him do whatever he planned on doing.”

She paces while the kit’s gaze darts between her and me. The fear that had been present while the worthless male had his hand on her has slowly bled away. He remains quiet though while his—while Abby—mumbles as she walks back and forth. I catch a few words here and there, but I do not interrupt the conversation she has with herself. In time, she will understand why I could not just stand back.

Finally, she stops and faces the kit. “Carter, let’s go.”

He walks toward her with only a slight hesitation. His gaze continues shifting between us.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going back to the settlement to apologize to Lewis and hope that’s enough to cool his temper,” Abby says as she takes Carter’s hand and nearly drags him along behind her.

“Why would you apologize to that dishonorable male?” I follow them. “He is the one who wronged you.”

She whirls on me. “Because if I don’t, he’s going to make my life complete hell. You get to go back to your village, while I have to live in the same place as that man and deal with the consequences of your actions. Lewis doesn’t forget a slight.”

“Then do not go back.” I am not sure where the words come from, but once they are spoken, they make sense.

“Oh and just where do you expect us to go?”

“You can come with me to our village.” The shefir has always stated that any humans who agree to contribute to the tribe are welcome. Abby and Carter should not be any different.I am not sure why I have made the offer, but there is something about this female that draws me to her. I do not want her to return to the human settlement.

She laughs but it is filled with bitterness. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll take my chances with Lewis.”

Once again, she turns her back to me and she and the kit set off toward their own village. He glances over his shoulder once. Abby not at all. I stand there a moment before following. I do not trust that other male and even if she does not want my protection, she will have it anyway. Deeka set her and the kit in my path for a reason. I will remain close by and watch out for Abby and Carter until that reason becomes clear.

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