Chapter Two

KAEL TALLSTRIDER

July 19, 2024

The ancient forests of the Yukon Territory stretched as far as the eye could see, a vast sea of green undulating beneath the crisp morning sky. Towering pines and spruce trees stood sentinel, their branches heavy with the morning dew. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine needles, a stark contrast to the concrete and exhaust fumes of the distant human cities.

In this primeval wilderness, Kael Tallstrider moved with athletic grace despite his huge size. Standing eight feet tall, his muscular body was covered in a thick coat of dark fur. He navigated the forest with the ease of one born to this land. His deep green eyes, intelligent and alert, scanned the surrounding trees as he patrolled the borders of his tribe's territory.

At twenty-four years old, Kael was in his prime. The distinctive scar on his left shoulder, a memento from a long-ago encounter, only added to his imposing presence. As the next in line to lead the Tallstrider tribe, he carried himself with a quiet authority that commanded respect from his fellow Bigfoot.

The morning sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows across Kael's path. He paused, crouching down to examine a cluster of mushrooms growing at the base of an old oak. With practiced ease, he harvested the edible fungi, adding them to the woven bark basket slung across his broad back. Foraging was a daily task, one that required both knowledge and instinct—qualities Kael possessed in abundance.

As he moved deeper into the forest, Kael's keen senses picked up the sound of running water. He made his way towards a swift-flowing stream, the gurgle of water over rocks growing louder with each step. Reaching the bank, he knelt and cupped his hands, bringing the crystal-clear water to his lips. The icy liquid was refreshing, carrying with it the taste of melted snow from the distant mountains.

A flash of silver caught his eye, and Kael's hand shot out with lightning speed, emerging from the water with a wriggling trout. In one fluid motion, he transferred the fish to his basket, a satisfied rumble emanating from his chest. If everyone caught a fish today, his tribe would eat well tonight. But because they couldn't count on that, he continued looking for food.

As Kael continued his patrol, his mind wandered to the complex challenges he faced as the future leader of his people. The Tallstrider tribe had thrived in these forests for generations, their existence a carefully guarded secret from the human world. But that secrecy was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar scent on the breeze. Sage and juniper—his mother, Asha, was approaching. He turned to see her emerge from a thicket, her silver-streaked fur gleaming in a shaft of sunlight.

"Kael," she greeted him, her voice a low, melodious rumble. "The council seeks your presence. There are matters we must discuss."

He nodded, falling into step beside her as they made their way back to the heart of their territory. As they walked, a scent wafted towards him. A delicious and forbidden scent that pushed Kael's mind back to an event that had shaped his life in ways he was only beginning to understand.

Fifteen years ago, on a day much like this one, Kael had been exploring the outer reaches of his tribe's lands. His adolescent curiosity had led him further than usual, to an area where the scent of humans lingered in the air. That's when he first smelled that delicious scent. He followed his nose and the sounds until he saw her.

Maya. Although, he hadn't known her name then.

She had been innocently chasing a butterfly, not knowing she was close to a she-wolf's den. She was so tiny, so fragile compared to his own kind. Fear and fascination warred within him as he watched her from the shelter of the trees.

When the girl stumbled and fell, scraping her knee, Kael's protective instincts overrode his caution. He emerged from his hiding place, approaching her slowly. The look of wonder in her eyes as she gazed up at him was something he would never forget. In that moment, Kael felt a connection that transcended the barriers between their species. It was a feeling that had stayed with him all these years, a secret he held close to his heart.

He had told her his name. And that he lived with his tribe.

His father had beaten him badly for that. The scar on his shoulder was a daily reminder of his betrayal to the clan. Kael pushed those thoughts aside when he and his mother arrived at the tribal gathering place. It was a natural amphitheater formed by ancient, gnarled trees. It was here that the Tallstriders came together to make important decisions.

The council members were already assembled—weathered elders whose wisdom had guided the tribe for decades. Among them was Kael's father, Ranak, the current leader of the Tallstriders. His imposing figure and stern gaze commanded immediate respect.

As Kael took his place in the circle, he felt the weight of expectation all around him. The other Bigfoot looked to him not just as their future leader, but as a symbol of strength and continuity for their people.

Ranak spoke, his deep voice resonating through the gathering. "We have called this meeting to discuss a matter of great concern. The humans are encroaching further into our territory with each passing season. Their machines tear at the earth; their noise disturbs the balance of the forest. We must decide how to respond to this threat."

A murmur of unease rippled through the assembly. Kael listened as various council members voiced their opinions, ranging from aggressive deterrence to further retreat into the deepest parts of the wilderness.

When it came time for Kael to speak, he chose his words carefully. "We have lived alongside humans for countless generations, always in secret, always in fear of discovery. Maybe it's time to show ourselves and try and leave together in peace."

His words were met with shocked gasps and angry mutters. Ranak's eyes flashed with fury as he glared at his son. "Absolutely not!" he growled, his massive fists clenching at his sides. "We will have no contact with humans. Our ancestors have fought and died to keep us hidden. The humans are not to be trusted. Their greed eventually ruins everything." The finality in Ranak's tone left no room for argument, and the other council members shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Kael's gaze.

Kael had no easy answer. The conflict within him—between duty to his tribe and his lingering fascination with the human world—had no simple resolution. As the debate continued around him, his thoughts drifted once again to Maya. What had become of her? Did she remember their meeting as vividly as he did?

As the council meeting drew to a close, Kael was restless and conflicted. He excused himself, needing time alone to process his thoughts. His feet carried him to a secluded glade, a place he often came to find peace and clarity.

Settling his massive frame onto a moss-covered log, Kael closed his eyes and breathed deeply, allowing the sounds and scents of the forest to wash over him. The chatter of squirrels, the distant cry of an eagle, the rustle of leaves in the breeze—all of it spoke to him in a language as familiar as his own heartbeat.

But beneath the tranquil surface of the forest, Kael sensed a change coming. It was more than just the increased human activity or the shifting dynamics within his tribe. There was a tension in the air, a feeling of anticipation that he couldn't quite explain.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, Kael made his way back to the Tallstrider settlement. The evening meal was a communal affair, with the entire tribe gathering to share the day's harvest. Kael contributed his foraged mushrooms and the trout he had caught, accepting the approving nods of his tribemates with quiet pride.

As he ate, surrounded by the low rumble of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter, Kael found his gaze drawn to the younger members of the tribe. There were several females of mating age, all strong and capable in their own right. Yet, as he watched them, Kael felt no spark of attraction, no desire to pursue a mate among them.

It was a source of concern for both himself and the tribe. As the future leader, he was expected to produce heirs, to ensure the continuation of their lineage. But how could he explain that his heart seemed to be waiting for something—or someone—else?

That night, as Kael settled into his sleeping den, a hollowed-out cave lined with soft furs and fragrant herbs, his dreams were vivid and unsettling. He saw flashes of a world beyond the forest—gleaming towers of glass and steel, streets teeming with humans, the constant hum of machinery. And through it all, a pair of eyes that he recognized, even after all these years. The eyes of the human girl he had saved, now grown into a woman.

Maya.

He woke with a start, his heart pounding and his cock hard and pulsing. The dream clung to him, leaving him with a sense of urgency he couldn't shake. He wanted to see her in person as a woman. He wanted to smell her scent and see if it was the same as it had been all those years ago.

It took a while to get his body under control, but as the first light of dawn began to filter through the trees, Kael made a decision. He would investigate the increased human activity himself, venturing closer to their encampments than he had in years. Maybe all humans smelled that way. Maybe they weren't all as destructive and evil as the ones that poached animals in their forest.

Slipping out of the settlement before the rest of the tribe stirred, Kael moved swiftly and silently through the forest. His powerful legs carried him effortlessly over fallen logs and across shallow streams. As he neared the area where human scents were strongest, he slowed his pace, becoming more cautious.

There it was again. The scent he had remembered. It must just be a human scent.

From the shelter of a dense thicket, Kael observed a small clearing where a ramshackle old fishing cabin had been built. A car was parked in the small driveway, the doors open.

As he watched, a figure emerged from the cabin. Kael's breath caught in his throat. It was a female, her form unmistakably familiar from his dream. Maya? Could it be? Had his dream been more than just a fantasy?

The woman stretched, her face turned towards the rising sun. Though he was too far away to make out her features clearly, her scent filled his nostrils. His body responded with adrenaline and a spike of pure lust. The way she moved, the tilt of her head—it all sparked deep urges for him to claim her as his own.

Maya. This was Maya. Returned back to him after all these years. And she was his mate.

For a moment, Kael was tempted to step out of hiding, to reveal himself to her. But years of caution and tribal law held him back. He couldn't risk exposure, couldn't endanger his people on the slim chance that Maya wouldn't run screaming at the sight of him.

When another human came out of the cabin, Kael reluctantly retreated deeper into the forest. He would have to find a way to reveal himself her again when she was alone. Then, he could see if she remembered him.

He was so distracted that he almost missed the signs of distress coming from nearby. A series of low, pained grunts snapped him back to the present. Following the sounds, Kael came upon a young deer, its leg caught in a tangle of vines.

Without hesitation, Kael approached the frightened animal and snapped its neck. It would be a decent meal for his tribe. Slinging the carcass over his shoulder, he reluctantly left Maya. He'd come back, but he had a duty to his tribe first.

Reaching the outskirts of the Tallstrider settlement, Kael paused. The familiar sights and sounds of his home washed over him—the low rumble of conversation, the scent of cooking food, the laughter of young ones at play. This was everything he had ever known, everything he was sworn to protect.

But now, for the first time in his life, Kael felt the stirring of something new. A longing for something beyond the boundaries of his world. A curiosity about the human realm that went beyond mere observation. And at the center of it all, the memory of a pair of eyes that had haunted his dreams for fifteen years.

As he stepped into the clearing, greeting his fellow Tallstriders with nods and gentle touches, Kael made a silent vow to himself. He would find a way to bridge the gap between his world and Maya's. He would discover the truth about her return and what it meant for him and his people.