Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“You have feelings for her?”
“Of course. She is my mate.” I am appalled he would even have to ask.
“But you have no memories of her.”
This makes me pause. What he says is true. And yet, the thought of parting from Stay-see makes me ache. Even if I cannot remember our resonance, there is no doubt in my mind that we have a connection. She is mine, just as much as Pacy is, just as much as my hand or my tail belong to me. They are part of who I am, and to lose them would leave me less than whole. Even the thought of Stay-see parting from me causes me agony. “I may not have them here,” I say, pointing at my temple. “But I have them here.” I put a hand over my heart. It makes me think of the words my mother gave me. Was I not trying hard enough? Now I am resolved to work even harder. Stay-see is my mate, and I must win her over.
“So what is your plan?” He does not look pleased, but he has not yet told me no. This is encouraging.
“There is a hunter cave near here. The big one.” When he nods, I know we are both thinking of the same cave. “There is a cache there. I would like to take Stay-see there for a hand of days. It would give her time to rest and time for me to get to know her better.”
“You are sleeping in her tent at night. How much better do you need to know her?”
I can feel my jaw clench. “Just because I share my warmth with her does not mean she shares her heart with me.”
He seems to agree. “Go on.”
“I do not know my mate. I would like to take time to get to know her, and with everyone busy with the journey, it is proving impossible. I would like to take Stay-see to the cave and give her time to rest and time for me to know her and my son.”
“So you are taking her away, just like Hassen and Raahosh.” His voice is flat.
He sees right through my plan. “My understanding was that they did not seek permission.” I keep my voice guarded.
Vektal’s stern expression cracks, and he gives me a rueful smile. “You are a sly one, my friend. I am glad to have you back. We all worried over you.”
“I am not completely back,” I tell him. “Not in all eyes.”
He makes a grunt of acknowledgment and folds the tent up. I remain silent so he can think. He has a mate and a new kit. He will understand my struggle. After a moment, though, he shakes his head. “I cannot. Not with the brutal season so quick on our heels.”
I fight back a stab of disappointment. “I spoke with Rokan. He says the brutal season will be delayed.”
My chief looks up at the skies, gray and full of clouds. Snow is thick in the air. “Truly?”
“Truly,” I agree. “He says after today’s storm, we have until the next moon before the brutal season is truly upon us. That will be more than enough time.” I give him a lazy smile to make it seem like I am less eager. “You know Rokan and his weather-sense are never wrong.”
Vektal narrows his eyes. “You speak the truth?”
“I do. I have nothing to gain by lying to my chief.”
“Don’t you?”
I grin wider. “If I wished to lie, would it not be easier to just steal my mate away and then tell you I have forgotten where we are going?”
He stares at me for a long moment, and then a hearty laugh erupts from him. He claps me on the back. “If you did that, I would truly throttle you, my friend. I prefer you with your memory intact.”
“I prefer myself that way, too.” The ache returns to my breast. “This is important to me.”
“I understand.” He rubs his jaw, thinking. His gaze scans the encampment, and I know he is looking for Rokan. He is a short distance away, gesturing to his small mate. The chief looks back at me. “You are healthy? No pains? No problems?”
“Only that I cannot remember anything that has happened in the last few seasons. All else is as it has ever been.” Only. I make it sound like it is not a problem. It is a huge problem, but I do not want my chief to worry over my health and decide not to let me take my mate away.
Because I am going to—with or without his permission.
Vektal rubs his chin for a bit longer. He studies me, then sighs. “You will go to the hunter cave near here. The one with two chambers.”
“Across the valley?” I gesture at the distant landscape. It is not more than a brief jaunt in the snow from where we are. An hour of travel, maybe less. I know of the ‘double’ cave he speaks of. It is like two small caves connected, and one of the largest hunter caves in our territory.