cannot take her as a mate? Even A'tam, my closest friend, will not see me as a true hunter because I did not pass the proving? I think of all the things R'ven has said to me. How Juth is a person just like any other, and I am just as capable a hunter as anyone else. Rules that we make for ourselves do not matter. We are in a new place. We can make new rules…and no one is keeping me from my female. "She is mine. I do not care what the others think." When A'tam says nothing to that, I fish a chunk of meat out of my bowl and cast him a look. "What news of B'shit?"
He sighs heavily, running a hand down his face. "What news? No news. She still hates me. I thought we were getting somewhere…but then D'see arrived and she has turned cold to me."
"She does not like that you spend so much time with D'see. Any fool can see that." Any fool except A'tam, apparently.
A'tam waves a hand, dismissing my concerns. "D'see is just a friend. And she says if we spend a lot of time together, it will make B'shit jealous…which it is."
"Yes, but instead of driving her into your arms, it is driving her away. Perhaps it is time to re-think this strategy." I tip the bowl to my lips, downing the last bits of food. "Thank you for bringing this. I did not realize how hungry I was until just now." My stomach still growls, but I carefully ignore the other bowl of food. That is for R'ven. I will not take food from her mouth to fill my own belly.
"Of course." He slaps me on the shoulder. "You are a good friend. Plus…I wanted to hear all about you and this female. I had hoped for your sake that it was resonance."
"It does not matter," I point out. His face falls a little, and he looks uncomfortable. In his eyes, I am a rule breaker.
"What does not matter?" a new voice calls out, and I turn to see I'rec and O'jek approaching. Both are carrying bowls of food, and I want to laugh out of relief. Some things change, but every member of a clan knows that a full belly is important. I take the bowl that O'jek offers silently to me and begin to eat. "We were speaking of resonance," I tell them between bites.
I'rec nods slowly. "So it was resonance between you and the female. That is how you found her."
"No." I continue eating. "I followed her scent trail."
His eyes widen and I can tell he is impressed. Does he think I am a fool, then? That I cannot follow a scent? "You must have been very determined," I'rec says in a tone that indicates he does not quite believe what he is hearing. "How did you know where she ran away to?"
"She did not run away. She was taken. I knew this the moment I went after her."
“Taken? By who?” I’rec frowns.
“Someone of the outcast clan. I will explain more later.”
“They are alive?”
“Some of them.” I will say no more.
O’jek crosses his arms over his chest. “And how did you know?"
“Know what?”
“That she did not run?” He is openly skeptical.
"Because I know her." I shrug. "I knew she would not leave without saying something."
I'rec narrows his eyes at me. "You know her so well then? And yet it was not resonance?" He exchanges a look with O'jek.
My heart swells with bitterness. I know what he is implying. He is easing into the topic of R'ven and my relationship with her. He wants to be a friend, but his mantle as leader tells him that he must confront me on the fact that I break our rules. Why can he not let it go for just one night? But I suppose it is not to be. I know I'rec—I could disappear for a full turn of the moon and he would not worry over me, assuming I was competent enough to take care of myself. He blusters a lot, but he also means well enough. Being a leader is difficult, especially of such a small, fragmented clan.
But I have had enough, and I will not let him come between myself and R'ven. "Say it plainly, brother, or do not say it at all." I keep eating, my tone mild, so he does not see my anger.
Judging from his expression, this is not the answer he