Raven's Return - Ruby Dixon Page 0,93

last month. Looks like I'm stuck being grilled by Daisy for a while longer. "Things are different a little, sure. You feel…stronger toward your mate. I mean, I was already in love with U'dron. Now I'm just…more in love. And a little more needy, too. I don't like him to leave. That's why I'm going hunting with him."

Daisy melts at this. "That's so sweet. Oh, I hope I resonate soon." She clasps her hands dramatically. "I would love that so."

I'm not sure why she's so excited. After I snapped up U'dron (well, so to speak), the pickings on the beach are getting slim. But romantic Daisy just gives me a blissful look and I smile back, not wanting to rain on her parade. If she's excited at the prospect of instant-love, let her have it.

"Needy, huh?" Lauren asks, grinning. "You?"

I glance around to make sure she's not addressing anyone else. "Why not me?"

She shrugs, moving over to sit next to me. Even though she's several months pregnant now, Lauren looks the same as she ever did, maybe her boobs are a little larger. The lack of change is both pleasing and worrying. Pleasing, because it means my life isn't going to change right away…and a little worrying because it means I'm probably going to be pregnant for a long, long time. Which is…a little terrifying.

Daisy abruptly jumps to her feet, gathering her furs around her. "Do forgive me, but I must go." She trots off, and I try to follow where she's heading, but Lauren nudges me. I see Daisy meet up with a guy—A'tam, maybe?—in the distance and turn my focus to Lauren. "I'm sorry, I'm distracted."

"It's too early for pregnancy brain," Lauren teases. "And I was just joking about how different you seem now. I can't believe you had us all fooled for so long." At my uncertain look, she laughs. "It's a compliment."

"How exactly am I different?" I ask her, curious.

"You cuss, for starters." She gestures at my food. "You're about to go hunting, too. And your voice has a different…tone to it."

"You mean I'm a bitch." I arch a brow at her.

Lauren shakes her head again. "Not at all. You seem more…sincere. More real. I always thought you were nice but kind of flighty before. A little fragile. Like this planet was going to chew you up and spit you out and it was just a matter of time."

"And now?"

Her smile grows wider. "Now, you've got your shit together. I don't think this planet is gonna wreck you. I think you fit in just fine." She gets to her feet, dusting off her leathers, and I catch the slightest hint of a baby bump when she straightens her tunic. "Your mate's heading over. Good luck hunting."

I get to my feet, too, my gaze automatically going to U'dron. He's striding across the beach toward me, dressed in leggings and a fur-lined tunic that opens up in the front and ties at the waist. It reminds me of a karate gi—the jacket and pants—and shows his insanely gorgeous chest off. I think he looks stunningly handsome. His hair is still a shorn scruff, but I like that, too.

Our eyes meet and he grins at me, his feet moving a little faster as he heads toward me.

Yeah, I think I'm gonna be just fine, too.

Epilogue II

STEPH

The camp is never quiet at dawn. You'd think everyone would be in bed, squeezing out a few more minutes of sleep, or sitting around the fire with their mates before starting the day, but nope. These people are morning people, and even though it's well before dawn when I head out of the women's cave, there are people at the main cook-fire and others heading off to hunt. I see someone casting a net into the waters, and Gail's making a big pouch of shrimp tea.

I smile at her as I pass through, but I don't stop. Not just yet. First things first, I have to deliver my package.

Well…it's not really my package. I've sort of strong-armed the delivery from U'dron and Raven. Maybe it's the budding psychologist in me, but I want to figure out what makes Juth and his son tick. I want to show them that our camp can be a good thing, and that they're welcome. And I think I can do it with more gentleness and more finesse than anyone else.

So I'm the one that sets supplies out for the outcasts now. It's more than just the small