up and the camp became a bustle once again. Haml had joined them, a huge smile on his face. Xenos just didn’t understand how they accepted him so readily.
“Come,” Iridia said, “the elders would want to see you.” She led them toward the fire on the far side of the village. From their slightly elevated position, they were able to see the entire community. Maybe that was why they sat there together instead of being part of the mass as they had been when his father ruled.
As they approached, the elder men stood. As he scanned their faces, the memories returned. Who they were and what part they played in the tribe. They clasped arms, one at a time, until his reached the old storyteller.
“The prodigal son returns, I see,” she said.
His brows drew down. “What?”
She cackled quietly. “It is a story for another place and time, child. Welcome back into the fold.”
He bowed his head. “Thank you, Elder.” Having greeted the group, he asked, “Why do you gather here instead of participating with the villagers?”
They each groaned, making his sister laugh. She even laughed like their mother had. The memory of his parents being killed would be forever at the fore of his mind with his sister as a constant reminder. But he was still glad he was here. He looked around for his mate and found her standing with her two friends by their berm.
“Alpha,” one of the men said, “we are too old to do as the younger ones do, squatting to plant seeds or lifting metal to make knives. We are here for our knowledge only now as opposed to when your father was king.”
Knowledge only? What kind of things did the village need that they hadn’t already passed down through song and teaching?
Iridia held her hand out to him. “Let me show you the rest of the village. It has changed a lot since you’ve been gone.”
Pain and shame shot through him at her words. They were forced to change from losing so many tribal people. That was his fault. She sniffed the air then turned to gaze at him. What had she smelled? Did she sense the fear or dread he carried inside?
She gestured to the food stations as they passed by. “We still grow our own food in the honorable fashion. The older men with little to do have joined items to make new ones.”
“Have they improved the broccola?” he asked, looking for the green tree-looking food.
“No,” she replied, sticking out her tongue, “and I still won’t eat it.”
He laughed, and her shining smile lifted his soul. She was beautiful. “Who are you mated to? He is lucky.”
Her smile fell. “I am not mated,” she replied.
He stumbled to a stop. “Is your mate not among the villagers?”
She looked away. “We have decided that it would be better if I focus on the village as a leader instead of my own family as mother and mate.”
Horror and grief stole through him. She couldn’t have a family because of him. Oh goddess, no wonder she wanted him to take over. He could not let his sister live being separated from her mate. He knew how she felt from being away from Wren just this morning. He would not wish such pain on his enemy.
He would become the alpha they expected of him.
“That isn’t right, Iri. You should be able to have all you want.”
A sad smile appeared on her face. “No matter what you choose in life, Xenos, there are sacrifices and consequences.”
Oh, he understood consequences well. Familiar enough that he refused to make decisions. Already, he was questioning his decision to become the leader. How could he be a good ruler if he couldn’t face the results?
“Iri,” he asked, as he continued the walk through the village, “how do you know if you are making the right choices? Dad always did the right things. He never made mistakes.”
A laughed burst from his sister. “Do you really believe that?”
He scrunched his brows. “Of course. He was perfect.”
“Oh my goddess,” she said, “you are much worse than even I thought. No wonder you ran.”
Anger and shame once again shot through him. Anger winning. “You don’t know—”
Her hands lifted in front of her. “Don’t be angry, Xenos. No one is blaming you for anything.” She sighed. “Let’s sit for a moment.” Off to the side, she raised two seats and sat on one. “Apparently,” she started, “there’s a lot about our parents you didn’t see since you