Vektal moves forward and squats by the fire pit. He gestures across from it. “Sit.”
I contemplate turning and leaving. This man is the chief of the bad ones. My father would have despised him. I watch him, trying to decide. His face is hard and his form is fierce, but I remember the tender way he kissed away his mate’s foolish tears. I have done no less for Har-loh…and right now, they are healing her.
So I sit across from the fire pit. My body is tense despite the cheery homeyness of the cave. There are hunting weapons neatly organized against a wall, next to two pairs of snowshoes and a cloak. There are furs and baskets in every inch of space, and I see a smaller bed made in one corner for the upcoming kit. This is a man anticipating his family.
He will be ready to defend them at all costs. I must remain on my guard.
Vektal raises his chin at me. “Your name is Maarukh?”
“That is what Raahosh says.”
“And who are you?”
He knows who I am. My eyes narrow. “I am no one.”
Vektal rubs his chin, expression thoughtful. “Leezh tells me that Harlow won’t say how you met. She changes the subject every time she is asked. I assume that it is because it is not a good story, yes?”
I say nothing.
“You know she was on a rescue mission to save two sick men when she disappeared? My tribemates were heartbroken, thinking she had died.”
Har-loh has told me pieces of this story. She worried they had died because of her. And yet, because she loves me, she will not share with anyone the story of how I hit her over the head and stole her away. My heart swells with love for my mate. This only furthers my resolve that she must be safe no matter what.
“In fact, they nearly died. One of my men was very injured.” He looks at me, waiting for an answer. “I assume you prevented Harlow from returning, so you nearly cost him his life.”
Silence.
“And since Harlow is pregnant, I assume you resonated for her. Did that happen before or after you stole her?”
He speaks as if I had a choice. The moment I saw Har-loh, she was mine. It was that simple.
“I am not pleased,” Vektal says. “You stole her and resonated to her. I wonder if she would have resonated to someone else if you had not? Have you stolen the chance to have a family from one of the men of this tribe?”
I bare my teeth at him. The thought of Har-loh being touched by another man or carrying his kit? It fills me with rage. It takes everything I have not to lunge for Vektal’s throat.
We stare at each other, bristling with tension.
“I do not remember much of your father,” he continues after a moment. It feels as if he is spitting the words at me. “Just that mine was responsible for his exile. Vaashan told us all that you perished along with his mate.” He watches me to see my response. “He lied because he did not trust us.”
I remain quiet.
“You are silent?” He snorts. “Just like Raahosh. As if I needed two of you in the tribe.”
That coaxes an answer from me. “I…do not intend to stay.” I cannot. Being around these people makes my skin crawl, yet the thought of leaving my beloved Har-loh here? It destroys me.
“You cannot take Harlow,” Vektal says, his curious look darkening to one of irritation. “She is not well. I will not let you take her.”
I get to my feet. She is my mate. It does not matter that his words make sense or that it matches what I have already decided. He is telling me that I cannot have her. Raahosh’s words of my father and mother’s story circle in my mind. They would not let him keep her, so he stole her away and she died.
This cannot happen again. This will not. My plans of bringing Har-loh to the healer never went beyond ‘get better’。 The thought that she might have to stay here? It is destroying me. A snarl comes to my mouth.
He does not decide to separate me from my mate. It is not his choice. My fists clench.
Vektal gets to his feet, his expression menacing.
“Yoohoo,” a voice calls. “Knock knock.” A familiar human with yellow hair sweeps in. “Hey Vektal! Rukh. Am I interrupting something?” Liz comes and stands between us, beaming as if she hasn’t stepped between two furious males.
“Now is not the time, Leezh.” Vektal’s voice is an angry growl.
“Actually it is the time,” she says, utterly fearless. She links her arm in mine and smiles at the chief. “I just made stew and poor Rukh here hasn’t eaten all day, he’s been so worried over his mate.” She pats my arm. “And Raahosh is wanting to spend some quality time with his brother.”