Page 39 of Valka

“Why Katva?” she asked.

“I already told you. He is a strong warrior. He is proud, he is fair.”

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“I am. He has waited a long time for his own female.”

“I don’t want to end up having to change from one male to another to another as they all get killed.”

“There will be no more killing. Valka is the new Chieftain. He is strongest. Katva stands with Valka.”

“He doesn’t even know I’m coming,” Bettina said.

“He knows.”

‘I hate this. I really hate this. What if he doesn’t like me?”

“He likes you.”

“How do you know?

“I will take you to his home.You will see.”

“Are you sure he won’t be angry that I’m there?”

“More than sure. I know him well.”

“Alright. I’ll try. But if he rejects me, it’s not my fault.”

“Do males often reject you?”

“They all want only what they want, but then when I have wants or needs, they leave me to myself.”

“Males of your world do not know your worth.”

“Yeah, sometimes I don’t either,” she muttered, walking along beside him wondering what fresh hell she was walking into this time.

Katva escorted Bettina to his small cave. It was only a few feet off the ground, very small, but it was his, and it was easy to keep warm. He stopped outside the cave and gestured toward it. “This is Katva’s home. It will be yours, too.”

“Shouldn’t we wait for him to come back?” she asked, standing outside the entrance and peeking a look inside.

“Katva is here.”

“Where?” she asked, glancing quickly around the inside of the cave once more.

He stood there, looking down at her, waiting for her to catch on. He refused to claim her, she’d have to choose him first.

“Katva!” Oscal called out, approaching quickly.

Katva turned to greet Oscal.

“I have a male who wishes to claim Raska’s female. He has promised much to the tribe to help throughout the winter,” Oscal said.

He opened his mouth to object, but Bettina stopped him. “I’m choosing my own male this time. He said I could,” she explained, pointing at Katva.

“Is this true? You have allowed her to choose her own mate?”

“Yes. Valka made sure that Delia could make her own choice if he died, so why shouldn’t Bettina?”