Page 97 of Theirs to Crave
Zaf’s head lifted at the sound, and he followed my gaze to Arvel. As Estrayuh bent, excitedly showing Litha her feet, Zaf bared his teeth in a silent snarl at the unpleasant man, snapping them to get his attention.
Arvel jerked, blanched, and spun away, his hand flying in the gesture to ward off death.
I was striding forward, needing to nuzzle Zaf for his fierceness, when Saytireka’s horrified face caught my attention.My ears flattened. Perhaps we should not have come to the village after all.
Saytireka stared at my mates and ourLelesha—her expression shifting to the self-righteous determination I was so familiar with. She started towards them, but I was faster.
I took two running strides and leapt, landing lightly on my feet in front of her. Her angry hiss brushed past me as I straightened, shaking my head.
“Move. I wish to speak to my son,” Saytireka snapped.
“But does he wish to hear you?” I kept my tone mildly curious, my muscles loose but ready.
She drew to her full height, looming over me with outrage snapping in her eyes.
I flicked my tail, unimpressed.
“This is your fault,” Saytireka hissed, jerking her chin towards Zaf, Litha, and Estrayuh. “You brought thetetevath’ainto our village. You claimed them as kin. They bring death in their wake, and you invited them into your den. Intomy son’sden!”
I snorted. “What death? There have been no deaths in the village since thetetezha’acame.”
She bared her teeth at me.
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “I did claim them as kin, as honor demanded. As did you. You gave them the same rights as any other Teterayuh,Ralaytuh Naiset.” I bit out the last two words, her title tasting like ash in my mouth. “We Teterayuh do not need your permission to choose a mate.”
“Clearly,” she sneered, looking me up and down.
My lip wanted to curl, but I forced myself to smile instead. It was a slow, sensuous smile. I played my tongue along my teeth as I said nothing, letting my scent and expression tell her I was very satisfied by my chosen mate—her son.
“Revik?” Litha called. Her tail whipped as she glared at Saytireka, belying the lightness of her tone. “Are you ready? Estrayuh wants to try out her newshooz.”
Worried brown eyes peeked from behind her, where Estrayuh stood, arms wrapped around herself.
“Yes,” I said, meeting Satireka’s eyes before deliberately turning my back. “I’m done. Let’s go.”
“Goodbye, Mother.” Zaf’s words were barely more than snapping teeth, and he walked away without waiting for a response.
My hope that he’d been too focused on Estrayuh to pay attention to Saytireka clearly hadn’t borne fruit.
Litha stared Saytireka down until the older woman turned—with offended dignity—and walked away. Then her eyes moved to me and softened. She pressed her forehead to mine, and I breathed her in, replacing the bitter smoke of irritation with the warmth of her scent.
Estrayuh’s fingers brushed my arm, a silent question.
Murmuring my thanks to Litha, I bent and rubbed Estrayuh’s knuckles across my jaw.
“Let’s go home,” I said.
“Find Zaf,” she agreed, and led the way out of the shelter of theerralaytuh. I chuffed, catching up with her in a single stride, Litha moving to her other side.
No one spoke.
When we were clear of the village, Estrayuh took my hand, wrapping her little fingers around two of mine. A moment later, her other hand closed around the base of Litha’s tail.
My mate met my eyes above our Little Star’s head, a familiar banked anger lighting her eyes. Something would have to be done about Saytireka soon. Much as we disliked each other, and as often as I disagreed with her choices, I had to admit that she was—or at least had been—a decentRalaytuh Naiset. She was overbearing, and proud, and resisted change, but she truly cared for our people and did her best to see them safe and happy.
That had changed. Her distrust of thetetezha’a—who were also now our people—had poisoned her mind, and that poison would spread throughout the village if it wasn’t dealt with.
My teeth ground together as my jaw clenched. Deliberately, I blew out a long breath, curling my fingers gently around Estrayuh’s small hand.We could all use a cuddle when we got back to the den, I thought.And a nap.Fighting with Saytireka was exhausting.