Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
"Is she looking this way?" D'see asks.
"She is."
"She's jealous," D'see pronounces again. "She might not want you, but she doesn't want anyone else to have you, either." The female picks at a bit of fuzz on the front of my vest. "If you want to win her, it might be in your best interest to continue to make her jealous. Make her realize she could lose you. Then she will come forward and claim you."
"Do you truly think that will work?" It seems too simple.
"I do. Like I said, I know women." D'see seems confident.
"And what do you get out of this?" I ask.
Her expression looks wistful. "I get a friend and a purpose. I could use both right about now."
I reach out and pick at a bit of fuzz on the fur D'see is clutching around her shoulders, mimicking her movements. "I will be your friend," I promise her. "But only your friend. My heart belongs to B'shit." I do not want another, not even this pretty female with bright smiles and an even brighter mane.
"That's fine. I'm waiting for a soulmate. Someone that's going to love me for me. I'm tired of being second place." There's a little sadness to her smile, but she tucks her arm into the crook of mine and steers me toward the fire. "Shall we make some plans, friend? You can tell me about her and we can come up with some ideas to make her come after you."
I like this. For the first time in a while, I feel hope that I might have B'shit back in my furs once more.
D'see remains locked at my side for the rest of the day. Some of it is shyness, I suspect. There are a lot of new faces and I remember what it was like for Shadow Cat and the island clans when we arrived here on this beach full of strangers after knowing only each other all our lives. It can weigh heavy on the mind, the need to take in names and faces and to try to remember everything. D'see shivers and smiles at everyone, but in quiet moments, she has a lost look on her face. I squeeze her hand to let her know she is not alone. Even in my worst times, I had O'jek and U'dron and I'rec to lean on. I will be that lean for D'see, the brother she has never had.
She gives me a grateful smile and rests her cheek on my shoulder.
Because I am Shadow Cat, I think D'see is more comfortable with my clan than with the others. She remains near one of us at all times, and when it grows late and the others start to drift away from the central fire, D'see gets to her feet. "I think I want to go for a walk on the beach before sleep," D'see says brightly. "It's so very beautiful."
And she gives me a pointed look.
"I will take you," I say, and get to my feet. I am not surprised to see I'rec and O'jek jump up, too. U'dron casts a longing look at a yawning R'ven, but leaves to join us as well, because Shadow Cat clan must stick together.
We head out toward the water's edge, and D'see exclaims at how beautiful it is by night. I suppose the water is nice, but I have seen it all my life. It holds no particular fascination for me. Instead, I scan the distant camp for signs of B'shit. It is dark and getting late. Is she sneaking off to do her clay work tonight? Or will she avoid me like she did last night? Perhaps D'see is right and she is jealous. That she will demand D'see take her hands off of me, because B'shit has claimed me for herself.
I like that thought. A lot.
We walk on the beach together, the five of us, and eventually D'see gently clears her throat and pauses. "I slept in the women's cave last night and…I don't know if I can sleep there again." She gives us a sad little look. "Everyone's very nice, but I feel like I don't belong, and being there with all the others makes me feel like I'm invading their space. Like they can't talk because I'm around." She bites her lip and gazes at us. "Where do you men sleep?"
I'rec gestures at the cluster of huts at the base of the cliffs. "We have built huts in anticipation of mates." He gives her a protective look. "If you are uncomfortable sleeping with the females, you can sleep in my hut." After a moment, he adds, "And I will stay with O'jek."
O'jek frowns at this, but voices no complaint. We all slept in the same small cave since the first death of the Great Smoking Mountain. It will not be unusual for them to share quarters again.