Selective Breeding | EDITING

Part 8

Deon stared up in fear at the Bear man. His body trembled as he locked onto the dark brown eyes of the man threatening him. He could see the rage building; something else was behind that anger, but Deon would get the lashing for it. He continued staring at his eyes as if anything else was far too intimidating. He tried to speak to reason with the other man but gulped air, followed by a squeak of the vocal cords.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Ratok growled as his other large hand that wasn't holding his leg crashed next to Deon's head. Deon felt his world spin as he lifted his hands up in defence. Not knowing whether to cover his body or cover his face.

Deon's jaw trembled as he tried to find the words to explain what had happened. As everything moved, he couldn't find them, so he was silent until it stopped. "She wasn't leaving me alone- I wasn't thinking." he sputtered.

"That is correct; you weren't thinking; I should have you give me a damn good reason not to tell Vassenhilo and get you put on the front line of his experiments." Before Ratok could do anything to the more petite man beneath him, Ruma shot out from under the bed and sat on Dean's chest, pushing her hands up on Ratok's chest, trying to fend him off.

She shook her head, trying to get him to stop what he was doing.

"Ruma, move", he ordered, his tone significantly softer than it was a mere second ago.

Ruma shook her head and stayed firm, refusing to let Ratok do anything more to Deon. She quickly signed something for him.

"He isn't your Brude male; step aside", Ratok repeated.

Deon could feel his heart against his chest as he watched the interaction go back and forth between the two. All he was getting was one side of the conversation, for the only spoken part was all on this Bear-kins side; Deon watched as she placed a hand on Ratok's chest, assumingly pleading with him. "Ratok", her voice wobbled, but it was clear. Deon made a note in his head about the name. Deon saw a few more signs, but this time, the one called Ratok was silent, watching her.

It looked to Deon that Ratok could not resist her plea, so Ratok stepped back, releasing Deon and stepping off the floor. "Fine, I'll leave him be this time." Ruma stood and followed him. Giving him something that Deon only assumes would be a thank you.

Ratok bobbed his head. He stroked Ruma's hair tenderly.

Deon sat up and looked at him, taking a moment to breathe, "Your name is Ratok?" He wanted to make sure that was correct before he solidified that mental note of his.

Ratok side-eyed him, snorting before speaking, "It is."

"Thank you for not killing me." Deon felt stupid, thanking him for not ending his life then; he wasn't prepared for a de facto bear attack for getting upset at Ruma earlier.

The large man who held onto Ruma snarled, "Why are you thanking me? It would be best if you were thanking her; she wanted you unharmed, not me. I still might harm you if you hurt her again."

Deon nodded; he struggled to get to his feet. Once he was there, he looked Ruma in the face. "Look, I apologise for earlier and don't want to be a part of this. Just leave me be."

Ruma made a sad face; she tried to sign something; this time, she looked to be just using generalised hand points instead of her more sophisticated sign language. He had to shake his head again as he didn't understand that.

Ratok was giving him a look out of the corner of his eye.

Deon felt fear of death, so he finished his statement. "Thank you for keeping the bear guy from killing me."