The Barbarian Mate [Edited]

Chapter 7

Rubes's eyes scanned the area frantically as she realized Althea was missing. Instant fear settled in her bones, and she took off in a sprint, her heart racing with every step. She called out Althea's name, but there was no response.

"Yeilk, Althea is gone!" Rubes exclaimed, panic rising in her voice.

Yeilk's expression turned grim. "Go and look for her. Take some of the women." He ordered the men to clean up the area while he went off on his own search.

Rubes and the women searched every nook and cranny, but there was no sign of Althea. "She's not here," a female named Nala said, her voice laced with concern.

Rubes pulled at her hair in frustration. She should have been watching Althea more closely. If something happened to her, it would be Rubes's fault. Althea knew nothing about this world and its dangers. She was not fit for a life out here.

Just then, Nala pointed in a direction. "Hear!" she exclaimed.

They all ran towards the sound, and if they listened carefully, they could hear a small voice screaming for help. Yeilk, who was nearby, heard the screams and took off in a sprint, his long strides eating up the distance.

"Althea!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the forest.

"Help me!" Althea's voice was hoarse from screaming.

Yeilk followed the sound of her voice and came upon a serpent dragging her away. With a cry of pure rage, Yeilk swung his sword in a wide arc, and the serpent's head separated from its body. Althea crawled away, huddling against a tree as sobs rocked her body.

Yeilk walked over and picked her up effortlessly, cradling her in his arms. She clung to him, her body shaking with fear. Yeilk walked out of the forest, the women following behind him with concerned expressions.

"What happened?" Rubes asked, her eyes fixed on Althea's pale face.

"Serpents," Yeilk replied, his voice curt.

The women exchanged worried glances. It wasn't Yeilk's first time killing a Serpent tribe member. They were always intruding on his tribe, and Yeilk was at war with their leader, Loes.

Yeilk got to his home and entered, placing Althea on the bed. Rubes immediately started tending to her hands and knees, which had been skinned during the ordeal.

Althea pulled her leg back as whatever Rubes put on her knee burned. "Why did you go into the forest?" Yeilk asked, his eyes narrowing.

Althea looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear. "I didn't," she said quietly. "I was by the big boulder."

Yeilk's expression turned grim, and he walked out of the room, leaving Althea with Rubes.

"Is he mad?" Althea asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rubes's expression was serious. "Yes, but not at you. It means you could be in possible danger from other tribes, and we could be going to war with other tribes in the near future."

Althea felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she thought of all the trouble her presence was causing. "It's my fault, isn't it?" she asked, her voice cracking.

Rubes's expression softened. "It's not your fault. You being here is just an opportunity they see to stir up trouble."

Althea looked up at Rubes, her eyes searching for answers. "What is Yeilk going to do?"

Rubes chuckled, but there was no humor in her voice. "Knowing my brother, he is already plotting ways to get back at them. He's not going to let this pass, especially when you're involved."

Rubes gave Althea a knowing smile. She liked how naive Althea was, how she still saw the world as a good place. But Rubes knew the truth - this world was harsh and unforgiving, and Althea was just a pawn in a much larger game.