Extraterrestrial Exploration

chapter 16

-Eiso-

Last night was a mistake...

groaning, I ran my hand over my face and looked at the mask in my hands before turning my head to look at Nala who was fast asleep in Eikans arms.

He was holding her close, his tail curled around her ankle and face buried in her mane. The jealous pang that squeezed my heart in a vice grip, and the need to hold her in my arms as well was a clear testimony to how bad our situation was getting.

we were never supposed to grow attached to the female. she was merely meant to help us escape our isolation and become one with a tribe again, we are doing this all wrong!

we aren't ready to take on this kind of responsibility. mating with this female is reckless and dangerous, her tribe will see us as raiders, outcasts without reason or morals. we would be stealing her future and taking her from her family, it wouldn't be fair for any of us.

we have to take her back before we make things worse.

Eikan slowly woke up, yawning as he sat upright and looked around. He smiled at Nala but as his eyes met mine his mood soured, seeing the displeased look on my face.

'You never take that off...'he finally spoke, looking towards the mask in my hands.

I didn't respond and just gazed at the mask in deep thought. 'brother?' he spoke up again, sounding a bit worried.

sighing I put my mask back on and stood up to walk away from the bed. 'we have to take her back.'

Eikan watched me silently and glanced back at Nala who continued to sleep peacefully, blissfully unaware of our turmoil.

'What if she doesn't want to go back?'

'Eikan-' I started to speak with a scolding tone.

'I know, it's not our decision. but I can't help but feel she belongs with us. it's not just because I want to mate- I just...' his voice trailed off as he struggled to express himself.

somehow I knew what he was feeling and understood his turmoil. Nala was something new and exciting for us. After being alone for so long it's not all that surprising that the idea of being separated from her was less than ideal.

'damn it all.' I cursed to myself.

Eikan looked at me confused as I made up my mind. 'we shall keep her with us, If it is what she wants.'

he perked up hearing me say this. 'what is the catch?' he questioned.

'we have to take her back.' I responded.

Eikan tilted his head, perplexed by my responses. 'but you just said we can keep her? I do not understand-'

coming back over to them I crouched down next to the nest. 'we will take her back to her companions and see what she decides. if she chooses to stay with us or go back to them...'

his eyes widened and he thought about it for a moment. 'fine if she goes back to them then I shall forfeit any claim or desire to keep her.'

I nodded in agreement glad we finally saw eye to eye.

a subtle gurgling sound drew our attention back to the female as she stirred in her sleep. 'perhaps we should feed her first.' Eikan said.

'Yes feed her and bathe her, we need to erase our scent from her body the best we can. taking her back like this they shall think we forced ourselves on her. feed her some fruit while I prepare some oil.'