The Stars in Your Skin

CHAPTER THREE

Naawri would be the first to admit that she did not intend on having so many friends. She was content with Ha'ew and her siblings, but then that day happened and she gained Neteyam. By extension she gained his family and the human Spider who made her uneasy at times. He looked so delicate there was no way it was safe for him in the forest.

She'd definitely been right about Neteyam all those years ago. He grew up to be the most eligible bachelor in the entire tribe.

Neteyam spots Naawri and Ha'ew at a distant marui. She carries a basket of raw fabric on her hip talking with the older male who leans against the large clay jugs near the home's entrance. He strides towards them with purpose greeting clan members on the way. However he is intercepted.

Naawri glances at Ha'ew when he chuckles. "They found him again."

Naawri turns and sure enough one of his admirers stands in front of him.

Neteyam greets the pretty female politely. "Leyra." He shifts back when she leans closer.

"Hi Neteyam." He pretends he doesn't see the way her eyes run along his body. "You look a little stiff." She holds up a small clay jar proffering it.

"Oh, um." He takes it when she nearly shoves it into his hands. "Thank you." He scans the area for anymore of his admirers, not wanting to be surrounded again.

"It's massage oil. You know for when your muscles need massaging after a Hunt." She steps closer, tail swaying from side-to -side in languid strokes. " Maybe I could help you apply it later," she purrs.

Naawri observes the spectacle with sympathy. Soon he's surrounded by young unmated Omatikaya vying for his attention. They touch, grab, and suggestively caress him. She shakes her head, as the circle around him tightens.

"Should we help him?" Naawri asks.

"We?" Ha'ew gives her a very put out look. "No way. I thought Atxey was going to gut me the last time I tried to help him."

She gives him an annoyed look. "Hew." The circle around Neteyam continues to tighten.

"You're a girl right? You go." He folds his arms in refusal, gesturing for her to go with a nod.

Naawri observes the circle. A memory of the last time she tried to help rose in her mind. She shudders.

Neteyam almost swallows before steeling himself. He forces a smile to the group hemming him in sifting the irritation out of his voice. "Ladies. Ladies please."

They go quiet all of their eyes on him. Some of their gazes are genuinely curious others like he's a morsel in tonight's menu. He swallows.

"Thank you for your considerate gifts, but I really must be going." Collective whines ripple through the group, but they don't move. Tsahey. He doesn't want to offend them or treat the gift basket rudely. He sends an imploring gaze to Naawri and Ha'ew.

Naawri curses when he shoots a pleading look at her with those big expressive eyes that haunt her dreams. Tsahey. Effing tsahey. She heaves a sigh.

"You're going to risk life and limb for your tunutu aren't you?" Ha'ew grins at her.

She rolls her eyes but makes her way to her friend who is in dire straits. The relief that colors his face is adorable when he sees her walking over. Why couldn't she just get over this? On the sunny side, he  was going to owe her so big. She stops once near enough, eyes almost widening at some of the suggestive comments thrown at him. "There you are Neteyam," she says over the tittering.

Sure enough, several pairs of eyes shift to glare at her with pure venom. "Naawri," Leyra all but growls.

Naawri ignores her - er- them."Your Mom is looking for you. She says the two of you need to have discussion."