Raw

Chapter Seven - Son of the Alpha

Two days later, Father returned with my brothers carrying a young female in his arms. Her golden hair draped under her limp head, matted with mud. The pride stopped to watch as he carried her forward, resting Tali's battered body by the fire pit. Yunya stepped out from behind our brothers, her head hanging.

Their mothers rushed forward, sobbing.

Father stood over Tali and her mother, his fists clenched. He stared down, his body seeming to grow larger with each breath he took.

Mother wrapped her arms around my shoulders. "Tali..."

Father looked to Mother, his eyes ablaze. "No one harms my daughters without bringing vengeance upon themselves. Any male I find trespassing on my land will be killed on sight."

"Do you not know which male took her?" Mother asked in a whisper.

Father clenched his jaw. "I do, and he will die for what he has done."

Father motioned for Hektos to come forward. Hektos trotted over, keeping his eyes low. "Father?"

"Go to all your brothers, Thelmos first, then Fennir and Keenan. Tell them to find Omi, son of Reesh, and bring him to me. There will be a reward for whoever hands him over."

Hektos nodded, then, calling over two brothers, they headed northwest toward Thelmos' land.

"Father," I said. "Won't that bring war with Reesh?"

"He knows the law." Father looked back at Tali and the females lifted her to prepare her to rest. "I am within my rights to seek vengeance. He killed my daughter, on my land, and abducted another who barely escaped. Reesh has no choice but to let me have him."

Father watched Tali be carried away, then hurried over to carry Yunya into her mother's hut.

Over the next few days, we grieved for the loss of our sister and laid her to rest. Father moved around the camp like a dark shadow, barely acknowledging anyone. When Mother finally had enough, she brought him into our hut to sleep with us.

He laid on the mat between us, and Mother rubbed his shoulders. "Krosh, carrying your anger helps no one."

"I will carry it until the murderer is dead."

"Krosh." Mother leaned over him, kissing his ear. "We need you to be at peace. The whole family is tense when you're like this, and you have responsibilities you are neglecting. Juniper is still on heat and suffers from your neglect."

"Juniper." He let out a long sigh.

"We are doing all we can to alleviate her discomfort, but she needs to be mated."

"Mmm." He turned his head to look at her. "You are very beautiful, Flit. To this day you are my prize."

She shuffled down beside him, wrapping his arm around her. "I will be faithfully yours until the day I die."

He pulled her in to kiss her. I smiled, loving when my parents showed such affection for one another. Then he rolled on top of her. His head pulled back, but he didn't look away from Mother. "Zora, leave us."

I rushed from the hut, and a moment later, Mother moaned. I glanced back, and Father had her skirt open as he rocked into her. So, Father did mate for pleasure; with my mother.

Strolling toward the dim fire, I listened to the soft voices of the mothers putting their children to bed. Some sang, some told stories. With the insects buzzing, and the clear sky dotted with stars overhead, a sense of serenity swept over me.