Raw

Chapter Thirteen - Guilt

The fierce roars and wails of the fight drove me onward. What had I done? As I pushed northward toward Father's land, I cried. I couldn't believe the power of my heat. I had no control over myself. And Mhor, what did he think of me? For him to burst out so quickly, he had to have seen me with the twins.

The vicious sounds of the fight faded as I pushed through a cluster of bushes. My father, my brothers, Mhor. They all must be so ashamed of me!

Breaking through the bushes, I almost stumbled into the river. I pulled up hard, seeing a family of hippos filling the water. They turned their heads to me and the largest male snarled. Crossing there would be suicide. I had better chances with crocs.

Still sobbing, I trotted up the shoreline, searching for a safer place to cross. With the water low, the crocs crammed in together in the deeper parts. Finally, I found a narrow neck with only a few crocs. It was my best option.

Taking a deep breath, I ran into the water. The sound of something splashing behind me pushed me on as I sobbed. I didn't want to be eaten, even if I did feel like I'd betrayed the world.

A warm body pressed against my hip. Not a croc! I glanced around. Mhor! I paddled harder. I couldn't face him. What would he do to me for my betrayal?

"Zora."

I panicked as crocs closed in around us. No! I had to reach the shore.

A croc flew at me. I screamed. Mhor pushed forward, roaring at it. It hissed, back paddling as it snapped its teeth. Mhor pushed me forward and my feet hit the slippery mud. I stumbled up onto dry land, breaking into a run. My heart had shattered, and I couldn't face Mhor.

"Zora!"

His yell made me run harder.

"Zora!" He grabbed me around the waist.

"No!" Giant tears streamed down my face. "I can't..."

I struggled to pull free, but his grip only tightened. "Zora, stop."

My crying made me weak. My sudden lack of struggle made us stumble forward onto the ground. He pinned me on my back as I covered my face.

"Zora." His soft voice made my heart skip. He softly kissed my cheek. "Shh."

Between sobs, I managed to say, "I betrayed you."

"No." He pulled my hands back, but I couldn't look at him so I closed my eyes. Softly, he kissed my eyelids. "They knew what they were doing. They knew your heat would drive you to mate with the closest male. You have no control once your heat sets in."

A deep ache set into my throat as my breath trembled. "I'm so sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry about." He pressed his forehead against mine. "I heard you call for me, but when I found you, I was attacked. By the time the fight was over..." He stroked my hair. "I should be begging for your forgiveness. I didn't take care of you like I promised. I didn't make it in time to stop them. Then once he'd mated with you, I could do nothing but watch and wait. It tore my heart out. The way they..." He drew a deep breath. "I swear to you, no one will ever treat you like that again. If you'll forgive me, I'll—"

My eyes flew open, meeting his. "Forgive you? But I—"

"It's not your fault." A tear ran down his cheek. "I thought I was protecting you when I moved to the north away from our hiding place. I didn't want your father to find me so near and stop me from seeing you. I should have stayed close. I should have known the twins would come for you."

"No, Mhor." I caressed his cheek. "Please don't blame yourself."

"But I should have done more, I should have protected you." He gazed steadily into my eyes. "I love you."

My heart stopped. "You do? Even after all that happened?"

"Yes." He brushed soft kisses on my nose. "I didn't know I could care so much about someone until you. Even if you can't forgive me, I will never stop loving you."

"Mhor." New tears streamed down my face and into my hair. "There's nothing to forgive. You came for me. Even when I was mating with the twin, I wished for you. I love you too."

A wide smile burst onto his face. "Zora." He clasped my face and kissed me firmly.

My heart melted. All the guilt and sorrow from moments earlier faded into nothing. He loved me! Even after Paner tricked his way into mating with me, Mhor loved me!

A deep growl came overhead. Mhor pulled back, rolling off me. Father loomed over us, my four brothers flanking him. All five large, powerful, and covered in blood, looked frightening.

"Arise, son of Cal," Father said in a deep, commanding voice.

Mhor jumped to his feet. I stumbled up beside him.

Father glanced at me, then focused on Mhor. "You have regained your claim on my daughter by killing the Barg twin who mated with her."

I caught my breath. Mhor killed Paner?

Mhor bowed his head. "He stole her and abused her. No one will ever touch my mate without facing my wrath."

My oldest brother stepped forward and whispered into Father's ear. Father nodded, then motioned with his hand. "Come to me, Zora."

I obeyed without hesitation.

Father wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "Son of Cal, if you swear not to touch my females and children, I would like you to come to my encampment with us."

Mhor's eyes lit up. "I swear it."

Father's grip on me tightened as he tilted his head for us to follow.

We walked in silence, while my head spun. Paner was dead? What about Tallem? And Mhor, he killed him, for me! Males killed for females all the time, but usually for a whole pride, not just one. Mhor truly did love me! How had I gone from feeling like I'd betrayed the world, to feeling so... giddy?

But as we approached the camp, Father said into my ear, "We need to discuss with your mother what to do if you have conceived."

My giddy feeling vanished.