Raw

Chapter Twenty-Two - Battle

Naya stayed with me for the rest of the day. I think more than anything she wanted to avoid her sister. I don't think she was fond of the idea of being her beta.

That evening, when Keenan returned and Hektos and Thelmos went to leave, Thelmos approached me and pulled me aside.

"Zora, tonight we will be striking."

"I know." I pulled my arm free. Did he know Father chose him to be my mate?

He shuffled closer, lowering his voice. "Someone told you."

"About Father making you my mate? Yes."

He sighed, shaking his head. "It's not like that. I am to come for you and release your heat until someone worthy of you comes. That is all."

"Someone worthy has already come." I folded my arms, looking away. "And I'm your sister."

"Which is why you will not give me young. I'm not fond of the idea, but when the heat sets in, neither of us will be able to stop it. But I will make it quick."

"I can't, Thelmos." A tear ran down my face. "You're my brother."

"I know." He brushed my tear away with his thumb. "But Father cannot, and the others are too young to control their urges, especially with a heat like yours. I will seek out an appropriate mate for you quickly."

"Mhor is an appropriate mate." I flinched back from him.

"Zora." He wrapped his arms around my head. "Father has forbidden it, and short of his dying, nothing will change that."

I sobbed, burying my face into his chest.

"Shh, dear sister. I know it hurts. Mhor is a fine mate, but when you were injured due to his actions, Father lost it. They fought viciously, and Mhor came out of it injured and badly defeated. He's lucky to be allowed onto the pride lands. In his defeat, Father declared him unworthy of any of his daughters, especially you.

"Zora, I swear I'll take care of you, and will find another mate equally, if not more worthy of you, and I will do it quickly."

"But not before my next heat." I looked into his eyes. "How can we do that?"

He drew a deep breath. "When the time comes, we will not make the choice; our instincts will drive us." He kissed my head and released me. "I must go."

I nodded, clinging to myself as he walked away.

When I returned to the fire, Naya was nowhere in sight. I wandered the camp in search of her, until Juniper and several of my sisters blocked me. I stepped back, glancing between them. "What's wrong?"

Juniper growled. I jumped back, alarmed. My sisters converged around me, edging me away.

"Stay away from this part of camp," Juniper said, catching my arm.

As she led me away, I glanced back to see Naya emerge, and behind her stood Mhor. Pain filled his face as I was dragged away.

"Mhor." I wrenched free.

"Zora, no!" He raised his hand as Juniper jumped on my back, pinning me to the ground.

"Mhor!"

Naya rushed forward, kneeling in front of me. "Zora, you can't go to him."

"Please, Zora." Mhor backed into his tent. "Don't come here. I don't want you to get hurt."

"Mhor!"

Juniper forced me to my feet. Despite being in the early stages of carrying, she was surprisingly strong.