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Chapter Fifteen - Witch Doctor

Father allowed Mhor to stay in the camp that night. When I arose in the morning, I found Mhor asleep by the door of our hut. Touched by his devotion, I woke him with a kiss. He smiled wistfully as he gazed up at me with heavy eyes.

Four large bodies circled me, as hands grabbed my arms. Mhor leaned back as my brothers dragged me away. I smiled and waved to him, except Ferrin snatched my wave away. Thelmos wrapped his arm around my shoulders as he and my brothers led me from the camp. We rarely had time together anymore, and since they'd all have to return home soon, I didn't protest.

In an empty field, all four of my brothers wrestled in the long grass. Thelmos, as usual, won, but to everyone's surprise, Hektos tested him, and almost beat him. Once their competition ended, they all pounced on me. I growled playfully as I tried to squirm free.

Fennir grasped my hips, forcing me to the ground as Hektos caught my shoulder, biting down gently. I submitted, lying on my back as they climbed on me, nuzzling with me as we all purred. We hadn't had bonding time like this for many dry seasons, and I loved it.

Hektos nuzzled against my shoulder as he laid beside me. Fennir and Keenan curled up with their heads on my belly, and Thelmos sat watch while stroking my hair.

"So you have a mate," Thelmos said, looking into my eyes. "Tell us about the son of Cal."

"You've talked and fought with him," I replied, stroking his knee.

"Yes, and I see he is strong and noble." He shuffled onto his belly, nuzzling against my cheek. "But how is he with you?"

"Kind," I whispered as he rested his head on my shoulder. "Gentle, affectionate. He listens to me, and protects me. He was devastated by my abduction."

"He was the one who found you," Fennir said. "He said he heard you calling, and picked up your scent. He paced around that clearing the whole time they had you, waiting for the moment to break you free and reclaim you."

I smiled as I closed my eyes to see Mhor's face. "It would be hard to find a better mate than him."

"We're pretty amazing," Hektos said, shuffling closer, and earning a growl from Keenan when he kicked him.

"But we can't mate with her," Fennir said, pushing up onto his elbows. "She's our sister. It's not right. So she has to settle for someone of a lower standard."

My jolt to hit him made our other brothers pull him onto the ground. We laughed as we laid entwined together on the grass.

"As long as he's good to you," Thelmos said once the laughing died down. "We'll always be here if you need us. If he hurts you once--"

"We'll kill him," Hektos said fiercely.

I had no doubt they would, but I said, "He never would. He cares about me, and will take care of our pride with gentleness. He will be a devout protector, but won't ever use his strength to hurt me."

Soon, my older brothers left to return to their prides and Hektos and I walked back together.

When we reached the encampment, Mhor sat a few paces outside the perimeter, chewing on a bone. He grinned as he stood to great us.

"What are you doing out here?" Hektos asked.

Mhor tilted his head toward the camp. "One of the females went into heat. I left before I could be driven out."

"Juniper," I said, glancing toward the camp.

Hektos pointed his thumb toward the smaller retired encampment nearby. "We'll be safe there."

We sat around the fire, chatting together. Hektos and Mhor even wrestled, bonding like brothers before Father found us. Hektos shot to his feet, scampering behind me as Father towered over Mhor. "You should leave now."

Mhor bowed his head. "Yes, I should secure my land."

Father bowed, his gaze scanning the camp.

Mhor grasped my elbow and quickly kissed me. "I'll be back for you, I promise."

I smiled, my heart light. "I know you will."

He moved in to kiss me again, but Father growled and shoved him. Mhor nodded, giving me a quick smile. He darted from the camp, heading southward. I missed him already.

Several days later, Father woke me just as the sun was rising. Mother started beside me, gasping. "Krosh?"

"She is here." Father stood and left the hut.

Mother drew a sharp breath and rushed to wake Hektos. "Get out."

Hektos grumbled and rolled over.

"Right now." She yanked him off his mat.

"All right!" He shook his head as he shuffled onto his feet.

Once he'd gone, Mother turned to me. "Remove your leggings, Zora."

"Why?"

"Just do it!" She paced as she stared at the door.

I slid my leggings off, staring up at her confused.

The flap opened. Father entered followed by an aged female baboon. Mother dashed over to me, kneeling behind me as she clutched my shoulders.

"Zora," Father said gently. "This is Shakina, the witch doctor."

I tensed, pressing back against Mother. Now I knew why she'd been so agitated.

The baboon knelt in front of me, laying a stick with a satchel tied to it beside us. "Zora." She smiled kindly as she touched my knee. "All I am to do at this point is to check you. If I find your body preparing for a pregnancy, then we will discuss what to do. Do you understand?"

I shook my head. "I don't want to kill it. It's mine."

Father let out a low growl as he turned away, folding his arms.

"We don't know if there is one yet." The baboon gently pressed my knees apart. "Lay back and relax so I can see."

I rested into Mother's lap as the baboon opened her satchel and ground a powder into a small bowl. She shuffled between my legs, and slid her fingers inside me. I groaned, pushing my head back at the invasion. Her other hand pressed on my abdomen, and both hands felt around. The discomfort made me wince and moan. Father tensed with each sound, but kept his back to us. Mother's tears fell on my forehead.

Finally, the baboon removed her hands. She dipped her fingers that were inside me into the powder, stirring. Then, she shook her head. "She has not conceived."

Father turned his ear toward us, but only far enough so he couldn't see. "Are you sure?"

"I have never been wrong." The baboon pulled my skirt over me.

Father relaxed as he faced us. "I'm so relieved. I didn't want to put her through the alternative."

Mother helped me sit up and dotted kisses over my cheek.

"Now, Krosh. My payment."

Father nodded. "There is a boabab tree surrounded by a cluster of bushes in the north east, with a small waterhole nearby. You may move your family there."

"With no risk of being hunted by your pride?"

"You are safe from my pride."

She nodded and dipped her hands into a pail of water to wash. "A pleasure working with you, Krosh. You are every bit as noble as I heard."

"That's kind of you to say."

Father led her from the hut so I could dress. Once I'd pulled on my fresh clothes, Mother wrapped me in a tight embrace. "I'm so glad. If you'd conceived, your father would have insisted on ending it. I would have had to help you flee, and he would have been terribly angry with both of us."

"He would have let you return," I said, kissing her cheek.

"Me, maybe. But never you. I couldn't live without you."

"Let's not think about it," I said, keeping my arm around her as we headed outside for breakfast. "I haven't conceived, so I can be with Mhor when the time comes. I couldn't be happier."

"Me too, my sweet." She kissed my temple.