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Chapter Five - Father's Pride

"Zora?"

Silently, I backed away from the hut at the sound of Mother calling for me. I dashed back toward the fire pit, where she met me with a smile.

"Come, dear. We must check on the retired females."

I nodded, rushing up beside her. The "retired" females were the females Father no longer bred with as they had grown too old for it to be safe or healthy for them. Many other males simply thrust them out, but Father felt a great responsibility for each of them, and included them in his family until the end. They were still excellent for hunting and gathering, so never burdened anyone.

Mother and I trotted through the long grass over the crest to the encampment within a cluster of trees. Although technically Mother was also retired, Father adored her, and as his alpha, kept her close. Other males in the region would love to get their hands on her if they had the chance.

The beta female, the female that watched over the retired group, hurried out to meet Mother. They embraced, being old friends. Father had selected the beta not long after he acquired Mother, so they had been in the pride since it first formed. In fact, they came from the same pride, so shared the same father.

"Flit." The beta kissed Mother's cheek. "What has been happening at the main encampment?"

"That's why I'm here," Mother said. "I believe you smelled that heat."

"Of course. The adolescent males of our pride came to us when Krosh drove them out. We welcomed them in, since young males had been harassing us."

"I was afraid of that." Mother squeezed my shoulder, coaxing me into the camp. "Was anyone touched?"

"No, thank goodness." The beta motioned to one of the females. "She went on heat and a couple of the males went for her, but we managed to free her and released the heat manually."

"Soroya." Mother shook her head. "She's barely been retired. Poor thing."

"Krosh will need to come by soon. We have two more due for heats."

"I know. But he's about to go on a patrol, and Juniper is on heat and he wishes for her to conceive."

"Was it Juniper's heat?" the beta asked.

"No." Mother stopped, motioning to me. "Zora has come of age."

"Zora." The beta clasped my face, smiling wistfully. "How quickly you've grown. Your father will be sad to see you leave. No wonder the scent lasted so long. I bet he took his time selecting for you."

I smiled, my heart fluttering as I thought of Mhor. "He selected a fine mate for me. I will be an alpha."

"That wasn't even a question with your mother being Flit." The beta released my face to grasp Mother's hands. "What pride did he come from?"

"He is a son of Cal," Mother said. "A larger, stronger young male I have not seen since our own Krosh."

"Cal?" The beta c****d her head. "Cal comes from far away. Farther than our father's old pride land. He had to pass through many powerful males' territories to reach here."

"Which is part of the reason Krosh was so impressed by him." Mother strokes my back. "He will make a fine mate for my daughter."

They continued talking as they moved through the camp. I stayed a few steps behind, smiling at the familiar faces. These females were my father's original pride, the females I remembered as a child. Father was so unlike other males to keep them around, but he cared so much for each of them. I hoped Mhor would be equally as tender as my father.

As I passed by a gap in the huts, a rustling in the grass caught my attention. Staring toward it, I backed toward the center of the camp. Then, a young male lunged out at me. I screamed as he pinned me to the ground, biting at my neck.

"Mine," he said in a low growl.

Why was he attacking me? I wasn't even on heat! I clawed at his chest, trying to fight him off.

"Mine!" He covered my mouth and dragged me toward the bushes. He would take me to force me while I wasn't on heat, to force being allowed to mate with me. No, I wanted to be with Mhor, so I wouldn't let him! I struggled, kicking, clawing at his arms.

Then he suddenly released me and ran away. I collapsed onto the dirt, struggling to breathe as a group of adolescent males shot by, chasing him away. My brother Hektos knelt beside me, resting his hand on my shoulder.

"Zora, are you hurt?"

"No." I rubbed my throat. "He tried to take me!"

Hektos let out a low growl. "He bears the markings of Voch. Father will not be pleased. No sons of Voch are allowed near Father's daughters."

Hektos helped me to my feet. Mother hurried up beside us, brushing my hair back. "Zora, did he touch you?"

"She is unharmed," Hektos answered. "He was bold to enter the encampment. Father will need to do a sweep of his land immediately."

"You and the others will need to help him," Mother said. "When they return, you must go to your father and offer your help."

"Father is not pleased with me," Hektos said, averting his eyes. "I acted shamefully."

"It was not your fault." Mother kissed his cheek. "Even your father struggled to resist. He will forgive you once things have settled."

A knot formed in my stomach. My poor brother. All because of me. "Maybe I should go to Mhor," I said. "I don't want to go into another heat and make things difficult for Hektos and Father again."

Hektos' brows furrowed. Mother shook her head and said, "Your father will not let you go just yet. Once you have conceived, he will carve out a piece of territory for your mate, but not until then. Your mate will eventually take over this whole territory."

"Mine?" We turned, heading toward the main encampment. "Surely one of my brothers... Thelmos, since he is the oldest, or Hektos since he has proven to be the strongest and smartest."

"Thank you, sister," Hektos said with a bow of his head. "But Father will pick only the finest for you. A male far superior than any of us. Plus, he will need to be unrelated by blood to take over the daughters that will remain when the time comes."

As we entered the main encampment, Father looked up from the doorway of the hut. The faint smell of Juniper's heat remained, but he had pulled on his skin pants and an apron over his chest. His golden skin shone in the sunlight, with his dark gold hair highlighting his magnificent features. I looked remarkably like him, but in female form. Although, I had inherited my mother's softer features and long, speedy legs. She was of a different breed, with bronze skin and hair that she inherited from her own mother.

Father's gaze turned to us. He glared as we approached. Hektos stopped, hanging back, but Mother surged forward. "Krosh, you must go out to survey your territory. Your sons just chased a son of Voch away when he had the audacity to grab Zora while she walked within the camp boundaries. It seems the mere memory of her heat drives the young males to madness. Your adolescent sons are willing to help you run off any males that remain on your land."

Father looked to Hektos.

Hektos bowed his head. "It would be my honor to redeem myself in your eyes, Father."

Father stepped from the hut, standing between me and Hektos. He smelled strongly of sweat and Juniper's heat. Hektos' nostrils flared as he fought to ignore the urges the heat scent brought to the surface.

"Gather your brothers and meet me here when the sun is at its height. We will need to be swift."

Hektos bowed his head. "Thank you, Father."

Hektos hurried away in search of the other adolescent males.

Father then turned to me. "Come, Zora."

He strode away out of the camp. I dashed after him. We headed to the waterhole. He didn't speak as he scanned the area, scratching at the ground with his foot every so often, and using a rock to mark the trees. The scent of other males lingered, so remarking his territory was essential.

We reached the waterhole and he drew a deep breath. "Many of the males came here to drink and heal after fighting. Some even fell in a brawl." He motioned to a bloodied rock up further. "The daughter of Flit and Krosh is considered a grand prize, even for those who have never seen you, and especially with a heat as powerful as yours."

He paused by the water, scanning for crocs and hippos.

"Father," I said softly. "Maybe you should let me go to Mhor. I do not wish to cause harm to anyone, and he can end my heat swiftly."

He slid off his apron, revealing his broad shoulders. Long scars ran down his back, remnants of his younger years carving out his territory. "Your mother was my first mate, you know that."

"Yes." I headed to a rock, sitting to make myself comfortable.

"You are just like she was. Beautiful, strong, cunning. Her parents were renowned for their bloodlines, just as we are. I knew she would bear me great children, but her father made me prove myself. It came down to a battle between myself and Voch."

"That's why you won't let him have any of us."

He nodded, dipping his apron in the water. "And there's more. Technically he beat me, but she and her father preferred me. He said I showed more courage and potential, so he allowed me to sneak in and take Flit before Voch arrived. Unfortunately, her scent was potent too, so he hunted us while we mated. Finally, I had no choice but to end her heat so we could hide."

He turned to me, running his hand through his hair. "He still desires your mother. I'm afraid if he hears her only daughter is of age, he will come to take you for himself. I may have a larger pride and territory, but one on one, he is more powerful than me."

"That's why you wish to keep me close?" I asked.

"That..." He squatted in front of me, grasping my hands. "And I've never loved any of my children as much as I love you. I will struggle to let you go, and when I do, I will keep you close." He touched my cheek and slowly stood. "I've been thinking about it, and I think I will give this son of Cal the piece of land that borders on your two brothers' pride land. Locked in there, you will have not only my protection, but theirs as well."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea."

He smiled, his gaze scanning the edges of the waterhole. "I can smell Mhor here. I believe he hid around here somewhere during the wait."

"I first saw him here," I said.

"Yes, he and the twins fought savagely in this area." He motioned for me to turn around.

I swiveled so he could undress and wash. The smell of Juniper's heat melted away as the sounds of splashing and washing came from behind me. I stood, heading into the scrub to give him some privacy.

"Don't go far!" he called after me. "There are still males about."

"I won't!"

Pressing silently through the undergrowth, I searched out Mhor's scent. He had covered it well, making a trail hard to pick up. So I crept on, keeping a sharp ear for any sounds of anything approaching.

A soft crackle made me freeze. I held my breath, listening.

"Zora."

His whispered voice made my skin break out in bumps. Turning, I saw Mhor peek around a tree, his dark hair shining in a beam of light.

"My father is near," I said softly.

He nodded, glancing toward the waterhole. "Come."

He reached out his hand for me. With my heart racing, I took it. He led me through the thick shrub, pausing every so often to hide our trail. But soon we reached a rock. We circled it, then, he bent over. I followed, and found an almost invisible crevice. He pulled me in behind him. Once through, it opened up to a gap where we could sit comfortably. He had meat wrapped in skins in the corner; they smelled like an antelope and a zebra.

He dug into the pile and pulled out a piece of cooked meat. "Here."

I chewed on the tender antelope. "A foal."

He nodded, smiling. "Does it please you?"

"It's delicious."

He shuffled closer, softly brushing his fingers around the back of my neck. "I am well hidden here. Come to me when you can."

"My father is about to check his territory," I said. "They will find you."

He shook his head. "I can close the crevice once I'm inside. I will stay in here for a few days until they're done."

He softly kissed my cheek, then his lips wandered down my neck.

"Mhor..." I leaned against him, enjoying his tender touch.

He laid me back, carefully untying my skins and pulling them open. I gasped when my body became exposed. "Are you serious about this mating for pleasure?"

"I've never been more serious." He peeled my hands away from my breasts. "Now I am not blinded by your heat, I can see how magnificent you truly are."

I smiled, raising my arms above my head and opening my legs so he could enjoy the view. He let out a shuddering breath, then grabbed my breast. "And you chose me?"

"Yes."

He leaned over me, kissing me softly. He shuffled to remove his pants, then carefully slid himself inside me. He lifted his head to look down at me as my breath quickened. He felt wonderful inside me, like he belonged there.

He slid his hands into mine, holding them above my head. His dark eyes gazed into mine as he rocked slowly into me. Although gentler than our mating during my heat, it made my body ache for him.

"Mhor," I said breathlessly. "What's happening to me?"

"Relax, my sweet Zora." He kissed my neck and collarbone. "This is for enjoyment."

He slipped both my hands into one of his over my head, then grabbed my thigh. He lifted it higher and across his chest. As soon as he did, he slipped deeper inside me.

"Mhor." I stifled myself crying out. This did feel pleasurable!

"You're amazing, Zora." His hand fell onto my breast, twisting my n****e.

"Zora?"

I pushed Mhor off me and sat up. "My father."

Mhor pressed up beside me, staring toward the crevice. "Go. We can finish this later. If he finds me, he will run me out."

I looked into his eyes, then kissed him. He caressed my cheek, then breast, before he pulled back. "Go."

I hurried from the crevice, wrapping my skins around me once I stepped free.

"Zora?" Tension filled Father's voice.

I rushed toward him. "Father, I'm here."

"Zora?" He crashed through the bushes toward me. When he broke through, we almost ran into each other.

"There you are." He squeezed my shoulders, looking me over. "I told you to stay close."

"I thought I smelled a warthog. I didn't realize how far I'd gone."

He touched my cheek, right where Mhor had just caressed it. "It's too dangerous for you to wander off. Let's get you back to the camp."

He wrapped his arm around my waist, guiding me into a brisk walk. Hopefully he wouldn't discover Mhor. I wanted to finish what we started. But for now, I'd let my father lead me away for both of our safety.