Raw

Chapter Seventeen - Mother's Beta

My time of bleeding came and everyone was relieved the baboon got it right. Like the last time I bled, Sapine went on heat. Hektos grabbed my arm and pulled me away as Father rushed in to her.

Hektos and I walked across the plains. Soon they'd be filled with the migrating herds when the waters swelled. But for now, giraffes and rhinos dotted the area. Not good food, but we had enough storage, along with the smaller prey available, to get us by until the river rose.

"It's getting harder," Hektos said.

"What is?" I asked.

"Resisting the heats." He rubbed his nose. "They just smell so good. Father will run me out soon because he will notice my struggle."

I wrapped my arm through his, frightened by the prospect of losing him. He wouldn't go far, but it wouldn't be the same, just like our other brothers. "Be strong, Hektos."

"I am." He stopped to meet my gaze. "But Sapine and Juniper in particular, Father's breeding females, drive me mad, ravenous. I can't take much more of it."

I gazed up at him, seeing the torture in his eyes. He fought every moment within himself when they each came on heat. Poor Hektos. I kissed his cheek and wrapped my arms around him. "You are strong, and you do the right thing by walking away. I'm so proud of you."

He grinned, then knocked me over to wrestle me. His strength surprised me, so he beat me over and over, even when he gave me the advantage. When he pinned me down, biting at my shoulder, he suddenly tensed. He released me, staring fixedly through the grass.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Outcasts."

I peeked through the grass to see a group of adolescent and young cubs. We didn't move as we watched them pass by and stop at the creek. The youngest ones stayed close to their older brothers, while the older sisters scanned the area.

"There's been an overthrow," I whispered. "Can you tell which pride?"

He sniffed the air, his eyes glazing over. "That smell."

I inhaled, picking up the sweet musk of an early heat. "Hektos, don't approach them. There are three males all about your age."

"It's her." He tilted his head, licking his lips. "Oh, she's beautiful."

"Hektos." I clung to his arm, trying to pull him away. "We can't take them ourselves."

"She's mine." He tugged free and darted into the grass.

"Hektos!" I scrambled after him.

As he approached, he let out a roar. The group looked around and took flight. In the confusion, they didn't take time to notice he wasn't a full-grown male, so ran to hide. I ran after him as he followed the young female on heat, isolating her from the others.

He chased her into a thicket. Unable to see, I could only hear the sounds of her resisting his advances. She hissed at him as they fought, then it all ended abruptly.

I pushed through, keeping my distance when I saw her lying on the ground while he paced nearby.

"I am a son of Krosh," he said gently. "I will give you a strong bloodline."

"You look too young to mate," she said with a low growl. "I am too young."

"You are on heat." He edged closer, earning him a warning swipe. "Be my first. If you like me, I'll make you my alpha. You're very beautiful."

Her nostrils flared as she stared up at him. "What is your name?"

"Hektos." He knelt beside her, crawling closer.

"You would take an outcast? I am a daughter of Reesh, and he has been overthrown."

"You're still beautiful." He ran his fingers through her pale blonde hair. "And strong."

She closed her eyes, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

"I'll take care of you." Hektos leaned in and softly kissed her cheek.

She moaned, clawing at her clothes. "You promise?"

"I promise."

She pulled off her dress. Hektos hurried to remove his pants as she stripped down, her consent irresistible to him. As he lowered into her, she gasped and clung to his shoulders. I turned away, taking up a role as sentry with the sounds of my younger brother and his first mate behind me. By the sound of things, he was doing a great job too. She let out loud moans and begged him for more.

When he groaned loudly, and the sounds came to an end, I crept in. She'd already fallen asleep, but he lay beside her, watching her. He glanced up at me, covering himself and her as he motioned for me to approach.

"I'll be here for a while," he whispered. "Let Father know I'll bring her back when we're done."

I nodded. "Do you need someone to watch out for you?"

He smiled, looking down at her face. "Yes, I believe so. Her brothers might come looking for her."

"I'll send some of our younger brothers."

He stroked a stray strand of hair from her cheek. "Thank you, Zora. I want nothing more than to protect her."

I crept away as he nestled her in his arms.

Back at the camp, Father was still in with Sapine, so I went straight to sending out some of my brothers. Then, I searched for Mother. She would want to know.

Searching the camp, a couple of my sisters told me she'd gone to the retired camp. Heading over, the females told me she and Halali had gone for a walk. Undeterred, I followed their trail.

Making my way west, I soon entered a thicket. Water babbled nearby. Then, I heard Mother's voice. "Halali."

"Flit, it's been so long."

I crept closer.

"I know, I'm sorry. With Zora having so much trouble, Hektos struggling with his coming of age, and Krosh busy with only two breeding females so having more time for me, I've—"

"You don't need to explain. You're here now."

They fell silent.

I moved closer, then, I saw them. They lay wrapped together, completely naked and kissing passionately.

I froze, confused.

Halali broke from the kiss, her lips wandering over Mother's body, down to her breasts. "You love Krosh first, that's always been the case, and I've always known it. I just want you to be happy."

"Oh Halali."

Halali moved down, pushing Mother's legs open. "You've been under much strain. Let me help you relax."

Halali lowered her lips down between Mother's legs. Mother groaned, grasping her breasts. "Yes, yes."

"I love you, Flit," Halali said.

I backed away, confused. Once clear of the thicket, I ran. I didn't understand what it meant. Didn't Mother love Father? How long had she and Halali been doing that? I hadn't smelled any heat, so it didn't make sense. I changed course, heading south, to someone who would be the most likely to give me answers.

As I approached the river, Mhor burst out in front of me. I screamed, grasping my chest.

"I didn't mean to startle you." He rested his hands on my shoulders. "I saw you running along the bank, so I came across. There are too many crocodiles for you to cross."

"Mhor." I threw my arms around him, clinging to him as I burst into tears.

"Zora." He lifted me and carried me over to sit in the grass. "What's wrong?"

The words came tumbling out, but I started from the beginning. "There were outcasts on our land, and one of them was in heat, so Hektos claimed her, so I went to tell Father, but he was with Sapine, so I went to find Mother—"

"Slow down." He clasped my face. "You're upset because Hektos has mated?"

"No."

"Because he's a little young, but he's old enough now. He has the drive."

"What?" I shook my head. "This isn't about Hektos."

"Then why are you telling me this?"

"I'm not done." I covered his mouth. "I went to find Mother, to tell her, and I found her... with... Halali."

He raised an eyebrow as he pulled my hand back. "Who is Halali? If it's another male, that's serious."

"No, she's one of the females, in our pride."

"Was she on heat?"

I shook my head, covering my face. "I thought she loved my father. They're devoted. But this? What does it mean? How long has she been doing this?"

"Wait." He tilted his head. "Is she the beta?"

I nodded as tears ran down my face.

He relaxed. "Zora, that's normal."

"What?" I stared at him, even more confused.

"The alpha is responsible for her mate, her young, and the females of the pride. She ensures there is enough food, and water, and aids anyone who is sick or injured. She takes care of everything and is devoted to her mate." He stroked my cheek. "And he is devoted to her, but he is responsible for protecting everyone and making sure the females in heat are satisfied. There are times when he can't look after his alpha like she needs, so that's where the beta fits in."

I searched his eyes. "What do you mean?"

His brows furrowed. "How do you not know this?"

I shook my head, looking away.

"The beta," he said, touching my chin. "Is devoted to the alpha. She loves the alpha so much that she makes it her purpose to ensure she is well and happy. She joins the pride and bears the male's offspring to help the alpha grow the pride to be stronger. The beta is tightly bonded to the alpha and will give her her loyalty until the day she dies."

"So this..." My chin quivered. "Has been going on for a long time?"

He nodded. "Often the beta comes from the same pride as the alpha and they grew up together. Surely there's a female you want to bring with you into our pride? One who loves you more than the others?"

I shook my head. "My closest bonds are with my brothers. Father never really approved of too much bonding outside of our mother's bloodline."

Mhor squinted. "That explains it." He sat back, rubbing my knees. "Some males don't like the role of the beta. Some often run her out to keep the alpha all for himself. Knowing your father, I believe he wouldn't approve of your mother and her beta, and that's why you don't know. They had to keep it hidden."

"So my mother loves Halali?" Tears rolled down my cheeks.

He let out a sigh, brushing them away. "Yes, but not like she loves your father. Although the beta loves the alpha, the alpha only requires her sexually when the male is engaged with other females on heat. The beta knows this, and she accepts it. As long as the alpha is happy, she is happy."

"It's all so much to take in." I stroked his cheek. "I don't want a beta. I don't think I could."

He nodded, then softly kissed me. "That's your choice. I'll support whatever it is you want to do."

My heart melted as I stared into his eyes. "I love you, Mhor."

"I love you too." He clasped my face and lowered me down to mate.