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Chapter Eight - Justice

With our land secured, I wandered without restraint, like I usually did. This made visiting Mhor easy, and I'd slip into his cave whenever possible. I'd never felt more complete, more deeply happy than when we were together. We mated, talked, bonded. He even shared his kills with me, showing me his complete devotion. Males always took the meat for themselves, and only shared once they'd finished their fill.

"You need to be strong to bear me young," he'd say.

"I am already well fed," I'd always answer.

He'd smile and softly kiss my neck while I ate.

One evening in the orange glow of twilight, my brothers entered the camp; Fennir and Keenan. The females gathered their young, hiding them in the huts. Hektos hurried up beside me, while Mother and Father came out to meet them.

Keenan stopped outside the camp's perimeter, while Fennir entered. He bowed to Father, to show he bore no aggression. Father nodded, allowing my brother freedom to speak.

Fennir straightened, glancing toward me and Hektos, then looked to Father. "We believe we have found the male you seek, Father."

He motioned for Kennan to come forward.

Kennan tugged on a rope, and a young male stumbled out from the grass. As they approached, the male hunched, beaten, bruised, and bloodied. My brothers had punished him severely for trespassing.

Fennir motioned at the male as they stopped a few feet away. "I believe this is Omi, son of Reesh."

Father stood taller, puffing out his chest. "Bring out Yunya."

Yunya's mother stepped from her hut, gently pulling Yunya behind her.

Father wrapped his arm around Yunya's shoulders, holding her close. "Is this the one?"

Yunya looked up, then broke into sobs. With her hands over her face, she nodded.

The male, Omi, fell to his knees. "Please, Great Krosh, I was not in my right mind. The heat drove me to madness."

Keenan kicked him in the ribs. "You killed her after the heat subsided."

Omi hung his head.

Father motioned to Yunya's mother to take Yunya back to the hut. As they rushed away, Father turned to Mother, Hektos, and me. "Flit, take Zora, but leave Hektos with me. It's time he learns the code."

Keenan tugged Omi to his feet. Mother grasped my shoulder, leading me to the hut.

"Mother," I said once inside. "Father will kill him, won't he?"

"It's the law." Mother sat cross legged to work on mending a dress. "He killed your father's offspring on your father's land. It's a direct challenge, so your father will have to follow through."

"So he will allow Omi to defend himself?"

Mother gave a nod. "Your father alone will easily overpower him, but with your brothers there too..." She let out a long sigh. "Fennir and Keenan will only watch, but I believe your father will have Hektos fight with him."

"But Hektos is still young."

"Hektos will soon be old enough to go out on his own. He must learn how to fight so he can defend himself and his future pride."

I chewed my lip. I didn't want Hektos to be hurt, or worse, killed. Did Father do this with my other brothers? I hadn't paid attention. It didn't matter then. Suddenly I felt acutely aware of the adult world and my ignorance of it.

Once the sound came for the all clear, I stepped from the hut. To the west, my brothers and father headed to a private place to battle, or more, to execute the one who had kidnapped, r***d, and finally murdered my sister. I didn't feel an ounce of pity for him as the image of Tali's small body remained etched into my mind. She'd only barely joined the hunts. She didn't deserve to die.

Glancing around, I slipped away unnoticed. I followed the trail into the bush, when I heard footsteps behind me. Swinging around, I came face to face with Mhor.

He let out a long breath, gazing at me steadily. "You should not have come out here."

"He killed my sister," I said, my anger rising.

"You don't want to see what they will do."

"It can't be worse than what he did to her." I swung around, my heart pounding as I wove through the dense trees.

"Zora." He caught my hand, but didn't stop me. Instead he matched my pace, focusing on keeping us well hidden.

My father yelling piqued my senses. We rushed to the edge of the bushes, ducking low so we wouldn't be seen. In a dried-out waterhole, Father stood with Hektos at his side. Omi stood a few strides away, facing them, while Fennir and Keenan circled.

"Zora," Mhor whispered. "They're going to kill him. I don't think you should watch."

I ignored him.

"Great Krosh," Omi said, bowing. "Exile me. I did not know what I was doing."

"By killing my daughter, and abducting and r****g her and her sister, you have challenged me." Father stood with his legs splayed and arms folded. "You know the law."

Omi glanced around, then dashed away.

Fennir rushed over, knocking him to the ground. "Face the consequences of your foolishness!"

"Please, I didn't want this!" Omi struggled against Fennir as he dragged him back in front of Father. "I just wanted that delicious scent. I have not formed a pride yet, and she smelled sweet, strong...."

Fennir punched him across the side of the head. "My sister is not for you to lust over. And Father would never choose a coward like you to be her mate."

"Enough." Father raised his hand. "This is not about Zora. You killed Tali after the madness of the heat, and you killed her on my land. According to the law, that's a challenge to fight to the death to claim my pride."

Omi, with trembling legs, forced himself to his feet. "I cannot beat you."

"Then you shouldn't have killed my daughter!" Father roared. "Face me and fight."

Omi's chest heaved as he stared at Father. He had no escape, with Father waiting, and my brothers circling, he had only one option other than death. He had to fight.

His gaze shot to Hektos. In a flash, he had Hektos on his back.

I flinched, but Mhor held my arm. "No, Zora."

Hektos roared, flipping Omi onto his back. Father advanced, but hung back as Hektos slammed his fist into Omi's face. Omi clawed at Hektos' face, drawing blood. Father took a step closer, but still did not intervene.

Hektos sunk his teeth into Omi's hand. Omi screamed, and when he pulled his hand away, blood poured everywhere. Hektos spat what looked to be a finger from his mouth.

"Pull him to his feet," Father ordered.

Hektos launched up, pulling Omi with him. Hektos then punched him in the belly over and over.

"Enough." Father stepped forward, grabbing Omi by the throat. "You're not even brave enough to face me in a fight. Instead you challenge my youngest son, thinking him to be weak. You're a fool."

"Please, please!"

Father's hand tightened. Omi gagged, clawing at Father's hand in a vain attempt to break free. Mhor's hands covered my eyes and mouth. A crack, and the sounds of the struggle ceased.

"It's done," Father said. The soft thud of a body hitting the grass followed.

Mhor released me. I stared at the limp body of Omi in the grass. "What...?"

"He crushed his throat," Mhor whispered. "Classic kill style for vengeance."

Hektos stumbled back, falling into the grass. "Father, you just..."

Father looked down at him. "You must get used to this, son. You've known for a long time this is the way of men. If we do not execute justice, our families will be in danger. Challengers will come from all over, thinking we have gone weak and will try to remove us from our role as protector of the pride. Once we're gone, you know what will happen."

Hektos scowled as he nodded. "They'll kill all the young ones."

Father offered him his hand. "His death will ensure the safety of your mother, aunts, brothers, and sisters. As word spreads, other males will know I am still a strong protector and will be wary about threatening me."

Hektos took Father's hand, but stared down at the body. "I will be expected to do that one day, won't I?"

"One day." Father wrapped his arm around his shoulders. "But not yet. You are still too young to be cast out."

Fennir trotted forward, nudging the body with his foot. "I will deliver the body to the river for the crocodiles. We don't want to attract hyenas."

"Thank you, son." Father bowed his head. "And thank you both for bringing him to me when you had every right to kill him yourselves."

Keenan growled. "I found him stalking one of my mates and our cubs. I have no doubt he would have killed them and taken her."

"Then justice has been served for all of us." Father turned, leading Hektos right at us.

Mhor grasped my wrist, pulling me off to the side to hide.

"So a mate has been chosen for our sister," Fennir said as they headed toward the bush. "That must have been a hard decision for you, Father."

"I thought it would be too," Father replied. "But the male that I chose is strong and noble. I am glad such a male came forth immediately or I would have had more trouble than I did."

"Where is he now?" Keenan asked. "I am curious to meet him."

"I am not sure," Father said as they entered the brush. "He is quite cunning as well. He hides his trails and leaves no trace behind. That's probably why he made it so far."

"So far?" Fennir asked.

"Yes, he is a son of Cal from up north."

Keenan let out a low whistle. "I have heard of Cal. He rules the north like you rule this region. His son would indeed be the finest of matches for our sister."

They continued on, discussing Mhor as they went.

Mhor squeezed my arm. "Your brothers will return soon to remove the body. We should move."

I nodded, and we dashed away. Mhor led me to the edge of the camp where we remained hidden. After doing a quick scan, he cupped my chin. "Are you all right?"

I grasped his wrists, closing my eyes. "I'm grateful you shielded my eyes. I don't think I ever want to witness that again."

"No." He stroked my hair. "But your curiosity had to be satisfied, and your heart burns with the grief for your sister. I'm just glad I could be with you."

I nuzzled against his chest. His arms wrapped around me as he softly kissed my shoulder. He purred softly, which made me smile. Each day my admiration for him grew. I was falling in love.

"Zora?" Father called.

I pulled back, glancing toward the camp.

"Goodbye, beautiful one," Mhor whispered. I snapped my head back around just in time to see Mhor disappear.

"Zora?"

I dashed toward the camp, and slipped out from behind the food storage hut. "Father?"

He and my three brothers turned to me. Father waved me over. "Your brothers wish to see you before they leave."

I trotted over. Fennir snatched my arm, and he and Keenan crushed me between them... like always.

Father growled. "She is mature now. That's inappropriate."

"Mature?" Fennir pinched my cheek.

I slapped him away.

The four males lifted their heads and sniffed the air. I drew a quick breath, picking up the hint of a heat. All four looked toward a hut to our left.

"It's time for you to leave," Father said, shoving Fennir's chest.

Hektos ducked his head and rushed toward our hut.

"I will escort them, Father," I said, seeing my two brothers' distraction. I slipped my arms through theirs. "Come, brothers. We will talk on the way."

"Make sure you dispose of the body," Father said as he made his way toward the hut.

"Yes." Keenan tugged at my arm to follow Father.

"This way." I pulled my brothers in the opposite direction. They may be my father's sons, but he'd give them a sound beating if they dared mate with one of his females.

As we moved away they resisted, until we left the camp and the scent subsided. Fennir rubbed his eyes. "Father has always had such potent females."

Keenan shook his head. "Hektos is starting to feel it too. He'll be cast out soon."

"Don't you have your own females to worry about?" I asked.

They grinned, then crushed me between them again. I groaned, irritated.

"We have five each now," Keenan said.

"A pride of ten females. That's a large pride."

"Not to mention our young," Fennir said into my ear. "Mine obviously, are much stronger and far more handsome."

Keenan snorted. "Don't listen to him, he's delusional."

I giggled as my brothers bantered like always. Growing up, there was never a doubt they'd build a pride together someday.

They stopped abruptly, staring up ahead. Across the field stood the Barg twins.

"Trespassers," Fennir said.

"They want me," I responded, tucking my body behind Fennir's arm.

Keenan snarled. "The Barg twins cannot have you." He shoved me back. "Go back and tell Father they're intruding on his land. We'll chase them off."

"How do they keep coming here unnoticed?" I asked.

Fennir glanced back at me. "Their territory lies to the south of here, bordering on ours and Father's land. Now go!"

My brothers dashed forward. The Barg twins roared in response. I swung around and ran.