Page 30 of His Human to Chase

Yril doesn’t let go of me as I cry against his chest. He crawls us into bed, still pinning me to his chest as he wraps himself around me in a cocoon of his large-scaled body. His grip on me is tight, and I feel the soft trembles of his own crying as I continue to release all of my sadness against his chest. His fingers flex so tightly against me that I can’t move. It wouldn’t matter if I could because I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

We lie there crying until both of our bodies are still. We don’t speak again. Instead, we let our shared breaths lull us to sleep in each other’s arms. I say a silent prayer to their goddess that maybe, just maybe, I’ll get to stay with my mate for a little while longer.

Yril

Iwake before Skylar does, and I spend many, many moments staring at how beautiful my mate is. My claws retract as I trace the lines of her face, trying to memorize every single detail of her beauty in case I am banished without her being allowed to go with me. If I am killed, at least I will not have to know what life is like without her.

My sweet mate offered her tears and her pleas on my behalf, and Ralleth did not say a word to her. His silence was the answer that neither of us wanted to accept. I will be punished, and it will be without my wonderful mate to keep me company. Not that I would want her to feel the shame of banishment, but it would ease me so much if she was with me. No, it is better for her to continue her life in the tribe around the other humans and the other males who will keep her safe.

The door to my room opens slowly, and Dath pokes his head in to make sure I’m not about to kill him before entering fully. I want to lash out at him, blame him or someone besides myself for what is about to happen to me, but I cannot find the energy. No, I want to spend as much time as I can in bed with my mate.

“Ralleth wants to speak with us at lunch,” Dath’s voice is edged like he is unhappy to come speak with me. “He is gathering all of the brothers.”

“He wants you to all witness my shame?” I keep the hiss in my voice quiet, so I don’t wake Skylar.

“Yril,” Dath says my name as though it is an apology, but I do not need his apologies. I want a long life with my mate, need to know she will be protected and cared for.

“I need to speak with Beren and Lyath,” I say before Dath can continue trying to apologize for something that is not his fault.

I need to make preparations for my mate if she is left alone in this tribe without me. Beren and Lyath have no need for a female since they are with one another, but they are trustworthy males, and I know they will keep her safe, fed, and clothed until she can find another male to mate. I do not know if they will do this without payment, but I am willing to offer them anything so long as they are willing to keep Skylar safe. I would trust Toron to do it, but I do not know if he will return to the tribe. If he never finds Alice, he will go mad before he does anyway.

Dath’s eyes narrow, understanding why I am asking for the two males who enjoy one another’s company. “You can ask me. I am your blood as well.”

“You might be the only chosen left in this tribe.” I shrug. “You have enough responsibility.”

“I can take on more.” He has the nerve to sound annoyed with me. “I will take on more for you.”

“You do not need to,” I tell him and turn my attention back to Skylar, who still softly sleeps in my arms. “They will keep her safe and will not touch her or expect her affections in any way.”

“They are taking over the farm outside the wall,” Dath tells me as though that will deter me. “And Lyath has shown interest in the females.”

My head snaps up to where Dath is now leaning in the doorframe. “He was with us often when we watched Xoth’s mate bathe, and he was never one to push her away if she touched him.”

“But Beren?”

“Seemed perfectly content with Lyath touching her,” Dath says, a smile tugging his lips as he watches my plan crumble around me. “I doubt you want your female being shared by the two you choose to keep her safe.”

The hiss that erupts from my chest is so loud that Skylar is sitting up, eyes wide and hands up like she’s ready to fight someone. Dath throws his head back in laughter.

“I’m sorry, little floof,” I try to soothe the worry she feels by pulling her back against my chest. “Dath said something that upset me. I shouldn’t have reacted as I did.”

“You’re still here,” She grabs my tunic tight in her fists and tugs me like she can pull me even closer to her than I already am.

“Yes,” I sigh into her, “I am still here.”

“Yril,” Dath pulls my attention from my mate, forcing me to hold in my emotions a bit more until it is just Skylar and me together. “I will keep her safe. I am working on fixing up a home not far from the great hall. It has four rooms, and your mate will always have a bed there.”

My chin shakes as I try to keep my tears in my eyes. “Thank you.”

Skylar is already wetting my tunic with her tears, understanding why Dath is talking about her living with him and Deja. I wish he did not need to take on this responsibility because he already has so much he must do. I know my Skylar will never be his first priority, but he can keep her cared for until she finds another male that she can enjoy the company of.

“I don’t want to be without you,” Skylar’s voice is broken as she cries against me.

“I am always in your soul, little floof,” I cup her chin and tilt her eyes up to meet mine. “No matter what, I am always in your soul.”

Yril

“Before we eat, we need to determine Yril’s punishment.” Ralleth stands from his seat. For once, his mate is not in his lap. In fact, none of the females are in their mate’s laps except for Skylar, who refuses not to touch me until we are separated.

---