Page 39 of Primal Vow

"And for your kind?" Taryn asked, raising an eyebrow ridge. "Is impermanence simply accepted?"

"I mean... yeah, kind of?" Rhys rubbed the back of his neck, searching for the right words. "Humans, we adapt. Change is just part of life for us. If something isn't working, we find a way to move forward."

Taryn made a rumbling sound, something between a hum and a growl. "An interesting philosophy. Though I cannot help but wonder, does such transience not…"

Rhys was ready to hear some kind of philosophical take. "Not what?"

"Hurt?"

Rhys opened his mouth, then closed it again. He couldn't deny the truth in Taryn's words. In his short, fraught experience with relationships, you always had to leave someone before they left you. To be left behind by someone you thought was there for you…

It sucked, big time.

But didn't pain make you stronger? You could always shrug it off and land on your feet.

Rhys had always made himself believe that was true.

Otherwise being left behind cut too deep.

The idea of fated mates seemed just as unreal as any other storybook tale. To trust someone that much? Have them never leave you, never betray you, never look at you and decide that you're not worth the trouble? For your whole damn life?

It was a nice dream.

But Rhys was too old for dreams.

Before Rhys could think of what to say, Taryn held up a hand, his brow furrowed. He shook his head. "They have been elusive. I've been trying to find their track, but to no avail."

All of the Vasz jungle looked the same to Rhys. He didn't know how Taryn read it — or how the other humans could hide from his sharp eyes. "Damn it."

He looked towards the glimpses of the horizon between the trees. He'd seen the lights on the horizon getting closer and closer every night that he camped with Taryn. If he remembered where to look…

There. There was the faint shine of lights on the horizon.

The city was getting closer.

And the humans were, too — wherever they were.

Taryn looked like a hunting dog barely being held back. "They're somewhere near here. This close, I can't risk wasting more time trying to pick up their trail. While I'm looking, they might just strike directly — and from here, it wouldn't take them long."

He looked at Rhys. "I need to go to the city and warn them. They need to be on guard for humans."

Rhys's heart sank. "But this particular human…"

"...Needs to stay out here." Taryn touched his shoulder. "I cannot risk bringing you into such a crowded place. If the slightest thing gave you away…" He grimaced. "A city of strangers will not simply listen to me. If they saw you, even I could do nothing to protect you from so many. But nearby there should be… ah, yes, there. Come."

Taryn led Rhys through the lush greenery. Rhys tried to keep his eyes on Taryn's broad, muscular back.

This was just a brief separation. That was all. Taryn would just get into the city and get out again. It was just a basic milk run, right? Nothing scary.

So why did the idea of being separated from Taryn leave him feeling so uneasy?

"Here we are." If Taryn hadn't indicated the cave, Rhys wouldn't have noticed it. That probably should have made him feel better, right? Top secret alien cave.

It didn't. Trying to keep his voice light, Rhys poked his head inside. "No bears?"

Taryn cocked his head. "What's a… bear?"

"You have giant snakes and killer birds, but you don't have bears? You know what, never mind." Rhys followed Taryn inside, and set his bags down.

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