Page 68 of Treasured By the Alien Rogue

“Stop,” I cried, rushing forward. “I need that.”

“This is a mess, and I didn’t approve it.” He ripped another log from the ground and tossed it into the pile with the others. “I’m burning this.”

“It’s a fence. A pasture. Amanda needs it.”

Pausing, he frowned. “Why would a female need something like this?”

I explained my plan.

His frown only deepened. Then his slick smile rose. “You hope to win her approval with this.”

That, yes, but I wanted to do it for her no matter what.

“I don’t want you winning her favor.” He ripped up another log and threw it onto the pile.

I’d worked hard yesterday, and it was discouraging to see him ripping it apart.

“When Digaray returns, she’ll come with the word of the gods,” I said. “Will you respect it?”

Wiping his dirty hands on his thighs, he grumbled.

“You’ll have no choice,” I said. “You can’t go against the will of the gods.”

“They’re not traedor of this clan.” He poked his chest with his finger. “I am. Perhaps it’s time we ignored the beings who I suspect are not true gods.”

I’d wondered about their godliness myself, but it didn’t matter. Our clan god watched out for us, cared for us.

“How can you scorn them?” I asked. While some might mutter about not needing beings controlling our actions—especially when it came to who we mated with—shunning them altogether was unheard of.

“As I said. I make the decisions for this clan.”

“You are not a god.”

He rushed across the meadow and flung himself at me.

I stepped to the side, and he landed hard on the ground, skidding across the grass.

Growling, he scrambled to his feet and leaped at me. Again, I slipped to the side.

“Fight me, damn you,” he bellowed, whirling around to face me.

“No.”

“No?’ Rage suffused his cheeks, darkening them like storm clouds looming on the horizon.

“If I fight you, and I suspect I soon will, it will be in the center of our village with our clan and elder watching.” I gave him a growl of my own. “They will judge the outcome.”

“You’ll challenge me for rule?”

“It’s past time, don’t you think?”

He drew himself up stiffly. “You are no longer my second.”

“I no longer wish to be the second of a male such as you.” I said it quietly but with my whole heart. I was proud and honored when he asked me to take this role a few years ago, but this male was not the one I’d felt honored to follow. He’d turned mean, and I took no pride in supporting him now.

“You will lose,” he snarled. He shoved past me and started down the trail toward the village.

I’d leave soon to make breakfast for Amanda, and I looked forward to being with her again. She soothed me. Comforted me. She made me feel proud for being the male I was today and the male I’d be tomorrow.

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