Page 40 of Valka

“Bettina?” Oscal asked.

Katva pointed at Bettina.

“Oh, Raska’s female is named Bettina,” Oscal said, more to himself than to either of them.

“I am not Raska’s female. It’s not my fault that he claimed me, and it was only one night. Can someone please tell everyone to stop calling me Raska’s female?”

“What am I to tell Undka?” Oscal asked.

“Tell him that we do not bid for females any longer. If he wants to help the tribe in the cold months, we welcome his help, but not to expect a female in return.”

“Tell him that I’ve chosen Katva,” Bettina said.

“Katva?!” Oscal asked.

“Yes. And as soon as he gets here, I’ll let him know,” Bettina said.

Oscal, stared at Bettina for a few moments trying to understand what was happening. Then he looked at Katva, who was glaring at him. Slowly Oscal’s lips curled into a grin. “Is there any indication that Katva will accept her as his mate?” Oscal asked.

“I am sure he will,” Katva said.

“When he comes back,” Oscal encouraged.

“Yes. When he comes back. Unless he decides to kill you first,” Katva said.

Oscal laughed, finding the whole thing hilarious.

“Well, you know Katva is one of our best warriors. Valka said so himself. He thinks highly of Katva, as we all do,” Oscal said, thoroughly enjoying toying with Katva.

“That is what I’ve been told, and that he is kind and will appreciate me because he’s waited a long time for a chance to have a mate,” Bettina said.

“All that is true. Though I suspect he will be much nicer to you than to most,” Oscal said.

“You should go now, before Katva comes home.”

“Are you sure? I’d like to be here to witness the female meeting her Katva,” Oscal said, still grinning and chuckling from time to time.

“I am sure it’ll be awkward enough. Please go,” Bettina said.

“Because you asked, but I would like to hear every detail when we meet again.”

“Go, Oscal,” Katva half-growled.

“I’m going. I must tend to my own mate. This is amusing, though. I do not want to leave.”

“Leave,” Katva snarled. “Now.”

“I’m going. I’ll be back tomorrow to see what’s happened.”

Katva stood his ground, watched Oscal as he left, still laughing with every step he took. It would only be a matter of time until Toska and Elkva both knew of his deception. Then they’d all laugh, which meant he’d have to force them all to be quiet.

“So, Katva is here?” Bettina asked.

Katva didn’t respond, he was thinking. Trying to find a way to make this not as bad as it might seem.

“There is no one else here. So, I guess either you’re Katva, or you are wrong about him being here. But from your friend finding everything about me being here amusing, I’m sure you’re Katva and have been lying to me.”

Katva turned around to look at her. “I was allowing you to choose.”

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