Page 25 of I Married A Catman

“That is not your call to make,” Ylis interjected in an icy tone. “We honor that mate bond. As Gaelec said, too few people receive such a blessing. Would you dare spit in the face of the Gods after they bestowed it upon one of us? So long as they contribute their fair share, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t stay.”

I could have hugged her right this instant. Her words resonated well with the rest of the Pride as a few people nodded and whispered their agreement.

“Her? Contribute?” Oluina exclaimed in disbelief. “Thatthingcan’t hunt!”

“Careful, Oluina,” I hissed in a low voice, while taking a threatening step forward. “You do not disrespect my mate.”

“Or what?” she demanded in a provoking tone. “You will attack me?”

Ophelia gently ran her palm over my upper arm in an appeasing gesture. Obviously, I would never attack a female. However, that soft touch both calmed me in a way I never expected, but also shamed me that I would have allowed Oluina’s taunting to get under my skin.

“Hewon’t, buthis championwill,” Ylis replied in a way that made it clear she would gladly answer the challenge.

A sliver of fear flashed through Oluina’s eyes. I had not seen Ylis in action since my return. But I remembered how insanely talented she was before my arrest. I could only imagine how much more formidable she became over the years. With her being younger than her cousin, Ylis had a good chance of getting the upper hand. Losing to another huntress would be a devastating blow to Oluina’s standing.

“No female attacks other females in the Pride, whether physically or verbally. You have crossed that line many times already,” Ylis said sternly.

“She’snotof our blood. She isnotone of ours!” Oluina exclaimed in outrage, her tone making it clear it should be self-evident.

“Ophelia is one of ours until such a day as Gaelec leaves or is expelled,” Ylis retorted in a tone that brooked no argument. “He still has the remainder of his grace period for us to decide what to do with his case and hers.”

“Ylis is correct,” Rozel said stiffly, visibly eager to calm things down before they deteriorated further.

Having her favorite daughter and Head Huntress possibly be dethroned by her younger cousin was the last thing she wanted or needed. She turned her attention to my mate, her eyes cold and resentful.

“You have not made your case, human. Have you no tongue?” Rozel asked.

My heart skipped a beat as I waited to see how she would respond.

“I do, Matriarch,” Ophelia responded in a polite voice with an appropriate level of deference. “However, as I had not been officially invited to speak, I decided to hold my peace. I wouldn’t presume that I was allowed such a right or to act in a way that might be deemed disrespectful.”

“Your mere presence here is disrespectful,” Oluina hissed.

I growled again, only for Ophelia to once more soothingly rub my upper arm.

“You’re upset that such a fine male as my Gaelec is off the market,” Ophelia said in a reasonable but firm tone. “I get that. In your stead, I would be as well. But I would respect the fact that he found his soulmate. I will not apologize for existing or for being the one that Fate meant for him.”

Oluina huffed and opened her mouth to spew more nonsense. However, her mother raising her palm in an arresting gesture silenced her. Taking this as a sign that she was not to be interrupted, my mate pursued her response.

But my mind remained stuck on the way she claimed me by calling meherGaelec. How could something so simple feel so wonderful?

“When I approached Kayog, I never imagined that the other half of me would turn out to be a Nazhral, just like there is no question Gaelec never pictured himself with a human. Given a choice, I’m sure he would have picked one of you instead. But Fate chose us for each other. I won’t spit on that blessing.”

A few more people nodded and muttered their agreement with her statement. While their opinions ultimately didn’t matter as the decision rested in the hands of the Matriarchs, their support would undoubtedly help tip the balance in our favor.

“The concerns you expressed, Head Huntress Oluina, are quite valid. Gaelec himself mentioned them,” Ophelia continued in the same calm and eloquent fashion. “I can’t hunt, and I’m nowhere near as fast or strong as any of you. But I also have no ambition to compete or attempt to replace you. I just want to lead a happy and prosperous life with my husband.”

She paused to glance at me with that same air of wonder that did the funniest thing to me. She smiled, and I found myself instinctively responding in kind. She turned her head back tolook at Rozel, who was staring at us with pinched lips laced with a begrudging air of resignation.

“So while I may not be able to contribute the way your females normally do, I have much to offer from my many travels across the galaxy. I have a broad range of experiences, extensive knowledge in multiple crafts, I’m not afraid of hard work, and I’m eager to learn. I just hope that you will give me that chance after Gaelec’s remaining grace period is over. If not, I will respect your judgment. I crossed half the galaxy to be with Gaelec. Wherever he goes, whatever he decides, I’ll follow and support him. As per the human vows we exchanged, I chose him for better or for worse, until death do us part. So whether here or elsewhere, I will stand by him.”

A wave of affection swelled in my heart for my mate. In my entire existence, no one so steadfastly stood by me. I didn’t know this woman, and yet everyone with eyes and ears could see and hear the sincerity of her words.

“Well then, Ophelia, you and your mate will have two weeks to prove yourselves,” Rozel said in a clipped tone.

She waved her hand in a dismissive fashion, indicating the audience was at an end. I didn’t have to be told twice. As offended as I felt by the callousness with which my mate had been received and then sent away, I was simply relieved the worst had been averted.

Still, today’s events confirmed I had much thinking to do and serious decisions to make. My new priority was the welfare and safety of my mate. I no longer felt confident she could find it here.

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