Page 59 of I Married A Catman

“It has worked for generations during all of which we also heard the same threats that you are mentioning now,” Rozel countered dismissively.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “That may have been true in the past, but it won’t be any more with all the crackdowns. Tell me,how many successful missions have your people accomplished of late?”

She didn’t have to answer. The uneasy looks that multiple females exchanged told me all that I needed to know.

“You have the potential to chart a new way for the Prides,” I said pleadingly.

“You ask too much from us,” Rozel snapped.

“I ask for nothing,” I replied stiffly. “All I’m doing is making suggestions on a safer way forward. At the end of the day, I’m here for Gaelec. I will do whatever I can to help him and his people. But I promise you that if you continue down your current path, youwillsuffer extreme losses. The Enforcers are and will continue to crack down hard on this. What would it cost you to give this a try and establish yourself as a leader instead of trying to play catch up after everyone else has finally wised up to what they need to do?”

“It is not our way,” Oluina argued.

“But it could be, if we so chose,” Ylis interjected. “The Osuan Pride does something similar.”

Oluina huffed and made a dismissive gesture. “They’re a bunch of weirdos!”

“Weirdos who prosper,” Ylis retorted harshly. “Unlike other Prides, they do not evict their males, who get to leave in their own time to seek out a mate. Those males are extremely sought after but are very picky.”

“What you mean is that most of them are self-righteous snobs who think themselves too good for the Prides and end up just going to the city instead,” Oluina said with disdain.

“They’re not acting as snobs,” Ylis said with a hint of irritation. “They simply avoid Prides in order not to be used and then discarded the way we do with our males. Can you blame them?”

“Whatever their motives, it is neither here nor there,” Rozel interjected, annoyed. “In the end, safe missions are not lucrative enough. Like you, we have been doing our research into Gaelec’s statements. We would not be able to survive on the meager proceeds from your safe missions.”

“That’s only because your males are untrained!” I argued. “Their education is far too basic as it entirely revolves around trade, hunting, and crafting. There are tons of virtual mentoring programs available that could be provided here. Gaelec benefited from it on Molvi. Better trained males could secure better paying missions. I can’t hunt, but I can definitely help you with that.”

“That is if we allow a human to remain among us, which is against our rules,” Oluina said snidely.

“If you—”

A sudden ruckus outside interrupted me, drawing our collective attention. Moments later, the heavy doors to the antechamber burst open as a female ran in.

“Gaelec returned from the hunt!” the female announced, her voice filled with excitement.

“What hunt?!” I exclaimed. “Gaelec went fishing this morning.”

Oluina burst into a malicious laugh. “There was a change of plan. He went on a Sikkal culling. Didn’t he tell you?”

“Where are the others?” Rozel asked. “We would hear their report.”

“He’s alone and covered in blood,” the female replied.

“WHAT?!” I shouted.

I didn’t wait for her response and bolted out of the room.

Chapter 14

Gaelec

The muffled sound of Ophelia’s voice calling my name reached me even before the main doors of the Great Hall burst open. She jerked her head left and right, looking for me.

“Gaelec!” she shouted, her voice laced with panic, when she finally spotted me.

I didn’t need a mirror to know what a mess I looked like. When I eviscerated the Sikkal, its blood sprayed all over me. As much as I felt guilty for worrying my mate, I deliberately chose to come straight to the Great Hall specifically so they could see the state I was in. Moriak set out to kill me. While I did not intend to openly make that accusation, an image spoke volumes. I wanted there to be no question that I had seriously been put in harm’s way under his watch, while the other three males who should have supported me returned without so much as a speck of blood on them.

“I’m fine, my mate,” I said in a reassuring tone as Ophelia ran towards me.

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