Page 47 of Own To Obsess

“Yes. I wanted to make sure you were happy in her gardens.”

She remained silent for a long time and then sighed and looked out toward the landscape. They traveled for another hour through another set of villages that spanned a different part of the island, but they didn’t stop this time.

“I didn’t realize your tribe was made up of so many families,” Shaya murmured.

“What did you think the tribe was?”

She shrugged. “On the ship there were… men and women. And most of the men looked like warriors.”

“When I traveled to your Lands, I took unpaired men and women with me from every family. The men were all trained in at least one combat style and the women also each have a skill they’re developing. But the tribe isn’t just men and women. Family is at its heart, and the community that many families make. It is the same for all tribes. Only the clans live differently.”

“That’s interesting,” Shaya said, trying and failing to stifle a yawn. “So the children live with their parents until they are paired?”

“Yes.”

She twisted to look up at him, blinking sleepily. “So if your parents are no longer on this island, who are your family?”

Kardos lowered down and kissed her. “The pack is getting tired, and so are you. But I’ll show you tomorrow.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

SHAYA

Shaya gasped as a blustery orgasm seared through her.

She arched her back and fought against Kardos’ grip on her, but he held her too tightly to escape him and she didn’t truly want to anyway. His mouth on her nipple felt incredible as it always did, and when he gently suckled her while driving himself deep into her core so rough and wild, the bliss was all consuming. He'd made her ride him that morning and yet he still dominated her, gripping onto her hips, the back of her neck, her shoulders, her breasts, and pinning her whichever way he wanted, rotating her hips on his cock, and fondling her nub so expertly.

Shaya collapsed onto his chest as he pumped her with his seed, groaning as he slammed her hips down onto his knot and finally encircled her with his arms.

She panted, limp on his sweaty chest, and when he began to purr, she pressed her cheek harder against him, eager for the deep vibrations of his purr to penetrate and soothe her, but she knew she wouldn't sleep.

This morning he was supposed to be taking her to introduce her to his family, and she couldn't help but be intrigued. In fact, she found it interesting learning about the Southern Isles and its people, at least in Nyek. The tribe was completely different than she’d thought. The people she’d seen on the ship were a culmination of vast skills. On her journey here, they seemed like fierce warriors and stern women, but in their homes, they were… normal, just people trying to survive this harsh land. In truth, the Nyek people impressed her, and she longed to take all of the pretty things they’d offered but she was still guarded. Though she couldn’t deny the outings had lightened her mood.

Her conversations with Kardos had been… interesting. His perspective on what was happening between them was skewed, and she was tired of trying to see things from his point of view—when he never saw anything from hers. She hoped she managed to get through to him when she told him exactly how much her hair meant to her, but it was clear to her now that her life was to be a series of responsibilities for both the Southern Isles and the Alpha she’d chosen to bite. She had come to realize that wouldn't change, and that was a bitter realization to accept, especially now that her hair, the visual reminder that all ties to her past—and her sister—were now gone.

The first few days after being attacked, a deep, cold, clawing feeling of loss revolved her stomach constantly. Sometimes it lessened when Kardos secured her with his weight or was inside her. Now, she was able to forget about it for a couple of hours while she was on the tobo experiencing new sounds and sights that she couldn't deny were exhilarating, but that would not make her forget.

She was an Omega symbol. And that’s all she would ever be, or valued, for.

She had an inkling that wasn't the case for some of the families she’d met, but she couldn't forget the way they’d turned their backs on both her and Kardos when they returned from the temple the first time, so the change in behavior was difficult to understand. Surely there were many who thought like the woman who’d cut her hair.

Even so, excitement began to build when Kardos dressed her. He refused to let her do it herself, even though she was completely capable.

Soon, they were speeding along the Nyek landscape in the tobo, the wind against her face and her Alpha at her back. She couldn't deny that it was an exceptional experience. She had never felt freer, moving so quickly along the startlingly amazing landscape. Glittering silver, leafless trees and bushes among a white background complemented by shades of gray rock, glassy lakes, and contrasted by surprising bursts of color—so uniquely breathtaking.

She kept herself alert, eager to see who Kardos considered his family, as the tobo slowed to a stop near a cliff that ran along the side of a river and Kardos slowly disembarked from the tobo carrying her with him.

From what she’d seen yesterday, the tribe had been in awe of him when they saw them both yesterday. They clearly loved him dearly and Kardos had obviously visited their homes many times because they knew things about him, mentioned past meals he’d enjoyed or children he’d seen when younger. She couldn’t understand how the behavior was so different considering they turned their back on them both. Could the tribe be significantly polarized about them?

The pack of sled-dogs immediately settled, even the little wild one and it was clear they had been here regularly.

Kardos didn't put Shaya down. He simply carried her toward the wall of rock. As they became closer, the sound of trickling water came from inside. Surely no one lived inside this cliff?

Kardos surprised her by turning into a near invisible opening in cliff wall and strode through a semi-dark passageway that opened up into a cavern.

On one side a waterfall cascaded down into a pool, and in front of the pool, a large cushion was positioned next to a small table with cups and saucers on it. From an overhead crevice in the rock, the sun shone directly onto the area from an angle above, sparkling water and brightening the whole area.

“Someone lives here?” Shaya whispered.

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