Page 19 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

He smiled at her excitement.It was a pretty spot.The stream forked, creating an island in the center.There were a few young trees, but most of the ground was soft soil where the creek had flooded and sand had deposited over time.Because there was a gap, sunlight had filtered through enough for grass to grow.There was sufficient dead wood that they wouldn’t have to forage for firewood.Mother Nature had kindly deposited it against a dead tree that had fallen.They had everything they needed: flat, soft ground, firewood, and fresh water to replenish what they had consumed today.If Tracy had more of her magic meals in a pouch, they would have a full belly.

If the rain holds off, it should be a good night,he thought.

“I will replenish your water bottle and gather wood for a fire if you would like to set up your shelter and perhaps prepare a meal,” he said.

She gave him a grateful smile and nodded.“Sounds good.”

They skillfully maneuvered across the shallow creek, using the strategically spaced larger stones to keep their feet dry.The steep bank proved challenging to climb, but he made it to the top and immediately reached out his hand to assist her.Tracy’s hand clasped his with a firm grip, as if she never wanted to let go.

The momentary contact unleashed a flood of sensations, overwhelming his senses.Their connection felt so strong that he couldn’t bear to release her hand, holding on for a few precious seconds.As they stood face to face, a heavy silence settled between them, and their eyes remained fixed on each other.As he looked into her eyes, he could see a whirlwind of emotions.He turned away, feeling a twinge of fear that she would ask the burning question that he could see in her expression.

He surveyed the area before picking the perfect spot for her to set up her shelter.He shouldered off the pack, gently placing it on the ground before retrieving her water bottles from the side pockets.Rocks on the other side had created a series of tiny waterfalls.The rapidly flowing water was the perfect place to replenish their water supply.He climbed down, filling her bottles before pulling the soft leather pouch he carried for his own water over his head.

He liked how they worked in tandem.Their movements were synchronized, as if they had been doing this together for years.He returned with the water bottles and began collecting wood while she finished setting up her shelter, placed her cooking device on a rock, and began heating the water.While the water heated, she collected rocks to make a circle for their fire.He took over once he had enough wood to finish up while she worked on their meal.

As dusk settled, their camp was complete.He sat across from Tracy.The crackling fire illuminated her face, casting a warm glow that softened her features.He watched her from across the flames, his earlier worries melting away, replaced by a growing sense of connection.

“I’m sorry… about upsetting you earlier.I didn’t mean to,” she said, her voice low and sincere.

Mitchell looked into her eyes, the flickering light reflecting in their depths.“You have nothing to apologize for.If what you say is true, then perhaps humans deserved what happened to them.If nothing else, maybe it was a good lesson for both our peoples.”

Her lips twitched and she looked down at the steaming cup of tea she was holding.He liked that she cared about his feelings.A low snort of amusement swept through him.

“What’s so funny?”she asked.

He shrugged, his shoulders rising and falling in a nonchalant gesture.“I was just thinking, it’s impressive how quickly you’ve become attuned to my emotions, considering we’ve only been acquainted for a day.Despite knowing me my whole life, the people in my village rarely inquire about my feelings.Maybe humans haven’t really changed much.”

“Ouch.That’s a bit harsh,” she commented.

“Perhaps… or perhaps not.”

“I think maybe you tend to keep people at arm’s length,” she suggested.

He frowned.“What do you mean by that?”

“I don’t know.Maybe you’re afraid to let people get close to you,” she said.

“Maybe.”

“Mitchell….Mitchell,”

Her soft, compassionate voice demanded his response, leaving him powerless to resist.His attention shifted from the flickering flames to her face, his gaze intense and unwavering.

“They die… if I let them in, they die on me and there is nothing I can do to protect them.We lost five this past winter.My mother… my mother was one of them,” he said.

“Oh, Mitchell.I’m so sorry,” she murmured.

He shook his head.“We expect the elders to die.My mother was about to celebrate her forty-fifth winter.It hurt, but not as much as the feeling of helplessness at watching the—” He drew in a shuddering breath and looked down at his hands.“We lost two of our young this past winter.That always hurts the most.It is like watching the last of my people die, and there is not a damn thing I can do to stop it from happening, except...you offered me a new path.A new life for my people.I don't know how I will get them to accept it—I don't want to accept it myself—but our old life will only give us more death the longer we cling to it.That much I know.”

Tracy rose, stepped around the fire, and sank down on the log next to him.She wound her arm around his waist and laid her head against his shoulder.Another shuddering breath slipped from him.A single drop of moisture fell and landed on his hand.The tear, a symbol of the pain he was constantly having to hide, glimmered in the dancing flames.He absently rubbed it away with his thumb.Tracy laid her hand over his and gave a gentle squeeze.

He was glad when she didn’t speak.She seemed to understand that more words would not make this easier.What he needed was… her—just… her.The peacefulness of the night, the crackle of the fire, and her.

As they sat by the fire, the night wrapped around them like a comforting blanket.Above, the stars peeked through the canopy of clouds.The forest buzzed with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, creating a symphony.In that quiet, amidst the towering trees and the shared warmth of the fire, Mitchell felt something he had never felt before.A spark of hope that made him believe that there was a future, not just for humans, but for himself as well.

He looked up when a raindrop struck him.Rising, they packed away the trash from their dinner and the cookstove.Tracy placed the items in her backpack, then took her pack and placed it in her tent.He banked the fire and looked around for a place to shelter from the storm.

“Come on,” she called.

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