Page 37 of The VaDorok's Unexpected Mate
Ren bristled, his head whipping toward the male. “My brother would never allow such a thing with his pleasure-mate,” he protested hotly.
The minute the words left Ren’s mouth, Kull groaned inwardly to himself at the delight lighting up Torok’s face.
“Pleasure-mate? Zalla will be pleased to hear that.”
“This has nothing to do with her,” Kull grumbled. “It is between Katie and I, alone.”
“Of course,” Torok soothed, reminding him of exactly why the big male was Kull’s longest and closest friend. Even when they were younglings together, Torok was skilled at navigating Kull’s pricklier nature. He briefly considered ending that long-time friendship, however, when the male turned to Katie and explained for her benefit, “Zalla is Kull’s mother.”
Kull squinted at him in annoyance, drawing a small, apologetic smile from the male. What was he up to? He should have known him well enough to know that Kull had no intention of introducing Katie to his interfering mother.
“Oh,” Katie said, drawing out the word in a soft sound. She glanced at him curiously but remained silent as he swung his attention back to Torok.
“Again, why are you here?” Kull demanded impatiently. “Do you not have a female you are supposed to be caring for?”
“Yes! Where’s Macy? I see that you didn’t bring her all this way with you. Is she okay?” his ulukska fired at him.
The male chuckled, his hands coming up to defend himself from all the questions. “Macy is well, but Kull’s territory is farther than most of those within the tribe, and she feels the cold a little too much for me to feel comfortable dragging her over long distances in the snow.”
“I can appreciate that,” Katie muttered as she folded her arms over her chest and hugged herself. Kull frowned at her with concern.
Reaching over, he took her hand in his and drew her to his side as he looked over at Torok. “Speaking of the cold, it is snowing, and Katie is no longer keeping herself warm digging roots. We will continue this conversation indoors,” he grumbled, earning him a grateful smile from his ulukska as she gave his hand a squeeze.
“Yes, of course,” Torok replied with an apologetic grimace. “I am surprised that you even have her out here working. Most of the females are just assisting with tasks indoors where they can remain warm.”
“Are you suggesting that my brother is abusing his female?” Ren demanded, puffing up in a way that brought a smile to Kull’s lips as they made their way toward the den. “Katie is not incapable. She is a strong and intelligent female, why should he not give her freedom to learn?”
“Easy, Ren,” he rumbled, though secretly pleased by the younger male’s defense of his ulukska. “I am certain that Torok meant no such offense.”
“No, of course not,” Torok agreed. “I was simply caught by surprise to see his female working out here with him. My Macy has been pushing for it, saying something about cabin fever. These words sound ridiculous, but she assures me that it happens when humans are stuck indoors all the time—it is like a sickness.”
A sickness! Kull glanced at Katie with alarm, but she gave him a reassuring smile.
“While there is such a thing as someone suffering mentally from being cooped up inside for long periods, it’s often used as an exaggeration. It is more likely that Macy is just feeling bored and tired of always being inside. Fresh air and exercise are just as necessary to our wellbeing,” she explained as they entered the den, and she shrugged off her heavy fur wrap.
Torok considered her thoughtfully and nodded. “I will take that into consideration. Currently, she is in my parental den being fed by my mother. I suspect by the time of the melting, she will be as round as a durwa,” he replied drily. He hesitated. “Your mother—” he began, but fell silent when Kull turned a hard, shuttered look to him.
“If that is what you brought here—"
“No,” Torok replied and sighed heavily. “Very well. The reason that I am here is because I was sent by Borax. He wishes you to bring Katie to the meeting grounds for a gathering being held in five days. As it takes three days just to get out to your territory”
“For what reason? We just recently had a gathering.”
The other male shrugged. “In case you have not noticed, it has been longer than you think. The full moon is nearly upon us, so it is time for our moon meeting. Besides, Borax felt it would allow the humans an opportunity to socialize freely with the tribe as well as offer additional reassurance that they are all being treated well.”
Katie wrinkled her nose at them as she slid her boots off her feet. “Can we decline?”
Kull nodded in agreement, but Torok shook his head, his lips curling with amusement. “You are truly well-suited to each other in your desire to hide away from the rest of the tribe.” He chuckled. “Unfortunately, no. It is also to reassure the chief to be able to see how you are all faring. He also anticipated that Kull would try to get out of it so I already have a prepared response from him that if you did not go, then he will most certainly come here as he originally planned to do, and the visit will be far less pleasant.”
Kull dismissively waved a hand, conveying his surrender to the other male. “We will be there since Borax deems it important.”
A look of relief crossed the other male’s face, and he inclined his head in acknowledgement. “I will head back and inform the chief to expect you there.”
“Already? You do not wish to stay and rest after coming all this way?” Katie asked, her eyes wide with a look of complete shock.
Torok shook his head and smiled kindly. “The gesture is appreciated, but I am eager to return to Macy. Not that she is likely to be having any complaints outside of not having me there to ‘scratch her itch’ as she says,” he replied, rumbling with amusement.
“Whoa, too much information, thanks,” Katie replied with a small grimace. “Though Macy is half the size I am, I don’t see how you two even manage to fit.”
