"Are you sharing Kate's furs? Pleasure-mating?" I ask as we haul the sled forward. There is not much snow at the bottom of the gorge, and it makes pulling far more difficult.

"That one? She would slit my throat before sharing her furs with me." But he looks rather pleased at the thought. "I am going to wear her down, though. Wait and see."

Harrec can indeed wear a person's nerves. He likes to talk, and more than that, he likes to hear himself talk. "Any resonances while we were gone?"

"Not a one. I think Taushen is despairing of ever getting a mate."

I grunt, hauling the sled forward as Harrec pushes. My Ell-ee moves quietly to the side, standing in the shadows of the cliff walls, out of the way. I give her a little nod to rea.s.sure her and let her know this will not take long. "And Warrek?"

"That one is so quiet, who knows what he is thinking." Harrec shrugs.

"Maybe it is not that he is quiet, but that your mouth is just open all the time," I tell him, and then grunt when the sled finally lodges into familiar ruts in the ground. "There it is. My thanks for your help."

Harrec just grins and rubs his hands eagerly. "I hope you are in the mood for fang-fish tonight, because I am about to prove to Kate that she has underestimated me."

"Luck to you," I tell him with a snort, and then look over at my Ell-ee. I pat the front of the sled. "Come sit, my mate. I will pull you in."

She moves forward, quick to put her hands on my arm and rea.s.sure herself. I pull her in for a kiss to her brow.

"You look different, Ell-ee," Harrec calls as he steps onto the pulley. "Resonance agrees with you." The look he gives us is sly and full of teasing.

I growl at him, and he quickens his pace, hauling the pulley up with speed and laughing as he disappears. "Ignore that fool," I tell her. "He speaks just to hear his own boasting."

She settles in at the front of the sled and then gives me a little smile. "Some people like to hear their own voice."

I grunt. That is one way Ell-ee and I are perfectly matched. We are both content with silence. I press another kiss to her-this time to her pink, soft mouth-before we set off. The walk to the village once you are in the gorge is a brief one, and soon enough, I can hear the laughter of the kits playing in the village, and the scent of smoke carries on the wind. I am hit with a wave of longing. These are my people. My tribe. I love them. If they will not accept me back, or let me be with my mate, I will have no choice but to leave. But I will miss them.

"Are you okay?" Ell-ee asks, her voice soft. It's as if she can sense my thoughts. "You look tense."

I turn to smile at her. "I wish for this day to be a good one, that is all."

"It will be," she says confidently. "Of course they're going to want you back. You're a bada.s.s."

I am not quite sure what that is, but she makes it sound good. "It is up to the chief, but I hope you are right."

"I know I am."

We round the corner of the canyon, and there is the village ahead of us. People are out and about, standing in front of their huts or talking near one of the central fires. A few of the kits are playing foot-ball at the edge of the village and rush out to meet us. Pacy and Kae race around the sled, giggling, and are joined by Raashel and Talie. "Bek! Where have you been?" Raashel demands, as bossy as her mother. "You haven't been here to play foot-ball with us."

"I have been hunting," I tell her, and ruffle her mane as I go past, hauling my sled. "Are your parents here?"

She nods. "Papa and Mama are talking to the chief."

So they are in the village. That is good. One less thing for the chief to worry about. "That is where we are headed." I pause to grab the foot-ball before it bounces in front of the sled and toss it away. They go chasing after it, full of laughter. I watch them go, my heart bursting with pride-someday my kit will be there, playing with them.

I glance back at Ell-ee, and she gives me a shy smile. She looks uncertain.

I know what will make her pleased. "Which hut would you like, my mate?" I stop the sled and gesture at the rows of uninhabited huts. There are many with no roofs, more than enough for twice the number of families that are currently in our village.

Her eyes widen, a silent question in her gaze.

I nod. "Since we are mated, we get to have our own hut, to raise our family. Chail will have to find herself a new person to share her hut with." Though if I know Vaza, he has already moved in, provided Chail is even the slightest bit willing.

My mate considers the rows of huts and then points at one on the far end of the village, at the outskirts. She wants to be away from everyone. Somehow I knew that. I grin and pull the sled in that direction, then set it down in front. "It is a fine choice, my mate, and will give us plenty of opportunity to get away for star-watching."

Her smile widens.

I help her down off the sled, and she begins to undo the straps. I glance around, and I can see others heading in this direction, and I know soon enough we will be swarmed. People will be wanting to greet Ell-ee and wanting to gossip about us. They will want to know about our resonance, and my shunning. Before anything, though, we must speak to my chief and see where we stand. I take Ell-ee's hand and pull her away from the sled. "Come. Let us go speak to Vektal before anything else."

She nods and moves to stand close to me, her other hand sliding to my belt.

I pull her through the curious onlookers, toward the hut that belongs to Vektal and Shors.h.i.+e. As we move toward it, I see others are gathered in front, and I scowl, imagining they are all here to come stare at my Ell-ee. But a moment later, Dagesh steps out of the chief's hut, his mate next to him, and both of them are all smiles.

"Bek! You are back just in time to celebrate with us, my friend. My No-rah and I have resonated once more!" His look of delight dies a moment later, and he claps a hand over his mouth. "Oh, wait. Should we be shunning you?"

Before I can reply, Vektal emerges from the hut's doorway, his gaze focusing on myself and Ell-ee.

"My chief," I say, though my heart pounds in my chest. "I wish to speak to you."

He looks to Ell-ee, then to me, and gestures at his hut. "Come inside."

I put a hand on my mate's back, leading her inside. The chief's hut is much the same as any other, for all that he is chief. There is a fire in the fire pit, furs lining the edges of the hut, and a scatter of clothing and toys on one side that are evidence that his girls were playing nearby. "Where is your mate?" I ask him, pulling a stool near the fire for my Ell-ee.

"She went to get Claire the moment she heard you were in the village. I was on my way to greet you when Dagesh and No-rah came to see me with their news." His smile broadens. "Our tribe is growing."

I nod. "I am happy for them." I want to bring up the subject of my shunning, but it seems like an odd switch of conversation. I hesitate.

Ell-ee slips her hand in mine, giving my fingers a squeeze. Rea.s.suring me. I am not worthy to have such a wonderful mate. My khui thrums a loud agreement.

Vektal sees us join hands and crosses his arms over his chest, c.o.c.king his head. "I see you are getting along. Have you fulfilled your resonance?"

"Not yet. We are taking things...slow." I gaze down at my mate, and she puts her cheek on my hand, content to remain silent. "Ell-ee has had a difficult past, and I do not wish to rush her."

There is no response, and I glance over at my chief. He has a look of pure astonishment on his face. "Bek?" he says, surprised. "Bek does not wish to push someone into doing something? Bek?"

I scowl at him. Ell-ee's fingers tighten on my hand as if she, too, is scowling.

Vektal just gives a shake of his head. "I am surprised, that is all. It is a good thing, trust me. Take as much time as you need. As long as you are happy, Ell-ee, I am content."

Before I can respond, the flap over the door is pushed aside and Shors.h.i.+e and Claire enter. "Oh good," Shors.h.i.+e says with a smile. "You're here."

I nod. "I-"

Claire sweeps forward and grabs me in a hug, her arms going around my neck. I am so startled by this, I remain perfectly still, not knowing what to do. Ell-ee's fingers squeeze mine tightly, even as I awkwardly pat Claire's back with my free hand.

"Thank you," Claire says against my neck, and she sounds weepy. She releases me a moment later, wiping at her eyes. "Thank you for rescuing my little Erevair. I nearly lost my mind that day-"

Oh. So much has happened since then with my Ell-ee that I had forgotten about this. "Your son has an adventuring spirit," I say, uncomfortable with her tears. Always tears with her. Claire is a good friend, but I have never known what to say when she weeps...which is often around me.

She gives me a punch in the arm, half-laughing, half-crying. "You d.i.c.k. It's because he wants to be like you. Next time you hang out with him, try extolling the virtues of staying at home."

"He wishes to be like me?" I am filled with pride and wonder. "Is it because..." I struggle to think of a word, then remember Ell-ee's. "I am bat a.s.s?"

Shors.h.i.+e smothers a laugh behind her hand, while Claire just gives me a strange look. "What?"

I turn to Ell-ee. "Bat ask? Do I say it wrong?"

She moves closer to me. "Bada.s.s," she whispers, her face serious. Ell-ee would never laugh at me. With me, yes. Not at me. I know it is hard for her to speak in front of others, and she is brave to do so. I smile at her and touch her cheek.

"Bada.s.s," I confirm with the others. "That is what I am."

Claire giggles. "And so modest, too."

I nod thoughtfully. "If you think so, yes."

She throws her hands up in the air and gives a shake of her head, then comes forward to hug me again. "I wanted to say thank you, you big lug. Thank you for keeping my son safe." She gives me a squeeze with her skinny arms and then turns to Ell-ee. "I'm sorry to be all over your man. I'm just grateful to him, and I know he's going to make your kits a wonderful father. I'm happy to see he's finally found someone." She beams at my mate. "And I hope we can become friends."

Ell-ee stares at her for a long, long moment. Then, slowly, she gives her a tiny, almost imperceptible nod.

It is enough for Claire. She smiles at both of us and clasps her hands. "Come find me here when you're done and we can talk. Erevair would like to say h.e.l.lo, too." She smiles at Ell-ee again. "And I'm sure I have some stuff for your hut so you guys can set up house." She gives us all another little smile and then nods at Shors.h.i.+e. "Okay, I'm going now."

Shors.h.i.+e moves to Vektal's side and links her arm in his. "We're glad to see you both back. We were a little worried when Rokan mentioned the storm. Said it was going to be a bitterly cold one."

I remain quiet for a moment, then give Vektal an uneasy look. Ell-ee squeezes my hand again, then rubs her other hand on my arm, silently encouraging me. I suck in a breath and say the words. "I was not sure I would be welcome."

Shors.h.i.+e looks to Vektal, waiting for him to speak.

Vektal puts a fist over his heart. "I told you how I felt. You have saved Erevair. It is enough for me if you wish to come back."

I shake my head, because it is not enough. It does not excuse what I did. "Being with Ell-ee has taught me many things," I tell them. "I did not understand at first that what I did was so terrible. My heart was in a good place, but Ell-ee showed me what it is like when someone is a slave. She made me realize that even though I meant well, I still did a bad thing." I release my mate's hand and drop to my knee in front of my chief. "And I want to say that I am sorry. To you, and to the humans I brought here against their will."

The room is silent.

"Wow," Shors.h.i.+e says after a long moment. "I was not expecting that."

Vektal puts a hand on my shoulder. "To your feet, my friend." When I rise, he puts his other hand on my shoulder and gives me a proud look. "All I wanted was for you to truly understand. To realize the consequences of your actions when you force others to do as you please." He gives me a half-smile. "It sounds like Ell-ee has been good for you."

"Bek has been good for me," Ell-ee says quietly, surprising all of us. I turn, and she moves to my side, her hands going to my arm. Her face is pale but determined, and I know she is struggling with her shyness. "He has been nothing but kind and gentle to me. I know we were hard on him at first, but I am happy here, and if it weren't for him, I'd still be a slave." She looks up at me, her heart in her eyes. "He is a good man."

I feel intense pride and joy. Not only that my chief and his mate have accepted my apology, but that my mate stood up for me but defended me, even though I wronged her. I am humbled by the way she sees me...

And I vow I will do my best to be worthy.

ELLY.

"Oh, girl, these people can't sing for s.h.i.+t," Gail breathes, clapping her hands to the awkward drumbeat. "What the h.e.l.l?"

I just quietly chuckle from my spot at the edge of the group near the fire. She's right. There's a song-I think-that the elders are singing, and it's painfully bad. They're extremely enthusiastic, though. Off to one side, Vaza beats a drum with enthusiasm if not much skill, and someone pa.s.ses around a skin of some smelly fermented drink.

There's a party going on tonight. It's not only in honor of Nora and Dagesh-he of the tongue-tangling name-and their second resonance, but of Bek's return to the village. Mine, too, though I'm not much of a celebrator. I prefer to stay in the corner with Gail at my side and watch everyone have a good time.

Bek is off by the fire, his gaze flicking back to me as if he wants to watch over me even when he can't be at my side. He's been dragged off by one hunter or another, and I'm proud of my mate. I'm proud he's such an integral part of this tribe that they're all clearly happy to see him again and to have him back. He's taken each new human member of the tribe-Gail, Summer, Brooke and Kate-aside and quietly apologized to them, and maybe it's the sincerity in his voice or the warmth and friendliness of the village, but no one seems to be holding a grudge.

I've been greeted and exclaimed over by so many people that I'm dizzy with the attention. It doesn't matter that I've been here with the others since Bek brought us-clean, well-fed Elly is apparently a big deal. It makes me feel good, if slightly uncomfortable, and I'm happy when Bek shoos everyone away so I can go sit in a quiet corner with Gail.

At my side, Gail laughs aloud, clapping her hands again. She leans in toward me. "Look at that fool," she says affectionately, nodding at Vaza. Her new 'boyfriend'-or pleasure-mate, as these people call it-is banging his drum with what can only be described as 's.e.xy' enthusiasm. At least, I'm pretty sure he thinks it's s.e.xy. It just looks downright awkward to me. "He's lucky he's got a good heart, because d.a.m.n, he tries harder than any man I have ever met in my life." She gives a little shake of her head. "I'm not sure if he thinks he's gonna score tonight with that drumming or if I have to look forward to some other form of flirting to come."

"More singing?" I tease shyly.

"Lord, no!" she laughs, and raises her hands in the air. "Heaven help me if the man comes and serenades me."

I smile widely, because I love Gail. I love her no-nonsense affection. It's clear she adores the attention that Vaza showers on her, and they seem happy together. She misses Earth sometimes, she says, but this feels like a fresh start to her, and she's willing to embrace it.

Me too.

"Elly! Elly! Look what I've got!" Erevair runs over to me again and drops into my lap. "Papa made me a new ball! Isn't it something?" He holds the hard leather ball up to my nose, nearly knocking it into my face.

I nod at him encouragingly.

This is apparently a sign for Erevair to tell me the story of his last ball and all the many adventures it went on before he lost it. Erevair is an incredibly chatty child, and he's picked me to be his audience, it seems. Every time I sit down, he drops into my lap and begins to talk my ear off. I think it's because he adores Bek, and by proxy adores me as I'm Bek's. It's kind of cute, and I don't mind-if I'm listening to a story, I don't really have to contribute much. I still feel tongue tied around these people. They're so happy. So peaceful. I gaze around the fire, at Nora and Dagesh, who are the happy center of attention. At Rokan, who's stroking his mate's slightly rounded pregnant belly. At Maddie and Ha.s.sen, who are making out by the fire as if it's their resonance night. At the cl.u.s.ter of children sitting in front of Sevvah and Kemli, listening to a story. At the hunter who walks past, a sleepy baby cradled in his arms so his mate can keep chatting with a friend. They're just a big family. I don't quite fit in. Not yet, but someday, maybe.

I'm content to wait. As long as they let me go at my own pace, I'm happy.

"And then the ball went under a bus.h.!.+ A greaaaat big bush this big." Erevair flings his little arms out. "And I went to look for it and couldn't find it. I looked and looked and it wasn't there! And-"

I nod, pretending to pay attention even as I glance over at Bek. He's speaking to Stacy, and as I watch, he grabs a little bowl from her with a nod of thanks and then heads to my side. He's so handsome, his steps fluid and strong, his blue skin shadowed with firelight, his horns proud. I give a happy little sigh, and my cootie starts singing rather loudly.

"Elly, are you listening to me?" Erevair puts a little hand on my cheek, startling me. The touch makes my skin p.r.i.c.kle, but I realize a moment later it's just a child, and I calm down again. He's looking at me with a frustrated little pout.

I nod at him brightly, trying to rea.s.sure him.

It works. The story of the ball continues. "And then I went to get Papa because my ball was gone. It was just gone! And then-"

"Erevair," Bek says, dropping to a knee beside me and Gail on our skin. "Can you go show Harrec your ball? I bet he has not seen it yet."

"He hasn't?" Erevair climbs out of my lap, hugs Bek's arm, and then races through the crowd over to where Harrec is sitting, no doubt near poor Kate. He caught eight fang-fish this day and has not stopped bragging about it to her. I've seen many eye-rolls in his direction tonight, but I can't say she's hating his attention. Maybe it's just me, but I could swear I catch her smiling.

Bek settles in next to me. "Erevair is a handful," he admits, then shows me the bowl of not-potato cakes he's gotten from Stacy. "Food," he says, and picks up a cake, takes a bite, and then offers it to me. "Eat."

I smile at him and take the cake, eating it with small, careful bites as he tastes the next one. So thoughtful. I worried that things would change between us when we got back to the village, but Bek is the same as he's always been-careful and attentive to me, and protective. When others try to come talk, he puts his arm around me and pulls me close, answering for me when I don't respond. He wants me to be comfortable.