"DaThoren we need to move, we need to get home and we need to tell the others," Kaggun says standing back up, he rubs his short beard as he speaks.
"I agree with you brother," DaThoren takes my hand, "Come, let's stand."
I take his hand and slowly I stand up holding the sheets to me. I take a step then two as he holds my hand firmly. "I'm fine," I finally speak, so unused to doing so. It still feels weird to speak freely. It feels weird to have them look at me as they do. It feels weird, and yet freeing but I am cautious all the same.
"Then come, we will tell my brothers," My mate pulls me slowly to the tent door and I stall. Fear or was it a warning, rushes through me. Talking inside this tent is one thing, but being free in front of others?
"She's right to be afraid DaThoren, what will you do with your wives and whores they will want her head for this,"
My mate pulls me close. "Give them to Jeromy he is more than deserving,"
"Jeromy doesn't want your leftovers, brother," Kaggun smiles and it makes me uneasy, why must they speak of this in front of me?
"Enough, keep the whores for yourself or give them freedom I do not care,"
"Freedom it is I don't want them either," Kaggun opens the tent and peeks out, "And of your bride and wife?"
DaThoren takes in a deep breath, "We can not send back the daughter of Nim." He finally says and his brother looks at him and there is something in his eyes that I cant read. "Zim will take her," He then moves his eyes to me and I see, he is being protective as an older brother should be. It no longer matters what I was, just what I am.
"Zim is the one who chose the first of the daughters of Nim, he collects wives and he doesn't yet have a blonde bitch," He smiles big and his eyes go playful, "A chubby girl, a thin girl, a dark girl and a pale girl but no golden hair girl," He laughs.
I curl my nose, I decide I don't like Zim.
"What about Rashell?" He then asks my mate and I know he must be talking about his red-headed wife.
"She will not like it but give her to Roland,"
Again his brother looks at me, "Roland is the next in age after your mate here and Rashell originally wanted to be his wife but Roland does not like red wolves,"
I gasp in shock, "She is a shapeshifter?"
"Yes, a princess if you will and her father thinks to mix our breed so he can rule over us, one of his attacked you in the woods,"
DaThoren speaks but looks away as he does so, "She is only my wife because her father watched to ensure it, he chose me because I had no wife at the time."
"How many men can fake a nut ill never know," His brother smirks and shakes his head and I draw up an eyebrow.
"I wasn't going to breed her," DaThoren states with a snap, "Give her to Roland it is the only way."
"Why did you not just deny her?" I blush because I feel I am speaking out of turn.
"Because that little one, would have been an act of war and with no offspring to carry on that would have been stupid," Kaggun says putting his hands on his hips. He is smart and cunning.
"I see," I do understand that.
"Get her dressed I shall speak to the others and bring a horse," Kaggun says to my mate.
"I will ride with her to ensure her safety," My mate confirms.
"Very well, be ready." They nod to each other and Kaggun leaves.
"I am going to call for Jeromy to bring clothes, you can trust him,"
I nod as my mate peeks out and calls for the young boy who, like always comes running.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Bring me a dress,"
I snort and my mate looks at me slowly, "You will have to wear one soon," He smiles,
"Not yet."
Jeromy looks pale as I speak, DaThoren looks back at him, "Very well, pants and top,"
"Yes right away," The boy half bows and bolts. We wait but only a few moments and he is back.
"Oh and Jeromy, boots if you please," My mate adds, the boy bows again and rushes back out and back in.
"That will be all for now but I will need you to stay close,"
"I will wait outside then tent my Lord," He goes back out, in no rush this time.
"He is loyal to you?"
"He is, and he will be to you,"
I change into animal skin pants and a long slightly linen-like top that is white in color and long-sleeved. This is high-end and rare. "Does Jeromy know?" I ask feeling knots in my tummy.
"He knows I like you," My mate smirks as he gets down to help me wedge on boots. He runs a hand over my feet before he gets them on, "How long have you been barefoot?"
"I can not recall," All my life as far as I know.
He stays silent as he laces up the boots then stands and moves to a trunk where he pulls out my daggers. "Though you might like to have these back,"
"Yes," I smile, happy to see them again.
He puts them back around my thigh.
"Should we not hide them?" I ask confused.
"No," He says firmly.
We hear a horse and know it's time at least for us to get moving. He quickly does a loose braid of my hair and takes my hand, "Come my mate, it is time they all know you are mine." We step out and he quickly puts me on his horse and climbs up behind me. Just as he kicks I can hear the bitching of the whores, I can hear them saying, 'With the dog!?'
I look down but then my mate's hand in is on my chin and he lifts my head up, "Do not," He tells me and when he releases my face I keep my chin up high.