Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
As I head for the longhouse to bring my fish to be dried, I'rec and O'jek approach. For some reason, my heart drops. I do not wish to share with them my problems. They will want to know what is going on and I have no answers for them. I am confused and unhappy and all I want is my mate to look at me and smile.
"A word, brother," I'rec says. His expression is inscrutable.
"I am busy." I climb the steps to the longhouse and duck under the flap. To my dismay, the red-skinned twins, V'dis and Th'rand are there with their mates, tackling a load of fish next to a fire.
An'shee smiles at me and her kit is strapped to her chest in a carrier, sleeping. She puts out a hand. "We'll take that, if you want. We're doing a lot of fish right now."
She says this and I know I'rec and O'jek hear it. There will be no avoiding them, then. I fight back a sigh of frustration and give her the fish. "You have my thanks. I will take care of your catches next time."
She just waves a hand at me. "We all help out."
I nod and rub my jaw, turning back to I'rec and O'jek. I rub my chest as I do, wondering if I can escape over to my hut. I am wearing nothing but a damp loincloth thanks to my fishing, and since it gets cold at night, it would make sense for me to change clothes and throw on a warm layer. I avoid looking at them and head in that direction, hoping they will get the hint.
"Is it true?" I'rec asks, his steps keeping up with mine. "Did you resonate?"
I glare at him, shooting a look around the encampment. "Not so loud. We do not wish to share the news yet."
"Then it is true?" I'rec looks incredulous. "And you did not tell us? Your clans-mates?"
I pause, raking my hand through my wet mane. "It is…not simple. We have not mated."
"B'shit, yes?" I'rec asks. "You resonated to her?" When I nod, he frowns again. "I do not see what the problem is. Why do you not fulfill resonance? You have mated before."
His words just make me feel even more miserable. "She does not wish to mate again. She…did not like it. I do not understand it."
Silent O'jek huffs a sound of amusement.
I scowl over at him. "What?"
He shakes his head, but the corners of his mouth twitch.
"What is it you have heard?" I narrow my eyes at him. "Why do you laugh?"
"Because you do not understand," he says finally. "What is there to understand? Everyone knows what happened between you two. You have both shouted it for the last turn of the moon."
"She said…" I pause, and then move closer so I do not have to speak loudly. "She said that when we mated she did not enjoy it and it did not feel good. That I did not use my cock right." I lean in. "But I know I did. I know how a mating works."
"Just because you stuck it in the right hole does not mean you used it right." O'jek lifts his shoulders in a shrug. "She told F'lor that you hurt her. That your cock was so big it pained her."
She said she did not like it. That my cock was too big for the mating to be enjoyable. I do not remember her saying I hurt her… Horror swamps me. "I do not think my cock is that big." I reach down and grab it, just to be certain. "It is large, to be sure, but it still fit."
"According to you, yes. According to her, no." O'jek smirks.
I glare at him. "I like you better when you are silent."
I'rec snorts. "It is a sad day when O'jek knows more about what your mate wants than what you want, A'tam."
"That is not all," I continue, crossing my arms over my chest. My khui is silent, which means my mate is not nearby. I resist the urge to rub my chest, just to make sure I still resonate to her. "She says I do not listen to her."
Both of my clan brothers give me odd looks.
"What?"
"This is surprising to you?" I'rec asks.
O'jek just rubs his beard and shakes his head.
"You think I do not listen to her, too?" I ask, astonished.
I'rec puts a hand on my shoulder. "A'tam, you are my clan brother. You are a good hunter and a good friend. But you are not a good listener." He pauses, then adds, "At all."
I flick his hand off. "I listen!"
"But not about your mate's needs," I'rec says.
"And you never listen to her when she tells you to leave her alone," O'jek adds.
"You did not listen to me when I told you to use even boards for your hut, and now it creaks and groans like one of the elders—"