But it does not feed my mate, and there is much to be done. We must have food, and we must be ready for our kit when it comes. I touch her belly, careful not to wake her. She is still flat here, but if it is like the animals in nature, she will swell up when our kit is coming. I cannot wait to see that.

For the first time in my life, I look forward to more than just the next meal, the next sleep. I look forward to a life with Har-loh, warm and snug in our cave, our kit bundled into the furs with us.

I ease out of our nest, making sure that Har-loh is covered with the thick furs, and head outside. The beach is quiet, the only sound the constant roll of the tide and the occasional screech of a distant bird. The skies are gray, but it does not look like snow. It is a good day to go hunting, and we still need more things. We need more meat, more furs. We need fuel for the fire—I noticed we were out. There are plants to gather and berries to find. There are—

"Rukh?"

I turn and look at my mate. She stands in the entrance to the cave, furs clutched to her bare skin. There is a sad look on her speckled face.

"Yewgoin huntin?" she asks. "Hunt?"

I know the word “hunt.” I know what she asks…and I hate to see the disappointment on her face. I will be gone all day again and she will have to do all the hard work on her own. It is not easy for her when I bring the meat back to the beach. I realize that now. It creates more work for her and to do it alone is…a lot.

And suddenly, I do not want to leave my mate behind. Har-loh is smart. If she cannot hunt, she can stay back at a distance and help me carry things. She can gather plants and fuel for the fire. When we return, we can work on the meat and the hides together. All of it can be done by one, but it goes faster with help. I am still thinking like I am alone, and I should not be. Har-loh wants to be at my side, and I want to be at hers.

So I nod. "Rukh hunt." I hold my hand out to her. "Har-loh hunt? Togeddur?"

A brilliant smile blooms across her face, and it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

"Togeddur," she agrees.

I am pleased. Everything is better together.

Tags: Ruby Dixon Fantasy
Source: readsnovelonline.net