Page 77 of Scarred

We will. Sam answered. Until the female goes into heat.

“You may want to learn her name,” Amma chuckled. “That may go a long way to winning her heart.”

Oh. Sam’s tail drooped.

“You have time.” Amma bent to pat him on the head. “Just ask before you chase her.”

“To hear the other side of that conversation would be interesting.” Suni said. He stood and stretched, and Amma had a hard time tearing her eyes away from his masculinity. He grinned at her. “Keep looking at me like that, my mate, and we will never make it home.”

“The look I’m giving you is a promise of what is to come.” Amma took a step back when he moved forward. “Later. I want to see my cousin Mia and meet her daughter for the first time. It’s always fun to meet little witches. They do the funniest things before they learn to control their magic.”

“She is a very energetic calf.”

“Good morning, Jabari and Kofi,” Amma called to the brothers. “Thank you for making first meal. It’s greatly appreciated.” She quickly finished her business and returned to the fire. “What is the porridge mixed with today?”

“I think they used aki berries.” Suni handed her a bowl. “I find them a little too sweet for my taste, but it fills the belly.”

“Okay.” Amma took the bowl. “You will have to make me your favorite first meal. You are always a little critical every time someone else makes something.”

“I will make you many first meals.” Suni said. He upended his bowl and finished it in three gulps. “Many.”

“You know, you could enjoy your food more.” Amma said. She took smaller sips from her bowl. It was tasty, like always, and had a bit of a kick from the leaves. She wondered if she would ever not want that spicy kick with her meals. “Can these leaves be fried?”

“Yes, there is a female in the village who cooks them like that.”

“I wonder what they would taste like chopped up and sprinkled over grubs.”

Suni’s head tilted. “I never thought to do that.”

“It’s something we can try together.”

Once everyone finished eating, they cleaned up until there was no trace of their having camped there. The group started toward the Lnuuk. Amma spent the time mentally rehearsing what she would say to her new mother-in-law. She didn’t want to come across as not good enough for her son. It hadn’t been more than two hours, Earth time, when they arrived at the edge of the forest and Amma got her first look at her new home. Unlike Ru’s village, everything looked permanent. Buildings had high brick-like walls, and a stone pathway led through them. They were halfway across the valley when a group of warriors rushed from the gate. Oumi was in the lead.

Suni stepped in front of her, but kept his hands away from his weapon. His father was the first to reach them and stood next to his son. Amma placed a hand on Suni’s lower back. She hoped they would be allowed entrance and given a welcome along with the brothers.

“Chief Kellan,” Oumi said. “My son returns with a mate, a human mate who also happens to be a witch.”

“A witch?” Kellan asked. “How is it that my best warriors are out mating with witches when we have not seen one in generations?”

“Hi,” Amma said as she came out from behind Suni. If this was going to be her home, she wanted to show she wasn’t scared of them. “My name is Amma, and Mia is my cousin.”

Kellan’s eyes landed on her, and she forced herself to be still while she studied him. He was taller than most of the warriors present, except Suni and another male who looked suspiciously like Han. That warrior carried a massive hammer on his back and a smirk played on his lips. Amma would bet her left hand that he was trouble. The chief, on the other hand, had a calmness to him that Amma knew was false. She knew there was no way warriors would follow a male who didn’t have a killer instinct. Strapped to his back was a sword almost as long as he was tall, and Amma doubted she could lift it even with two hands and some magic.

When the silence was on the verge of becoming uncomfortable, Kellan nodded. “It is nice to meet one of Mia’s family. She has been a blessing, and speaks highly of her family back on Earth. Can I ask how you came to be here, and who the warriors behind you are?”

“I came here through a portal from my world. My family’s home was attacked, and we had to flee before we were captured and killed for being born the way we are,” Amma answered. “As for the males behind me, they were changed by witches of the High Coven.” She took a step forward and held up her hands when every warrior drew their weapons. “They are trustworthy. If you want, you can have Mia read them.”

“Suni?” Kellan’s eyes snapped to her mate. “What is the meaning of this? You bring danger to our door?”

“They are no longer dangerous.” Suni replied. He drew his shoulders back. “I swear on my life that they mean no harm.”

“What makes you trust them?”

“Once freed from the hold the evil magic had on them, they helped save a village under attack from the High Coven,” Suni answered. “Their names are Jabari and Kofi. We promised them a place to stay where they would be safe.”

“You made such a promise without asking me?” Kellan asked angrily.

“They are warriors in need of a haven. They will swear their allegiance to you. I did not want to leave them in a village where people would be less than welcoming,” Suni replied.

---