Page 36 of His Human to Learn

"I am lying in bed, then," Thro says. "I will not stop talking until you are annoyed enough to wake up. You are just wishing to sulk today, and I will not allow it. You are too happy a female to be sad today. Nope, not today, of all the happiest of days. We are blood now. Is that not exciting to you?"

"Oh shit," I say right as Jen makes a loud shrieking sound. It takes her half a second before she marches back out of her room. She stares daggers at Marron and me.

"What is wrong?" Thro comes running out behind her, and he tries to chase after her even though she's making it clear she wants away from him. She slams the front door and heads down the trail to the tribe. Marron grabs Thro by the upper arm and keeps him from leaving. "Let me go. I have upset my friend."

"Let her calm down," Marron says, trying to keep his voice soft even as Thro tugs at his hold. "She needs some time on her own."

"How would you know?" Thro snarls up at his brother. "You mate a female for one day, and now you know everything?"

"Thro," I say his name as kindly as I can. I speak to him in English because if Marron's learned it, Thro's probably been learning it, too. "Give her some time, okay?"

Thro narrows his eyes at me and then flicks his eyes up to his brother. "Do not tell her I understand. She tells me secrets sometimes in her language, and I like being the only one she trusts. She is my best friend."

Marron rubs his eyes and shakes his head. He leaves me to deal with Thro, though. I give him a nod and shoo Marron's hold on him. "Go back to your room for a little bit."

Thro doesn't look happy at being told what to do, but he only frowns again before returning to the room. He's just closing the door when Nia's bedroom door opens, and she and Beren walk out. They don't look like they just woke up at all. In fact, they look a little ragged, like maybe they haven't slept at all.

"What did you do?" I point my question at Beren because he's the one with the never-ending feeling that he has to protect everyone at all times, no matter what.

"You are a mated female with your own male," Beren says. "You should not be asking questions like that."

Marron hisses, stepping in front of me, making it clear I'm no longer Beren's to protect. Beren's eyes narrow a fraction, and then he frowns.

"Sorry," he sighs and moves further into the living room before plopping down on the couch. "We have been up all night. Lyath just fell asleep, and we are not waking him."

"Why were you up all night?" I ask.

Beren raises his brows at Marron, motioning with his hand as though he's supposed to tell me that I should be careful about the questions I ask other males now.

"My mate can ask whatever she wants to anyone she wants," Marron snaps, his temper flaring in a way I've never seen. "It is up to you to answer her without being disrespectful."

Jen's bedroom door is slammed back open, and Thro stomps through the house, his eyes bright red and his claws hanging heavy at the ends of his fingers.

"You do not disrespect my brother's mate." He points a finger at Beren and doesn't even shake. "He is kinder than I am, but I will not think twice. I have killed a male before. I can do it again."

"You've really done it now," Nia says, shaking her head. She moves to the kitchen. "Beren will apologize, but first, when's the last time you had any water?"

She doesn't wait for my answer before tossing a skin over to me.

"I do apologize," Beren says, keeping his eyes on Thro's since he's the one most upset about everything that's happening. "I am sorry. I wanted to make sure your brother would stand up for his mate. I want to make sure my ward is in good hands. It was cruel of me. I did not think of how it would make any of you feel."

Thro's breathing is still hard, his chest heaving as he takes deep, unsteady breaths. His lips pull back in a snarl, and then heturns away from him, rubbing at his eyes and the tears that are threatening to fall.

"Oh, I am a terrible male," Beren mutters.

Thro keeps his back to him, but Beren stands and walks over, so he stands in front of Thro. He kneels down so they are closer to the same height and places his hands on his shoulders. Thro doesn't flinch very hard, but he does, and it's a reminder of everything he went through before coming to this tribe.

"Thro, please, I am the most sorry male to have ever lived." Beren's voice holds more emotions than I've heard from him. "I did not think. Please tell me that you are not going to be upset with me forever. Moments, days, seasons, all of those are fine, but tell me it will not be forever."

Thro rubs at his eyes again and then looks behind Beren to where Marron is standing next to me with a hand on my back.

"My brother is the best male," Thro says, his eyes falling down to Beren. "It was cruel to doubt that."

"It was very cruel," Beren agrees. "I only worry for my ward, but that is no excuse."

"It is not," Thro nods. He swallows hard and then nods. "I will not be mad forever. Probably not even for days. I do require moments, though. May I leave?"

"You don't need to ask permission to come or go," Nia butts into the conversation, handing Thro a plate of food and a skin of water. "But you do have to have some breakfast. I'm not having my blood going hungry because my mate was a dumbass."

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