Page 4 of His Human to Learn

Nia, Beren, and Lyath all ask where I was, and I tell them I needed to get something from outside. They don't believe me, but don't ask if I went looking for Marron. I eat dinner, listening to what everyone is saying. Beren says something to Nia that has her leaning into him. I sit upright, narrowing my eyes on him.

"What did you just say?" I ask in English, my voice louder than I mean for it to be. "That word you said at the end, what is it?"

Nia frowns at my question like she's unsure why I'm so worked up about it, but it's one of the words Marron was mumbling when he was seeing if I was okay when he stumbled upon me in the fields, and was part of what he said when he was chastising me for apologizing.

"He called me his mate," Nia says, a question sparkling in her eyes when my face immediately flushes. "Why?"

"No reason," I lie, turning my full attention to the food in front of me. "It sounded familiar. I must be used to hearing you guys say it."

"Uh-huh," Nia says. Obviously, she doesn't believe me, but she doesn't press anymore.

I don't offer anything to the rest of the conversations. I'm too busy figuring out if Marron called me his mate or if I misheard him. And if he did call me his mate, is that something I'm okay with when we can't even talk to each other yet?

3

Marron

"Ihave a plan," Thro says as he scampers back to where we're meant to be working today.

He tugs on my tunic until I lean down so he can whisper in my ear. Does it matter that Beren and Lyath are off working in a different field today? No, because Thro thinks this is some secret mission we are on when, in all actuality, it is just Beren and Lyath trying to make sure the unmated female in their care is not preyed upon. Not that I would prey upon her. Well, if she wanted me to, I could be amenable.

"I will tell Beren and Lyath I am ill tonight while we have dinner. I have even perfected fainting. Jen has been helping me. So, I will faint. They will be so concerned for me and rush to take me to the tribe to get me to Vex. Then, when all of them rush to get me aid because having the most favorite male die on your watch is a bad look for anyone, you will sneak back to the farm and have alone time with the unmated female."

I listen to his plan because I have to give him credit for making it better than his last plan. In that one, he wanted to set fire to one of the fields to keep Beren and Lyath away from the house. Still, I do not want to scheme ways to get close to Tori.

Yes, it's been many days since I last spoke with her, and maybe Beren, Lyath, and Nia have been watching her more closely. I have not been quiet about how I feel for the fiery-haired female. I saw her once, told Beren I was interested in his ward, and have continued to tell him I am interested in her so he does not think this is some fleeting infatuation. As soon as Tori is willing to be with me, I will be ready, but I will not force my affections on a female who does not want them.

"No more scheming," I tell Thro, pushing him off me so I can continue my work. "I have told you that as soon as the small female wishes me to woo her, I will. I am not going to force my attentions on her."

"It is not forcing your attentions," Thro argues.

I do not know why he is so interested in me mating Tori, but he has been adamant about making it happen from the moment he saw how my face changed when I saw her. He has also taken it upon himself to ensure her protection, as he puts it, since I am not allowed near her. This means he eats dinner out here many nights, and when he is with me, he recounts everything Tori did.

"I do not think you would even know how to force your attentions on anyone. No, this is more about giving you a chance to allow her to see that she should allow you to woo her. Right now, Beren and Lyath keep her locked away, so she has no idea you are here and eager to speak with her."

"And can she speak with me?" I ask, lifting one of my brows.

Tori is working hard to learn our language, but still does not know it very well. We might be able to speak for a few moments together, but we could not carry on a whole conversation. Iwould be fine with sitting silently with her, but that does not build a strong foundation for a good mating.

"Between what she has learned and what you have learned, I am sure you can have many conversations together." Thro pauses, taking a deep breath since he talks so fast.

It makes me happy that he is so carefree. He has already experienced too much in his life, and he deserves this time to not care about anything other than scheming.

"I will wait until she finds me or until she signs up for the mating ceremony," I tell Thro, hoping I do not sound too stern.

I do not want to ruin his fun, but I also need him to understand that he will not push this any further than he already has.

"I have promised Beren that I am not a liability on his farm. If he no longer believes me, neither of us will have jobs."

"I do not need a job." Thro shrugs. "I came here to help you so you could be allowed a female when they started coming. Well, now the female meant to be yours is here, and you are doing nothing to woo her. I do not see why I am needed here anymore."

"You do not feel good when you are helpful?" I ask.

It is true that Thro does not enjoy work, but no one truly enjoys it. We do it to sustain the tribe and ensure that we are helpful. Thro can tell me he does not need a job, but he would be bored all day without it.

Beren and Lyath allow Thro to continue his lessons with their ward, Jen, on the days she has one of the older females come to teach her. He is behind in his lessons because our father cared little for educated males, but I do not want him to grow up without knowing things like I have. He is too clever for that.

"Fine!" Thro throws his hands up. "I enjoy being helpful and being close to Beren and Lyath's family because they treat us like family, but I would be thrilled if you were happy as well. I do not like being the only one between us who is allowed good things."

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