Page 85 of All's Fair in Lion and War
“Please. I don’t want him to die. Any of them.” She quickly added, kneeling in the snow and bowing her head. The male closest to her edged forward a few inches.
“Do not move to her.”
The command sliced through the silence like the crack of a gunshot. The male in particular flexed against his bonds, but didn’t attempt to get any closer to the woman on the ground in front of him.
The other four males were still, silent, and staring at the ground.
Everyone waited.
Col flicked his gaze to Novik, who looked down at his mate, before giving assent.
It was agreed. The males would be allowed to live.
“All those involved have agreed. Your pardon has been granted.” Col’s words swept away the tension and the woman immediately threw herself toward the male Col strongly suspected was hersoul match.
The male leaned against her, but couldn’t embrace her because of his bonds. The male looked up over the shoulder of his weeping female and met Col’s gaze. He mouthed the words thank you.
“Free them of their bonds. There is much to discuss.” He turned to face Novik. “We do not have the space to accommodate all of your Tribe for the night, but we can offer you and your mate a room in one of our homes. Anyone that needs to clean up will need to take turns among the various cabins.”
“Another night in our vehicles won’t hurt anyone. I appreciate the gracious offer and accept your hospitality. If there’s anything we can do to help accommodate.”
“Hunt.” Naomi’s voice rang out above the beginnings of commotion. “We are happy to cook and feed you if you can provide the meat.”
A cheer went up from the group. Novik sent out a dozen to hunt and the rest began spreading out, introducing themselves to the others of the Tribe. Some moved toward his and Naomi’s home. Some followed Owen and Tara down the path toward theirs. Kann and Penny also had a group following them.
Col walked forward, pulling a knife from his belt. Naomi pulled another blade from hers, followed him, and they quickly cut all the ropes off the lion males.
“I am Shenn.” The male holding Heather tucked close to his side, held out his arm to Col. “It would be my honor to serve your mate and yourself,Vraka. We have nothing and nowhere to go, but we can work. We can do anything you ask to earn our keep in your Tribe, if you would but allow us to stay.”
Col clasped Shenn’s arm. “That is a choice that must be voted on by the entire Tribe, but you have my blessing to ask.”
Connie’s personal pickup truck, not the town EMT truck she usually was in, drove up into the disassembling crowd.
She hopped out like it was a normal Tuesday morning, though clearly by the enormous group of people it was not. Connie searched the crowd, found Col, and waved before walking toward him.
“Col, I brought Mary and the other two ladies. Katherine and Ryder, and the others are right behind me. Tara said it was over and we could head this way. Who are all these people?”
Novik stared at the woman. Connie didn’t really adhere to Reylean protocols. She wasn’t tribe and therefore treated him like she would any other male she knew.”
“Whose mate is she?” Novik spoke, leaning closer to Col.
“Mine.” The male voice came from behind Col.
Dalmeck.
Silence fell like a shroud.
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
“Who the fucking hell said that?” Connie craned her neck to the side, trying to see around Col. “I’m nobody’s. Don’t you dare go getting all possessive-y on me. I’m perfectly content with me, myself, and my cat.” She pointed her finger at Col. “I’m leaving. Don’t let anyone get any ideas or follow me.”
Naomi snorted out a laugh. “You really think that will work?”
Col found it difficult not to laugh at the evil look Connie flashed his mate before leveling that same glare at him.
“I brought the new peeps. That’s it. Y’all just had world war three out here in the forest, don’t you think for one second that the town isn’t starting to get suspicious. We heard the gunshots and felt the earth shake a little. They love all you people too much to ask questions. And I know way more than I care too.”
