Mated to the Warrior Beast

249 Prodigal Son Returns

If you like music while you read, try “We’ll All Be Alright” by AG and Amy Stroup. It’s what I was listening to while writing this chapter!

*****

~ TARKYN ~

Three days. Three days before they had news of those who’d gone to face the bears. It had been a horrific, tense time of increased grieving. Because if their friends were safe, why weren’t they hearing anything?

But finally, finally the first hare arrived, buoyant, but exhausted.

They were safe. They were all safe. They had defeated the zealot bears—a faction of the Tribe who’d abandoned the rest and were pursuing a startling mission to cleanse Anima of anything or anyone associated with the human world. And they had, indeed, been joined by some of the tigers and a handful of other disgruntled Chimera.

But they were routed. Utterly destroyed.

What the messenger didn’t tell them was why it had taken so long for anyone to return—even a messenger.

The first hare spoke of Gar’s need to explain.

.....

And so, they waited.

Harth was still very weary, but now out of bed and walking. The blood transfer—a transfusion, Harth called it, though Tarkyn couldn’t understand why all those extra syllables were needed—along with spending several hours each day in her wolf, was helping her heal quickly. And so far… so far their babe had held on. So far, everything seemed healthy. But it was still so soon…

They would have to wait and see. But all signs so far were good, according to the healers.

Tarkyn was in the market, watching Harth for signs that she needed to return to their Tree—when the Bear beaters returned.

There was a murmur of excitement just outside the market, audible because the market only had half-walls. And when everyone looked up—Tarkyn and Harth joining Elreth and Aaryn, Zev and Sasha at the head table on stage—it was to find Gar walking in, face beaming, his arms full of a pale, but smiling Rika.

Kyelle, who’d been among those who helped Tarkyn and Zev in the north, literally shifted in her seat below them and flew through the market, to drop to the ground outside with a cry of joy.

Lhars was also safe.

Elreth leaped from her seat too, though she stayed in human form, running from the stage and through the aisles, tears in her eyes, to throw her arms around her massive brother—who’d only just enough time to settle Rika down before turning to catch her.

The two clasped each other so tightly, and Gar buried his face in her neck, murmuring something they couldn’t hear over the hubbub, but Tarkyn thought that was just right.

She’d been so terrified. And trying so hard not to show it. But he’d seen the looks flash between her and Aaryn whenever talk of the others came up.

She’d thought she’d lost the last of her family, and it had threatened to break her heart.

He was so glad, so glad that the siblings were together again.

At first, there was so much disruption, so much celebration, and so many questions, Tarkyn noticed nothing out of the ordinary. Only that there was a great crowd of people slowly entering the market, and it echoed with howls and calls of joy when families or tribes were reunited. The market, which was already much busier than usual now that the Chimera had joined them, some of whom were even talking of settling in the Tree City.

Then when the siblings parted and Gar was carrying Rika towards the stage—she must have been injured since she didn’t seem to be able to walk—Tarkyn saw the male who’d warned them about the bears… Pegg… he approached from behind Gar, his clothing dirty and face haggard, leaning into Gar’s ear and pointing back the way they’d come in.

Gar nodded quickly and his face sobered.

To Tarkyn’s surprise, after he’d settled Rika in a seat next to Harth, he turned to El and pulled her aside, to the back of the stage.

The two spoke quickly and seriously for a moment, then Elreth’s eyes widened.

What had happened?

Then Elreth looked back in the direction of the entrance they’d used to come into the market and back at Gar, and he nodded.

Elreth took a deep breath and then smiled and opened a hand, indicating that Gar should go first.

Tarkyn was very curious when Gar stepped up to the table and raised his hands to get everyone’s attention, then guards whistled for quiet.

When the market had gone still—still many people standing in the entrance and all the way out to the trails outside, Gar finally dropped his hands. And then he spoke.

******

~ GAR ~

“Thank you, all of you, for your prayers and for your greeting. We are very, very glad to be back.” He raised his voice, projecting as well as he could to ensure those outside would still hear him. His heart was hammering impossibly hard.

He had been praying for this moment for two days, begging the Creator to let the people see. After everything they’d been through… please let them see.

“We are safe, and glad to be home,” he said. “But we do not come alone. There are many, many stories to tell you about our travels and why we were delayed—I apologize that you were worried for us. But the Creator brought us to… the unexpected. So… so I need to ask you all to listen very carefully, and to please stay very quiet.”

He took a deep breath, looked down at Rika, who smiled up at him, her eyes shining, and took his hand to clasp it. He hadn’t been able to be away from her since he’d found her again among those fucking mental bears. His heart still didn’t believe she was safe. He cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the silent, gathered Anima and—pleasantly surprising—Chimera who were there for the meal.

“We discovered a great deal while we were gone. And I promise we’ll tell you the whole story, but the part that’s important to know right now is that… our people are connected in ways we didn’t know or understand. Until now.

He paused, and the entire market held its breath, waiting.

******

I can’t believe we’re here. I can’t believe it! THANK YOU for your support of this book, and me over the past five months. I can’t believe we made it! I hope you love these last couple chaptrs... and then I hope you REALLY enjoy our epilogues for the next few days. THANK YOU for being here with me. You bless my heart every day. Argh... here were goooooo