Translations:

dai-shui: Yuatja musk

H'ko: no

Sei-i: yes

kehrite: training room

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"Welcome back! Your hunt was successful, no?" Elder K'ash stood at the foot of their ramp, pride flowing off of him as soon as he saw the fresh set of skulls Lex was carrying.

The duo bowed respectively to the elder and descended the ramp.

"The others wanted to come but I told them to stay with their mates. I'm sure you didn't want horny Yuatja around," the three laughed together.

"You don't have a mate, Elder?" Lex adjusted her bag, the skulls beginning to get heavy.

"I once had a life mate but she has passed on now. I've sworn to never take another mate again." Lex was flabbergasted at the sincerity, especially considering all she knew about the mating season. Elder K'ash smiled reassuringly and patted her back. "Go. You must be tired."

They bowed their heads and headed off to their living quarters.

When mealtime arrived, Scar left like usual. He would wait to eat when Lex arrived, only this time she didn't. Night offered to stay and to even walk with him to visit Lex but Scar refused. Night had a mate he needed to attend to. He needed to win his over. Without the assistance of friends.

Getting up with a small nod in farewell, he left the hall. The females that loitered around purred and a few raked their nails down his arm in a flirtatious manner but he held no concern for them. He wanted to give in, to fulfill his needs, but he was picky. He wanted one female to pleasure him.

One certain ooman.

Upon arriving at her room, he pressed the button but she didn't answer. He tried knocking on the metal door but again she didn't answer.

Scar sat down with his back to the door in frustration. He would wait but even then doubt crept into his mind. The giggling of females were tempting. Their musk, their dai-shui filled the air. Growling, he stood and stalked towards them. A few grabbed onto his arms but he flung them off and with a roar took off down the hallway.

The things he did for Lex...

The next few days were silent and mostly consisted of looking at his metal walls and reaming of a certain ooman. He couldn't stand the fact that he hadn't mated. Last year he had missed the mating season and this year he was excited and ready but her feelings on the matter weren't shared. Often Scar found himself walking to his door with one purpose but then reason would come back and he'd go back to punching the wall.

Strolling out of his room, he headed out early to the dining hall to eat. It was one of the only time he emerged from his room other than to occasionally stop by the kehrite to see if she was there. After swallowing down his food he stood and headed back to his room. However he was greeted by an unusual sight.

Waiting right by his door was Elder K'ash. For a moment Scar just stood and looked at him in shock. When the Elder began to chirp in laughter, Scar's shock wore off and he bowed his head in respect.

"What is wrong, son? I haven't seen you and Lex together since your hunt together. Is something wrong?"

"I wish to mate her," the words blurted out fast and Scar was stunned by his own words. The Elder seemed shocked by his words and for a moment a flicker of anger flashed across his eyes as his tusks flared.

"You wish to mate with Lex?"

"Sei-i. She's accepted a gift from me, but I know she doesn't understand all aspects of what she'd done and I wish to explain her my case."

"You're prepared if she rejects?"

"Sei-i."

"Well... Just let her know. Honesty is key to most things, if not all. I'm sure she'll accept you."

"But she's ooman..."

"So?" Elder K'ash clicked slightly annoyed. After all, he considered Lex like his own, but his soon attitude changed.

Scar's tusks clicked in a nervous manner and he shuffled his feet, a habit he never managed to rid of when anxious. After a solid minute, Elder K'ash finally understood the problem.

"You will figure it out. It may not be like any other mating, but I'm sure you both will find a way if you truly desire one another," Elder K'ash shook his shoulder before walking off to continue his elderly duties.

Still flustered, Scar walked into his room for a nice bath.

The last day of mating season. Scar's last chance. While they would only have one night together during the season, they could spend many others together. Scar didn't care as long as he got his message through.

Walking through the crowd, he moved to the female living quarters. So far it was empty due to most being over at the males'. He knocked on her door and pressed the button only to receive no answer. He tried again but when he received no answer for a second time, Scar left to check the kehrite. Dejected at its emptiness, Scar headed back to his room, no longer having an appetite.

At the very end of mealtime, a small beep filled his room. At first, he opted to ignore it, thinking it could be one of his friends, but if an elder, they'd eventually let themselves in. The beeping persisted and eventually, loud smacks echoed from his door.

Fed up by the noise, he swished open the door.

"So, the big pup finally answers?" Lex smiled slightly at her joke before it faded into a worried frown.

Scar didn't say anything. He was too shocked to even move. She hadn't spoken to him in a few days and now she just shows up. He wasn't sure whether he should be happy or angry with her sudden appearance. It all was too confusing and he still knew very little on ooman rituals.

"I think we need to talk about a few... things," Lex continued to look him in the eye, not once ever looking away from his intense gaze. Gulping, Scar let her in.

"What do you wish to speak to me about?" He internally cringed at how formal he sounded.

"Us, to be frank." He clicked his mandibles together for her to continue. "And the things that've happened this week..." At that, he froze.

Was it rejection? His heart sank.

Or was it acceptance? His heart pounded furiously.

Perhaps a misunderstanding? His stomach twisted into a thousand knots.

"Us? Is there a problem?"

She hesitated in her answer before she mumbled an almost unhearable yes. It rang around the rooms and possibly echoed throughout the ship like a cool breeze. Lex took the time to look at his many skulls on the workbench and he should have puffed his chest in pride that a female, a very honorable one, was inspecting his collection, but he didn't.

He couldn't feel past the knots that had twisted a maze in his belly. A bad omen one would say. Others would just call it nervousness. He really hoped it was just nervousness.

"I apologize i-"

"H'ko. You don't have to apologize, Scar. It's not like a particular problem between us it's just...I don't know how to explain myself here. Like an 'it's me not you' kind of thing." She ran her fingers through her hair, frustrated.

The meditating hadn't seemed to work.

"Why didn't you answer the door when I came to visit?" Lex looked up in shock.

"That was you? I'm sorry. I was in the bath when the first time I heard a knock but that was the only time." Lex scratched the back of her neck.

She had been in the bath, that was true but she might have fallen asleep inside... A couple of times.

"Ah. No need. I wasn't sure if you were ignoring me..."

"Ignoring you? Why would I ignore you?" Scar shrugged in response, not daring to voice his real thoughts. "Elder K'ash told me you were looking for me. That's one reason why I'm here." Scar nodded again.

The elder sought to help but he doubted he could even go through with it all.

"Lex, about that skull-"

"I know what it means and I'm not sure what to feel," Lex cut him off quickly.

"You're not here to reject?"

"H'ko. In fact, I think it's the opposite." Lex shuffled her feet on the floor while Scar suddenly advanced.

His large hand wrapped around the back of her neck. His forehead connected with hers and he took in her scent. A beautiful natural scent of winter cold. Bitter and refreshing to his senses.

"I don't want pups," Lex looked at him, slightly dazed by his confession, "I want you."

Slowly, he pulled her toward him until they were completely touching. Lex closed her eyes, bathing in his heat. They stayed silent for a minute. Unsure of how to proceed but Scar took a leap of faith and began to tug at the sleeve of her top.

They were unsure yet sure all at the same time and while they didn't know exactly what they were doing, they made it as memorable as they could.

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If you were expecting a little lovey dovey scene with maybe some lemons thrown in then please check the rating again. This chapter focused solely on their relationship and not just the hunting or the acceptance. Don't worry the action picks back up next chapter... This is going to be so much fun! If all goes well then we've got 6 chapters left. Only 6?! Yep! Don't worry about Miana... You'll understand when we get there.

7/27/19: Disappointed about no lemon? Not even a lime? (No one uses these terms, but I still like them. Look them up if you're confused.) Well, fear not, I had one already planned and will present it to you… possibly never. *Shrug* What did you want me to say? That'd I'd add it in this next time around? Well, never say never.