Hunter: Jealousy

I was nervous about how Hunter would react to my "mate". If Garv acted in such a way I avidly wondered if Hunter wouldn't just overthrow and kill Jake right there. When we arrived at the tree Hunter and Fire Blood were waiting for us at its base. Placing Jake behind me, almost conjoined to my back, I approached the two other Predators and kneeled respectfully to Hunter. Fire Blood was fingering one of his throwing disks already and from Hunter's mask posture I could tell he was confused or otherwise.

"What is the meaning of this Little Fighter? Why do you bring this…Flathead?" Flathead was the slang name Predators called humans on a hunt. I think it was because our foreheads were smaller than theirs.

"Hunter…I found this male and I want to claim him as a mate." I replied in a quiet, yet strong tone.

"I think I should have the right to claim his skull." Garv replied after me, staring contemptuously at Jake.

I hissed at Garv slightly to express my annoyance. I still had no idea why he was being such a jerk to Jake.

Hunter looked from me, to Garv, and then to Jake. He rattled contemplatively. "Little Fighter, by what right do you assume that you can claim a perfectly good trophy as a mate?"

"I found him first. If Garv had found him first I wouldn't have stopped him from killing the man. But I found him first and decided I had the right to claim him because even the lowliest warrior can have at least one female to attend to his needs. Have not my devout loyalty to you and my help to the hunt earned me at least one mate?" I replied in a tone that I hoped wouldn't be too insolent.

Hunter thought about my words a moment and finally said, "Very well Little Fighter. But I will NOT allow him to go back with us. Do what you want with him and we will not kill him but once this hunt is done he remains here. Do I make myself clear?"

I lowered my head even farther to show my utmost respect and gratitude, "I thank you Hunter. You are a just leader."

I whispered out of the corner of my mouth. "Jake they let you live as long as you with me."

"And—how long is that?" Jake whispered back.

I didn't answer but then I noticed Hunter starting to approach Jake. His posturing was unmistakable—he was testing Jake for fear.

"No show fear. They sense fear. Kill you if they sense fear. Be still." I mentioned quickly.

Jake seemed confused until Hunter stalked right up to the much smaller man, lifting his shoulders with the clear intent of intimidation. Jake rose carefully, holding his chin up in a fearless pose and his hands calmly at his sides. Hunter moved slowly, letting the man catch a scope of how much bigger he was than him. Jake noticed the difference. The Predator was at least a foot and a half taller than him and nearly double in girth. I admired Jake's bravery. Obviously his soldier blood and instinct gave him an edge that most Oomans did not. His square jaw set firmly Jake only let his eyes follow Hunter's intimidating circling. Suddenly with a snarling roar Hunter's wrist blades shot around, ripping a clean slit clear through Jake's vest and clear down his pant leg to his boots. Not a scratch. The man eyed the Predator defiantly. His eyes begged the question, "Is that all you got?"

Slightly impressed by the man's bravery Hunter withdrew his blades and moved away as if nothing had happened.

Garv hissed, turning abruptly and stalked off. I still couldn't figure out what his problem was. He never acted like this to me. I nodded and went to Jake who let a heavy breath of relief.

"You alright?"

He nodded, "As good as can be expected. What did he say?"

"You mine now. No try anything or they kill you." I stated bluntly.

Jake looked at the slit in his outfit, "That's comforting."

That night when my clan rested, Jake and I sat apart from them at the base of the tree. Garv had disappeared for awhile but soon returned. He sat a distance from us sharpening his wrist blades and giving Jake promising glares.

Jake noticed his baleful gaze and let a sigh, "I hope Garv there doesn't plan on killing me while I sleep."

I shook my head reassuringly, "No. Too much honor for that. I no understand why he hate you so much."

The man squinted but tried to not look at the Predator. "Well, if I didn't know any better I'd say he's jealous."

I looked over at Garv a second, "Jealous? Why he jealous?"

Jake shrugged, "Maybe he likes you."

That struck me. Garv and I were friends sure, but jealous of Jake? I had no idea.

"So Little Fighter, how did you get into this?"

I shrugged, "Hunter found me as child. He raise me. I…not…"the words had trouble coming. My Ooman language was still there, but very immature, "not…done badly to."

Jake raised a brow, "You mean you weren't treated badly?"

I nodded knowing that was the phrase I was looking for.

"How did that happen?" he asked with interest.

Memories resurfaced again. The screams, the shooting, the bodies. "He kill my father and other men."

"He killed them? But don't you hate him for that?" Jake asked with shock

I shook my head, "No hate him. I little and he raise me. I have good life."

"Doesn't it get old though? Being submissive and keeping your head down so it won't get cut off?" Jake inquired.

I blinked but wasn't sure what he meant. Absently I drew in the dirt with my dagger tip.

Jake shook his head, "You deserve better than that. You shouldn't have to live in submission and fear like some dog." I looked at him. Why did he care about me? He barely knew me. He continued, "There's something I don't understand. If you were raised by these Predators, why did you help me?"

My heart beat nervously. It felt like when Hunter questioned my loyalty except this was different.

Licking my lips I shrugged, "I not know…"

Jake's eyes were locked with mine. As much as I wanted to avert them I couldn't. Very slowly his face edged to mine and his full lips caressed mine. I drew back at first for I didn't know how to respond to such a gesture.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to thank you." Jake apologized pulling back.

I blinked and felt something 'click' inside my mind. Gently I stroked the side of Jake's coarse jaw and mimicked the touching of lips he'd given to me. Only I held it longer. The feeling was exciting.

From across the way Garv made a disgusted sound behind his mask, kind of a snort or a rattled snarl that conveyed his revulsion at our affection. I peered at the Predator over Jake's shoulder and that's when I reacted in a split second. Gasping sharply, I shoved the man flat to the ground just as a flashing dagger flew over our heads and buried itself into a tree behind us!

My eyes burned in shocked anger, "GARV! Dammit!"

Jake sat up abruptly and glared maliciously at the Predator, "That's it! I am not going to sit idly by waiting for him to slam a knife in my back!"

I stared at him a moment and put a restraining hand to his chest, "He kill you. Stay here."

Eyes slit harshly I marched over to Garv with an aggressive, angered sway in my body posture. He rattled as I came close.

"What is your problem Garv?! Huh?" I asked in Predator speech.

Growling he turned his masked faced away, a sign of irritation. He didn't answer.

I let a breath hiss through my teeth, "Damn you Garv! Look at me."

The glassy eye pieces glinted as he faced me, but he remained silent.

My eyes became steely, "Now answer me this: what have you got against Jake? Ever since I found him you've been a complete bastard. Why?"

He rattled harshly and stared over at Jake with malice, "I don't like him."

"Why? Tell me why." I demanded.

"Do I need a reason to hate an Ooman?" Garv growled.

I sighed and then realized, "You…you're jealous."

His head pulled back as if someone had hit him, "WHAT?!"

"You're jealous of him." I stated bluntly.

Abruptly he turned from me and rumbled deeply in disbelief, "That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard you say! What reason have I to be JEALOUS of THAT!?"

I blinked when he indicated Jake, "I don't know. Why would you?"

My Predator friend gave a short curt click to demonstrate his flustered condition, "Your talk is foolish!"

"Maybe so but then why are you getting so irate about my accusation?" I asked.

He snarled lightly, "YOU…you can be so damned IRRITATING!"

"Well YOU are being a big jerk!" I retorted loudly.

Garv's massive shoulders were shaking with his anger and finally he roared, "THAT PATHETIC OOMAN ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU!"

Those words stunned me. They stunned him. He stopped and paused as if he couldn't believe what he'd just uttered. Then, with a quick turn he stalked away without a word. I stood there—without a word.