Many hours later...

"Valery?" Roshani whispered, gently stroking her cheek. Aside from a contented sigh she didn't stir, her face resting inches from his chest. "I will return soon." He told her, giving her forehead a quick kiss before he rose. Redressing he grabbed Valery's skirt, spreading it over her lower half before he exited the hut though not before giving his sleeping mate one final grin.

Feeling a little cold I shifted towards Roshani, only to discover I was alone when I couldn't feel his body heat. "Roshani?" I whispered, waking to an almost empty hut.

"Valery, are you awake yet?" Roshani called out and I turned towards the hut's entrance as he shifted the animal skins covering it. "I brought you something to eat." He told me, walking over and I grinned as he handed me a bowl another sitting in his hand.

"Thanks. I woke up and you were gone. Where did you go?" I asked, watching Roshani who sat beside me on the rug.

"To get food. Did you think I had left?" Roshani answered and I blushed, quickly eating a piece of cooked meat. "You are my mate." He added with a grin.

"I guess I am now." I replied, a faint smile visible before I started to eat the rest of my meal. Roshani did the same, his eyes on me most of the meal.

"You should dress." Roshani said as I set down my bowl and I blinked, looking down at myself. When I realized I was half-naked I quickly grabbed my skirt, pulling it on as Roshani grinned at me. "Izila women hunt and fight with their breasts uncovered."

"Yeah well I'm not Izila so don't even think about it. Besides my backside was visible not my chest." I growled as I straightened, Roshani still grinning as he rose behind me. He grabbed me before I had time to react, hands delving under my top. "Roshani..." I began and he just chuckled, running his hands over my breasts. "Will you stop that?" I muttered, biting my lip to stop a groan from escaping. He was right; I was enjoying this.

"They know we are mates." Roshani replied, nuzzling my neck as his hands left my top. Now wrapped tightly around my waist he grinned when I frowned at him. "Takkar asked me when I went to get food for us." He explained and I sighed, resting my head against his chest.

"I'm surprised he had to ask after the noises we made last night...and I can't believe I just admitted that." I sighed and he turned his head slightly. staring at my face. "Don't get me wrong I'm glad we...did what we did. It just happened so fast." I quickly added and he grinned, kissing my cheek.

"I am happy." Roshani told me, his head resting on mine and I grinned. "But...there is a problem."

"Is it about Batari?" I asked and he blinked. "You're afraid of her aren't you?" He coughed and I tried not to laugh as he released his grip on me, arms now crossed against his chest.

"I am not...afraid." Roshani grumbled and I giggled. He narrowed his eyes at me and I blinked when he stormed from the hut, not even looking at me.

"I was just kidding!" I yelled, hurrying after him but he was quicker than I thought. I soon lost sight of him and I growled. "Stupid jerk. Fine be that way, Roshani!" I yelled, not caring if the whole village heard me. Which they probably did judging by how loud I was.

Of course I went after him just over half an hour later, grabbing my club in case I needed it. Not that I could fight very well with my shoulder bandaged but I wasn't about to let Roshani get hurt if I could help it.

I rushed into the forest, searching for his footprints like Jayma had taught me, soon finding him standing beside a tree. He looked directly ahead, not seeing me sneak up behind him. Though he yelped when I wrapped my arms around him. "Valery?" Roshani asked as I relaxed my grip, staring at his face.

"Why did you run off like that? I was worried." I told him, my arms slipping from his body when he didn't answer. "If you want to fight Batari I won't stop you." I added, turning my back on him.

"I don't want to fight her." Roshani protested, his arms around me now. "I am just scared she will find you and...take you from me."

"Why would she want to kill me?" I asked, liking the way he held me in his arms. "I haven't done anything to her, besides getting shot."

"Batari will know I had taken a mate and she will not be pleased. Until she is dead you are in danger." Roshani explained, not understanding why my face paled so suddenly.

"She'll come after me, won't she?" I whispered, fighting to keep from shaking. "All because we're together?" Roshani nodded and I swallowed, my stomach feeling like it had dropped. "We need to get back to the village right now."

With another nod, Roshani released me taking me by the hand. What we didn't realize was that someone had been watching our every movement. I took a single step towards the village when something hit the ground, Roshani letting out a grunt at the same time. When his hand slipped from mine I turned my head, seeing him fall towards the ground without making a sound.

"Roshani!" I shouted, stopping to see an Izila warrior standing over my fallen boyfriend. "What did you do?!" I growled, raising my club towards the warrior who stepped back. It was then I heard a branch snap and I spun around just as something slammed into the left side of my head.

A burst of pain then darkness swallowed me as I fell towards the ground, not even feeling the impact.