"I want to see her!" Cuda demanded to his father.

"My son, calm down. You're acting out of sorts. It is your hormones raging because of her pheromones. She is fine." The commander told him.

"I saw her father. She was bleeding!"

"I know and she isn't hurt. It's normal for human females to bleed." He explained. Cuda's look of concern quickly changed to disgust. "Oh stop acting like a pup. Blood is normal. She is a half breed after all."

Rah approached Cuda and put a hand on his shoulder, "trust him. She's fine. I just saw her leave the infirmary."

"Why didn't you tell me!?" Cuda hissed at him.

"I...just did?"

"Ignore my son, Rah. He is pumped with hormones right now. Acting no better than a member of the Hish." Cuda shot a disrespectful glare towards his father.

He wasn't quite sure why he cared at all. All of a sudden the half breed was on his mind a lot more than he was used to. Maybe because they were finally becoming more mature. He remembered 4 seasons ago when he started taunting Atorah in front of the entire class on a regular basis.

He only began ramping up his taunts to pranking when he started to notice her attentions had focused on Rah instead of him. He brushed off his growing concerns that he was becoming jealous. What was there to be jealous of? So what if Atorah was attracted to him? Rah wasn't attracted to her...

Was he?

The two had many conversations about the girl before. Rah never said he liked her. But he certainly didn't detest her.

Cuda growled to himself in irritation. He looked between his father and Rah, who were talking,

"Even the scent of Sirrah's child is enough to drive the most resistant of warriors into a frenzy." Rah taunted his friend. Cuda glared harder at him.

"Are you not attracted to her scent Rah?" Cuda asked with clicking mandibles.

"I cannot lie brother. She is worthy of a second look right now."

Cuda resisted the urge to burst into a rage at his friend. It is these pheromones! He took a deep breath and looked to his father,

"What happens if no one challenges Maut's claim to the half-breed?"

"Then Atorah leaves with the Hish...forever." Commander told the two.

"Atorah wouldn't leave without a fight." Rah said with concern slightly in his voice.

Cuda retreated from the conversation quietly. This was what he's always wanted right? The half-breed gone from his home. No longer here to soil the perfection of his kind. Atorah being gone was practically a dream,

So why was he so unhappy with the idea of her leaving?

The Next Morning...

I turned in my bed. The day had come a day that could have been avoided. I had one day left. Why couldn't I just stay inside? Do as I was told!. The powerful Hish warrior, Maut, had asked for me in the tournament. Like I was property.

"The old ways will be abolished after this." Mother promised last night. Good. I couldn't stand the thought that another female Yautja would end up in my situation.

I and the other eligible females were expected to look presentable. Dolled up like a present to the God's. Except it was for the males who wanted to battle for our hands. Mother did my hair with braids and twists pulling some of it back while the rest fell around and passed my shoulders. White flowers lined the twists. I dressed in a simple deer-like animal skin. Soft fur lined the neckline. Paya I feel like a gaudy present. I don't feel like getting dressed up.

Mother stood in awe at me,

"Paya...my daughter you are beautiful." Sirrah gasped, "I did not see it before you are almost grown up. I just wish that your beauty were showing for a better reason."

I sighed and felt tears prick my eyes,

"I'm ready Mom. I'm ready."

My mother and Tu'puk came with me to the tournament grounds. We sat closest to the arena and Yautja were just arriving to take their seats. Many were Hish, who had come to watch their sons compete for females. While others were just spectators. My clan came in large numbers as well. Their numbers keeping the Hish visitors in check. I looked around. Many other female Yautja were dressed to impress their Hish suitors. But they looked happy, excited even.

Some of the females sat a row behind us. They whispered excitedly to each other at the prospect of their suitor winning against their own clan! Maybe they are right to be happy? Their suitors may not see them as just trophies.

"Commander, everything seems to be in place." Tu'puk's voice pulled her from her thoughts. Her uncle greeted the Commander with a shake of his shoulder.

"I am holding my breath. It takes but one misstep to insult these savages." Commander mumbled back in exhaustion.

"Is that any way to speak about your guests?" I heard gasps behind me from the other females.

Maut and his father approached us. It was hard to miss these two huge, black as night creatures coming toward you in the broad daylight. But I jumped slightly at their sudden approach. Maut noticed and smirked, his top mandibles raising in amusement at her. His stare was incredibly invasive. Perverted even. I tried to look away. Maut needed to know that he was unwanted in every way possible. He didn't deserve my respect. Dishonorable piece of...

"You should look at me half-breed. I am the best thing you will ever have when I win you." Maut snarled. I felt mother's grip on my hand and could hear the roar preparing in her throat. Tu'puk spoke instead, avoiding an instant conflict,

"I believe it is in everyone's best interest that you take your seat...on the other side of the arena."

Maut glared into Tu'puk's eyes, "and if I do not?"

Finally the Commander spoke up, "that is enough. Please take your seats. The tournament is about to begin." He took his seat at a large chair that could overlook the stadium.

In no time the tournament had begun. Surprisingly most of the Hish were respectable and fair fighters. Some had won their rights to a female while others were beaten. My hands fumbled with a piece of cloth as the tournament neared Maut's inevitable shout of his challenge.

And it came like a bad storm...

Maut had been staring at me like a prized meat the whole time. After a short fight that ended with a Hish claiming his mate, Maut stood from his seat and raised his hand to secure silence from the arena. The dreaded silence came. My breath hitched, I couldn't breathe!

"I, Maut, first offspring of Maut'we, leader of the Hish clan, claim the half breed, Atorah!" He roared out into the arena. I need to stop this, I'll fight my way out if I have to!

I jumped from my seat, a challenge ready on my tongue...

"I challenge your claim to Atorah!"

I froze. I didn't say that...

"Who said that?" Mother asked Tu'puk.

Commander, who had been lazily watching the fighting was now scrambling to his feet. His eyes wide, locked on a figure standing at the gates of the stadium's arena.

"Did you hear me Maut? You will not go unchallenged here!"

Cuda...it was Cuda...