No one guessed we were now a mated pair at first, not even Neytiri. We kept it a secret for a while, going on as we did. The thrill of sneaking out late at night without anyone noticing seemed to make everything more real. During the day Tsu'tey was a stone hearted warrior, training his students and scowling but at night, he was all mine.

Eventually I had told Neytiri what we had become and she had flung her arms around me for joy. I could not keep a secret like that from one I honestly called sister so I left it to my mate to inform Jake and I told Norm who had congratulated me before asking what kind of flowers Rita liked.

They were hardly separated. Norm was forever walking her to the best spots for herbs that he had found and he'd help her collect them. If ever I could smell love, the air was thick of it whenever I looked at those two.

Right now I stood alone on the waterfall, my feet balanced perfectly on the rock as I gazed out towards the misty horizon, never feeling as happy as I did then. We had buried my father and the traitors, the others had been welcomed into the clan and were now being trained in our ways.

Honestly, I think they were finally glad to have found a home and somewhere to safely rest their heads at night. They looked to me as their leader, in a way, they would never do anything without my consent first, for instance going out into the forest to hunt. I would always seek permission from my leader, Jakesully, first though. He was the true leader and gradually, they turned less and less to me and more and more to him.

I had my own students now, a mix of Omaticaya and Ranuri clan children whom I taught the secrets of the forest and the skills they would need to survive. The Omaticaya children were the better warriors whilst the Ranuri born children were the better hunters. I had some work to do on their weaknesses but I would get there.

Closing my eyes I tilted back my head and sighed, opening my mouth to taste the water in the air as I stood on the edge of danger before pulling away. Looking up I saw Tsu'tey waiting on the bank, his usual scowl on his face but I had learned to read the soft look in his eye he only ever reserved for me.

As I leaped gracefully up he held out his hand and I caught it, allowing him to lift me up the last part before he yanked me into him with a smirk. "You will be the death of me, female." He growled before kissing me passionately.

"Actually, I was the life of you." I retorted smartly then leaned into his kiss. We parted swiftly then took a little step back, knowing that someone might see us. Suddenly I sighed. "Why are we hiding this, Tsu'tey?" He tilted his head at me.

"I enjoy the feeling of knowing you are mine without everyone else knowing it too." He answered simply. "It makes me feel…important." I knew he did not mean it in the way it sounded. He was trying to tell me he liked the feeling of being wanted and needed in private.

"I know." I told him simply. "But we have to let them know sooner or later. I don't like the way some of the other females look at you." He smirked at me.

"Possessive are we?"

"You are mine, you bonehead. Mine alone." I told him firmly then strode away, swinging my hips in the way I knew he liked to watch me walk. I was right, he came chasing after me but I only ran ahead, laughing as he struggled to keep up. I was always the faster hunter of us.

Finally he caught me, leaping forwards and tackling me to the ground so we rolled down a hill, my laughter turning to bright shrieks as I giggled, clutching him to me as he smirked then kissed me again, his hands tracing the shape of my body. Grunting I pushed him away.

"I have to go. I promised Keke I would be a chaperone for the kids for when they go to play by the waterfall." Tsu'tey looked slightly annoyed that he had to let go of me but I grabbed his queue, connected it to mine then allowed him to see what was in my head.

He growled softly as I played what I planned to do to him later, ducking his lips to my neck. "You are the worst example for a female I have ever met." He murmured as I gently pulled away from him, running my plait through my fingers as I let it drop behind me. I flashed him a toothy grin.

"You love it."

"You bet I do. Go on then, I shall follow shortly." Nodding I cast him one last look before jogging back to Hometree. Keke was waiting with the other children her age by the sunleaf vines but they all leaped up when they saw me. "Big sister is here! Now we can go!" The other mothers all rose to their feet, smiling and nodded to me as they began to walk away with the children.

I felt a cold hand snap around my arm and tear me around as I sensed him come up behind me. Kakeo glared at me, hissing through bared teeth like a wild palulukan. "Let go of me Kakeo!" Snarling at him I grabbed his hand and twisted it sharply, spinning beneath him before he could react.

He crumbled to the floor and I stepped around him but he swiped out an arm and knocked my feet from beneath me. I cried out, alerting the females to the fight and they gasped, herding the children back as they tried to rush to my aid. Only Keke broke through. "No big brother! Leave her alone!" She hammered her fists against his back as he drew his knife and I rolled to my feet but he turned on her, lifting the knife to strike. He really was insane!

"NO!" I screamed, leaping on him and locking his arm in place as I buried my fangs into the side of his neck. He howled in pain, Keke screamed and a young hunter grabbed her, pulling her out of harm's way as Kakeo turned and slammed me into the root of the tree.

"Enough!" Jake bellowed as he raced forwards with other warriors but Kakeo slammed me into the root again, grunts slipping from me as I crumbled behind him. Gasping for air my eyes widened as he lifted his knife to strike down my life but as I turned to kick out his knee, something heavy barrelled into him from the side.

Tsu'tey released him and snarled, shooting back to my side to pick me up and hold me close. Kakeo panted, seething as Jake reached us and went to step in. "No brother." Tsu'tey growled, drawing his own knife. "This between the two of us."

"You cannot fight over nothing, it is not the way!" Jake called angrily but Kakeo silenced him when he pointed at me.

"I challenge you for her!" Jake's face paled as everyone whispered in confusion, not realising that I was actually Tsu'tey's mate.

"I accept." That was when they realised.

"No Tsu'tey!" I tried to pull on his arm but he pushed me back and lunged for Kakeo. His large arm swung out with the knife but Tsu'tey danced under him easily and clipped him from behind. Enraged Kakeo came at him again and again but no matter how many times Tsu'tey caught him, Kakeo just kept on coming back.

Without warning Kakeo leaped at Tsu'tey, tackling him to the ground and they rolled, snapping and snarling as their knives flew to the ground, forgotten. "Tsu'tey!" I yelled as Neytiri held me back with the help of several other stronger warriors. They had to fight pretty hard to keep me from running to my mate.

Suddenly Kakeo had Tsu'tey pinned down and I screamed as his hands enclosed around my beloved's neck. With a burst of energy I tore free although I think Neytiri let me go. Blind rage ensued as I ran at Kakeo and leaped onto his back, wrapping my arms and legs around as I yanked him from Tsu'tey and rolled, throwing him off. Neytiri had taught me the move herself, she had saved Jake's life many years ago with it.

I knew she had had to save him from Tsu'tey, I knew the entire story but it didn't bother me that he had once loved her. They were long passed that. Besides, I knew that he loved me now, more than anything. Almost as much as I loved him.

Spinning around I spread my hands, crouching low over Tsu'tey as he gasped for air as I hissed protectively. Kakeo bellowed in rage and I grabbed Tsu'tey's hand, yanking him to his feet as the three of us began to circle. Very rarely did a female ever enter the fight of two males, usually it was too dangerous but I was not afraid.

I was furious.

Together Tsu'tey and I leaped at Kakeo. I flipped over his head as Tsu'tey spun underneath, the both of us landing powerful hits to his body as he swung blindly, never even touching us as we danced together as one.

When I heard Tsu'tey grunt in pain my focus wavered and I missed the fist that connected with my face. My lip burst open and I yowled, silver eyes burning white hot with rage as I turned, leaped onto Kakeo's back and began to choke him.

He stumbled back, clawing at my arms but I did not let go as Tsu'tey turned, picked up a knife then looked to Jake for permission. "No." Jake said. "Enough is enough. Let him go Ana." Shoving him forwards I let him go, spitting at him as he fell weakly to his knees.

Tsu'tey reached out to me and I whimpered his name, rubbing my nose against his as he held me close. The people whispered as they watched us but I did not care, I had Tsu'tey safe in my arms and that was all that mattered. He looked down at me, affectionately nudging my brow with his as we purred together, tails entwining.

Both of us tensed when Kakeo let out a final roar and leaped up, lifting his knife to strike either one of us. Tsu'tey braced to shove me out the way and I was halfway out of his arms when Jake suddenly appeared, yellow eyes flashing as he buried his knife into Kakeo's chest.

He gasped, grunting as fresh blood poured from his wound. No one questioned. Tsu'tey would have been shunned had he taken the life of his brother but as chief, everyone saw Jake's decision as a courageous act of protection for his fellow clan mates, therefore no one would ever disagree with his reasons as leader. Besides, we had enough witnesses.

Kakeo died in Jake's arms as he murmured the prayer. My head rested against Tsu'tey's chest as I watched him, still purring at him as he stroked my hair with one hand and the other held me around the waist. Jake looked up and nodded to me. "It's alright. You've done nothing wrong." I nodded to him, giving him all the gratitude I had in one look as Tus'tey reached out and clasped arms with him. "You take care of her good and proper, or you'll have me to answer to." Jake teased gently as he ordered the burial of Kakeo's body.

As everyone parted, Tsu'tey remained next to me. "Thank you." I murmured then twitched as I tried to hide my smile. "But I had everything under control." He leaned down and whispered into my ear.

"I protect you, you protect me." Nodding my head in agreement he sought my hand, gave it a firm squeeze then left me to resume his duties whilst I followed after the women who had taken the children away to keep them away from the blood and fight.