Title: Learning To Hunt

Chapter: Section 14

Fandom: The Tribe

Author: PinkTribeChick

Summary: Sometimes, love is just right under your nose . . .

Extended Summary: An alternate-universe Series 4 romance story, from the point of view of Pride, Jack, and an original female character.

Rating: Teen

Pairing: Jack-Original Female Fiction Character, Pride-Original Female Fiction Character, Jack-Ellie, and Bray-Amber, with a few mentions of other pairings.

Author's Notes: Massive thanks to Ariannya and Whit for their thoughts and proofreading on various sections over the years! Enjoy, and please review! Feedback is much appreciated!

Disclaimer: All characters, situations, and song lyrics remain the property of their respective owners. Any original characters are sole property of me, PinkTribeChick.

Learning To Hunt

"What was that about?" Pride asked, following May back into their room. He quietly shut the door and looked at her in bewilderment.

"What?" May responded innocently, starting to make their bed in an attempt to busy herself. The jealousy she was feeling had started to flood her heart, spilling over the sides. She was trying her hardest not to say anything, for fear of pushing him even farther away from her than he already was on his own.

"What? May, you were totally flippant and rude to Amber. And to the rest of us. And I don't know what you whispered to Liliana, but I'm sure it wasn't anything nice," Pride said, calling her bluff. "What's gotten into you?" She ignored him and kept making the bed. "May?"

"Why wouldn't you come to bed last night? Why did you insist on staying up and reading like that, keeping me up worrying?" she said quietly, her back to him as she fluffed a pillow.

"I told you I wasn't tired. You could have gone on to sleep. I wasn't going to leave the room or anything," he answered. May let out a bitter laugh that she'd been holding in.

"You couldn't sleep? Jesus, Pride . . . do you just think I'm completely stupid or something?" May blurted out. She turned to look at Pride with fire in her eyes. "First, it was Amber. You were totally in love with Amber, and you thought you'd never love anyone else. And now, just when I thought you were actually getting past her, and we might have a chance at being happy together, I come to find that you never really loved me, and you never really loved Amber. It was always her." Pride looked at May questioningly, not really sure what she was getting at.

"What are you talking about?" he inquired. May looked at the clueless expression he wore as he stared at her, and suddenly all the anger she'd been suppressing for days bubbled to the surface.

"You love Liliana, Pride! You can't fool me! I saw the way you were looking at her in the kitchen a few minutes ago! I saw how you looked at her when we first arrived here. You're head over heels for her! And she's in love with you, though I must say, she does a wonderful job of hiding it!" May exploded, tears filling her eyes. Pride's mouth fell open, his eyes widening.

"What in the world would make you think that?" he said in amazement.

"Cause I have eyes to see, Pride! It's so obvious! I seriously doubt I'm the only one that's noticed it either, the way you two look at each other and talk to each other, and how you always talk about her and that little brother of hers!" she shouted.

"And just so you know, I don't believe for a minute he's actually her brother! And she's just got you so fooled! With her innocent, fragile, oh-poor-little-old-me act! 'Look at me, don't I look so pathetic! I've had to take care of my little brother almost since the day he was born because the virus killed my parents! Aren't I such a saint?' It makes me sick! I don't trust her, and I don't understand why you do! I don't understand why she's so much more important to you than I am, when you say that you love me so much! You don't really love me! Not like that! You're a liar, Pride!"

"May . . . you couldn't be farther from the truth," Pride said calmly, moving towards her to comfort her.

"Don't touch me!" she screamed. She swatted hard at his outstretched hands. Tears were pouring down her cheeks, and her face was bright red. He stopped in his tracks, a wave of frustration coming over him. "Don't ever touch me again unless you really love me!"

"May . . . I don't love her! Not like that! I've known her since I was five! She's like a sister to me! I'm the only real family other than Samuel that she has left. I look out for them. I have to. And no, I don't love Amber anymore! I love you! You know that!" he exclaimed in desperation.

"I don't know where this is coming from, but I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression about my relationship with Liliana! I'm sorry, May . . ." He trailed off as she walked to him and buried her head in his chest, sobbing. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.

"I'm just tired of feeling like second best with you, that's all," she said hoarsely. "I want to be first for a change . . ."

"You are first. I've just been a little distracted lately, having to run the tribe for Amber and all. I'm sorry if I've seemed distant or like I don't love you anymore. I do love you, May. Very much," he said, kissing the top of her head.

"I love you too," she mumbled weakly. "Just please . . . don't shut me out or ignore me. I hate it when you do that." She looked up at him, her face tear-stained.

"I know, and I'm sorry," he responded. He kissed her gently, then they hugged again. Deep down, Pride knew she was right about one thing - he was in love with Liliana. He was just going to have to cover it up better from now on. Much better.

That's all for now, folks! I apologize for taking so long to update this story again – I was just being lazy! Thanks again for reading, now please go and tell me what you thought of what you read! I love reviews – they keep me going! Toodles until later . . .