why a human woman would be of such value to him."
"Also, how did the enemy even know your mate was here, Kieran?" Lowen, a fellow warrior, asked from across the room. "It seems to me, Li’r that someone may be feeding the Kelithians information from within our walls."
"Are you suggesting that we have a traitor among us, Lowen?" Arlen asked gruffly, allowing his hard gaze to rest on the reserved warrior. Lowen skillfully twisted a throwing blade between his finger while he replied, "How else would they have known? Furthermore, we should ask ourselves why a human female would be so valuable to them."
Casting a grim look around the room at all the warrior’s under his command, Arlen reluctantly nodded, “I agree.” Pointing a finger at Kieran, his rough tone was weighed with impenetrable concern. “Watch your mate closely. If the enemy is bold enough to brave the dangers of the Greenwood it must mean your mate is important to them. We must all be ready if they attack again. The false king is becoming bolder by each month that passes. I fear more blood will be spilled again if we don’t end this conflict soon.”
Slowly turning in a wide circle he directed his stern gaze toward the other warriors. “Everyone needs to be double vigilant. The safety of our mates and our way of life depends on it. Those of you that have begun seeking your mates — trust no one. Keep your mates close and well within your sights. Since the attack on the eastern village, we can afford no mistakes.” Holding his sharp gaze for a moment longer on his audience, Arlen looked away before waving his hand toward the ceiling in a sharp motion. “Dismissed.”
Many of the warriors returned to their training, while others slowly filed mutely out the wide archway. The ones that were still on duty returned to their assigned posts. Crossing beneath the carved archway, a hand on his shoulder had Kieran coming to a stop just outside the warriors’ chamber. Turning around, Dajran’s concerned face greeted him.
“How is your mate this day?”
Scoffing, his hand reached up to scratch at the back of his head. “Truthfully, I do not know. All I can tell is that she seems angrier at my presence than anything she may be feeling from last night.” Seeing his friend fighting an inner battle behind his dark eyes, Kieran asked, “How does your seeking go? Have you been led to your mate?”
Instantly, Dajran eyebrows lowered into a deep scowl. “I have.” At Kieran’s questioning look, he added, “It’s complicated.” Tightening his clenching fists at his sides, Dajran spun around and stormed away. Kieran was left starring after his friend in confusion. Apparently he wasn’t the only one with a difficult mate.
Turning around also, he made his way back to fetch his mate. His mind worked furiously as he struggled to imagine what the king had wanted to speak to her about. Obliviously, Elena was an exotic mystery that would make any that encountered her curious. But why would the king wish to speak to her alone? Crossing through the dark courtyard, he made his way toward the main area of the stronghold. Before he could cross the open doorway, a voice called his name from behind.
“Kieran!” Turning to look over his shoulder, he watched as a fellow warrior approached him. He instantly recognized him as Fylan — one of the Gu’an’s guards. “I’m glad I reached you in time. The Gu’an asked that I inform you that he had your sou’tali escorted to the dining hall for the mid day meal. You may retrieve her there.”
Instantly, he felt a chill rush up his spine. Who had his mate? Garmorian males were very possessive of their mates and rarely allowed another male near them. He had not yet begun the Malrai Hin that would make Elena as his. Another would see it as an invitation to slip under her guard with his absence and petition her affections. His claws curled into deadly points as he took an aggressive step toward the Fylan.
“Who
"Also, how did the enemy even know your mate was here, Kieran?" Lowen, a fellow warrior, asked from across the room. "It seems to me, Li’r that someone may be feeding the Kelithians information from within our walls."
"Are you suggesting that we have a traitor among us, Lowen?" Arlen asked gruffly, allowing his hard gaze to rest on the reserved warrior. Lowen skillfully twisted a throwing blade between his finger while he replied, "How else would they have known? Furthermore, we should ask ourselves why a human female would be so valuable to them."
Casting a grim look around the room at all the warrior’s under his command, Arlen reluctantly nodded, “I agree.” Pointing a finger at Kieran, his rough tone was weighed with impenetrable concern. “Watch your mate closely. If the enemy is bold enough to brave the dangers of the Greenwood it must mean your mate is important to them. We must all be ready if they attack again. The false king is becoming bolder by each month that passes. I fear more blood will be spilled again if we don’t end this conflict soon.”
Slowly turning in a wide circle he directed his stern gaze toward the other warriors. “Everyone needs to be double vigilant. The safety of our mates and our way of life depends on it. Those of you that have begun seeking your mates — trust no one. Keep your mates close and well within your sights. Since the attack on the eastern village, we can afford no mistakes.” Holding his sharp gaze for a moment longer on his audience, Arlen looked away before waving his hand toward the ceiling in a sharp motion. “Dismissed.”
Many of the warriors returned to their training, while others slowly filed mutely out the wide archway. The ones that were still on duty returned to their assigned posts. Crossing beneath the carved archway, a hand on his shoulder had Kieran coming to a stop just outside the warriors’ chamber. Turning around, Dajran’s concerned face greeted him.
“How is your mate this day?”
Scoffing, his hand reached up to scratch at the back of his head. “Truthfully, I do not know. All I can tell is that she seems angrier at my presence than anything she may be feeling from last night.” Seeing his friend fighting an inner battle behind his dark eyes, Kieran asked, “How does your seeking go? Have you been led to your mate?”
Instantly, Dajran eyebrows lowered into a deep scowl. “I have.” At Kieran’s questioning look, he added, “It’s complicated.” Tightening his clenching fists at his sides, Dajran spun around and stormed away. Kieran was left starring after his friend in confusion. Apparently he wasn’t the only one with a difficult mate.
Turning around also, he made his way back to fetch his mate. His mind worked furiously as he struggled to imagine what the king had wanted to speak to her about. Obliviously, Elena was an exotic mystery that would make any that encountered her curious. But why would the king wish to speak to her alone? Crossing through the dark courtyard, he made his way toward the main area of the stronghold. Before he could cross the open doorway, a voice called his name from behind.
“Kieran!” Turning to look over his shoulder, he watched as a fellow warrior approached him. He instantly recognized him as Fylan — one of the Gu’an’s guards. “I’m glad I reached you in time. The Gu’an asked that I inform you that he had your sou’tali escorted to the dining hall for the mid day meal. You may retrieve her there.”
Instantly, he felt a chill rush up his spine. Who had his mate? Garmorian males were very possessive of their mates and rarely allowed another male near them. He had not yet begun the Malrai Hin that would make Elena as his. Another would see it as an invitation to slip under her guard with his absence and petition her affections. His claws curled into deadly points as he took an aggressive step toward the Fylan.
“Who
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