BONUS CLIVE CHAPTER
Alternative POV
I recognized her immediately. Marsh Queen.
I stumbled, my legs nearly giving out. It had been two springs since I’d last seen her near this lake. She was just as beautiful and majestic as I remembered.
She’d ignored me entirely. Which was understandable. It had been a difficult season. My antlers had lacked distinction and my coat had been patchy back then. In hindsight, I should have known she wouldn’t be impressed by the way I uprooted a pine sapling and threw it at her.
Thankfully, I had matured and knew better how to impress a female.
Now strong, virile, and with an impressive rack, Clive was ready to make a move.
Unlike the humans, I knew a good opportunity when I saw one.
We occupied different territories, but our migration routes had crossed before. Now that we were both mature adults and could handle one another, it was time.
Marsh Queen moved through the cattails with grace and beauty. The light of the setting sun warmed her rich brown coat, making it glow copper.
She carried herself with the strength of a creature who had survived many winters and wasn’t easily impressed.
I approved.
She looked even better than the last time I’d seen her.
Majestic females were not to be trifled with. A younger bull would march up to her. But Marsh Queen was dignified and discerning. She would not appreciate the approach.
Unlike the humans, I understood immediately that she was the one for me. I knew a diamond when I saw one. Mates didn’t just come along when a male showed up. Any female worth having would make a male work for it.
One of her ears flicked elegantly. Excellent.
I approached her slowly, the water sloshing with each step. Proximity was a powerful mating strategy. Confidence was attractive. Desperation was not.
I’d learned in my youth to be clear with my intentions. One did not spend several mating seasons pretending indifference while constructing emotional barriers. No. A bull stated his intentions.
Which was why I didn’t understand the humans who lived in my forest.
Nearby, Grumpy Beard was stretched out on a chair with Tiny Flame. His body language suggested attraction, but his behavior left much to be desired.
He offered her water.
She rolled her eyes.
Grumpy Beard stared at the lake.
Tiny Flame glared at Grumpy Beard.
It was a wonder humans reproduced at all. This was the most inefficient courtship I’d ever seen.
Tiny Flame possessed remarkable confidence for someone approximately one-third Grumpy Beard’s size. I respected her.
Physically speaking, she was ill-equipped for forest survival. She was brightly colored, compact, and lacked antlers as well as discernible lower body strength. Yet Grumpy Beard deferred to her. She must be a powerful matriarch in their species.
Grumpy Beard possessed admirable shoulders, and his thick beard was a respectable substitute for antlers. Given his size, he was likely an excellent forager and could provide a surplus of food. That, combined with his impressive beard, gave me hope that his herd would survive.
Yet he seemed incapable of communicating his obvious attraction to this female.
Concerning.
Humans were less effective at courtship than they were at navigating territorial disputes. They withheld useful information and avoided eye contact, then wondered why reproduction rates suffered.
I had to believe they possessed the mental capacity to reach the obvious conclusion, but I’d yet to witness it.
Marsh Queen wandered closer. The scent of the summer flowers drifted on the breeze. She tilted her head slightly and I experienced great internal satisfaction.
I surveyed the dock. Grumpy Beard remained sadly stationary.
It looked like I had to do everything around here.
Marsh Queen brushed my shoulder and twitched her ears. Her dark eyes filled with promise.
A signal if I’d ever seen one.
Grumpy Beard, in contrast, hadn’t made any progress with Tiny Flame.
Some creatures would never learn.
But Clive knew how to lead by example.