Chapter 20
Damian
“A female can ask anything of the man hearing her mating call. He will never deny her.” ~ Damian
Trudging through the caves, I shiver from the crisp air and cool breeze. The ground is hard and uneven beneath my feet.
I’m bringing in the supply delivery of nonperishable food first because the ladies have nothing like electricity or a refrigerator to preserve the items. The men were smart. They included can openers.
The dilemma: how I’m going to carry the rest of the supplies all by myself. Only half the men had returned when I made my way inside with the food.
I’m expecting forty-eight bags of supplies. Even with Jayce, Anjal, and Frank’s help, the task won’t end until long into the night. My muscles ache at the thought, but I push the discomfort aside. I’m not complaining. I will do anything for these women. But maybe it’s time they at least got a glance at their mates. See them providing for them and how much they care.
“Emjay, Georgia, can I talk to you?” I ask while setting down three hiking bags full of cereals, canned goods, ramen noodles, and other essentials.
We step away from the women. Both look at me with curiosity. I wave in the direction of the three bags. “That’s just from one man.”
They both gasp. Emjay’s face widens, and Georgia’s hand flies to her mouth.
The other men are eager to help with the supplies. They were a sight. They bought hiking backpacks that could fit a month’s worth of supplies. Each man had one strapped to their back while holding another under each arm. Their faces were grim yet determined, a striking reminder of the decay and barren land surrounding them. I nervously brush my beard with my fingers. “What if we let the men carry in what they’ve provided? With the women’s permission. If they want them to leave as soon as they drop off what they’ve brought, they will. Call it a test run to see if any of them want their mate to stay or if they decide to go home with them like the others.”
Tara approaches and interjects, “I think Damian is right. Let’s talk to them and see what they want to do. They’ve all had time to decide if they at least want to see what their mate looks like.”
Emjay defers to Georgia to make the final decision. She nods before heading back to the group watching us from a distance.
Georgia bends down and opens each bag. She grabs items from the top and sets them in the dirt. “All of this comes from one man. There are fifteen other men who’ve filled bags like this with things we’ve only dreamed of.
“It’s a lot to carry. Would any of you object to letting them bring what they’ve provided inside? They will leave if you don’t want them to stay, once they drop off their gifts.”
Violet glances at Kore, who turns to Niki. One by one they gage each other’s feelings. It reminds me of when my herd is in their bull form. We have conversations only the bulls are privy to through our telepathic connection. These women have learned how to communicate with looks, as their words may have gotten them beaten or killed.
Sara steps forward. “They may enter. But they will leave if anyone desires. They leave or they risk rejection.”
I nod my thanks.
I didn’t even have to ask. Anjal, Jayce, and Frank went with me to tell the men the good news.
All have returned.
My curiosity takes over before I can tell them the news. “What’s in the wrapped tarps?”
Markos answers, “Pillows and blankets.”
Someone had an idea to stuff tarps with bedding and roll them up like a rug. They then tied them together like a makeshift gurney and dragged it through the mountains.
Once these women experience sleep with a pillow under their head and a blanket during the cool night, they might never let their mates leave.
I take a deep breath and smooth my beard. “They have agreed to allow you to carry your gifts to them, but there are conditions.”
“Anything,” Michail promises.
“If just one wants you all to leave, you leave. Or risk rejection. Those were their words.”
They all nod. “Where’s Willow?” Michail asks.
“She left when she saw she’s no longer needed.”
“How are we supposed to get past her spell?” Takis challenges.
“She took it down. You’ve all earned her trust. She knows not one of you will do anything your mate isn’t comfortable with. It’s also clear that if a few cause trouble, the majority will put you in your place. We all want the same thing, no matter how long it takes.”
Fists raise and chants of “Here, here,” fill the mountains.