A Mother's Night Gift by S.J. Sanders

Author:S.J. Sanders [Sanders, S.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Bero walked through the snow, one claw raised to fetch a small pouch hidden in his scruff. His triad rarely traded for coin because it held little value for the Ragoru, but they’d accepted some knowing that it would be required in the Citadel. There was not much left in the bag, and he almost regretted the coins they had spent in the tavern.

He could not entirely regret it, though. If Yeril had not fallen ill, they never would have met Betani. He knew his brother would agree that such an event was worth it.

His eyes scanned the street, wondering which direction to go, only to curse when his eyes met those of a human female on the street corner. He despised navigating social interactions, especially complex human ones. Among Ragoru, it was simple: do not touch another or enter another’s territory without permission, and yield to the decision of the lead in a triad. Bero did not understand the nuances of human culture, nor what provoked this female to look at him so boldly with curiosity and interest.

He swallowed back a groan when she smiled at his approach. He desperately hoped that she did not attempt to touch him or come too close like those at the tavern had with Yeril. Just the thought of having to evade a human female who did not understand proper boundaries sent a shudder of distaste through him that he worked hard to hide.

He generally did not care to be touched at all by anyone outside of his triad. That had recently expanded to include Betani with her little Alis and Nik, but he was not so tolerant to be able to sit passively if anyone else attempted, regardless of the intention. Even less so if it were coming from a female testing his interest. It had been difficult enough to sit there watching Yeril endure it, and he had been baffled at the unrestrained eagerness of Furis, who had seemed on the verge of snatching a female to his side given Yeril’s inattentiveness. Bero had felt fortunate that none of the females paid him any attention.

Perhaps he would be fortunate once more and escape attention once again. Unfortunately, he did not think so. Although her eyes were speculative, the scent of the female’s interest was so strong that Bero fought the urge to gag. He settled for wrinkling his muzzle and breathing through his mouth alone. Even that did little good.

“Hello,” she greeted him when he neared conversational distance, despite the fact that he remained safely on the other side of the road.

He acknowledged her with a small nod and looked away, looking down the nearest streets, hoping that she would understand his intent while he attempted to work out the direction of the market. He had assumed that their path from the tavern had been direct, but now that he was standing on the side of the street, everything looked the same. He frowned in irritation as the female looked both ways and crossed the street, heading directly to him.

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