Page 168 of Moon Chosen

“And thank you for freeing Jenna,” Mari said. “It seems we have a lot to thank you for today.”

Nik took her hand from his shoulder and held it gently. “Before you make me out to be too much of a hero, I have to tell you exactly why I freed Jenna.”

“Okay, tell me,” Mari said.

“I have a cousin who is like a brother to me. His name is O’Bryan. He was wounded by a pack of those males. While I’ve been gone his wound has blighted. He’s dying, Mari. Soon. I freed Jenna to trade a life for a life—hers for my cousin’s. Please return to the Tribe with me and heal my friend.”

44

Mari felt as if Nik had punched her in the stomach. She pulled her hand from his. “You were right. We shouldn’t make you out to be too much of a hero,” she said.

“Don’t do that, Mari.” Mari looked up to see Jenna standing in the doorway. “He could have tied me up and dragged me to our territory, and then held me as a hostage until you agreed to help him, but he didn’t. He was nice to me—really nice. He even tried to help me the night Father was killed. He might not beas muchof a hero as you thought, but he’s definitely not a villain.” Then her gaze went to Rigel. “Mari, why is there a big Shepherd in your burrow? Is he Nik’s?”

“No!” Mari and Nik said together.

“He’s mine,” Mari continued. “His name is Rigel, and he found me.” Then she blurted, “Jenna, my father was a Companion from Nik’s Tribe. That’s why I look like this, and why Rigel bonded with me.”

“Did your father rape Leda like the males were trying to do to Sora?”

“No. He loved Mama very much,” Mari said.

“Well, then, where is he?” Jenna asked.

“He died when I was a baby.”

“Oh. That’s too bad. And that explains why you’ve always been so different,” she said. “Danita says she could eat something, and so could I. I thought I’d start plucking that turkey for Sora.”

“That would be nice. Thanks, Jenna,” Sora said. “I’ll boil more water for that.”

“Okay, call me when it’s ready. I’ll sit with Danita until then.”

When she was gone, Mari shook her head. “I thought it’d be a lot harder than that.”

“What would be harder?” Nik asked.

“Telling people who she really is,” Sora spoke with her back to them as she began their dinner preparations. “You see, Nik, our Mari thinks the Clan will hate her and banish her because she’s part Companion.”

“Maybe they will,” Mari said. “Maybe it’s just my friends who are willing to accept me.”

“I say if someone’s not your friend then don’t waste your time on them,” Sora said as she rattled pots and pans and began filling mugs with steaming tea.

“I’m your friend,” Nik said. “I accept you for exactly who and what you are.”

Mari looked at Nik. “Okay, okay! Get your cousin. I’ll heal him.”

“That was my first choice, too, but when I saw him last night I realized he’s too far gone to walk. Mari, you have to come to the Tribe with me.”

“No! I’m all for her helping you, especially after what you just did for me, but Mari can’t go there,” Sora said.

“You have to,” Nik spoke directly to Mari. “Please. He’ll die if you don’t.”

“And what if she saves him—cures him of this awful blight? Do you expect us to believe the rest of your Tribe is just going to let Mari leave?”

“No, I don’t expect you to believe they’ll let her leave. I do expect you to believe that my father and I will make sure she has safe passage—to the Tribe, and back.”

“What does your father have to do with this?” Mari asked.

“He’s our Sun Priest—the Leader of our Tribe,” Nik said.