Page 58 of Moon Chosen

“That’s right, you spoiled fucking child, run to Sol and hide behind him. The whole Tribe knows you have no power of your own, just like you have no canine of your own.”

Nik lunged for Thaddeus, but Davis was there between them, holding them apart, shouting, “No fighting among the Tribe!”

Thaddeus smiled and stepped back, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “Hey, I’m not breaking that rule. It’s Nik who’s having trouble controlling himself. Maybe someone should mention that to Sol when we give our report.”

“No damage was done. No one struck any blows,” Davis said, sounding nervous.

“Only because you were here.” Thaddeus chuckled humorlessly and clapped Davis on the back. “You two ladies can stay back here and gossip. Odysseus and I are out of here.” Then he turned and, whistling for his Terrier, took off down the path at a fast jog.

“I wouldn’t have hit him,” Nik said to Davis. “I would have liked to, but I wouldn’t have.”

Davis ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “Imagine him being your mentor for the Hunt. Believe me, from time to timeallyoung Hunters have wanted to hit him.”

“He shouldn’t be mentor to anyone,” Nik said.

“He’s the best Hunter of the Tribe. That’s undisputed.”

“He’s an arrogant ass.”

“That’s undisputed, too.”

Nik exhaled a long, tense breath and then laughed softly. “We’d better catch up with the ass.”

“Let’s do one better. We’re younger and faster. Let’s beat him back.”

***

Living high in the ancient Sugar Pines, far above the dangers of the forest floor, surrounded by people who were more than family—who were Tribe—made it easy to forget, or maybe take for granted, the serenity and beauty that infused almost every aspect of the Tribe of the Trees. Returning to the Tribe that evening, covered with soot and dirt and sweat, exhausted and frustrated by the unexpected events of the very long day, Nik felt a surge of gratitude as the three men and two Terriers jogged wearily up the well-worn trail that led to the uppermost ridge of the forest. The sun had just dropped below the gray western horizon and the light rain that had begun earlier at the Scratcher site had steadied itself into a comforting rhythm of pattering against the thick canopy of pine green.

Nik paused, breathing hard, taking in the loveliness of the torches being lit above them so that, within just a few moments, the pines stretched before them decorated with light and warmth and laughter.

“Hey, hear that?” Davis grinned as he turned to Nik.

Nik paused, listening. Then he blinked in surprise as he realized he was hearing celebratory music drifting from the Tribe, in perfect accompaniment to the spring rain. “It sounds like the whelping song.”

“That it does, which means Fala has whelped. You ladies can stay here catching your breath and checking your hair. Odysseus and I are going to join the party.” Thaddeus paused and, with a sarcastic smile to Nik, added, “You’ll be glad to hear this means I won’t be seeking out Sol tonight to give my report, so you’ll have plenty of time to give your excuses to the Sun Priest.” Laughing humorously, Thaddeus sprinted toward the lift, leaving Davis and Nik to frown after him.

“Fala?” Nik asked Davis.

“The little black Terrier who is Rose’s Companion. No one’s completely sure, well, no one except Thaddeus, but rumor has it that Odysseus could be the sire of the litter.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that a new litter has whelped, even if Odysseus could be the sire.” Nik smiled at Davis, who returned the grin.

“You know it’s true the canine is reflected in the Companion. I think Odysseus bit Cammy twice for every time Thaddeus yelled at you or me today.” Davis knelt and scratched Cameron under the chin. The little blond Terrier wagged his tail.

Nik bent and patted the likable canine’s head. “Sorry about that, Cammy.”

Cammy jumped up, making the breathyah! ah! ah!that was the Terrier version of laughter.

“Aw, we’re used to it. Odysseus is as big a control freak as Thaddeus. Plus, Terriers may not have the pelt Shepherds do, but their skin is every bit as thick.”

“Davis, how ’bout I give you my word that if I ask you to go on another tracking mission with me that it willjustbe you and Cammy—no others.”

“Especially not Thaddeus?”

“Especially not Thaddeus,” Nik agreed.

“Sounds like a better deal than we got today. But, hey, Cammy likes you. I like you. And I, for one, don’t think you’re wasting your time looking for that pup. If Cammy had disappeared, even before he’d chosen me, I would have never stopped looking for him,” Davis said.