Page 100 of Wind Rider

“Recently,” Sora whispered back.

“What happened? When?” Nik said.

“Nothing!” Mari and Sora answered together.

“We’re all here now,” Wilkes said as Davis and Claudia joined the rest of the Pack.

“Then let us greet this beautiful morning!” Nik led the ritual, and Mari loved hearing the joy in his voice as he welcomed the sun into his body, his Companion’s body, and the body of the Pack.

Then, as the Pack turned eagerly to the campfire and Sora moved to prepare the gull eggs, Davis and Claudia approached Mari and Nik.

Davis cleared his throat. Mari thought he looked nervous, but there was also a very real sense of excitement surrounding him.

“Sun Priest and Moon Women—and Pack.” Davis raised his voice,drawing everyone’s attention. “Claudia and I have something we must tell you—tell all of you.”

“Okay, go ahead. We’re listening,” Mari said, smiling encouragement at the nervous young man.

“Last night Mariah and Cameron mated.”

The sentence dropped like a stone in a still pond, sending ripples of gasps throughout the Pack, especially throughout the members of the Pack who used to call themselves the Tribe of the Trees.

Laru immediately padded over to Mariah. The two canines greeted each other, and then the big Alpha male sniffed the smaller, younger female Shepherd before returning to Nik’s side.

It was evidence of Laru’s surprise that Mari caught the image he transmitted to Nik.

“Puppies!” Mari blurted, causing the Pack to erupt in sound.

Nik raised his hand, and the people went silent. He stared at Davis and Mariah, and it seemed to Mari that he was struggling to find the right words.

Claudia spoke into the silence. “Well, it happened more than once, so, yes, I would expect puppies.”

She shared a very intimate look with Davis, whose cheeks flushed pink, but who also looked inordinately pleased with himself—so pleased that Mari realized Claudia wasn’t just talking about Cammy and Mariah!

“Wait, say that again,” Wilkes said, stepping up beside Nik.

Davis met the older man’s gaze and spoke slowly and distinctly. “So there is no misunderstanding I will repeat myself. Mariah, the Shepherd, and Cameron, the Terrier, mated last night. Several times. I believe Laru’s sense of smell, as well as the lack of reaction from Rigel and Odin, tells us Mariah is pregnant.” Davis shifted his attention from Wilkes to Nik. “Claudia and I did not mean to overstep. The truth is we were surprised.”

“Yes, I can usually tell when Mariah is coming into estrus, but I completely missed the signs. It could be because I’ve been so sick, or because we’re traveling, but I do apologize, Nik. I would’ve come to you had I known.”

“But she didn’t. Well, she didn’t until it was obvious, and then it was too late,” Davis added. “I am sorry, too, Nik.”

“Why are you sorry?” Sora asked. “Puppies are a good thing. We were just talking about that yesterday—about how wonderful it would be if everyone in our Pack was a Companion to a canine and no one would have to worry about Moon Fever again.”

“Yeah, why aren’t we congratulating them?” Mari asked Nik as several other Earth Walkers murmured agreement.

Nik looked uncomfortable, but he nodded and drew a deep breath. “Okay, Pack, I’ll explain. In the Tribe all canine breedings are approved by the Alpha and his Companion.”

“That sounds awfully controlling,” Jenna said.

Mari remained silent, waiting for Nik’s answer, though her first thought was to agree with Jenna.

“It is controlling, but think about what would happen if every female canine who came into estrus mated with whomever she desired, whenever she desired. Canine litters usually range from about five to ten puppies. Canines would overpopulate. And then there’s inbreeding to worry about. You see how healthy and strong all of our canines are?” Nik gestured to Laru, Rigel, and several other canines while the Pack nodded. “They aren’t that way accidentally. The Tribe had an excellent breeding program. My father spent long hours in discussion with the Elder Council deciding which male should breed with which female to bring out the best traits from both.”

“That does make sense,” Mari said. “But we have a lot fewer canines here, and we would like a lot more—so breeding is a good thing.”

“It is,” Nik said. He ran his fingers through his hair, looking increasingly uncomfortable.

“I’ll help Nik,” Davis said. “He’s having such a problem knowing what to say because never in the history of our Tribe have a Shepherd and a Terrier been allowed to breed. There have never been mixed puppies in the Tribe. Ever.”