Page 33 of Wind Rider

“He won’t hurt you—not unless you try to cause me harm. I give you my word on that.”

“Then he and I should become great friends, as I have no desire to harm anyone.” Dove paused. “Might I ask you something that could seem a rather odd request?”

Curious, Mari said, “Yes. But understand I have no problem saying no.”

Her smile was beautiful. “I would expect nothing less from the leader of these good people.”

“Sora also leads, and we make a point to listen to all of our people,” Mari said.

“I like this Pack idea.” Lily spoke shyly, but Mari saw that Dove nodded, encouraging her, so the girl continued with a little more confidence. “Womenshouldmake the rules and run things. They make life. They are more compassionate than males. It seems more natural than men running and ruining things.”

“Well, I’ve never known anything else,” Mari said. “Earth Walkers are all matriarchal.”

“But your mate? Nik?” Dove asked. “He is part of the Tribe of the Trees, correct?”

“He isn’t officially my mate—not yet,” Mari corrected. “And hewaspart of the Tribe of the Trees. Now he belongs to our Pack.”

Dove nodded her head, silently considering Mari’s words before she spoke. “But the Tribe of the Trees is a patriarchy, are they not?”

“From what Nik has told me, and what I’ve observed, they tend towardmen holding most of the leadership roles, but more attention seems to be paid to what type of canine Chooses a Tribe member than the sex of that person. Shepherds and their Companions are leaders—be they male or female.”

“From listening I thought I could tell that there is more than one type of canine, and then Lily described them to me. Are there only the two types, large Shepherds and smaller Terriers?”

“Yes, that’s right. The Shepherds are the Warriors and the Terriers are the Hunters. Oh, and then there’s Bast, but she wasn’t part of the Tribe.”

“The Lynx! She sounds so interesting.”

“I’m sure Antreas would introduce you to his Bast, but that feline does as she wishes. If she doesn’t want to interact with you—she won’t. No matter what Antreas says.”

“Antreas sounds firmly matriarchal as well.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Mari said.

“But your Nik has no problem with joining a Pack led by women?” Dove asked.

“No, he appreciates our leadership. And, like I said, Sora and I are careful to give each of our Pack members a voice.”

“But yours is the final say.”

“Yes, it is. What was the odd request you spoke of earlier?” Mari asked. She was enjoying talking with Dove. The girl was poised and intelligent, but also childishly animated.

“Oh, yes. Might I touch you? It is how I see, and I would very much like toseeyou.”

“Touch me? You mean my face?”

“Yes, and your hair. Perhaps your shoulders and a little of your body so I can understand your size.”

Mari snort-laughed. “Well, sure. I don’t mind if you’d like to see me.” Dove lifted her hands, as if reaching for Mari, and Mari took them, guiding them to her face.

Dove’s touch was like a butterfly’s wings. Her hands flicked gently over Mari’s face, then to her hair, her neck, and her shoulders. Rigel watched attentively, cocking his head as if trying to understand what the new girlwas doing to his Companion. When he didn’t seem stressed by Dove’s attention, Mari had an idea.

“Dove, would you like toseeRigel and one of the Terriers so you could tell the difference in them?”

“Oh! That would be wonderful!”

“Okay, let’s start with Rigel. Come here, sweet boy.” Mari patted the spot to her right, which was an empty space between where she was sitting and Dove. With no hesitation, Rigel jumped over Mari’s outstretched legs and sat beside her. Mari sent a quick image to her young Shepherd of him lying down and allowing Dove to run her hands over him, and Rigel promptly lay down, gazing up at Dove with a doggy grin. “That’s perfect, Rigel!” Mari praised. “Dove, I’ll guide your hands. Don’t worry, Rigel likes to be touched.”

Mari gently guided Dove’s hands to Rigel’s head. “Shepherds have fluffy ears and a long snout with very powerful teeth. Feel his muzzle and his wet nose?”