Page 50 of The Hunter

No. Now is not the time.

Because their companions would come looking, and Telok knew that search would not only put the others in unnecessary danger, but it would cause a delay in their journey that could inflict unintended suffering upon anyone in Kaldarak who was relying upon the supplies this hunt was meant to gather.

Drawing in a deep breath, he forced his legs into motion, striding around Lacey and continuing up the slope. “Come.”

Telok heard her boots on the ground as she hurried to keep pace beside him. He dared not allow himself to look at her. Not until she caught his lower right hand with hers, lacing their fingers together. He came to an abrupt halt, hearts thundering. Warm tingles raced along his palm and up his arm, and something fluttered low in his stomach.

Slowly, he turned his head and looked down at their entwined hands. When he lifted them, she didn’t let go. Her pale skin and slender, delicate fingers harshly contrasted with his dark hide and large, rough, clawed hand.

How could two things that were so glaringly different fit together so perfectly?

“What is this?” he rasped.

She smiled softly at him and squeezed his hand. “Hand holding. Obviously.”

“Ah…”

Of course. He’d seen Rekosh, Ketahn, and Urkot hold hands with their mates, following what must’ve been a human mating custom. But seeing it had not prepared him for experiencing it, and he never would’ve guessed the profound feelings that would be provoked by such simple contact.

The warmth in him spread and deepened, and that fluttering intensified, making his chest tight. This was an intimate touch. It wasn’t about primal urges and instincts, but something more. It was a sign that she trusted him…

That she wanted him.

Seeming to take his silence as disapproval, Lacey started to pull away. “I mean, if you don’t want to⁠—”

He curled his fingers, tightening his grip and stopping her withdrawal. “You gave. I keep.”

Her already flushed cheeks darkened, but she flashed her blunt white teeth at him in a grin. “Alright then. Let’s catch up with the others before Garahk scolds us for real.”

They trudged uphill, with Telok shortening his stride for Lacey’s comfort, and her again using her spear as a walking stick. Walking hand in hand was strange, perhaps even impractical given the differences in their bodies, sizes, and strides, but he refused to let go.

“You were always scouting ahead when we left the Pit,” Lacey said. “So…why have you been taking the rear guard on this trip?”

“Garahk and the others know the way. I do not.” Telok glanced at their hands again, and his hearts swelled a little. “And from the back, I can watch everyone. Protect everyone.”

“Are you sure it’s not just so you can stare at my ass?”

His fingers twitched, squeezing her hand, and his stride nearly faltered at the directness of her question. “I…must look at many things. To watch for danger.”

She chuckled. “You didn’t deny it.”

“I do not know your words.”

“Oh, don’t you dare. You know my words very well. Besides…” She stroked her thumb over his hand. “I saw you doing it.”

“You saw once.”

“What do you mean?”

He leaned toward Lacey, bringing his face closer to hers, and lowered his voice into a gravelly rumble. “I have watched you always, vi’jatai. I cannot look away.”

“Watched me always…” Her eyes flared, and Telok felt a shiver steal through her. “Have you been stalking me?”

Telok’s eyes dipped to her lips, and hunger roared within him. “When the hunter is skilled, the prey does not know it is being hunted until it is too late.”

“So you’ve been… Then that means…” Her eyebrows angled down over narrowed eyes. “Just how much have you seen?”

“Everything.”