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I shake my head, wanting to get to my feet, but I'm held down by my stupid ankle. "There's no clans anymore. There's only one tribe. We all look different. We are all from different walks of life, but we're making a home on this beach, all of us." I reach out for his hand. "And we would love it if you join us, Juth."
He nods, looking at me with such pride and excitement that I feel just a wee bit trapped. Isn't this what I wanted? For Juth and Pak to join the tribe? For them to become part of our group? Except I didn't realize he would think we're mates. I don't like deceiving him, but what can I do? If I tell him we're not, is he going to take Pak and just leave?
Why does that terrify me so? I know if I say anything about how we're not really mates, or he didn't ask properly, or if I feel as if I haven't had a chance to process this, Juth is going to get upset and leave. Just grab his son and never look back. And since that's the last thing I want, I guess I'm mated for now.
Oh boy. This is a lot. I feel slightly panicky, because it's like I suddenly hold Juth and Pak's happiness—and survival—in my hands and I didn't even realize it.
"Steff?" Juth sets his son down next to me and touches my arm. "Are you in pain? You look upset."
I force a smile to my face. "I'm fine. I'll manage." I look over at Ashtar, grateful for the distraction of focusing on him instead. Yesterday, the big dragon-man had his arm bandaged and held to his chest. Today, he wears no bandages. "Did Veronica heal you? Or do we need to stay here another day or two in order to give her a chance to rest up? I don't want to burden her."
Ashtar works his arm, grinning. "Almost good as new. I told my mate it could wait but she would not relax until she knew I was perfect once more." He winks in my direction. "She forgets I am always perfect."
I snort with amusement at that.
"You have a healer?" Juth asks, eyes narrowing.
"My mate," Ashtar agrees, pride in his voice. "She has been very busy since the shell-beasts landed on the shore."
"But everyone's all right?" I ask, worried.
"Other than a few scares and bumps, yes." Mardok wraps his translator gun in a soft cloth and tucks it back into the case he has slung over his shoulder. "We got very lucky. People are rattled but overall fine."
I nod, my mind racing. I'll have to take time and try to sit with everyone in the tribe one on one and see how they're feeling about things. People are going to need to talk it out, and that's one thing I can offer, at least. I should start with the ones that struggle with adapting the most, I decide. The ones without a built-in support network—aka, a mate. That means Flor and Sam and Daisy. I'rec and O'jek and R'jaal. I'll have to think of ways to talk to them without making it seem like a confrontation. The unmated males will be thornier, I think. They won't want to discuss feelings—
"Will you rebuild?" Juth asks. "Or will you abandon this place?"
"No one's really talked about that yet," Mardok admits. "Or if they have, it hasn't been amongst the greater tribe. We wanted everyone back first, and the last day or so has been just getting people settled. Kits and new mothers in the caves, and everyone else salvaging what they can without disturbing the creatures."
Juth grunts. "My old clansmates—the other Outcasts—they had stories about these creatures. We were warned to leave the beaches for a turn of the moon when the sands turned red. Now we know why."
Mardok nods. "A migration, yes. Devi mentioned that. We'll talk about it more back at camp." He gestures at me. "Do you think you can walk?"
"Oh. Um." Walking seems like a very, very long ordeal when I can't even stand on my foot, but I don't want to be seen as a wimp. I want to hold my own and be strong, like Nadine and Penny and Lauren, who hunt with the rest of the men. Ashtar can fly, but considering he's here wearing pants and boots and walking with Mardok instead of flying, I'm guessing his wing isn't as great as he lets on. Riding back to camp is out. "I'm sure I can manage—"
"No, you will not manage," Juth interrupts. "You are my mate. I will carry you."
"You will?" My voice sounds shaky, high-pitched. I'm not a small woman. "I'm not sure—"
Pak bounces with excitement. "I can walk. Can I walk? I promise not to step too close to the creatures!"
