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I let my eyes drift to her again. She was still in animated conversation with Osif, Billie, and several of the women. I lingered on Billie. Piper seemed to spend the most time with Billie of all the women. She mentioned having similar upbringings. I wondered if I should speak to Billie about alleviating some of Piper's concerns—or at least helping me convince Piper that she didn't have to mother all of them. As if aware of my eyes on her, Billie looked up and flashed me a smile. I smiled easily back, raising my cup to her. My plan started to solidify. I’d talk to Billie about how to help Piper be the best leader she could be. I shifted to find Piper's gaze on me. She looked me up and down, making her thoughts very plain. My nostrils flared, and I could almost sense the shift in her smell, even from the distance. I wondered if it was too early for us to sneak away. I looked out to find Astrid smiling at me smugly.
"Mating frenzy still in effect?" She grinned.
"Does it ever go away?" I asked.
"It will, in time, it will. But do you want it to right now?"
My cheeks darkened, and I took a sip of my drink to avoid having to answer.
"Go," she said, "no one will think anything of it."
I didn't need to be told twice. I left my chair and my drink without a look back. Piper was focused on her conversation with Osif and the other women. I took the opportunity to sneak up behind her.
I leaned down and growled into her ear, "I think it is past your bedtime."
Pip gave a startled yelp and looked up at me.
She playfully swatted my arm, "Don't scare me like that!" she said, cheeks flushed.
"But then I wouldn't get to see the lovely shade of pink your cheeks go," I retorted.
Her cheeks went a darker shade of pink, and I couldn't help myself. She looked so delightful. I leaned over and scooped her out of her chair then turned and walked away from the group with her in my arms.
"Hey! I can walk!" Pip shrieked.
"I feel like we’ve had this conversation several times now. I like to carry you."
"But—”
"I am sure Billie will manage just fine. You should lean on her for support. She seems more than capable."
"Sheiscapable. And charming. She's the extrovert I need when it gets too crowded, and my brain starts to short circuit."
"Would you want to give her an official title?"
"I hadn't really thought about it."
"What if we made her the elder that represented the human women?" Pip looked pensive.
"Isn't that kind of my job?" she asked.
"No, your job is to lead the tribe alongside me. You don't have to be responsible for the humans. I know you will alwaysfeelresponsible, but you could share some of that with Billie," I explained gently.
She stroked my tunic's soft fabric, tracing the embroidery's outline with a finger before looking up at me.
"Is it okay if I think about it?"
"Of course it is," I said, brushing my lips to her temple.
"Okay, now that that's settled, can we discuss how you dragged me away from the celebration like you owned me?" she said tartly.
"I could smell you. You have needs."
Pip let out a garbled string of what seemed to be embarrassment and indignation but no coherent words, all while covering her bright red face.
"Would you like to try that again?" I grinned down at her.
She huffed out a breath and looked up at me, clearly irritated.
