Page 155 of The Hunter

They reached the platform above just in time to see Nalaki rushing toward Garahk, her heavy steps pounding over the wood. He dropped his spear and bag and spread all four arms wide to receive her. She crashed into him, making him stumble backward several steps as they embraced.

Emitting a low buzz, Nalaki squeezed her eyes shut and held her mate, body quaking against him. “I felt your flame. I knew it had not gone cold.”

Garahk drew his head back and pressed his headcrest to hers. “My shar’thai burns for you, my heartsflame. So long as there is fire in your hearts, it will never go out. I will always find my way back to you.”

She crooned softly before withdrawing and sweeping her dark eyes over the party. They halted on the winddancers, widening, and her mandibles ticked up. “I have seen many vrix in my years, but never any such as these two.”

“They are my mates,” Ayali declared, chin notched high and proud as she spread her arms out toward the winddancers. “My heartsflames. Jira’Kai Ess and Ayn’Drost Zesh.”

Ess and Zesh trilled as they each took a step toward Nalaki. In unison, they bowed their heads and tapped their headcrests.

“We offer greetings, daiya,” said Zesh.

“We are glad to finally meet you,” added Ess. “Garahk and Ayali have spoken much about you during our journey.”

Tilting her head, Nalaki regarded the two. “And I am glad to meet you, Jira’Kai Ess and Ayn’Drost Zesh. It seems my luveen has many words to share once he has taken some rest.”

Chittering, Garahk brushed a foreleg against hers. “I will share all words, my nyleea.”

Nalaki’s gaze trailed over everyone else, and her posture drooped. “You have brought two new faces, but two familiar ones are missing.”

Lacey’s heart constricted, and she felt Telok’s muscles tense.

Okkor stood taller and thumped his chest. “Elharat ki’Gralek, Shield of Kaldarak and the Nedrayas, fought and died as a warrior of strength and honor.”

“Elharat…” Nalaki let out a sorrowful buzz. “And what of Cole?”

“He stayed behind with the winddancers, but he is alive,” Lacey said.

“Come, my heartsflame.” Garahk took his mate by her hand, leading her toward the town’s center. “I will weave you the story once we reach our den.”

Telok and the others followed. They didn’t make it far before they were met by a crowd of enthusiastic thornskulls—along with the other shadowstalkers and humans. Garahk and Nalaki gently herded everyone to the central platform, where Telok helped Lacey down onto her own feet.

The reunion with their tribe was an emotional whirlwind. It wasn’t just the feelings of this moment, but of every moment over the last month, all hitting her at once. After all those struggles, all those trials, they were home. Really, truly home.

When Ahmya, Callie, and Ivy rushed to hug Lacey, Telok intercepted them, sternly gesturing at Lacey’s bandaged side.

“With care,” he growled.

She couldn’t help but smile at his protectiveness.

Callie’s eyes flared. “Are you okay?”

Lacey’s smile widened. “I got a battle scar of my own defending my mate.”

“Mate?”

All eyes turned toward Telok.

Curling a foreleg around Lacey, he drew her back against him, wound her braid around his hand, and banded an arm around her chest. “She is mine.”

Lacey should’ve been prepared for the tidal wave of exclamations and questions that crashed over them, but everyone talked so fast that she could only laugh, which in turn made her side hurt. She did her best not to flinch, but based on the way Telok stiffened, she knew he’d noticed.

Yet he hesitantly released her and stepped back. He stood nearby, a patient, possessive, gentle presence, as Lacey’s friends hugged her. Ketahn, Urkot, and Rekosh strode up to him while she was occupied.

They embraced him tightly, expressing their worry, remarking upon his new scars, and congratulating him on finally coming to his senses and claiming Lacey. She inwardly smiled. Telok was usually so guarded, so…apart, but he let himself relax around his brothers. He allowed himself to simply be Telok around them.

Around me now, too.