Chapter 116: The Tiger Tribe’s Request!
Neve sat in the middle of the main cave, explaining to everyone what had happened.
Everyone except Cael was gathered around, listening intently.
"The system forced me to do that," Neve said, his voice quiet but firm. "It kept increasing my pheromone levels without stopping. It gave me no choice. It was either let it reach 100% and go into full heat, or find someone to help me control it."
Ryker frowned, confusion clear on his face.
"I thought the system was good," Ryker said. "Why would it force you to do something like that?"
Neve shrugged, still trying to understand it himself.
"Maybe it wants me to get used to this world and this body," Neve answered, beating his chest gently. His hand pressed against his skin, reminding himself of the changes happening to him. "Maybe the system thinks I need to accept what I am now instead of fighting it."
Sorin nodded slowly, understanding the logic even if he did not like it.
"Well, thank the gods Kelly was here to help you," Ryker said and walked toward Neve.
He squatted down to Neve’s level and took the hand that had a bond mark on it. He brought it to his mouth and kissed it gently. The gesture was tender and protective.
Neve’s cheeks flushed red at the attention.
"Let’s get you back to bed," Ryker said, his tone becoming commanding. "Cael would kill us all if you’re not asleep and resting."
Neve nodded his head and allowed Ryker to help him up onto his feet. The tiger beastman supported most of Neve’s weight as they headed back toward the bedroom.
Neve looked over Ryker’s shoulder as they walked and saw Kelly’s face.
The wolf was standing there with flushed cheeks and an expression that suggested he was still processing what had just happened. Neve was sure Kelly was thankful for what had occurred. But there was nothing Neve could give him right now to show his appreciation properly.
A bond mark?
Sure, he would have done that if the circumstances were different. But not now. Not while everything was so chaotic and confusing.
Neve just sighed as Ryker helped him to the bed and carefully laid him down on the soft white blankets.
Ryker was tucking him in, making sure the blankets were covering him completely when he stared at Neve’s face intently.
"Is there a problem?" Ryker asked, noticing the intensity of Neve’s gaze.
"Did Soren send anyone here?" Neve asked suddenly.
"Why would he?" Ryker asked, confused by the question.
"He said if he sends his messenger to give me news, that means he agrees to me helping him behind the scenes," Neve explained. "But if he doesn’t send anyone, he’s not in support. He’s rejecting my help."
Ryker was quiet for a moment, thinking.
"Why don’t we speak to the former chief?" he asked finally.
Neve immediately raised an eyebrow. The suggestion made sense. He had not seen the old man since he fell sick. Not since he had passed the chieftaincy to Soren.
"I’ll see him tomorrow then," Neve agreed. "But I doubt he’ll do anything since Soren is now chief. The former chief probably won’t interfere with the new chief’s decisions."
Ryker nodded slowly, accepting the logic even though he clearly wanted to help.
"We won’t know except we try," Ryker said, moving his hand to ruffle Neve’s hair affectionately.
His hand trailed down from Neve’s hair to his neck where Kelly had given him a small hickey. Ryker’s fingers traced over the mark gently.
"I understand the situation," Neve said. "I’ll head there with Cael tomorrow."
Ryker smiled at him and placed his palm over Neve’s eyes gently.
"Go to sleep then," Ryker said softly.
Neve slowly drifted to sleep even as Ryker kept his palm in place. His breathing became deeper. His body relaxed completely into the bed.
Ryker watched Neve for several more seconds, making sure he was truly asleep. Then he took his hand away carefully and planted a small kiss on Neve’s forehead.
Then he headed back to the main cave and stared outside through the entrance.
It was evening now. The sun had completely disappeared below the horizon. The snow had started falling again. The wind was picking up, making the snowfall swirl and dance.
"How is he?" Kelly asked from inside the cave, clearly worried about Neve’s condition.
Ryker looked at Kelly and felt a sudden flash of jealousy.
He did not know the details of what had happened between Kelly and Neve in the cave. He did not know exactly how far things had gone. But he knew that Kelly had been the one to help Neve through the pre-heat. Kelly had been the one to touch him. Kelly had been the one to share that intimate moment.
It made Ryker’s chest tighten with an emotion he could not quite name.
"He’s asleep," Ryker answered, his voice controlled and neutral. He did not let any of the jealousy show.
He walked toward the entrance, positioning himself like he was waiting for someone. Maybe Cael. Maybe Soren would send a messenger like he had promised. Maybe someone else would arrive.
Anyone could show up.
Ryker just stood there, watching the snowy landscape in front of the cave.
That was when he saw it.
A silhouette approaching through the snow.
He furrowed his brow, trying to figure out who it was. It could not be Cael. Cael would have come from a different direction. This person was coming from the village.
A messenger? Maybe.
He frowned and waited for the person to get closer.
As the figure walked nearer, Ryker could feel a familiar aura emanating from the person. It was someone from the Tiger tribe. Someone he recognized.
"They didn’t send someone to try and convince me, did they?" Ryker muttered to himself, not liking the implications.
The person got closer and Ryker could see their face clearly.
It was one of the tiger tribe elders. One of the men who had been most vocal about opposing Ryker’s choice to bond with Neve.
"Chief!" the man shouted, falling to his knees in the snow immediately.
Ryker’s expression hardened.
"I’m no longer your chief," Ryker said coldly. "Why have you come here? What do you want?"
The man’s forehead hit the ground in complete submission and respect.
"I come here on behalf of the whole tribe," the man said, his voice muffled by the snow. "Please, take back your title. We won’t decide anymore for you. We’ll accept Neve as your mate. We’ll accept your choice completely. Please chief, we need you. The tribe needs you."
He paused, his body trembling slightly from the cold and the emotion.
"Please," he repeated. "Come back to us."
Ryker clenched his fist tightly.
Take back the title? And they won’t get to decide for him anymore? They will accept Neve as his mate? Sure, it sounded like a nice plan. It sounded like everything he had wanted when he first made his choice.
But something felt wrong about it.
Why would they suddenly change their minds? Why would they suddenly decide to accept Neve after all the opposition? Why now?
"Are they up to something?" Ryker wondered silently, his eyes narrowing as he stared down at the elder still prostrate in the snow.