The Sabertooth's Promise (Ice Age Alphas Book 1)

by Lily Thomas

  He sent her a toothy grin, as he kicked his legs out towards the fire. Damn him for being so attractive. He was pulling her in despite her best intentions. That stubble was still growing on his face, giving him a roughness that appealed to her.

  She watched as Tor made his way over to Ezi’s side of the fire. Ezi seemed confident about everything when it came to telling a sabertooth to back off. She had guts, that one, despite her size and quietness.

  They started speaking, and Aiyre wanted nothing more than to listen in and see if Ezi would be able to tell him that she just wasn’t interested, but Daerk insisted on talking to her.

  “Some meat?” He held out an offering.

  “No thanks.” She waved it away, trying to return her attention to the couple across the fire.

  “More for me then.” He commented before asking, “What were the two of you talking about that required us men to leave?”

  “What?” Aiyre finally gave him her full attention with an exasperated huff. He refused to just let her listen in to what Ezi and Tor were saying.

  “What were the two of you talking about?” He asked again.

  “Nothing to concern you.”

  His golden eyes moved over her. “It required me to leave the cave.”

  “Exactly. It’s not something I wanted you to hear.” He might be attractive, but she was beginning to wonder about his intelligence. Couldn’t he hear what she was saying?

  Daerk frowned at her but dropped the subject to her relief. She was sure he wouldn’t understand her need to butt into another person’s life. He was the type who thought instinct would make everything fine.

  Ezi wasn’t a child, but Aiyre was having a hard time leaving Ezi alone. Perhaps it was because she was afraid of becoming lonely. If anything happened to Ezi, Aiyre would have to face this life by herself.

  Well… she glanced over at Daerk. Maybe not alone. She couldn’t see that man ever leaving her side. He was addicted to her, and it felt nice.

  Tor rose suddenly, barked something at Ezi, and then stormed out of the cave.

  Aiyre was about to rise and go to her when Ezi motioned her to stay where she was. Then Ezi rolled over on her fur, giving everyone in the cave her back.

  “What did you do?” Daerk asked his golden eyes hardening as they narrowed at her.

  She squirmed a bit. “Excuse me?”

  “What did you do?” He asked, drawing out each word.

  “Why do you assume I did something?” Aiyre leaned away slightly and pointed at her chest with a hand.

  He crossed his arms in front of his chest, and she wished the furs weren’t covering him so she could see his muscles bulge. He stirred her with the simplest movement. All those muscles were able to bring her so much pleasure, and her body responded to it instantly.

  “I did nothing,” she defended herself. “except talk to her about Tor’s attentions. Nothing more, and nothing less.”

  “Perhaps you swayed her decision?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “I did no such thing.” Aiyre squeaked.

  With a grunt, he rose.

  “Where are you going?” She watched him pass by her.

  “To remedy whatever you did.” He made his way out of the cave shoving his shoulders through the fur flap at the entrance.

  Her mouth dropped open. How could he not believe her? She’d done nothing more than make sure Ezi knew she needed to keep a little distance. But maybe she’d been wrong in doing so. Her eyes turned to where Ezi was laying and frowned.

  Chapter 13

  Daerk strode out of the cave ready to find Tor and remedy any problems that had arisen between his friend and Ezi. He knew Aiyre must have talked to Ezi about Tor and dissuaded her from accepting Tor. Couldn’t she just leave the two of them alone to figure it out on their own?

  He easily found Tor’s footprints in the snow and followed them down the hill. If there was one thing he’d learned, it was that Aiyre wouldn’t just give up information to him freely. He’d have to work to get her to tell him anything.

  Shaking his head, he hiked into the nearby forest, continuing to follow the tracks in the snow. He was glad he’d found his mate, but she was making his life a lot more complicated. More complicated than it already was.

  He spotted Tor not too far ahead of him. “Tor!” He hollered out as he raised a hand.

  Tor turned towards him. “What do you want?” He snapped.

  Daerk tried not to take his tone personally. “No need to be angry with me.” Daerk came up beside him. “What went on in there?”

  “I’m just frustrated.” Tor pushed his hood off and brushed his fur mitts over his black hair. “My mate is just pushing me away, and I have no idea why.”

  “I might.” Daerk pursed his lips.

  Tor’s blue eyes pierced him with their intensity.

  “I feel as though my mate is swaying yours.”

  Tor shook his head. “There’s something else. I can feel it in my bones. Your mate might be helping to sway Ezi, but there is something else that is pushing her away. She won’t talk to me though.” He shook his head. “And it’s more than our people killing her clan as well.” He clenched a fist. “There’s something she’s holding back.”

  Daerk inclined his head. “You know your mate better than I do, but maybe giving her time would be best. She is injured and frightened after everything that’s happened.”

  “I know.” Tor looked completely dejected. “I wish she’d tell me more about herself so that I could understand. Right now, I am confused and… hurt she wouldn’t at least try to trust me.”

  Daerk patted him on the shoulder. “I am still trying to convince my mate to accept me. You are not alone with this endeavor.”

  Tor smiled at him, a sad smile, but it was better than nothing.

  “You’ll win her over with enough time and patience.”

  Tor nodded. “I need to run in my sabertooth form and get out some of my frustration.”

  “I understand.” And Daerk did. Running in their sabertooth form was freeing and relaxing.

  Tor stripped off his clothes and shifted into his sabertooth form.

  Daerk picked up his friend’s clothing and watched Tor sprint off into the snow-covered forest. Tor would come back when he was ready, and until then Daerk would keep his clothes dry for him.

  He trudged his way back to the cave and dropped Tor’s clothes by the entrance once he entered the cave.

  “Where did he disappear to?” Aiyre asked.

  “He needed some time. It turns out you swayed Ezi’s mind on having a mate.” He glanced over to where Ezi was sleeping. He could hear the even breathing.

  “There was no swaying needed.” Her eyes narrowed at him. “She has been through more than you could ever imagine.”

  “Like?”

  She glanced over at Ezi, and then back at him. “Want to go hunting?”

  He grabbed his spear, and then tossed her spear to her once she was standing. He got the feeling she might talk to him once they went out hunting, away from any ears that might overhear their conversation.

  Daerk allowed her to lead the way out of the cave, down the hill, and into the nearby forest. “The more we can bring back would be nice. My clan could use some extra meat for the winter. Prey has been scarce.”

  “I wish I couldn’t say I didn’t understand, but this winter has been harsh, and the prey has been scarce.” Her soft brown eyes looked over at him past the fur of her hood.

  “Unfortunately, I’m not sure killing your clan will do much for us.”

  Her eyes took on a sad look, as she nodded. “Unfortunately, it makes sense why your clan would want to believe your leader. He dangled hope in front of them. I want to hate them for what they did, but hunger and fear can be great motivators.”

  Daerk shook his head. “We shouldn’t have done it. We will gain nothing, and now we have done something we can’t take back. There is a reason why other clans fear predator shifters because we react without thi
nking sometimes.”

  Again, she glanced over at him, and he felt hopeful blossom in his chest that he might just win his mate over. He found her to keep her expressions guarded, which made it harder to read her, but talking with her was getting easier with each day that passed.

  “Your clan wasn’t the only one having some trouble with collecting enough meat for this winter. For some reason, the mammoths haven’t passed by our valley either.”

  They skirted past some fallen trees.

  “All I can do is hunt what animals are left around our area for the winter and hope for the best outcome,” Daerk said honestly.

  “Good thing I’m handy with a spear.” Aiyre tossed him a smile, and his heart warmed at the simple gesture. Everything she threw his way he would soak up with glee and eagerness.

  “Perhaps we should see who can hunt down the most prey?” A little game that would both benefit them and lighten up the mood wasn’t such a bad idea to him.

  “I could out hunt you even if I was blind.” Aiyre challenged him.

  “We will see about that.” He challenged her back. “And don’t expect me to go easy on you because you’re my mate.”

  They loped off into the forest, separating slightly, but not enough to lose sight of the other. It could be dangerous to hunt alone, and even a sabertooth shifter would have to be careful.

  Aiyre was the first one to make a kill, a small white rabbit, but Daerk wasn’t going to let that shape the rest of the hunt. He was eager for the chance to show off, and he figured he had the upper hand since he was a predator twice over.

  Aiyre continued to put distance between them as they hunted, not because she wanted to, but because she wanted to come away the winner of their little game. The closer she stayed to him the harder it would be for her to get more game.

  She walked further into the trees and heard something crunch through the snow over her shoulder.

  Spinning around she found a small white rabbit shuffling around in the snow, looking for something to eat.

  Aiyre reacted, letting her instinct drive her. The rabbit’s long ears perked up, and then its head turned in her direction. They both darted, the rabbit trying to get away and Aiyre trying her best to predict its moves so she could add it to her stash.

  Right as she leveled her spear at the zig-zagging rabbit something slammed into her, pushing her right into a tree. Her spear slipped from her hand, and when she glanced up, she couldn’t believe who she was seeing.

  “Girk?” Her mouth hung open despite her best efforts to close it.

  “Aiyre.” Girk smiled down at her his brown eyes dancing with glee. “I never thought I would ever set eyes on you again.”

  “You’re alive?” Aiyre wasn’t sure if she was just seeing things or if he was really there right in front of her.

  “My leg was chewed on by a sabertooth, but Bhirk and Drakk saved me. When I tried to rejoin them in the fight, I was knocked out. Then I came to, and everyone was dead or gone.” He shrugged. “I dragged myself through the snow until I finally found somewhere to stay.”

  “You didn’t come to the hunting cave?” She gazed up at him still stunned by what she was seeing. “The one to the east of the village?”

  He shook his head. “In the chaos, I didn’t think of it.”

  “I’m happy to see our clan wasn’t wiped out.” A smile spread across her face.

  Girk backed away from her. “I’m just as happy.”

  “Have you seen anyone else?” She asked, hoping there were more out there.

  He shook his head as the smile slipped from his lips. “You are the only person I’ve encountered.”

  Aiyre wanted to tell him about Ezi, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. If she told him about Ezi, he would want to go back to the cavern with her, and she didn’t need him trying to tear off Eron’s head. He might be a sabertooth, but he wasn’t a threat and nothing but nice.

  “Same.” She lied. She also didn’t need him trying to move Ezi. Her leg was healing, and Aiyre didn’t want Girk ruining that by insisting they leave and find another clan to join until spring.

  “You must come with me.” He grabbed her hand and began leading her away.

  “I can’t.”

  Girk turned and raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

  Her mouth opened and closed several times. She wasn’t entirely sure what to say to him. How could she tell him about Daerk? He would never understand. Not after everything that had happened.

  “Come.” Girk yanked her behind him.

  “No!” She yelled.

  A roar vibrated off the trees shaking some snow off their green pine needles.

  “Oh no,” Aiyre muttered under her breath knowing Daerk had heard her and was coming in his sabertooth form. “You have to leave. Now!”

  “What are you talking about?” Girk turned but never let go of her hand.

  Aiyre tried to get him to loosen his grip. “Go! Now!”

  She heard something to her right, and when she turned, she found a sabertooth bearing down on them. “No!” She jumped to put herself between Girk and Daerk.

  Daerk threw out his front legs and skidded to a halt before shifting back into human form.

  “A sabertooth!” Girk yelled as he attempted to yank her behind him, but she wasn’t having it.

  Aiyre placed herself firmly between them as she yanked her hand away from Girk. Then she turned so they could both hear her as she held out her hands. “Let me explain.”

  “I think you should.” Girk looked ready to grab her discarded spear.

  “Agreed,” Daerk growled, and she could tell he was barely containing his sabertooth.

  “Daerk, this is Girk. He is from my clan.”

  Daerk’s golden eyes never left Girk.

  “Girk,” she looked over at him, “this is Daerk, and he saved me.”

  “He’s a sabertooth.”

  “I know.” Aiyre realized that he might not understand why she was traveling with a sabertooth. “He’s my mate.”

  Girk finally turned to glance at her. His eyes widened, and for a couple of seconds, he seemed lost for words. “Pronghorns don’t have mates.”

  “She’s my mate,” Daerk growled.

  He had to be freezing! He was butt naked standing in snow that went mid-way up his calf.

  Girk turned towards him, and she watched one of his hands open and close, and she knew he was itching to take Daerk on.

  “I’ve accepted him as my mate.”

  Both of the men turned to stare at her.

  “You can’t be serious.” Girk shook his head.

  Aiyre understood his confusion. She’d refused his offer of joining and then accepted a sabertooth matehood. Of course, he’d be confused, and it was perfectly understandable.

  “We’ve already joined.” She said truthfully.

  Girk shook his head as he backed away from her. “They destroyed our village, and you accept him over me?”

  “He didn’t destroy our village.” She was slightly taken aback at her conviction when she said that.

  “You’ll take his word?” Girk seemed appalled by her actions.

  “I’ve gotten to know him, and he hasn’t done anything but help me.” She was hoping Daerk wouldn’t mention Ezi. She didn’t need Girk insisting that he take Ezi with him, where ever he went, because she figured he wouldn’t want to join the sabertooth clan.

  “You can come with me.” Girk offered her a hand.

  Daerk growled.

  Girk turned to glare at him.

  Aiyre shook her head. “I’m going to stay here.”

  “You won’t get a second chance to change your mind, Aiyre. I’m leaving the area to find another pronghorn clan to join.” His eyes pleaded with her to choose him.

  She couldn’t though. Daerk was the man she could imagine standing by her side. He might be a sabertooth, but weirder things could happen. She was sure of that.

  “I’m sorry.” She took a couple of steps closer to Da
erk. “I’m glad someone else survived, but I’ve found my place here.”

  Girk looked like he wanted to argue more, but he relented. He glanced over at Daerk and then back at her. “If you ever need me, I will try to make sure I keep an ear open at clan gatherings.”

  She nodded.

  Girk looked back over at Daerk. “I offered her myself once, and she rejected me. Why she accepted you is beyond me. I only hope she knows what she’s doing.” Girk glanced over at her. “Goodbye Aiyre.”

  “Goodbye.” It was hard to say, and for a couple of seconds, she thought it might get stuck in her chest. She wanted nothing more than to have him stay, but he wouldn’t be able to live among the sabertooths. She still wasn’t sure she could live among the sabertooths.

  Slowly, Girk backed away from her, and then he turned and loped off into the forest until he disappeared from sight.

  Daerk strode over to her. “Are you alright?”

  “I’m fine.” She glanced at his naked body. “But you must be freezing.”

  “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay.”

  She watched Daerk changed back into his sabertooth form and at first, she thought he might be about to hunt down Girk, but instead he bounded off in the direction that he’d first come.

  It didn’t take long before he came back in his human form, his clothing once more covering him.

  He took her into his arms and ran a hand over her back. “You’ve accepted me as your mate?”

  She pulled out of his arms and tipped her head back slightly so she could make eye contact with him. “Don’t let it go to your head. I didn’t want him fighting you, so I said what was needed.”

  “Afraid I might kill him?”

  “Yes.” She had no doubt Daerk would’ve easily been able to kill Girk. Girk was a good warrior, but Daerk had his sabertooth form, and she hadn’t wanted it to come to blows.

  “Will he truly leave you here?” Daerk asked as he gazed off in the direction Girk had disappeared.

  “Yes.” Aiyre nodded her head. “Girk isn’t the type of man to play tricks with others. He gave me my chance, and then he left.”

  “And why not tell him about Ezi?” Daerk’s gold eyes zeroed in on her. “You made it sound like you hadn’t encountered anyone else alive.”