"Should we wake her and feed her," Greywolf asks Wildcat the next morning as Talia shivers in her sleep.

"Eli, come curl up with Talia for me. She's shivering," Wildcat thinking over Greywolf's question. If they wake her to eat, the males of Dark Pack may want to use her again before they leave. "Let her sleep," he decides, "We can wake her to feed her later."

As Eli is spooning Talia and holding her close, Greywolf notices something. He moves closer to have a better look. When he's sure of what he's seeing, he motions Wildcat over and points to four scabs on the side of Eli's neck. He moves aside his own hair and shows Wildcat four scars the same size and shape as the scabs on Eli's neck and says softly, "Talia."

Wildcat sighs. He knows what it means. Talia and Eli didn't just mate. It was much more personal and intimate than that. Talia didn't mark him as a full-fledged mate. Yet the mark she's given Eli is permanent. She's marked him as her consort like Greywolf. He hadn't known Talia had even marked Greywolf.

Wildcat pulls Greywolf off to the side for a private one-on-one conversation, "When did she mark you?"

Greywolf shrugs, "Maybe a month after I became her consort."

Wildcat asks, "Why didn't you say something?"

Greywolf answers, "Dah, Mist. He thinks too much like a domesticated man. He'ld probably see it as her marking me as mate. I don't think she's even aware she did it, those retractable claws of her bit sweetly into my skin only for a moment."

Wildcat nods his agreement with Greywolf, who usually doesn't have much to say. Yet the young man is observant and his observations are usually spot-on. "Finish getting our things ready to go. I'll have a conversation with Eli."

Wildcat sits so he's facing Eli and the sleeping Talia. He tries to keep his voice soft and non-threatening. "So, things got a bit serious between you and my mate last night." It still came out more accusatory than he intended.

Eli lifts his big round green eyes to Wildcat's electric blue ones as he hugs Talia closer to his chest protectively.

"Don't be alarmed," Wildcat tells Eli, "just tell me what happened."

"After you left, she started crying. She was so sad. I've never seen anyone so sad before. I just wanted to comfort her.. I was licking her wound, licking the tears from her face and my lips brushed hers accidentally. I had only meant to comfort her. I hadn't intended to cross any lines with her. It just happened."

Wildcat understands that things just happen sometimes. He also notices the much younger man isn't apologetic, "And yet, you're not sorry."

Eli confirms firmly, "No."

Wildcat smiles amused. He glances over at Greywolf who's smiling too. He looks back at Eli and tells him, "You got heart kid." Then he asks him, "Can you fight?"

Eli shrugs, "Fighting's not my style. I prefer to discuss things. But I can if I have to."

Wildcat nods, "That's probably exactly why Talia likes you. You're gentle. And after Windwalker wasn't so gentle with her the other night, that's exactly what she needed.. Stand up and let me get a good look at ya.."

Eli slowly pulls away from Talia and stands. Wildcat nods approvingly. Eli's just a little taller than himself, is well muscled but still on the lean side because he hasn't reached thirty yet. His shoulders are a good width for his height.

"How old are ya," Wildcat asks Eli.

"Twenty-six springs," answers Eli.

"Well," Wildcat nods approvingly, "ya look like you could defend yourself or her if it was necessary."

"I would lay down my life for her," Eli declares to Wildcat.

"Good," responds Wildcat, "When her true-mate learns about you, he's not going to be happy so you just might have to."

"The one she calls Richy," questions Eli.

"Yeah," Wildcat confirms, "that's Mist. He's Water Tribe, but not wild. His mother was half tame and his father tame. He was raised tame in a house and all. He has a lot of tame notions. So you're not going to be able to come home with her at this time."

Eli becomes visibly distressed, "But.. she chose me..."

Wildcat cuts him off, "Her true-mate is going to freak out as it is over the Chief Windwalker situation. If you come with us now, he'll attack you. Come in a week or two to visit. He'll probably still attack you, but it won't also include his anger over what Windwalker has done."

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Eli doesn't try to argue. Talia begins to shiver again so he lies back down with her.

"Roar," Nighteye calls, "Come enjoy Daphne with me. Then we'll escort you to your territory."

Wildcat and Greywolf sit down to discuss how to deal with Richy when they get home. They glance over to see Daphne getting on her knees between Nighteye's legs. With a smile she takes Roar's hand and guides him behind her. Then, still smiling, Daphne removes Nighteye's loin cloth and slides her mouth over his cock. Nighteye motions for Roar to help himself so Roar mounts Daphne.

Wildcat shakes his head, "A multitasking prostitute, Mother Earth."

They wrap Talia in a blanket and Greywolf carries her. Nighteye, Owl, Sanguine and Eli are escorting them. About midday they stop to rest and eat. Wildcat wakes Talia.

"I'm so cold," Talia complains from Wildcat's lap as he helps her sip water.

"Hush, Dearest," Wildcat is extremely worried. It must be at least nearly ninety degrees and she's shivering and complaining she's cold. He feels her forehead. "She's burning up," he tells the other men, "I'm gonna step into the river with her."

The water feels like ice to Talia as she clings to Wildcat, "No, it's so cold. Please, it's so cold."

Wildcat pours cool river water over her head, "I'm sorry, Dearest. But you're running a fever."

"But I'm so cold," insist Talia clinging to him shivering. Then she passes out. Wildcat rushes back out of the river with her.

"What happened," asks Eli concerned.

"She passed out," answers Wildcat.

"Is she going to be alright," asks Roar worried.

Wildcat doesn't know the answer to Roar's question, "We've got to get her home to Cougar."

"He's one of her mates," recalls Eli. "What can he do?"

"He's a healer," answers Greywolf. Then he and Roar bring up their full guardians. Eli takes his cue from the two men and takes on his second form. They wrap Talia back up in the blanket. Greywolf cradles her to his chest. Wildcat hops on to Roar's back. Then they're streaking through the forest. When they reach Animalistic Territory, they stop to say quick good-byes.

"Nighteye," Roar clasps his arm, "Thank you for sheltering us for the night."

"If I had known she was so sick, I wouldn't have asked to mate with her. I hope she gets well soon," says Nighteye sincerely. "She's quite an extraordinary woman. I'm sorry, we should have just let her eat and rest. I feel responsible for her turn for the worse."

Roar shrugs, "Perhaps, perhaps not, either way, we're grateful for the shelter, the food and good company. Please, come visit us soon. Besides, Talia will be expecting her consort, Eli."

"Eli," Wildcat calls, "Talia's territory is within Animalistic. You just keep following the river till you come to the wood bridge then take the path east. It leads straight to Talia's estate. Now kiss your lady good-bye and we'll see ya in a week or two."

Eli nods to Wildcat. He shrinks back down to his normal human form as he steps over to Greywolf holding Talia. He tenderly touches Talia's hair, which is still damp from the river. He says, "I don't know if I deserve such an honor."

"You were there for her and comforted her when she needed comforting," Greywolf tells Eli, "And you offered her comfort without expectation, that's more than enough."

Eli feels helpless as he looks at Talia's serene face, "Is she going to be okay?"

"Cougar is a skilled healer," Greywolf assures Eli, "He will know what to do for her."

Eli sighs sadly. Then he leans over and gently puts his lips to Talia's. But Talia remains still. Roar, Wildcat and Greywolf nod to their escorts, then streak away.

Nighteye clamps a hand on Eli's shoulder, "That's quite an accomplishment having such a woman choose you as a consort.. Eli, you are no longer lowest male of the pack. You are now fourth."

And he didn't have to fight anyone for this increase in rank. Yet Eli doesn't care about this leap in rank. He doesn't care that the women of his pack and the other packs will now find him more desirable. He just wants Talia to be alright.