GAR

Gar had almost forgotten about the creature. He'd scented it more than once when they'd been getting to know each other, but he'd never been introduced until they were on their way to the Tree City. Now, inhaling the thing's scent, it occurred to him that this was a malea€”and a strong one. Whether Rika knew it or not, his attachment to her might be beyond the purest of motives.

Gar didn't think the thing had a human forma€”it's scent was oddly similar to the Anima, and yeta€| not. Unlike his people, there was no mingling of scents that could be discerned if you were paying attention.

This creature was a creature, but clearly an intelligent and emotional one. A silent one? Perhaps. But one thata€”

"Tell him to back off. I know he has claws."

The deep, breathy voice almost sent Gar straight into the sky.

The thing could talk?!

"Wow, that's a big deal that he'll talk in front of you," Rika said, her smile beaming even as her friend pinned his ears back at Gar. "He wasn't even willing to meet my colleagues."

"Because they were assholes," Pegg wuffled.

Gar was stunned, but snorted in agreement. Soa€|. Not a Silent One, then. The thing's ears flickered forward before pinning back again. He didn't speak again, but Rika laughed delightedly, then her face went serious.

"I'm not going back, Pegg. I can't be a part of what they're doing anymore. I can't watch them try to destroy Gar and his people."

p The creatures eyes flicked to him, then back to her. "I was looking for you to tell you that. They're coming."

Rika went still. "Who? How many?"historical

"I don't know for sure. But I followed the teama€”they got out. At least, I'm assuming they did. I didn't want to cross that fucking desert again. So the others are coming."

"We know," Rika sighed and looked at Gar. "We're here just to get some time before everything starts.

The thing looked back and forth between them, then shook his head again, his mane flicking against his long neck. "You need to get away, Rika. The mena€| they'll punish you."

"I know," she said, then tried to smile at Gar. "But I'm not going anywhere."

Pegg huffed out a breath and somehow managed to look disapproving. "How do you know you can trust these creatures any more than the humans?"

"The same reason I knew I could trust you," she said thoughtfully. "Anyway, Pegg, thank you, I'm glad we know they got out. I'm glad we didn't get them killed. I'm just sad becausea€| that means our time's really limited. We'll be heading back to the City tomorrow. And I know you don't want to be there. Will you try to cross back?"

"No, the creature said "I like it here. I only want to stay away from the humans. So I'll bea€| staying in the forest. If I see anything or hear, I'll let you know."

Rika stepped forward to embrace his neck again and this time he didn't back away, though as he curled his neck to hug her, he kept one eye on Gar.

When she stepped back, Gar instinctively wanted to reach for her, to bring his mate out of the reach of another male. He was going to have to watch that when they went back to the Tree City, she wasn't going to appreciate it if he was constantly grabbing her. Buta€| fuck.

"Thank you for watching out for her," Gar made himself say. He knew Pegg had been a big part of Rika's early time in Anima. And he was grateful that this male watched out for her and helped her. But he was there to do it now.

Pegg stared at him as if he were having the same thoughtsa€”and not happy about them.

"Will you stick by her even if the humans turn on her?"

"Yes," Gar snarled.

Rika put a hand to his arm as Pegg shook his head and stamped one foot. "Predators, always so fucking quick to jump into conflict. I wanted to thank you. I can't protect her against them. I'm glad if you can."

A little sheepish, Gar nodded. "My life before hers, I vowed that to her."

The creature's head jerked back in surprise, but then he blew a breath out again. "That'sa€| good."

Rika looked back and forth between them, obviously hoping they'd find a way to like each other, but Gar knew a loner when he met one. Pegg had allowed her into his circle, but he wasn't looking for friends. And Gar could respect that. As long as he didn't try to pull Rika away.

"I'll go," Pegg said. "I heard your whistle and wanted to warn you. But if you're safea€| I'll find a place away from the coming conflict and try to wait it out."

Rika's face went sad then, but she nodded. One more hug for the creaturea€”so quick to hug him, Gar noticed! Then he tipped head once at Gar and as Gar nodded back, he disappeared back into the forest.

Rika watched where he'd stood for a long time, then sighed and turned to Gar. "Thank you for not attacking him."

Gar snorted. "I do have some self control."

She raised an eyebrow at him, but then looked past him and her eyes widened. "Uh, Gara€| is the meat supposed to be on fire?"

"Ia€”shit." Gar hustled back to the fire that he'd forgotten about completely.

*****

Rika kept grinning. Gar was irritable and feeling defensivea€”he was a good cook! He'd just been distracted.

But it was more than that, too. When they were finished eating the half-charred sausage he'd brought, she offered to help him clean the dishes, but he shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Rika, but I thinka€| I think we need to pack. I don't want to," he hurried to say when her face fell. "But I need to tell El about the humans and their plan. Anda€| I just feel like there's important stuff going on and I need to be there. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, but I'm getting more and more tense because I'm resisting what I know is right and I justa€”"

"It's okay," she sighed sadly, stepping forward to rub his arm. "I know. I could tell. I justa€| I was being selfish."

Gar grunted. "Me too."

Rika put her arms around his waist and leaned into him and they hugged for a moment. "You're a good man, Gar. That's why I love you."

Touched, Gar wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. Then they broke apart and got to work.