Weijie moved through the settlement with the steady, unhurried gait of a predator that knew nothing would bar his path.
The clay pots rested easily in his grasp, their weight insignificant. Smoke drifted low between the caves, the scent of roasted meat and ash clinging to the air.
Conversations faltered as he passed.
Some males inclined their heads. Others stiffened, pretending not to look.
He did not acknowledge any of them.
The elder's cave lay at the heart of the tribe, older than all the others, its stone walls darkened by time and fire.
Bone charms hung at the entrance, clinking softly as Weijie stepped inside.
"Papa."
Numa looked up from where he was grinding herbs.
At first, he smiled then he noticed what Weijie was carrying, and more importantly, how he was carrying himself.
"…What is it?" the elder asked.
"I want to bond."
The pestle slipped from Numa's hand and struck the stone floor with a dull crack.
For a long moment, he simply stared.
"You?" Numa said slowly. "Bond?"
Weijie nodded once.
Numa laughed, sharp and incredulous.
"You avoid mating season like sickness. You've never once asked about marking, or rituals, or females. And now you come here carrying water pots and tell me you want to bond?"
"Yes."
The elder rubbed his face with one hand, exhaling. "Spirits help me… where did this female come from? Don't tell me she fell from the sky"
Weijie paused, he would not tell his his female fell from the sky then.
"She is human."
That made Numa pause again.
"A human?" His brows drew together.
"Not from any tribe?"
"No."
Numa studied him carefully now, less amused, more alert. "Does she understand what bonding means?"
"She does."
"And she agreed?"
"Yes."
Silence fell.
Then Numa slowly sat down.
"…So that's how it is."
He shook his head, half disbelief, half wonder. "I never thought I'd live long enough to see this."
For sometime he thought Weijie was into the males, but turns out he wasn't. That was a relief, the tribe needed children to increase its population.
Weijie did not respond.
"As the top male of the tribe.." Numa said after a moment, "your bond cannot be done quietly. Other tribes must be informed."
Weijie frowned slightly. "Is that necessary?"
"Yes.." Numa said firmly. "Whether you like it or not. It is the first ceremony in a long time, we must do it right.."
He reached for a bundle of feathers tied with sinew. "I will send Hauk. He's fast. Hauk will deliver invitations to Loki of the Wolf tribe, Runa of the Bear tribe, and Jari of the Fox tribe.." Numa continued. "And he will speak to his father, Kori of the Eagle tribe."
Weijie inclined his head.
Numa glanced at the pots again. "You seem… busy."
"I need to fetch water for my mate," Weijie said. "She is waiting."
The elder stared at him, then snorted. "Already being ordered around."
Weijie hissed softly in irritation and bent to pick up the pots.
"One more thing," Numa said. "If you intend to lead this tribe one day, you will need the males on your side."
Weijie straightened.
"You are not dying anytime soon.." he said flatly. "I see no need to concern myself with that yet."
He turned toward the exit.
Numa sighed, this child learning starts now.
The path to the lake sloped downward, away from the settlement and into a quieter stretch of land where tall reeds swayed gently in the wind.
Weijie walked alone.
The weight of the pots was nothing, but his thoughts were heavier than usual.
The other tribes were coming, he didn't like the idea of that.
Their tribe had less females and often had to seek females from other tribes.
And the results weren't promising.
The surface of the lake came into view, reflecting the pale sky.
Then he stopped.
Someone was already there.
A female knelt by the water's edge, her back half-turned toward him.
Long, dark hair spilled down her spine as she dipped her hands into the lake, washing slowly, carefully, as though she had all the time in the world.
Sunlight caught on her skin.
Smooth and unmarked.
Weijie recognized her immediately.
"Una."
The female stiffened.
She turned her head, eyes widening slightly before softening into a familiar smile.
"Weijie…" she said, rising to her feet. "I thought I heard your steps."
She was beautiful, undeniably so.
Graceful in a way that made others unconsciously lower their voices around her.
Her features were delicate, her presence calm, almost gentle.
"I came for water."
Her gaze dropped to the clay pots in his hands.
Then to the marking running along his arms.
"So it really is true. You have taken a mate.."
Weijie nodded as he placed the pots on the ground.
"Yes. I think it's time.."
Una bit her lips, she always thought when Weijie was ready to settle down, she would be his mate.
But he had found a different woman that was not her.
Una's lips parted slightly. She closed them again.
"And you've marked her?" Her voice was steady, but the question was sharp.
"I have."
Silence.
The lake rippled faintly between them.
"So you didn't wait.." Una said at last.
"I had no reason to."
Her fingers tightened at her side. "She must be very special."
Weijie filled the first pot before replying.
"She is, my little piggy is very interesting.."
Una clenched her fists, then after a second she smiled brightly. "I am happy for you my friend. I know she must be beautiful.."
Weijie filled the second pot and then lifted both pots.
"She is. We can go to my cave together and meet her."
Una shook her head, she could barely contain the ache in her heart.
She did not want to see his mate.
"I am still washing. I will see her at the bonding ritual.."
Weijie nodded as he turned, finding his way up the slope.
Una bent her head slightly, her hair covering her as her tears slowly fell to the ground.
She had waited for him, only to be left behind.