Chapter 6

Jana's fingertips were still an inch away from Caleb's skin when a blast of hot air hit her palm.

It was like hitting an invisible wall. She was thrown backward, stumbling a few steps, her wrist stinging as if she'd been slapped.

Caleb took a step back from her, his face twisted in absolute disgust. "Don't touch me," he said, his voice like grinding ice. "You make me sick."

Jana froze. The rejection was so blunt, so unexpected, that she stood there with her mouth open, her hand still hovering in the air.

She quickly recovered, assuming he was just playing hard to get. She pushed her chest out further, the feathers of her dress rustling. "If you become my mate, I'll prioritize you every heat cycle. I'll give you the strongest cubs in the tribe."

The surrounding males groaned in envy. That was the highest honor a female could offer.

Cora watched the scene unfold from Caleb's side. A small, petty part of her wanted to see if the big, bad wolf would fall for the busty bird.

Caleb didn't even look at Jana's offered assets. He leaned in slightly, his nose wrinkling. "You stink," he said flatly.

The words dropped like a bomb.

Jana's face contorted. "What did you say? I bathe in flower water every day!"

"You stink," Caleb said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Too many males. Foul."

A few snickers escaped from the crowd.

Jana's face turned purple with rage. She pointed a shaking finger at Cora. "You'd rather have a barren stick than me?"

Caleb's patience snapped.

A wave of pure, terrifying energy exploded from his body. It wasn't just killing intent; it was the aura of a high-tier beast. The pressure slammed into the crowd.

The males closest to him dropped to their knees, gasping for air. Jana was hit the hardest. She collapsed onto her hands and knees, her face pale, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps like she was being crushed by an invisible boulder.

"Insult her again," Caleb said, his voice echoing unnaturally, "and I'll rip your tongue out."

He held the pressure for a second longer, making sure Jana understood the reality of the threat, then reeled it back in.

He turned, scooped Cora up into his arms-one arm under her knees, the other supporting her back-and grabbed the sack of fruit. He walked out of the clearing, heading toward the mountain path, not sparing the tribe another glance.

Cora, nestled against his chest, looked back over his shoulder. Jana was still on the ground, coughing and glaring after them with impotent fury. A small, satisfied smile touched Cora's lips.

But as they left the noise of the tribe behind, entering the quiet of the forest path, her smile faded. She looked up at Caleb's profile. His jaw was set, his eyes focused on the path ahead.

He had just humiliated the most powerful female in the tribe for her. He had claimed her as his own. But why?

The path grew steeper, winding up the mountainside. The trees here were quieter, the air cooler.

"You can put me down now," Cora said softly. "I can walk."

Caleb ignored her. His arms tightened, pulling her closer against his chest.

"The ground is rough," he said. "It will hurt your feet."

Cora stared at him. He was still naked, carrying her and a heavy sack like it was nothing, worried about her feet.

"Why did you do that?" she asked. "Why did you refuse her? She was... offering a lot."

Caleb stopped walking. He looked down at her, his ice-blue eyes softening. The fierce warrior was gone, replaced by something earnest and intense.

"Because you are my mate," he said simply. "My only one."