Notes: This is not meant to be Native American tribes. This is meant to be post Hunter/Gatherer tribes about when they started to domesticate animals and settle into more mixed and agrarian tribes.Notes 2: There are some NC-17 sections later in this story. They are under separate links so you can skip over them if you wish. The rest of the story I would rate PG-13-ish. The main relationship in this story is M/M so if that does bother you, I'm sorry, have a nice life and thank you for reading this far.
Note 3: This was written for the NaNoWriMo challenge.
Started 11/01/08 12:05 A.M.
The tribe's leader looked around as their mate hunting team came back successful. The grasses were starting to turn golden brown. The winds were starting to get a bit chilly. The food would soon be hunting or nothing except saved, dried vegetables from the small farming they had only learned to do last generation and boiled meats that had been saved from the better hunting of the warm months.
The mate hunting team had even put on shirts this time. Usually their war paint and pants were all they wore but today they had on full outfits, making their shaman happy that he wouldn't have to treat any running noses he was sure.
He walked over to look at the new daughter of the tribe, checking her out. "She looks healthy and young." She had pretty hair that was braided and her outfit showed she knew how to sew well. She also had nice features. Softer than his tribe's people. The blue eyes were something that was very different from their people's eyes. She would be seen as exotic by any husband she got.
The leader of the hunting team nodded. "She is. Unmated as well, Leader." That got a nod. "Her tribe is very prosperous and has many children. We watched her family for over a seven-day. They had many children in the family and her mother was complaining that she hadn't picked a mate yet."
"It doesn't mean I wanted to be stolen," she complained. "I know my chosen would treat me well."
The leader looked at her. "It's possible, but we will treat you very well. Our tribe has many sons, but not many daughters. You will be welcome and treated very well here, daughter." He smiled. "There are three young bucks who could use a wife to calm them down. You may pick which one will have you." He took her arm to lead her to the tent they had set up. The mate hunting team brought in the three young men.
"I know one is very young, just into his adulthood, but he truly needs a mate to calm him down," he told her with a small smile. "Otherwise he does stupid things that would make his mother yell. She is very loud and makes our prey run from us while we hunt." She cracked a smile at that. "All three are accomplished hunters. Talk to them, make a decision. I'll talk to you on the morning rising." He left them alone, posting a guard outside the tent so no one could get to her. He looked at the waiting hunt team leader. "Will her tribe come hunting?"
"They haven't the last three," he offered. "She's from the pale one's tribe." That got a nod. That woman was a good mate. She'd made them very happy with her by bearing a few sets of twins. "I know her mother saw us pick her up. She yelled and threw a fit." He ran a hand over his dark, braided hair. "She wasn't happy but her husband only sighed as he walked her back into their tent." The leader smiled at that. "So it should be fine. If not, we'll talk with him. Hopefully by then she'll be a happy spouse well on her way to an understanding with the one she wants."
"Let us hope so. She seems feisty."
"If she's like her mother, she's loud," he said dryly, heading for his own tent. "I need to bathe."
"I should hope so." He watched him go, making a few mental observations about his lead hunter. He picked good mates for his tribe. Only one had ever had her natal tribe try to rescue her and that one hadn't wanted to go back. They were good women, all thankful they had been taken in by good, kind men after they had spent a while with their spouses. One of the men in the tent ran out with a yelp of pain.
"Yes, she'll be very loud," he said, shaking his head. They seemed to have a lot of loud women in the tribe now and then. Though, his lead hunter... they'd need someone special for him. He went to talk to his secondary hunting team. They weren't as good but he had an idea of who to find for him this time. Only so many mates would want his lead hunter. Ones who wouldn't be jealous of his going out to hunt down new mates. They might even let the new mate hunt with the team if he wanted.
***
The lead hunter went to find their leader. "Why is my team gone?" he demanded. "You didn't ask me to hunt down another one."
He smiled. "That's because they go hunting for you," he said.
The hunter gave him an odd look. "I would not do well with a wife and little ones looking up to me."
"I know that." His hunter stared until he went on. "You have done your duty to the tribe by giving us three very good hunters and one daughter from the wives who offered." He patted him on the arm. "I would go clean your tent for the month of talking you'll have. Possibly hunt as well." His lead hunter blushed but went to put on better clothes so he could go hunting food for his future mate. The leader smiled. He enjoyed making that one blush. He was as pretty as any young girl of the tribe. Pity he didn't like girls, but the Higher Beings liked him that way.
Hopefully one of his first two choices would be suitable. He had no idea if they were married or not. If so, the team would look at others. They would not be breaking up a relationship to give anyone a mate. It was wrong and the Higher Beings would be upset with their tribes. They'd only let them have girls in the next generation so all their children would get taken for mates by other tribes. He watched Eta ride out to go hunting with one of the younger boys in the tribe. That was a good way to teach that loud one to sit quietly. If he acted up, Eta would beat better hunting techniques into him. His father would be pleased when he came back with food for them. Plus Eta could be impressive for his new mate to see what a hunter he was.
***
The leader of the tribe walked out to meet his hunting team. They were back without one of the ones he had chosen. The one they brought back instead was tied up and blindfolded. His mouth was gagged as well. "The others are taken?"
The one in charge, Toler, nodded. "Unfortunately. We even stopped in to ask one of them since he was older. We haven't gotten many from their tribe recently but he caught us watching him so we talked. He suggested this one's tribe was a good match. He also said that they had a few sons if we had daughters of good age. I told him where we had looked recently so he could go hunting on his own." He handed over the bound man. "He is feisty and loud. His tribe's from the outer edges of the plains. They may try to track him but I doubt they would succeed. They're all young. No aged hunters to show them patience." The man mumbled something into his gag.
"He is not sure why he was taken but I thought you could get him talked to." He walked off leading his horse. He saw Eta watching from the opening to his tent. "Inside, you know the ritual." The man gave him a pitiful look so he paused. "He is loud, a hunter, from a tribe of young hunters on the edge of the plains. He's smart and we had to gag him because he talked too much. He is pretty and bouncy like you are." He smiled. "You should do him well as a wife, Eta." He walked on to his own tent and his wife. She was going to fuss that he didn't bring her anything but oh well. It was better to have Eta mated off soon so he could finish settling down.
The leader took off the young man's blindfold, smiling at his pretty green eyes. The hair was trimmed short, as some of the mountain tribes did, instead of their own long braids. He took the gag from him too. "Want some water before we talk?" he asked calmly.
"I want to know why I was taken."
He smiled. "Because you will make an excellent husband for one of our hunters."
The guy gave him a very strange look. "A hunter?" That got a nod. "Why is he the wife?"
"He likes other men and wants to fuss over a mate. Like he does our hunting teams. He's a very skilled hunter, the one I send out with others to hunt mates for our warriors. He wants to be a wife with how he likes other men to touch him. Therefore, you're a husband."
The guy shook his head quickly. "I've never even tested my desires toward my fellow tribesmen."
"You'll have a good time getting to know him," he promised. He led him into his tent, getting him some water. "Eta is a very unusual sort."
"His kind doesn't bother your tribe?"
"We made sure he had offspring to carry on his blood and skills. He has given us three young boys who will someday make good hunters and one daughter that is vexing because she can beat two of the boys bringing down game for the meals." The other guy smiled. "It is time to let him finish settling down and make him want to fuss over someone other than the rest of us. A hunter is lonely if he doesn't have a mate to hunt for."
"They do stupid things and die," he agreed.
"I heard your tribe is full of young?"
"We split after a recent takeover by some elders. One son was better we thought but it was given to the one none of us liked so we formed our own with their blessing. It was a peaceful split." He sipped his water. "I suppose this is an honor but I'm not suited for this."
"We shall see. You'll be spending a month with him. Living with him, talking with him, getting to know him. At the end, if he agrees, we will formally create the union between you. As it is done for all new couples. He has spent the weeks we took to choose you stocking his tent for your comfort. In truth, he's not a bad cook either." He smiled. "You will suit him. He likes to play as dumb as a bird now and then but isn't." He stood up. "Come, I'll take you to him."
"I still don't think I could be a husband that way."
"It's the same only no children will come of it," he pointed out. He smiled. "Our last leader was one such as him. Very generous with his time and teaching. Very strong as a hunter. Very sneaky with his husband so they could get time alone. I wish the same for our hunter."
"Are they related?" He knew he was trying to stall. His tribe would be here soon. He was sure they'd rescue him from being a forced husband.
The leader shook his head. "No, it seems we have one or two born every generation. They tend to be good for the tribe. He's picked most of the mates we have around here. He has an eye for beauty and those who would do well with our ways." He looked the boy over. "He's trained his team well though. I can see why they chose you out of the other hundreds of options." He took his arm and walked him off, nodding at the young man taking a break outside the marriage tent of the last bride. "Is she too fussy?" he asked, pausing to talk to him.
"She's fine, Leader, just being... womanly. She's cleaning and told me I was staring."
"If you need supplies, let us know," he reminded him. The girl glanced out. He smiled at her. "This is Gladriat. She's the last bride Eta chose for the tribe."
"They're nice men," she told him with a smile. "Even if this one is a bit...manish." She withdrew her head. "I'm done. You can come stare some more."
The leader smiled. "Instead of staring, make a comparison," he said quietly. "Compare her to the grass or the stars." The boy beamed and went to do that. She was soon giggling at his attempts. "He's very young but she'll calm him down. We're looking forward to loud children from him some year soon." He walked the new husband on, nodding at a few of the tribe's women. "This is Eta's husband." One cooed and pinched him on the cheek. "She bore him his daughter."
"I heard she was a good hunter," he said mildly.
She laughed. "Eta will vex you to no end but it will be good for you both." She looked at the chief. "Where is my mate?"
He shrugged. "Hiding from your next child?"
"Apparently. Can I borrow a hunter to track him or should I send the daughter?"
"Send your daughter. She could use the exercise before she gets bouncy like her father." She went to do that. The girl jogged out of the camp, heading for where her stepfather was hiding. "Yes, he creates some very strong hunters," he said with a smile. "You'll make a good husband for him." He patted the side of the tent before shoving the young man in there and following. "Eta, this is ...."
"Star's Fire," he said. He sat down. "I do not know why they chose me."
"You're young, comely, smart, and a hunter who can match me," Eta said quietly. He looked at his leader. "Are you sure this is wise? What if his people don't believe as we do? They might attack to get him back."
"He'll be fine," he said patiently. "Feed and fuss over him for the next month. Get to know him. You'll make a good wife." He left, closing and tying the tent flap closed as a sign of no one should bother them. He went to celebrate with his own mate. She was more than happy to make a special dinner and snuggle with him later on under the stars. Eta had been a problem and a blessing on their group for his entire life. He fussed over the children and women. He taught them much, but he would not let husbands do their own fussing or let anyone fuss over him.
Eta looked around. "Here, I have more pillows if you need one. You must be tired after your ride."
"Your hunting team is very efficient. Before I knew what was happening I was slung across his horse's back and when I complained they had me gagged, tied up, and blindfolded just as quickly."
"I'm sorry they were rough on you," he said quietly.
Star's Fire shrugged. "I've had worse being dragged behind a deer that I caught in a snare I was still laying." Eta smiled. "Are you the lead hunter?"
"One of the lead hunters. I do a lot of training with the younger men in the tribe before they come for their manhood ceremonies. Their fathers try but you never have the same skill teaching your own child as someone else does. Plus it lets their wives yell at me instead of them when the boys get caught in a snare that they're laying." Star's Fire laughed and nodded. "So, are you a hunter?"
"One of our better ones. Our tribe recently split after our old leadership changed to one we didn't respect." That got a nod from the other man. He relaxed a bit more. "I've never even tried to think about what happens between men."
"It's not much different. They had to feed me fermented berries and honey to get me to mate so my children could come into being." He shrugged a bit, then leaned forward. "It was very strange. They were soft in strange ways. They mewled at me now and then. They were demanding things that I had no idea about. What I remember was nice but I could not do it again. That's why the last one was a daughter instead of a son I think."
"I saw her. She ran off to find her mother's husband. Her mother said he was hiding."
"She's always fussy when she's with child. She's due around the spring thaws so he's hiding to save his sanity. She'll have another girl I think."
"You can tell?"
"No but the shaman said she's with a girl child because of the way she's loud this time. She was differently loud when she was carrying a boy." Star's Fire grinned and nodded at that. "Have you had a mate?"
"Some fun but no mates. The one I wanted took up with the old chief's youngest son to calm him down. She wanted more position than I could give her as a normal hunter."
"Any family that I may have to fight to get you back?" he asked with a small smile.
"Two members with the tribe. Both brothers." He shifted closer. "This is still very strange to me."
"How does your tribe pick mates?"
"We pick the one we want and make them want us back."
"We pick for our tribe but they get the time to get to know each other so they can make sure they're suitable," Eta told him. "That's why we'll be together for a month."
"That's a long time."
"Many happy marriages come of it. A few aren't well suited and that's apparent after a few weeks but for those there's usually other choices available. Only one hasn't found another mate and she decided to stay with the tribe instead of going home in disgrace. She decided on a hunter who just made his adulthood a year later. His mother was pleased. That's also the mother of my daughter. I picked her and brought her back just after my manhood celebration. One of the first I did on the hunting team."
Star's Fire had to grin at that. "She sounds like she made your daughter feisty; that it wasn't just your doing."
"Perhaps." He looked around then pulled a basket over. "I have dried berries if you want some." He held out the basket. "They're very sweet," he said when Star's Fire didn't take one. The other man looked at him then took one to nibble on, nodding and smiling. "I dry them after soaking them in a honey solution. They're good for energy while hunting."
He nibbled one and put it aside, looking around again. He was nervous. He had never witnessed any of the mates he had brought to the tribe talking with their new spouses. He had no idea what to talk about. Apparently Star's Fire was the same. "Will your family be coming?" he blurted out then blushed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude."
"My brothers will be very upset with me for being stolen. I'll never hear the end of being stolen." He grinned. "They're good warriors. I'll make sure they don't hurt anybody when they do get here."
"What if you want to stay?"
"Then I'll tell them so and they'll fuss and complain. A lot." He smiled. "They won't hurt you or anyone here if they can help it. We've heard stories of tribes who pick mates this way. You're like one of the old stories to us in many ways." Eta shrugged a bit, looking down. "Not that I'm not flattered. I am. Neither of them thought me worthy of a wife when my choice turned me down for a chief's son." He smiled gently at him.
"Relax and we'll figure it out together, Eta. I can't hate you for this unless you force yourself on me. I think it's sweet in many ways that your chief was worried about you being lonely." He took another berry to nibble. "These did dry without becoming chewy. None of our cooks can do that." Eta grinned. He could so easily come to like this one as a hunting mate. He was sweet. He was gentle. Though he had heard stories about this tribe's mate hunting team and how they only picked the best maidens. Apparently Eta had good taste in women. He nibbled another berry. "How are we doing sleeping arrangements and things?"
"There's more pillows. You can sleep next to me for warmth or over there if you wish. I don't mind either way. I have a latrine dug out behind the tent, about a hundred feet away and over the slight hill for necessary things." That got a nod and a smile. "Before spring we'll cover it and till the ground so we can use the enhanced soil on the garden we'll be planting next spring, when it gets warm again."
"Our tribe just recently settled into an area. We didn't really get to plant this year. Usually we let the women handle that while we hunt."
"We do too but most of the men keep at least a small garden of herbs we use for cuts and things in case we need them. If we're gone, the children help us with them."
"That's a good system." He nibbled another berry. "What do you usually do at night?"
"As the Chief says, I do women things." Star's Fire gave him a dirty look. "I sew sometimes. I have a blanket I've been working on for over a few winters. Patching the tent; mending my gear for my horse. You?"
"About the same only I don't sew too well. Our tribe needs more women so we can bribe them to do that." Eta laughed and nodded. "Do you do those things because of your preference for men? I don't mean to offend but I was wondering."
"No. My mother taught me when her fingers bent in a way that made them hurt to move. My father was one of those hunters who believed only his horse was his equal so I had to help her around our camping site." That got a nod and Star's Fire nibbled another berry. He grinned. "I have some water too if you want some. I know they're a bit sweet."
"It's good though." He grinned. Eta handed him the water skin. "Thank you."
"All you have to do is ask. I'm not mean, Star's Fire."
"I didn't figure you would be." He took another sip and handed it back with a small yawn. "Sorry but it's tiring being stolen. Would you mind if I rested?"
"Go ahead." He handed over some of the pillows and a tanned skin with the fur still on it. "Here, set yourself up there," he said with a point. Star's Fire gave him a gentle smile and settled down on top of the furs to sleep. Eta covered him with a lighter fur then settled in to nibble on berries while he worried. Star's Fire didn't seem too happy to be with him. He had no idea if that was normal for these sort of things.
Eta wished he had someone to ask that question to, and others so he could see what he was supposed to be talking about. He had no idea of any topics to talk about other than hunting and himself, and he doubted Star's Fire wanted to talk about either one. He settled down for his own rest. It was going to be a long month.
***
A few hours later Eta walked out of his tent for some air, sitting in front of it. A few of the older people in the tribe gave him dirty looks. "He's resting," he told them quietly. They smiled and one came over to pat him on the head. "What do you talk about?"
"Ask him about himself. That's what I did when your uncle stole my mate for me."
"Ask them what they like to eat as well. See if you can make it," a woman suggested. "It helped me a lot calming my husband down. He was even bouncier than you are." She patted him on the head again. "Do you have food stocked up?" He nodded, looking serious. "Good. Any family we should worry about?"
"Two brothers."
"We'll let you know when they appear. He looked cute, what I saw of him. Just relax and let him talk when he wants to. Treat him like you would an animal that was wounded that we wanted to keep." She walked off. "You should go back in so he doesn't wake alone."
Eta looked inside then at her. "He's fine. He's snoring." He looked at his aunt, who gave him a pitiful look back. "He's never even thought about another hunter as a toy to play with."
She smiled. "We loved you even though you have funny ideas about how to sew tents, Eta. He'll love you the same way we do once he gets to know you." She walked off. "Go back inside."
"Yes, Aunt." He walked back in and let the flap drop again. Maybe someone would come check on him so he could have someone to distract them. Would treating him like a shy, injured animal help some? He wasn't sure so he worked on his horse's saddle, not watching his mate sleep. It was really sweet for them to have stolen him someone so nice, cute, and smart. He'd do good for their tribe.
He frowned, hearing a noise outside his tent. "That's not a good sound." He grabbed his knife and hopped up, heading out there to capture the person sneaking into the camp. He pinned one, glaring at him. "Why are you raiding? We don't have any women who're a good age to take as mates."
"We came to take back the one you stole from us," he sneered.
The chief came jogging over. "Eta, let me." He looked at them, nodding. "It is our custom to get mates for our people that way. We're sorry if we offended you but which one are you here for?"
"The one my team got," Eta said quietly. "You can gladly talk to her, make sure of her decision. We knew that she was unmated. Were we wrong?"
"She's not some horse to steal," the male said hotly.
"No, we appreciate her much more than any beast and much more than another hunter. We don't have many women born each year." They snorted. "We do have some good hunters though." He waved a hand at the guards waiting to pounce them. "Enough. Let them talk to their tribe's daughter, see what her wishes are."
"Her mother wishes her back."
"She's old enough to make her own decision about who she's mated to," the chief reminded him. "This way, boys." He walked them to that tent, finding her outside smoothing down her hair. "Family of yours?" he asked kindly.
"My mother's family." She nodded at the one in the lead. "They let me choose between three young hunters who needed mates."
"We have many who could have you," he sneered.
"None that mother's not related to," she shot back. "That's why I hadn't had one yet, as is proper." She opened the tent flap. "The one I've chosen is inside if you wanted to talk to him. Mother would approve. He's a hunter and has proven himself worthy for three summers. He's younger," she said at the new sneer on her relative's face, "but he's smart and that can turn into wisdom some year with age." She let them inside, nodding at Eta. "You were right, he is a nice young man." She sat down next to her mate. "This is Beva. Beva, these are my mother's people. This is Tail Wind and that's Fire. My people choose their formal names during their manhood hunts."
He nodded politely. "I know it was odd of us to take her for me but we didn't think she'd mind once she got here. She seems to like me."
"How will you support her?" Tail Wind sneered.
"We farm during the warm months and hunt the rest of the time," he said calmly. "I've been on the food hunting teams now for three summers. I broke my leg in multiple places so it pushed back my manhood hunt," he said at the looks he was getting. "We had a flash flood and I went to help my sister across some of the slippery rocks. Unfortunately I fell so she didn't with her child."
He pointed around. "This is the mating tent. Where we talk for a month to get to know each other. We're not mean to her. She can leave anytime she wants, if she wants. There's other males here that could use a wife if she likes one more. I am not holding her against her will." He smiled at her. "Even if she does need to learn not to burn the rabbit."
She pinched him on the hand. "Hush. I was nervous."
Her uncles stared at her. "You don't mind this treatment?"
"He has been nothing but kind to me," she assured them. "He's treated me properly. He has not touched me, and won't be until I'm ready to mate with him. I sleep on one side of the tent and he gets another, like we do at home." She looked around then at them. "I have it cleaned up right now but I've been sleeping where he's sitting and he's been by the door to protect me. They treat me as necessary and needed."
Eta walked in with something. "Here. Treat them," he said quietly. She smiled and nibbled on a berry then handed it to them. "I dried those myself for hunting trips. They're very sweet and a good thing to talk over." He handed her the water skin too and walked off again. The chief put him back into his own tent and closed the flap with a muttered complaint as he walked off to talk to the young men. "Sorry, the last mate I got for the tribe has a mother's family who is not happy," he said quietly, sitting across from him.
"Some can be that way." His own would be he was sure.
"Her tribe treated her as a lesser being for being female. We'll treat her better. Even if he did say she burned the rabbit over the fire the other night." Star's Fire grinned at that. "I gave them some of the berries. That way she could eat one instead of yelling. I find it works well." He pushed the basket closer. "How long before I have to face down your brothers?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "It depends on how long they were getting nagged by the hunter in charge of our tribe before they followed." He nibbled on a berry. "I would like to watch you do this sometime." Eta grinned. "They're very good." He nibbled on another one then pushed the basket back. "Are we eating dinner in here?"
"We are. I have travel meat and I have a few other things, plus some freshly smoked meat I can make if you wanted fresh meat instead," he said quickly. Star's Fire pushed a berry into his mouth, earning a blush. "Sorry, I'm nervous. I know not how to talk to you."
"I'm not that hard to get to know, Eta. I'm a nice man. We can be friends for as long as I'm here. Consider me a visiting hunter."
"Then we wouldn't be tied in here."
"Good point." He heard a scream and got up to follow him, finding Eta jumping on the man carrying off the protesting woman by her hair. He went down and was injured. His clansman was knocked out. "Are they all right?" He pulled her up gently to look her over. "Do we need to find an herb cream for you?"
She shook, turning to find her mate there, hiding herself in his arms. "Just scared, thank you."
"Star's Fire. They decided I should mate with Eta even though I have no idea how that's done." She giggled, starting to relax.
"Can we tie them to their horses and send them home that way?" Eta asked his leader.
"Do so. We'll escort them back." They nodded. "Go back to your tents," he told them. The new couple walked off, him being very gentle with his new wife. He looked at Eta. "You as well."
"Leader...."
"Now. Star's Fire...." He waved a hand. He got a smile and a nod, taking him off. He looked up. "The Higher Beings must be happy with them." He let the hunters walk the two tied to their horses off. "Tell her people she'll bring him to meet her parents on the next new moon." They nodded, escorting them off. They didn't live that far away. The leader looked around.
"It appears she consented." The shaman smiled and went to talk to them. He backed out with a bright, happy grin, tying the tent closed before walking off to his own dinner. "That's a very good sign. Hopefully Star's Fire's people will not be as hard headed." He went back to his own dinner and mate. She would like the new wife in the tribe. The girl was sweet but a bit noisy. The younger boys had to be shooed off from their listening and giggling by the hunters patrolling the camp for more invaders.
Star's Fire sat down again. "My brothers will be mean that way but will not try to hurt you. Unless you try to stop them from getting to me."
"I'd only stop them if they tried to take you," he assured him. Star's Fire gave him a look. "Against your will."
"Thank you." He smiled. "Smoked meat?" Eta turned to dig some out of his padded area that he had dug under the ground to keep things cooler and safe from any sneaking animals. He handed some over then started a fire so they could warm it up. It was nice. The tent had good ventilation. The smoke wasn't overpowering and was heading out of the tent instead of staying inside. The meat was nicely fresh and tasted good. "Do you blood your kills or just remove the insides?"
"Both when I field dress them. The blood can spoil in the meat." He nibbled another bite. "There's bread somewhere if you want some. I can sneak out to get some. That's a skill I never mastered, baking bread."
"This is good. Maybe tomorrow so they don't think I'm mean to you," he said with a small smile.
Eta grinned. "They probably figure I'm driving you to the state where spirits talk to you instead of real people. I'm giving you a break so you can calm back down." He nibbled another bite, getting more comfortable on his pillow. He took a sip of water then handed it over, getting a nod of thanks since his mate's mouth was full. It was going to be a long night of eating instead of talking. He still had no idea what to talk about with this one. He had talked many men into his bed but this one he couldn't find the words for some reason.