strongholdrising by Lisanne Norman Read Free Book Online Page A

to be polite. In a few minutes, she'll find out the captain didn't send for her."

Jeran fought to keep his ears from folding sideways in anger. "I'm serious enough, but what business is it of..."

"Because if you aren't serious, then don't come with us. If she goes back alone, no one needs to know about you," said Sheeowl.

"Why's it so important that no one knows about me?" he demanded angrily. "I know she should have stayed on Home and taken her first mate rather than come on this mission, but..."

"She took you as a lover," said Mrowbay, licking his fingers. "That's the problem. Because of you, none of the males on Home will have her as a mate."

"That's ridiculous!" he exclaimed. "She told me you take lovers between mates!"

"Between," agreed Sheeowl, "but not before the first mating."

"I know that, but what difference does it make? I'm not even one of your people!" He stopped, eyes narrowing. "Or is that the problem?"

"That makes it worse," agreed Mrowbay, picking up another pastry.

"She'll be an outcast, Jeran," said Sheeowl. "Believe me, none of the males will take her as a mate. Ever."

Jeran looked from one to the other of them. Were they lying, saying this in an effort to persuade him to stay with his own people? "She said nothing to me about this, and she was the one who suggested I stay on the Profit with her."

"Is it worth the rest of her life?" asked Sheeowl.

"That's unfair, Sheeowl," said Mrowbay, glancing over at her. "You can't expect him to be responsible for her for that long. His people don't choose a partner for life any more than ours do."

"Look, I don't know what all this is about," said Jeran, beginning to get angry. "But if you think you're going to persuade me to leave her..."

"Not leave her," said Mrowbay. "She can't take you as a mate, but you can take her. Humans and Sholans do it, why not a U'Churian and a Sholan?"

"You want me to take her as a mate?" he asked incredulously. This was the exact opposite of what he'd expected.

"If she goes back with a mate, it would be seen differently," said Sheeowl. "Then she hasn't taken a lover, only chosen her first mate."

Puzzled, he again looked from one to the other. "But I'm still an alien."

Mrowbay sighed. "We're trying to tell you that alien isn't as big a problem as her not having a mate. It's a matter of her honor. If you come back to Home with us and you aren't her mate, then obviously you care nothing for her honor. As for being alien," he shrugged. "You're so like us, most people won't see you as alien. Except for the color of your pelt, you could pass as one of us."

"Giyesh should have told me," he muttered.

"She wouldn't," said Sheeowl. "She's young, but she's a good taiban. She wouldn't want to put pressure on you to do anything you didn't want to do. It's up to us as her family to look out for her."

"Your people have a contract for mixed matings," said Mrowbay. "Must have. Look how many have Human mates."

"Bondings, and not all get bonded," murmured Jeran, not sure this was what either he or Giyesh wanted.

"Kaid is. Byrnne too."

"Rezac and Jo aren't," he countered. "Bondings are a legal and social contract for those wishing to share their cubs, nothing more."

Sheeowl snorted derisively. "Rezac and Jo would bond instantly if given the chance!"

"If they did, it would only be because they're expecting a cub. There isn't anyone here who can conduct bondings anyway."

"Any of the Brothers currently attached to the religious side of your Brotherhood can. I asked."

Jeran began to growl as he got to his feet. He'd had enough of them sticking their noses into his business.

Abruptly Sheeowl rose too. "I'll see you later," she said as Mrowbay reached out to catch Jeran's arm and prevent him leaving.

"Jeran, wait," the U'Churian medic said. "We'll talk now she's gone."

"I think you've already said more than enough," he snarled, really irritated now. He objected to being put on the spot like this by them.

"Not yet. You spent months