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Chapter 19

Kel sat in a chair between Hris and Inden, watching in amusement as Keeno attempted to style Wynn's long black mane. After taking Wynn and Inden to see the large public gardens, Kel brought them to the modest home Enya and Yuri shared, only to find Keeno and Zalia there. Yuri had retreated for a private moment, but Enya was sitting on the deerskins beside the fire, laughing at her father's antics.

Zalia was sitting beside Enya and she was laughing too, her small paw resting on the bosom that jiggled behind her deep blue shawl with every laugh. Kel was glad to see her laughing. He knew her outburst the other day had really upset Keeno, who chased her down the street until he caught up to her. He grabbed her and held her tight. She sobbed brokenly, and they fell to their knees together. Keeno knelt holding his wife in the dirt, rocking her, shushing her, and Kel stood over them, touching their heads sadly.

What he wouldn't give to go back in time, change what happened that day. Everyone kept telling him Sion was dead the moment the mark of the lone wolf was burned on his forehead, that he would never be able to return to the summer village - or any village -- but Kel believed he could have helped him . . . somehow. Plenty of wolves traveled in nomadic tribes. Maybe they could have helped Sion find one that would take him . . .

Kel sighed and decided to stop agonizing over it. He swirled the dark brown liquid in his cup and took a sip. It was herbal tea Enya had brewed, made with the fresh herbs from Roan's garden. Kel smiled: Roan as so proud of his garden. Earlier that morning, before he took Wynn and Inden to the gardens, he took them to see Roan and Theo for a late brunch. After the sumptuous meal - prepared by Theo with Roan's freshly grown strawberries -- Roan happily showed his grandfather the little garden he was beginning in their backyard. Kel knew he was more interested in Roan developing skills as a warrior (so that fights on patrol would not result in twisted limbs for him again). But he smiled and pretended to take an interest in the garden, even complimenting Roan's flowers until his grandson beamed.

"Uncle Keeeeno!" Wynn wailed.

Kel looked over and smiled: Keeno had laughingly dragged Wynn's black tresses down over her face. She fumbled to shove her mane back and playfully hit Keeno with the flats of her little paws.

Keeno only shielded himself and laughed. "As bad as Aunty Zalia," he teased. "Hitting me just like her! But at least you use open paws. Zalia uses her fists."

Zalia balled her fist up. "Knuckles hurt more." She smiled prettily at her husband. "Don't they, Keeno?"

Keeno laughed dryly.

"Hey, has Uncle Kilyan taught you anything?" Enya said, studying Wynn curiously. "I mean how to defend yourself. I won't ask if Lea or Ohana did. They don't know how to fight."

Keeno laughed weakly, shoving a paw back through his mane. "You want to teach her to fight? She can already punch holes through walls!"

Zalia waved dismissively. "It won't mean a thing if she swings and misses. And what if she has to fight another shemale someday? Ever think of that?"

"No," Keeno said darkly to the fire. He wrapped Wynn in his arm and pulled her close. "I don't want to think of her ever having to fight anyone." He kissed Wynn on the head, and she smiled at him happily. "She'll always be safe with Uncle Kee around."

Enya laughed. "You said the same thing about me. If Mom hadn't taught me to hit like I mean it, I wouldn't have escaped the Secret Valley!"

"I would have saved you," Keeno said, almost sullenly. He flattened his ears.

Enya laughed at her father's sulking. She looked at Wynn and held up her paws. "Here, kid. Practice hitting a target - not with full strength," she added when Wynn perked up. "I enjoy having paws that aren't mush."

Wynn smiled sheepishly, and Kel knew she was thinking guiltily of the fork, vase, two dishes, chair, and doorknob she had broken in only the last two days. Kel asked Kilyan why she was so prone to destruction: Avi had stayed in the summer village a long time without breaking so much as a toothpick. Kilyan explained that younger shemales had difficulty controlling their strength. Wynn would learn as she grew older. . . . hopefully.

"Now, don't hit her too hard," Zalia softly scolded.

Wynn's ears flattened irritably. Her pink tongue was sticking from the corner of her mouth as she looked at Enya's palms. "I know, Aunty, I know!"

"A quick jab," Enya instructed. "Straight and fast - ouch!"

Wynn swung and hit Enya's paw. Everyone tensed as Enya grimaced and shook it.

"Are you alright!" Zalia cried, smoothing down Enya's tan curls.

Wynn watched her cousin miserably. "Did I hurtcha?"

Enya suddenly grinned. "A little. But that's a good thing. Just hold back that shemale strength a bit more." She held up her paws. "Come at me again."

"Enya," Zalia begged, suddenly anxious, "this is dangerous - she could hurt you!"

"Oh, now you listen to me," Keeno said, shaking his head.

Zalia ignored her husband, watching Wynn with frightened blue eyes. Wynn swung - so hard that she lunged forward. The two girls went down in a heap and Enya cried out. Zalia screamed in horror - but her horror quickly turned to relief when she realized Enya had pretended to be tackled. Wynn lay on top of her cousin, giggling shrilly as she tickled her.

"Hit me, will you!" Enya cried, laughing as well. "I'll get you!"

Wynn scrambled up, skinny legs and arms untangling. "Can't catch me!" she squeaked, flying through the house. Her long mane and tail streamed behind her. She leapt over a low stool, tripped clumsily, and caught herself, flying breathlessly around the room.

Enya chased her.

"No running in the house!" Zalia shouted as the girls bounced around. "Tch. Where's a broom when I need it?"

Keeno laughed. "Zalia! It's her house!"

Yuri entered the room from the hall and Wynn slammed into her belly. Yuri caught her with a laugh and held her. Wynn closed her eyes and hugged Yuri tight, breathless with giggles. Kel watched with a small smile as Enya came to them and stroked Wynn's long black mane.

"They'll be good parents one day," Hris said. He, too, was watching Enya and Yuri.

Kel glanced at Hris over his tea. "Enya doesn't want children."

"But Yuri does." Hris looked at Kel curiously. "What are you doing here, Kel?" He smiled slowly. "Arguing with Zaldon again?"

Kel quickly averted his eyes and drank his tea. He hated it when Hris laughed at him.

"Whatever happened," went on Hris, "you won't resolve your problems by hiding from each other." He nodded at Inden. "You'd do good to remember that, boy. When you marry that little girl over there."

"Yes, sir," Inden said humbly. He folded his wings up tighter and fumbled nervously with the little cup of tea in his paws. But his dark eyes found Wynn and they softened as he watched her. She had taken Enya and Yuri's paws, and they were playfully lifting her up as Zalia looked on and scolded, as Keeno looked on and laughed.

"Don't rip her arms out the sockets!" Keeno shouted cheerfully.

"She might rip out theirs," Zalia added. She folded her arms and shook her head disapprovingly.

"You've been here all day," Hris went on. "Whatever happened between you and Zaldon . . . it must be serious."

Kel glanced uncomfortably at Inden. After a moment's reflection, he was suddenly glad Inden was sitting there. With the boy within earshot, Hris would not pursue the conversation if Kel asked him not to. He looked at Hris and told him to mind his own business. He was glad when Hris laughed but didn't push the matter.

". . . and Yuri taught me ta dance!" Wynn was telling Keeno happily. She rocked back and forth, twisting her shoulders and smiling goofily.

"Alright," Keeno said, amused. "Let's see it!" He looked over at Inden, and Kel groaned inside. "Inden! Come'ere, kid."

Setting his teacup on the end table, Inden rose at once and came awkwardly to Wynn. Wynn looked up at him with fluttering lashes and bit her lip. She had been boasting only a moment before, but now she looked shy and uncertain. Enya gave her a playful poke in the back, and she stumbled into Inden. The young boy caught her, and they smiled into each other's eyes.

Watching as the children faced each other, Kel reflected that the boy was a few years older than Wynn. He would have his mating season earlier than her, perhaps even take a wife before Wynn. But it was more than likely the council would allow Inden to wait for Wynn if he wanted to. He was considered invaluable by Chief Misae, who honored the shemales as the mothers of all wolves and believed that Inden - because his tribe had possessed wings - was related to the shemales.

With all eyes on them, Inden nervously placed his paw on the small of Wynn's back. Wynn stood on his feet, and they began to dance in slow circles.

"We incorporated a little grinding in my day," Keeno joked.

"Keeno!" Zalia scolded. She looked at Wynn and Inden again, smiling mistily as she watched them.

Keeno watched Zalia just as fondly. He took her paw and kissed it. Zalia smiled at her husband. With soft eyes, he placed his arm around her and she rested her head on his shoulder. Kel saw Keeno lean close and whisper something in Zalia's ear that made her giggle. Given the mischievous look in her eye, he knew his son-in-law was probably talking dirty to his daughter.

Enya and Yuri were watching Wynn and Inden dreamily. Enya had her arm around Yuri. Behind them on a shelf stood a wooden lute, and Yuri waved her paw toward it. A splash of light, and the lute began to play by itself. Yuri smiled at Enya, and completely absorbed in each other, they began to dance. It wasn't long before Keeno and Zalia joined the dancing.

Hris looked at Kel. "Care to take a turn?" he joked.

Kel smiled and set his teacup beside Inden's. "Come on," he said, jerking his head at the door. "Let's go outside. And then you can lecture me about Zaldon in private."

Hris laughed.

Being the only ones without dance partners, the two males quietly left through the front door. Outside, afternoon was fading away to evening. Over at Zaldon's house, Julyan would be preparing supper. Or perhaps Aliona. They'd been taking turns.

Kel sat on the step, wondering what Zaldon and Aliona were doing. He hadn't been able to really speak at either of them for his guilt. When they awoke in the morning, he kissed Aliona as he always did. And Zaldon kissed him, as he always did. But there was still that tension.

After all, last night had not been the first night Zaldon and Lynny argued about Kel. Zaldon had bickered with his brother over the years, constantly reminding Lynny that one day, he was going to wind up hurting his wife. Lynny heeded Zaldon's warnings for seventeen long years . . . though Kel often caught him watching his backside with lust and soft longing. Zaldon caught Lynny looking too and bickered with him every time.

Last night was the first time they had ever come to blows, however. Kel couldn't get the image out of his head: Zaldon and Lynny striking each other! It was something he'd never seen before. Something he never wanted to see again.

Sitting with Hris on the step, Kel told him what had happened the night before. Hris listened with a sympathetic frown, and Kel ended the explanation with a heavy sigh. He felt Hris' comforting paw pat his back and smiled sadly: Hris had always been a big brother to him, Yzlo, and Loryn. Even Zaldon at times.

"It sounds like Lynny is in love with you."

"What!" Kel said miserably.

"Some time away from you is all he needs. I know he and Idella once discussed moving to the summer village, but it's probably best if Lynny stays far away."

Kel nodded glumly. He knew Lynny staying away was something he probably already had planned. Especially now that Idella knew the truth. She had walked in the room with her sad eyes, and it was at once clear that she knew what the argument was about. Maybe she had always known. Kel hoped not. The idea of her suffering in silence for years . . . was horrendous. And he knew he was partly to blame. Those times he was with Lynny, he could have said no. He could have pushed him away.

"I know that frown," Hris said. His dark eyes watched Kel fondly. "Stop beating yourself up, Kel. Maybe if Gurwin hadn't wasted his every breath telling you tail chasers were weak sissies, you wouldn't have been walking around with your pent up desires. Once you came out . . . you needed to explore the freedom of being with males. It was a side of yourself you never got to explore, and Lynny helped you explore. I imagine it was the same with Aliona and Kira when they were together last year . . ."

Kel suddenly scowled. "Loryn has been talking to you again."

Hris chuckled. "Oh yes."

They fell silent as Yaholo and Kuza came toward them up the street. They were walking paw in paw, chatting happily. Handsome Yaholo had his staff and rested it on his shoulder as he walked, never noticing the appreciative stares of the sun wolves who passed him. He looked up when he and Kuza were still at a distance and grinned, waving in greeting to his father.

Hris grinned and waved back.

Yaholo looked at Kuza again, then stopped him in the street and kissed him tenderly.

"That's m'boy," chuckled Hris.

"Look how happy and healthy Yaholo is," Kel said, shaking his head. "Unafraid to express himself, to be who he is. If I had not been raised in fear, Lynny would not have happened. Perhaps I would have always been with Zaldon . . . Perhaps I would have dropped some balls and left the summer village with Zaldon and Aliona before Kilyan was even born!" He bit his lip sadly.

Hris clapped Kel on the back. "Life is too short for regrets and what ifs, boy. You've got Zaldon and Aliona now. That's what matters."

Yaholo and Kuza stopped kissing and made their way up the street again, once again walking paw in paw.

"Where have they been all day anyway?" Kel wondered.

"They met Roan and Theo at the public baths."

Kel's mouth fell open. "What the hell was my grandchild doing in a public bath?"

"Probably getting his dick sucked."

"Hris!"

Hris laughed. "I'm joking, I'm joking . . . though I'm probably right. Some wolves go there to relax and get massages, I'm told. Loryn plans to go with Kira after the wedding. I wish Cohoma had come. We could have gone together. Would've been fun to whip his ass with a towel."

Kel laughed lightly. "Why didn't he come?"

"You know why: he's a river wolf. He and Fedesda are the protectors of their tribe: they can't leave. Even if they wanted to. And they don't. Right at this moment, they're probably healing the sick or fending off nymphs or something, blessing fishing nets and spears, and all that crap. One day, Yaholo will take on the burden, and then he will no longer be able to travel. I told him he'd better see the world now, while he's got the chance."

Kel nodded. "I wish I'd let Kilyan see the world. When he was a boy, something terrible happened, and I . . . never forgave myself. Zaldon wanted him to come to the sun village to visit - even after we stopped seeing each other. But I said no."

Hris nodded, knowing it was better not to say anything. He knew what Kel was referring to: the time he and Kilyan were raped by a lone wolf, just outside the winter village.

As Yaholo and Kuza drew closer, Hris felt the pouch around his neck pulse warm. In the pouch was a smooth blue stone. Yaholo was carrying an identical one in a pouch around his throat, never dreaming that the stone actually allowed Hris to know where he was at all times: Yaholo had not told his father where he and Kuza were going that day. The stones were Fedesda's idea. She was terrified something would happen to Yaholo and that he would not come back, so when Hris gave Yaholo the blue stone as a gift, she created a duplicate, which acted as a locator.

"Hey, hey," Hris said happily when Kuza and his son stopped before them. He and Kel stood. "Did the lovebirds have a nice date?"

"Dad," Yaholo moaned. "We went to the market. . . ."

Hris smiled: a blatant lie. "And didn't buy anything?" he said at once, ignoring Kel's frown. "Where are the trade beads I gave you?"

Yaholo shifted uncomfortably.

"Why didn't you buy something lovely for your lovely?"

Kuza blushed.

Before Hris could continue making Yaholo squirm - and before Kel could blow it by asking about the baths - Wynn burst through the door and hopped down the step.

"Grampie!" she squealed, latching to Kel's back.

Kel laughed as her skinny arms locked around his throat. She squeezed tighter, accidentally sealing off his air. He gagged and she sheepishly loosened her grip, as behind them, Keeno, Zalia, and the others crowded the door.

"It should be time for supper at Zaldon's," Keeno said.

Indeed, the sun was going down.

Keeno jerked his chin at Yaholo. "Welcome back, you two."

Yaholo grinned, glad for the momentary distraction. "Hey, Keeno. Inden," he said, nodding at the boy.

Standing at the top of the step, Inden nodded seriously in return.

"Come on," Enya complained, pulling Yuri after her. "I'm starving!"

Yuri glanced back and shrugged helplessly as she was pulled on, mane and breasts bouncing.

Keeno laughed. "Look, Zalia," he said to his wife. "It's already begun: she yanks Yuri around the way you yank me."

Zalia elbowed her husband playfully - then dragged him down the steps in perfect mimicry of her daughter.

"Alright, alright!" Keeno laughed, and Zalia let go.

Kel started off after Enya and Yuri, Wynn on his back and Zalia at his side. He could hear Hris behind him, chatting with Keeno and Yaholo about the sun village and its wonderful market. Every now and then, Kuza and Inden joined the conversation. Inden sounded humble and shy as ever, but Kuza sounded nervous. It was clear to Kel that Yaholo had been lying about going to the market. Hris was pretending that he didn't know: he was toying with him. He smiled as he waited for Hris to bring down the reality axe.

". . . don't want liver and onions again," Enya was complaining as she walked ahead with Yuri.

Yuri slipped her arm in Enya's. "If that's what Amrosa serves again, just grin and bear it. Then when we get home, I'll cook you something better."

Enya groaned and Kel smiled: Enya would be waiting a long time for Yuri's cooking. The family always sat around the sitting room after supper, talking for hours at a time.

"Dad?"

Kel looked up. Zalia was watching him a little anxiously. "What is it, my daughter?" he said in the voice that always soothed her. And it did.

Zalia smiled, relieved. "Nothing. You just looked a little upset when you came over today."

Kel was silently grateful she did not know about Zaldon and Lynny's fight of the night before. She and Keeno were staying at Yuri and Enya's and would be none the wiser. Thankfully, Kilyan had not told Keeno that morning as they were pup sitting. They probably couldn't even hear each other over Mio's screaming.

"Why should I be upset? My grandchildren are getting married! I have a beautiful granddaughter --" Kel playfully bounced Wynn on his back and she giggled, "--and a beautiful daughter," he said, touching Zalia's face.

Zalia's lashes fanned down happily as her father touched her cheek.

"I am surrounded by warmth and love," Kel went on softly, happily. "I . . . am the _luckiest_male in the world."