Fear of the Mating Moon

SAMANTHA

It was the morning of the Mating Moon when, Jaecar, the fiercest of the Border Guards, waited for me outside my hut as he often did.

I met him there. After all these years, I was unafraid of him despite his intimidating air and athletic build.

He had shining black hair and defined muscles tightly winding his body under his leather tunic and breeches. Usual dagger resting in its hip scabbard.

He’d never given me cause for concern. Despite that I knew the males looked at him nervously.

Why wouldn't they?

He’d outmaneuvered them often enough in the trial rings. The only real competition for our young Alpha, Draven.

“Let me see.” He held out his hand impatiently.

My sketchbook.

It wasn’t a question.

I handed it over, as I always did. Glad to share my work with him.

He always wanted to see what new scribbles I’d done.

“I