Chapter 8 the hunt begins

    Aurelia found it odd to have any man sleep in her room. Even if that same man was technically her future husband. Zinjo did not try to force his way into her bed, even though a  part of Aurelia desperately wanted him to. To fill the long awkward silences she asked the gorgeous man about his life. 

   “Why do you think the Hyena man attacked my mother?” she asked. Aurelia spent much of her time trying to divine their purpose but lack of information saw her come up empty.

    Zinjo laid out a bedroll for himself next to the fire, “It will depend greatly on how many more remain. If this is indeed an isolated incident, we can close the book on it.”

   “And if not?”

   “The hyenas are like the lions, if it serves the whole tribe, then it is an action worth taking.”

   “You think there is more?”

   “I smelled many different hyenas on the dead one. The scent was fresh too.”

   Aurelia came and sat by the fire next to Zinjo, who in the space of a day, had stolen her heart. She leaned against his warm body and sighed in content, “Do you have any idea where they might be?”

   A strong arm wrapped around her and a soft purr escaped Zinjos voice. Aurelia loved the sound and allowed a single hand to caress his face. “The hyenas would never move or hunt in another clan's territory without permission. Which is why I think we should start with traders and merchants, it is how I found you.”

   “Do you think we'll fall in love?” Aurelia's face turned the color of beets and she instinctively pulled away from her strong companion. His arms pulled her back with ease.

   “Aurelia, if I believed there was no chance of things working between us I would've left by now. None of us knows what the next season will bring, all we can do is make the best of the one we are in,” before Aurelia could respond his lips were on his again. The softness and care he put into the action, awoke a primal part of Aurelia's mind. She tackled Zinjo down and straddled him. 

   Her breaths grew deep, and her hands slowly moved down his chest before she returned the kiss. It lasted for several moments before Aurelia recovered her senses. “I'm sorry, I should've asked.”

   “Do not be sorry. I enjoyed it.” He pulled her back down to him, and she felt so small in his arms. “Mates should show each other affection.”

   Next to his spicy smell and the warmth of his body, Aurelia felt tired and yawned. Lead weights attached themselves to her eyelids, “I can't wait to show you the marketplace. You will get a kick out of it.” Before she could say another word ripped her from the land of the awake and into the world of dreams.

        

    The queen greeted them both warmly as they entered the main dining area for breakfast. She wore a gaudy purple robe and a gown that hugged her slight form. She embraced Zinjo and Aurelia, I have to say you two make a handsome couple. What's on the agenda for today?” She motioned for the couple to take a seat.

  Zinjo sat in silence, and whispered something to the servant who nodded and left the room, “Old business,” the words were simple yet confusing in the same breath. 

  “Our people have learned more than a few things about our attacker,” The queen scraped off her toast with a knife. 

    Aurelia followed suit, and Zinjo waited, “Is there something wrong?”

    “In lion society, the young eat first always, because they are the future. I was waiting to make sure no children were waiting.”

   “You need not worry about that here. Each family is responsible for their children,” The queen all but dismissed the young warrior's words. 

   “All children matter,” The words blasted from his lips amid a small growl.

   Aurelia didn't care what her mother thought, she sided with Zinjo, “I think the thought is very sweet, to be honest.”

    The queen sighed and set her toast on the table. She rang for a servant to come and speak to her, “Basil, please make sure all the children of the servants are fed properly this morning.”

   “Is there a reason why?”

   “Our foreign guest wishes it to be so.”

   “Very well, your majesty I will see it done.”

    With that small piece of business out of the way, Zinjo took a modest helping and ate slowly, “I am sorry if my customs offended you Pride Mother.”

  Sophie put her hand on Zinjo’sand smiled. Aurelia scowled at the older woman, “No Zinjo, I am sorry. What you say makes sense. I will try to remember about the children.”

   Zinjo nodded and went, “Hmmm.” He ate a piece of meat, “Do you have many enemies, Pride Mother?”

   Aurelia shook her head, “Shadowfen is a neutral country and we only involve ourselves with others when it is necessary.”

    “Enemies exist whether we know about them or not,” Zinjo replied indifferently. 

    “Speaking of enemies, what is the plan for you two today?” Sophie asked. 

    Aurelia squeezed her future husband's muscular arm and smiled, “Zinjo thinks we should sniff around the markets for information. He thinks the hyena wasn't alone.”

   “The hyenas are good at trading and commerce. They made contact with the humans before we did,” Respect, Zinjo spoke about them with respect. 

  The queen nodded, “I think that is an excellent place to start. I know a few seedy traders who would make deals with people like the Hyenas.”

   Aurelia put her hands on her head and slunk down in her chair, “Mother you sound pretty ignorant right now.”

   “Well it's not like someone gave me a manual on how to deal with lycanthropic tribes, it's going to take a minute or two to get used to it.”

   Zinjo put his arms around Aurelia and kissed the top of her head, “It is fine. I am unused to your customs as well. As long as we don't languish in ignorance we will be okay.”

    Aurelia wiped her mouth and put her napkin on the plate, “We should get going.”

   Zinjo followed suit, “Do not worry, your daughter will be safe.”

   Sophie nodded and even looked a little sad. “Be back in time for lunch you two.”