Bitterroot Valley Exit, Pursued by a Bruised Ego

sega huffed a breath through his nose, the sound low and amused, even as he kept his stride steady beside callahan. the question wasn’t as unrelated as the man claimed, but sega didn’t call him on it. curiosity was good. it meant he wanted to understand the place he walked into.

he shifted the elk’s weight on his jaws before answering.

hn. chief’s mate called sunwife, he said, voice rough but sure. she stand beside leader. guide with him. warm heart of band.

another step, another drag of the carcass through grass.

sunwife not lower, he added, glancing at callahan. equal. light of camp.

a brief flicker of something softened his eyes before he looked ahead again.

only strong, good woman fit that place.

then, with a quiet rumble that might have been humor, and chief must earn her. not other way.