Page 102 of Blood Fist

The horse snorted softly, ears flicking toward Corric as if he were the one being presented.

“But how did you catch him?” Corric asked breathlessly.

Brune wondered that, too. The Crushed Crystal horses were notoriously skittish, wary of anything that wasn’t their own herd. Chiefs and Kings had come in droves trying to catch the horses for their own stable, only to come back empty handed.

Blushing softly, Jonen ducked his head. “I got the rope around his neck, but he dragged me. For miles, but I refused to let go, and he refused to let me get closer. Until uh…I-I started talking to him.”

Corric dragged his eyes off the horse to look at Jonen. “Talking to him?”

Taking a big breath, the small alpha lifted his head. “I told him about you. How his beauty pales in comparison to yours. How you were the smartest, kindest,strongest man I’d ever met.” Jonen’s voice was quiet, and he glanced up at Ridan.

When Brune followed his gaze, he saw Ridan gesture at Jonen to keep going.

“I told him he was no prize to be owned by man, but if there were ever a rider who was his match, it was you. Together, there was no mountain you could not climb or enemy you couldn’t slay.”

Corric’s eyes were wet. “And he came with you?”

“Oh, no.” Jonen shook his head. “He kicked me. Twice.”

Brune winced in sympathy.

Heavy silence lingered between the two. Corric looked like he didn’t know what to say and Jonen was struggling to convey what it was he wanted. Which, Brune supposed, was fair. The man did get beaten up by a horse.

“Corric, I Jonen Bright Fur, am asking for the honor of courting yo—oh.” His eyes widened, and he glanced over Corric’s shoulder to look at Ridan. “I should ask Ridan, I mean Chief Oldsun, for permission first.”

“He accepts,” Corric cut him off without looking back at his Chief.

Ridan grumbled in his chair, “No respect.”as he grinned behind his mug.

Faced with Corric’s clear excitement, Jonen seemed more confident. Endearments and compliments spilled from his stuttering lips, an impressive list if Brune was any sort of judge.

Corric was smiling fondly until Jonen repeated ‘ethereal’ for the third time. “You broke your arm,” he pointed out.

“Oh.” Jonen glanced down at his mangled limb as if he just now remembered it. “I’d break all my bones foryou, Corric!” he paled when he realizes how that might sound. “No, what I mean is, well yes, obviously I would do anything for you. I love you and no price is too high. Not that I think you’re expensive! Or not worth it. You’re just so much be?—”

Corric silenced him by sliding his hands over his cheeks, holding him with a reverent gentleness that Jonen sank into. He was taller by a few inches, leaning over Jonen as his fingers tangled in dirty curls. Corric pressed his forehead to Jonen’s.

“Hush, my alpha.”

Then he kissed him.

Petal pink lips pressed against chapped, and fully cheeks brushed against a sleek jawline. Jonen sighed softly as his arms slipped around Corric’s waist, pulling him closer. Even from where he was sitting, Brune could hear the omega purring.

Jonen pulled away, hands still gripping Corric like he might disappear at any moment. “I know I don’t deserve you, Corric. But I also know that I love you, and I don’t want to live without you by my side.” He glanced over at Brune for a brief moment before looking back up at his omega. “And recently I was reminded that I don’t need to protect you. You are more than capable of making your own decisions. So, with that in mind…” Jonen stepped back and offered the lead to the magnificent horse to Corric.

“I, Jonen Bright Fur, humbly ask you before our clan for the right to court you, Corric Tylock.”

He’d barely finished his sentence before Corric plucked the lead from his fingers and dragged him back in for another kiss. This one was violent, searing. It sparkled and popped more than the dying embers in the fire, casting shadows along the planes of their joinedfaces. There was no question lingering between their lips.

A roar went up, cheers so loud those who had fallen asleep jerked awake. Someone started playing music again, and Sehleh rushed forward to wrap them both in a huge hug. Her smile was blinding despite the tears raining down her face.

Ridan stood up. With just a look, the celebration stilled. Everyone in camp staring at his stern face. After all, he had the power to deny the courtship. He crossed his arms, one eyebrow raised as he looked down at his pack.

“It’s about damn time.” His words brought a fresh wave of cheers.

While the rest of the clan bombarded the happy couple, Brune watched Ridan. The moment the attention was off him, his face dropped. He stared into his cup before finishing the contents, tossing the mug back onto his fur covered chair before disappearing into the darkness.

Brune lost sight of him as he was pulled into the mob. He was distracted until he managed to end up beside Jonen. He pulled his fellow alpha into a hug.