The Alpha's Wayward Mate

The pair traveled on Mavericks horse Titus. He wouldn't admit that it was due to him not wanting to let her out of his sight, but that's exactly the reason he suggested it. Also, to let her horse become comfortable walking on its foot without the rock. Scarlett didn't argue

Maverick wrapped the fur he carried around her as she settled against him quickly enough.

While Maverick guided the horses down the path, Scarlett contemplated the turn of events that had just transpired.

She sighed, knowing that there was no escape for her now. He found her, and he wouldn't let her go again that easily. Besides, she knew the longer they spent together the stronger their bond would become.

Instead of dwelling on what could have been, Scarlett decided to dwell on what might be. She was curious to know what his home was like if she was to reside there in the future.

"What is your homeland like, and your family?"

Maverick looked down at her soft-spoken question as the steed shifted beneath them in a lazy gate. With the other one tied to the saddle.

"My home is a little rougher than yours, but I always felt I came from loving parents and relatives. My mother is actually one of you originally and, of course, you know my father was from the desert tribe."

Scarlett perked up at hearing this. She would have another forest dweller in the family. It would be nice to have someone to reminisce about the good old days.

Maverick felt the shift in her mood at hearing his mother was one of her kind. He knew it would be rough at first, but eventually she would settle in and make a home with him.

He continued to talk about his family and friends as they journeyed till they would meet up with his comrades.

After some time of traveling, the sun started to set, and he knew it was time to settle down for the night.

Once he helped Scarlett get down from the horse and set her down, Maverick went about making camp for them by collecting dinner to eat.

As he went off to hunt, Scarlett did not just sit and wait around. She wanted to be useful, so she went and collected wood. All the while she couldn't stop her mind from racing. 'Is he going to consummate our bond tonight?'

Scarlett tried to keep herself busy so she would not fret too much over it. The idea didn't seem so horrible, but the man was much larger than her. He might crush her. Scarlett pondered these questions and thoughts as she collected enough wood to make a small fire.

She had just finished putting the last load on when Maverick came back. He seemed impressed with her work and said as much, making Scarlett blush.

Maverick had not noticed it, thankfully, because he had turned away to clean the dinner so they could stick it to roast over the fire.

Scarlett walked over to see what he found for dinner. It looked like he had found water and speared a couple of catfish.

She felt her stomach rumble at the thought of something other than bread or cheese. She walked over and grabbed the food anyway so they would be nice and full when they fell asleep.

Maverick smiled at her as she walked over and showed him the stuff she had packed for her travels.

"That is good. We will have extra full bellies." He turned his eyes to clean the fish off before he was going to skewer it and stick the other ends in the ground.

Once that was completed, he sat down next to Scarlett, who had found a tree stump to settle against near enough to the fire but far enough away not to be cold.

"It is a good thing you know how to survive the wilderness." Maverick teased her gently.

Scarlett blushed at his gentle teasing. "I must admit I am not very skilled at hunting, but I know how to live off the land. I can find roots, berries and other edible things."

Hearing her words, Maverick felt impressed that she was so knowledgeable about those things. He believed she had grown up sheltered and privileged as many of the forest people did. His mother used to tell him stories about where she grew up. He had visited his grandparents there occasionally until they passed away a few years ago.

Maverick didn't understand the prejudice of his tribe. He had never grown up in a loving, nurturing family and never experienced such things until encouraging her family.

Maverick didn't want to pry too much about the subject, knowing it was probably still a sour topic for her to discuss, so he tried to stear clear of that conversation until she was ready to open up to him.

Once the fish had been cooked fully, they enjoyed it along with a chunk of cheese and bread. Maverick had refilled their flasks of water at the river he had caught the fish in so they had something to drink. After they fished the fish, they threw the bones in the bushes away from the camp so wild animals would not come try to invade their space. The fire helped as well with that.

Scarlett began to feel sleepy and as she began to doze she heard a soft chuckle near her.

"I believe it is time to head to sleep." Maverick murmured softly near her ear. He watched as Scarlett tensed up slightly at his suggestion that they lay down to sleep.

He could feel through their forming bond that she was nervous. Maverick quickly reassured her. "It is only too sleepy. I promise. I won't do anything with you until you are ready, my mate." He spoke softly as he guided Scarlett to the bedding so they could lay down and rest.

Scarlett felt surprise run through her as he whispered his promise to let her become accustomed to him and their bond in her own time. She felt immensely grateful and for his consideration.

They lay down under the coverings, and it did not take long for either to fall asleep quickly. Maverick kept his word and they only slept through the night side by side snuggled up for body heat.

They stayed that way till the dawn peaked over the horizon issuing in a new day.

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