Story 1. Chapter 3.

Nestled on a grassy bed Naomi, sat as the witch doctor checked her pulse, temperature and breathing rate.

Standard, okay maybe I'm in good hands but I don't want to drink his backyard medicines!

Naomi felt a little guilty in her heart for assuming she'd be given some nasty grasses or something. (Her fears were not unfounded.)

"Really, I think I just need to rest doctor" she gently whined leaning to Oren's body for support; admittedly trying to hide from whatever 'treatments' that would be prescribed.

Oren shook his head and shot Alan a glare over her tiny shoulders, as Naomi claimed she felt much better after arriving. Witch doctor Alan Insisted on a once over just to be certain, feeling her pulse once more.

"Hmmmm try to ensure plenty of soft meats, fruits and vegetables but not too much darker greens for now- she seems to have a little too much heavy metal in the blood.

A good rest will immediately help her well also, she is in good condition otherwise ."

Doctor Alan firmly instructed the pair ensuring to simultaneously nag Oren as the perceived mate in this situation.

While doctor Alan couldn't see any mate marks on Naomi, he rightly assumed it would be rude to ask- and a challenge towards Oren that he had no intention of making.

The pair were sent away with another lecture after Naomi was indeed made to drink a bitter concoction for her 'vitality' supposedly.

~

Outside, the sun was hanging lower in the sky, it was late afternoon by now. Wild crow birds cackled overheard, chatting as they flew- it was quiet for all else but the avians.

Oren had insisted once again on carrying his dark haired beauty- refusing to take no for an answer this time. Scooped her up into his embrace, he held the somewhat stunned woman against his chest.

I'm so close! This seems so much closer than a piggyback! Oh .....such a handsome face!

A rosy bloom momentarily crept up Naomi's chest and spread to her face and cheeks.

Oren was quite handsome; naughty thoughts started to creep into Naomi's mind as she peeked glances at his rugged good-looking face.

One day at a time! One thing at a time... I wonder if he even likes me like that?

Self-doubt dampening down her impatience.

Glancing away, Naomi couldn't help but feel a tinge of melancholy. Rejection hurts, betrayal hurts, abandonment hurts but she still wanted to hope too.

Sighing resolutely she tilted her gaze back to Oren's face to enquire softly

"Where are we going to sleep for the night?"

Naomi ultimately inquired, her flat tone indicating only tiredness.

"Oh don't worry too much about that I've already stayed with this Tribe many times before so I have my own place here.

There- one of the middle level trees, unfortunately it's not near the ground as you probably would have preferred" his honeyed timbre playfully replied Naomi's eyes bulged a bit.

Oren chuckled slightly after observing her anxious reaction to his comment.

And I'll get to hold you like this everyday now! secretly he was beaming inside.

~~~~~

Standing in front of one of the towering red wood looking trees, Oren pointed up to one veiled entrance;

"There will be our home during the stay here" he gently informed her, before holding Naomi tightly to his chest and gruffly instructing "don't wriggle out of my arms".

Then, in one Swift movement he bent his knees and powerfully leapt from standing, up in through the opening on the 'second floor.'

It was in fact three levels up Naomi noted, Oren considered the ground floor and then, first and second levels.

She began to worry a little realising unless Oren carried her up and down, Naomi would unfortunately not be able to leave nor return to the temporary accommodation.

Calm down, he likes me and probably wants to take care of me... phew this is just all a lot at once

Mentally attempting to reassure her frayed nerves.

When Oren leapt, Naomi automatically braced herself into his chest, squeezing her her eyes shut after having seen the drop below. Opening them only when she felt the thud of his feed land firmly, it felt as though her heart might come through her ribcage.

I can't believe he actually just cat leapt up to the second floor! That was almost a height of a of a two-story house!

Butterfly's tumbled around her stomach, the experience reminding her of a roller-coaster ride from childhood that left her jelly legged.

Opening her eyes to finally look around Naomi could see that the chamber in question was reasonably large maybe the size of two double rooms and appeared to have a small arched door cut into the back right hand side possibly leaning to a smaller room.

Apart from the door opening there were only two narrow slotted windows cut into the hollowed tree.

There was a large grass left bed covered with animal skins and roughly woven blankets; apart from the bed there was only a moderate pile of fruits accumulated off to one side.

It was simplistic and rustic to say the least, but dry, temperate and almost cozy.

The scent of woods and leaves was strong, carrying a mulchy kind of smell through the abode.

Still drinking in her surroundings, Naomi forgot she was still nestled in Oren's strong embrace, heartbeat settled once more. He felt excited with how at ease the lovely female was in his company now- this was first time he'd actively found himself attracted to a mate.

Interrupting her concentration, he diverted her attention to the fruits "Eat some of these fruits for the moment and rest, I will hunt in the meantime." His voice gentle as he carried her to the nest, gracefully placing her onto the furs.

Naomi was so tired and hungry now all she could do was agree, nodding at him in response. Her body missed the heat he radiated already, and she buried her legs under the coverings reaching for a banana looking fruit and some manner of berries.

~~~

Satisfied she was eating, Oren turned back towards the opening " I will fetch you water also, wait here safely a short while" he called over his shoulder. He was entirely confident she was safe in the nest as he would inly be along the outskirts of the tribes land a short while.

Oren, being in his mid-thirties would have been considered an older bachelor in most tribes (not for lack of female attention!). However he was also known for being temperamental preferring to fight or hunted in his down time rather than see the attention of 'exhausting' females.

It was no matter to him however, as he had already achieved a streak-less beast state and would always appear a bit younger and live a bit longer. His confidence was certainly well earned.

Naomi, having never witnessed a beastman's power was entirely ignorant of his strength status; she'd forgotten some of the particulars in those stories.

It was thankfully not too warm currently, and the humidity wasn't too high that particular day- it was still only mid-springtime.

However come next season, Oren knew the pair would have to travel north to spend the hot summer months.

Transforming into his lion beast he sprinted along, considering the next few weeks- someone else was skillfully observing the quiet nesting hole undetected by the powerful male.