Hunting Camp

The world was swaying again. Misty opened her eyes. Giant palm trees blocked out the sun. Under the canopy, short shrubs kept the ground from being completely barren.

She could hear the soft rustling of brush as the forest rushed past. Strong arms hooked under her legs and around her back. She looked up at her rescuer.

She could see the underside of his strong sharp jaw. The veins in his neck shifted and she could feel his naked chest and arm muscle flex as he darted down the narrow path. She pushed her hand on his chest and dark eyes met her own.

The man grinned down at her. His gleaming teeth were almost too dazzling and Misty could practically see a gleaming halo surrounding him. He tightened his arms and leaped over a fallen tree.

She gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from falling. The man chuckled and came to a stop in a small clearing. In front of her was the biggest and widest palm tree she had ever seen.

He let go of her legs and Misty dropped to the ground. She held onto him tightly to steady herself. His face was too close and Misty felt her cheeks burn she pressed against him. She jumped back the moment she was sure she wouldn't fall.

"You're awake." He growled. Misty stared up at him. His eyes were dark and his nose sharp. The heavy brow and long lashes enchanted her. He was gorgeous!

"Who are you?" The man held his hands up. Misty could see deep scars on his arm and many other smaller cuts crossing over the hard abs and tight muscles. A lotus blossom tattoo covered his heart.

"I'm Jay." He turned from her and walked to the tree. Misty couldn't help but stare in awe of the man. He really was beautiful! Even as he strode away from her, her eyes couldn't help but follow him.

Blushing, she tore her eyes away from him and looked closer at her surroundings. The ground in the clearing looked as if it had been packed down and there were fire pits here and there.

Most of them looked as if they hadn't been used in a while, but the one closest to the tree had some smoldering remains. A small bag lay next to the camp. Jay grabbed the bag up and pulled something out.

Misty had followed behind him. As he turned around, Misty ran into his chest. She pulled back.

"Here." Jay held out what looked to be some kind of bar.

"What is it?" Misty asked.

"Food." Misty's stomach took that moment to let out a deafening growl. She took the bar and held it to her nose, sniffing. It smelled like dried fruit and meat.

She has seen something like this in stores for that one diet. Misty had never tried one because she hadn't worked up the courage, but this bar smelled heavenly.

"Thank you," said Misty.

She bit into the fruit and jerky and flinched at the tartness. Maybe she would have been picky if she weren't starving. It had been a long time since she had the water from the steam.

"Come sit over here." Jay pointed to a rock close to the fire pit. Misty watched as he turned to the fire and began to stir the embers, adding kindling bit by bit until a decent fire blazed. Misty sat by the fire munching on her food and watching Jay pull out another bar and wolf it down.

She pulled out her water bottle from her little bag and offered Jay some. He took the container and tried to take the top off. After struggling for a minute, Misty took the bottle back and unscrewed the cap. Jay's eyes flickered in awe.

"Where am I?" Misty asked after she finished the bar. It had only taken the edge off of her hunger. The sky had started to darken and she realized that the day was almost over. Stars filled the night sky. She didn't recognize any of the patterns.

"This is our hunting camp," said Jay. "When the clan has to hunt for food out in this direction, it is too far to go in a day. This is where we stay."

"That is smart." Misty had never met anyone who hunted regularly, but she guessed this man was used to it. It sounded like his clan also hunted alot. Misty couldn't help but wonder where she had landed in the world that didn't have grocery stores.

"What country am in?"

"What do you mean?" Jay looked confused.

"I fell off of my ship and I don't know where I am."

"Ship?" Misty looked at Jay. He seemed to get more and more confused with each of her questions.

Misty began to describe what a ship was and tried to find out where the current had taken her. But every question ended up leading to more questions. Jay hadn't heard of anything that she was talking about.

Misty started feeling confused too. She couldn't think of any place on the planet that wouldn't know at least some of the questions she asked. By this time, she could barely keep her eyes open.

"You can lay on this." Jay pulled out a grass blanket from his pack and laid it close to the fire.

"I will take you to my clan in the morning." Misty crawled over to the blanket and curled up. The hard ground was really uncomfortable, but Misty's body was so tired, she couldn't help but fall fast asleep.

When Misty woke in the morning, Jay had already packed up the little camp with the exception of the blanket she was sleeping on. She could feel the stiffness in her bones as she got up and walked into the woods to relieve herself.

When she got back, Jay handed her another bar and set off into the woods. Misty followed close behind and did her best to keep up. They walked all day, taking short breaks to drink and eat. Jay didn't talk much and Misty was too focused on keeping up to start a conversation.

As the sun started to set, Misty saw the faint glowing points through the trees.

"We are almost there," Jay said.

Misty and Jay descended into a valley. The path was worn from years of traffic. As they approached, Misty could see humans and large animals moving around the little village. Her eyes widened at tigers, wolves, and even a large python.

The people didn't act as if there was anything strange at such creatures roaming free. There were even baby animals running around!

Jay pulled Misty to the biggest fire in the center of the clan. There was a giant black cat laying across a log. Jay grunted and gave a low growl.

The cat began to change form. Misty couldn't believe what she was seeing. Before her, the giant black cat became a beautiful woman. She wrapped some loose fabric around her body and rushed over to Jay.

"Hi Mom!" Jay said and hugged the lady tightly. Misty was pretty sure she was hallucinating.

"Welcome back, my son." Dark eyes just like Jay's glanced over at Misty. "Who is this?"

"She's my mate!" Misty's jaw dropped and she looked up at Jay.

"What!!"