Nate woke up in bed with Sky's arms wrapped around his waist tightly. It's like she really doesn't want to let me go. The two had talked about tribal matters for half of the night before Sky fell asleep while sitting at the table. Nate had carried her to the bed and laid her down himself. He hadn’t known what else to do with her. He had jumped in bed next to her and managed to fall asleep. Even with all of the mechanizations working against him, the few hours of sleep that he got were actually quite pleasant.

Sensing movement of the person in her grasp, Sky woke up and smiled at Nate. She squeezed him tightly again before quickly getting up and out of bed.

"You must be hungry. I'll go grab us some breakfast," the woman said as she practically sprinted towards the door.

Nate shook his head at the odd behavior then stood up to perform his morning stretches. He needed some normality. After a few moments, he could hear the door open.

Nate asked loudly, “You are back already?"

"Back?” an unfamiliar voice sounded from near the entrance to the house.

“Sky must have left on some errand. I am just here to see the man she wants as a mate," an older woman said standing in the doorway of the guest house. She looked practically identical to Sky but at least thirty years older. Elder Heart. Rod was standing right behind her.

“You look adequate enough. It is good to be prepared for the ceremony tonight,” the woman said after catching Nate in the middle of a stretch.

A spike of anger must have flashed across Nate's face as he looked at the old man. The woman smiled as she picked up on the emotion.

"Oh. Not happy with your friend here. Then, I'll leave you two alone to sort it out. I’ve seen everything I need to see,” the elder said dismissively as she turned to Rod and quipped, “You need to start your preparations soon so don’t take long. And don't let this young man kill you."

Oddly, the dictatorial woman lovingly kissed Rod before leaving the two men alone in the room. Nate glanced around room. His weapons weren't close to where he was standing.

"Hold on, kid," Rod began as she closed the door behind him, "You don't need to be getting too angry with me. Didn't I find ya a nice girl to keep you company?"

The old man had a lascivious smirk on his face that Nate wanted to peel off. Does he think that he did me a favor?

"What the hell, Rod? You could have at least told me what was going on here to give me a chance," Nate screamed at the old man moving closer to his weapons, "This whole thing was a setup from the beginning, right? So, why? What purpose does it serve for me to be here?"

Nate had spent most of the night trying to reason everything out. He understood the odd tribal rules and Sky's want for him to be her mate. That was all pretty straightforward when he looked at it objectively. But there was the one question he couldn't answer. Why had Rod involved him in this in the first place? It seemed to be some sort of elaborate scheme.

Rod had an indignant look on his face as he said,"What? I brought you here cause I liked you and thought you'd get along with that girl, Sky. About time she got a man and moved out the house. Don't want to be honeymooning with kids in the house."

Nate didn't know how to respond.

Was this entire mess just because Rod wanted an empty house after he got together with Sky’s mother? No complex plot or scheme, just a crazy old man’s whim. Nate anger didn't lessen as his face started to turn red. He stepped closer to his weapons. He really wanted to stab Rod.

The smirk on Rod’s face seemed to make Nate snap. He made a move to reach for his knife but a hand caught his throat and slammed him into the wall of the cave. The thud sounded as Nate’s breath was lost from his lungs. The old man had moved quicker than he could even see. Nate gasped for air as Rod spoke to him, "I know you might be angry by this kid, but don't go doing nothin’ stupid. Nothin’ bad is happening to ya. And that girl seems to like you. If she cries her momma gonna be unhappy on her special day."

Rod let go of Nate’s neck and he slumped to the floor still catching his breath. Nate felt useless and weak. Rod had easily overpowered him. What level is that old man at?

The door opened to the house letting the noise of the village in and Sky quickly moved inside with a tray of food. She paused seeing Rod standing there with Nate choking on the ground in front of him.

"Don't go getting upset young lady. We was just having a chat. I'll see you two at the party," Rod spoke before exiting the house.

Sky rushed over to Nate to help him up. Seeing the legitimate concern on her face, Nate felt a little relieved. At least she cares.

Nate stood up and brushed himself off. He was still angry, but he was more disappointed in himself. A year ago, he was going to be forced into mine labor because he was weak. Then, it was being held by against his will at the outpost. Now, it was being manipulated into some crazy scheme Rod had cooked up. Being able to survive is one thing, but being strong enough to free yourself from the whims of others was something else entirely. I need to be strong.

[Will Stat has increased by 1]

"So, what did you bring for breakfast?" Nate asked with a half smile. Sky could clearly tell that he didn't want to talk about what had just happened.

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She rattled off the names of a few foods that Nate didn't recognize while she spread out the stuff on one of the tables. Nate walked over and grabbed something that appeared to be some sort of fruit.

"I met your mom by the way. She said I was adequate," Nate said as he took a bite of the spherical red fruit.

The two chatted about a few things before Sky left again saying that she needed to get clothes for tonight.

*********************

"After the marriage ceremony is performed, Rod can give his blessing. Then since my mother is an elder, she can announce that that we are mates," Sky said as she rested after a pretty intense round with Nate.

"Doesn't the fact that the two of us are naked together in bed already make us mates?" Nate asked as his hand moved across Sky's smooth inner thigh. He wasn’t even halfway sold on the idea. Originally, he had just wanted to get out of this place. This woman makes it hard.

"No silly, that's not what being a mate means. I told you this before," Sky said seeming to grow tired of explaining things to Nate, "Our people don't hold sex in high regard and those of us without mates have our fair share of experiences." A blush covered her cheeks as she continued, "But a mate is something different. With a mate, we will have only one lover, we can have children and we can share a home if the elders approve."

"Doesn't sex lead to children anyway," Nate asked growing extremely nervous for some reason. He hadn't even thought of children being the result of what he had just done. No thought whatsoever until now.

"We have some medicines that keep us from having children, so everything can be planned," Sky laughed seeing the worry on Nate's face, "Don't worry, I am not ready for children just yet. It would benefit me to get my second class first."

The two continued talking for a while before they started getting ready for the tribal party for the second time. The first time they had ended up in bed when they got undressed to change clothes. Sky had also explained that most people becoming mates was no special occasion but because of her mother’s status as Elder, a special ceremony was needed. All other people just need is a blessing from an elder. Celebrations like this were rare in the tribe so lots of importance was placed on the event. But the importance was because of the food that is provided, not because someone was selecting a mate.

***********

Nate walked with Sky into a large crowded square. The square was bordered by tiered buildings on three sides with people congregated on theses open raised meeting areas.

"Those are the community areas used for large gatherings. This big square is where we hold markets and trades. Everything has been cleared out for this celebration though," Sky said as she pointed out a few features of the area. She looked quite beautiful in her slim leather clothes. Unlike the leather she had worn before, this outfit was thin and smooth with some embellishments on the leather. Also, her arms and legs were both visible showing off her soft skin.

The thin leather clothes that she had given Nate felt quite comfortable. The leather shirt almost felt like he was wearing nothing and his pants were decorated to match Sky's clothes. His hand brushed the knife at his hip as they walked. His anxiety when he didn't have a weapon was pretty intense after his experiences. He explained as much to Sky and she said it was fine if he wore it to the ceremony.

"Over there," Sky pointed to some large tables set up one on the second tiers of a building. Nate could see both her mother and Rod standing around with other important looking people. Nate touched his neck remembering Rod’s threat. He had a flash of anger, but quickly quelled it.

"Let's go," Sky said as she pulled Nate along.

*************

A tribal wedding ceremony basically consisted of a few important people saying various things, then the couple agreeing to be with each other. Nate didn’t understand how missing this short political show would have resulted in his death, but he just figured it was Rod’s doing.

Nate was still pretty pissed at Rod for this whole ordeal so he remained quiet during the entire proceedings and threw death glares at the man occasionally. Four of the other Elders had stood up and given their approvals. One Elder stood up and asked if anyone challenged the marriage but no one was foolish enough to mess with an Elder and an psycho.

Really, the entire ceremony seemed rushed and only lasted for about ten minutes. Most of the people seemed like they were just ready to start eating and partying.

**************

About an hour after the ceremony, the party was still going strong. People were having a great time with all of the drink and food. Nate was no exception. His only complaint was that he couldn't truly enjoy any of the wine that everyone seemed to like so much. His poison immunity completely counteracted any of the alcohol's effects. Nate could tell that most others didn't have his sort of skill. Even Sky was starting to get a little drunk from the wine being served, Nate could tell since she had randomly started trying to grope him under the table.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Rod and Nate had exchanged a few looks, but nothing more than that.

Then with no warning, Sky stood up and looked at her mother. She had to use the edge of the table to keep herself from swaying. Definitely too much to drink.

"Moth...Elder Heart, I would like to take this man as my mate. Can you as an Elder please bless this union?" Sky said interrupting the conversation at the table and causing a silence to break out.

"Child, it may be better to wait until...," Elder Heart was saying when the inebriated Sky interrupted her again.

"But mother, I am ready now. I do not want to wait," Sky pleaded.

A few of the other Elders sitting around seemed to get antsy. One woman leaned forward to speak when Elder Heart raised a hand.

Elder Heart looked at Rod and he said that he approved the pairing.

Shit, what is happening? Nate was starting to panic slightly. He was just enjoying the sights of the celebrating people one second, now it seemed like he was being approved as Sky’s mate

"Alright, child. This may not go as you wish," Elder Heart said as she stood up shaking her head and walked to the edge of the building and looked over the crowd.

"Everyone," the elder's voice traveled over the crowd, "Today is already a special day but it has been made even greater because my daughter has decided to select a mate."

The crowd stirred and murmurs passed between people. Nate shifted on his feet.

"Based on tribe policy, an Elder’s child must select a mate from outside of the tribe, that mate must be approved by her father, be proven to be strong and blessed by an elder," Elder Heart explained to the crowd.

"My daughter has selected someone not of our tribe, my husband has approved of her selections, his strength is not contended and I am ready to bless their union."

"By tribal policy, do we have any challengers?" Elder Heart's voice boomed out over the crowd.

The crowd grew restless as a commotion broke out near the entrance to the square.

"I challenge, old hag," a voice echoed into the square. "I had wanted to challenge that old man that killed my brother for a chance at you, but I was too slow in getting here. I'd enjoy your daughter much more anyway, so here I am."

A large man that towered over everyone had made his way to the center of the square. Two slightly smaller men were right behind him. Nate could tell right away that these men were people from the Purpleheart Tribe. The lead man looked almost identical to the big man that Rod had killed at the Outpost.

Seeing Nate standing up on the platform, the man bellowed, "Is that the little shit I need to kill? Run away boy and leave your woman to me. I'll show her how real men fuck."