The Jaguar’s Arranged Mate

“What? Where? Since when?” Beric had only walked around the inside perimeter of the fence that morning, as he always did as soon as he woke up, to ensure nothing like that had happened during the night.

He bolted out of the room, some or maybe all of the were-jaguars falling behind him. Near the southernmost gate, a chunk of the wall had fallen. Some of the rocks had marks on them. Clearly, the wall hadn’t broken apart naturally. He retraced his steps from earlier and noted that to the west, a portion had crumbled and to the north, there were signs of grappling hooks.

“They’re trying to dismantle the fence,” Beric said grimly, “which means we have to do everything in our power to stop them. They obviously see the wall as a hindrance, so we need to keep it that way! Mark, go fetch the builders, and all of you, get to work.”

Mark hurried off.

Sam turned to Beric. “Where are you off to?”

“To find us more workers.” He stared the older were-jaguar down.

A long moment passed. Then Sam nodded.

“I’m leaving you in charge of the fence.” He clasped Sam’s shoulder.

“I got it.” Sam nodded again.

Anger and frustration raged within him. Nothing was going right. Nothing at all. And if they didn’t change their luck, they would all be dead.

*

Miera rubbed the older woman’s back. “There, drink up. You’ll feel better in no time.”

“You shouldn’t be wasting your time with me,” Sarai croaked out. “I’m a goner, and we both know it.”

“Hush. I won’t accept that kind of talk.”

“Bah, you’ve always been one to think you know everything. Look where that’s gotten you.” Sarai eyed Miera’s belly.

She flushed. “I do know that you should rest now.”

“You mean shut up. Say what you mean, Miera. Don’t mince your words.” Sarai didn’t resist as Miera helped her to lie down. The makeshift hospital the Blood Roses were using—Helen’s house—was crammed, but every hour or so, someone else was leaving, ready to fight.

Ready to die.

Sarai’s ailments weren’t from a battle. Old age had caught up to her.

“You should’ve stayed back at our home,” Miera scolded.

“Why? There’s hardly anyone there by now. Who knows? The Brutal Claws might well have wiped out all those who stayed there already. No, I’d rather be among our people when I go.”

“Sarai…”

“Now, now, don’t be going soft on me. No tears. Not after I pass either.” She wagged a crooked finger at Miera. “I lived a long and full life. I have no regrets. Had a wonderful husband, two boys who were mostly good, and one daughter who could outshine the sun. What more could I ask for out of life?” Sarai closed her eyes but opened them again almost immediately. “What about you?”

“Hm?” Miera asked, puzzled.

“Do you have any regrets?”

She choked back a sigh and turned it into a forced laugh. “I’m sure you have regrets. You just don’t remember them,” she teased.

“Oh, I remember everything, and yes, at times during my life, I thought I had regrets, but if you learn to let go of the things you can’t control and worry about what matters and nothing else, everything will fall into place.”

“Easy for you to say,” Miera murmured.

“Why? Because I’m dying and don’t have to see the devastation of two more packs falling to the Brutal Claws?”

“That is what’s going to happen, isn’t it.” It wasn’t a question.

“It might. It might not.” Sarai shrugged. “I’m not a mind reader. Never claimed to be one. But I do think you’re not being honest with yourself.”

“About what?”

Sarai stared at her hard. “You might not have long yourself either. Why not make sure everything is right with everyone you care about? Having no regrets is so freeing, dear. Believe me. No regrets is the way you want to go.”

The old woman closed her eyes. Whether she was sleeping or only feigning to be, Miera wasn’t sure, but she tiptoed out of the room. Sarai was a wonderful were-jaguar, even if she did like to talk too much. I hope I’m with her when she passes.

It would be terrible for her to die all alone. Miera didn’t want that for herself either.

She rubbed her neck. It still hadn’t healed one hundred percent yet. So strange. Even though it had been a deep wound, it shouldn’t have taken this long, not with a were’s advanced healing ability, and especially not with the aid of medicine. The baby’s sucking a lot out of me.

The drain of coming closer to the end of her pregnancy was wearing on her. Four and a half weeks. That was all she had left. Then it would be her and the baby.

And Beric.

Miera sighed. She visited with a few more patients, doing what she could to help them, even if it was just listening to them talk. Once she finished, she left the makeshift hospital behind and headed toward the mess hall. Eggs were already becoming scarce, but there was still plenty of bread, and she was starving. She needed to keep up her strength as much as the wounded did.

Before she reached the mess hall, someone jogged over. “Miera, there you are.”

“Beric.” She couldn’t quite smile. She felt too tired to. Her husband. It felt so strange to think that, especially since they weren’t living together as were-jaguar and wife.

“Have you heard about the fence?”

Automatically, she glanced away from him to the tall structure that surrounded the compound. “What about it?”

“There are several places where the Brutal Claws are trying to dismantle it.”

“Oh, God, that’s awful!”

“I need more workers to help repair it. If they want the wall down, we need to keep it up.”

She agreed, but she couldn’t help bristling at his I. “We need more workers,” she murmured.

He ignored her comment, if he even heard it. “Do you think some of the Blood Roses will be willing to help?”

“I’ll ask,” she promised. “In the morning.” Already it was getting to be twilight. By the time she would gather anyone willing to lend their aid, it would be too dark for them to start.

“In the morning,” he said bitterly.

“Yes,” she snipped.

He stared at her, surprised.

“I…” She wasn’t about to apologize. “I was about to eat. Will you join me?”

“I should go and—”

“You need to eat.” She grabbed his hand. “When did you last eat?”

“This morning.” He frowned. “Or maybe it was yesterday. All right, fine. A quick bite. I can’t be long though.”