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ensure that they can be found when the snows get higher. By the third sunset, I am on my way back to the tribal cave when a pair of hoppers cross my path and so I hunt them down, too. My mate will have fresh meat tonight. It is something I can be proud of, at least, though I worry over the days missed. I hate that the storms caught me away from the cave - if I had to spend two days lounging around a fire, could I not have done it with my mate in my arms? A burst of longing rushes through me and I think of No-rah and her happy smile. I think of the tufts of yellow mane on my two kits. I miss them all so fiercely it is like a pain in my chest. It makes me walk faster through the snow-covered trails and sloping hills, because I need to see them.
    I try to keep the worry from my mind as I hike back, but it has been too long. Anything can happen in three full sunrises. What if the tribal cave has been buried by thick snow and no one can get out? What if metlaks have descended upon the caves and attacked my No-rah while she left to gather herbs? What if Ah-nah - who is always crying - has khui sickness and Maylak cannot heal her? What if No-rah’s milk has dried entirely and the kits cannot be fed? Worried thoughts rush through my head like water until I am running back at full speed, desperate to see my family. I need to hear my No-rah’s laugh, I need to touch my daughters on their fat, blue cheeks and make sure they are well.
    When I return, Bek is in front of the tribal cave, yawning and leaning against the cliff wall. He looks bored. I know he has guard duty, but the sight of him lounging while I have been hunting tirelessly to feed my family? It does not sit well with me. He rouses himself from the wall as I approach, giving me a cocky look. “Decide to return finally?”
    As if I had a choice? “If you are going to guard,” I bite out, “Try being alert. I do not think a metlak would tap you on the shoulder to wake you if it attacks.”
    Flustered, he flicks his head, as if he wants to charge at me and lock horns. My tail flicks angrily and I brandish my horns back at him. He wishes a fight? I will give him one.
    Bek’s jaw clenches as he approaches me slowly, fists tight. He lifts his chin at me. “I am going to ignore your words and let you pass to see your mate, because we are friends.”
    I glare at him but he only taps a hand on my arm and then walks away. “If you still wish to fight in the morning, come see me.”
    I am tempted to do so simply from that arrogant comment. But I know Bek. I have grown up with him. He is like me — we are not thinkers, we are doers. I have insulted him, he has insulted me with his arrogance, and we must snarl at each other. My weary mind tells me this, even as my tail lashes back and forth, my body still ready to fight.
    A female laugh echoes from inside the cave and I jerk around, reminded that I am close to my mate. Close to my kits. Close to all my females. My family. I have no time to fool around with Bek like two hard-headed dvisti stallions. “I will deal with you another day,” I tell him.
    He snorts, reminding me of an angry dvisti after all. “Go chase your female. I will be here, doing my duty.” His voice is sour. “I have nothing else to go home to.”
    There is a bitter ring to his words, and I realize he is right. He has nothing and I have my mate and my family waiting for me. I do not need to spend time here fighting with him. A slow smile spreads across my face.
    Bek rolls his eyes at me and scoops up his spear as I turn away.
    I jog in to the cave, looking for the female laughter. There is a group of females sitting next to Sevvah by the fire, laughing and sewing. My No-rah is not there, and I ignore their calls of greeting and head deeper into the cave, looking for my mate.
    She comes out of Vektal and Shor-shie’s cave a moment later, laughing and holding an armful of furs. Her shorn, shoulder-length hair is in two short braids by her ears and her face