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"And you think it isrelated?" Pashov asks "You are certain you touch her correctly?"

"It is notback annoyance "It is so else She will not speak of it toto the other hu to make her happy"

Pashov rubs his chin, thinking "We can ask , but perhaps it is a hu that they only share with other feann acted when Vaza said he could not take the"

"This could be it" The human females are very shy about certain aspects of their bodies I renant and horrified sounds that the unht up their s, but some of the females are shy about that, too

This makes me feel better I exhale with relief Itand No-rah does not wish to hurt estures that I should follow hi back My traps are as e I would rather spend the ti my tail here in the snows"

I hesitate for a moment and then nod My traps can wait another day If I can find out what is bothering"Very well"

We hike back to the home cave, Pashov full of conversation He has always been an easy one, full of stories of his brothers Zennek and Salukh, and always teases his youngest sibling, Farli He talks of his parents and how they are trying to teach Stay-seefood and gathering plants How Stay-see is not interested in hunting, but loves to try new flavors for food and new co that e family Both of Pashov's parents are alive His brothers and sister are all alive and Zennek now has a mate Stay-see has many faces she can call family, many hands that will help her out if she is troubled

Perhaps that is the problee fas heavy on …but I cannot make my family return to life

As we head toward the hoestures in the distance "I s tea leaves with o all the way back to the caves"

We find the two females a short distance away from the cave, woven baskets in hand Stay-see is indeed with Keer how to strip the leaves fro the vines that crawl between the rocks Stay-see looks up with delight as we approach "Pashov! Back so early?"

Stay-see's eyes are bright as she gazes on her mate, and I aives her a big, hearty kiss in greeting His mother just shakes her head with amusement, as if she is used to such antics from her son When Pashov finally releases his mate, Stay-see looks dazed, her esh has a question for you, my mate," my friend says "If you have a moment"

"Oh, of course" She looks over at Kemli

The elder waves a hand at us "Go on, go on I can pluck leaves on my own"

Pashov pulls his mate away from Kemli, and I follow them I feel a bit foolish Kemli has been mated for more seasons than I have been alive Surely she will have answers to what makes my mate unhappy as much as newly mated Stay-see does? But Stay-see is human, as is No-rah They are…different

I ao just beyond ser

Stay-see and Pashov turn to me e are a short distance away, and Pashov indicates I should speak I clearmy feet "I worry that…No-rah has a secret that makes her unhappy"

"A secret?" Stay-see's brows furrow together "Why are you asking me?"

"It is not necessarily a secret," I continue "But perhaps a hu I do not understand It is difficult to explain, because I do not knohat I a"

"Missing?" She glances over at Pashov "Is she not happy? Every time I talk to Nora, she seems happy to me" Stay-see reaches out and touches s she's ever said to me about you are very positive She's happy here, and she's happy with you"