Wife.

Xan'Roc's nose twitched as the woman's scent reached her, blotting out even the smell of blood brought on by the deer carcass slung over Xan's shoulder.

She'd been able to pick out the tiny thing's scent in a crowd even when they'd first met - over the remnants of a village, with the warriors of Xan's tribe picking through the buildings in search of supplies and the villagers yelling and cursing at them. Xan had seen her, smelled her. Only her.

She had maybe been a bit rash in taking the woman with her right away. Should have courted her first, made her offerings as a sign of her devotion, proven that Xan would be a good spouse, that she could provide.

But she hadn't wanted to risk the small thing running away. Not when Xan knew she didn't want to live another moment without her future wife by her side.

Wife. My mate. Soon.

Xan breathed in deeply and grinned through her tusks as she ducked into her hut. She found the woman sat on the bed, the expansive cot covered with thick furs much too large for someone so much smaller than Xan.

It would be their bed, as soon as Xan had proven herself a good provider, a good protector. She would agree, Xan was sure of it.

"I hunted this for you," she announced, proudly letting the deer slide from her shoulder to the ground with a faint thump. She presented it like the prize it was, patting its flank in a silent gesture of thanks to Mother Forest for allowing her to take from Her domain. "We will eat well tonight. And once you become my wife, you will never need to worry over food again."

You will never have to worry over anything ever again. Not as long as I live.