Ch 6 The Deal

Mwezi sat on a large boulder with her feet dangling over the side above the roaring water. Nyoka feared she would fall in so as a compromise she let him wrap this tail loosely around her waist in the event she did fall. It didn't take too long for Māui to come back with Paka and Kai not far behind. Nyoka carefully lifted Mwezi off the rock formation and pulled her close to his body protectively. "Let HER G-" Paka started to yell but Mwezi cut him off. "ENOUGH!" she snapped and rolled her eyes. "Paka, Kai, this is Nyoka and Irdum. Nyoka, Irdum, this is Paka and Kai, my other mates." Mwezi did quick introductions. "Nyoka is the first guy I met when we got here that I told you about Paka." she informed him. "The one who tried to take you!?" he asked. "Yes. the EXACT same thing you did!" she retorted. Paka looked hurt and winced but he didn't say anything else.

"Anyhow, before I was so rudely interrupted. When Irdum and I first got here we stumbled upon Nyoka's territory. He scared the shit outta me and Irdum and we got seperated." she cleared her throat before she continued. "So I want to make a deal. Kai I still very much owe you our courting time and Nyoka has proven, in the short time we've spent together, that he isn't a horrible person as yall make out ferals to be. So with that being said, is there anywhere we can stay where Nyoka will either be allowed to visit or where he can nest close enough so I can visit during our time?" she asked. "What do you mean?" Kai asked softly as he put a hand on Paka's shoulder to stop him from firing off at the mouth.

"Well here's the thing. You guys in general tend to shame or shun people based on the absolute dumbest shit on the planet, including things the person has no control over like his species, or battle badges. Nyoka is uncomfortable sharing our time together out right because he doesn't want outside bias to alter my perspective or view of him before I get a chance to actually know him" she informed him and Kai nodded in thought. "Battle badges?"Māui asked, confused. "Scars. I know women here don't find men with scars attractive which is fucking outlandish. They're literal proof that not only was he the victorious one in battle, cuz yall fight to the death from what I'm told, but that he fought against a worthy opponent. His fight wasn't smooth or quick or easy and he still came out on top." she explained.

He liked her use of the term 'battle badges' instead of scars. It made him feel prideful for his accomplishments and he wasn't even scared like Kai. 'Would she accept me?" Māui thought to himself. He wanted so badly to ask her but for once in his life since he was a boy he chickened out. 'Better not press my luck. I've been alone for a long time and I'll probably die that way.' he said to himself.

"So I figured we would go three days with Kai, a day where we all hang out and get close. Because hand to whomever yall worship, if you're all going to be my mates, you will at least tolerate one another. Then I can do three days with Nyoka and then another family day." she suggested. Paka looked conflicted but he knew at the end of the day it was Mwezi's choice. Paka pulled her close to him and just nuzzled his head into the crook of her neck causing her to giggle and wrap her arms around his shoulders. "Nyoka. Mwezi seems to think you are a decent person and from the short time I've spent with Mwezi I know she is a good judge of character. If your feelings for her are anything like mine are then I know you would be a good mate for her. However, it's her choice and I trust her. So I will trust you." Kai said with a firm and confident tone before putting his hand out.

"Nyoka was in utter shock and looked between Kai's hand, his face and then to Mwezi as if he was unsure what to do. She nodded and mouthed 'shake it idiot' with a roll of her eyes. Nyoka gave Kai a warrior's shake as they grabbed each other's forearms and shook. Paka took a deep breath and finally let go of Mwezi and stepped up to Nyoka. "Please understand that I have personal reasons for not trusting ferals and that it's nothing against you, per say. But what Kai said is right and if I am to be her mate I have to trust her as much as she trusts me or there can be no relationship. So I will trust her and extend that trust to you, for now." Paka said, extending his hand. Mwezi wiped an imaginary tear "My boys all grownt up" she said with a fake sniffle and a smile. Nyoka nodded in understanding and shook Paka's arm. Nyoka knew that some of his kind tended to act more like animals than people so he could only imagine Paka's reasoning for his hate of ferals but he was happy that Mwezi's mates had given him a chance to prove himself as an individual and he would not let any of them down.

"Mwezi, I will see what I can do in securing somewhere he can live on with us or we can be close to him." Kai informed her, pulling her in close to him and kissing the top of her head. Mwezi smiled up at him, "Thank you Kai," she said as she tiptoed and kissed his cheek. He gave her a half smirk that made her heart beat a little faster and caused her to giggle. "Mwezi can I talk to you for a second?" Irdum asked, confused and annoyed. Mwezi nodded with a confused face as he pulled her to the side by her arm. "What are you doing exactly?" he asked. "Working out a courting schedule? As weird as that sounds. Their customs here are weird." she replied, rambling off. "That's my point woman!" he whisper-yelled. "This is their land that we're NOT from. We have to get home and you're out here spreading your legs for the locals!?" he snapped. "EXCUSE ME NIGGA!?" she screamed and slapped the shit out of him. "Don't you EVER fucking talk to ME that way. Cuz on God, I will Break every bone in your body and leave you in the water for the gators! I may be from a small town but do NOT fucking test my GANSTA!" she spat before walking away from him.

Irdum grabbed her arm and pulled her back, turning her around. Mwezi ducked out of the way as his fist went to swing at her and Nyoka caught his fist. Paka pulled Mwezi behind him and Kai swung on Irdum, breaking his jaw with a resounding crack. Irdum's body fell back but Nyoka held him up, dangling, by his fist. That was until he crushed it, causing Irdum to scream out in pain through a broken mouth and shattered teeth. Mwezi sucked her teeth, "dammit, I wanted to hit him." She said with a pout and stomped her foot. Paka, Kai and Nyoka gave her a glare that let her know she wasn't to risk getting hurt like that, causing her to suck her teeth again and roll her eyes.

"This is the guy that teleported here with you?" Paka asked and Mwezi nodded. "Yup, although I felt bad for leaving him at first, I kinda wish Nyoka killed him then. Would have saved us all this drama." she replied. "Teleported here?" Kai asked for both him and Nyoka. Mwezi went on to tell them a little bit about her world and how she and Irdum got here. "Why'd you guys lie about him being your mate?" Nyoka asked, hurt. "I'm sorry Nyoka but you were itching to kill him and kidnap me so it seemed like the only thing to keep him alive at the time?" she replied rubbing the back of her neck kind of guilty. "But that was the only lie, I promise." she confessed honestly. "I believe you." Nyoka said with a smile causing her to smile and plant a kiss on his cheek. Had Nyoka been warm blooded, he would have probably blushed at her forwardness.

Mwezi wasn't sure what she wanted to do with Irdum. She didn't want to kill him, although the men seemed more than willing to do it for her. "I knew you were a kind soul Mwezi but he doesn't deserve it." Kai whispered to her as they walked back to the nearby village. "Nyoka. Do with him as you see fit while we work on the arrangements with Kai." she said before turning to Paka. "Paka...umm" Mwezi got nervous all of a sudden. "When we get settled in, after what you did today with...Shit. What I mean to say is I am extremely proud of the person you've grown into in the short time I've known you. I know I said I wanted more time to think but I don't want to be an icy hot patch with you." Paka raised a confused brow but his heart rate started racing as he hoped she was going to say what he thought she was. "Once we get everything sorted out I'd like you to mark me and officially be my mate." she squeaked out, unable to look him in the eye embarrassed.

"YES!" Paka screamed, causing all the birds to flutter away in fear. Paka ran up to Mwezi and wrapped his arms around her waist before lifting her and spinning her only once, knowing she didn't like to be dizzy. "I promise Mwezi to make you the happiest woman of all. You won't regret this!" he swore before he kissed her. It was slow but deep and passionate, all consuming and possessive. "I know I kind of drove you up a wall when we first met and most likely still will, but I will make sure to learn from my mistakes and become a better man and a better mate for you." he promised pulling her close and kissing her forehead. Mwezi started crying at his sweet words. It was really out of place for Paka, she didn't know he was such a romantic at heart under his goofy childlike exterior. "Thank you Paka, I'll hold you to that." she said with a smile and pecked him on the lips.

It didn't take long for them to make it back to the village once Mwezi agreed to ride on Paka's back. "This is nothing like horseback riding!" she whisper-yelled to herself as she slid off Paka's back so he could shift back. "Come," Kai said after Paka finished getting dressed. The Castle for the Bear kingdom was old but handmade. Mwezi could see the purity of the natural stone and hand carved markings of the tools used to shape them into rectangular blocks. "This is beautiful." she whispered looking at the art that covered the ceiling of the main area lit by a massive candle chandelier. "Kai my son! Did you find her? Is she okay?" the king asked, pulling his son into a warm embrace. Mwezi blushed as she realized Kai had already told his family about her. "Father this is Mwezi." Kai said, stepping aside so his father could see her for the first time.

The king and Kai were near carbon copies but she figured Kai had his mother's eyes. The king had four marks that started at his hairline and ended right above his thick but naturally perfect brows. 'Friggin fracken perfect brows, stupid long lashed frigger fracks' she thought to herself. "Good evening your majesty, It's a pleasure to meet you." Mwezi said, sticking her hand out as she tried to recover once she realized she had been staring too long. The king let out a boisterous laugh and used Mwezi's hand to pull her in for a massive bear hug. "Nonsense Mwezi! You can call me dad now! Kai has been looking for the right woman for a long time and when he found you he was over the moon! Then you were taken as he was so hurt and distraught but he still praised you like you hung the sun, moon and stars!" The king informed her, causing her and Kai to blush. She looked at her feet like they were the most interesting things in the world and Kai took to re-remembering the art above him.

The king let out another laugh before giving Kai a reassuring clap on the back before gesturing to them to follow him. "This way, we are just getting ready to have dinner. Ah yes tracker!" the king said as if he just now noticed Māui was with them. "You will be paid double for your good work!" The king said as a soldier stepped forward with a bag full of what she assumed precious stones. "Surely he can stay for dinner. He's worked so hard to find me so quickly." Mwezi spoke up with a smile. The king looked hesitant at first like he wasn't sure about Māui's presence in the castle. "Well I'm no-" , "That's not ness-" the King and Māui started speaking at the same time as Kai cut them both off. "Of course he can stay. He helped me rescue my mate, who apparently wasn't in any danger." he replied, throwing Mwezi a smile before nodding to Māui with gratitude.

Kai and Mwezi explained what happened with Nyoka and Mwezi's proposal. "But my dear girl he's a fe-" the king started but Mwezi cut him off. "He's a grown man with emotions and a heart. He wishes for a mate just like any of us here. Where I come from I am judged as less than, stupid and un worthy because I am a woman and the color of my skin. I refuse to treat anyone that way. I have had time to judge Nyoka as the person he is. Just as I am sure about letting Paka mark me and I am sure I will allow Kai to do the same, I am positive Nyoka will prove a worthy mate as well." she retorted just as the food was being doled out. Paka and Kai ate quickly as they had been skipping meals trying to help Māui find Mwezi. "Paka hun, when you finish can you get Nyoka for me please?" she asked sweetly and he nodded. "Of course. I'll go now just save me some?" Paka asked, getting up. "I'll make you both a plate." she replied with a smile and Paka pecked her on the lips before running off.

Mwezi blushed when she noticed Kai and his father smiling at her and she tried to hide her face by wiping her mouth with her fabric napkin. "Where is mother?" Kai asked finally. The king had informed us that there was a mother about to give birth and she liked to visit expecting mothers to give them gift baskets with baby goods as a gift from the kingdom to its subjects. "My parents like to rule with what I call the 'Iron First of Kindness'. They don't have to worry about mutiny or not having people to stand for them when everyone loves them." he said with a proud smile. "And one day son, you and Mwezi can rule the same! I know your mother will be thrilled to have pups in the castle again." the king said, causing Kai to choke on his food and Mwezi nearly spat out her drink. Kai's family burst out laughing at their struggles to get air but eventually Kai and Mwezi joined in on the laughter too.

Nyoka and Paka had returned late last night, grateful for the rations Mwezi had put aside for them. Kai had managed to convince his father to part ways with some land as a 'finding your mate gift' to us and it allowed them to do whatever we wanted in the safety of their own space. It didn't take them as long to set up as Mwezi thought it would but then again, she's never dated a prince before. It only took about a week and much to her surprise, Kai set up the land as a safe haven for women with mates that aren't generally accepted. They had a rancher style mansion that had rooms for more mates if Mwezi wanted and room for children and family to visit. The reality of the situation really started to settle in for her. She most likely would never go back home, and she was about to enter a polyamorus relationship. She had her reservations early on but Paka had slowly worked down whatever worries she had and between Kai and Nyoka it only helped support Paka's claims, that she was worthy of love and having multiple men that love you and you love them wasn't a horrible thing.