After the meal a young women from the tribe called Alna showed him the tent, which was bigger than other tents.
"Why is it so different?" He asked to Alna, and she gently smiled and replied, "It's elder Lana's tent, elder told me to escort you to her tent."
As Alex looked around Lana's tent, taking in its larger size and carefully adorned interior, Alna's voice broke his thoughts.
"You know," she said with a mischievous grin, "not everyone gets invited to the elder's tent on their first night. Lana must really like you." She waggled her eyebrows, the implication clear.
Alex chuckled awkwardly, caught off guard. "Uh, I… guess I'm just lucky?"
Alna leaned in closer, her smile widening. "Oh, it's more than luck. Lana doesn't just let any man stay in her tent." She crossed her arms, eyeing him up and down. "Maybe she sees something in you… something she wants to 'explore' a little more like earlier when you put inside her mouth."
Alex's cheeks went red, and he stammered, "I-I think she's just being nice."
"Nice?" Alna smirked, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Maybe. But trust me, if you impress her enough, 'nice' might turn into something else." She gave him a wink, and he wasn't sure if she was teasing or testing him.
He rubbed the back of his neck, unsure how to respond. "I don't want to assume anything. She's… well, she's an elder of tribe."
"True," Alna said, her grin not fading. "But that doesn't mean she's above having a little fun, especially with someone who stands out." She nudged him with her elbow playfully. "Who knows? Maybe you'll learn a lot more than just our hunting techniques from her."
Alex chuckled nervously, shaking his head. "I, uh, don't think she sees me that way…and earlier I messed up bigtime."
"She clearly enjoyed your stick in her mouth, she clearly see you in that way." Alna said.
Alex's face flushed as he struggled to find the right words, completely thrown by Alna's teasing. Her grin only grew wider, clearly amused at how uncomfortable he was.
"Relax, Alex," Alna laughed, patting his shoulder. "I'm only having some fun with you. But… well, you did make quite an impression today."
Alex chuckled nervously, hoping to steer the conversation away. "Yeah… well, I'll try not to mess up again."
Alna gave him a playful nudge. "I'm sure you'll do just fine. Just remember, the elder has her eye on you." With a wink, she turned to leave, her laughter echoing as she left him alone in the tent, leaving him to wonder what this new life might have in store.
The tent was inviting, with layers of blankets and pillows that looked far more comfortable than the sparse bedding he'd seen outside. Soft furs were draped across the floor, and various tools and trinkets hung from the tent poles, evidence of Lana's role in the tribe.
Just then, the tent flap rustled, and Lana entered, carrying a small bundle of herbs. She caught sight of him standing there, looking somewhat lost, and offered him a gentle smile.
"Settling in?" she asked, her voice warm.
"Yeah… it's, uh, nice," Alex replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alna… showed me around a bit."
Lana raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "I hope she wasn't too overwhelming," she said, setting the herbs aside and moving a bit closer to him. "Alna likes to tease, but she's kind at heart."
Alex nodded, the nervousness creeping back in as he realized he was alone with her now. "She, uh… mentioned you asked me to stay here tonight. I didn't want to assume anything."
Lana chuckled, her eyes studying him carefully. "No assumptions needed, Alex. I simply thought you'd be more comfortable here, especially after… today's events." There was a glimmer of amusement in her eyes, and Alex felt himself relax a little at her calm demeanor.
"Thank you," he said, genuinely appreciative. "I wasn't expecting any of this… or the way everyone's been so welcoming."
She nodded, her expression softening. "You've shown courage and resilience today. That's valuable to us here." She gestured for him to sit, taking a place across from him. "I wanted you to stay here tonight because I sense you're different, Alex. You don't just adapt—you learn. And if you wish to be part of this tribe, that will be important."
Her words reassured him, making him feel more at ease. "I'll do my best. There's so much I don't know, but… I'm willing to learn."
"Good," Lana said, leaning back with a slight smile. "And in time, you'll understand more about our way of life. For now, rest. Tomorrow, I'll show you some of our customs and tasks. It's how we grow as a tribe—learning from each other."
He nodded, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over him. Despite everything, there was a sense of comfort being here with Lana, someone who radiated a sense of calm and strength.
"Thank you, Lana," he murmured, meeting her eyes. "For letting me be a part of this."
She reached out, gently squeezing his shoulder. "You're welcome, Alex. Now, get some sleep. We have much to do in the morning."
As she moved toward the other side of the tent, Alex settled into his makeshift bed, feeling oddly at peace.
Alex shifted uncomfortably on the bedding, his mind racing. His body was tense, and he couldn't shake the lingering thoughts of Alna's teasing words or the warm, close presence of Lana. He let his mind wander, replaying the glances, the knowing smiles, and Alna's playful, mischievous expressions as she'd teased him about impressing the elder.
He glanced toward the tent's entrance, reassured that the flap was securely closed and that the night guards would be focused on their duties. The quiet murmurs of the tribe outside felt distant, muffled by the tent walls, leaving him in a private bubble where his racing thoughts took over.
Slowly, he let his hand drift beneath the fur blanket, his breaths coming a little quicker as he indulged in the memories of the day, letting them play out in his mind. He closed his eyes, imagining the warmth of Ayra's touch and the warmth in Lana's mouth.
It felt strange and a bit daring, but here, in the quiet safety of the elder's tent, he let himself surrender to the moment, caught between his own curiosity and the lingering tension that had built up throughout the day.
He tried to keep his movements quiet, cautious not to make any sound that might give him away, feeling a mix of thrill and embarrassment.
As he were enjoying himself, suddenly Lana came back into the tent, "what are you doing?" She asked.