✨️small authors note: due to medical problems I haven't been able to focus on writing as much this week so they chapters might be a little shorter than usual but I'm not sure. If they are my apologies. I hope you enjoy my story though thank you.<3✨️

Karee had finished making her basket long before Rontu due to her having made many in her life. "Not bad for your first try, the more you make the easier it will be." She said smiling at him. Karee stood with her basket in hand gesturing for Rontu to fallow her in her search of usable plants. Rontus his eyes scanned the undergrowth with suspicion. "I don't see anything but prickly bushes and thorny vines," he mumbled. "You're sure about all this? Karee chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Of course love. It's in my blood. My grandmother taught me everything I know, and before her, her grandmother, and so on." She paused, reaching down to pluck a small, green bud from a fern-like plant. "See this?" she said, holding it up. "This is a spring tonic. It can help with sore muscles and fatigue." Rontu peered at the bud with distrust. "Looks like something that would poison a goat." He said. Karee shook her head, smiling. "Not at all. You'd be surprised what grows in these forest." She gestured to a patch of vibrant purple flowers. "Those are wild violets, the same type of flower I initially used to help the sick man in the village." They continued their walk, Karee pointing out the medicinal properties of each plant they encountered. She showed him the stinging nettle, a potent remedy for joint pain; the dandelion, a natural diuretic; and the plantain, a soothing balm for wounds. Rontu listened intently, his mind absorbing the information like a thirsty sponge. He couldn't help but marvel at Karee's knowledge, a knowledge passed down through generations of her people. They walked deeper into the forest, their baskets gradually filling with the bounty of the wilderness. Karee, with her keen eye and intimate knowledge of the forest, pointed out edible mushrooms, juicy berries, and the occasional wild vegetable. Rontu, still wary, followed behind, his baskets right next to hers."Look, Rontu!' Karee exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "Those bright red berries are wild raspberries. They're the sweetest treat you'll ever taste." Rontu, however, did not share her enthusiasm. He pointed to the red fruits with a dubious expression. "Those are poison, aren't they? My father told me red things are bad." Karee laughed, shaking her head. "No love, but many people did used to think that even from my old home. Just because is red doesnt make it poisonous. They're actually a very healthy fruit, and very tasty." She plucked a handful of the raspberries and popped one into her mouth, savoring the tart sweetness. "See?" she said, offering a handful to Rontu. "They're perfectly safe." Rontu hesitated, then hesitantly reached out and took a single raspberry. He examined it for a moment, then brought it to his lips and bit into it. His eyes widened in surprise. "Mmm, that's...not bad." he conceded, taking another one. As they walked, Karee noticed Rontu's apprehension slowly fading, replaced by a growing curiosity. He started asking questions, his voice hesitant at first, but soon gaining confidence. He wanted to know the names of every plant they passed, the uses for each one, and the stories behind them. As they walked, a delicious scent filled the air, a tantalizing blend of ripe fruit and sweet earth. They followed the scent until they reached a small grove of trees laden with plump, purple berries. "Elderberries!" Karee exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "They're perfect for jams, syrups, and even teas. And they're good for your immune system." Rontu smiled at her excitement despite not knowing what jams or syrups. If his mate was this happy it must be good, so he began to place many of the berries into one of the baskets. Karee and Rontu had almost filled their baskets to the brim. As they looked at their haul Rontu's nose twitched, he detecting the faintest hint of a foreign scent in the air. Rontu's instincts surged, warning him of potential danger. He slowed his pace, his ears alert, his keen gaze darting from side to side. "Rontu?" Karee asked, noticing the sudden tightening of his jaw, the way his gaze seemed to pierce through the trees. "What is it?"Rontu took a deep breath, the scent of pine and damp earth filling his nostrils. A new scent, sharp and foreign, lingered in the air, a scent of masculine sweat. "I think we should head back," he said, his voice a low rumble. "The scent of another male is in the air." Karee's lips tightened as she looked around not seeing anyone else, but she knew better than to argue with him when his senses were on alert. He was her mate, her protector, and she had full trust in him so she nodded. They turned back, their steps brisk, the scent of the unknown individual growing stronger with each step they took. Rontu's senses were on high alert.He could feel the unseen presence watching them. "He's following us," Rontu said, his voice low and taut. He glanced at Karee, his gaze searching hers. "Stay close, and don't let go of my hand." As they made their way home through the winding trails, Rontu's senses remained on high alert. He would often stop and sniff the air, his eyes scanning the shadows with suspicion until they entered the village. As they entered the scent of the unknown male faded into nothingness. Rontu's tense muscles relaxed, and he let out a sigh of contentment. As the last rays of the sun painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, Karee and Rontu made their way back to their hut, their baskets overflowing with the bounty of the forest. The air was filled with the scent of pine needles, damp earth, and wild berries, a symphony of nature that resonated deeply within them. Back at their hut, Karee spread out the herbs on the table, organizing them according to their medicinal properties so she could store them away the next day or put them to the side to eat for dinner.