He inhaled deeply. Then the real reason dawned on him. What a fool he was. Maybe these human females were not as stupid as they seemed. He suddenly felt anxious to meet with the one that had devised this plan. Worry flooded him. What if some of the others hadn’t been so easily fooled? It would mean that he could be behind or at the very least that he would no longer have a head start. At first he was tempted to run back the way he had come but that would alert any others to the trap the females had set. If he had fallen for it, others would too. If he wanted a chance at finding and winning the female that set this up, he needed to continue on parallel with the river and then head back to the water, only further along the bank. The females would be trying to hide their scents and therefore sticking to the water. It’s what he would do if he was in their place.

This was becoming more and more interesting by the second. Coal picked up the pace. fifteen minutes later he was swinging in. He could hear the sound of the water as it trickled and gurgled. It wouldn’t be long now.

Coal watched a grin appear on Flame’s face as he caught sight of him. There was a group of about four males running closely behind his friend. They weren’t working together but since this was the most likely path the females had taken, it meant others would be on it too. Coal frowned.

“They caught you out, didn’t they?” Flame said. His friend had blood smeared on his face. Some of the others had torn clothing and blood smears and splatters. The males had fought for the female and had lost. Torrent was a little behind the group. It shocked him that the male had failed to secure the female as well.

Flame chuckled. “You fell for the oldest trick in the book.”

Coal growled. “Are there any others ahead?”

Flame shook his head. “Not a chance.”

Coal nodded once and turned back to where the river meandered. He didn’t feel much like small talk. He needed to concentrate on staying ahead.

“Relax! I’m pretty sure that this group is not the only one that didn’t fall for it and I’m pretty sure that there’s more than one female up ahead so maybe we can work together.”

Coal did not answer.

“I’ll let you have first dibs.”

“First what?” he growled. Coal was not interested in games.

“First dibs. It means that you can pick first.” Flame was an arrogant male. He was strong and fast. One of the best warriors. In a competition such as this, Coal’s status meant nothing. They were all equals.