Free Ella and the Beast (More Than Human Book 1) by S.E. Smith

she said with a weak smile. “Come by in an hour.”
    “I’ll see you, then,” he replied with a nod.
    Ella bit back a curse as she headed toward Jayden. Her friend was watching Mitchell with an uneasy look. She wondered if Jayden knew what was going on.
    “We need to talk,” Ella muttered as she walked up to Jayden and held out the large bird. “This is for your parents.”
    Jayden nodded. “I’ll give it to mom and be over in a few minutes,” she replied.
     
    *.*.*
     
    Ella moved restlessly around the small fire pit she had dug out near her tree. She still had a lot to do and if the frigid air descending through the mountains was any indication, she wouldn’t have much time. While every single one of the people living in the village wouldn’t think twice about helping her, she knew that meant they would get further behind on what they needed to do for themselves. She bent to turn the pheasant she had roasting over the coals. Her head lifted when she heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
    “I can’t stay long. I told my mom that I had forgotten to give you the nut flour she had milled yesterday,” Jayden said, holding up a small bag.
    “What is going on? The elders are up to something,” Ella hissed.
    Jayden nodded. “I heard dad talking to mom last night. They feel we need to do more to expand the clan,” she admitted.
    “And you didn’t think to tell me about it this morning? A little warning would have been nice,” Ella snapped.
    Jayden glared back at her. “I was more worried about where you were sneaking off to before it was even light out! You were the one who should have given a bit of warning. By the way, did you talk to him again?” She asked, sitting down on the thick log.
    Ella released a sigh and nodded. “First, what is going on?” She asked.
    “The elders are worried because we are refusing to find a mate among the men,” Jayden replied glumly. “I heard dad tell mom they were going to force the issue. He said, since we aren’t doing anything, they were going to.”
    “They cannot force us to mate,” Ella argued, shooting Jayden a fierce glare.
    Jayden lifted her hands. “Don’t blame me! I’m just the messenger. If anything, I’m even more screwed than you. It’s my dad who is being difficult,” she retorted before leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand. “I’m ready to wash my hands of the lot of them and strike out on my own. I found a nice cave up near the mountains I could live in.”
    A reluctant smile curved Ella’s lips. “Is it big enough for two? I may be joining you,” she said with a sigh.
    “Yes,” Jayden muttered glumly, staring into the hot coals. “I mean it, Ella. I’ll leave if dad pushes the issue. I won’t be with someone just to add to the clan.”
    “Not to mention that we’ve lived with the guys our entire lives,” Ella added, grimacing when she saw Mitchell heading toward them. “Here he comes. I really hope this isn’t going to be awkward.”
    Jayden laughed as she rose to her feet. “Good luck. Something tells me we are all going to need it,” she mumbled before she turned to smile at Mitchell. “Hey, Mitchell.”
    “Hello, Jayden,” Mitchell replied with a nod. “Are you having dinner with us?”
    “No, I think I’ll go work on my survival pack for the cave,” Jayden replied with a grin. “Have fun!”
    “Survival pack? Cave? What cave?” Mitchell asked in confusion.
    “It’s just a joke between us,” Ella muttered.
    “Oh,” Mitchell said, glancing back at Jayden before turning around and holding up a small clay dish in his hand. “Anna made a wild berry dessert.”
    “Great,” Ella mumbled, turning to pull the pheasant off the skewer holding it over the fire. “So, what’s going on?”
    Mitchell gave a strained laugh and sat down on the log that Jayden had occupied just minutes before. He set the dessert down next to him and leaned forward. Ella could feel his gaze on her as she cut the hot meat