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“But you were the one who made it How can it be mine?”

“If I want your children to be born to my hearth, it is my responsibility to provide a place for you and your children to live A place that will be yours no matter what happens,” he said

“Youfor me?” she asked

“Not exactly I am required to ive you your own home We could have stayed withmen are first ed to stay with your mother, or some other of your kin, until I could provide you with a place of your own In that case, I would be obligated to your kin, of course”

“I didn’t understand that you would be taking on so ation for me e joined,” Ayla said

“It’s not just for a woman, it’s for the children They can’t take care of themselves, they must be provided for Some people live with kin all their lives, often with a wos to her children, but if one has been living with her, that one has first claihter’s, her ated to his s If the hos”

“I think I still have a lot to learn about the Zelandonii,” Ayla said, frowning at the thought

“And I still have a lot to learn about you, Ayla,” he said, reaching for her again She washer as they kissed and could sense her responding to him

“Wait here,” he said

He went out and returned with their sleeping furs He untied the rolls and spread them out on the platform Wolf watched from the middle of the empty main room, then lifted his head and howled

“I think he’s feeling unsettled He wants to knohere he is supposed to sleep,” Ayla said

“I think I’d better go to o away,” Jondalar said, s that was Wolf’s bedding and his feeding bowl by the entrance The wolf sniffed at them, then circled around and curled up on them

Jondalar went to the wo by the fire, picked her up and carried her to the sleeping platforan to slowly undress her, and she started to untie a cord to help

“No I want to do it, Ayla It would p

lease me,” he said