I had warned him: If he followed me, I would be his only wife. Arkkh! he said. Anguished. But he followed me. And, when he followed me, he left all of his wives, his vast harem of elephant seal females, behind on the rocks. On his body there was a proud network of marks: a record of his entanglements with rival (but lesser) males; a bloody price paid–and paid again–for the acquisition of so many consorts. Scars. But he left them. Because I was worth it.

Read this story now