CHAPTER 63
M’Pak
They were mating again. For weeks, the warrior had been visiting second-mother at her den, or she at his. The noises they made were beyond annoying. And the smell.
I wrinkled my nose.
But, I had to admit, I had never seen second-mother, or Andie, as she liked to be called, so happy. She hummed to herself constantly, which I enjoyed. Even though we spoke mind-to-mind, I found her throat-voice soothing.
She had less time for me, though. I was already spending most of my time outdoors. The den felt too confining. But before, she would brush my fur and talk to me after the evening meal. Now, she spent that time with the warrior.
I could admit that I was jealous, even though I was happy for her.
And it did make me consider my own mating prospects.
If the warrior was here to protect second-mother, she did not need me.
I wasn’t quite ready to “leave the nest” as Andie described it, so I would stick around another season. Then I would go find my own mate.
They were getting louder, so I decided to chase a few ovinas. The animals chirped noisily when they were agitated. I hoped that would drown out the sounds coming from the cottage.
But there wasn’t much I could do about the smell. Phew.