It had been...different.
Not at all like she’d been expecting. Durion had lead her off to a quite, secluded rocky outcrop, and they’d sat upon it talking for a while. Just talking, chatting about random things. About her home, mostly, he hadn’t been too compliant when she’d started to ask him about his family and where she’d come from. And then it had happened, just like that. He’d been fairly gently, explained it to her, talked her through it. He’d explained that it wasn’t a certainty that she’d become pregnant, but she’d retaliated with her vision. It had been clear, it couldn’t have meant anything else – she would become pregnant, she was sure she would. Durion had offered to stay around in the meantime, but Alaia had told him it wasn’t necessary – she’d be heading straight back home, pregnant. She was sure she would.
She was currently sat in the shade of a tree, watching the sun rise from the horizon, casting a dark shadow over the world before her. He’d left soon afterwards, and she’d been sure to thank him. If he came around this way again, she’d given him directions to the pride – it was only fair, to give the lion a chance to meet his children. Because there would be children. Alaia was certain there would.
She stood up, stretching her legs. Padding through the grass, she sank into it’s depth, moving forwards slowly. The grass parted around her shape, making only the slightest of rustles. Alaia wasn’t a huntress, but the skills were innate – she was a lioness, and just instinctively knew the basics of hunting. She’d tried earlier to catch herself an antelope, but had failed because she’d been too rushed. Too quickly. She was starving, and needed the strength of a meal to help her ascend the mountain to her home. She quickly caught the scent of the herd – the same herd as before. She made her way there slowly, trying to make sure she gained the best vantage point to pick her prey. She’d found a good one before – one with a limp, that stuck to the edge of the herd. The dark browns soon came into view, the herd already awake and grazing, in preparation for its migration further into Africa.
The wind changed. One sniffed the air. Just as the herd gave a united cry of panic and began to move, Alaia darted forwards, her sprint faster than the confused movement of the doe. She was faster, she won. Claws tore into flesh, sharp teeth tore into neck. She tasted blood, could feel it running down her claws, jaw locking tightly as she allowed the rest of the herd to flee – she had her catch, her kill. She had what she needed. The doe kicked, it certainly went down fighting, yet her jaw was locked, and its fate was sealed. The kicks slowly became weaker, its crys quieter, until all went quiet. All a watcher would be able to hear was Alaia’s heavy breaths, and the rustling of the grass as the wind blew past.
She laid there for a few moments, getting her breath back. Sure the doe was dead, she dropped it’s neck, taking several more deep breaths. That was tiring work – she could understand why the huntress’ always seemed large and muscular, it was a difficult job. Alaia certainly wouldn’t be wanting to do that on a regular basis. They deserved all the praise they got – something which she didn’t always give quite as easily. Alaia was a sweet lioness, and always praised everyone for anything they did. But she was also forgetful, naive, and had come to realize that sometimes, after having praised someone once, she’d neglect to do it again. She was sure she’d be trying her hardest from now on, to remember to always say thank you. It was something she usually took for granted, but now she could see she shouldn’t. Definitely not.
Tearing eagerly into the flesh, Alaia hungrily gulped down the meat, grateful for the sustenance. She had a long climb ahead of her today, and she’d need all of her strength, especially if she was carrying. No, not if, she corrected herself. Because. She was carrying, she had to be. And the surest sign yet reared it’s head, when her stomach gave a lurch, Alaia leaning over to throw up away from her meal. It didn’t come – she was fine, just an upset in her stomach. But nothing like that had ever happened before. It was a sign, it had to be! Alaia was fairly sure that it would take longer than a night for any sort of cub-like shape to develop, let alone provide her with sickness, but she didn’t care. It was a sign, it was definitely a sign! She was pregnant, she was, she’d completed her duty! All she had to do now was head home.
And that was the hardest part over and done with, right? It had been painful, being with Durion and...doing it. She’d been surprised that it had been something like that, and not just magic. It had been something that needed to be done, however, and Alaia had done it, made her way through it. She’d return to her pride amongst praise and pride for her actions, and hopefully she’d be looked after well. She’d have to report to the High Priestesses, and let them know she was back. She was sure they’d been surprised – she’d only been gone a couple of days, usually lionesses were gone for weeks. She was special, she was the best! Alaia grinned to herself, a goofy, bright grin as she tore the last piece of flesh from the doe, before standing. Her stomach gave another rumble, but this only made her grin wider, Alaia having a certain hop in her step as she danced forwards, back towards the looming mountains she’d originally come from.
She was going home. She hadn’t been away long, but it had been long enough for the lioness, and now she was returning. Returning having completed her duty, as happy as could be.
It seemed poor Alaia had overlooked the fact that she’d soon have hungry mouths to feed. The worst was yet to come.
