The day was bright and clear, the ocean stretched far away to the horizon, a glittering sea of sparkling blue. It had been a week since their arrival and they had developed a routine, getting up before dawn to watch the sun raise over this new land, a quick breakfasts than they would come down to the beach to walk along the shoreline, letting the reality of this place sink into them, the safety and security so alien both of them feared it was all a dream, and that they would wake up, curled up under some lightening blasted tree in the middle of the savannah, the roars of their enemies ringing in their ears. But so far they had not awoken, this land had proven real each morning, and they were gradually letting themselves believe in it. Each day the shadow of their past got a fraction lighter, and they could start thinking about a future, one in which they weren’t on the run, where they could actually find happiness and peace together.Sand crept up between her toes, feeling strangely soft like silk as she walked along. The solid presence at her flank of her mate was the only indication she had that he was there without having to turn and actually look at him, so silent did he move. Glancing back to him she smiled softly, the relief of finding this sanctuary for the pair of them had lifted a weight from her shoulders and put the light back into her eyes.
Giovanni had been watching the ocean as it lapped along the shore. The dull, constant sounds of the water vibrated in his ears, but it was a soothing sound, not one that would annoy. Dropping his gaze to the sleek form of his beloved he caught her looking back at him and returned her smile, his own content, calm. They had been on the run for a very long time, too long, and he had been worried for her. But now, lit by the late evening sun, her crimson and ivory coat set aflame with the colours of the dying sun, he saw her youth return to her, a lightness to her step that warmed his heart. Leaning over he nuzzled her tenderly, no words needed, only the press of warm fur and the gentle sound of her breath.
Turning they headed up the beach towards the sheer rise of cliffs where many of the pride had their dens. Maria had picked theirs out as soon as they had been given formal entry into the pride, choosing one fairly high up and off to the side, private and secluded, separated by the nearest neighbour by a jut of rock, giving them a small space out the front of their den on a ledge of rock that was private and sheltered. They had been on their own for so long that living in a pride again was both a relief and slightly strange. The sounds of others all around made him sleep lightly, always ready to raise up and protect his mate, but the very fact that they were part of a pride gave them a safety that had not possessed in months. He knew he would eventually get used to it, it would just take time. He could not simply switch his instincts off, so he would wait till he stopped being on high alert the whole time. Yet even with this constant tension he was more relaxed and content than he had been for a long time.
Maria leaned into the weight of her mate as they walked, only moving away once they reached their den in order to climb up to it. The route was already well known to them both and it took only a few bounding strides to reach the ledge in front of their den. Settling along one side of it, Maria watched her husband for a moment as he sat and gazed out across their new home. “Do you like it here?” She asked, smiling gently. Her hazel eyes tracked him as he turned, watching her for a moment before standing and padding closer, resettling himself at her side, curled up around her so she could lean back into his solid bulk with a quiet sigh of contentment.
His deep voice rumbled in her ear, a faint thread of amusement oven through the words, intimate. “I do... it is.. peaceful. I think we can finally rest here, and maybe...” here he trailed off, making her twist to peer up at him, one brow raised in an expression she had learned from Giovanni himself. The look she gave him mad the large male laugh softly and dip to lick her nose. “I would like to start a family..” he admitted, his voice unusually soft, questioning, certainly hopeful. It was not a mannerism she often saw in him, for he was always decisive, confident in his actions. The unexpected shyness made her heart melt all over again and she knew she would agree with her whole heart. A family... just the two of them and a den full of wonderful balls of fluff... heirs to carry on after they passed from this world. Returning his smile with a warm one of her own, she licked his muzzle tenderly. “I would love that my dear. We should have many many cubs... ten, or twenty even. And I can watch as you teach them our ways, be the perfect supportive wife....” Her dark eyes sparkled at his look of shock and sudden uncertainty. Giggling she nuzzled him again. “Silly.. I am teasing you. But I would love a family, five cubs to cherish and love.”
Gathering himself after her dearest mate’s playful bombshell, he swallowed his heart back down into his chest and eyed her with a soft sigh of long suffering. “Five would be far... safer, than twenty, my love.” Arching his brow at her sense of humour he leaned down and nuzzled her in return, curling his body closer around her before letting free a deeply contented sigh.
Yes, this would be a perfect home for them, and their children.
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