Cay carried Morea on her back. The poor girl needed something to drink and Cay didn't want to just leave her in the den by herself. She decided it would be best if she take Morea with her and search for water. Morea let out a little cough. Carefully Cay set her down. The trip wasn't helping Morea's throat. If anything it was aggravating it even more. “Honey, I'm going to leave you here. I want you to stay here until I get back alright.” The small cub nodded her head.
Since Merris left it had been hard raising the three cubs by herself. She often wished she could just have Merris back and have him raise them. He would have been an amazing father if he hadn't walked out on her. She often cried herself to sleep thinking of him. She did her best to never cry in front of the cubs, but it was hard.
When Morea got sick Cay thought her world was ending. She was worried that she would not only lose her mate, but her cub as well and she couldn't bare to have that happen. As she wandered she saw a leopard. Perhaps he would be willing to take her to some water or even watch Morea while she found some water.
He was a handsome leopard, with a slight air of arrogance around him. When he saw her he gave her a grin. “Hello there,” he said approaching her. “What is such a lovely leopardess doing all by herself out here? Shouldn't she be with her mate?”
Bukaera thought her blue stood out. He admired it. She was such a small lovely leopardess. He noticed she looked worried about something. “What is the matter?” he asked, not liking the look of an upset leopardess. He would be sure to do his best to cheer her up. “Is there something I can do to help.”
Cay smiled, to easy. “I was wondering could you show me where some water is?” she asked hopefully.
He nodded his head. “I just came back from a small pond. Let me take you to it.” He led the way. “Is there something troubling you? You look upset?” he asked while they walked. He didn't want to pry too much, he just wanted to figure out what made her so upset.
She looked to the ground. “My mate recently died.” she confess. This was a lie, she didn't want to tell the truth to a stranger. It was embarrassing enough having her loved one leave her, but to tell that to a stranger. How horrid. She would have to be desperate to do that.
Poor girl, Bukaera thought as they walked. “I'm sorry about your lose.” he said quietly. He knew about lose. He lost his whole family. What this poor leopardess was going through was something unbearable. “I lost my family when I was younger, except for my brother. He made it out alive with me. I know what it feels to lose someone you care about.”
She nodded her head. Was he foolish enough to tell her the truth about her family? She wondered. How silly. He must have needed someone to confide in. “How old were you when you lost them?” She knew what it was like to lost a sister, a beautiful sister. One that no one understood. The pain she felt was unbearable when her sister died. Her special spot, the one she had to run away from was the place where she was murdered. She still had nightmares about the event and about the blood.
She had woken up so many times by her cubs, telling her she was screaming in her sleep. She wished he nightmares would stop, but she knew they would keep coming until she did something to make up for the sins of the past.
“I was just a cub when they died. I lived in a pride dominated by lions. Such despicable creatures.” He hated all species that wasn't leopards. They were worthless in his eyes. Especially hybrids. The thought that they were tainted just made them worse than normal species. “They mistreated us and my brother and I ran away as soon as we could. Best choice we've ever made. I was separated from him and I haven’t seen him since.”
“What a shame. I bet he was lovely.” She didn't believe any of his story. It was probably just a lure to try and trick her. She was on her guard ready to flee if he tried anything funny. She wasn't the trusting sort, especially around those she could easily manipulate without using her voice. “How much longer until we are at the pond.” She asked wanting to change the subject. Talking about family was getting too emotional for her, it made her think of poor Morea.
“We very close.” he replied as they went past some denser forrest and than they were there. A large pond. Perfect in every way. It looked so soft and safe. Cay looked around, amazed at her luck. Morea would love this pond. “Is this good enough for you?” he asked jokingly. He knew it was good enough plus some by the look on her face.
Tears filled her eyes. He really was a kind male after all. “Thank you so much. My cubs, they are going to love it here. I have to hurry and get them, but Morea.” She bit her lower lip.She would have to travel and get the other two cubs and than get Morea. That would mean Morea would be by herself for some time. Cay did not like that idea. She looked at the leopard. Perhaps he would be interested in watching her daughter? “Mister, erm. I don't think I caught your name.”
“Bukaera.”
“Bukaera would you watch my daughter for a litle bit while I run and get my other two cubs.” She gave him an innocent smile. “I will little bit, I will hurry as much as I can.” She reasure.
“Sure I can help. Just take me to her.” He smiled. It would be fun watching a little leopardess cub. He hadn't seen a cub in so long that it would fun to watch one.
“Thank you so much Bukaera. By the way my name is Cay. My daught's name is Morea.”
“You both have very lovely names.”
Cay led him to were her daughter was hiding. To Bukaera's surprise, she was not a leopard but a hybrid.
WC= 1,089
