Page 46 of Purring, Presents, and Parties

“Because you represent the Apogee Assembly,” Ari answered, her voice unnaturally childlike. “They’re the most important Talins, aren’t they?”

“Some would argue that our monarch and prime family are the most important,” Nacium said with an amused rumble. “But you’re correct, the Apogee Assembly is very powerful. I work forone of the committees dedicated to making sure all you humans are looked after.”

“That makes your job even more important!” Ari declared. “Thank you for keeping us safe.”

Bazium thought she was being too obvious with her admiration, but Nacium never stopped sounding a soothing rumble.

“I promise to make sure all of you are protected,” he said, making Bazium want to rattle with irritation. He worried that Ari’s fawning words were going to make Nacium a more determined inspector.

“Did you know all my family and friends are here?” Ari asked. “Master Baz brought us all here so we could stay together. And he found me more friends! We get to spend all day together, grooming each other’s manes and playing. It’s the best life. I worry for all the humans who don’t get to live with us and be so joyful.”

Bazium should’ve had more faith in Ari. With that little speech, she’d neatly outlined what Nacium’s expectations should be. He would find everyone here happy but should be worried that humans not on the Lee Family compound might not be as content.

She was brilliant!

“Don’t cause yourself anxiety, Ari,” Nacium said. “I’ll be extra diligent with other owners.”

“That’s good,” Ari said. “You can always bring the humans here. We have lots of room for everyone to play!”

Ari

To her relief, the inspection went well and quickly. Ari couldn’t wait to see Nacium get back into his ground transport and leave.She was tired of being a cheerful and chatty human. Her face hurt from forcing herself to smile, and the inside of her cheek was sore from where she’d bitten it several times to keep from saying what she was actually thinking.

After this was all over, she should be given an award for acting!

“As you can see, we’ll be finished with the extra enclosures soon,” Baz said as they circled around the construction near Zuri and Kasium’s cottage. It was the last place they needed to show Nacium and then they could escort him back to the front entrance.

“The humans don’t seem to mind being housed several to an enclosure,” Nacium commented. “I read that they often sleep three or four to a nest.”

“They only tend to do that when they’re anxious or in a new place,” Bazium lied smoothly. “As they grow more comfortable and secure here, some might want nests and enclosures of their own.”

“That’s not in the literature. I need to make note to have it added,” Nacium said, unclipping his Ident and speaking into it quickly and quietly.

Ari bit her cheek again.

As if sensing her annoyance, Baz tightened his hold on her briefly before speaking again. “We also expect to find more humans, and we want to be prepared for that.”

“I’d call you greedy if it wasn’t for your adoption program,” Nacium said, reclipping his Ident. “I can see why you’d want the humans to spend time here first. With so many other humans, it would make a potentially traumatic experience far easier. Tell me, where are the cubs housed?”

“As you must know, the youngest isn’t here,” Bazium said. “That small family was adopted and is thriving under their new owners’ care.”

“Yes, yes,” Nacium answered with an impatient rattle. “But there are other cubs. Andres, Lucia, Tamsin, Royal…”

As Nacium listed all the kids under ten from memory, Ari noticed movement behind him. Keeping her smile in place, she watched with growing horror as Zuri and Kasium came into view. Both looked happy and relaxed, with Zuri looking like she’d been thoroughly sexed up!

Under any other circumstance, Ari would’ve cheered and maybe teased them a little for taking so long to get together, but their timing couldn't have been worse!

After enjoying each other’s “company” they must’ve decided to join the celebration and see if there was any food left in the tent. Normally it wouldn’t be a problem, especially at this time of night, but to a Talin’s heightened sense of smell, they probably reeked of sex and each other.

They were probably too distracted to notice the alarm that went off earlier, and now they were walking the shortest route to the tent and would pass right by Nacium! He’d have to be a complete idiot not to notice if they got close.

“I swear I could eat an entire crop of seed pods!” Zuri declared with a light laugh.

“What’s this?” Nacium asked as he turned to see who was talking.

With Nacium’s back turned, Ari waved widely to get the couple’s attention. Kasium saw her waving, then noticed Nacium, while Zuri was chattering about all the things she wanted to eat.

“There’s food in the cottage,” he said and tried to turn Zuri around.

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