I snuggle into his warmth as his arm wraps around me.

The sound of the entire pack of cats purring echoes through the cave system, creating melodies that speak of home, of rest.

I fight to stay awake, so we can talk about all the things we need to do in the morning, but the soothing sound and Wranth’s warmth lull me to sleep.

The last thing I know is his soft kiss on my forehead. “Good night, my bride.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Wranth

Holding my moon bound close throughout the entire night is a gift. One I savor, waking often to ensure she’s really in my arms, that I’m not dreaming. The fragrance of her sleep-warmed body carries both our scents, the combination soothing the restlessness that usually plagues my soul.

I wake again at dawn, my body instinctively knowing the hour even though there’s no hint in the pitch-black cave. We lie on our sides, my front curled around her back, my legs tucked against the back of hers. My bride’s glorious ass presses back into me, and my cock stirs, hungry again even after yesterday’s loving. It longs to knot Naomi and bind her to me more fully, to show her such pleasure she will never want to leave.

Knotting, however, takes hours, and needs to wait until I get her to a safe place where we can be alone.

Because we certainly aren’t alone here.

The softest whisper of air through fur is all the warning I get. A little body lands on my hip. Tiny paws clamber up my side to stand on my shoulder. Then one pats my cheek, all soft pads with no claws. “Got you!”

“Indeed, you did,” I whisper.

But not quietly enough, because my bride stirs. “Wranth?”

“No, it’s me!” The kit’s voice is full of mischief and glee. “It’s Wisp!”

“Wisp!” Naomi says. “Can you see when it’s this dark?”

“No, but I can smell real good and listen, listen, listen, like you’re supposed to when you hunt.” Her back feet shift weight from one to the other a few times, and she jumps.

Naomi lets out a little exhale of surprise, then chuckles.

“I’m lighting the glow stone,” I say, then strike it to spark its magic. The small cave comes into view, with Naomi curled in front of me with the kit held close.

Green eyes blink rapidly for a few seconds. “Aww, that’s cheating.”

“Sorry, kiddo.” Naomi scratches under the kit’s chin. “Humans don’t have cat super senses like you.”

“Yes, I’m super!” Wisp wiggles in my moon bound’s arms, too full of energy to sit still.

“You sure are.”

“Another story!” The rest of the kits bound into the room. “Yes!” “More!”

My bride beams, delighted to be asked. Goddess, how I love that look on her face!

“Go ahead,” I say. “I’ll gather everything here and follow.”

“Are you sure?” She hesitates out of politeness, everything in her pulling her toward the delight she gets in telling stories.

“Very sure.” I would deny her nothing. Naomi is already the most amazing person I’ve ever met. Her ability to tell entertaining tales only adds to my admiration.

My bride came alive the night before as she told the story, her voice taking on the aspect of each character. She knew exactly when to pause to make the audience lean forward, craving more, transforming a youngling’s tale into something that held adults transfixed.

As she follows the kits out into the dawn-lightened tunnel, I hurry to gather my sleeping furs. I do not want to miss the story either. Yet I pause for a moment, pressing the soft fur to my face and inhaling deeply, pulling the combined scent of me and my bride deep into my lungs.

Mine.