The solarium was its usual quiet green morning self, and the house was now humming with a full complement of staff. Of course the Christmas party was approaching, but in reality the Pride was about to arrange itself around a newly returned demie with a protective vengeance.
demieLast night had been entirely too close, and the tranqs obviously bothered Dad as much as Jack. Trevor was at his usual place, setting his newspaper aside and rising with a warm smile for Zoe, who sank into her now-habitual seat with enviable grace.
She was pale, and nervous. Fortunately her scent held no edge of outright fear, just faint nose-stinging anxiety. Stretching out next to his sleeping demie had granted Jack a measure of calm even if he was too keyed-up for real rest, but the need to touch her, physical
