Father stroking my hair woke me, but I didn't stir. In the dim early morning light, I kept my eyes closed, pretending to sleep. My heart still ached from the forced loss of Mhor.
Father kissed my head, then climbed to his feet and left.
I sat up, staring at the door flap. I had to find a way to be with Mhor. If I could flee to him, right before my heat set in...
Collecting fresh clothes, I headed outside. Father had already gone, while my brothers Hektos and Thelmos sat by the fire, eating. I made my way over and sat between them.
Thelmos looked me over slowly. "How do you feel, Zora?"
"I'm alive." I reached over and pulled off a chunk of meat from the roasted wildebeest.
He wrapped his arm around me and nuzzled my ear. "I was afraid we'd lost you. There was so much blood."
I purred
