Ella's Wild Beasts

CHAPTER 20

~hello! Sadly I only have one chapter this week. I was busy all week celebrating my BFs birthday and had a lot of separate events to attend. I'll try to make it up with an extra chapter next week ♡~

   Ella knew she needed to figure something out soon. It was starting to be too cold to sleep separately from them, and there was no way currently to divide their space up. It already felt crowded sometimes. While she cleaned up she decided for now it was best to continue her thoughts on improving the burrow. She thought for awhile before settling on trying to make a door first. It would help keep their home a lot warmer without the giant draft it could provide sometimes.

   She headed to the storage room full of wood and clay and was thankful for the recent addition of glowing moss by Caius. He must have noticed that she was basically blind all the time. He had been gone for a full day and came back with enough for the whole burrow to be dimly lit. Not very bright, but just enough she wouldn't trip or bump into anything. When she went back to the main chamber her arms were full of the greenest branches they had, she hoped they would be flexible enough. She dumped her load in the center of the chamber as they watched her curiously. She made a couple more trips for some good vines and more branches then sat and beckoned them over.

   "We need a door for our home. Not only will it help keep us safe, but it will help it be warmer in here." Ella stated. "What's a door?" Ravi asked. "It's a covering for the entrance. Like a wall that can be moved. We can make one by weaving branches and tying them together." She mildly lamented at just how far in primitive times she was. They seemed to understand her instructions and they were done within tree hours. Looking at it she had a sudden thought that could improve it. She got one of her larger pots and filled it with some of their excess bedding materials. She also grabbed some bundles of clay and slowly, in the pot, mixed everything together to make a basic wall/insulation combo and started applying it to the door. They copied her movements and when it was covered she had them carry it to bake and harden at the fire.

   While that finished she lashed together some sturdy branches for the frame. Now to a somewhat more important task. She was tired of picking leaves and moss out of her hair and clothes. She didn't know why the thought hadn't occurred to her sooner. She had them pile up all their bedding materials and then she started layering it in her pelts. Soon they had a large, warm, and soft bed. It took all of her pelts to make it suitable though. I'm going to need more pelts. We all need better clothes and a blanket. I can't believe I went this long with only one outfit. Her cloths had started to be well worn and more and more holes were appearing. When she made herself something to were she could convert her old clothes into more rags.

   She laid and stretched in her new found comfy bed while deep in thought. She didn't notice the men laying next to her until they started touching her again. Pulled from thought Ella finally snapped. Without looking at them or moving she questioned harshly. "Didn't we all agree that I would be setting the pace? I'm starting to get annoyed with you guys feeling me up everyday without my permission." At her harsh tone they both immediately retreated from the bed and started apologizing. "We're sorry flower. Sometimes we lose ourselves. We would never force ourselves on you. We could never hurt you." "Do you hate our touch Ella? We can sleep elsewhere. We won't touch you anymore. Please don't reject us." They both looked so scared and devastated that she let out a frustrated sigh as her anger disappeared.

   "I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap. I don't hate you guys or your touch." Noticing them looking pleased and inching closer she continued. "But, I do feel forced sometimes. Please respect I need time to see if we can be forever. I don't want to make a decision in the heat of the moment and need to reject after because it wasn't what I whole heartedly wanted." Looking a little dejected they both nodded. If she had just entirely been living off them she might have felt a bit guilty but she was being plenty useful. Sighing she beckoned them to the bed again. Once a group hug was initiated she was back to being snuggly sandwiched between them. "I do like you two a alot, but I need time. I dont want our relationship to feel like a burden or obligation. Let's see how we deal with the cold season then we'll see. If you don't want to wait that long I won't make you stay. But I also won't kick you out either. If you both are uncomfortable with that I can make a shelter somewhere else."

   The arms squeezed her so hard it almost hurt, almost. "I can wait little mouse. I understand. I would never dream of leaving you or sending you out on your own." Caius growled and nodded in agreement. They all cuddled for awhile before they both shifted to head out to hunt, because she mentioned needing a bunch more pelts. Now that they were all made up and firmer boundaries were set she gently pecked both their beast on the nose and wished them luck and a safe return. Ravi let out a powerful roar when he made it to the entrance and was followed by deep barks from Caius. Then they both sprinted into the wall of rain to hunt.