The Tiger Inside

Chapter 3|Fall

Fall had come too quickly for Flaw. She spent most of her time hanging out with Myu. And Myu spent ALL his time watching Flaw and making sure she was okay. Flaw and Myu had talked about mating almost half the time they talked. They discussed the need for a mate for either of them. And they both had a good laugh when Flaw said they weren't mating. Myu was a little sad that he was right, but at least he would have a friend by him no matter what. And maybe her feelings twards him would change. That's what he hoped. And Flaw also hoped that. Secretly.

As summer turned to fall, Myu and Flaw knew that winter would be here in about a month. They decided it would be the best if they went their own ways and found a mate. Secretly, they hoped the other would say 'no way hosay' but since they both were hoping that, it never happened. And they walked away from the river where they first met.

As Myu walked away, he turned around to see her walk off out of sight, and to hopefully meet a male that would take good care of her throughout the winter. As he walked farther back to Eagle Mountain, he heard a feminine giggle from the forest.

"Hello?" He said in a brave voice, hoping the giggle was Flaw. But as he remembered, Flaw never giggled.

"Hi." A beautiful female tiger stepped out of the brush. She was also looking for a mate.

"Hello." Myu said dumbly

The female giggled,"You already said that!"

Myu got out of his shock, seeing a beautiful female. 'But would it be wrong if I mated with her and not Flaw?' He thought. 'Oh its just mating, but that was so important to Flaw! I can't act like it's discussing the weather!'

He decided to give this girl all of his love that he had kept hidden from Flaw,"Oh sorry I'm just in shock that you are so beautiful."

The female blushed if that was possible for a tiger,"Oh thanks. I'm Rose. And who are you?"

"I'm Myu. Where do you come from?"

"Oh just Eagle Mountain, what about you?"

"I'm from Eagle Mountain too!" Myu said while getting closer to Rose," Would you like to see my cave?"

I guess Rose was shocked but since she was also looking for a mate she replied,"Sure but no tricks." As they left for Myu's den Flaw had also met someone, Sols, her older brother.

"Flaw! What are you doing here! You live by Turtle Lake! Wha," Sols yelled at his sister

"Chill Sols I was just talking to a guy."

That made him freak,"What guy? Is he your mate? Are you going to have your first litter? You didn't get my aproval! How long have you guy's been together? Are you in his den or is he in yours-"

"SOLS! He's not my mate! And I don't need your aproval! You haven't cared for me until now." Flaw yelled at him.

"Geez Flaw, no wonder mom named you Flaw."

This made her mad,"What do you want anyways?"

"Oh, I was just getting over the river to my mate. Obiously you haven't found one yet. So I shouldn't brag. Anyways," he continued while seeing Flaws face," I have to go to Jewels bye." And Sols ran off before Flaw broke his bones.

"I'll get a mate this winter. And I'll have more surviving cubs than any of my siblings." She promised herself.

Flaw continued to walk until she was past Shell Mountain. It was getting dark and she needed a shelter. And the thunder started rolling.

"I need a shelter!" She thought as the rain started to fall hard on her back.

She headed twards Shell Mountain, hoping to find a deserted den or cave to spend the night in. As she walked up Shell Mountain, she saw what looked like an empty cave and started climbing harder and higher into what was called the Crack of the Shell. There she found a large cave and wondered why no animal had lived in there.

"Maybe the animals were afraid of a rock slide?" She questioned to no one while walking in. As she walked in, she took a sniff to see how long ago this cave was used. She took a long sniff and had to put her nose to the ground to smell.

"So long ago I think they died, or the mothers cubs moved away. Hopefully a male stayed behind..." She trailed. She still wanted to keep her promise you know. But she also wanted it to be as real as it could get. Considering she was in love with Myu. Even though she knew the first female he saw he would mate with.

She sighed, she knew it was true. She didn't want it to be true, but inside she knew.

"I should have mated with him. I was in love and I shouldn't have said that right after we met. "She mumbled before going into a deep sleep.
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Rose woke up in Myu's cave, knowing he was her mate for her first litter. She smiled as she looked at her sleeping mate and thought if he would father her second or even third litter.

'No, he won't commit for that long. Probably leave after the first litters first fall, if not before then.' She scowled to herself, she wanted Myu all to herself.

As Myu stirred in his sleep, Rose relised that she was lucky for how ever long she had him. Even if that was only till this spring.