Holly felt a hand gently stroking her hair, her ears, her tail, and for a second, she was back home, mamma gently stroking her to sleep.
Except, she didn't have a mamma to do that anymore.
Holly woke with a start, startling Elise who now sat in her bed.
"Morning, sleepy head!"
"Wh-what are you doing!?"
Elise shrugged, returning a hand to her hair before speaking again.
"Well, I didn't want to startle you, but I guess I did anyway, did I?"
For a second, she was temped to let Elise continue, but she sat up anyway. Elise rose to her feet and made her way to the door.
"Wait! Where are you going?"
"To the clearing, our Alpha has something to say. Probably about you, little cub."
Her tail was the last to hook around the door as she left.
. . .
Moments later, Holly reached the clearing. She was still pretty tired, but if Ren was making a announcement involving her, it would make since if the person of interest were to show up.
She spotted Elise easily, the empty space around her sticking out like a sore thumb as she made her way over.
"So... speech?"
"Yup, and it's about to start, I'm sure."
Holly yawned, stretching her legs before her. She leaned back, only to meet Elise's soft chest.
"Wha-?"
"It's okay," Elise said, pulling Holly closer and wrapping her hands around Holly's middle. She felt so safe, secure, and when Elise's hand returned to her hair, she practically purred.
"You... You don't have to treat me like this, you know... I'm not a cub."
"I know, but I want to. And it seems like you want me to, as well."
"Well, that doesn't mean you have to-"
Scratch that, she was sure she did purr as Elise rested her head atop hers and pulled Holly even closer, those arms of hers still wrapped around Holly's middle, just below her breasts.
Before she could complain, and at this point, she wasn't sure if she could, Ren made his way to the clearing.
"Good morning my children!"
Holly's ears attempted to perk from under Elise chin.
"Children?"
"Yes," Elise said, snuggling closer to Holly's delight and pleasure, "he treats us like family... something our old Alpha didn't do."
"I have a important announcement to make," Ren continued, "one that I'm sure half of you already know."
A few chuckles picked up in the crowed, only increasing when Ren dramatically sighed."Gossip! It's all kids today talk about!" He tried to keep up the expression but a smile fought it's way through his ruse. "Anyway, the rumors you've been hearing are true, we do indeed have a new member."
A pause.
"Holly, that's her name. Holly the vixen. Although she gave me no name other than that, I hope to call her 'Holly Silvermoon' by today."
The crowd erupted, and not in cheers. A confused mess of voices rang out across the clearing, rising in volume by the second as they fought to talk over each other.
"I know, I know..." Ren said, and only his voice, the voice of the loved and beloving king could silence them as he continued, "but I think it's time we stopped this feud between us. We are not enemies, we are brothers and sisters. Give this," he gestured to Holly, "give her a chance."
Countless eyes met hers, no matter how hard Elise tried to shield her from them. Two strangers. One, a nobody. The other... an enemy.
Holly really hoped Ren would keep his promise.
YOU ARE READING
Lamb
FantasyLike a lamb among wolves, Holly is the only Werefox among... more wolves? Okay forget it. The year is 476 AD, and Holly is among the newly discovered (or, at least, newly discovered by humans) species of "mythical creatures" to be found. What this s...