two more chaps to go...
Chapter 9
A couple of weeks have passed and Tilla was back to her full strength, thanks mainly to Ryke's excellent hunting skills. He always managed to come back with some sort of prey item, he even figured out how to hunt scavenger birds, which are normally too quick and weary to catch.
The outside temperature lately, however, has been very cold and Ryke couldn't stay outside for more then a couple of hours at a time. Due to this, he had to retreat back to the burrow empty handed more often. One day Ryke was taking longer then usual to return and Tilla was getting worried.
Oh please don't tell me I lost him too... Tilla thought with a whine, I don't want to lose another...not so soon...
She hadn't admitted her feelings toward him yet, mainly out of fear fate would be cruel to her once again. But at the moment it seemed like it....
She perked up her ears at the sound of something entering the burrow. Not hesitating she got up to see who it was. She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled when she saw that it was Ryke and he managed to catch something this time: a yearling shaggy elum. But her smile faded when she noticed something...Ryke was hurt.
Ryke's right ear was badly torn and his face had a couple of scratches on it; one dangerously close to his left eye. His mane looked a bit tattered and some of it was missing. There were a few cuts here and there on his body and he was limping slightly.
"Ryke...what happened?" Tilla asked as he dropped the elum carcass close to the nest.
"Another @#%$@ male tried to steal my kill." Ryke grumbled as he laid down in the nest, "Was able to drive him off though. Eat up, I'll join you once I rest up a bit."
Tilla looked at the carcass for a moment, but couldn't bring herself to eat. Instead she joined Ryke in the nest and started tending to his injuries.
"Tilla...what are...ow!" Ryke winced, he was a bit surprised at her actions.
"Sorry..." she said as she licked one of his wounds on his face clean, "I'm...returning the favor...for you saving my life."
"Oh...thank you..."
After she finished she just sat there a moment, her ears back and looking a bit distressed.
"What's wrong?" Ryke asked.
"I...was worried about you." she said, then she broke down into sobs.
"Hey..." Ryke said as he nuzzled her, "What's with those tears eh?"
Unable to hold back anymore, Tilla leaned up against his chest, sobbing quietly.
"I was afraid I had lost you..." she said between sobs, "I don't want to lose you Ryke...ever. I...love you."
"Tilla..." Ryke said softly, his own voice cracking. He gently lifted her head until it was even with his. Tilla looked deep into those pale orange eyes of his and saw joy and happiness in them. It was then she knew he felt the same way for her as she did for him.
Still holding her head up, Ryke leaned forward and kissed her....
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