Talia Of Animalistic 19 Walter Of Water

Roar and Zenith with their newborn daughter, Zulu, Roar's boys: Howl and Talon, along with Wildcat leave together to visit Talia for the full moon. Except when Wildcat reaches the edge of Richy's territory, he stops.

"What's wrong," Zenith asks Wildcat with the baby at her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

"Y'all go on without me," directs Wildcat. "Give Talia and Cougar my love. "I'll catch y'all on the way home."

"You should come give them your love yourself," Zenith tells Wildcat firmly.

Wildcat shakes his head, "I can't, not yet."

Zenith has something else to say, but Roar touches her arm and tells Wildcat, "We'll see you in three days."

Wildcat nods, "Tell everyone I said hey."

Roar and Zenith continue the rest of the way with their children, but without Wildcat. In Richy's back yard, they're just sitting down to dinner at the picnic tables as they arrive. The area is quite busy because of Water Tribe hanging out in Richy's territory.

Talia's face tells Roar that she was expecting Wildcat to be with them. But her Uncle Bob is visiting for the weekend, so she won't say anything. At least not in front of her Uncle Bob she won't. She has no idea how to explain to him she has three mates. But he's focused on Otter, and Talia's grateful for that.

Late in the evening after Uncle Bob and Otter have retired to his guest room for the night, Richy asks Roar, "Where's Wildcat? Talia thinks he's shunning her."

"He's not shunning her," responds Roar, "He'ld never do that. He's just kind of shunning himself. He got to the edge of your territory and just stopped. What was I supposed to do? Toss him over my shoulder and drag him kicking and screaming?"

"If Cougar wasn't at work, he'ld probably do just that," answers Richy.

Roar smiles, "Yeah, Cougar has his own unique way of dealing with things. He used to drive my father crazy. So how is he dealing with this?"

"He's just worried about his dad," shares Richy. "But he's handling it better than me. I'm the selfish one. He just rolls with the punches. It about killed me to tell Talia there was no reason to deny Wildcat… But as much as I'ld like to have her to myself, when she came home upset because Wildcat's avoiding her, I thought the same thing I thought when y'all arrived without Wildcat, I wished Cougar was home from work. He'ld know what to say to her."

"So there are some advantages to sharing a mate with another man," says Roar thoughtfully, "Like having help dealing with her emotional crises."

Richy nods and the two men stand there in silence for a short time before retiring for the night. The weekend itself is mostly uneventful. Richy decides he wants to use Talia's estate for the wedding. If the weather is good, they can do it outside in the courtyard with the fountain as a backdrop. If the weather is uncooperative, they can have the wedding inside in the ballroom.

Richy, Talia, Roar, Uncle Bob and Otter drive over to the estate. Richy sends digital pictures and text messages to Cougar. Uncle Bob and Roar are very helpful. Talia is quiet and withdrawn. Otter being the only other female with them stays close to Talia.

Talia points out some portraits on the wall and shares with Otter, "These are my parents… my maternal grandparents…" etc. Otter listens closely to Talia. Knowing one's family history is important among free people and Talia's family now. Plus, she's agreed to have a baby with Bob.

Otter's excited. Her first two children were unplanned. And she never had a man asks her to have his baby before. Part of her hopes she gets pregnant right away while part of her wants it to take a while to happen. Either way, she needs to know Bob's history to share with their future child together.

Richy sets the day for the wedding for two days after the next new moon. Talia will come home from work in Megalopolis, but instead of going off to visit family and friends within her tribe they're going to come to the estate along with the rest of the tribe who wish her to wish her well and want to be present for the wedding. Free people do like to have an excuse to party.

Yet Talia's not a happy, giddy, excited bride to be. The situation with Wildcat is weighing heavily on her heart. When they're out of earshot of the men, Otter tells her, "It'll be fine. He will come to you."

"How angry must he be with me," Talia asks Otter even though she's not expecting an answer from Otter.

"I don't think he's angry with you," responds Otter positive of that. "The day Richy proposed and you were so happy at first. Then Wildcat said it was 'stupid' and unnecessary, crus.h.i.+ng your heart with his words. But you didn't hear what was said after you went inside. You didn't smell how remorseful he was. It wasn't his intention to hurt your feelings and steal your joy. He was so angry with himself for speaking so thoughtlessly. But you can't unsay things that came out wrong, that you really didn't mean. It cannot be erased.

Your men love you so much. Richy is showing the world he loves you with this wedding. Cougar has chastised his own father out of love for you, stopped him from taking you against your will even though it was his right. Wildcat nearly took you against your will. He's not the type of man to do something like that. Maybe he's staying away because he's angry with himself."

"Perhaps," says Talia thoughtfully, "Maybe I should go to him."

Otter shrugs, "I don't know. He seems to be seeking time for himself. I just know he loves you and will come to you eventually. So when he comes to you, will you be able to accept him."

"Yes," Talia answers with a nod. "Now, how do I tell my uncle I have three mates."

Otter shrugs, "Just spit it out."

Talia half smiles, "That sounds simple enough."

Otter smiles knowingly as she responds, "But it never is."

Roar has agreed that he and the tribe will come and start preparing the estate for the wedding. And he knows Amazonia and her tribe will come give them a hand too.

The new moon comes and Talia goes to work in Megalopolis. She still hasn't told her Uncle Bob she has three mates and Wildcat is still avoiding her. Fjord still hasn't returned to his tribe, but no one is missing him. Talia arrives at the estate from work in Megalopolis to find it very busy. Richy and Cougar seem to know exactly what they're doing. Better them than me thinks Talia. She wouldn't know where to start in order to plan a wedding. Getting married wasn't something she thought she would ever do. After all, she's a free woman and getting married isn't something free folks do. They settle down with a mate. But Richy has always expected to get married, and if Richy wants the domestic ceremony, Talia doesn't have a problem with it. It doesn't change the fact that she has three mates. She's not unhappy, but she's not excited either.

Amazonia stops Talia concerned and says to her, "I thought brides to be were supposed to be happy."

"Where's your father," demands Talia, "Where's my mate Wildcat?"

Amazonia sighs as she answers, "He's around."

"You mean he's still avoiding me," Talia tells Amazonia unhappily. "He's not going to be here. He's not going to attend my wedding."

"It's not you Talia," a.s.sures Amazonia. "He adores you as he always has. His struggle is with himself."

"I keep thinking I need to go into the forest and track him, go to him," shares Talia.

"He needs time," Amazonia shrugs then a.s.sures Talia, "He will come to you."

Wildcat's not far away. He's found a tree with an excellent vantage point. He's got a good view of all the goings on at the estate. When the solar cars start arriving with the domesticated guests, he knows the ceremony's about to begin. The weather is good, so it's being done outside. Very few blossoms remain on the trees, but enough to add to the beauty of the day. He catches a whiff of catered food and there's plenty or wild vittles too. There are plenty of free folks present from his and Amazonia's tribes. He catches sight of a woman he doesn't know, and guesses correctly she's the desert woman, Hyena. Her hair's quite short and her skin is nearly as dark as her hair. Roar said she's put on some weight, but she still looks too thin to Wildcat.

Wildcat has always preferred full figured curvy women. Talia has nice curves. He tries to push thoughts of Talia's body to the back of his mind. Then he hears music. It's the wedding march. Everyone's in place and Talia is walking down the aisle to Richy. Wildcat has never seen Talia look more beautiful. She looks like a queen to him. He thinks of Cleopatra. Cougar liked to share his studies with his father and Wildcat had loved the information about ancient Egypt. Talia looks like an ancient Egyptian queen to Wildcat, from her wedding robes to her jewelry, make-up and hair. And Wildcat knows Richy well enough to know that every jewel and metal on Talia is real precious and pure, pure platinum and gold, real rubies and diamonds.

Wildcat knows Talia hates shoes. But for her wedding she has donned a lovely pair of wedged heeled slippers that have added about 10 to 13 centimeters to her height. He's glad no one has asked him his opinions on these things and that he hasn't had a chance to give his opinion because Talia is already beautiful and doesn't need make-up nor adornments of any kind and he would have said so. But she's absolutely stunning, and he will never forget seeing her this way.

Richy takes Talia's hand as she steps in front of him and the music stops. The music was loud but the voices are not and Wildcat can't hear what's being said and he wants to hear what's being said. The event is being recorded, so he won't get to hear what was said until he watches the recording. When Richy kisses Talia and everyone cheers, Wildcat knows the ceremony is complete. He watches Richy hush the crowd, but he can't hear what Richy is telling them.

"Ladies and gentleman," Richy addressing the attendees, "before we all go eat, drink and be merry. We have an announcement. Our first announcement as husband and wife… We're pregnant!"

The crowd cheers even more loudly this time and Wildcat wonders just what the h.e.l.l Richy said. But he continues to watch as people come up and congratulate the newly married couple. Then people head for the food and there's more music which means dancing. Wildcat loves to dance and he would love to dance with Talia. But he knows the second he gets near her, his instincts will kick into high gear and they'll be doing the horizontal mambo.

After the last person has congratulated them, Talia and Richy start to head for the food and music. Talia pauses and Wildcat could swear she's looking dead at him. He can see a deep sadness in her beautiful dark brown eyes. Richy says something to her. Talia replies. Then Richy and Cougar look off into the direction of Talia's stare. Cougar says something to Talia. She turns to him and responds, Cougar says something else then leans over and kisses her. Then the three of them continue forward together with Richy holding Talia's hand and Cougar with an arm draped across her shoulders. Something about seeing the three of them together like that makes Wildcat feel better.

Talia would love to run away from this situation. The wedding and reception are much bigger and fancier than she's comfortable with. But it's still not half as bad as one of those big fancy useless b.a.l.l.s. There's plenty of good food and good people. Free and domesticated seem to be interacting well. Lance Drumpt doesn't seem happy though. Talia can't believe Richy invited him and he came. But she's happy to see the Drumpt patriarch, Walter, as well as her G.o.dfather, Judge Cyril Suzuki. Everyone's mixing well with children running about playing and laughing.

Uncle Bob sits next to Cougar and greets him in a serious tone, "Cougar…"

"Yes sir Uncle Bob," responds Cougar wondering what the serious tone is about.

Uncle Bob informs him, "Your divorce is final. I have the papers in my car." Then he smiles, "Don't let me forget to give them to you before you leave."

Cougar hops up from his chair excited, "It's final! My divorce is final!" He picks Uncle Bob up in an excited bear hug shouting enthusiastically. He releases Uncle Bob and s.n.a.t.c.hes Talia up into his arms and kisses her. Then he grabs Richy and kisses his cheek. The three of them stand there together in a group hug swaying for a few moments as Cougar calms down.

Cougar's eyes are wet with tears as he retakes his seat pulling Talia onto his lap. Richy sits next to them and puts his arm around Cougar as Talia puts an arm around the back of Cougar's neck. Cougar holds tightly to Talia with his head resting under her chin as her thumb caresses his cheek.

"Are you alright," Uncle Bob asks Cougar sitting down by them.

"Wonderful," answers Cougar as he holds Talia.

Uncle Bob informs Cougar, "You'll be notified when Sheila goes into labor. Once the baby is born the usual hospital care will take place. You'll be able to come and visit your new born as you please. Then you'll get to take your new son or daughter home with you. If you haven't picked out names yet, you should."

Cougar nods his understanding. "What about Sheila's visitation? Will I have to take the baby to the jail so she can get her visit?"

"No," answers Uncle Bob, "She doesn't have any visitation. Her parental rights have been terminated. I think that's what's best for you and the baby." He leaves out that Sheila will be sterilized.

Otter sits on Bob's lap and says, "It sounds a bit harsh, terminating her parental rights."

Bob pats Otter's knee, "You weren't present when she was brandis.h.i.+ng an ax at Cougar. She even threatened to terminate the pregnancy. If Cougar chooses to have contact with her and let her see the baby, he may do so. But I've set it up so he doesn't have to."

"Thank you Uncle Bob," says Cougar gratefully.

"Glad to do it for you," responds Uncle Bob honestly.

"Is everything alright," asks Walter Drumpt stepping over to them.

"My divorce is final," shares Cougar.

"Ah," says Walter nodding his understanding. Then he finds himself staring at a free woman as she sets a ewer of ice water on the table. There's something familiar about her.

Richy tells the woman appreciatively, "Thank you Aunt Seal."

The light of recognition goes off in Walter's head and he calls to the woman, "Seal?"

Seal turns toward the domesticated man. He's Richy's height and build. He's a mature distinguished man. You can see his gray hair was once a vibrant red. His green eyes hold intelligence and sadness. Green eyes, very familiar green eyes.

Walter Drumpts steps up in front of Seal. His are welling up with tear. "My sa.s.sy little Seal, it's Poppa."

Seal's face contorts, first with surprised confusion and then with anger. She b.a.l.l.s her hands into fists at her sides. She knows this man. He's not her biological father, but he was the only father she ever really knew. He's the man that abandoned her mother while she was pregnant with Richy's mother.

Walter reaches out to touch Seal but sees her anger so he doesn't. He asks her, "Please, where's your mother? Where's my mate Ibis?"

Richy never knew his maternal grandmother. She died several years before he was born. But he knows her name was Ibis. He knows nothing of his maternal grandfather except his mother never knew her father. Richy a.s.sumed the man was dead.

"Has she taken a new mate," Walter asks Seal.
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"No," Seal answers angrily, "She's dead. She never took another mate."

"When did she die," asks Walter distraught, "Was it a peaceful death?"

"No," answers Seal with tears streaking her face. "It was slow and painful. She died the second she saw you on her cousin Tam's TV with your fancy new supermodel wife and realized you weren't coming back. You broke more than her heart. You destroyed her spirit. She waited until Swan was woman to throw herself from the cliffs."

"Swan," questions Walter.

"Yes, Swan," Seal giving his chest a thump with the side of her fist. It's not an attempt to hurt him, just a show of her anger. "My baby sister, your daughter, Swan, who never knew you."

Richy can hardly believe what he's hearing. If he's understanding the conversation, then Walter Drumpt was his mother's father. And that would make Walter Drumpt, the patriarch of the Drumpts, his maternal grandfather.

"Is she here," Walter asks Seal looking around. "Is my daughter here?"

"No," answers Seal giving his chest another angry thump. "She's dead! Swan's dead! You missed everything. Swan's birth, her first steps, her first word, everything." She gives him another angry thump.

Walter hugs Seal and apologizes sincerely, "I'm sorry. Poppa's sorry."

"Why Poppa? Why," asks Seal through her tears. "What was so wonderful about that woman that made you leave us?"

"Nothing," answers Walter as tears track his own face. "I never loved her. My father and grandfather picked her for me. They said it was time I behaved like a Drumpt. They said if I stepped back into Wild Mountain Territory again that there would be a hunting accident and then there would no longer be a reason for me to go back again. And they weren't the kind of men to bluff. I couldn't put you all in danger like that… Poppa did what he had to so you, Momma and the baby would be safe… I had to keep you, Ibis and Swan along with the rest of the tribe safe from what my father and grandfather would have done if I didn't cooperate… Poppa didn't want to stay away. All I could do was pray you were safe and happy and knew that no matter what I love you…

So what do I have left now little Seal? What does your poppa have left now my daughter?"

"I don't know what miracle brought you here today Poppa," Seal tells the only father she ever knew. "But you watched your grandson get married today. And I have two children, and they each have two children… That's my daughter, Otter, right there…"

Otter gives a little wave from Bob's lap.

"My son Ba.s.s is around here somewhere," Seal shrugs. "But Poppa, this young man right here is Swan's son, Richard. But we call him Mist."

"This fine young sheriff is my grandson," asks Walter looking at Richy in awe.

"Richy," Cougar slaps his knee good humoredly, "you're a Drumpt."

"The h.e.l.l I am," responds Richy. "My father's name is John Henry Griffin. I'm a Griffin. No offense meant to you sir. I like you very much. That's why I invited you. But I really don't know you. You're a stranger to me."

"No Mist," his aunt Seal tells him, "This is your grandfather. He's family. He's tribe."

"Stop it. That's enough," interrupts Lance. "Grandfather, enough is enough. It's time to go."

"I'm not going anywhere," responds Walter pulling away from Lance. "This is your aunt, Seal, and your cousins, Otter and Richard."

"Don't says that," Lance tells his grandfather. "There's nothing that proves we're related to any of these people. And there are people here, important people. You don't want them thinking we have wild blood."

"I don't care what they think," declares Walter removing his tuxedo jacket, his tie, his dress s.h.i.+rt and finally his t-s.h.i.+rt. Then he points to the tattoo at the base of his back and asks Lance, "Do you know what that is?"

Lance hadn't known his grandfather had any tattoos as he answers, "A tattoo. So?"

Richy clarifies for Lance, "It's a tribal tattoo."

"Well G.o.d bless me," says Cougar with a smile.

The Water Tribe tattoo at the base of Walter's back means he was adopted by the Water Tribe, just as Reynold Devons.h.i.+re had been adopted by the Animalistic Tribe. Walter Drumpt hadn't been a casual visitor to the Water Tribe. Nor had his relations.h.i.+p with Ibis been casual. He had been adopted by the tribe and accepted as her mate. Walter Drumpt is a member of the Water Tribe.

"Whatever," responds Lance not knowing what a tribe tattoo is and not caring, "Put your s.h.i.+rt back on. People are staring."

"You need to learn respect for your elders," Roar tells Lance. "He's welcome to go s.h.i.+rtless if he likes."

"Listen here giganticus. I don't know who you are and I don't give a d.a.m.n," Lance being impudent and disrespectful to the huge wild man because he thinks he's safe at Devons.h.i.+re Estate, "Mind your own d.a.m.n business."

"I am Roar, Chief of the Free People of the Animalistic Tribe. I am Talia's elder brother. And you are in my territory. And everything that happens in my territory is my business. And since the chief of the Water Tribe is absent, in his stead, I cannot allow you to disrespect an elder of the Water Tribe. I would be considered a rude host if I didn't look after the wellbeing of visitors from other tribes."

Lance looks Roar up and down, "So you're Roar. I'm Lance Drumpt. Talia and I used to be an item."

Roar looks at Talia and she tells him, "He's the one that asked me to marry him."

"Well I'm glad you didn't," shares Roar. "He's an insolent little pup. We've had a beautiful wedding and an unplanned family reunion. And all he can do is worry about what domestics will think when they learn he has free relatives."

"There's no reason for me to claim them as my relatives," responds Lance.

"So what if Talia had married you," Roar asks Lance, "we're you going to deny me as your brother-in-law? Would you try to keep Talia away from us, her family and tribe?"

"I'm smarter than he thinks I am," Talia tells Roar. "I would never marry a man that thought of my family as 'filthy wild animals.'"

"I am an excellent catch," insists Lance. "I'm a Drumpt. That means something. You missed out."

Talia shakes her head, "I'm not missing anything. You are selfish, arrogant and a terrible liar…"

"You're nothing," Lance tells Talia angrily. "I don't know what I ever saw in you. Knocked up before you walked down the aisle. You're nothing but a s.l.u.tty wh.o.r.e."

Richy suddenly has Lance by the throat lifting him onto his toes. "How dare you disrespect my mate. She came to me a virgin you impotent pig. You never had her and it's just eating you up." He gives Lance a shove.

Lance manages not to fall on his a.s.s. He straightens up and states, "I'm not impotent."

"Richy," Cougar calls smiling amused, "it's a premature e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n problem. He creams his jeans."

There are some stifled giggles that Lance ignores, "Grandfather, are you coming with me?"

Walter Drumpt crosses his arms as he answers, "h.e.l.l no. I've sacrificed too much for the Drumpt name. It's just a name, no better than any other name. And I'll sacrifice no more for it. You can try to tell yourself your special because of your name and what's a.s.sociated with it. But what makes anyone special is who they are, what kind of person they are, do they have a good heart, do they serve their fellow man? That's what counts."

"Whatever," responds Lance turning and walking away. He mutters to himself, "Crazy old man."

Walter Drumpt sits next to Richy and reintroduces himself. "My name is Walter Baron Drumpt. And many years ago when I was a young man like yourself, I fell in love with the most gorgeously beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on… Ibis… I met her when I came by way of Bayberry Falls to go rock climbing with a friend who had wild cousins. Ibis was one of his cousins.

It was love at first sight for me. She had a baby girl who was toddling but not talking yet… Seal, she was absolutely the cutest baby girl ever. She had me wrapped around her tiny little finger from day one…

I worked four ten hour days a week so I could have three day weekends to spend with my Ibis and Seal. And I went to them every weekend. I didn't care what was happening in the tamed world. I did my duty to the Drumpt name four days a week. The rest of the week belonged to Ibis.

When Seal was about three and a half, I was adopted by the tribe and received my tribal tattoo. Seal was five when Ibis and I finally became pregnant. I was so excited. I had been adopted by the tribe. I had a beautiful mate who adored me. We already had one beautiful little girl, our sa.s.sy little Seal. And we were going to be blessed with another baby. Seal was going to get herself a little brother or sister.

Except I didn't want to us to just be a part-time family anymore. I wanted Ibis and Seal with me full-time. I wanted us to be a family full time…

My father had been aware that I was going off every weekend to see a wild woman, or rather he thought women. When I told him I wanted to bring Ibis and Seal home, make her my wife, give her and Seal our last name, he blew a gasket… The next thing I knew, my father and grandfather were telling me how it was going to be. I would immediately marry that supermodel that had been hanging around and was interested in me. If I didn't comply, then there would be a hunting accident. And if I dared to bring my wild family home, another kind of accident would be arranged.

I did what I felt I had to, to protect my mate and our children and to protect our tribe. I married that super b.i.t.c.h and I never saw my gorgeously beautiful Ibis again."

"I'm so sorry Walter," says Talia sincerely as she holds one of Richy's hands and one of Cougar's, "That's awful."

Walter digs out his wallet. He admits, "I don't miss my father and grandfather. I'm glad they're dead and gone. But every day, I miss my Ibis. This is her and Seal before Seal could talk so she was about a year old; and this is all three of us together, and this one is well almost the four of us obviously… We were so happy… This is your Uncle Martin and his most recent wife. He's Lance's father. And this is your Uncle Milton and his recently seeking a divorce wife… I don't bother to learn their wives names." He flips back to a picture of Ibis holding Seal. "Seal, I think you were about four in this picture."

"How long have grandfather and grey-father been dead," Seal ask Walter.

"Not long enough," answers Walter wiping a tear away. "My grandfather about fourty years and my father about twenty-five… By the time I found myself the patriarch of the Drumpt Empire, so many years had pa.s.sed I doubted that Ibis was pining for me. She was so beautiful… I just figured she'd found a new mate and I was long forgotten."

"She couldn't forget you," shares Seal. "Men were interested in her, but all she wanted was you. She finally couldn't continue on without you."

"I don't know how I've managed without her... After the divorce, my father asked me if I would remarry. My answer was a firm no. If I couldn't have the woman I loved at my side, then there would be no woman at my side… When my father was on his death bed, he apologized to me, said my grandfather insisted until his death that I would get over her, that one day I would thank them, that one day I would understand. He hadn't meant to ruin my life. He had meant to keep me from ruining it. Financially, I may be the richest man in the world. But I'm also the unhappiest man in the world. All of it means nothing without my Ibis… I guess some place deep inside me, I clung to the hope I might be able to return to her one day."

Uncle Bob shares with Walter, "I always respected that you never treated marriage like it was a disposable commodity. Marriage isn't something you try on like a pair of shoes and if it doesn't fit just right trade it for a different one or asks for a refund."

Otter picks up Sh.e.l.l whose little face is wearing plenty of wedding cake and tells her, "Look Sh.e.l.l… There's your grey-pa."

"I have a grey-pa," asks Sh.e.l.l.

"Yeah," Otter tells Sh.e.l.l, "that's him."

Sh.e.l.l slides off her mother and Bob's laps and walks over to Walter. She says, "He doesn't smell like us."

"This is my poppa," Seal informs Sh.e.l.l, "that makes him your grey-pa."

Sh.e.l.l lifts her arms up to Walter who picks her up and sits her on his lap. Her little hands carefully inspect his mature face. She finally smiles at him and says, "Hi Grey-pa, I'm Sh.e.l.l."

Walter smiles a genuine smile of happiness, "h.e.l.lo Little Sh.e.l.l, I'm very happy to meet you."

Sh.e.l.l informs him," Grey-pa, you kind of smell like Uncle Mist."

"Well isn't that something," responds Walter smiling happily at Sh.e.l.l.

Walter request of Richy, "Tell me about your mother. Tell me of my daughter, Swan, Mist so I may know her."

Richy nods yes, and a couple of hours later, they're still sitting there talking. The sun is beginning to set. Most of the domesticated guests have already left. It's a two hour drive to Megalopolis and an hour drive to Bayberry Falls from the estate, and most wanted to be home by dark. Sh.e.l.l is dozing with her head on Walter's shoulder. He's gotten to meet all the children. Their little group now has quite a few people sitting around talking with them. Mostly free folks crowded around eager to hear the long lost elder speak. Even Lance is sitting in a chair against a wall; apart, but within earshot. They'll put the remaining guests up here at the estate for the night.

"I really admired Reynold," Walter shares with Bob, "and I was perhaps a little jealous as well. He just showed up with Panther and dared anyone to try and tell him he couldn't have her… My life has been so empty without my Ibis… I'm tired of tamed life and domesticated expectations."

"Well just stay and spend some time with us Poppa," invites Seal. "Get away from all of that for a while. Get to know your grandson and your great grandchildren."

Walter nods his agreement, "Yes, it feels good to be here with all of you, to be with my people and just be myself."

Suddenly Otter screams as Margie pulls her from Bob's lap by her hair. They hadn't heard her coming because of the music. And with all the different people and food, they hadn't caught her scent as she approached. Richy wasn't expecting Margie to make the trip over after she got off from work. After all, she had technically missed the wedding and reception. But she had done a quick change before she left the office and had driven over straight after work looking forward to seeing Bob.

Now they were pulling the angry determined Margie off the shocked and frighten Otter. Amazonia and Zenith restrain Margie and Otter clings to Bob who's relieved she's not been harmed.

"What the h.e.l.l Bob," demands Margie, "What the h.e.l.l?"

"Mommy! Mommy!" Sh.e.l.l crying, "Don't hurt my mommy!"

"She's not hurt," Walter a.s.sures as he hands Sh.e.l.l to Seal because she'll know how to comfort her better than him.

"Let me go," demands Margie. "I'm gonna rip all that pretty black hair out by the roots."

Bob sighs and tells Margie, "No, you won't Margie. You're not going to harm a hair on Otter's head."

Tears start to spill from Margie's eyes, "I don't understand. I thought we had something special started between us."

Talia puts up her hand and motions for all the important parties to follow her as she says, "Let's step inside." Amazonia and Zenith escort Margie.

Talia leads them into the big house into a lounge room of comfortable furniture. Amazonia and Zenith still have Margie by her arms. Richy and Cougar won't be far from Talia if they don't have to and they flank her. Bob enters with Otter by his side holding her hand. Walter shuts the doors behind them. He doesn't know if he can be of a.s.sistance, but he wants to be near his grandson and new granddaughter-in-law. Besides, a woman like Margie will respect a mature authority figure like himself.

Talia motions to a chair at a small round table. "Have a seat here Margie." Amazonia and Zenith lead Margie to the chair, but Margie doesn't want to sit down.

"It's okay," Talia tells Amazonia and Zenith, "Let her go."

Margie lunges for Otter and Bob, but Talia intercepts and Margie finds herself holding her throat and gasping for air. Talia guides her to the chair and this time she sits.

"Thank you Margie," says Talia glad she sat down and she didn't have to hurt her. "I know you're aware you're in wild territory; technically, Animalistic Tribe territory. But this estate and the property immediately surrounding it are my domain. Here, I am chief. And you have frighten the children and scared the domesticated guests that haven't left for home yet. I really don't appreciate that. I like people to feel safe when they're here."

Talia steps out of the way so her Uncle Bob can sit down across from Margie. Otter steps to his back. Bob reaches out his hand to Margie. And after a moment of hesitation, Margie gives him one of her hands.

"You look lovely tonight," Bob compliments Margie.

Margie is confused, "I don't understand. When we make love, it's so beautiful. I thought… I thought you were serious about me."

"I am," Bob responds sincerely, "very serious. But I am also very serious about Otter. I love her," admits Bob. "I've asked her to have my baby and she's said yes."

"Did you know about this Richy," asks Margie.

Richy nods affirmatively, "Uncle Bob's been good for Otter just like he's been good for you."

"I just don't get it," says Margie feeling betrayed.

Richy shares, "Uncle Bob asked me about what I thought about him having strong feelings for both you and Otter. I compared it to having children. You love them all equally but value them each for their individuality. Your heart has enough room for more than one child, you love both of your parents, and your heart has the capacity to love more than one person."

"I have four mates," shares Amazonia. "My love for each of my men is unique but equal."

Margie doesn't know what to say in response to Amazonia, but to Richy she says, "Children are one thing, sharing a lover is another. You would be singing a different tune if you had to share Talia."

Talia takes a deep breath, straightens her shoulders and stands tall as she admits, "I have three mates." Then she watches her uncle's face for his reaction.

Uncle Bob retains Margie's hand as he leans back in his chair. Otter rests her hands on his shoulders as he looks at Talia. After a moment of shock, he asks, "When and who?"

"Richy of course," answers Talia, "and Cougar and Wildcat. It wasn't intentional. It was an accident, but it is so."

"How do you accidentally have s.e.x with somebody," asks Margie sarcastically.

"Talia hasn't had s.e.x with anyone but me," responds Richy irritated. "I asked Cougar to wait for his divorce from Sheila to be final."

"And my third mate is hanging out at the edge of my territory," adds Talia. "He's kind of avoiding me right now."

"Uncle Bob," Cougar asks him, "do you remember when that unpleasant man, Fjord, came by Richy's while Tali was still healin'?"

"Of course," answers Uncle Bob with a nod. "It's just fine with me if I never see him again and he better keep his hands off of Otter."

"Well that day," Cougar continues, "Talia accidentally made me and my dad her mates along with Richy."

"How," asks Margie.

Amazonia can see Richy, Talia and Cougar aren't sure how to explain. So she explains, "I know you and Bob both know how some free folks are extra special." She chooses her words carefully because she doesn't know how much Richy's grandfather knows about free people. He may have a Water Tribe tattoo, but the Water Tribe has never been thick with guardians so he still may not know about guardians. "The special males are able to scent mark their mates. But in the Amazon Tribe, some females are also able to scent mark their mates. It just never happens intentionally when a female does it. It only happens when the special female is under stress of danger in order to protect herself.

Fjord is a very dangerous special male who showed up to make off with Talia while she was wounded. To protect herself, Talia chose protectors by scent marking them as her mates: Richy, Cougar and our father, Wildcat, all excellent choices."

"I knew male guardians could scent mark their mates," comments Walter absently. "But I hadn't been aware female guardians could. Even if it's just a defense mechanism, that's still quite fascinating."

Talia, Richy, Cougar and Zenith are all smiling amused. So much for Amazonia's carefully chosen words and Amazonia smiles amused too.

"I don't know," responds Margie shaking her head. "I don't know if I can handle this… And how are you really gonna feel Richy when Cougar's divorce is final and you have to start sharing Talia with Cougar completely."

"It's final," Bob informs Margie, "as of today Cougar's divorce is final."

Cougar laces his fingers with Talia's and the love they have in their eyes for each other is obvious. And when Richy laces his fingers with Talia's other hand, they look at each other the same way.

"So that's why you became so over joyed when I told you your divorce is final," Uncle Bob says to Cougar.

"Yeah," admits Cougar looking sheepish and giving Talia's arm a playful little swing, "but it's their wedding night, so I guess I'll wait a few more days."

"That's not necessary," Richy tells Cougar, "It's our wedding night, the three of us. You planned this wedding with me. And you can't say you weren't taking the vows with me. I know how much you love Talia. And I know how long you have been in love with her. It's our wedding night and you've waited long enough. Besides, you go into work tomorrow and I'll have Tali to myself for three and a half days."

"Thanks Richy," says Cougar looking lovingly at Talia. Talia gives Cougar's hand a playful tug and he leans over and gives her a deep kiss. Then Talia automatically turns and Richy gives her a deep kiss."

"I would be so torn," admits Margie not understanding. "Why aren't you torn Talia?"

"Because I don't have to choose," Talia shrugs. "If I had to choose then I would be torn. I would be devastated." Her grip tightens on both men's hands and they both crowd her protectively.

"So how is this supposed to work," Margie asks Bob. "And exactly who all would I be sharing you with?"

"Just Otter for the most part," answers Bob.

"Well," says Zenith raising her hand and Amazonia raises her hand too.

"Don't tell me you're in love with them too," Margie tells Bob.

Zenith and Amazonia both laugh. Zenith tells Margie, "No, but we are good friends, and Amazonia and I like to get together with him occasionally. That's all."

"Oh, that's all," repeats Margie rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

"Their friends with benefits," explains Walter. "It's very common in wild society. It's part of socializing, part of daily life, like people getting together for drinks with friends."

Margie takes her hand away from Bob's and clasps her hands between her knees. "I was brought up one woman to one man, one man to one woman."

"That sounds good in theory," responds Amazonia, "but sometimes women outnumber men or vice versa. If we practiced this, some people would be left without a mate. They would be alone. No one should have to spend their life alone… Cougar has loved Talia his whole life. Trying to live without her caused him to drink too much and he ended up married to that dangerous woman.

If Richy refused to share her, Cougar would continue to suffer. And Talia would suffer too. She has loved Cougar her whole life. She needs them both and Wildcat. And all three of them need her.

If there was one perfect one for all of us and we were guaranteed to meet him or her, then what you believe, one-to-one, would be fine. But it just isn't like that in reality."

"I don't know," says Margie standing up, "I just don't know… I need to be alone. I need time to think. I've gotta go."

"I'll walk you to your car," says Bob following her.

Margie walks fast avoiding making eye contact with Bob. Bob is just a step or two behind her. Otter follows at a distance. Otter waits by the front doors as Bob follows Margie to her car. Otter watches a brief exchange of words between Bob and Margie. Bob takes Margie's face in his hands and kisses her tenderly. Margie pulls away from Bob, gets into her car and pulls away.

When Bob gets back to the front doors, Otter throws her arms around Bob's neck and he hugs her tightly. He kisses her. Then he guides her back inside where they're showing the domestic guests to rooms for the night.

Richy shows Judge Cyril Suzuki to a room for the night. He shares with Richy, "I've known Walter a long time. I knew him back when he was with Ibis. This is the happiest I have seen him since then."

"I'm really not sure how I feel about it," admits Richy. "I like Walter. I don't like Lance… My mother never knew him…" Richy shrugs.

"You're his grandson," Cyril tells Richy, "and while he loves all his grandchildren, he actually likes you. And you've married one of his favorite people on the face of the earth. One of my favorites too…

He would have spent his life with Ibis if his father and grandfather hadn't interfered. You're his second chance, a chance to make things right. He's going to make sure the whole world knows you're his, his grandchild from the child he had with the woman he truly loved, and that he's finally snagged Talia Devons.h.i.+re as an in-law."

"Sounds like a pain in the a.s.s to me," says Richy. "He'll have media hounds snooping all around my town."

Cyril shrugs, "I saw how you did with the paparazzi at the charity ball. You'll handle things just fine. Goodnight, Richard."

"Goodnight, Cyril," and Richy joins Cougar and they rejoin with Talia.

"I think everyone that needed a room for the night has one," Talia tells them. "I guess we need to join the cleaning crew."

"They can manage without us," says Richy.

Talia steps up to Roar and aunt Seal, "Do you need us to pitch in?"

"No," answers Roar, "We're fine."

"We've got things covered," adds Seal.

"Get lost for the night," insist Amazonia. "We'll see y'all in the morning."

Talia shrugs and takes a hand of each man, "Okay, but we offered to help." Then she leads Richy and Cougar to her guest house.

Talia reaches for the door and Cougar tugs her back away from the door. He tells her, "This is the part where Richy carries you over the threshold."

"I don't even know what that silly tradition is about," responds Talia.

"You carry her over the threshold," Richy tells Cougar. "I can carry her over the threshold at my house when we get home tomorrow."

Wildcat sees the exchange of words between Talia, Richy and Cougar, but he can't hear them. He watches Cougar scoop Talia up into his arms as Richy opens the front door of Talia's guest house. Cougar gives Talia a devouring kiss. Then he steps through the doorway with Talia in his arms and Richy steps in behind them closing the door behind himself.

Richy let Cougar carry Talia over the threshold. Wildcat doesn't care much about domestic traditions, but this he understands. Taking possession of one's woman, he understands. Richy is sharing Talia with Cougar. He's sharing Talia and when he goes to claim his rights to Talia, he won't be taking her against her will or against Richy's wishes. But he'll give them a little more time to settle in together before he goes to her and claims his rights to her as her mate too. He wishes Roar, Zenith and Amazonia would stop being so tight lipped with him and stop telling him he needs to talk with her. He knows he needs to go to her, but he doesn't want to be an animal about it. He doesn't want it to be all demanding animal instincts and hormones. He wants to be able to touch Talia with the love, honor and reverence she deserves.

Richy and Cougar had decided on wedding robes for the wedding party instead of tuxes and gowns. Inside the modest guest house there's candle light from scented candles, and the wedding robes are sliding to the bedroom floor.

"Richy, was all this jewelry really necessary," asks Talia.

"Yes," answers Richy even though the answers is technically no. But he could see it on her when he and Cougar picked it out and it's every bit as spectacular on her as they both imagined.

"Well let's get it off of me and put it up," says Talia concerned about the expensive jewelry.

Both men shake their heads no and say, "Nah."

Cougar turns Talia to face the full length mirrors on the closet doors and tells her, "Look at you."

Talia frowns, "I'ld rather look at the two of you. I like it when you're naked."

"Well, we like it when you're naked," Cougar tells her running a hand down her arm. "Look at how the gold and platinum look against your naturally tan skin. It's priceless. You can't buy beautiful like that… Look at how this necklace lays across your b.r.e.a.s.t.s." He cups a breast and the elaborate necklace s.h.i.+fts slightly. His other hand slides into her black triangle of curls. "You're beautiful, every inch of you. And you deserve to be covered in the best jewels money can buy."

Cougar's mouth covers the sensitive spot on Talia's neck, and she rest her head back against him. Both he and Richy guide her to the bed. Richy slides onto the bed first and they place her leaning back against Richy. Cougar spreads her legs wide and Richy holds her feminine lips open for him as he tastes Talia sending the first o.r.g.a.s.m rippling through her body as she grips Richy's arms.

Cougar moves over Talia, taking an extra dark chocolate nipple into his mouth. The head of his c.o.c.k pushes into her. She's tight and he has to work to get all of his c.o.c.k inside her. Then he's finally making love with Talia, and the sounds of her mouth and the movements of her body are for him.

Richy's not feeling any jealousy as he touches and kisses Talia. He's in awe as he caresses a breast, a breast that will feed their future children. Then there's her tummy that will soon be swelling as their unborn child grows in her womb. Finally, there's her remarkable feminine channel Cougar is currently thrusting into. That channel will bring forth their children.

Talia's purr kicks in, but it's not the same purr she has for Richy. This purr is different because it's for Cougar. It's more serene than her purr for Richy, more content. Richy hears the difference, but he's not jealous. He takes comfort in knowing that if anything happened to him, Cougar would be there for Talia. He and Cougar both have jobs that can be very dangerous where men and women sometimes die in the line of duty. And if something happened to both of them, then there was still Wildcat who is still technically avoiding Talia. Richy and Cougar were both concerned that he didn't attend the wedding. And even though Talia only mentioned it once, he knows she's really missing Wildcat and she's hurt that he didn't come to the wedding.

As Talia's o.r.g.a.s.ms grow in their intensity, her eyes turn black and her claws extend from beneath her nails. Cougar can hardly believe that Talia is beneath him, that he is inside her. He can't kiss her enough. And with her eyes gone black and her claws extended, he just finds that hot as h.e.l.l. Then as a maximum o.r.g.a.s.m sweeps over Talia, she rakes her claws down Cougar's back, physically marking him as hers just as she did with Richy. Cougar's back arches as he c.u.ms inside her. He felt a stinging sensation as her claws raked his back, but there's so much s.e.xual adrenalin he didn't experience any true pain.

Cougar lies over Talia. They're both breathing heavily. Her eyes are wet with happy tears as she pulls her fingers through Cougar's golden curls as they catch their breath. Cougar lifts his head and rest his forehead to Talia's forehead.

"I love you," Talia tells Cougar. Cougar's eyes well up with tears too. "I love you too, always have, always will," and he kisses her again.

Talia turns to Richy and tells him gratefully, "Thank you."

Richy sees the same thank you in Cougar's eyes and tells them, "You're both welcome." Then he leans over and kisses Talia. Cougar slides out of his way and Richy slides over Talia.

"I don't know if there isn't anything I wouldn't do to make you happy," Richy tells her as he positions himself between her legs. He finds that Cougar having gone first has made things a little easier for him. Talia doesn't get much sleep, but she isn't complaining.

Cougar wakes her shortly after dawn. She hears Richy in the shower as they make love. And as she and Cougar have a shower, Richy makes breakfast. They eat breakfast together, the three of them talking, laughing and joking. Then they go to see off the rest of the domesticated guest that spent the night at the estate.

Aunt Seal, Otter, Zenith, Squirrel, Angel, Hyena, Amazonia and a few other women made sure the overnight guests all got a good breakfast before they left. The only domesticated people left are Uncle Bob, Walter and Lance Drumpt. It has been decades since Walter has slept that well, and it wasn't the extra soft queen sized bed. He slept surrounded by children that all wanted to be near Grey-pa and his daughter Seal slept across the foot of the bed to be near him. Cold little feet, bony little elbows and k.n.o.bby little knees jarring him throughout the night just made him feel loved. And he hadn't felt loved in a very long time. Hyena's two children and Roar's two boys have adopted him as their grey-pa too.

Lance wishes his grandfather would put on a s.h.i.+rt, and he didn't know the man owned a pair of jeans. And when his cousin Richy and the best man, Cougar walk in with Talia, Lance suddenly feels like an ugly duckling. Both men are dressed only in jeans, tall, broad shoulders and ripped abs. And both are obviously in love with Talia, who's wearing a white tank top with a pair of jeans that hug her curves nicely. But Lance not knowing anything about mate sharing wonders how long before Richy's friend makes a move that will ruin their friends.h.i.+p. To Lance's dismay, his grandfather lights up at the sight of the three of them. Not that the man wasn't already more suns.h.i.+ny happy than Lance had ever seen him before.

"Good morning Walter," greets Talia hugging him. "Did you sleep well?"

"Wonderfully," answers Walter cheerfully, "but you're family now. You should call me grandpa or poppa like Seal. No more Mr. Drumpt or Walter, okay?" He kisses Talia's forehead.

"We got it Grey-pa," Cougar answers for Talia grinning happily.

"And how about you Richy," asks Walter. "Or would you prefer I call you Mist?"

Richy shrugs as he sits on a stool and pulls Talia between his legs and hugs her, "Which ever you're most comfortable with is fine. But you're gonna have to be patient with me Walter. Sometimes I'm slow to warm up to new people. And I'm still absorbing the news that you're my grandfather."

Walter nods, "Understood."

Roar brings a tray of herbal tea over to the happy trio and ask, "Did y'all have breakfast yet?"

"Yep," answers Talia, "Richy made us breakfast."

"Well, there are some fruit and cream cheese pastries left," Seal informs them.

"Oh, I'll have one," says Talia smiling.

"Me too," adds Cougar.

Lance leaves to go to the restroom as Greywolf pauses just outside the open kitchen doors holding a leather leash with a cream colored dog at the end of it. He breeds the Animalistic Tribe's dogs. They come in two colors, cream and black. He'll be setting up a roadside stand for the summer with other tribe members to do trading with domestic folks. Domestic folks who want a good strong healthy intelligent dog that will be good with their children and/or make a good watch or guard dog will come and trade for one. The smart folks will trade for nearly adult dogs that are already house broken and trained. The not so smart folks will give in to the kids and trade for a puppy that will need to be housebroken etc.

Seal sets warm fruit and cream cheese pastries in front of Talia, Cougar and Richy. Talia waves at Greywolf and motions him inside.

"Thank you for coming to our wedding," Talia says to Greywolf smiling.

Greywolf smiles shyly at Talia glancing at her shyly with his truly grey eyes through long black lashes as he tells her, "Glad to attend. Thanks for having me. Don't get to be part of something like that every day. I was honored to be there… I know y'all don't expect any gifts, but this is one of my best. He's eight months old, housebroken and stuff." He holds the leash out for Talia to take.

Talia accepts the leash, "Thank you, Greywolf. He's beautiful." She kneels down and puts her hands into the dog's lush creamy fur. "What's his name?"

Greywolf shakes his head, "I don't name them. No sense in naming 'em when I'm not gonna keep them. But he's really smart. He'll learn whatever you decide to call him real quick."

"Thank you, he's wonderful," Talia smiling brightly truly pleased with the dog. "Eight months, he's so big already and he's got four more months of growing. He's gonna be huge…

Who's a big boy," Talia asks the dog. "Maybe we should call him Big Boy."

Richy and Cougar both shake their heads. Cougar says, "Not tough enough."

Talia pouts out her bottom lip, "Why does it have to be tough? I think Big Boy's a cute name."

"How about Big Dawg," suggest Cougar. "That's cute and tough."

Talia's face is still pouty as she says, "But I like Big Boy."

"Then call him that," Greywolf tells Talia. He pokes one of the fresh claw marks down Cougar's back with a dual purpose. First because it hurt like h.e.l.l and he's dying to be one of the men at Talia's side. He's always hated the fact that Cougar has always had an advantage with Talia. Plus, he's still mad that Cougar bloodied his nose once when they were kids. It took him forever to get up the courage to ask Talia to play mates with him and Cougar ruined it. Next, to tell Cougar to shut up and let Talia call the dog whatever she wants. The dog's a gift for Talia he's spent months getting ready for her.

Greywolf never shunned Talia. But he's always been painfully shy. Talking to women is difficult for him. But luckily, he's a beautiful man. His skin's a beautiful shade of deep tan. He's not as tall as Richy or Cougar yet he's still tall and just as broad shouldered with a slightly better muscle tone because he lives free. His true black hair hangs in curls down his back. And of course his most spectacular feature are his truly grey eyes. So women approach him frequently. He doesn't have to try to talk to them and he has four children by four different women and is a good father.

And when it comes to the Animalistic tribe's dogs, Greywolf is an expert. He chose this dog for Talia six months ago intending to give him to her as an ice breaker, but he waited too long and Talia now has three mates. Greywolf is a guardian and out ranks both Richy and Cougar because they are technically just ghost, and until Wildcat actually claims his rights to Talia as her mate, Greywolf could take advantage of the situation. Except he respects Talia, Roar and Wildcat and would never do anything that would hurt his relations.h.i.+p with Roar or Wildcat and especially Talia. So he's simply presenting the dog as a wedding present.

Cougar endures the pain of the hard deep slow poke without making a sound. He gets the message, shut up and let Talia call the dog whatever she wants.

Richy gets the message too and tells Talia, "Big Boy's fine," which causes Talia's face to light up happily. She stands back up to drink her tea.

As Lance is returning from the bathroom, he sees Cougar's bareback and asks in a shout, "What the h.e.l.l attacked you!?!"

Talia chokes on her tea and both Richy and Cougar grab one of her arms and lifts it over her head. Talia manages to choke out, "I'm okay."

"c.r.a.p, that looks like it hurts," Lance says to Cougar. "What happened?"

Greywolf knows it was Talia who clawed Cougar's back and says amused, "Looks like some female got carried away." He nods his salutation to the two men with a smile, "Cougar… Mist…"

"Mmm," says Roar knowingly, "Same female got Richy too. Check out the scars on his back."

"A woman did this," asks Lance. "You have to point her out to me so I stay the h.e.l.l away from her."

"Don't worry," Talia informs Lance, "you're not her type."

"I'm glad of that," responds Lance. Then he turns to his grandfather, "Grandpa, everyone's gone except Mr. Devons.h.i.+re and he's obviously hanging around for the wild punony. Nice piece of a.s.s by the way Mr. Devons.h.i.+re, but we really should get going."

"You're free to go Lance," Walter tells him, "Go on home. But I'm going to hang out for a while, live wild for a while."

"Come on, Grandpa," Lance reluctant to leave behind his grandfather. "What if you got hurt or killed out there?"

"If I got hurt, my tribe would nurse me back to health," says Walter confidently. "If I die, I'll be with my Ibis. Out there near my Ibis is where I want to die. I don't want to be put in some cold impersonal cemetery or mausoleum. I don't want my ashes sitting in some urn on a fireplace mantle gathering dust. I want my body out there returning to nature, returning to my Ibis. I'm staying."

Lance looks skeptical, but he's anxious to get out of here. He feels like a fish out of water. There are plenty of beautiful women around, but he doesn't know how to approach one. Besides, part of him is hoping Talia's marriage will fail and he doesn't want her throwing in his face that he boned some friend of hers. So he finally tells his grandfather, "Fine." He tells Talia and Richy "Good luck," and heads for his car.

After eating their pastries and drinking their tea, Talia, Richy and Cougar go outside to play with their new dog and the children. Walter watches them content and happy to be away from the chaos and constraints of being a Drumpt, free to be himself. Free to be Ibis's Walter, because despite how many years it's been that's still who he still is in his heart.

After about an hour of playing, Cougar whispers in Talia's ear and she giggles. Then he calls, "Richy, Talia's gonna help me pack up for work."

Richy knows Cougar is already packed for work because he and Talia helped Cougar pack for work after they ate breakfast. Cougar just doesn't want to shout out in front of everyone he wants to be alone with their woman. The average free person wouldn't understand Cougar wanting to be alone with Talia.

Cougar tosses Talia over his shoulder and gives her bottom a light swat. He dodges a few kids. Big Boy thinks it's a new game. But Big Boy finds himself shut out of the guest house and lays down by the door to wait for Talia. He understands that his trainer gave him to the woman.

Inside the guest house, Cougar flips Talia from his shoulder to his arms for a devouring kiss. It never bothered him to leave Sheila to go to work for three and a half days. But leaving Talia for three and half days which equals being away from her for eighty-four hours or five thousand fourty-five minutes or three hundred two thousand four hundred seconds none of which includes travel time, is bothering him. She's pregnant and he doesn't want to miss a second of it. And when he brings his child home to her, Talia will be the only mother it knows. But for now, before he has to leave for work, all he wants to do is bury himself deep inside her. He can't tell her enough that he loves her.

Walter motions for Richy to come over and sit with him and he does.

"How long have you know Cougar," Walter asks Richy.

"Since Kindergarten," answer Richy. "We've been best friends since kindergarten. Our parents were good friends too. But mine died in an air shuttle crash a little over a decade ago. Cougar's mom died from lung cancer. She'd been a chain smoker through her twenties and thirties. She pa.s.sed about seven years ago… We were worried about Wildcat for a while after she died. Free folks seldom suffer from depression, but when they do it's serious. It's the only time a free person may become suicidal. When he started mating again, we knew he was okay. After the loss of a mate, if a free person doesn't start mating again, it's a bad sign."

Walter nods sadly, "That's what happened to my Ibis… Forgive me if I keep going back to that. Somehow, I was still hoping to find her again, to come back to her if she would have me…

So is it everything you hoped and dreamed it would be son?"

Richy smiles and laughs, "h.e.l.l no! ... In some ways, it's better than I imagined. I stupidly thought that when I met the one, everything would just fall into place effortlessly. Silly me."

Walter sighs, "Well anything worth having requires effort. Lance doesn't understand that. He thinks money can buy him everything, including love. But there are some things that no amount of money can ever buy: love, self-respect, dignity, pride, honor… Won't find those on a store shelf anywhere…

Please forgive my next question if it's too personal or none of my business. But what are you feeling right now? Aren't you the least bit jealous or concerned?"

"Nah," Richy tries to explain, "Talia and Cougar have known each other their whole lives. And when I realized he was in love with her and she loves him too, I was a little mad and jealous, but mostly I was scared of losing her. Then I learned how they had never had a chance. Talia's father didn't think Cougar was appropriate for her and Cougar had come to believe it himself. I felt bad for both of them…

Cougar's my best friend and he's spent the last fifteen years trying to drown his feelings for Talia with alcohol. He married Sheila in an attempt to move forward and have what he couldn't have with Talia.

Talia is the love of his life as much as she is the love of my life. I didn't know it was possible to love someone so much. But she's spent so much time sad and alone. She's emotionally scarred and in many ways socially crippled. I usually don't know the right thing to say or do to help her. But Cougar usually knows exactly what to do or say when she's upset or scared.

Then seeing them together, seeing Cougar sober and happy, seeing Talia smile truly happy just warms my heart. And the grat.i.tude that they both have…

Cougar would still be my best friend if I refused to share Talia. Talia would still be my mate if I told her she couldn't be with Cougar. She wouldn't leave me. But Cougar would probably slip back into the bottle and avoid me because it would hurt too much to look at me and know I have the one woman he will always love. Talia would be so sad and I would feel like a failure as her mate to let her exist like that."

Walter nods his understanding. He doesn't think he could have shared Ibis. But he would rather have shared Ibis than for her to have died the way she did alone with no hope. "Sounds like it's actually to your advantage to share her with Cougar. You get a best friend who's sober and happy. And a mate who's happy too."

"And," adds Richy, "I get the help I need dealing with a challenging mate."

"So, you and Cougar have an understanding." But Walter's still concerned, "But Talia has a third mate, Cougar's father, Wildcat. How will that work out? I know it's not unusual for brothers or best friends to share a mate, but a father and son…"

"I know," responds Richy, "it's a unique situation. But we'll work things out. Besides, we need him. Here in free society, Cougar and I are just ghosts. We don't have any true rank in our tribes. And until Wildcat claims his rights to Talia as her mate, it's possible for nearly any male from any tribe to come take advantage of the situation. I'm not worried about anyone from our tribe trying anything except for our current chief, Fjord. Everyone else in our tribe respects me. I don't need to worry about Amazon males because Amazonia wouldn't allow it and all females out rank males for them. So with them a 'no' from Talia means no."

"But Fjord and maybe some others from other tribes and even her own tribe like that Greywolf may try to take advantage of the situation." Walter may not have a sense of smell like a free person, but he's observant.

Richy nods, "Greywolf definitely has a thing for Talia, probably has for a long time. That dog is a gift for her, not us. But he respects Talia, Roar, Cougar and Wildcat. And even most of the other members of her tribe that really don't respect her, respect Roar, Cougar and Wildcat enough not to try anything stupid," he hopes.

"But there are other tribes out here," Walter understands free social dynamics very well, "and our tribe is weak. We need to be friendly and submissive to other tribes, even when they're being jerks."

When Cougar and Talia exit the guest house, Cougar is dressed for work with his duffle bag slung over his shoulder and his hair pulled back into a tight braid that hangs down his back. Talia is under his arm and he braided her hair into a tight braid down her back. Big Boy pops up to be at Talia's side and Richy jogs over to walk with them to Cougar's car.

Cougar gives Talia a long tight hug and a deep loving kiss. He gives Richy a hug and tells him, "Take care of our girl." Then he slides in behind the steering wheel.

"You know I will," Richy tells Cougar as Talia slips under his arm.

"See y'all in three and half days," Cougar calls as he pulls away and they wave.

"He really didn't want to go," Talia tells Richy.

"I know, but he'll be fine," Richy a.s.sures her.

Talia nods. "We need to help make sure the big house is shut up properly."

"Okay," says Richy not excited about cleaning and organizing. At least they have plenty of help. And Richy learns Walter's not afraid to get his hands dirty. By late afternoon, the big house has been cleaned up, the motion sensors, timers and other security devices turned on. The mansion has never been broken into nor any of the guest houses, but Talia's grandfather had taught her it was better to be safe than sorry.

Richy and Talia are driving back to his house in his car. Walter has opted to stay with Seal and the others. They'll spend a few days with Roar and his tribe before they make their way back to Richy's territory and the rest of the Water Tribe, giving Richy and Talia a few days alone.