Chapter 85: Tired
Soon, the cub started crying. Immediately, some beastmen gathered around while staring in shock.
"What’s wrong?"
"Why is the cub crying?"
"Is she hurt? What happened?"
They all questioned as they gathered closely to stare. Ash had left his seat and came to kneel before Ayra, watching closely to see what could be wrong with the cub.
"Check if she messed up again," Kan instantly pointed out. "Maybe that’s it..."
"Yes yes," Rai agreed.
They leaned closely and sniffed, but nothing. They couldn’t perceive any unpleasant scent at all.
"It’s not it... what could be the problem then?" Another asked, confused.
Ayra smiled as she held onto the cub. "She’s already tired and feeling sleepy," she explained as she stared at them. "She needs to get some rest."
"Oh! Then we’ll take her back!" The beastmen all volunteered, their arms stretched for action.
But Lord Ash shook his head as he proudly said, "Continue with the celebration. I’ll go and take her back."
Ayra smiled as she said, "Don’t worry, I’ll put her to sleep in my arms." And Ayra did.
They knelt close, watching the female soothe and hum melodies to the little cub until she was finally put to sleep.
When the cub fell asleep right before their eyes, they were all shocked. They blinked as they stared at each other in disbelief.
"Did you also see that?!"
"Yes yes! I did!"
"The female magically put the little one to sleep..."
"Shhhhh," Rai urged everyone around to be calm as the little one was sleeping. They all nodded without objections. And so they watched the cub sleeping in Ayra’s arms.
Slowly, they smiled and made their way back to their sitting positions. But Lord Ash didn’t leave. He alone sat down on the floor close to Ayra’s seat to keep an eye on the sleeping cub.
While Ally slept peacefully in Ayra’s arms, she hummed more melodies while the atmosphere slowly went calm and quiet. The noise of the celebration slowly faded into peaceful conversations amongst the people around.
The mood was calm as some slowly began falling asleep outside while some sat around playing quiet games and chatting.
Some couldn’t take their eyes off the sleeping cub while some took it upon themselves to stay awake and guard the female.
Soon, Ayra had gotten exhausted. It was already late into the night. She was certain it would be early morning now if she had a modern watch. She yawned as she held her cub as Lord Ash stared up at her.
"You’re tired.. you should go and sleep," he said as he got up to his feet.
Ayra ran a hand through her eyes as she nodded. She really was tired. By the time she slowly got up to her feet to leave, Commander Lynn, Lord Vale and Lord Zark were also standing behind her waiting to accompany her back.
"..." She turned and stared at them as Zark immediately said.
"I’m heading back to sleep as well."
Lord Vale smiled as he shook his head as though he knew what was running through his mind but rather not say.
Ayra slowly nodded as she turned. "Okay then. Then let’s go back..." She stared at the beastmen who were still around. Most had already fallen asleep peacefully. "What’s going to happen to them.....?" She asked.
"Don’t worry, they’ll be okay.. they’ll probably be awake by morning and go about their business," Commander Lynn explained as Ayra slowly nodded. She guessed beastmen were really okay with sleeping outside.
Lord Ash stretched out his hands to carry the cub. "Let me carry her." And Ayra handed Ally to him. Her arms were already hurting.
Lord Ash happily carried the cub. "Let’s go," he said with a smile as they all headed off.
---
They soon arrived at Ayra’s room as they followed her inside to make sure that she had gotten in. Ayra sat down with the cub laying peacefully in her cradle.
She smiled as she stared up at Lord Zark who was standing there close to the door and watching. "Aren’t you going back to your room or.. would you like to stay here tonight?"
Lord Zark cleared his throat as he turned and said, "No need.. I’ll be off..." He was about leaving as he paused. He turned and stared at Ayra too. "Remember not to leave with just anyone in this tribe to any strange places..." He said as he turned and left again.
Ayra sat there staring. For a while she didn’t understand but Lord Vale said with a smile, "I guess the grand dragon lord is worried about some zebras trying to harm the female," he said with a smile.
Ayra blinked as she smiled. She couldn’t believe the dragon lord would take that seriously. But here he was, even giving her some extra warning.
"You should get some rest. We’ll be heading," Lord Vale said as he turned to Ash. "Aren’t you coming with us?"
Lord Ash folded his arms as he stared at the sleeping cub. "No. I’ll stay with the cub tonight," he smiled.
Lord Vale shook his head as he said, "Okay sure. Do whatever you like." He shook his head again with a smile as he turned and walked off.
Commander Lynn soon followed as Lord Ash and Ayra were left alone in the room with the cub.
Ayra stared at Lord Ash who was smiling at the sleeping cub. She couldn’t help but ask, "Are you really here tonight to look after the cub?"
He smiled as he said, "Of course, why wouldn’t I be here for our cub?" He asked with a smile as he slowly sat down close to Ayra.
He smiled at Ayra as he slowly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Before Ayra could even speak, his lips gently brushed into hers.
Ayra had no words as the needy fox let his tongue slide into her mouth. He pressed deeper, sucking into her mouth while licking her clean.
Ayra simply gulped as she let him in, letting his mouth consume her.