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Chapter 31

Theo carefully squeezed Enya's swollen tit, watching as the white milk beaded slowly to fill the milk bladder. He swallowed hard, avoiding her eye as he was doing it. He knew she was watching him in amusement, her long curls cascading around her.

They were in the house Enya and Yuri shared, in the sitting room, listening as Yuri drilled Roan about the feeding times for their daughter and all the child's peculiarities. Yuri was preparing a bag, running back and forth as she pulled items off the shelves. Roan stood making goofy faces at the tiny pup held fast in his arms. He rocked her and nuzzled his nose against hers. The pup giggled and grabbed his face with pudgy paws.

Theo smiled. Roan had wanted so desperately to be a daddy, and now he was. And he was extraordinary.

Aralyla had been born to them that spring, a tiny gray replica of Theo, with her father's dark slanted eyes and winning smile. Except for her curly mane, she looked nothing like Enya.

The family had been in and out to visit the newborn for weeks - everyone except Sade and Amrosa. Kel and Aliona were first to arrive through a portal opened by Yaholo. Zaldon could no longer cast magic, and with sorcery called to a halt in the sun village, Yuri wrote to Yaholo for help - that he gave whenever he could. When Yaholo couldn't help them, the family came by wagon, crossing the wastelands with merchant caravans.

The first time Kilyan and Lea visited had been by caravan. The trip was too dangerous for little LiAnh, and Zane did not want to leave the summer village at all if it meant leaving his sons. Now, however, Yaholo was free to leave his tribe in order to help. He brought over Kilyan, Lea, and LiAnh - as well as Zane, his wives, and his sons. Keeno and Zalia, Yzlo, Hye, Loryn, and Kira had also come and were at Zaldon's house even now. The family had spent a content evening there after a supper with Julyan and Zaldon.

At the last minute (or so Theo had been told by Yaholo, who arrived with Kuza to announce that everyone was now at Zaldon's), Sade arrived at Zaldon's house with Amrosa. After the long weeks of excuses from Sade, Theo knew his father hadn't wanted to come, but rather than drag up any drama, he was determined to say nothing about it.

Lynny and Idella had come as well, and Theo could only imagine the big male was laughing loudly as he rolled across the floor with LiAnh, Mio, and Zee. Mio and Zee were five now. LiAnh should have been turning seven.

The family was due at Roan and Theo's any minute. It was Roan and Theo's night to have the baby, but Aralyla still wasn't ready to go: Yuri was still packing her bag. And Theo suspected she was taking her time because she didn't want to give Aralyla up.

". . . every hour," Yuri was saying as she came to Roan with the bag. "And after she feeds, she likes that song - remember that!" she cried.

Roan laughed and took the bag, slinging it over his shoulder. "Yuri, we've had her before! Calm down. Where's that bag you're supposed to breathe into?"

Yuri laughed at Roan's teasing. "I can't help it," she said, peering with loving eyes at the small bundle in Roan's arms. She wiggled her finger in Aralyla's fist. "She's my little one." Her sable eyes softened.

Roan looked down at Aralyla with the same glowing joy.

"We made them really happy, didn't we?" Enya whispered to Theo.

Theo looked up: Enya was looking at Yuri warmly and her long lashes blinked slowly. He followed her gaze and found himself looking at Roan. He smiled, content to see Roan so content.

"Yeah," Theo agreed, returning to his task. "If he asked for six more, I might do it. Just to see that look on his face."

Theo didn't see it when Enya looked at him with soft eyes. She touched his mane, and he looked at her.

"You're a good husband, Theo," she whispered.

Theo smiled. "And you're a good wife."

"Here . . ." Enya closed her paw over his and squeezed. She moaned as her milk came out faster, squirting to fill the bladder. "Do it harder. Or we'll be here all night."

"I was afraid of hurting you," Theo muttered, embarrassed.

"Pain is a part of motherhood," Enya whispered, smiling.

Theo looked at her and couldn't see any of the temperamental brat he had known and loved. She was all softness and sweetness now. He smiled to himself as he looked away from her face and back at her oozing tit. The milk poured out pearly white. They had filled two big milk bladders for Aralyla's stay - one from each of Enya's tits.

Though Aralyla was prone to stay with her fathers for days at a time, Enya would always come to their house, her breasts so swollen with milk that they were sore. And she would feed the child to relieve her ache, though Theo also knew . . . she just missed their daughter.

"It's full," Theo muttered, closing the milk bladder. He stood up, and Yuri came to him with a pup carrier. It was something Enya had made while sitting at home pregnant, something she made for Roan and Theo as a gift. Yuri smiled and helped Theo strap the pup carrier on.

"And if you need me for anything," Yuri said, "anything --"

"Yuri!" Roan cried, grinning his exasperation. He carefully eased Aralyla into the pup carrier on Theo's chest. The little pup fell asleep, sucking on her small fist. Everyone laughed. Theo smiled and smoothed down her short, curly mane, thinking that she looked _exactly_like his father. Well. Sade would be pleased.

Yuri kissed Aralyla's head, looking as if she didn't want to let her go. Enya came, and gently taking her by the shoulders, she pulled her wife back a few steps. Yuri's frightened eyes were fixed on Aralyla, and Theo knew she was terrified anytime their daughter was far from the reach of her protection. He knew why: it was Yuri's worst nightmare that Aralyla would be taken as a slave.

"She'll be in good care," Enya assured her nervous wife.

"We'll look after her," Roan added softly and rubbed Yuri's shoulder.

Yuri hadn't stopped staring at Aralyla. She nodded slowly, but she looked anything but convinced.

Theo and Roan bid the females farewell and left. Outside, Yaholo and Kuza were still waiting. They stood at the bottom of the step and were in the middle of what appeared to be a very intimate conversation when Theo and Roan emerged with their daughter.

Kuza averted his eyes, embarrassed as Yaholo dropped his caressing paw from his cheek.

Theo looked at them and thought five years had been good to Yaholo and Kuza.

Kuza had never been much to look at, but he appeared happy and glowing, his shoulders wrapped in the blue poncho Yaholo had given him, his silver fur snaked with white tattoos. His mane had grown out very long, and he kept it in a low tail over one shoulder.

Yaholo, meanwhile, had only gotten taller and handsomer. Theo thought he looked more like Hris than ever. His blue fur was still covered in white tattoos, and his wild curly mane cascaded around his shoulders, much fuller than before. In his paw, he carried a white staff - very similar to the one he had gifted Yuri only five years before. He was also wearing a blue poncho, and his left nostril had been pierced with a golden stud. When asked, he explained that he'd taken on a pygmy custom while traveling in the jungle - but it was something he whispered to Theo, as if he didn't want anyone to hear.

"Are the proud parents ready then?" Yaholo teased.

Roan lifted his chin in mock offense. "You two should only be so lucky!" He haughtily sauntered down the step, and Yaholo laughed.

The four of them started up the street, walking slowly in the darkness after dusk. Along the streets, the tall pillars had been lit with fire in their basins. Males and females passed them, returning from patrol or heading out to it. Females walked home paw in paw, and Theo smiled, thinking of Enya and Yuri.

That everything had worked out was still amazing to Theo, who had expected lifelong exile, living a fugitive in the forest. He'd never dreamed that he would wind up in the sun village, with a husband and a daughter, living a cozy life beside the sea.

They passed a group of females who looked at Aralyla and chorused, "Awwwwwww!"

"Kuza and I should have a puppy," Yaholo said when they had passed the fawning females. "Maybe then we'll snag a girlfriend."

Roan and Theo laughed, but Kuza didn't find the joke funny. He gave Yaholo a glare that said he was not sharing his lover with anyone. Especially not a female. Yaholo laughed nervously, took Kuza's paw, and kissed it. Kuza jerked his chin, as if to say "Damn straight!" and Theo laughed to himself: Yaholo had just narrowly avoided a nasty argument later.

When they arrived at the house, most of the family was there.

Lynny was there with Idella. Just as Theo had supposed, he was rolling across the floor with LiAnh, Mio, and Zee, who were giggling and playfully growling as they sought with tiny paws and fangs to overcome him. Idella sat on the couch looking tired but smiling mistily as she watched the wrestling. Theo's ears flattened: Idella had been looking more and more tired these days.

Sitting beside Idella were Lea and Ohana, who were talking happily and waving their paws. Kilyan was standing with his arms folded at the window, talking with Keeno and grinning.

Zalia was sitting at a corner table, laughing with a small tan female about the size of a child. She was Elele, Inden's new wife. Inden stood behind her chair, and when she said something to him, he smiled, leaned down, and kissed her forehead.

Theo still couldn't get used to Elele. It was so strange to see Inden with someone other than Wynn. . . . and it was so strange not to have Wynn there. But Wynn had gone off to some new life in a magical kingdom far, far away. And her mother Avi was now living in the summer village with Kilyan.

Avi had chosen to stay behind, for she and Kilyan now had a tiny son - a little pup named Aviine - and he was so young, it was risky to take him through a portal. Or . . . Avi believed it was. Avi was also a shemale. For her, coming to the sun village meant possibly risking her life.

Kilyan was loath to leave Avi alone, so he would only stay a few hours, then Yaholo would send him back with his family.

The same went for Zane, who had patrol the next day and hadn't been granted time off. His wives were sitting on the deerskins beside the fire, talking to Lea and Ohana from where they sat. They looked happy enough, which always relieved Theo: he hated the idea that Mora and Nyssa might one day leave Zane. He knew it was unlikely, but even five years later, he couldn't stop thinking of the horrible toast Zane gave at his wedding.

Zane entered the front room from the hall and was the first to notice the four males come in. "Hey, big brother!" he laughed, lifting a big paw to Roan.

Everyone looked up and shouted their greetings.

Theo was at once surrounded by cooing females. Lea, Ohana, Zalia, Elele, Mora, and Nyssa swarmed him. Before he could protest, Zalia had lifted the infant from the carrier and was rocking her.

"My precious little granddaughter," Zalia whispered, rocking Aralyla in her slender arms.

"Zalia!" laughed Keeno, coming over. "Will you let them get in the door? Hey, boys." He nodded in greeting at Roan and Theo - then gave Yaholo a playful ruffle on the mane that was laughingly smacked off.

Zalia ignored Keeno and carried Aralyla to the fire, where she carefully sat. The crowd of eager females followed her, laughing and talking as they pressed in.

"I don't think I've got to hold her yet," Kilyan said with a laugh. "The females will never let us!"

Keeno jerked his head at Theo. "How are your tits, kid? Ara isn't drinking you dry, is she?"

Theo laughed at the teasing and fumbled to unstrap the pup carrier from his chest. Roan helped him.

Yaholo and Kuza squeezed on the little couch beside Idella, who hadn't budged from her spot. She looked too weak and tired to do so, and she sat peering with longing at the crowd of females.

"She's supposed to be sleeping right now," Roan complained. "Now she'll be up all night."

Zane snorted as he drew near. "She'll be up all night anyway," he said, jerking his head at Lynny.

Lynny had also come over and was holding little Zee up on his shoulders. Having been neglected by his wife, Inden came with him. Little white LiAnh tugged on Inden's tail and asked to ride his shoulders like Zee "was doin'." Inden smiled one of his rare smiles and obliged.

"Zee there," went on Zane, "would be up constantly and kept his brother up too. Count yourself lucky. At least Ara's notta screamer."

"You were a screamer," Kilyan said.

Lynny, Keeno, and Zee laughed.

"Daddy screamed!" giggled Zee, pointing at his father.

Zane blushed a little. "At least you only had to put up with_one_ of me, Dad."

"We didn't put up with you," Kilyan want on with the teasing. "We just put you out on the roof."

"Ha!" grinned Roan.

Kilyan reached up and clapped a paw on Zane's shoulder. He looked mistily at both his tall sons. "Still can't believe my boys aren't boys anymore. Hell, there are some days I miss your screaming, Zane. And I miss you hiding under your bed when you were bad, Roan."

Roan laughed. "I was avoiding a spanking."

Kilyan laughed too.

"Do you miss me?" LiAnh said anxiously. He was still up on Inden's shoulders and was playing absently in his mane. He paws stopped and he peered at Kilyan a little miserably. Theo frowned: LiAnh was always worried that Kilyan didn't notice him.

Kilyan reached up and snatched LiAnh down and onto his hip, tickling him until he giggled shrilly. "I can't miss what I get to kiss and tickle everyday!"

"Eee hee hee!" LiAnh squealed as he was tickled. He dropped his head happily on Kilyan's shoulder.

"Come on, Kilyan," Keeno said, jerking his head. "Maybe if we wave some diamonds at them, we can break the females up and actually get to see my granddaughter!"

Kilyan laughed. "Alright." He kissed LiAnh's cheek and carried him away, following Keeno over to the fire. Roan and Inden also followed.

"Aunt Zalia," Roan moaned, "let Dad and Uncle Keeno see her! You hold her all the time!"

"To hell with Kilyan and Keeno," Zalia answered.

Everyone laughed, including Kilyan and Keeno.

Theo found himself standing with Zane and Lynny, who still had little Zee on his shoulders. Mio was over by the fire, sitting happily in Mora's lap and picking his nose.

"Why'd you pick that name?" Zane said to Theo. "You never told me."

"Aralyla? It means song."

"Pretty," said Lynny, nodding. "Ohana's name means something like that too. Idella picked it out." He glanced fondly at his wife.

"How are you and Grandma?" Zane asked miserably.

Lynny looked at him with soft black eyes. "Don't you worry about us, boy. You just worry about these sons of yours."

Zane didn't seem inclined to stop worrying. He glanced over at Idella sadly, and Theo couldn't blame him: she looked weaker and sicker each time she came to visit.

Lynny gave Zane a fond clap on the cheek and went to stand over Idella. She brightened when Zee reached for her. Lynny took the boy down from his shoulders and placed him in his wife's lap.

"Where's my dad?" Theo said, trying to take Zane's worried mind off his grandmother.

Zane looked at Theo and his expression changed from sadness to sympathy. "Ah . . . he's back at Zaldon's with everyone else, sitting around drinking and stuff. He can't stand Kel and Loryn - Zaldon either -- so I don't know why he wouldn't take the excuse to get over here . . ."

"He likes Julyan, though," Theo said with a dry laugh. "He'll stick around if there's food and wine. . . ." And if he's avoiding me.

Zane's ears pricked forward at the glum look in Theo's eye. "Is something going on with you and Sade? Again?" he added with a weak laugh. "I thought you two worked your crap out. I thought everything was alright."

Theo sighed heavily. "You can't tell anyone."

Zane drew a cross over his chest. "I'm your buddy. I never tell anyone. I knew you liked guys before anyone else - before you even told me, remember? And I kept my mouth shut."

Theo smiled. It was true that Zane had been a good friend to him. Every time he saw him now, he felt a twinge of guilt for leaving him behind in the summer village. But he knew it couldn't be helped. He was a fugitive. He refused to take a female and refused to live discreetly as a tail chaser - the fact that he ran away was a silent declaration of this.

And somehow or other, it got out that Theo loved Roan. He knew it was the way he had acted during the wedding ceremony: as he was marrying Enya, he was looking at Roan. He spent a lot of time staring at Roan that day. No wonder it had been obvious . . .

Enya was a fugitive too. Females were expected to obey their fathers. The moment they disobeyed so defiantly as to run away was the moment they were disowned by their tribe. Had Enya been captured and brought back to the summer village, she would have been exiled to live in the shanty town of tents beside the village wall. It was there that disgraced females went to live, and any male who wanted them was allowed to fuck them. Their children were trained as warriors but shared their disgrace. Their pussies were basically a free-for-all and their lives became the drudgery of constantly birthing pups. They were not allowed to see their families - most disgraced females had families that didn't want to see them. It was a terrible fate for a female, a fate more than one female in Zane's family had come close to: Zalia had also risked such punishment by seeing Keeno when she was underage.

Theo hesitated, then heavily admitted, "I kissed Enya . . . the day of the wedding."

Zane made a face. "Why."

Theo laughed. Enya was Zane's cousin and rival: it was inconceivable to him that Enya was attractive.

"I dunno," Theo said, "but Dad walked in on us. And now he's convinced I'm straight. Back when he thought I just liked guys, he was ready to roll over and accept that his son wasn't . . . what he wanted." Theo glared at his feet. "But the moment he saw me kissing her, he wouldn't let it go. He's convinced I should leave Roan and marry Enya again. He's got some crazy idea that I can come back to the summer village if I do - but he knows damn well Enya and I are both fugitives now."

Zane nodded sympathetically. "And . . . do you like girls?"

"I like Enya."

Zane laughed. "God knows why. You're lucky she didn't bite your dick off."

"She wouldn't get a pup then."

"I meant after."

They laughed.

"And . . ." Zane's face screwed up again. "You enjoyed it when the two of you . . .? To get Aralyla . . ."

Thinking of that night months ago, Theo smiled. "Yeah," he admitted. "Being with her is nothing like being with Roan. . . . but it was close enough."

Zane's nose scrunched up. "Eww."

Theo grinned. They fell silent as they watched Zalia carrying Aralyla down the hall. She was likely taking her to her crib - a crib which Theo had made with his own paws. Zane had helped him on his occasional visits. The two of them would sit around drinking and talking as they nailed the wooden pieces together to form the stand. Roan and Enya had woven the actual basket in which Aralyla slept whenever she came to Roan and Theo's.

Lea and Ohana followed Zalia, still talking and cooing over the baby as they walked either side of her. Kilyan and Keeno remained around the fire with Mora and Nyssa. The four began to talk.

Theo saw Inden and Elele at the window, holding each other as they looked out. No doubt they were whispering about their daughter. Little Dezzira had been left behind with Avi, for Elele had become convinced - thanks to the shemale - that portals were dangerous for tiny pups.

"How's Yuri?" Zane eventually asked.

Theo looked at him and knew he had been silently struggling to get up the nerve to ask. He smiled and shook his head. "You fucking hypocrite."

Zane looked away. "Don't start."

"You rant at my wedding about your grandparents fucking each other," Theo went on anyway, "and yet, what are Mio and Zee going to think when they grow up and realize their father used to bone Yuri? Or that Enya used to fuck Mora and Nyssa, for that matter . . ."

Zane winced. "Back off already! I only asked how she was. I care about her. I can't help how I feel."

"Neither can your grandparents."

Zane looked at Theo incredulously. "I can't believe you're condoning what they did! I love Yuri, but I have never approached her for sex! Not once in what? Six fucking years? But everyone's up my ass about it." He looked away bitterly.

"I'm sorry," Theo said after a pause. He touched Zane's shoulder.

Something in Zane's gray eyes relented. "Grandpa apologized to me," he said, nodding at Lynny. "And he promised it would never happen again. He said it happened because he needed closure. He needed to let go of Granddad Kel and Grammie Aliona . . ."

Theo nodded. "And you got your closure, didn't you? That night you . . ."

"Slept with Yuri while Enya watched?" Zane said and winced again. He had told Theo once before, during one of those times when they were building some piece of furniture together. Theo had spent a lot of time listening to Zane whine about Yuri - so much so that they never really spoke about Theo's blunder with Enya, Zane's fight with Roan, Loryn's collapse, or anything else that happened at the wedding.

"I would have preferred_it if Enya wasn't there," Zane on, looking disgusted. "But it was the best I was likely to get. So I took it. I won't sleep with Yuri again, though. I won't intrude on her happiness. Everyone seems so _convinced I will."

"They just don't want to see Enya and Yuri breakup because of you," Theo explained gently. "That would be devastating. For all three of you."

Zane nodded. "I know, Theo. I know."

Zalia, Lea, and Ohana returned, laughing and talking happily about Aralyla. They sat around the fire and continued talking.

"I'm gonna go check on my baby," Theo said. "Make sure they didn't crush her to death with their huge tits when they were passing her back and forth . . ."

Zane laughed. "Alright. Don't take long. I think my dad is gonna want to leave soon."

Theo laughed dryly. "He'd have to find Yaholo first."

Zane looked over at the couch, where Yaholo had been sitting with Kuza: they were gone. No doubt they'd slipped out back to the garden when no one was looking. Theo had a good idea what they were doing out there.

Clapping Zane fondly on the shoulder, Theo moved past him and up the hall. Aralyla's nursery was directly across from the bedroom he shared with Roan. He entered through the lilac door and stepped into the surrounding lavender walls. Baskets of toys were already in one corner of the room: Roan bought toys for his daughter over the years, before she was even born. He also bought her books, for he wished for her to be more educated about the world than he. A bookshelf stood against the right wall, wooden and carved with curving vines and flowers. In a corner near the window was a rocking chair - something else Theo had built with Zane's help.

Theo halted in surprise to find little white LiAnh peering on tiptoe into the cradle.

"Alright," Theo said, "back way from the cradle, shorty." He playfully grabbed LiAnh by the head and steered him back.

"But I wanna hold her!" LiAnh wailed.

"In a few years. You're too little right now."

LiAnh pouted. "I'm always too little ta do something!"

Theo laughed, thinking of the dick-swelling spell Yuri had put on him months before. "I know exactly how you feel, kid."

"Where's my grandbaby?" squealed a voice.

Theo looked up to see his parents in the doorway. Ah. So they had finally made their way over from Zaldon's.

Sade stood looking uncomfortable and uncertain. He met Theo's eyes, scratched the back of his ears, and looked grimly at the floor.

Amrosa's happy eyes were fixed on the cradle. She didn't even look at Theo and practically knocked him and LiAnh over as she flew at the cradle and swept the cooing pup into her arms. She went to the rocking chair, and easing down into it, she slowly rocked, smiling at the small bundle. LiAnh went to her side. He rose up on tiptoe and peered at the baby.

"I wanna hold her," LiAnh complained again. "When canna play with 'er?"

Amrosa's eyes twinkled at LiAnh, amused. "She's too young right now," she said in a hushed voice. "Wait a few years and I promise . . . you'll play."

Theo held back a laugh: in a few years, Aralyla would be a little child and LiAnh would be a teenager. The two of them wouldn't be playing.

"Hey, boy," Sade said uncertainly. He took a few steps toward Theo. "How've you been?"

Theo shook his head. "You ask that as if you didn't avoid seeing me for how long?"

Sade looked away guiltily and swallowed hard. "Don't take that tone. You sound like a teenage girl! I came every now and then . . ."

"The last few years, you hardly came at all . . ."

"Son . . ."

"I'm not in love with Enya, Dad," Theo said adamantly. "I'm in love with Roan. I'm attracted to them both. It's entirely possible."

Sade looked at Theo miserably. "God help me, I wish you were in love with that girl. Things were perfect when you married her. I like her father, I like her. I thought I'd got some good in-laws --"

"You like Roan's father," Theo said pointedly. "It's because the two of you are friends that I met Roan! And you still have a beautiful granddaughter!"

Sade's eyes went to Amrosa and the small bundle she was rocking. Theo saw his father's eyes soften.

"You can hold her," Theo said, smiling as he touched his father's shoulder, "if you like."

Sade looked uncertain and Theo almost laughed. He took his father's arm and led him over to the rocking chair. Amrosa and LiAnh were singing to Aralyla.

"And the stars shine bright," Amrosa sang softly.

"All through duh night!" LiAnh added, smiling to show the gap between his fangs. He leaned over the armrest, looking down at little Aralyla with bright eyes.

"And our dreams are making us nice stories," Amrosa continued to sing. She rose carefully from the chair and eased little Aralyla into her husband's arms. Aralyla was sleeping peacefully. Amrosa touched her curly mane and smiled as she sang, "And my loves are well, sleeping just right . . ."

"And I know, know, know that we . . ." Theo joined the song. He smiled at his father. "Are living a life of dreams."

Sade looked down at Aralyla, who was sleeping against his chest with her mouth open. He smiled and sudden tears made his eyes shine. "She's . . . perfect. And she looks like me!"

Everyone laughed.

"Son," Sade said and looked at Theo through a shimmering veil of tears. He sniffed, and the tears trickled free down his cheeks. "I just m-miss you. I wish you could come home. I blamed it on you being a tail chaser for years, then you had this baby, and I knew you'd never come back . . ."

"I know, Dad," Theo said softly and rubbed his father's shoulder.

"I can't do this anymore," Sade went on, looking at the child in his arms. "I've got to stop fighting with you . . . to make this little beauty's life a life of dreams."