44 - Grains and Wine (1.56k words)

I clapped my hands sharply, the sound slicing through the murmurs around us. "Well, that's settled then!" I announced, drawing the crowd's attention. "With everyone here as witnesses, the results between Parker's and Tony's duel have determined the outcome of their deal, not that it mattered anyway. If Parker can't even agree to such an easy condition, you must all agree that he doesn't deserve to be my cub's male."Queen Memi sighed, her hands clasped together, her eyes shimmering with tears, "Cub, just agree.""I understand." Parker grunted, "I accept Tony as Qingqing's head male.""Good," Tony released his hold on the leopard and extended a hand, "Get up. I don't want Qingqing to see her males in a sorry state like this."Bai ran and jumped on Tony, wrapping her arms around him, "I was so scared! Are you okay?""Qingqing..." Parker dropped a few pitiful tears, his voice shaking, "It hurts...""Oh no!" Bai cried, letting go of Tony, "I'll go get the med-kit.""There's no need." Parker smiled, wiping the fake tears, "It will heal in a few hours. I just wanted a hug from my beautiful female.""Parker," Bai blushed, slapping him on the shoulder, "You're such a dummy."I nodded slightly in Queen Memi's direction, "I will accompany our cubs to receive their rations from the Ape King. Should you require anything further, Muir will take charge in my absence," I said before taking my leave.Muir walked toward Queen Memi, bowing respectfully, "Would you honor us by staying a little longer, Queen Memi? Perhaps a drink or a meal inside our house might allow us to discuss matters further - and more comfortably.""I would be delighted to join you, Muir," the queen chuckled. "Here. Thank you for sparing my cub's life so many times."Muir accepted the emerald with another respectful bow as he led her inside our common area, "We should have a few spare rooms we could accommodate you in for the night. I hope it won't be too uncomfortable for you.""Not at all," Queen Memi laughed, "But I'm afraid your spouse might not be very pleased about this arrangement.""You are free to come and go as you please," I called out, waiting for Bai to grab her forgotten items from inside the house. "Your cub still needs someone to set him straight from time to time, and since we're going to be family, I'd prefer it if you could help me out with disciplining him from time to time.""Oh, dear," Queen Memi covered her mouth and giggled. "If this is the hospitality I get, perhaps I will visit more often.""Mother!" Parker called out, mortified, "You can't!""Oh, hush now," Queen Memi waved him off, "Go and play with Bai Qingqing. Let the adults have a nice chat."Parker pouted as he was dragged off by the giggling Bai, who was eager to show him our vineyard along the way.I headed to Beast City with Curtis and Vick, keeping a considerable distance from Bai's group.Tony had come to us with a request to allow Bai to take in Parker, as she seemed to be in love with him. He also needed another male to take his place during his hibernation, which was a more important reason. I told Tony that letting Bai settle down with Parker could bring lots of problems our way. However, if he could defeat and tame Parker, I would consider letting the pesky leopard live with us.· · ──────── · ⊱❈⊰· ──────── · ·There were more females in the city than usual, and it was no mystery why. The Ape King was going to distribute free grains and wine, so there was no way they would miss that.We walked over to the main plaza and joined the line that had already formed. The females showed off their cubs, and I couldn't help but stare at the cute little things.They were adorable with their rosy cheeks and their soft, chubby faces. A few had their mother's hair, and others were blessed with their father's eyes. Their tiny paws, their innocent eyes, and their small, rounded ears.It was the most endearing thing I had ever seen.It made my chest swell and ache at the same time."Mama!" a cub shouted, pulling at her mother's dress, "Mama, I want milk."The mother lifted the little cub, placing her on her lap and opening her gown, exposing her large breasts. The cub immediately latched onto her nipple, drinking with contented purrs.I swallowed and forced myself to look away. I took a seat on the floor, staring at the ground, not wanting anyone to see my eyes."Yaya?" I heard Nivi's voice calling for me.My head snapped up, "Nivi?" I called out.Nivi smiled and approached me together with Winston and Harvey. "How are you doing?" She sat next to us, rubbing her swollen belly."Good." I smiled, "You look great, Mama.""Mmh." Nivi rubbed her belly. "I feel like a whale. These cubs are driving me crazy. I can't wait for them to come out.""I bet they can't wait either." I chuckled."How are things with your mates?" Nivi asked, "It seems they are taking good care of you. They're not giving you a hard time, are they?""Not at all. They're really nice to me," I said, recalling the last time Nivi attempted to engage them in a conversation when she first came to visit our place. Her words seemed to bounce off Vick like pebbles against a brick wall, while Curtis's absent-minded expression made it seem like he was sleeping with his eyes wide open. Muir, the polite one, nodded at everything she said, though it was clear that whatever she mentioned, he was already well ahead of the game."That's good." Nivi nodded. "I've always been worried about you, Yaya. You've always been so quiet and alone, even before we visited this world. But I am glad you found your place and settled down.""Thanks," I responded, "I'm glad to hear you're doing well too."Nivi smiled, turning her head when the crowd started cheering.3rd person POVThe Ape King was finally coming down. Wolf guards surrounded him as he descended the steps."Thank you all for gathering here," the Ape King announced, "I am pleased to announce that we have enough grains and wine for every female. Please line up and get your share."The announcement was met with cheers. One by one, the females and their males lined up to collect their allotted provisions from the Ape King.Nivi and Bai, when called, approached the distribution point with others. They each received a bag of grains and two jugs of wine.When Yaya's name echoed through the crowd, an expectant pause followed. However, the spot where she should have been standing was glaringly empty."Yaya?" the Ape King called out again, squinting into the crowd as if his call could magically summon her. He was sure she was there when he entered the room.The silence stretched awkwardly long until Tony finally stepped forward. With a somewhat embarrassed expression, he announced, "Yaya wants to share her rations with a family in greater need and believes you, Your Majesty, should decide who needs her share the most."As Tony delivered Yaya's message, the crowd quickly grew restless. Voices rose, each person eager to argue why they deserved the rations most. The Ape King's guards struggled to maintain order as the air filled with tales of hardship, each story more desperate than the last.The Ape King was flabbergasted. His gaze flickered over the crowd, unsure of how to respond to such an impudent request. He could not believe his ears. This was the first time someone refused their portion of rations. Whenever he went to check on Yaya, he could never really see her face, and her males were so protective of her that he could only look at her from afar, and could barely squeeze a word out of her.The Ape King glanced over the crowd again, trying to pick the one who seemed to be having the most difficulties. The only problem was that everyone seemed to be struggling. "I will choose the family that I feel needs it the most," he announced the family's name, his voice a little louder, hoping his statement would quell the growing unrest."No! You have to give me Yaya's rations," a male shouted, stepping forward. "My family is poor and has a sick cub who needs medicine. We need food and wine the most.""So do we! I have an injured male and three hungry mouths. Please, give me Yaya's ration."╔═══ Author's note ════╗Yaya won't send Bai away, and she won't let her move out on her own, no matter Bai's antics.She knows that letting Bai roam on her own is just asking for trouble (Bai has too much knowledge, is too attractive, and can't accept a male on her own. In fact, all males she had taken in had forced themselves on her, even Tony had to be thrown in her face).Yaya'd rather keep any potential disasters close by, where she can manage them, lol.I think Tony is of the same opinion as his mother in law. 😂╚════════════════╝