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She sighed softly, “I had been thinking it...but I don’t know what to do or where to go. I’m tired of ru
He shook his head, “Then you don’t have to go. I will talk to my wife and get her to end these attacks. She is a queen...and it is far time she acted it.”
She smiled softly, “You would do that for me?”
He nodded and chuckled, “She may be the queen...but you are also important to me. She can’t be doing this to you...it’s unfair. You see, my dear, she’s very jealous of you.”
“Jealous? Of me?”
“Yes. That’s what was wrong when you came to cub-set. I wasn’t upset at you. I was just afraid what Ujuzi would think, but frankly I won’t hurt your feelings just to spare hers.”
She smiled softly, “I understand now. I’m not worried that she was jealous--it explains a lot. But I’d hate to think I lost your friendship.”
“You never will. She’ll have to learn to deal with her jealousy some other way than victimizing you. Now we spend much time together. And I won’t lie to you--you’re a very beautiful lioness and I couldn’t help but notice that. But there’s no one for me but Ujuzi. I’d never dream of cheating on her.”
“And I’d never dream of breaking up your marriage. But you are a dear, sweet thing and I’m very fond of you. I like to think my brother might have been like you.” She sat up and moved her head to give a lick to his cheek. “I will leave if my presence here is a burden on you.”
In the cover of the grasses...a pair of eyes shown through. after seeing the shows of affections, the owner of the eyes pulled back, further into the grass.
CHAPTER: A STOLEN GLANCE
Wehu couldn’t believe what she just saw...the new lioness--her dear friend--going after her father. At first she didn’t believe what her mother told her about Ela
Slowly she appeared in a clearing...her mother already waiting there for her. “Well?” the elder lioness asked.
Wehu’s head hung low, “She kissed him...”
Ujuzi gri
Wehu blinked, “We? Mother...I don’t know what really happened. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about. All I saw was her give him a i
“Daughter...I know what I feel from my husband. She is moving in on me and I won’t have it.”
“And I won’t get involved in something I don’t know what is happening. Don’t ask me of this. Ela
“Who do you trust more...this ‘friend’ who just got here within a moon...or your mother who gave you life and kept you alive? Do you expect me to throw away six years of marriage? Six LONG years that I’ve hunted for him, carried cubs for him, picked him up when he fell down! Comforted him when he wept! Six LONG years. And what do I ask of you, my own flesh and blood? For all the love and care I’ve given you? This one thing alone I’ve asked. That you help me against this viper that would come between your father and I! Honey Tree, you’re young. You don’t see things the way my older and wiser eyes do. Where do your loyalties lie--tell me, daughter.”
Wehu just stood there, stu
Wehu looked to her mother and father, then nodded, “All right...I’ll be around.” With that, she disappeared into the grass.
The king turned to his wife, “Why are you harassing Ela
Ujuzi shook her head, putting on her best act, “Dear...I didn’t know about her and cubs. I just thought I would mention it to her.”
“I told you about her problem. Don’t you remember?”
“Oh...if you say so, dear...it must have slipped my mind. I’m sorry...I really didn’t mean to hurt her feelings.”
“It seems like you are trying to make her life difficult here. She has been through a lot in her life. Please...for her...for me...give her some slack and make her feel welcomed here. Everyone but you seem to love her.”
Ujuzi moved closer to him, and nuzzled him, taking a moment to catch Ela
Mabongo smiled, “Thank you love...now if you will excuse me, I need to finish my patrol.” He gave her another nuzzle and continued on his way.
Ujuzi sat down, waiting a short time before calling out, “Wehu...come on out.” Wehu appeared a short time later, sitting beside her. “We need to do something to Ela
Wehu shook her head, “No mother...please...I don’t want to be involved.”
Ujuzi looked at her coldly, “You will help me...remember that I am your mother...your queen...and the lioness that got you the title you hold. How would you like me to give your title to another lioness. I know Kiesi would love to be hunt mistress.”
She looked at her mother and sighed, “All right...all right...I’ll help you.”
Ujuzi almost wept. “My darling, my firstborn, I know I’ve asked a lot of you, but Sweetie, I’ll make it up to you, I swear!” She nuzzled her daughter who returned the nuzzle desperately and kissed her mother.
“Please Mom, let’s not argue any more.”
“Of course, Sweetie! If you want to know who loves you, and who would never take advantage of you, it’s your mother.” Ujuzi pawed her cheek and kissed her. “You relied on me when you were young and weak. Now Honey Tree I’m growing old and weak and I need someone I can rely on.”
Just...don’t ask me not to hurt her.”
Ujuzi smiled. “Hurt her? No, your father would be furious if someone hurt her. But she might have an accident.”
“An accident??”
Ujuzi smiled i
CHAPTER: THE STORY
Ela
The cubs noticed this and Inwiena spoke up, “Auntie Ela
Ela
“You and your sister still fight?”
She shrugged, “I don’t know...it’s been so long since I have seen her...I do miss her though.”
“Why not go back then?”
Ela
Inwiena looked back to Ibura, her sister, “We fight...but we always say we sorry and we still love each other.” She looked back to Ela
“Anymore.” Ela