The Tiger Within

The soft moonlight peaked through the storm clouds and poured its gentle light through the newly opened window. Those soft tendrils of light caressed Kyera"s face as she began to wake up again. Clovis stood nearby and gently rocked their baby.

Little Gale seemed to be quiet for a baby, he mused. Then again perhaps it was just because he hadn"t been there when Raina had been born. That thought panged his heart and he leaned down and placed a light kiss to his son"s forehead. At least his son and his daughter now had a mother who would love them. They would never be abandoned again.

"How long was I asleep?" Kyera murmured as she stretched her weary body. Muscles groaned and made their discomfort known as she moved. A pained grimace appeared on Kyera"s face. Clovis turned his attention to his newly awake wife.

"Only a few hours. I"ve been rocking our baby. He is so quiet… is that something to worry about?" Clovis asked a bit nervously. Kyera smiled at his concern. She could not believe this man already had one child, and was this concerned about the second.

"Tiger cubs were hunted before, because it"s harder to kill an adult tiger. As a result, baby tigers have slowly adapted to be fairly quiet when they are little. Almost deceptively so honestly. We won"t know what his true personality is until he reaches 2 or 3 years old." Kyera mused as she opened her arms for Clovis to hand her their son.

"Oh, that makes sense. I forgot that tigers were such quiet beasts." Clovis admitted as he thought about the three sitting in the waiting room who haven"t stopped ribbing each other for the last couple hours.

"Let me see our little Gale." Kyera purred honestly excited to hold her son. Her son… a tiny life she made. She had to hold back the want to sit up and steal the baby from her husband. Instinct was demanding she check, protect and feed her little one.

Clovis obediently pa.s.sed her the little bundle, whose bright eyes popped open as soon as his father began to hand him off. Those sweet eyes seemed keen for being a newborn. A little smile cracked his lips and he laughed as his mother"s sent enveloped him and her eyes came into view. There was an instant connection that had Kyera grinning as she cuddled her son close. He kissed his little cheeks and loosened the warm blankets he was wrapped in.

"Go get his big sister. Raina has waited patiently enough." Kyera purred as she fed the little cub. It wouldn"t take long for him to have his fill. Clovis nodded and walked to the door, looking back again at his son and wife. The love and care in her eyes was unmistakable. He hesitated for a moment then walked out into the waiting room.

He returned with Raina several minutes later, to find Kyera with the furs pulled up again. The baby was resting on her chest, snuggled into the warm furr his mother was in. There was an angelic contentment on his face.

"Can I meet my baby sibling now?" Raina asked looking beyond excited. Kyera smiled as Raina hugged her, not neglecting her mother despite the excitement.

"Yes. Raina this is your baby brother, Gale. Gale this is the sister who will love you more than life and teach you to be a proper child." Kyera introduced the pair as she scooted over for Raina to sit with her on the bed.

Once Raina was securely in place, Kyera turned and nested little Gale in her arms. Raina smiled happily as she held the baby how her mother instructed her. Her expression was filled with careful concentration as she made an effort for the baby to be as comfortable as she could manage.

The baby seemed curious and guarded at first but that brilliant smile erased that concern in a millisecond. There was no malice in those brilliant blue eyes.