“If you come to us without lies or secrets, you are welcome,” Kefir whispered.
He had to swallow then, to work some moisture into his throat.
His master nodded to him, encouraging him on.It wasn’t easy, especially when Ellery’s expression was unreadable, and Kefir remained clueless as to what his answer would ultimately be.
“If you are who we believe you to be, say that you wish to take your rightful place in the pride, and you will be welcomed.”
Kefir took a deep breath and dipped his face toward his master’s body.Ellery’s hand slipped around to the back of his head.The fingers threaded through his hair, pulling him closer and holding him close and safe against his body.
Ellery’s heartbeat echoed through Kefir as his ear rested against his chest.
“Yes.”
That was all Ellery said.
Lifting his head, Kefir peeked up at him.
No questions, no hesitation, no need to ask a second time just…yes.
A smile twisted Ellery’s lips.“Did you really think there was any chance I’d say no?”
Kefir snuggled closer into Ellery’s body again.Even the memory of the possibility sent a shiver down his spine.Ellery could have said no.He could have said a pet had no right to even ask.Kefir nodded that, yes, he’d known there was a chance everything could go to hell.
“Silly little kitten.”Ellery’s gentle chuckle reverberated through his chest, making Kefir smile.
Ellery let him rest there for a while, before gently nudging him to lift his head.“Your friends are waiting to congratulate you, kitten.”
Kefir looked over his shoulder.All the commotion that usually came with such an announcement hadn’t descended on the room, but he could feel the other lions’ attention on him.He rose and turned toward the centre of the room.
All at once, everyone else was on their feet, too, with hugs and good wishes.The whole pride seemed to swirl around him, and through it all, he was aware of Ellery tracking his every movement, watching over him in a way that wasn’t the least bit necessary, but which still felt very nice all the same.
“You’re sure he’ll look after you?”Luther asked, sceptically, as he pulled back from the hug he’d offered Kefir.
Kefir blinked at him, at Luther’s apparent acceptance of the fact Ellery liked to be the one who did the looking after, even if he wasn’t a lion.
“He will,” Ellery said, from right behind Kefir.He slid his arm around Kefir’s waist and pulled him back to rest against his master’s body.
Kefir happily leaned into him.Ellery was hard again.The knowledge made Kefir purr.
“Later,” Ellery whispered into his ear.
Turning within his embrace, Kefir looked up at him, wondering what he had done wrong, what could possibly make Ellery not want to do everything there was in the world right at that very moment.
“When you’re home, in your master’s bed,” Ellery whispered to him.
“Your home, sir?”Kefir asked, just a little shy, still not entirely sure how a human dominant might intend things to be between them.
“It’s going to be your home, too,” Ellery corrected, tucking his fingers under Kefir’s collar.
Kefir nodded his understanding.
“We’ll just take a few of the things you have here with us tonight.We’ll have to take a car to pick up everything you want to take to from your flat tomorrow.”
Kefir nodded again.
Ellery seemed to be waiting for him to make some sort of comment, but he had no idea what Ellery might want him to say.
“Prides don’t interfere between mates unless there is evidence of some serious cause for concern.If you’re waiting for someone to object to Kefir leaving with you, you may find yourself lingering here for a very long time.”
