Hi

I have to acknowledge Maxd01. Chatting with him inspired a scene in this chapter where Micah gets to 'hear' the heartbeats of his unborn kitts.

I have a couple more chapters ready to go but I will be spacing them out every few days to a week.

MyGypsy 

Rosy:

I stand on the veranda of what use to be my Homestead and look across the slope of the hill towards where the driveway turns off the road and onto the property. Inside I can hear the boys laughing and running as they yell for Sasha. I smile a small smile as I look down and shuffle my feet, the swell of my stomach hides them from view and I raise my right hand to grasp the support post as I glance back at the hallway behind me.

Two toms come around the side of the house and I watch them silently as they make their way to the bottom of the steps, Ed takes his Akubra hat off, his fingers straightening a slight bend in the brim as he grins up at me.

"Good morning Rosy, Kia," He says in his soft American drawl. "We just come to see what Malcolm and Miss Sasha wants us to do today."

I take his appearance in with a quick look, solid and well muscled, sun browned skin with wrinkles at the corners of his eyes from squinting in the bright sun. He would pass for a hard working farmer in the non-were township in his Hard Yakka work clothes.

"Ma'am," The honey smooth voice has me glancing at Ed's partner John, he's rather stocky and somewhat older than warriors usually are. He smiles and gives a nod to both Kia and I as he lifts a hand to the brim of his hat to lift it slightly. Intense eyes sweep over me quickly and politely.

"You look right purty this morning Miss Rosy," John says and I smile at him baring my teeth as I turn away.

"I'll go see what job Malcolm has assigned to you today," I say as I head inside in search of Malcolm.

It is Malcolm who has stepped into the role of Alpha not Sam, so I am not surprised when I walk into the kitchen to find Malcolm leading the discussion with Sam, Lydia and Sasha as to what is the most important work to be done today.

"I thought you said you were going hunting," Sasha says sounding sullen as she looks anywhere but at me. I resist the need to sigh as I press a hand to the small of my back where it often aches when I am in human form. Sasha is still upset about my pregnancy even though she has had just over two months to get use to it. She blames both Micah and I saying we should have been more careful but I know she is terrified this pregnancy has come too soon after I nearly died giving birth to my last kitt.

"Ed and John have come to see what you want the toms doing today," I direct my comment to Malcolm.

"I'll go talk to them in a moment," Malcolm says before lifting his coffee cup and drinking the fragrant brew. The aroma makes my mouth water but I know the taste of the brew would have me gagging before I take a swallow.

"I'm waiting to see if Micah will make it here today," I tell Sasha. Still she refuses to look at me as she makes a slight noise of annoyance in her throat. I bite back the urge to call her on her rudeness but I know it will end in angry words and tears from her.

"Micah rang a few moments ago," Sam tells me, "He's stopped at that farmers stall and is picking up some fresh fruit and vegies."

"Wonderful," I say happily and ignore the teary eyed look Sasha flashes me.

You could say Micah has been courting me since I came here two months ago. He comes every second or third day and takes me hunting or walking or just lazing down by the creek on the clean sand in the shade. While Sasha won't talk to me she resents every second Micah is with me, hanging around in the background and just generally following us.

"You going to come hunting with us Sasha?" I ask.

"Someone has to make sure you don't over do things," Sasha retorts before walking away with her chin held high.

"Sasha and Lydia said they'd come when I take the boys swimming later," Lilly pipes up as she walks into the room preceded by the three boys. I glance at Sam and see him watching Lilly with a predatory gleam in his eye.

"It's going to get hot this afternoon," Lydia says with a sigh. "Besides if Sasha is busy it will give you and Micah some privacy,"

"Thanks Nan," I say sending her an appreciative smile. Somehow, somewhere over the time she had became a mother figure to Sam and I, and also an honorary Nanna to the boys.

"You gonna come swummin' too Momma?" Terry asks eagerly. "And Daddy?"

"Pleassssse," Dacey and Wynn chorus together. I can't help laughing at them as I sit down on a chair and hold my arms out.

"I'll see what I can do," I say as the three of them crowd close for cuddles. Terry drops a kiss on the swell of my stomach before stepping back and Dacey and Wynn have to follow his example.

My sharp hearing picks up the sound of a motor slowing and I get to my feet knowing it is Micah just about to turn onto the driveway. I kiss the forehead of each of my sons before I head back outside. I make my way down the steps and over to where Kia and Annush are waiting in the shade of a bush lemon tree. I glance across where Malcolm is talking to Ed, John and several more warriors. I know that the four American toms are some kind of relation to Micah, only John being the odd one out at close to middle age.

I watch Micah's vehicle come into view and I feel the familiar flutter of excitement that starts in my chest and stomach, one of the babies kick and I rub a soothing hand over the area gently.

"It's okay little one it's just your Daddy," I croon softly. I hear Kia laugh softly and glance her way to stick my tongue out at her for a second. I hear her chuckle as I turn my attention back to the vehicle as it comes to a halt not far from us. Micah gets out from behind the steering wheel and I move into his arms reaching up on tiptoes even as he bends down to kiss me hungrily. His arms are warm and strong around me as I luxuriate in his kiss, when our lips finally part I am breathless and he is panting as he cuddles me close.

"Hallo my love," Micah says huskily.

"I missed you," I say with a soft gasp. He continues to hold me for several long moments before reluctantly letting me go. Micah steps past me, his head up and I turn around to see what has set him on the defensive.

"Hello Cousin," John says.

"If you are finished socialising would you care to rejoin us so I can finish the morning briefing?" Malcolm demands in a tone of voice I have seldom heard from him, John glances over his shoulder at Malcolm before looking back at Micah.

"Later," John says to Micah before returning to the other group.

I hear a soft hiss and glance towards the vehicle to see Steven standing near Kia and Annush.

"G'day Gorgeous," Steven says with a grin. "Lookin' good there," His eyes drop to my stomach before he glances over to the group where Malcolm is handing out work assignments.

"Going to be trouble there," Steven says so softly I barely hear him. I watch the group as I snuggle against Micah's side with his arm wrapped firmly around me.

"What do you want to do today?" Micah asks.

"Hunt," I reply. I glance up to find him watching me, he has a smile on his face and happiness shines in his eyes. I give a mischievous smile before easing out of his embrace and walking several steps away, I pause to glance back over my shoulder at him and lick my lips as I run my eyes slowly down his body.

"I'm hungry," I say in a low sultry tone before looking away from him. I can feel the heat in my cheeks, the smile that lifts the corners of my mouth, as I start walking towards the tree line. Behind me I hear Micah growl possessively and concentrate on making my hips sway sexily as I walk away from him. It only takes a few moments for Micah to catch up and fall into step beside me, I glance his way with a smile and he reaches out to take hold of my hand as we catch the faint sound of a foot step behind us.

"There are plenty of kangaroos at the edges of the pine plantation or lot of rabbits in the foothills," Annush says behind us.

"I want fish," I announce as I turn in the direction of the river and where I know a good fishing hole is. A fallen tree leans over the edge of the bank creating a dark sheltered area where perch like to hide along with a few big mouth bass.

Micah

I lay beside Rosy in the shade, we are both cats and I groom behind her ear as she lies dozing. Occasionally her tail flicks or she gives a soft purr of pleasure, I settle with my head on my out stretched front legs and listen to the birds singing in the bush surrounding us. I can hear Steven, Annush and Kia settling down not far away from us but don't bother looking in their direction knowing they will be out of sight giving us some privacy.

I rest quietly beside Rosy not asleep just enjoying the soft sounds of the bush around us as I relax beside my wife. I glance at her where she lies sleeping off a good feed of fresh fish, her coat is smooth and shiny and I can make out the patterning in her fur even in the shade. I chuff softly when she wakes and yawns, she turns her head and we sniff noses before she gets to her feet slowly. I am quick to get up and walk at her side as she heads to the thin trickle at the edge of the river to lap at the cool fresh water.

Water dribbles from her chin as she lifts her head to glance around before gazing at me steadily. I rumble softly to her, rub the side of my face against her front shoulder and I am rewarded when she follows me to a spot padded by soft grass where we lay down once again. I grasp her torso gently as I groom her shoulder and neck before rubbing the side of my face on the slightly damp fur to leave my scent on her. A soft rumbling purr of enjoyment comes from Rosy and I work my way down her spine from the base of her neck. She rolls onto her side and onto her back where she wriggles with all four feet in the air. When questioned about this behaviour on other occasions she had told me it was her cat's equivalent of lazy stretching from pleasure and satisfaction.

When she becomes still I very gently trail my nose through the soft, slightly fluffy fur of her stomach. I lay pressed against her side, my ear against her ribs listening to the soothing sound of her even breathing and strong heartbeat. I stay there for several minutes before moving lower and laying my head so it barely touches the side of her stomach. Her tail flicks me several times but the touch is light, almost a caress. I wait patiently and I am finally rewarded with the faint sound of rapid heartbeats. Something tells me they have pushed close against the inner confines of the safe place where they are growing. I imagine I can hear the slight swish of fluid being displaced as the pair jostles for the place closest to my head. A warmth blossoms in my chest filling me with awe and wonder at the life we have created that nestles in the womb of my wife. I long to lay here like this for hours but I am worried about their steadily increasing weight pushing against Rosy's heart and lungs as she remains in this unusual position.

Reluctantly I move away from where my kitts grow inside my lover, I nuzzle her shoulder until she rolls presenting me with her neglected side. I pause to rub my nose against the corner of her mouth and Rosy turns her head towards me. I gaze into her eyes lost in the violet pools that reflect my image back at me. As we rub our muzzles together it feels like we are coming as close to kissing as possible as cats. The leather of our noses brush lightly against each other, our whiskers brush together delicately as Rosy lightly licks where my bottom lip meets my top jaw.

I can't help myself and grasp the scruff of her neck in my mouth as I treadle the ground beside her. Rosy rolls onto her belly, I am aware of when she shifts her tail away from me, the way she presses against my side. Gently I lick where I had gripped her neck hard, she is still purring softly but there is also a soft unsated rumble beneath the sound. I continue for several minutes, alternating between grasping her neck as I rub my body against hers and then soothing where I held her with gentle loving strokes.

Finally Rosy has had all she can stand and she growls as she pounces on me, her body wriggles against me sensuously as she rubs against me leaving not a hair uncovered by her scent. She even rolls on my tail wriggling her body against it before dragging herself along the ground on her side. Once again I look deep into her eyes, I can see her happiness and pleasure shining there and find myself hoping that the happiness I bring her far outweighs the sadness in her past.

I barely turn my head as a snort announces the arrival of Kia who ignores us as she walks to the water to drink. I turn my head to look at Rosy where she has settled against my body, her chin resting lightly on my front leg near my chest. Gently I clean her face above both closed eyes, by the time I am finished I am rewarded with the soft sound of her breathing as she sleeps. I close my eyes as the large Golden Tigress settles a discrete distance away, it is easy to relax my guard enough to doze with Rosy knowing there are others close by keeping watch.

I wake, instantly alert as I lift my head to look around. Beside me Rosy has also woken and is looking around, her ears flicking back and forth almost nervously. A slight glimpse of movement out of the corner of my right eye has me getting to my feet quickly as I turn my head but it is only Kia who is also looking around alertly also disturbed. A moment later I realise it is the unnatural quietness that has disturbed us. I can hear the trickle of the stream as it meets the river, the gentle rustle of the wind in the treetops but there is a total absence of insect, bird and small animal noises.

I glance at Rosy and see she has her mouth open slightly, the tip of her tongue can be seen and her top lip is wrinkled slightly as her whiskers flex back against the sides of her face. I follow her lead tasting the air, searching for some hidden scent but find nothing. Beside me I hear Rosy's tail lash in the thick grass and wonder what the breeze is telling her, what her land is trying to say through the very soles of her paws.

I fall in beside her as she slinks low becoming a part of the shadows at the edge of the river. I am careful not to make a sound as I glide along envious of the way Rosy seems to flow across the ground. A flicker in the trees out from us is almost missed but I know what to look for when Kia stalks through the bush.

We come across them on the riverbank by the unused dirt road where a car sits motionless, it's bonnet up and steam rising from the radiator. A woman is dipping water from the river with a plastic soda bottle. Long black hair pulled back in a braid, full lush curves with bare golden brown shoulders in a white peasants blouse. A colourful skirt reaches to just above her ankles and she holds one side of the skirt up awkwardly as she glances around.

"Claire," She calls, "Where are you?"

I feel rather than see Rosy press closer to the ground beside me but I do hear the soft snarl that comes from her. She inches forward slightly and I suddenly see what has her attention, has the hair along her spine and tail standing on end. At first glance it is a husky but as it steps out into the light I see the colouring and its' immense size is all wrong. Its coat is in shades of deep rich reddish brown through to cream in the facial markings, sleek and velvety with health while it stands close to Rosy in size. The top lip slowly rises to reveal startling white teeth I notice the yellow eyes that seem to glow in its face. A shocked sense of disbelief fills me and I step forward making my presence known as I see how the canine has its gaze locked on my wife, the mother of my unborn kitts.

"Claire!" The loud shout is heard over a splash and when the canine's head jerks up and its attention is diverted from Rosy I chance a quick glance towards the woman. She is facing us now but other than warm olive skin and a lack of any visible weapons I notice little else as I switch my attention back to the wolf in front of us. I see Kia move into the open from the corner of my eye and I hiss angrily as I glimpse her changing into her human form quickly.

"You be Trespass!" Kia calls boldly eliciting a growl from the huge wolf I am watching. I can barely believe what I am seeing but my memory is full of stories told by Wade while my brothers and I were growing up, about the werewolves that inhabited America where he grew up.

"Claire," The woman calls, her voice thick with alarm.

I watch closely as the huge wolf backs away a good distance before trotting over to the woman where she sits having fallen into the water. I move into clearer view and know Rosy has moved forward also, I glance her way and see her sniffing with her nose in the air. My ears go flat against my head as she pops up on her rear legs, front legs held close to her body as she takes a good look at the two unwelcome visitors. I can see her mouth working, the skin over her nose wrinkled as she sniffs straining for a scent. I glance back at the wolf to find it rapidly transforming back into human form.

"My name is Rhonda, we mean y'all no harm," The woman calls in a soft drawl as a young girl clambers to her feet and rushes to her to hide behind her skirt. "I'm looking for a distant cousin, heard he was working somewhere 'round these parts. I had to stop when our vehicle started to overheat,"

A prickle of unease runs up my back at her easy acceptance of our presence, the way Kia's change from a huge tiger to a woman had not sent the either the woman or the child into screaming hysterics. A soft grunt has me glancing at Rosy, she is already nearly finished her own change and I snarl her way when she gets to her feet and arches her back as she stretches.

"Your daughter is brave," Rosy says and smiles at the child, a girl of around eight years old.

"Momma?" The girl asks uncertainly.

"Go find some dry clothes in the car," Rhonda tells the girl softly. All of us watch as the girl walks to the car quickly but taking care not to run. I look back at the woman to catch her sending me a cautious glance.

"My daughter, Claire," Rhonda says quietly. "My husband and I have spoiled and nurtured her since she was born, shaped her character as she has grown. She is not only our child but our greatest creation,"

I snort at her words earning a hiss from Kia and a soft chuckle from Rosy, it takes me a moment but suddenly it hits me that this woman is subtly letting us know there are others like her out there. Others who would take offence if something happened to them, to the girl in particular.