The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 235: No one’s doubting you

About a week back, Noah sent the midwife, the guard, and Elara away. He said I didn’t need any further help. Of course, I’d love a few extra hands to take care of the cubs in my place since their fathers are basically useless, I nodded in agreement.

The longer they stayed, the longer they would continue to probe Noah about when he was going to return to their town.

It was a headache. Even though they never said anything to me, I had ears to hear from a mile away what they were saying.

The best thing to do was to send them away. Noah told them he would come once the cubs began to walk fully.

A good idea, since they would be in a more stable state and winter would’ve let out as well.

Travelling once spring came was ideal, I told him, and though I didn’t plan on going there to be queen, I wanted to see at least the place he grew up in and how advanced it was.

By the way, in case anyone was wondering, we put off naming the cubs until Damar woke up. It’s that thing where we don’t want him to miss an important event such as giving the cubs their identities.

I, for one, don’t want him to miss it. And as such, no names have cropped up in my mind yet. I called the cubs Fenric Jr, Noah Jr, and Damar Jr if I must call a name, otherwise, I just call them cubs or little tigers.

I sat on the cold floor of the cave, my eyes closed, and then a little sigh escaped my lips, followed by the twitching of my forehead muscle.

"Noah," I called and opened my eyes to find him playing with my tail. "Can you just quit it already?"

"Nope!"

Boredom seems to have gotten the best of us, being stuck in the cave for so long. Noah found a new hobby of playing with my tail, and Fenric, well, he became a clingy kitty that wouldn’t stop pressing his head against mine or lying his head on my lap, asking for a pat.

And all this is still when I have to be cautious of when the cubs will wake up and feed them.

Believe me, I’m raising five kids here, but I can’t even complain. Sigh.

"When do you think the snow will finally melt?" I asked. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

I assumed Spring was already here, but it would take a few days for the snow to melt and the paths to be dry.

I’m not asking cause I want to be on my way already, I’m asking because my cute cubs haven’t seen the light of day since they were born. I’m worried they’ll have vitamin D deficiency at this rate, ahem.

I want them to see the sun, walk on dry land that’s not cold rocks, and prance around without me worrying that a single fall could lead to a concussion on their fragile head.

My eyes landed on the cackling fire and then on Damar, whose eyes, I believe, I just met, and felt a chill run down my spine, across my body, and even to the pit of my belly.

I flinched.

What was that just now?

I looked again, but found his eyes closed.

No, no, I didn’t imagine it. There was no way I imagined it and felt such a chill. I’m sure I saw it. No, I know it.

"Damar?" I called, and both of them looked at me, wondering what I was suddenly up to.

"What are you doing? He’s right there hibernating."

"I think I just met his eyes," I said, and they turned to look at him, but he was still, and his eyes were shut. "I’m sure I saw it. I definitely..."

"Relax, a bit, little tiger," Noah said, pressing a hand on mine. "No one’s doubting you."

Yes, they aren’t doubting me but it feels like I’m doubting myself.

"Damar probably woke up briefly like he’s been doing the previous times. It’s not new." Fenric said and I nodded.

Well, it could be they, but I can’t get the sense that he’s been watching me... That he was looking directly at me because he wanted something.

There was no denying that gaze in his eye... That sharp predatory gaze that my tiger senses couldn’t be fooled.

I’ll just assume it’s because he woke up and had a lot on his mind. I won’t—

"Eek!" I squealed as my gaze met that sharpness again. I only closed my eyes briefly, and the others were already past what I said and were carrying on with using me as a source of comfort, however they liked. But as soon as I opened my eyes, I met Damar’s eyes again.

Green, sharp, and staring right into my soul, like it could cut my link with this body.

"What’s wrong?" They both looked at me, alarmed, but I couldn’t say anything, just staring at Damar.

This gaze... Damar has never looked at me with such a sharp and fierce gaze before. Not the day we met and definitely not the days after.

There was only softness in his gaze, only longing... Sometimes he couldn’t even bear to look at me cause he was worried I’d scold him for staring too much.

And other times, he was just... Happy if our skin touched.

But never this gaze.. it scares me.

Noah frowned and looked towards Damar but he didn’t find his eyes open. What was going on? He wondered.

While he’s quite knowledgeable about snakes and their habits, he can’t always know everything. As for what was going on right now, he can only assume and nor be certain.

"Hey, little tiger, wanna go out for a stroll?" He asked and I looked up, that horrified expression still plastered on my face.

What did he want now?

"It’s freezing out there," I said but he shook his head, getting up to his feet.

"Come on, you’re not that weak to be scared of a little cold." He said, "Fenric, you too. Let’s take a walk outside."

Fenric looked at Noah for a bit but then nodded. I don’t know if they communicated with their eyes but they definitely had the same ideas in mind.

"He’s right, Arinya. It’s cold but not too cold. Spring is already here." He got up and stretched his hand down at me. "You said you wanted to go outside and let the cubs see the sky, right? Let’s go. This is the perfect time for that."