Liang growled low in her throat, the injustice of everything that had happened making her anger spike violently all over again. It had been weeks since she had fled her pride, fled from the land she had fought for, bled for, just to save her own life. The pride's betrayal still stung, a raw, ugly wound in her chest that leaked poisoned hatred into her heart. The only consolation was that her mate, the late General Han Shizhong, had died in the initial ambush and had never learned of his beloved pride's treachery. But that left her alone with this burning hatred and the burden of the truth. She almost wished she hadn't fought free of the assassins sent to kill her, but as soon as the thought entered her head, she snarled and shook it away. No way would she just lay down and take it, she would recover, regroup, find herself a new army and return to her homeland. The Empress, the pretender to her father's throne, would die for what she had done.
Grinding her teeth she lashed out at a stick that happened to be in her way and had poked her paw, her temper so hot that the bark flew into the air. Green eyes snapped up to watch it land, ready to shred it further if it dared get near her. But then something beyond the unfortunate piece of wood caught her attention and she narrowed her vibrant, blazing emerald eyes. The blot swum in the shimmering heat waves, but gradually it formed itself into the shape of a dark coated lion, and the stranger was headed almost directly for her. A minute later she could see that it was a male, and he had to be another one of those firekin that lived near here, as he was coming from the very center of the burning desert. Having already stopped to watch the blob approach, she glanced about but there was nothing near her, or even far away.... a few half-buried rocks in the sand, and the vague shape of a long dead tree several miles away. Turning back to the stranger she flexed her claws and lowered her head. Since she had already duelled for her entry into enter the pride a couple of hours ago with a rather grumpy old lioness, she would simply have to persuade this male it was in his best interests to let her pass. She really didn’t want to have to battle a second lion in this heat, and he was big enough that he would prove an actual challenge, unlike the female before him. Watching him intently, she waited for him to notice her.
It had happened again... he had started walking and simply not stopped. Having set off early in the morning, he had walked clean across the pride's territory and now was approaching the furthest boundary of the inner desert. Shaking his great shaggy mane he huffed a sigh of flat frustration. Maybe one day he would get used to this pride business... but that day was evidently not today. Something caught his gaze and he squinted against the shimmering glare of the sun raising off the hot sand in distracting waves. The shape appeared to be a lion.. a small, bright red lioness. For a brief moment the wavering image almost looked like the lioness he had duelled recently, a female that he had not seemed to be able to get out of his thoughts, for she had haunted them since their meeting and he had admitted he to the pride. But a moment later he blinked away the mirage and frowned at the stranger stood some distance away. He certainly didn’t know many of the pride members, still new himself and being such a loner, he hadn’t really bothered to try and socialise... but this female, she didn’t look big enough to be a native firekin. Though she certainly had the bright red coat that dominated the pride. No, there was something exotic to her that gradually became more obvious the closer he got, a kind of lithe sensuality to her that was certainly not a trait the pride carried. Pausing he eyed her carefully, noting the way she stood, ready and alert yet calm... a warrior’s stance. She had not looked away from him since he had spotted her, yet she didn’t seem worried or scared by his larger size. And now that he was closer to her, he could see the sleek fitness of her body and the deceptively lean lines of her muscles. No, this female was very dangerous, but in what way... that was the question. Frowning he slowly paced closer but kept just out of attack range.
“Who are you?” He called, uncharacteristically speaking aloud and taking the initiative.
Ahhh, so he was more than just brawn, he had brains too... judging from the way he slowed down and analysed her carefully, and in all the right places. His wariness proved he had recognised her ability even from a distance and her estimation of him went up slightly, despite her foul mood. His demanding question made her curl her lips but she answered. “I am Liang Hongyu, once Archduchess of Yang. And the newest member of the Motoujamii-Simo pride as of two hours ago.”
Her voice rang out loud and clear, proud but steady. She was fearless but not reckless. She had not earned the title of Archduchess in her old pride for nothing. She didn’t say anything else, letting the male come to his own decision.
Finally he shifted, turning his head slightly though he didn’t take his eye off her. She seemed confident of her statement, though the only part of it that mattered to him was that she was a pride member. He really wasn’t in the mood t duel a female right at the moment. Not that he didn’t doubt she would give him a damn good fight, judging from the look of her. He just didn’t feel like fighting for no real reason, he was out here to get away from everything and everyone. Finally he nodded gruffly. “Very well.” Turing he resumed walking, though paused a moment later to glance back over his shoulder, watching her as she stalked past him and headed deeper into the heart of the desert, and towards where the firekin’s lived. That would be one female to watch closely if he ever had to go up against her....
Finally he turned back and continued on his way, leaving the vibrant, spirited female to make her way to her new pride.
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