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It had been some time since Orla had seen Odd, and she would never admit it but she was feeling lonesome. Perhaps this forest life wasn't everything she'd expected it to be. Living in the pride, at least she'd have a chance to see Corallus and Aagen now and again. Out here in the woods, she saw nobody - though she was certain that once she'd heard a male and a female speaking. Orla hadn't dared to nose around and make herself known.

With her luck, she'd come across a lion that was nowhere near as polite as Odd was, and then she'd be in a fine mess.

Herryk had known the female was in the forest. He'd known the instant she'd stepped foot into his woods. He hadn't bothered her, not until he'd discovered that Odd had come across the female. It wasn't his business what his brother did with females that wandered into the woods, but it was his business to assure himself that interlopers were not of any worry.

While he did not think this female in particular was going to cause any headache for him and his children, Herryk did not want to take any sort of chance on their well-being. Despite the fact that his children were all grown, he was still quite the doting father.

It did not take him long to find the 'well-hidden den' that the female thought she had, and once he got close enough, he cleared his throat rather loudly.

Orla cleared her throat and shrank back just slightly when the lion continued closer. Where was Odd when she needed him? While this lion may be his brother, she had the feeling that any and all similarities ended there. This lion was bold and demanding, and Orla wasn't sure how to handle it. Odd had been much easier to talk to.

"I don't like the stronghold," Orla forced the tremble from her voice. "I am Orla, and I brought my niece and nephew to this pride so that they could live with their father. Asper. Captain Asper."

She narrowed her eyes. It helped make her appear fierce, or so she thought, and fierce was exactly what she needed.

Herryk had to admit, the female was holding her own. She was strong, and she was pretty. He idly wondered if Odd fancied the lioness. Probably he did.

Asper. Herryk had never met the lion, though he'd heard of him. He had a large family, that one.

"Why don't you like the stronghold? Why do you think it wise to live in the forest? Don't you know the forest is haunted?"

It wasn't really haunted. Pur was not as active as she once had been, and Skogund was more of a shadow than a ghost. Klona was not a vicious girl, and Finna had been mooning over some male in the pride - as much as he hated the thought.

Orla wasn't quite sure what to make of this male. She hadn't even gotten his name, and here he was ordering her to move closer to him so that his son could build her a den. And what was this about Odd claiming her?

Orla suddenly felt a little faint.

"I can take care of myself."

She should just move back to the stronghold. This family seemed to be a little strange, what little she'd seen of it - and she hadn't seen much, which didn't leave her very hopeful for the rest of them that might be out there.

"I can."

Herryk didn't look convinced.

"I am Herryk. Odd is my brother. You are his female, obviously, because he did not introduce us. This means he would like to keep you to himself, and while that is fine - you cannot remain out here alone in the forest with nobody to look after you. You will follow me, and I will have Skogund build you a home."

He took a step closer. She was an intelligent little thing, he had to give her credit for that, because she began to look resigned.

"Come. I will introduce you to the rest of the family."

He turned to leave, and did not look back. The sound of her feet falling heavily against the forest floor was the only proof he needed that she followed him.