The Lion King's Reluctant Mate novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: The Cub Who Was Already Here

Jory found him by noon, in the only tree for a mile.

It was a crooked old thorn on a low rise, with a flat tangle of branches near the top.

A scrap of rabbit fur hung from the lowest bough.

Lucan wanted to go after him.

He had stood at the edge of the grass for an hour, clenching his fists, until Jory put a hand on his arm and said, "Let me."

"He is my cub," Lucan said.

"He's ours. And he's scared of you right now, more than me."

"Of me?"

"Of what you're about to get," Jory said. "Wait here."

So he walked alone to the foot of the thorn tree, with the wind pushing at his back.

"Bix," he said.

Nothing.

"I know you're up there. I can see your blanket."

A small voice came from the leaves.

"Go away."

"No," Jory said.

"Bix is a wolf," said the voice.

"I know," Jory said.

"Bix has a notch."

"I know that too."

"Lions have cubs. Real cubs." A sniff. "The king and you have new cubs. They'll be lion. Bix won't be needed."

Jory put his hands on the trunk.

It was thick and rough, and the lowest branch was a long way up.

"I'm coming up," he said.

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