“I came back eighteen months after I was taken, so about two years in total.”
Vine whispered, “Where were you taken from?”
“I was coming home from one of the Breakridge islands after doing an herbalist course.They got me off the ferry.When I returned, I ended up in the same spot but in the water.Someone on a recreational vehicle caught me and brought me to the animal shelter on Breakridge’s big island.”
Vine muttered, “So, you were a kitten in the open ocean?”
“Yes.Trying to swim back to the distant shore.Someone picked me up, wrapped me in a towel, and told me I looked like a soggy rat, but in the nicest tone.Then it was off to the shelter for a bath.”
Meeda blinked.“Who found you?”
“Big hands.That’s all I know.The rest was a warm towel and resting.My purr is really coming along.”
Vine hugged her again, and Faline purred.
Meeda nudged closer and leaned against the once-kitten.“That is one nice purr.”
Faline chuckled, and the servers brought them water and juice.Mini was sitting across the table and watching them with a shy smile.She asked Ever, “Do you ever read her books?”
Ever nodded.“Yup.All the time.I am her omega fact checker.”
“Oh.That explains a lot.”She smiled.“I know I am fangirling, but she’s just everything I want to be when I grow up.”
Ever smiled.“Me, too.She’s just perfect.”
Faline sipped at her water and looked at them.“You two make me want to belch the alphabet.”
Ever laughed.“You need fizzy stuff for that, Fay.”
Faline shrugged.“I like a challenge.”
Meeda smiled.The scrappy kitten who stole food for them and hissed in shadows was there.It was the smugness born of competence.She wiped at the tears on her cheeks.The last missing part of her village was here and safe.
Faline leaned against her and purred.Meeda heard a soft whisper and grinned.When the server arrived, she ordered tiny tacos for the table, and Ever burst into laughter.
Faline had to fight free of Meeda’s and Vine’s hands to start eating, but she managed it.
Ever regaled them with tales of Faline’s early exploits while they ate, and soon, Akervel and Kazuya joined them.
Mini was listening with her eyes wide open.She finally asked, “Faline, why did you pursue writing?”
Faline smiled.“To get away from reality.I was a returned adoption, and it messed me up a little.”
Ever sighed.“A lot, but you came out of it remarkably determined.”
More tales of their exploits as friends in a school that tried to ignore the differences between the different designations and more snacks.
Mini smiled.“Eat what you like.Ahheel’s paying.She spoils me a lot.”
Meeda grinned.“Where’s Exeter?”
“He’s helping the research team off Breakridge.He’s back tomorrow.”Mini was blushing.
Vine looked at Meeda.
“Oh, those three are fucking adorable.They both treat Mini like she is the most precious thing in the world, and Exeter knows how to treat someone like an omega.He’s Exoval’s brother.”
Ever grinned.“Aw, you must be very spoiled and very sore.”
