Disobedient in Clothes

She quickly handed me a cup of herbed tea.

“One of your potions for soothing?”

“Not this one.” Marta tapped the top of the wooden cup. “This one is so you’re not gotten with pups Mating Moon night if you’re not mated.”

“It’ll keep me from carrying?” I asked in shock. Unaware there was such a thing.

“Yes.” Marta nodded solemnly. Putting a finger to her lips. “Never tell the males we do this. They’d kill me. It is our duty to find mates and to expand the Asara pack. It is perilously small right now and still needs much growing. As is our requirement.”

“I-I-I know…” I murmured. Afraid. “But if one is unmated and carries a pack pup, she’ll never be mated…Never have a protector.”

“That is why there is the tea.” She tapped the bottom. Her long waving gray hair moving over her shoulder as she gave me the kindly smile.

“Thank you for taking care of all of us Marta. And thank you for the dresses.”

“Dresses?” She gave me a puzzled look.