Morning Light Under the Different Sky

A loud, annoying shriek from an exotic crow jolted Jack from his peaceful slumber. His head was still numb and disoriented from last night's sudden workout. He swept his drowsy gaze around as the black crow, the size of a chicken, startled and fluttered its wings before flying away.

Then, he felt a soft whimper beside him. A woman snuggled in closer. "Oh…" He muttered, his fingers instinctively reaching for her bunny ears. He had always wanted to do that, and somehow, in his drowsy state, he decided this might be his only chance. Without a doubt, they twitched at his touch. Lupus's golden eyes fluttered open, staring at him questioningly.

"Ah, morning?" He said awkwardly, glancing at himself and then at her unclothed body. She sat up to meet his eye level, pulling the blanket just above her alluring breasts.

"Morning!" She replied, her drowsiness vanishing in an instant — one of the many useful perks of being a bunny Wildren, Jack noted internally.

Without restraint, Lupus lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. His once thin frame had developed slightly more refined abdominal muscles, a result of proper nourishment.

Despite the warmth of the embrace, awkwardness filled Jack's mind. "Lupus, um… does this mean… we?" He asked dumbly, pointing between himself and her. What had happened last night felt like a spur-of-the-moment decision, yet he was certain. He liked this girl. No, he loved her.

"Yes, yes!" She replied, nodding gleefully, her fangs glistening in the morning light.

"I'm truly sorry! I should've asked for your hand in marriage first!" Jack blurted out, bowing his head apologetically.

"But you did," Lupus said, tilting her head in mock confusion.

"I did?" Jack raised a brow.

Lupus chuckled, placing a hand over her stomach before flashing a toothy smile. "How could you not know? Accepting my essence is the same as asking for marriage," She teased, winking playfully.

"What?" Jack's jaw dropped.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk!" Lupus clicked her tongue theatrically. "You have so much to learn about essence, my esteemed Novitcius. Accepting one's innate essence is the highest display of trust. It's the equivalent of offering your weapon, your wisdom, and your life to another person." Her voice carried a melodic lilt as she explained.

"Ah, that makes sense," Jack mused, his interest flaring up like a raging wildfire. "Considering innate essence is something you're born with and can't be obtained otherwise."

"Correct!" Lupus said, leaning in closer, her hair brushing against his shoulder. "Also, I'll let you in on a little secret…" She paused dramatically, letting Jack's curiosity burn brighter. "It has a minor aphrodisiac effect on a partner too. But Jackie… you sniffed the whole bunny-nip. Fufufu!"

"Sheesh… that means I've been played from the start," Jack muttered, his face pale. "You cheeky rabbit!" He snapped lightheartedly.

"Also, Uncle, you popped my cherry, so you'd better take responsibility!" She quipped, poking his nose.

They exchanged smiles before bursting into gleeful laughter.

After a while, Jack's gaze met Lupus's golden eyes. There was something arcane about them — so mesmerising, like the golden sun in the clear summer sky, he mused.

"Seriously, Lupus, I love you," Jack confessed wholeheartedly, his eyes never leaving her face.

Lupus returned a mischievous smile. "I think you said that a million times last night," She teased, nudging him playfully.

Heat rose to his face. "Wait, what? Lupy, please! Stop teasing me!" His lips worked quickly, trying to hide his overbearing bashfulness. He did, after all, moan and groan those words more than a few times during the deed.

"Make me!" She teased, moving in close. Her lips were just a hairbreadth away. He could feel her warm breath against his skin.

Invited like this, he wouldn't refuse. Slowly, he leaned closer.

"Uggghhh… you two are so loud!" A sluggish voice groaned from beneath the bed. Frain's lion ears perked up before her annoyed face emerged. She yawned and stretched, completely unbothered by the situation.

The unofficially wedded couple exchanged bewildered glances. "Wait! How did you get in here?" Lupus barked at the lion Wildren.

"Because... Lupy, you weren't in your room. I searched and searched until I stumbled upon Jack's room. So, I waited for both of you to finish mating, then snuck in, slept on the floor, and kept you two safe," Frain explained in a monotone voice, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. "You forgot to lock the door, by the way."

"You what?!" Jack's jaw nearly dislocated.

"She's been listening to us mate!" Lupus answered gleefully, clapping her hands like a proud mother.

"That's rhetorical! Damn it!" Jack groaned, shaking his head.

"Oh, my baby, come here!" Lupus cooed, her voice laced with affection as she extended her arms towards Frain.

Without hesitation, the lion cub leapt onto the bed and joined in their embrace. "Family!" she declared joyfully.

A family may be lost, but never truly gone. For those who endure, a new one is won.

At last, their little family of three was fully realised — Jack, the hardworking genius tactician, Lupus, the strong, cunning, and playful mage, and Frain, the oddball powerhouse of muscles.