Puma thanked me for giving two of her offspring a good purpose.
Nyma couldn't stop talking about me, while Puoma bragged to her other siblings about how well I treated her, even giving her a room of her own.
The rest of their siblings pleaded with their mother to let them work for me, but she refused.
She told them they would only be a burden since they hadn't mastered any skills and spent all their time playing.
Puma sighed and facepalmed, telling me that one day she was going to threaten to sell them to predators.
Her home was becoming crowded and she expected to give birth again soon. I gave her a happy look and told her how glad I was for her.
She just sighed, noting that there would soon be more mouths to feed and even more chaos in the house.
Though she didn't regret the vacation with her mate, she gave me a wicked grin. I laughed, and soon she joined in.
It felt good to have a friend.
...
Then, Puma asked if I had ever had intercourse with Lion.
With a flushed face, I told her no, we hadn't mated yet.
Puma, with an inquiring look on her face, asked me what I mean.
I told her about our previous "near experiences," and she facepalmed again.
She mumbled that she felt sorry for Lion and admitted that he was decent.
With a huge sigh, she explained that some aroused males, especially predators, would go crazy in that situation and force females to satisfy their needs.
She recalled the many times females had come to her hut to buy potions to calm males down or to seek healing after particularly intense encounters.
Gently, she explained that intercourse and mating are different. Intercourse can happen anytime. It occurs when creatures need to satisfy their "heat," particularly when females are in "estrus", the best time to have offspring.
It is also a way for a male to reassure himself and his mate of their bond.
Mating, however, is on a different level. It happens during a specific period when the moons are at their brightest and the male's need for his mate is at its peak.
It takes several days in a secluded area.
During this time, the male's arousal is at its highest and he craves his mate's undivided attention.
This is when they "pour their hearts out" to one another, becoming extremely clingy and possessive.
I see.. I really thought that both are the same.
It's really different here.
...
Puma assured me that mating happens after the bonding period but then she stopped and looked at me with a smirk.
I soon realized what she meant.
Before recent events, everyone assumed my cycle was like theirs, which is why they hadn't explained mating to me.
Lion was so focused on the bonding process that he hadn't found the chance to explain it either.
My face heated up at the explanation.
Puma chuckled, noting that because I hadn't mated yet, many males were trying to get my attention.
She had noticed Lion becoming more dominating and aggressive.
I admitted that while I hadn't seen him be aggressive, he had become extremely needy.
She looked surprised and said it was a wonder I could still live with other males. She sincerely praised Lion for being extraordinary.
She mentioned that the other males were putting in a lot of effort to get my attention. I smiled, telling her I was aware and wasn't denying it, but that I was maintaining boundaries while keeping a good relationship with them.
She complimented me of doing a fine job of doing it but told me that it would be wise to have others protect me since Lion couldn't be with me all the time because of the contract he has.
I see.
....
We fell silent for a while.
After several minutes, I felt a wave of sleepiness and yawned.
Puma told me to sleep while she stayed by my side.
I was about to doze off when she suddenly remembered something and asked if I had ever tried intercourse in my own world.
Huh?
She explained that while one could have intercourse with other males, mating is a lifelong bond. The male mate spends the rest of his life providing for and protecting the female.
With disdain, she admitted that there are times that the bond is twisted.
I'm a bit confused on what she meant by it but I didn't push further.
I shyly told her I haven't tried having intercourse yet.
She became excited, saying Lion was lucky and would be even more protective and happy once he found out. She promised to give me a potion for the pain, unabashedly mentioning that Lion's size might make the first time painful and that it would take a few encounters to get used to it.
Size?!!
.....
Puma was very outspoken and I loved that about her.
She then asked curiously why I haven't had intercourse yet.
I fell silent, finally deciding to share something from years ago.
I told her I was once nearly forced against my will, part of many experiences I had when I was too young to defend myself.
I had never told anyone for fear of being blamed, despised, or excluded.
The words I had hidden in my heart for so long came rushing out. I began to cry before I could even start the story and Puma embraced me in silence.