The alcove settled into a quiet, exhausted peace.
The four cubs had been fed—Alex's milk coming in with surprising speed, although he had to squeeze his chest like a cow's udders to produce enough for four of them. At least it was enough to feed them—babies were now sleeping in a warm pile near their mother. Leo had not moved from that position in the hour since the last cub was born. He was sitting cross-legged on the floor, his expression was of the blankness of someone who was feeling too much to process any of it.
Naga's coils surrounded them all—Alex, Leo, the cubs—a protective circle that kept the warmth in and the world out. Lucas had positioned himself at Alex's back, one hand resting on the now-softening curve of his belly, as though reassuring himself that Alex was still whole. Zale has hopped into the small pool nearby to cool himself off, his tail half dipped due to small size of the pool.
