Pregnant With His Liger Baby

Glad we’ll be seeing the last of her, at any rate, Sylvie commented once they were in the pen which was connected to the back of a truck.

They had been instructed to remain in their cat forms for the duration of the trip. That way, the drivers would be unable to recognize them in human form once they were out in the community. They were being left by these men at a zoo, but once they were gone the two had been instructed to become humans and meet a different driver who would take them to their new home.

“I realize all these precautions may seem unnecessary, but trust me, you’ll be better off with too much caution than not enough,” Dr. O’Dell insisted. “The woman who will be following your pregnancy is very good, Sylvie. I have no worries that she’ll take good care of you. I wish I could meet little Ilana sometime.”

“You never know,” Sylvie had replied. “Some of us shifters can live for a very long time.”

“One more thing,” Micah said then. “I need to be certain the elders get fed. I’m the only one who has been bringing them regular meals, and they are probably overdue for another meal now. You know they won’t accept human food, but maybe they’ll take a freshly slaughtered buffalo and our sincerest wishes for their continued existence?”

“I’ll take care of it myself,” Dr. O’Dell had agreed.

And so the couple had very little reservations now that they were ensconced together in the cage. Nobody knew about the baby, at least as far as they knew, and all the drivers knew was that they were transporting a pair of cats who seemed to get along. All was currently right with the world.

Sylvie had no illusions that it would stay that way. They still had a long road ahead just to reach her brother, and even then they were probably on borrowed time before Ilana’s existence became known. And if it did, there was no doubt that the collectors would be clamoring to get to her. She hoped this place they were going had some pretty tight security, or she couldn’t vouch for their chances of keeping their daughter safe.

The scenery going past the windows changed from jungle trees to open lands, and finally houses began to dot the landscape. Finally, they came upon a town, and buildings steadily grew taller around them. Then they came to a large metal gate, and the sign above it read: City Zoo.

Do you think the other animals will recognize what we are? Sylvie asked worriedly. I have heard that some of them hate shifters.

Not to worry, they’re putting us into a holding area. Quarantine. Zoo director’s idea, since he never intended for us to stay here in the first place. Should make it much easier to simply transform and walk out of here.

Sylvie simply nodded. When the drivers came and brought them out, they dutifully followed them into the entrance and found places to lay down inside the pen. Meat had been freshly laid out for their arrival, but Micah refused to touch it until Sylvie had her fill.

“Would you look at that,” said one driver to the other. “A most unusual pair.”

“Yes, they are,” he agreed. “I wonder how those two wandered into shifter territory to begin with, and why they were together when they did. Amazing.”

“Too bad we aren’t supposed to tell anybody about this,” said the first driver. “This would make an interesting news article, for sure.”

“Maybe just a picture or two,” smirked the other, and they saw a flash of light.

Micah sat up in alarm. Before he had to do anything, however, the zoo keeper stepped in. “I’ll take that camera, sir. We can’t have this sort of thing leaking out to the press as yet. I’m sure this will be ample compensation for your consideration.”

He handed the two men a briefcase full of money, which they happily took, scurrying quickly out the door. The truck drove away.

“If you two will transform, I’ve a few questions I wouldn’t mind you answering before your car arrives,” said the man then.

“Questions, sir?” asked Micah as he got to his feet.

“Yes, Micah,” he nodded. “The good doctor wouldn’t tell me much about the situation other than that a lion and a tiger wished to be together, and it was too difficult for you to do it there on the preserve. It just seems to me that there might be a piece missing from that puzzle.”

“I don’t understand what it is you’re asking, sir,” Micah hedged.

“Don’t play dumb with me, now, I know that it’s never happened before, but even I can see by looking at her that your female is pregnant,” the man insisted. “I work with animals all the time. I’d be a fool not to notice something like that.”

“But I’m not that far along!” Sylvie protested, and then covered her mouth with a little frown. She cast Micah a look of apology.

“I’m sorry, sir, we’re not at liberty to discuss this with anyone,” Micah explained. “We’ve been earmarked for private research, as I’m sure you must know. Have you got any idea how much longer it will take for the car to arrive?”

“Sorry, son, but there’s not going to be any car,” the zoo keeper said then. “You’re both going to stay right here in this zoo until that cub is born. I’m sure it will go for top dollar on the open market. And as for you two, you’d better comply with my wishes—especially you, lion. Because I don’t need to keep you in order to get what I want. I could sell you on the market tomorrow if I wanted to. Just remember that.”

“You can’t do that!” Sylvie protested. “What about my brother? What about our safe haven? I’m not going to just let you steal our dream!”

Hush, Sylvie, do as he says for now. I’m sure we can think of a way out of this somehow. I hope.

“Of course, you’ll understand when I put each of you into the proper exhibits for now,” the zoo keeper went on. “People are far too curious, and they might figure out much too easily that the zoo is about to have a liger cub if I keep you caged together. No, Micah to the lion’s, and Sylvie to the tiger cage. The way it’s supposed to be.”

“Micah, no!” Sylvie wailed as the man stepped over and slipped a collar onto her neck.

“Now, back to tiger form, if you please,” he said. “And I’ll expect to find you still here when I return, Micah. Don’t make me have to find you.”

“I’ll be waiting, sir,” he replied acidly.

Sylvie struggled the whole way as he dragged her to a cage entrance and pushed her inside. “Run along now, Sylvie. And I don’t think I need to tell you what will happen if you shift while you’re in there.”

No, she thought, he didn’t need to tell her at all.