Pregnant With His Liger Baby

Chapter 6

Micah paced in the lion’s den, uncomfortably aware of exactly how many days had passed since he and Sylvie had arrived. He’d been keeping track by making crude scratch marks on the den wall with his claws. The other lions had tried to pick on him when he first arrived, of course, but he predominantly kept to himself, which took all the fun out of it for them.

He hadn’t been able to shift into his human form for weeks now, and he was beginning to feel uncomfortably aware of it. He desperately wanted to stretch his bones—literally. But of course, he’d probably just get mauled or eaten for his efforts, so of course he had to refrain.

She must be very near her time now, Micah thought to the female lion who had come to stand by his side.

She? she inquired, somewhat miffed. Who is ‘she’?

My mate, of course, he answered testily. She was over a month along when they brought us here. They kept her and put her somewhere else.

Why are you hedging? she asked suspiciously. No lion female would have been separated from the others over a simple pregnancy. What aren’t you telling me?

It’s really none of your concern, he insisted. Why are you not like the others here, who prefer to leave me alone?

I’m secretly a shifter, she explained.

How could that be? I would have felt you.

So you are a shifter, then? I knew it!

It’s not as though I tried to hide it, he scoffed. Most of them just aren’t smart enough to notice. I commend you for your detective work.

Your mate isn’t here. Do you need another?

Never.

I see, she replied, miffed. How very unusual. Is that a shifter thing?

Sometimes, he said. It’s more of a human thing. Remember, a shifter is part of both halves.

Yes, I suppose that’s true. Isn’t it hard, reconciling the two parts?

Very, he agreed. I wish I could figure a way out of here. A way to go and see Sylvie.

Sylvie? Never say you’re talking about that tigress who was in the infirmary while I was there yesterday? No wonder you didn’t explain. Well, good luck with that!

Wait—you must know some way I could get to go to the infirmary too. Can’t you help a fellow out?

Suddenly, she turned and slashed her claw viciously down his eye. He roared in agony as she turned and strode back up the hill, her tail held high in the air. Within the hour, the animal caretakers captured him and brought him out, bringing him exactly where he wanted to be.

Sylvie was lying in tiger form on a nearby bed, and tiny Ilana was nursing at her side. Elation filled him at the sight of his mate and daughter, and he wanted to rush over to the bed and take them into his arms. However, the vet had other plans.

So far, he hadn’t been knocked out because the caretaker knew he was a shifter. The vet, however, was not about to take any chances, human reasoning or not. He knocked him out. When he woke later, there was a dressing over his mangled eye, and it was throbbing.

Oh, my aching head! he groaned. Do you think my bandage would morph with me if I change?

I doubt it, Sylvie told him. So, what’s your brilliant plan, Micah? You know he could come and take our daughter any time now that she’s been born. You know we’ve got to get out of here now.

Kitten, I’m all drugged up, and you’ve only just given birth. I don’t think we could move fast enough to escape right now.

We go as cats, and we go right now. It’s dark out, and they’ve all gone to sleep. We’d only have to contend with the guards at the gate, and they could be easily—subdued.

You’re right, of course, but you’ll have to unhook my IV first. Once we reach the gates and get free, we must become humans. Wrap Ilana so that she is completely covered, and I will hold her in my teeth until we get out.

You’re in no condition to do anything of the sort, Sylvie protested. I’m her mother. It’s my job to carry her. Now hold still. I’ll only be human long enough to get the thing out, and then we will go.

Sylvie morphed, and swiftly grabbed one of the blankets that hadn’t been used to wipe up the mess of her birthing, wrapping Ilana into it like a neat little package. Then she came over and pulled the IV out of the back of Micah’s neck. She saw a case full of pain meds and antibiotics beside another bag and some needles, and pointed it out to him.

“If I put those all into the duffle there, do you think you can carry it?” she asked. “You’re going to need those things wherever we end up.”

Micah nodded his agreement as he got slowly to his feet. Sylvie grabbed the items she’d already notice, and found a few other goodies like bandages and another blanket besides. She quickly stuffed the bag so that it was full but relatively light-weight, and turned to her mate again.

“You need to move faster than that, Micah,” she scolded. “We only have the element of surprise. If you screw that up, we’ll never get away. Now let’s go!”

Sylvie was a tiger again really quickly, and Ilana was soon grabbed by the scruff of her neck beneath the blanket she wore. She mewled a protest, but that was about it. She was still too worn out from her entry to the world for more.

Admiring the view momentarily with his good eye, Micah deftly latched onto the handle at the middle of the bag and lifted. It was a little noticeable since it was almost half his size, but he managed to get it out the door and keep up with the furiously rushing Sylvie anyway. He was in complete agreement with her idea. Run for it!

Usually, there were two guards at the gate and one night-watchman that made his rounds all through the zoo. They had no idea of the watchman’s whereabouts, but they knew exactly where to find the guards. They were inside the gatehouse playing cards. But in order to open the gate, they would have to go in there as well.

I can turn human and distract them, suggested Sylvie.

Are you kidding, what if they—what if your plan backfires? And you’ve only just had a baby. They could seriously hurt you if—No, Sylvie. I can’t let you do it.

Have you got a better idea?

No, he admitted in defeat. You know that I don’t.

End of discussion, then, she replied as she set Ilana beside the gate. I’ll go in there and open the damned gate. Be ready to bring Ilana out. I’ll get the bag if I can manage it.

Again, all Micah could do was nod in agreement. He had to admire Sylvie’s courage and quick thinking. Then again, if he wasn’t high as a kite he might have done more himself. When the gate swung open, he did not hesitate to grab Ilana and run out. Then, it clanged shut again.