13. Chapter 13

Feeling satiated, the Sh’iars and ThunderCats sat back in

their chairs at the dining room table. They had finished the delicious meal and

dessert and were enjoying an exchange of pleasant conversations. Rangerkitty

was still amazed watching her tiger and Crystalandra talking animatedly about

their time ice skating that afternoon. They both seemed very happy and inwardly

she was happy for them. It had always been so uncomfortable enumerable times

whenever Crys and Tygra had come together. True, they tried being cordial but

it had been obvious the she-cat and architect disapproved of one another. Ranger kitty was relieved the two were pals.

The tigress turned her attention listening to Galina and

Bengali relating their snowboard race they’d had down the mountain with Argo. It all sounded wonderful but exhaustion was

setting in and Ranger had to fight to hide a yawn. Waking up early, her exertions in the snow, being

filled with a warm dinner, were all taking its toll. Argo noticed and tapped a claw on the table.

“Uh oh, looks like someone is ready to turn in for the

night.”

“Excuse me, I’m sorry.” RK’s eyelids felt heavy. “It’s been

such a wonderful day. I hope none of you

mind if I go up to bed.”

“Are you serious?” Galina asked exasperation filling her

voice. “It’s still early!”

Bengali touched his hand on Galina’s lap. “Hun, if she’s

tired, she’s tired. Besides we’re up

here all weekend and there will be plenty of time to do stuff.”

Argo looked across at Crystalandra who was dabbing her lips

with her cloth napkin. “How are you holding up, my love?”

“I’m fine. What are we doing next?”

“They have a bunch of great board and card games; we could

play one of those!” Galina suggested, “Unless anyone wants to go out for a

night time sleigh ride!”

“Oh, that sounds like fun!” the tiglon grinned, looking at

his mate. “Crys, what do you say?”

“I’ve already been for a sleigh ride and I’m finally warm, perhaps

tomorrow. I think I prefer the idea of

games in front of the fire for tonight.”

“We can divide up into teams.” Bengali offered.

Galina did a fist pump in the air. “That’s a terrific plan!”

Rangerkitty’ sleepy looking eyes regarded Tygra begging him

not to join their friends; he nodded and stood pulling out her chair. “Let me escort you to bed, Kitty.”

Grateful, she rose and took his proffered arm, “I’ll see you

all in the morning—don’t stay up too late and have a good night.”

“Good night, Ranger.”

They replied.

“Wait—look!” Galina

shouted just as Tygra and Rangerkitty made it to the doorway.

Startled, the tiger couple stopped, wondering what she was

gesturing at. Casting their eyesight

upwards, they saw what the white tigress was indicating: it was mistletoe hanging from a green ribbon. Rangerkitty laughed and slipping her arms

around Tygra’s neck, she went up on her toes kissing him. He embraced her waist

and kissed back, then after a few seconds, winked at Galina and turned,

disappearing with his mate.

Crystalandra and Argo watched all this with furrowed brows

not understanding the significance of the leafy plant.

Bengali chuckled. “Nice, Gali--something tells me Tygra

won’t be coming back to join us tonight.”

Crystalandra looked at him. “What just happened?”

Bengali grinned. “That plant is called mistletoe. It’s a

winter tradition that if a male and female get caught under it together they must

share a kiss. Galina got them to stop right below it.” His gaze shifted to the

tigress, “You are a naughty little minx.”

Galina was sitting back in her chair looking very pleased

with herself. “Well, now we have even teams, don’t we? Let’s go pick out a

game.”

Tygra and Rangerkitty reached their room and went inside. She sat on the bed and fell backwards,

savouring the softness of the mattress and comforter. Tygra grinned and

approached her taking her hands and trying to pull her up. “Come on kitten;

let’s get you out of those clothes so you can sleep comfortably.”

Purposely, RK went limp on the bed so he couldn’t get her to

stand. “I am comfortable. If you want to get my clothes off you’ll have to remove

them for me.”

“Oh really… is that an invitation?”

The tigress giggled as he pulled off her boots, followed by

the leggings she wore. Next he climbed onto the bed beside her and slowly began

to unbutton her shirt kissing her softly on the mouth. When Tygra had completed

this, he pulled the comforter down allowing Ranger to crawl under it and pulled

it back over her. Gazing up at Tygra while he stood beside the bed, she worried

after tucking her in, he was going to leave letting her rest on her own.

Picking up on her worry, Tygra grinned and then reached for

the light witching it off. By the light of the moon that shone in from the

window, she saw he hadn’t moved from where he was standing. “I’m not going anywhere.” He whispered and began unbuttoning his shirt…

With Tygra and Rangerkitty gone, Galina, Bengali,

Crystalandra, and Argo got into a game of charades. The white tigers were pleasantly surprised

the Sh’iar queen was quite good—she and Argo won several matches playing

together making a formidable team. The

Tiglon was delighted in the relaxed manner his warrior mate was exhibiting—it

was something he hadn’t seen in a while since she ascended the throne of

Tymperia. Her cheeks were rosy and her

deep purple eyes sparkled merrily in the firelight and watching her sharing a

giggle with Galina made his being swell with an overwhelming lust for the

feisty hot-headed hybrid; he cleared his throat.

“You know something since it is getting late I think we will

turn in for the night.”

Crys and Gali protested.

“Not you as well!”

The white tigress whined. “The

night is young and you can’t leave we’re just getting into the game!”

“Oh come on Argo can’t we stay a little bit longer? I’m not tired at all!” His mate begged. “Please?

Can we not play one more game of charades?”

I thought you wanted

my hands on you my queen…Argo sent. I think I would like to spend some time

alone with you Marozi and let my hands do some exploring…

Crys didn’t need any further coaxing, she quickly rose. “I didn’t realize it was getting late…I’m

sorry we would love to remain but it has been quite a long day for the both of

us.” She reached down grabbing Argo’s

hand yanking him aggressively to his feet.

“Come on hun…”

Galina frowned. “This

is a conspiracy like rats leaving a sinking ship!”

“Oh come on Gali lighten up.” Ben scolded then turned to the Sh’iar

couple. “You two have a good night—we

had fun and don’t forget to stop under the mistletoe—you have to keep the

tradition going.”

Grinning, Argo pulled Crystalandra over to where the

mistletoe hung above them, wrapped his muscular arms around her, and gave her a

long sensual kiss; a low moan escaped her lips.

“Uh guys it is supposed to be a chaste, friendly kiss under

the mistletoe…Guys?” Galina’s eyes grew

round watching them shamelessly making out.

“Leave them…Can’t you see they’re in love?” Ben whispered.

The big tiglon then swept the leopardess off her feet and

rushed up the staircase towards their room…