Nadine's apartment was missing something. There was a new sofa, one large enough for the feline to stretch out on, a "new" television, though that was more for Ralph, and a new dresser from ITREEA. Even after the wolf moved in completely, something still didn't feel right. It was like there was an empty space that needed the right thing to fill it. The tiger had silently contemplated her dilemma, considering every angle until it was a dizzying spiral of circular logic. She came to a startling conclusion.
Not something, but someone.
The feline's instinctual need to nurture was causing the problem. She had found her mate, the one to spend the rest of her life with, now her subconscious was screaming for the need to procreate. Nadine wondered if she experimented earlier in life if this would have been a problem, or would her ventures into sexual freedom not have mattered? A question to ask Auntie Zaina one day, many, many years down the road. It also didn't matter what her body or subconscious wanted. No matter how many times her and Ralph "connected," it would not end in pregnancy.
That left Nadine with two options. The first, the couple adopts a kit and they become parents. Considering that the tiger and wolf were still working through their familial problems, as well as only two months into their relationship, that choice seemed premature at best. The second, and much more reasonable, that was a bit of a kithood dream of the feline's as well.
A pet.
Nadine always wanted one when she was little. Her parents saw it as a waste of time and money. The little striped cub would dream of rainbow feathers, scaly skin, and glimmering scales, but alas they never came true. As she grew older, and her problems turned towards puberty and an arranged marriage, this dream was cast aside. Now, with the love of her life and a biological clock ringing nonstop, it seemed the best time to give it a try.
The tiger laid out her plan carefully. She'd butter the lupine up, use all of her feminine guile, do that thing that Dani showed her, and then ask the innocent question when the wolf was at his weakest.
It was perfect.
Nadine and Ralph were relaxing on their couch, the tiger in the corner with the wolf lying down. They had changed out of their uniforms, with the lupine relaxing in a white undershirt and black boxers while the feline wore a black beater and her blue pajama bottoms. His head rested on the cat's lap, who was running a paw up and down the lupine's neck and head. She gently stroked towards Ralph's ears, scratching lightly with the tips of her sheathed claws, before running it back down to just above his shoulders. The wolf hummed with pleasure as his tail wagged happily. He was in wolfy heaven.
Nadine skipped her afternoon workout, and ordered a large cheese pizza with extra cheese from the lupine's favorite pizzeria. Ralph ate three slices, while the feline nibbled on two. She'd work off the calories later, but no need to feel bloated. The leftover slices sat in the cardboard box on the kitchen table, a grinning white, green and red mouse on the cover staring at the couple. The television was on, but the couple wasn't paying much attention to it. Both lost in thought.
The tiger was trying to figure out her next move. Should she wait a little while longer? Should she ask now? Would she need provide extra encouragement? Nadine didn't want to use sex as a bargaining chip, the idea diminished the act itself, but she really wanted a pet! The deeper, more unsettling, question in the feline's mind was, what was she willing to give up?
Nadine believed this to be an important decision, one that would shape the way the couple dealt with arguments. She wanted them to be open in their discussions, but wasn't sure how express this. Her lack of relationships before Ralph, as well as a lack of guidance from anyone in her family on the matter, left the feline feeling completely unprepared. Finally, the tiger really really wanted a pet!
"Nadine, you ok?"
The big cat blinked, then looked down at the wolf in her lap. "Yes, why?"
Ralph's eyes were still closed with ears tilted back slightly. He looked very relaxed, but he readjusted and placed his nose against the feline's right thigh. She could feel the lupine's cool inhale through his nostrils, followed by a blast of hot air.
"First off your scent changed," he stated confidently, as if Nadine would ever doubt his smelling prowess. "Second off…" the wolf pointed to the top of his head, "You stopped petting me."
Nadine blinked again, just now noticing her left paw hovering above the lupine. "Sorry...I got lost in thought."
Ralph chuckled, "I can smell that." He rolled over to face the feline with a bemused smile. "What's on my kitty's mind?"
The tiger sighed with a shake of her head, placing her hovering paw on the wolf's stomach. "I...I want something…"
"Yeah I got that." Ralph snorted and rolled his eyes at the feline's surprised expression. "You ordered pizza on a weekday and are doing that thing that Dani does to James. Of course you want something!"
Nadine chuffed indignantly, "What if I just wanted to try it out?"
"Yes, but pairing it with pizza gave you away!" countered the wolf. He reached up and poked the feline on the nose, "I gotcha!"
The tiger looked away from the smugly correct lupine. She opened her muzzle, but hesitated to continue. Nadine eventually sighed and glanced at Ralph, "I...want a pet…"
The wolf blinked, then shrugged with a smile, "Ok."
Nadine's brow rose, "Ok?'
Ralph's smile grew as he nodded, "Yeah. We're adults, so how hard could a pet be?" The corners of his smile twitched down, but the lupine shook his head. "No, yeah. We can totally take care of...whatever you want." The wolf looked at the feline expectantly, "What do you want?"
The cat frowned, "I...I don't know." The feline thought for a moment, then nodded her head resolutely, "But I'll know when I see it."
Ralph laughed, "Alright then! Looks like we're getting something!"
Nadine smiled lovingly at the lupine. Apparently her very smart wolf knew all along, and it appeared that she didn't need to do anything extra to convince Ralph. The small weight of doubt in the tiger's heart dissipated. They'd be ok, so long as they talked.
"Could you, uh, do something for me?" asked Ralph timidly.
The feline frowned, "What is it?"
The wolf lifted up his shirt, slipping it past the tiger's resting paw. "Rub my belly, and you can have a hundred pets!" whined Ralph, head lolling backwards as his tail whipped against the couch.
Nadine chuckled, shaking her head at the wolf's antics. She ran her paw up and down Ralph's stomach, tips of her claws scratching gently through his soft grey fur. The lupine let out a moan that sounded awfully like when they performed another activity. The tiger would tease him about it later, but for now she would enjoy the male's mirthful performance.
Maybe Ralph did need some extra convincing…
The couple returned back from their trip to the pet shop, successful in their mission. When Nadine arrived at "PetWise," she expected to be drawn towards the birds or reptiles. Bright feathers or exotic colored scales was what the tiger expected to draw her eye. Instead she was drawn to something a little wetter.
The feline held a small, clear plastic container with a green lid filled to the brim with water between her large paws. In the water swam a shiny blue green fish with red on its back and lower fins. The store owner, a bored giraffe, informed the tiger that the fish was a called a peaceful betta. The cat tried to keep the container steady, fearful of shaking the tiny animal or losing too much liquid. He seemed fine, but until the little guy could be put in his bowl, she would fret. Nadine finally placed the fish container on table. She crouched down to its level.
Ralph chuckled, "You ok, kitty?"
Nadine didn't respond, tail flicking nervously behind her. She reached out an extend claw to the plastic wall, and placed it against the side. The betta approached the wall, then flared out his fins. The tiger instinctively pulled away, a giggle escaping the large mammal.
"You really do like it…"
The tiger frowned and turned to the wolf. Ralph was standing in the kitchen with a soft smile and two large plastic bags on the floor next to him. The one held a three gallon glass globe bowl, perfect for the tiny fellow. In the other were supplies for the bowl, and food for the fish. The wolf lifted the bowl out of the bag, and placed it next to the sink. He chuckled and shook his head.
"This things pretty heavy." The lupine turned to the feline and gestured with his head to the bowl, "Care to give me a paw?"
Nadine straightened up, glancing at her new friend one more time, before heading over to Ralph. She grabbed the other bag of supplies, and placed it on the counter. Meticulously, the feline pulled out each item and laid it out. Three bags of stones, two small plastic plants, and the white ceramic castle for the fish to hide in. The tiger ripped open a bag of stones, and poured it into the bowl. She heard the lupine speak, but the clacking of the rocks drowned out his words.
"What?" Nadine asked, grabbing another bag.
"Why a fish?" Ralph questioned, leaning against the counter, "Out of all the animals we saw, you chose that little guy over there. So, why?"
The feline paused, bag of stones dangerously close to spilling into the bowl. "I don't know," the tiger replied truthfully, "He just looked like he needed a home." She poured the bag in.
"I mean they all need a home," pressed the lupine once the second bag was emptied, "but why that little guy specifically?"
Nadine grasped the third bag, mulling over the wolf's question. It wasn't an easy answer because the feline didn't know why. The fish just seemed perfect for them, swimming quietly in his plastic container, surrounded by others like him but unable to interact. The tiger stopped, realization dawning on her.
"It's...because he seemed lonely..." answered Nadine, "...and while the birds, reptiles and other fish appeared to have friends...he didn't." She glanced at the the lupine before looking away embarrassed. "It sounds kittish," the tiger mumbled.
"I think it's adorable," Ralph began softly, placing a paw on the feline's forearm, "that you don't want even fish to be lonely." He smirked with a raised brow, "Though how do you know it's a guy?"
"He looks like a guy," Nadine assured, confident in her assessment. She glanced at the wolf to see him smirking.
"So what's his name?" the lupine asked, resting his muzzle on the feline's arm, "Is it like Blue or Speedy or-"
"It's Harold." interrupted the tiger. She poured the third bag of stones into the bowl.
"Harold?" repeated Ralph. The feline nodded. "Uh...why Harold?"
Nadine frowned, and glanced over her shoulder to the fish. He just looked like a Harold! She shrugged, "He just is."
"Alright..." conceded the wolf, lifting his head from the tiger's arm, "...but I think something like Aqua or Flash would be better."
The feline smirked, and poked the lupine on the nose. "That's why you can't name him." She chuckled and Ralph laughed boisterously.
"Alright you got me there." The wolf gave the tiger a nudge, "Go look at your Harold. I'll finish up."
Nadine nodded, with the knowledge that when the bowl was too heavy she would have to lift it. She loved Ralph with all her heart, but the feline was easily the stronger of the two. The tiger once more resumed her position in front of Harold's temporary container. She smiled as the fish swam lazily back and forth.
"Welcome home Harold," Nadine whispered, placing a claw against the plastic.
Harold flared his fins.
Hello Readers,
Long time no read! This is the first chapter of my new anthology series. The first few chapters will more than likely be one of's, but just like with Officers Watch I'll gradually move to 2 to 3 chapter arcs. Just like OW, this will be updated whenever I have a chapter and not on a schedule. This idea has been rattling around my head since the middle of A Wolf's Song, so I'm glad I wrote it out. To me, there's something adorable about tough Nadine feeling motherly to a tiny betta fish. Let me know what you think!
-CG