He nodded and asked Oliver, "What was your observation about them?" He gave his objective opinion. He told him, "The 3 striped Eagle and Wolf beast men seemed shy and would make great beast guardians. The 2 striped Bear beast man gave Amber some honey and she was happy. The 2 striped Lion beast was a little too confident and she did not like his gift. The 1 striped Fox seems good at foraging nuts and berries."
Nick nodded and looked at Amber. He told her, "The more beast guardians you have, the better protected you will be. You can choose as many as you like. You don't have to feel guilty about not mating with them if you tell them in the beginning. Most beast men would rather be beast guardians than not part of the family at all."
Amber was surprised at how calmly they were discussing this whole situation. She thought it was crazy to have your husband and boyfriend discussing other suitors so calmly. She understood she needed protection after seeing Tom fight off the crocodiles.
She knew there were other dangers in this beast world and didn't want her mates to be overwhelmed. She nodded and made a vow to herself to try and see things through their eyes. She could accept more beast guardians if they didn't expect her to mate with all of them.
She would just think of them as brothers or bodyguards. She could accept all of them except the Lion beast man. He had a bad attitude. She didn't like guys like that. She preferred guys who were a little shy and sweet.
Nick wasn't shy, but he was sweet to her. Oliver was so nice and so was Tom. She loved them all! She wouldn't accept anyone into the family who was not nice!
Nick went to start a fire and cook the meat he brought back. Tom came up to Amber and asked her, "Did you meet Tyler?" She nodded and showed off her feather cloak. Tom noticed it as soon as they returned.
He liked Tyler. They were friends when Tyler lived in Bird Mountain, but Tyler had left with his brother when his brother found a mate. The mate only accepted his brother because Tyler was too shy.
Tyler had been shy around females even more after the rejection. He only stayed in the Beast City because the Lion King asked him to join the flying guards. They would patrol the Beast City from the sky and have fought off so many threats.
Tom respected Tyler and hoped Amber would accept him as part of the family. Even if she only accepted him as a beast guardian.
Amber told him, "He seems nice and a little shy." She blushed remembering how his black eyes looked deeply into her eyes and then he blushed.
Tom asked, "Will you consider him a beast guardian? We work well together. I knew him before he moved to the Beast City. He is a good hunter and protector."
Amber thought about it and replied, "Of course, I will accept him as long as he gets along with the rest of the family. I don't want anyone to fight with each other."
Nick looked guilty for a second. He thought about when he fought with Tony in front of Amber. He must have scared her. Now she doesn't want to see any more fighting in the family. He could respect her rules.
It was common for beast men to fight with each other. It was one of the ways they could gain experience and level up. He explained to Amber, "Sometimes beast men fight for experience, and it helps to level up, but if you don't want to see it, we can fight away from you."
Amber nodded. She didn't want them not to level up because of her, but she didn't like to see them fight. They looked so vicious in their beast forms. It was like watching National Geographic and seeing the animals kill each other!
She made a rule, "Fine, you can fight for experience but not in front of me. Also, no killing unless it is necessary. Like, if someone is trying to kill us, or if you kill an animal for food. Those are ok reasons to kill."
The males all looked at each other and nodded. They were used to killing as a daily necessity. They mostly ate meat and they hunted and killed the prey every day! If Amber didn't want to see it, they could make sure to not do it in front of her.
They would also kill any threats to her or themselves. They could try to take it away from her if possible. They agreed in silence to have a meeting later about it when Amber was asleep.
They ate together and Amber noticed her appetite was increasing. She worried if they would be able to gather enough food for the cold season. She asked, "When does the cold season start? Are we going to be able to gather enough food?"
Nick informed her, "The rainy season lasts for a couple of months and the cold season will start when it snows. If you accept enough beast men, we will have more help gathering food and supplies."
Amber nodded and thought she must do whatever she needed to survive. She was not the only one who depended on her. She now had a little life form to protect.
She placed her hand on her still-flat stomach and asked Oliver, "Have you delivered babies before? When will this baby be born?"
Oliver responded, "I have helped to deliver baby monkeys. If it is a monkey baby, he will be born around springtime."
Nick replied, "If they are cheetah cubs, they will be born in the cold season." Amber asked, "How do you know it is not a female?" Oliver responded, "Your increased appetite lets us know it is a male. Females don't need as much to eat since they take longer to grow. Males need more since they grow faster."
Amber nodded and continued to snack on her trail mix of nuts and berries. She thought about the fox who had given them to her. She would like him to bring her more.
They all got ready for bed. The room was bigger than Nick's cave and there was enough room for all of them to sleep. Tom had made a bird's nest from grass and placed it in the corner.
Nick held Amber and placed her head on his chest. Oliver slept behind her, and they both kept her warm. They were on top of a fur rug as a bed, but they didn't have a blanket.
Amber was comfortable all night and woke up with a big warm furry cheetah on one side and the monkey behind her.
She remembered the stuffed toys that she used to sleep with. She loved teddy bears the most. That made her think about Barry and the honey he brought her. She loved honey!
He would be a great addition to the family! He seemed kind as well as gentle.
Oliver noticed Amber was awake and he gave her a banana and coconut water. He told her, "It is important for pregnant females to stay hydrated and eat lots of fruits for the baby."
Amber thanked him and ate her breakfast. Nick woke up and cuddled closer to Amber's stomach, still in his Cheetah form. Amber petted him like a big cat, and he started to purr.
She thought about her pet cat at home. She smiled and kept the image to herself. After breakfast, she washed up and missed the toilet that Oliver had made for her. She would ask him to make another one.
She had so many ideas for the new castle. She could share her ideas with her mates. Her thoughts were distracted by a shy beast man at her door.
Ray was standing at the doorway holding a Bear fur and some meat. He noticed yesterday that the room only had one fur rug. He wanted to make sure his beloved female was comfortable and stayed warm.
He smiled shyly at Amber and offered the things to her. Amber waved at him and smiled back. She told him, "You can come in. Thank you for the gifts. I like them!"
Ray's tail started to wag as he placed the fur down next to Amber. He asked, "Does that mean you accept me?" Amber sat on the rug and patted the place next to her for Ray to sit down as well. He was hesitant but sat down as far away as he could while still sitting on the fur rug.
Amber asked him, "Would you be willing to be one of my beast guardians? I already have 2 mates and am pregnant. I don't want to rush anything else."
Ray was silent for a second and then responded, "Of course I am willing. I will not force you to mate with me. I just want to be a part of the family." He was so happy to be accepted by this beautiful kind female.