Quartz

Quartz naps underneath a tree, the soft grass tickling her belly fur. Around her, five cubs tustled in the tall grass, mewling and roaring playfully. Quartz praised Apdemak, like she does everyday, for giving her such an important role in the pride that had taken her in and loved her for her, even if she couldn't produce cubs of her own. A mutated lioness, she was practically worshipped in her former pride. They couldnt wait to see her become king and produce dozens of valuable cubs. But once she had confessed that she didn't want to be a king, or a male lion at all, they shunned her, and gave her up to the Giving Tree, wherenunwanted offspring are abandoned. After Quartz thought she mine aswell give up, a kind prince called Buck, visited the tree with his father, King Sun Stalker, ruler of the western lands. They had offered a home and a loving family, and she gratefully accepted. Now, a valued broodmother, Quartz spends her days relaxing with her mate, Rust, and watching over cubs who need someone just as much as Quartz needed the pride's love. She couldn't have asked for a better life.