The night passed by quietly with Zephyr sleeping deeply. When he opened his eyes in the morning, his body was sore but he was feeling stronger at least. He looked could feel Ansa nuzzled up against him and he smiled softly, looking down at her. He purred and licked her head gently, not trying to wake her but wanting to give her affection. He felt a bond with her now after protecting her from the rogue, he couldn't imagine her leaving to join a new pride now. He yawned and looked out of their cave, seeing the dead hare and smiling brightly, knowing she must have killed it and he felt proud of her.

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Not long after Ansa realized she was alone in the den when she went to nuzzle into someone who wasn’t there. She awoke sleepily and yawned with a small roar and stretch. She seen Zephyr looking out the den and smiled. She walked up behind him and sat beside him. She looked over and gave him a smile and laid her head on his shoulder softly. “I have a question Zephyr… um I understand if you don’t want me to, especially with the trouble I have brought with me.” She shook the doubt of her head, “What do you think of me staying here permanently with you?” She looked up at him with hopeful eyes.

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He smiled as he heard this, letting out a soft purr. He leaned over and gently licked her cheek then bumped his head into her shoulder affectionately. "I think that I would like that Ansa." He said softly, very happy to hear that she would be staying with him. Despite only meeting her a short time ago, he felt happy to be in her presence. He found that he actually didn't want to be alone anymore, he wanted her with him.

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She felt giddy and excited inside, she finally felt like she was where she was meant to be. “Thank you Zephyr!” She purred and looked at him, eyes gleaming with delight and happiness. She returned the lick to his cheek and rubbed her head underneath his chin. Ansa looked out to the horizon, “How are you feeling today Zephyr?”

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"I'm a bit sore, but I'm feeling better. I see you went out hunting, well done." He praised her, wrapping his tail around her as she sat beside him. "When I'm feeling better, we can go hunting for something bigger. We will do well as a hunting team." He said with a smile, knowing that together they would be able to take down larger prey than what he was able to do on his own.

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She smiled at the praise, “Thank you, I know it’s not big or nothing but at least it’s something haha. Im glad you are feeling a bit better though.”she pauses before continuing, “I can’t wait to hunt with you!” In reality she would be happy to do anything with or for him. She flicks her tail so that it hits him lightly on the side that is opposite of her and giggles softly.

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He chuckled at the tail flick and decided to be playful with her, it had been a very long time since he had gotten to play with someone. He playfully batted her shoulder and stood, hoping down out of the den to have more room. He crouched down with a playful growl and a smirk, inviting her to play.

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She gasped in fake shock as he batted at her and watched him jump down. Ansa hopped down as well and crouched down infront of Zephyr. She growled playfully back and wiggled her tail in the air. She circled around him slowly still crouched until she was behind him. She readied herself for a pounce and grab at Zephyrs hind leg.

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He growled playfully as his leg was grabbed, spinning and batting at her, bopping her softly on the head before pouncing on her. He was careful not to be too rough since he outweighed her by a lot. He pointed her down for a moment before rolling with her, allowing her a chance to pin him in return, wanting it to be fair after all.

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She was taken aback by the bop to the head but quickly recovered. Once she had Zephyr pinned she put her front paws on his chest lightly and let out fake malicious laugh. “Hahaha I have caught the great king Zephyr!” She looked down at him with a large grin. “What’s your next move now oh, great king?!” She couldn’t help but slipping out of character and laughing a bit at her foolishness.

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He grinned at her silliness but let out a small cry of 'despair'. "You've bested me! You've stolen my throne!" He cried, acting as if he were now completely helpless beneath her. "You're the queen now." He said with a small laugh and a grin, looking up at her. "I guess you'll have to protect me from now on~" He teased playfully.

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She laughs, “Well I guess I will have to! No one shall hurt you poor soul!” She runs a claw on his chest and jumps off of him and sits beside him. “How will you make yourself useful to your queen then?” She smirks at him in a playful manner and looks down at him.

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"Oh I can think of a couple things~" He said teasingly with a smirk as he sat up, letting out a laugh as he shook his head, freeing his mane of debris after their little tussle. He nudged her playfully and leaned against her softly, enjoying the fun they had.

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At his teasing she was at a loss for words suddenly becoming shy. At him leaning on her, she leaned her head on his. She sighed content in their current position. “This is nice…” she smiles at him. “Thank you for putting up with my childish antics haha.” She licked his head and purred.

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"This is nice." He agreed with her, licking her head in return and matching her purring. "I enjoy your antics, it has been a long time since I have gotten to play." He stated, closing his eyes peacefully as they cuddled together. Despite his healing wounds, he felt happier than he had in a long time. He hadn't ever realized how lonely he was before she was around.

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