"Tonight they'll sleep with us," Kith said, lifting Yinny and Didi into his arms. "Each of us should take a few. One male alone won't be able to manage them all. Since Finch isn't here, I'll look after Didi for him."
The cubs were nowhere near as obedient with them as they were with Nina.
Still, they had to start getting used to sleeping without her. Once Nina had mates, the cubs couldn't keep sleeping beside her every night.
What the cubs didn't yet realize was that once these unreliable fathers fully secured their positions, they would be the ones competing with the cubs for Nina's attention—refusing to let them sleep beside their mother anymore.
Aviel picked up Linny and Momo, one in each hand. "I'll take these two. The other cubs seem to like you more anyway, so you handle them."
Sal gathered the remaining egg-cubs into his arms. "Fine. I'll take these ones."
If he couldn't hold Nina, at least holding the cubs might ease the ache a little.
