'This feels right.' Cassius thought. 'This is what home should sound like.'
But then his eyes drifted toward behind him and amid the whirl of joy and movement, three figures stood apart—Julie, Aisha, and Skadi.
Unlike everyone else, they weren't laughing. Julie's arms were folded, though the tight grip around her own elbows gave away her nerves.
Aisha stood beside her, composed on the surface but fidgeting with her sleeve.
And Skadi...Skadi was rocking back and forth on her heels, her big ears twitching in every direction as she stared longingly at Nala's tail like a child watching candy being handed out to everyone but her.
'Ah, right. I forgot to introduce them properly.' Cassius sighed quietly.
He knew he had to mention them as well with awkward they were.
"Ladies." He said gently. "Come here for a moment. It's time I introduced you all properly."
Cassius gestured for the trio to come closer.
Julie and Aisha exchanged a nervous look. But neither moved at first.
