"Are you really here? Just for me my chaton?" she whispered.
He responded by nuzzling her shoulder and giving her neck a little lick that tickled and brought a small laugh out of her. He started purring again as she chuckled.
"You like me giggling, do you?"
He nuzzled his head under her arm, forcing his way onto her lap.
"You're just a little pushy, my chaton" she said as she lowered her legs and stroked the fur between his ears.
She could really use a hug. She moved herself down so she could lie with her head on his shoulder. He moved with her so she lay on her side against his hind leg with her head resting just behind his shoulder. She stroked the thick fur down his front leg and paw, tracing his spots.
She watched as her tears landed on his soft fur. Words fell from her lips before she could stop them.
"She's dying. My precious mother is leaving me." she whispered.
"She's all I have. I'm going to be so alone once she's gone."
As she poured her heart out, her chaton gently nuzzled her cheek and shoulder. Eventually her tears ran out and with the sun warming her from above, and her chaton warming her from below her eyes slipped closed and she relaxed with just the tiniest hint of a smile on her face--with her chaton she felt safe and protected; maybe she wasn't so alone in the world as she thought she was.
~ * ~
Dominic watched Conner hoe into his breakfast of bacon and eggs as he came into the kitchen. Their mother put a plate identical to his brother's down on the table for him as she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"You're looking better this morning, my darling son; did your father's advice help?"
Dominic chuckled softly as he noticed Conner had stopped with his fork half way to his mouth. He was watching Dominic with keen eyes. Obviously he was desperate to know if the Dream Bonding their father had told them about had worked. No doubt he was trying to soak in all the information he could, hopeful he would soon dream of his mate. At nineteen, Conner still had at least a couple of years to go--male shifters were always older than their mates.
"Breakfast smells great, thanks Mum." He paused to give his mum a kiss and sit down. "Yeah, Dad's advice was real helpful. I managed to get the Dream Bonding to work last night. Took me a bit to get it started but, boy, was it well worth the effort." Dominic replied between mouthfuls, while flashing a big grin. He felt a lot better now he'd visited her and felt her hands in his fur. The knowledge she wasn't in any imminent danger also brought him some relief.
"I'm glad to hear it Dominic. Next time you won't wait so long before going to your father for help will you?" She didn't wait for him to answer before she continued "I've got to get moving so I'll leave you boys to it. Shopping doesn't do itself and with the way you boys and your father eat, you have no idea how much I wish it did. I'll catch you both later." She gave both her sons a kiss on the top of their heads while she spoke.
"Now don't you boys forget to put your dishes in the dishwasher before you leave."
Conner and Dominic ate in silence for a while. Dominic only just held back from laughing. He could see Conner wanted to ask him about what happened but was trying to act cool. Finally, Conner cracked and started the predicted questioning.
"So, what happened, Dom? Is she alright? Do you know where to find her now?"
Dominic was silent for a minute while he finished off his mouthful, enjoying the show of his brother squirming in anticipation. But he could only torture his little brother for so long, and anyway, he really wanted to share what he had learnt with his brother, who was also his best friend.
"I was right, Conner. My sweet mate is hurting something fierce. She told me her mother was dying and it had always been just the two of them. She's feeling like she's going to be alone when her mother has gone."
Conner frowned at him.
"She told you all that? In one dream--to a man she's never seen before? Dream Bonding's that strong huh?"
Dominic barked out a laugh. "Hell no, even in dreams women don’t tell strange men anything. I did try to join her dream as a man while she was envisioning a public place but she just moved past me--refusing to even look at me even when I called out. It was pretty obvious she has little interest in men in general. I'm thinking maybe she's been hurt by a man at some point--her Dad maybe? If it's just her and her Mum then her Dad's obviously not in the picture. So anyway, when that didn’t work I tried pulling her into mine. That worked perfectly. I took her to the little field up near the lake and met her in my leopard form."
"Oh man, you trying to make the woman run?" Conner said on a chuckle as he slapped his thighs.
"Not like I had much choice, Conner. It's either man or leopard. But she didn't run. After a little bit she cuddled up to me, spilled her story, had a good cry, then closed her eyes and relaxed with her head over my heart and her hand buried in my fur. Man, was I one happy cat! I got to see all of her, from head to toe and, Conner, she looks just like an goddess. She had her dark wavy hair spread across my fur, her ivory skin looked so soft. Even with her warm chocolate colored eyes closed, I could still feel the warmth of them." Dominic felt his eyes glaze over as he sighed.