Onyx the Tabaxi: Part Four (complete)

Female Main Character x Male Human x Female Monster x Nonbinary Monster (poly)

(countdown: 995)

When I did go to the library it was nice and sunny out, but there were some clouds on the horizon that were growing darker by the moment. The library itself was cool and quiet, there wasn’t a soul around, none that I could see anyways.

“Alright little book, time ot put you back,” I murmured to myself as I took the third book of the Alyssa series from my bag. “Back onto your little shelf you-” I stopped, dead cold in my tracks. The shelf was empty. The Alyssa series was nowhere to be seen. Not one. Not two. Not four.

Not four!

Every fiber of my being went cold. If it were possible I think I may have turned from a black cat to a white cat in that instance. I double checked, making sure I had the right shelf. I checked other shelves to make sure the books hadn’t been moved.

“No! No, no, no,” I mumbled over and over to myself. I started plucking spines from the wood, making sure the tomes weren’t hidden. My gut was sinking faster and faster just as the sky outside was growing darker and darker. The book ended in a cliff hanger! I needed book four! Where was book four? Did Alyssa marry the miner? Did she run away and continue her journeys? I needed to know!

I stepped back, smoothing back my whiskers as I tried to gather my thoughts. “This isn’t okay. Where are they? Where-” I stopped and my ears stood up straight. My tail stiffened and the fur on the back of my neck stood on end.

“Dio!” I snarled and I rushed from the library in a mad dash. The dark clouds on the horizon were now over heard, and there was a particular thick scent int he air that hinted at what was coming.

I came to her and Demi’s house, knocking upon the door. I heard movement inside and a moment later Demi answered the door.

“Oh,” he seemed surprised at first. He must have been cleaning because he had a dirty rag in his hand. “Good morning, Ms. Onyx! What brings you here?”

I swallowed hard, not wanting to worry Demi, he didn’t have any part of this book thievery. “Is Dio here?”

His brow pursed. “No. Actually, she left early this morning to go have a conversation with Rev. Anything I could help you with?”

My mouth screwed up into a firm pout. “When she gets back you tell her I’m looking for her and Alyssa.”

Demi looked even more confused. “Alyssa?”

“She’ll know who I mean! Thank you,” I turned away in a huff. Just then, the clouds opened up and rain came pouring down.

Demi came out after me, grabbing my hand and insisting I come in. Even standing out there for a few seconds, I had become completely soaked.

“Goodness,” Demi sighed as he lead me into the kitchen. “You would’ve been washed away in that!”

I pouted as water dripped from my whiskers.

“Well, sit down,” Demi said gently. He began undoing the laces on his own shirt. “The stove is nice and warm. I’ll go grab you one of Dio’s dresses.” He walked back, stripping down as he did.

“Good, I’ll steal her clothes until I get my book back,” I grumbled under my breath. I stretched out my feet closer to the stove and sighed heavily.

Something about this seemed oddly familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Demi came back out, completely naked. He laid a dress upon the table, then approached me with a blanket. “This rain isn’t going anywhere, might as well get comfortable.”

I had seen Demi naked many times. After all, he and Dio were favorite companions in our household. I’d liked Dio’s cunt, I’d sucked Demi’s cock. It still surprised how big Demi was soft.

I stood and removed my clothes, handing them to Demi who hanged them over the stove. I still got that weird feeling I knew this from somewhere. But how?

“There we are. Shame Dio isn’t here. But uhm…Alyssa is-” Demi asked as he draped a blanket around me.

I sighed heavily. “A book series. I’ve been reading them and I was telling Dio about them yesterday.” I pouted.

“They’re good?” He asked.

I nodded. “I told her to check out the first one, but she took all the books, even the fourth one that I really needed!” I twitched in frustration.

“I do recall her saying she was stopping by somewhere before she met with Rev.” Demi murmured. “I’ve never really known Dio to read though. What’s this book about?”

I sighed heavily, but Demi would be the perfect reading partner. Maybe if I described it to him then both he and Dio would be my reading companions. “A traveling maid named Alyssa. She travels about, helping out households who need her expertise. But sometimes, mostly actually, there’s a lewd spin she ends up being the most helpful with.”

Demi’s smile perked. “And what’s the first book about?” He stepped closer to me. “How does it start?”

“Well, the first book is really fun. But it starts with Alyssa getting caught it-” My ears perked up and I lost my breath for a moment. “Getting caught in the rain.” I looked at the window and the dark clouds outside. “She comes into the home of her new employers and-” I looked Demi up and down, noticing his large cock was getting hard.

“She and…the farmhand are soaking wet-” My mind drifted. Was this what was so familiar?

Demi put his hand upon my hip. “Go on, Ms. Onyx,” he whispered.

I swallowed, noticing a warmth and dull ache to my loins. “Demi uhm-”

Demi is coming closer, slowly slipping his hand around my hip to cup my rear. “What do Alyssa and the farmhand do?”

“Well he uh-” I catch my breath. “They get out of their soaked clothes and start talking. Getting to know one another. Alyssa notices he has a big cock and they…they get to talking about that.” Demi’s cock is hard against my side now. It’s hard to focus.

“Interesting,” Demi breathes into my ear. His fingers slip between my cheeks, aiming for my mound. “Tell me more.”

I glance towards the window, seeing Reverence standing there with a smile on her face as she watches us. Demi’s fingers slip into my wet slit, pressing in deep as I grab tightly to his strong arm.

“Fuck, Demi,” I whined.

He moaned into my ear. “If you want your book, you’ve got to play the part.”

“Huh?” My mind was fading fast the more Demi touched me.

He turned me around, motioning to the dress on the table. It was a little black maid outfit, ust like the one Alyssa wore in the books. Demi then bent me over the table, rubbing his cock against my ass then down between my thighs.

Was I Alyssa now?

“What do Alyssa and the farmhand do?” Demi asked, rubbing his cock up and down my wet slit.

I moaned, drifting further and further away from my own senses. “They uhm…fool around,” she gasps. “They start to fuck and the uhm…the lady of the house who hired her uhm-”

Demi slid inside me, and it felt so amazing. I moaned out loud, tightening myself around his big cock.

“Oh wow,” Demi whimpered happily. “Uhm so uh…they get caught?”

I heard the door open, but I wasn’t paying much mind. I did look up though and saw Dio watched us with a smug expression.

“What are you two doing?” She asked.

“My lady,” Demi gasped. “It isn’t what you think! I was helping the new maid and…and she tripped.”

Dio stepped towards us. “Tripped, you say?”

They were! They were reenacting Alyssa!

“This does not look like you are helping her up.” Dio walked around to Demi and I felt her hand upon my rear. “You’re inside her.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Dio spanked my rear and I moaned out loud in pleasure.

Demi pulled out from me, taking a step back. “I’m sorry, my lady.”

Dio rubbed ehr hand down my back then had me sit up. She picked up the maid outfit and gave me a wicked little smile.

“What’s going on here?” I panted, feeling my wetness seep down my thigh. “Is this a game?”

“Put this on. You’ll see.” Dio chuckled as she handed me the maid uniform. She went over to Demi, kneeling down before him to suck his cock while I dressed. Reverence was still watching from the window, and pleased and joyous smile upon her lips.

“Come here maid, finish polishing this for me,” Dio commanded.

I approached, kneeling down beside her before Demi. I opened my mouth, letting his cock slide onto my tongue and down my throat. Dio clutched the back of my head, pushing me further down then pulling me back. Demi’s cock was warm, his voice sweetly moaning above me.

“You’re very good at this,” Dio whispered into my ear. “I’m so glad I hired you.”

“I’m close,” Demi whimpered. “So close I-” His head threw back.

Dio held me down upon his cock as he erupted. Demi’s thick cum filled my throat and I almost gagged, but I had been trained for this. I choked and wheezed, drool spilled from the corner of my mouth, but I loved it.

“I’m so glad I hired you! You’re wonderful!” Dio mimicked the lines from the book. “But…there’s something I want to ask you. When you and the farmhand were…meeting.” Dio kissed my cheek and neck as she said this. “What, exactly, were you doing?”

I swallowed and licked my lips. “I can show you, if you’d like.” I spoke as Alyssa, remembering her lines a bit. “It was just sex, my lady.”

“I’ve never seen it done like that.” Dio reached down, stroking my clit with her skilled fingers.

I turned and kissed her, moaning softly against her lips as the door opened, and someone else came into the room. Demi helped me to stand, and Dio walked across the room.

“Why don’t we show them together, Alyssa?” Reverence purred happily. She held out her hand to me.

I took her hand and she pulled me in close. “Happy birthday,” she whispered into my ear. “Are you ready?”

My breath got caught in my chest and my tail fluttered away behind me. I was honest when I said I didn’t want a big deal made about my birthday. But they had planned a reenactment of my favorite book, and I couldn't have been more excited.

“Yes!” I finally gasped to her.

Rev pulled my hand gently, leading me outside of Dio and Demi’s home. “We’re going to the blue solarium to finish up. But I do hope you enjoyed the beginning.”

“Yes! Very much.” I glanced over my shoulder at Dio following us and she winked at me. I smiled back at her, my tail twitching as I could barely contain myself.

Rev placed her hand upon the door of the solarium and turned to face me. She had a serious expression on her face this time. “Now, Onyx, my dear girl, once we step into this room, do not be afraid to use your voice. Command what you want and what you don’t. And if it makes you too nervous, I will leave you to those you wish to be with. Understood?”

I nodded. “Yes. I take it there are…lots of people behind that door?”

She nodded and placed her hand upon my cheek. “Only do what you wish to do.”

I smiled up at her and she opened the door.

We walked into the blue solarium, and it was filled to the brim with candles. Their wax dripped down from their places, and there was a creamy scent to the room. The entryway was also filled with cloaked members of the village, Dio and Demi joined them, sliding into cloaks themselves. It was like the scene in the second book where all the scholars from the boarding house couldn’t leave due to the storm.

I bit my lip as Rev stood behind me, placing her hands upon my shoulders. She pushed more forward slightly, and the men there gathered around. They removed their hoods revealing their faces to me. I saw Rings and a few others I knew, but I didn’t see Ebert yet.

“They’re all very frustrated.” Rev gently guided me into the center of the crowd. “Do you perhaps have any way of helping them?”

The cloaked figures closed in and started removing their cloaks. Naked skin pressed against me and my maid uniform. Alyssa had been so eager for this moment, kneeling down and pleasuring the scholars to cure them of their stress. I was a bit nervous, usure how to handle all of this on my own.

“Like ths?” I heard Rings whisper into my ear. She knelt down on the ground, taking a large orc cock into her mouth. I watched and my mouth watered. I followed her lead, kneeling down too and was presented with a cock of my own. I’m not sure who all towered over me, I soon got lost in the bodies and loins. I wanted to touch them, to please them. I wanted to see what the world was like through Alyssa’s eyes. Demi’s cum was still in my throat, but it was soon replaced as one spurted quite quickly onto my tongue and face.

I coughed a second, licking my lips as I looked up through the crowd. Solomon, one of Rev’s handymen, came forward. He was half ifrit and quite large. His thick cock glowed red from the fire within him. He laid it upon my face, and I recalled the scene where Alyssa calmed the angry dean of the school who came to find his missing students. Solomon’s cock was warm and I felt my slit dripping. I was aching so badly, wanting to be used and fucked. But I’m sure this was all part of Rev’s plan.

I took Solomon’s cock into my outh, letting him grab the back of my head and move me to his will. His hot, throbbing shaft made it feel like steam might come out my ears, but I liked it. I had not tried him yet, but I had heard Ebert and Rev talking about him several times.

He pulled out from my mouth with saliva stringing from my lips. He and another pretend scholar lifted me up. I stood between them, kissing Solomon and then being turned to face a young man who had been studying under Ebert. I was bent down to the man’s cock while Solomon slid up behind me.

I grinned in excitement, perhaps now I would feel relief from the ache in my loins. I took the young man into my mouth, suckling him greedily while Solomon rutted himself in my wetness, coating his cock until it was slippery.

“My goodness! What is the maid doing?” I heard Rev over the moaning crowd.

Solomon slid inside me at that moment and I chocked upon the cock in my mouth. Fuck! Solomon was exactly what I needed then. I was stuffed and satisfied for now.

“These are all such young souls! You’ve got yourself into trouble now, Alyssa,” Rev acted out the lines from the book, slowly joining the crowd to watch and indulge.

The young man pulled back, spurting his load upon my face. It was thick and warm, and there was a lot of it. He spurted again and again, coating my face. He stepped away and Dio came forward, wiping up some of the mess.

“Silly girl. You play too much for what we hired you for.” Dio knelt down, kissing me as Solomon moved inside. His heat seemed to grow, penetrating deep into my belly where that growing pit of pleasure was forming.

Dio pulled away, biting my lip as she did. Solomon lifted me up, holding me against his chest and thrusting upwards into me. Faces watched, staring as I took his massive, glowing red cock. The heat coursing through my face wasn’t just from Solomon, but myself. I’d never been stared at like this, not so intently and strangely.

I was close to my release and Solomon was trembling from his own efforts. My pans came out louder, more pathetic. The crowd kept watching. The pleasure was intense, I couldn’t hold on much longer. A gush came from my slit, arching out and spraying some of the watchers around me. I’d never done that before! I wanted to be humiliated but Solomon’s drive was forcing everything from me. I was erupting from the inside, almost like a volcano. Perhaps literally considering that gush. His release inside was so hot that I thought I might boil.

There was whispering amongst the crowd and Rev held a smug look upon her face. Solomon set me down upon the ground, stroking his cock until a final stream of heat coated the tips and backs of my ears.

“You’ve made a mess of my hall!” Rev gasped, acting dramatic but sounding like she was having the most fun.

I gulped and panted, still reeling from my first birthday orgasim. “I…I can…i can clean it up.”

“With what?” Rings purred as she stepped close.

I looked at the ground, seeing her wetness was dripping down from between her legs. I knelt down, licking it up with my tongue. I rose up, kissing and licking her thighs, burying myself between her warmth until my tongue was buried inside her.

“Ah! Oh-” Rings moaned.

The crowd was beginning to turn to each other. The sounds of sex filled my ears as I licked and pleasured my beloved Rings. His fingers grasped the back of my head, pushing me deeper. Sometimes, I wished I had a cock just to pleasure her like Ebert did. To fill her. To have her warmth coiled around me.

I raised my eyes to her, seeing the deep lust therein. She gazed at me, mewling softly. She let me go, dipping down to kiss me and taste me upon my lips.

“You’ve yet to show me how to properly make love,” Rings panted, mimicking the words of the lady from the first book.

“Oh uh-” I breathed. “Well, my lady, you see-” I cupped her thigh in my hand slowly moving my fingers up. “Your husband it supposed to enter you..here.” I slid my fingers inside her, watching her face melt the same way I always pictured the lady’s melting.

“Oh! Oh my!”

I licked her clit, thrusting my fingers inside her. The moaning in the room was growing louder, the sounds of wet slapping signaled that a second round was about to begin.

Rings grasped my head again, throwing her head back. I felt her contract around my fingers, growing tighter, twitching almost. I suckled upon her clit, mimicking a move I’d seen Ebert do before. Rings cried out loudly, nearly crumpling if I didn’t catch her.

“That’s my wife, maid!”

My ears and tail stood on end, as did every single fur on my body. I looked back with a gasp, seeing Ebert standing there, dressed in a way I had never seen him before. He looked regal, but almost uncomfortable. He’d put on this outfit for me, and to suit the role of the lord of the house. I could see his cock straining against his britches. Who knows how long he had been watching.

I stood up with Rings. She was purring, nuzzling me as I turned to face Ebert in character. I bit back my smile and saw him fidget with nerves. “My lord, I was only trying to help.”

“Help? Help how?” He stormed forward, his eyes darting around as the crowd still fucked. “Look at her! She’s a mess!”

“She helped-” Rings couldn’t get her part out.

I saw Ebert strain to keep from laughing. “We…we don’t need help.” He stood stiff, trying to embody the role. But he cock called out to me, straining against those pants.

“If you want a child, I suggest you listen.” I stepped forward, rubbing my palm to his crotch. Ebert winced, letting out a soft moan as I touched. He didn’t want me to stop, but to keep playing the part he wrenched my hand back.

“Sp-spare me your lies maid. And stop trying to seduce my family.” His glazed over expression told me he really didn’t want me to.

I smirked at him and he smiled back.

“Oh, happy birthday darling,” he whispered. “You look adorable.”

“Doesn’t she?” Rings went and stood behind Ebert, wrapping her arms around him. I leaned in, kissing him and then the room went completely dark. The candles snuffed out all at once, and a breath carried through the room.

The solarium doors opened, letting in the pale gray light of the storm. Ebert took my hand, leading me into the center of the room.

“Then show me, maid, how it is I must lay with my wife.” Ebert sat down upon an alter. Behind us, the crowd watched, slowly moving forward as I approached him. I reached down, opening his pants and letting his cock free.

“How should I show you?” I asked him.

“With your body, maid,” Ebert panted. “Let her watch, so that she may know too.”

I swallowed back an excited breath, joining him upon the alter. I kissed him as he laid back, slowly climbing upon him as the crowd circled around us.

“You must enter her here,” I whispered, guiding Ebert’s cock into me. I eased down upon him, trembling with sensitivity.

“Onyx-” He let slip my name and I my heart raced. He looked so handsome in his fancy attire, then again he looked handsome no matter what he wore. I gently undid the collar, seeing him breathe out in relief. He reached up, as if to unbutton my dress as well, and instead, her took hold and ripped so that my chest was exposed.

I gasped out loud, biting back the eager joy bubbling up inside me. “My lord! This is my uniform.”

“There will be others,” Ebert said through gritted teeth.

I moved upon him, aware of all the eyes staring at me. I had been marked by their seed, filled by Solomon, used by them all in such a short amount of time. Now, they watched as I rode Ebert. This scene hadn’t exactly been in the books, but it felt like a Reverence production all the same.

Ebert turned my face back to him and smiled at me. “Having fun?” he whispered.

I nodded. “Yes. I’m loving it.”

His hands stroked down my body, holding onto my legs. “I’m glad. Rings and I have been working hard to plan this.”

His cock throbbed inside me and I stilled to give him a moment to breathe. “I can tell. I love it.” I bent over, kissing him hard to show my gratitude.

I heard Rev giggling as she approached, taking the front of the crowd. Her bare body shimmered in the gray light, catching my eye as I moved on Ebert. She came up behind me, watching Ebert disappear and reappear inside me. Her fingers tickled my backside, slowly tracing the shape of my lips as Ebert stretched me.

“Are you sure? Here?” Rev breathed to me. “Not here?” Her slick fingers penetrated my ass and I cried out loud from the surprise. I tightened around Ebert, bucking slightly which made him strain to keep from cumming.

“No, not there. There is the wrong place,” I whimpered, trying to get out Alyssa’s lines.

Rev came up onto the alter behind me, stilling me for a moment as she groped and squeezed my ass. “Are you sure?” She began to enter me, sliding herself inside.

I was unable to answer her, only able to cry out and bend over Ebert. I breathed hard, trying to focus on the feeling of having them both inside me. It was tight, warm, and made me shake all over.

“It feels good here too,” Rev snarled into my ear as she began to move.

“No…maybe but-” I moaned as both Rev and Ebert moved. “Oh fuck…oh fuck-” I moaned out loud, losing my character and turning into myself. “Yes! Like this!” I whined out loud.

Ebert bucked hard underneath me while Rev gently held onto my waist. Around us the crowd was growing aroused again, and while they continued to watch, they touched and pleasured themselves.

My mind was spinning, I was entering a state where pleasure was sweeping me away. I had no thoughts, only the sense of my body being used. Rev’s breath in my ear, her fingers n my tongue, and Ebert straining to keep from releasing all at once.

I lost track of time, of place, I was filled by Reverence, a surprise I must say. She did it calmly and as if it was what she intended. Her soft giggle filled my ears, bringing me slightly back to the alter in the center of the solarium.

“Oh, my pretty girl,” she murmured, stroking my shoulders and tugging down my ripped maid dress. Her soft palms cupped my chest, stroking down to my belly. “Happy birthday, love.” She kissed my cheek. “I’m glad you liked my books.”

“Huh?” I whimpered breathlessly.

Reverence smiled. “I wrote those a very long time ago. Under an old name of course.” She kissed me again. “Most copies were destroyed, but I found some hidden away.”

“You wrote-” My breath was knocked from me as Ebert made me shiver, bringing me close to another eruption.

“I’ll tell you more later. For now, Demi wants to play.” She stepped from the alter as I watched, Staring after her as I had so much, but at the same time so little, on my mind now.

Her seed was tightly sealed inside my ass, but not for long as Demi came and replaced her. “Happy birthday, Onyx,” he grunted.

“Thank you,” I drooled slightly.

Ebert was still going strong, arching his hips to thrust up inside me, meeting Demi’s thrusts so that I wasn’t too tousled about. Ebert reached up, touching my face and placing his thumb upon my tongue.

I met his gaze and it didn’t take long. Locking eyes with him I felt my body evaporate like the rain on a hot stone. I was steam, I was pure heat. I gushed again against Ebert, feeling embarrassed by this sudden (yet delightful) occurrence. Demi pulled back, his knees wobbling as he stood from the alter.

“I’m sorry,” I gasped.

Ebert chuckled, slowly rising despite the shaking of his arms. He kissed me, gazing into my eyes as he stroked my jaw. “It’s okay. Really.” We kissed again and ever so slowly I raised up and fell backwards. I laid there on the stone, which was just as heated as my body.

Ebert stood, somehow graceful, and leaned over top of me. “Do you need a break?” he asked, rubbing his hands down my arms.

“Water,” I croaked as I laid there limp.

Ebert took me, carrying me just outside the solarium. He sat me down upon a bench and I began to return to my senses. The cool air on my skin, mixed with the chill brought on by rain helped to ease me to earth.

“There you are.” Ebert handed me a cup of water which I drank from deeply.

I huffed out a breath and wiped my mouth down. Not sure what was water and what was cum.

“How are you enjoying yourself?” He asked.

“Very much,” I gulped down the rest of the glass. “It’s been a very interesting birthday.” I stood, walking passed Ebert and stepping out from under the roof. The cool rain beaded up on my black fur and I stretched out my arms, letting the droplets fall upon me.

Ebert smiled, turning as the door opened and Rings stepped out. “I was wondering where you went.” She had my tattered maid uniform in her hand. She set it aside and stood with Ebert to watch me in the rain.

“We needed a small break.” Ebert looped his arm around Rings’ waist and kissed her temple.

I breathed out long and slow, tilting my head up up to the sky. The clouds were starting to part, and the rain was becoming a fine mist.

I slept like a rock that evening, cuddled up between Rings and Ebert. My body was stiff come morning, as well as alone. I stayed snuggled up in bed until I felt something near my hand. I opened my eyes, seeing the missing book fromt he Alyssa series.

I gasped out loud, instantly awake and ignoring any any all soreness in my joints. I cracked the book open righ away, hoping to have answers that the third book left me clawing with.

“Good morning, birthday girl.” I glanced up, seeing Ebert walking in. “Rings and I are working on breakfast in bed. Reverence dropped that off for you.” He handed me a cup of tea and kissed my cheek.

“She said she wrote these!” I exclaimed. “Did you know that?”

Ebert pursed his lips and shook his head. “Not a clue.”

I looked back into the book. “I’ll have to have a word with her, of course.”

“Of course,” he chuckled.he kissed my cheek and a purr vibrated in my chest. “Rings and I will bring you food soon. For now, enjoy yourself.”

“I will, thank you!” I did want to kiss and snuggle some more, but I was even more eager to see what Alyssa’s decision would be.

The first chapter was a flashback where Alyssa described her youth where her mother was a kid and affectionate woman who ran a boarding house for women of certain repute. Alyssa grew up learning lessons from all these women, and even the men who came to visit them. She grew to have many talents, and a way with charming people. He travels started when she realized she outgrew the boarding house and wanted to spread the gifts she gained there. She talked about how she loved the freedom and meeting all sorts of people, but still felt she was always looking for something. It then changes back to the proposal and how she feels about the minotaur she loves and the freedom she would have to release. She receives a letter that night from her mother, asking her to come home as she is ill. The minotaur agrees to travel home with her, where Alyssa learns she has inherited the business.

“How is it?” Rings comes into the bedroom and sits beside me, offering me a bowl of custard with fresh berries, my favorite.

I set the book down, reluctantly, and begin to eat. “It’s different from the others.”

“Reverence said it was her favorite.” Rings cuddled up beside me, eating from her own bowl. “She said she can’t wait to talk to you about them.”

“Thanks for last night,” I murmured.

Rings beamed. “For you, anything. We wanted this birthday to be special for you. I really hope it was.”

I nodded, clinging to her side. “It really was.”

Rings hugged back. “We’re so proud of you. You know that right?”

There was a sting in my chest that took my breath away. I loved where I was and who I was with. I’d never really had that comfort in my youth. I certainly never had someone who was proud of me. I held on tighter to Rings, smiling in content. I found what I was looking for, now I hoped Alyssa would as well.