Astrid wasn't sure what was happening, "I'm not sure. We'll have to wait and see." She sat down, when Ajihad stopped. "Come on. We want you cubs in the center, so you are protected," she nudged Luna into the center of the crowd of lions and lionesses.

Ajihad was surprised to see Reyla taking initiative. "I don't know. What if only Siku shows up," he said a little worriedly. He remembered that Khaleesi was over there, "I bet Khaleesi will join unless their pride is so large they don't need to combine." Yael looked at his momma, "There will be more cubs, and Fae is coming?" he wanted to double check.

Ukuta/ Siku Pride, lioness 3

/

Ukuta followed the pride, looking back now and then at their camp. They won't be losing thier territory, but it still felt to Ukuta they're losing their home. Never has she experienced this in all her years.

After a while, she saw Ajihad Pride, herding their cubs into the middle. She flattened her ears sheepishly as she compared the size of their pride and hers. They have decreased so much in quantity after hyena attack.

Siku then paused and looked back.

"All ready?", he asked, looking at Midnight in particular.

Ukuta nodded, looking at others.

"We will be meeting them. Me and Aria will do most of the talking, so pay attention", Siku said, and continued towards the other pride.

/

Ivy/ Ajhad Pride, lioness 1

/

As Ivy nosed her son towards the middle, Nyasi gasped. Ivy looked at what has shocked Nyasi, and felt her brown fur stand up. Siku Pride. She examined them, and was surprised by how small their pride was. She even felt sorry. Last time she visited, there was way more lionesses, juveniles and cubs. But now, just a pawful.

/

Jasiri/ Ajihad Pride, lion 2

/

Jasiri narrowed his eyes, as he neared his leader, not taking his sight of the approaching Siku Pride. They don't look hostile, but Jasiri was tensed for a fight, if it will happen.

Midnight nodded as Aria took a deep breath. "I hope everything goes smoothly" Aria said before she glanced at Yael. "Yes, more cubs, but stay with us until the meeting is over. If everything goes well, you can go meet them" she said.

/

Luna quietly hoped that's where they would go after the prides merged, but she certainly wouldn't argue if they didn't go there. She looked up at Astrid. "Can I go up with my momma and daddy" she asked.

/

Tara, Echo and Amber were all quiet as they sat down waiting with Reyla near them

Delilah/Lioness/ Siku Pride

the lioness sit down and starts to clean her fur the lioness licks her right paw and then wash her face with her right paw

Ajihad nodded to Siku. He was curious if these were the ones who agreed to join or if this was mostly the whole pride. "I'm glad you made Siku. We'll have to decide important things like mating rights, cubs, and leadership."

Aria looked between the males. "I assume you mean not killing the cubs when you mention them" she said as she waited for a reply rather nervously. She glanced back and saw Midnight pull Fae close to him.

"Correct. I assume that we both have similar terms to our cubs. None of them gets harmed or kicked out," he looked at them questioningly. "The point of combining is making us stronger," he added. "Also all established mates will continue. New mates may have to ask permission from the dominants, especially, if one of them has a defect that might affect cubs."

Aria thought a moment before she spoke again. "What if they agree to not have cubs but wish to be mates still" she asked. "I've heard of it happening before." She glanced around at all the lions. "And I assume as well that current mates may stay as such?" She hoped they would agree to that, especially since her and Siku agreed they wanted more cubs in the near future.

"Current mates will stay. They'll probably have to ask the dominant for permission to have cubs, but the dominant can't refuse without good reason. Possible birth defects, lack of prey, that kind of thing," Ajihad elaborated a little.

Aria nodded, feeling that was fair. She looked at Siku, wondering what he would think with all of this. *Would he agree to the terms? Or are we better off trying to keep up on our own with so few hunters? What about all the males that didnt have mates* she thought. So many questions, but she wanted to hear what Siku thought about all this as well.