Eleptor, Danica and the other females in his heard greet their new guard.

Since Eleptor had gotten all the females in his personnel guard pregnant, his mother sent a full squad of males to protect her son. They were under the command of Antonio, who was Eleptors cousin. The elephants and lions of royal descent had interbred fairly frequently over the years. Although no lion had ever been ruler.

Her three sister wives didn't seem distressed at all by the lion, or the fact their new guards included several predators. Besides Antonio there was quite a mix, with a large bull elephant, zebra, wolf, rabbit, bear, rhino and gazelle. She wondered how the smaller herbivores would fare, but all were thickly muscled.

Danica tried to greet them graciously, but she couldn't help the jolt of fear that ran through her at the sight of the lion, and didn't notice her hand covering her pregnant belly protectively.

If he caught the scent of her fear, Antonio showed no sign. He greeted her professionally, and introduced his men to the females. After which he sent them to their posts. Once the guards were off to their posts, Antonio smiled and clasped Eleptor in a hug, greeting his cousin as one does family. The two males went to catch up, with Danica following awkwardly.