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Athena was taken into the pride by King Xune I after her first king gave her away. She has been a faithful wife of King Xune for a long time, and one of her daughter has been made one of the king’s honored huntresses. In her old age, she decided to create a shelter for young cubs and adolescents who are no longer wanted by their prides, just like she was. She loves every cub and adolescent that come through the pride. As the founder of the Adoption Center, it’s been named after her. She has sworn that she will not stop taking care of the young ones of the pride until her death.
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Athena smiled adoringly at the tiny ball of fur curled up between her paws. This cub had just recently been born, and the mother had complained that she needed some rest. Athena was happy to step in and help. Just because she was an adolescent didn’t mean she was incapable of taking care of cubs. She loved them. Suddenly, a set of huge bright eyes appeared in front of her.
“What’s its name?” The cub, Amra, asked curiously. Athena gently picked up the newborn, smiling at her.
“King Gold named her Tira.” She murmured. “You’ll get to play with her when she gets a little bigger.” Amra’s eyes brightened, and she pranced around.
“Yea! I don’t have any playmates right now, so I have to play all alone- It’s sooooo boring!” She grumbled. Athena giggled, poking her side. Amra squealed.
“Don’t worry, there will be plenty of cubs to play with soon!” She forced a smile, but she herself didn’t approve of the mass-breeding King Gold did. Not that her opinion changed anything. “You’ll have lots and lots of friends, and you can teach them all the things you know about hunting!” Amra was going to be a hunter, she knew. It was a good position in the pride. As the eager cub bounced around, prattling about her skills, a large shadow fell over Athena. She turned around, coming face-to-face with King Gold.
“You.” He rumbled. “Come with me.” Athena stumbled for a moment, surprised to be approached. She placed the newborn in a lioness’s paws, leaping enthusiastically to join the majestic king.
“W-where are we going?” She asked.
“You’ll see.” He answered cryptically. Athena sighed, hurrying to match the king’s huge steps.
When the pride’s lions started to look like ants in the distance, Athena started to question what was going on. Fortunately, she did not have to wait long to find out. Unfortunately, she would not like the answer.
“Hello, Xune.” King Gold said stoically to a dark lion. He looked as though he were glowing in the bright evening light.
“Ah, Gold. It’s good to see you.” Xune murmured back. “I see you’ve brought her. Thank you.” Athena stared at the two, confused and terrified. She began to back away.
“No need to thank me.” Gold growled, grabbing her and bringing her forward. “She’s useless for breeding anyways. The market doesn’t want inbred lions.” Xune beckoned to Athena, and she stared at them.
“W-what?” She stammered. Xune smiled weirdly, as though he was trying to reassure her.
“Come with me…” He looked helplessly at King Gold.
“Athena.”
“Athena. Come with me. You’ll have a better pride, maybe you can be a… hunter or something, I’m not sure. But come on.” Xune looked awkward, but shook himself and looked at her.
Athena hesitantly stepped towards Xune. She contemplated bolting back, but realized it would be impossible. She was unwanted now.
“Where are we going?” Athena asked Xune, deciding that she needed to make a good impression now. Xune seemed nice enough, if not a little awkward.
“To our pride.” He said simply, and Athena scrunched up her muzzle in annoyance. Looking behind, she realized that Gold was gone. There was no way back now.
The sunset turned her silver pelt gold, and there Athena made a vow.
As long as she lived, she would make sure no cub would feel unwanted like her, ever again.
—Written by the lovely Unnamed_Raven (#243915)
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