Chapter Forty-Seven: Heart of the Mountain

The night sky draped the Pride Lands in a blanket of silver and indigo, the moon hanging high like a watchful eye. The stars shimmered quietly above, casting their pale glow across the sweeping grasslands below. Most of the pride had long since settled into sleep, but near the edge of Pride Rock, Vitani was pacing—again.

Her steps were sharp, restless, her tail lashing with every turn. The cool night air did nothing to calm the heat rising in her chest.It was happening again.

That stupid flutter, caressing in her heart. The racing pulse. The jumbled thoughts every time she saw him—Jitu. The silent, immovable, ice-eyed lion who never spoke unless it truly mattered. Who said more with a look than most could with a speech.And it was driving her absolutely insane. "Vi.?"She flinched at the voice, turning to find Kiara stepping from the shadows. Her gaze was soft, steady. Too knowing."Hey," Vitani said quickly. Too quickly. She forced a grin. "Just… thinking." Kiara walked closer, her golden fur catching the light of the moon. "You’ve been at it a lot lately. And blushing."

"I have not!" Vitani snapped. "Vi…" Kiara’s voice was warm, gentle—dangerously so. "Does it involve... Jitu?" Vitani’s ears flattened. "What? No! Of course not! Why would it be him? He’s just—always there. Sitting. Quiet and… and blank and…" She growled under her breath. "Why does he have to stare like that? Not in a weird way, but in… that way!" Kiara laughed, sitting beside her. “You have no need to explain.” Vitani stopped pacing, frustration spilling from her in every direction. "That’s the thing—I can’t explain it! Every time I look at him, I get all fuzzy and frustrated! I’m not like this!" Kiara tilted her head, her smile soft. "Maybe… you like him?" Vitani gawked. "Like him? As in… like-like? No, that’s ridiculous!" Vitani said quickly, her voice rising. "He barely talks! I don’t even know what he’s thinking half the time! He’s younger than me! He's vague! He’s—"

"Steady?" Kiara finished for her.Vitani’s mouth closed. Her gaze fell to the stone beneath her paws."...Yeah. That." Kiara leaned against her, nuzzling her shoulder. Vitani’s voice dropped to a whisper. "What if I’m just being stupid? ...What if I tell him, and just stares at me?" 

Kiara giggled. "He stares at everyone. But to you, it’s different." Vitani was quiet. Kiara’s voice softened even more. "He may not say much, but he’s always there. That’s who he is. He shows up. Someday, it would be for you." The breeze shifted, lifting the mist from the far horizon and carrying the scent of earth and memory. Vitani stared up at the stars, her heart still confused, still pounding… but no longer alone in it. She didn’t understand it yet. But for now, that was okay. She sat with Kiara under the starlit sky, and let herself feel—without answers, without plans—just the strange, vulnerable truth of it.