Alex woke to morning light filtering through the carved den's entrance and the increasingly familiar sensation of babies doing synchronized acrobatics against his ribs.
[Good morning, Host! Ready for day two of "Help the Bears With Their Political Drama"?]
"Not really," Alex mumbled, but he was already sitting up carefully, one hand on his belly.
Naga was coiled near the entrance as usual, but Leo was absent—probably scouting again or ensuring last night's revelations hadn't turned the tribe against them overnight.
"How bad is it out there?" Alex asked.
"Surprisingly calm," Naga reported.
"Boulder stopped by earlier. Said Granite wants to meet with you this morning. Private audience. Just you and him."
[OH NO. OH NO NO NO. PRIVATE AUDIENCE. THAT'S NEVER GOOD.]
"It's probably about the trade," Alex said, though he didn't quite believe it himself.
"Probably," Naga agreed in a tone that said he didn't believe it either. "But I'm coming with you. No arguments."
