Somewhere, West Virginia, USA.

Jeb awoke an hour before work, he was determined to get a few things to make sure all his expensive stuff survived co-habitation with the Kobolds. So after doing his morning routine he left to pick up some stuff at the General Store.

-----

Ruby stood at the bottom of the stairs to the basement. She barely slept over what happened last night. The emotions she felt, as well as the constant teasing by her Egg-maids, made sure of a restless night to say the least.

She took in a breath to steady her nerves. She was the Den Mother. She helped care for dozens if not hundreds of eggs and hatchlings. She can settle things with Jeb like a mature adult.

Yet she still stood in her same spot.

Her Egg-maids, seeing the Den Mother hesitate, looked at each other, rolled their eyes, then smirked.

They came up behind the short lizard woman.

"You know, if you hurry you can get a good look." One said.

She turned to the mischievous lizards.

"Do not start this again!" She hissed at them.

The Egg-maids didn't look fazed at all, smirks still fixed.

"Well someone has to since your too scared to do it yourself." They teased.

Ruby looked at the two, with righteous anger.

"I'm not scared!"

"Then why haven't you left that spot yet?" They countered.

Ruby looked taken aback.

"I'm just... waiting?" She said unsure.

The two Kobolds just stared at her with those same smug smirks they've had since last night.

"I'll show you! I'm not scared!" She hissed and stormed up the stairs.

The two Egg-maids just watched her go.

"Think she'll finally jump him?"

"That'd be kind of hard since he left ten minutes ago!" They both cackled.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Ruby stormed up the stairs up to Jeb's room. Then paused at the door. What if he was just getting done bathing again like last night, she thought.

She quietly knocked.

After waiting a not at all short amount of time she entered the bedroom. Jeb was not here. Nor could she hear him in the washroom.

Her eye twitched.

"Those dirty, little!" She cursed as she realized they had goaded and tricked her... again.

As she spun in her fit of embarrassment and anger her horn caught the fur blanket on Jeb's bed and buried her in thick fur. She tried desperately to get out before she stopped as a couple things caught her awareness.

The blanket was still warm from Jeb sleeping in it.

And it still had his smell.

She unconsciously took a deep breath of the warm smell, and of it's own accord, her body began to smother itself in the warmth and intoxicating smell.

She got lost in the euphoric feeling that her body was filling her with.

She wasn't sure how long she was rolling in the feelings, and blanket. It could have been seconds, minutes, maybe even hours to her she was so enraptured. But they were gone far too soon. The blanket was lifted and she was deposited on the floor. Then she looked up at who dared to ruin the moment.

Her warm moment alone was replaced with white-hot embarrassment as she looked up and saw that it was Jeb.

"Wh-wh-where?" She stammered out.

Jeb pointed to some supplies he had gotten that now sat just outside his room.

"Oh." Was all she muttered as she sat there, shame at both what she had done and that she had been caught doing.

Jeb scratched his head.

"If it ain't too much to ask, could you wait outside for a minute?" He asked embarrassedly.

She just numbly nodded. Refusing to look at Jeb she just left and waited with the supplies as Jeb closed the door.

She buried her head in her claws. He was no doubt going to kick them out because of her, she thought as she sat against the door.

-----

Jeb closed the door then shook his blanket but noticed a couple things. That there were a few holes and tears, no doubt from Ruby's horns.

And that there was a sizeable wet spot.

Jeb's eyes widened and he looked towards the door, then back at the blanket.

He chuckled.

"Horny lizards." He muttered before throwing the violated blanket onto his bed and getting ready for work.

-----

Ruby was so lost in embarrassment and despair that when the door opened she fell back and yelped in surprise.

She quickly got up and hugged Jeb's legs.

"Please don't throw the Tribe out for what I did! I'll leave but please don't send the rest away for my mistake!" She began to cry as she pleaded with Jeb.

Jeb just pushed her away and she thought that he was going to yell or scream at her.

Then he kneeled down and patted her on the head.

"Its fine. Wouldn't exactly be fair since I ain't much better." He laughed.

She just looked in shock at the kind Human, despite what had just happened he wasn't screaming or yelling or threatening her. He was telling her that it was alright, and he was laughing.

Her body, deciding that it couldn't wait for the brain, leaned forward.

And she kissed him.

Not a deep kiss but long enough that when she parted, and realized what she just did, turned and ran away... again.

"Sorrysorrysorrysorry!"

THUD!

-----

Jeb kneeled in shock, face red and dumb smile on his face as he watched the Kobold run, and like last night, missed the two steps at the bottom.

He was broken from his stupor when his clock chimed.

"Shit, I'm gonna be late!" He exclaimed as he hurried and rushed off to work.

Dumb smile still on his face and Ruby peeking at him from the edge of the basement, a smile of her own.

-----

Ruby couldn't help but watch Jeb leave, still worried he was going to chase her over kissing him.

Some small part of her feeling almost disappointed that he didn't. Her own body getting warm at the thrilling thought.

But, that was a dream for another day, she thought as she smiled at the bit of happiness that stumbled into her life. After what happened back at their former Master's lair everyone wasn't sure where they would end up or what would happen. Especially in this new, strange, and cold world.

Her smile turned sad. She wasn't much better. After losing so many eggs and even young hatchlings during the battle, and more during their flight, she had even been tempted to just wander into the cold woods and let nature decide her fate.

She wasn't the only one. After a head count when they exited through the tunnel that led them here, and after they settled down, revealed a small handful had disappeared during their journey to Jeb's.

Most were still shocked at what happened, some didn't trust Jeb and were even trying to tell the Trap Master and the Chief to either find a new place to live or even kill him!

Those amounted to little thankfully, those that didn't trust Jeb were becoming an increasing minority as the Tribe gradually got used to him. His own good heart, letting them stay in his home, and an abundance of food, were warming people up to him.

Her smile returned to being warm and she hummed contently as she made her way down the stairs, she had two VERY naughty Egg-maids to teach a lesson to!